ic is attempted from time to time, sleep being entirely out of
the question, as everyone is much too excited for anything of that
nature. Meanwhile the bombardment continues without intermission, and
the night becomes intensely cold and eerie. Will the darkness never
pass and let us get started on the job?

Soon after midnight the infantry, who are to make the assault, arrive
at their places of assembly, full of quips and jests, a sure sign that
they are cheery and in good form for the coming fray. Rum is served
out, and the men lie down in little bunches, either to snatch a few
minutes' sleep or else to resume their constant arguments and
bickerings on every subject under the sun except anything connected
with the war. Zero hour at last draws near, and everyone grows more
restless, for this period is much the most trying time to endure, and
all topics of conversation have long since been exhausted. Then a
short, sharp order passes down the line, and the answering shouts
announce that all are present and ready--the "quarter to zero" has
arrived. Another crisp order comes along, and there are a series of
ominous clicks as each man adjusts his bayonet to the rifle, then the
men line up in perfect extended order, ready for the word to go. A
faint grey appears in the sky to the east, but only the next man is
visible to his neighbour, as the darkness is still upon us. The
F.O.O.'s and party are also up and ready, final instructions being
rapidly given to the signallers, who nod assent that everything is
prepared and understood. Then suddenly the guns bark out afresh, and a
creeping barrage drops down like a curtain in front of the men, who
follow after it at an easy walk. Fortune attends the little party, as
the wire has only been cut in three places, and these are speedily
repaired; and, as soon as the second wave of men is clear of the
trench, the line is laid out as rapidly as possible behind them. The
ground is difficult to traverse, being full of deep craters, so (p. 053)
the party progresses more slowly than the infantry, and presently
the third wave gains on and passes it by. At first the enemy puts down
a nasty barrage, just beyond our stepping-off place, but most of his
heavy stuff falls on the canal bank, and, as the majority of the
troops have already crossed, the damage is not severe. By this time
the party has gained the top of the crest, and, after establishing a
relay station in a pill-box lately occupied b