of the thousand graves. On June 7th, 1915, Sydney Baxter
writes:

"We have been having a very lively time, a second touch of
real life-destroying warfare. Many of the boys have been
bowled over. We have had a series of heavy
bombardments--shells everywhere, so that it was a matter of
holding tight where we were. However, I was again fortunate,
and have proved to myself and to the Captain that I can hold
my head whilst under heavy shell and rifle fire, although
it's impossible to keep one's heart beating normal under
such conditions.

"We are now entrenched for a day or two, but it is not
over-lively. A corporal who was a fellow bedman of George's
and mine at Crowborough has just been killed. The poor chap
died in agony.

"It is indeed comforting to know that so many are
petitioning 'Our Father' to spare me, if it be His will,
through all the dangers and hardships of this uproar, and
the confidence that the friends have in my return is very
helpful. I have had the feeling that God will give me
another chance of doing more work, but the thought of being
killed has not the terror it had. The idea of joining George
perhaps gives this comfort, but of course I know that it
does not rest with me--unless of course by negligence.

"Will you include, please, two fat candles as you sent
before."

_June 16th, 1915._

"MY DEAREST MOTHER,

"Just a short note in reply to yours received this morning.
I am still as per usual. Depends on how much sleep I get as
to how I feel. As I was able last night to get to bed before
3 o'clock, and slept on to 10 o'clock this morning, I am A1.

"We got drenched the night before last--every one soaked to
the skin. We came out of the trench, and as there were no
huts or dug-outs ready for us, we had to stand out in the
rain for over an hour when we arrived at our destination.
As the weather changed next day we managed to dry our
things. It was a funny sight to see chaps walking about in
pants, and some with sandbags for trousers.

"It is rumoured we are leaving here to go ----, but being a
rumour it won't come true. However, I shouldn't mind a
change. We are all fed up with this spot.

THE ALCOVE DUG-OUT,