shall not be moved," quoted Barry.

"That's it! That's it!" said the major. "Not the devil himself, let
alone the Huns, could move them back from that wire. What is it,
Sergeant Matthews?" he inquired of the sergeant who came in at that
moment. "Have you completed your work?"

Sergeant Matthews was pale, panting and exhausted. "Yes, sir," he said,
"I think so. I didn't--I didn't--go quite the full length of the trench.
The boys said there was no one up there."

"But, Sergeant Matthews," thundered the major, "your orders were to go
to the very end of the trench. You know this battalion never goes out
leaving its wounded behind."

"We had a full load, sir," said the sergeant, leaning against the wall.

"Well, you will have to go back," said the major, "and complete the job.
Can you carry on?"

"Yes, sir, I think so, sir."

As he spoke Sergeant Matthews swayed along the wall and collapsed onto a
bench.

"Give him a shot of rum," said the major curtly to a runner.

"Let me go, major. I'll take the party," said Barry eagerly. "The
sergeant is all in. I've had an hour's sleep and a feed and I feel quite
fit."

"Oh, nonsense, the sergeant will be all right soon," said the major
impatiently.

"But, major, I should like to go. The sergeant is played out and I am
perfectly fit. We can't take the risk of leaving wounded men up there
in that trench. Besides, there's little danger now. The strong point is
blown up, so the general told me before I left."

"No, Barry, I won't allow it. I won't take the chance," said the major.
"My God, man! there are only five officers left. I have lost every
friend I have got in the battalion, except Neil here and you. I'm damned
if I'm going to let you go out over No Man's Land."

"Steady, now, major," said Barry. "I'm going to take a walk to the end
of that trench, just in case one of the boys should be there. Don't say
no. It must be done and done carefully."

"All right, Barry," said the major, suddenly yielding. "Better take the
sergeant with you. He knows the way, and I guess he's all right now."

The major and Captain Neil followed the party up the stairs and out into
the trench. It was a beautiful starry night, and all was quiet now along
the front.

"I don't like it," said the major, as he and Captain Neil stood together
watching the party away. "I feel queer about it, Neil. I tell you I wish
I hadn't let him go, but he is so darned stubborn about what he thinks
is his