ing till I say 'Go!' Then drop it on them quick."

He slid over the parapet like an eel and disappeared into the night. In
a few moments the sentry was alone in the trench. His state of mind was,
from sheer excitement, almost insupportable.

After what seemed interminable hours, at last he heard the clear word of
command, the clatter of things falling and the immediate roar of the
explosions. In reply, rifle fire began to break out along the German
first trenches, whilst, overhead, a star-shell burst into blossom; then
the stutter of machine-guns joined in the chorus. The sentry flattened
himself like a poultice against the side of the trench. Fosse 19 had,
among other disadvantages, the reputation of being open to enfilading by
machine-gun fire.

The disturbance died away as quickly as it had arisen, but there were no
indications that the bombing party was returning. Private Blobbs danced
with futile impatience and bent his head to the approved angle of the
expert listener. Suddenly a heavy body took him in the nape of the neck.

"Ow!" he exclaimed, floundering in mud and water with an unseen and
inconceivable presence. He clutched the nightmare of an ear and kicked
violently.

"Look aht, Percy," enjoined a hollow but reassuring voice, "'ere comes
another!"

Private Blobbs removed himself with remarkable agility.....

"Good!" exclaimed the Subaltern when he finally slid into the trench.
"This expedition hasn't quite come up to expectations, but it's the
nicest family of pigs I've seen for some time."

He flashed an electric torch on to the disordered carcasses.

"Corporal Leary," he added incisively, "will you kindly see that the
officers' mess is served with fresh pork?"

He snapped out the torch and, complete master of the situation, started
on the return journey to "Whortleberry Villa."

* * * * *

BRINGING THE WAR HOME TO US.

Household Orders.

By Mrs. EMMA PIPP, Commanding 3rd (Home Service) Battalion, The Fire
Guards. February 21st, 1916.

_Detail_. Orderly Officer .... _Mary Ann_.
Next for duty.... _Sarah Jane_.
Charwoman of the day. . _Mrs. Susanna Sudds_.

_Parade._ 9.30 Shopping march under the Commanding Officer.
Haversacks (for rations) will be carried.

_Inspection._ 12.0 O.C. Pantry will inspect all beetle-traps in
her charge, and report if No. 13 (Kitchener pattern) has been
found.

_Decrease Strength._ No. 4 Mas