aid, of hanging about this mouldy island, and he knew that
he could bluff the M.O. at the new camp that he had had dysentery and
was now all right; and that, if there happened to be any official
papers in the camp, no one would trouble to find them, nor probably
could, if they wanted to. Mac was not so keen to hurry back, but the
fortnight's rest from the line and better food had set him to rights,
and he fell in eventually with Mick's suggestion. They approached an
old M.O., who pushed them through without ever getting suspicious about
Mick, and two hours later in the early afternoon they were bumping over
the open country in a Ford ambulance towards the landing-place.

The late afternoon was spent in the _Aragon_, down in the depths of a
well-deck, waiting for the fleet-sweeper to take them to Anzac. Mick
was furious because he was not allowed to buy stuff at the ship's
canteen, as it was reserved for those non-fighting staff soldiers who
lived in all the comfort and safety of this beautiful ship. Mick was
loud and exceedingly pointed in his remarks. However, he and Mac
succeeded in penetrating to the depths of the ship, where, with the few
odd coins still in their possession, they managed to bribe the cook to
let them have as much currant bread, buns and sausages as would fill up
all the spare corners in their kit. They ate as much on the spot as
they possibly could, and eventually went on board the sweeper very well
loaded.

Six hours' steam across the warm night waters brought them again within
earshot of the usual night musketry fire. At one in the morning they
were once more ashore at the Cove, with its tireless throng of men,
mules and limbers. Mac deposited his load in the bivouac of a friend,
and then parted for ever with his good cobber Mick, his casual
companion of a Lemnos fortnight, whose way lay in the opposite
direction.

CHAPTER XX

ANZAC AWAKES

Mac set off for his Regiment, which was holding the front trenches of
Russell's Top. Knowing it was a hopeless business poking about
trenches among sentries in the dark looking for his unit, he lay down
at the base of the Top, and slept there on the ground till daylight.

He found his Squadron in the most uncomfortable of trenches, and not
particularly enjoying itself. It was holding the portion of the Top
nearest the enemy, who were between twenty and thirty yards away and
well within range of hand grenades. But two could play at the sa