_February 23rd, 1915._

Just now we are undergoing a shelling from a heavy German howitzer; a
piece fell at my feet as I was outside talking to Col. Spedding,
cousin to Major Spedding of my regiment, whom you knew. He tells me
that Major S. is supposed to be dead, but the difficulty is that every
now and then some rumour comes that he has been seen alive, and poor
Mrs. Spedding catches at any hope. He was a brave man, which, after
all, is what we want. I enclose you my sister Amy's letter. Yesterday
I had to go off to look at some forts. The German snipers were busy,
though there was so thick a mist that they could not see me. Still,
their bullets fell pretty close, and hit one of the forts; a man was
also wounded in the leg. It shows how dangerous this unaimed fire can
be when it comes in quantities. I had a quaint postcard from Sydney in
reply to my last letter. Yes; I saw that Massereene, poor Herbert
Stepney, and many others I know were mentioned in the despatches. The
Military Cross is a new order, awarded to junior officers. As to the
Russians, they have large numbers of men, but are still unfortunately
short of equipment. Germany had plenty of men, though she never
imagined that she would have to get the last 2 millions out. They were
not trained, but neither were the Russians; I think, however, that we
shall wear them down all right in the end. The Germans are supposed to
have used up half their last million already. Our days here are very
hard; for instance, I was up at 2 a.m., and have been walking or
working ever since then, arranging with engineers or Generals or
artillery officers what is to be done. I lay down for an hour after 6
o'clock, but could not sleep on account of cold feet.

IN TRENCHES.
_February 24rd, 1915._

I am glad you had a pleasant "meet" at Ossington, and I am much
obliged for Mr. Denison's kind inquiries after me. I know how
seriously ill he is, but I think it is quite likely many of us will go
before.... We had a sharp frost last night, though my men are fairly
used to it now. They are just like a lot of naughty children! For
instance, I had two killed yesterday, through either their own or
their comrades' faults. One man was watching our guns shelling the
enemy's trenches. He was told to lie down or he would be shot. He did
so, and the moment he saw a favourable opportunity he popped up agai