orley, remonstrated, and in a second 'Agrippa' had
struck him two or three times in the face....

"I don't know what you would think of one and a half spoonfuls of jam,
or grease, or preserved meat, or half an uncooked herring for the only
thing to eat daily in addition to dry bread and a bowl of soup at
midday, but such are our rations, and I can tell you that by now one
has got to look forward to the day's issue as a very big thing....

"The first 'tying up' shows him, the sergeant-major, at his best as a
wise judge, jury, and executioner.... The method of tying up was as
follows: In the garden behind our barn were some trees. The man had to
stand with his feet close together and his back to the tree; he was
then tied to the tree by a strap round the ankles.

"His hands were tied together behind his back and the strap passed
round the tree. The third strap was the worst; it was tied round the
man's neck, and tied tightly round the tree, so that the back of the
man's head was against the tree.

"Of course, a good deal depended upon the guard--some guards would tie
all the straps lightly, some would tie some men tight and others
loose, and so on. The most popular tree for tying men up to was not
straight, so that being tied up tightly to it was no joke, as I can
vouch for....

"A favourite pastime of the sergeant-major was to come and watch the
men at work. Then, indeed, did everyone buck up.... On one occasion I
saw him mercilessly belabour an Australian boy with his stick. The boy
had not been able to respond quickly enough to his order.

"Well, it is six months to-morrow since I had an English meal. (This
is written in hospital.) The last three days I have tried the tip of
having a drink of coffee at breakfast-time, and having my breakfast
between 8.30 and 10, but I don't know that it is any better. Strange
are the ways of this hospital--no soap and no clean bedding since I
came in.

"Sometimes peace and go as you please, sometimes every little rule
fussed about. Clothes and food are not in any way satisfactory, but
one is getting a rest, and that is what one should remember....
Suspense. Waiting with, oh, how many hopes and fears, for that parcel
to turn up. Hungrier and hungrier, and with the dread of tobacco
running out...."

Then in conclusion comes a pathetic little personal note.

"I have never read this through since I returned in December, 1918.
Seeing the mention of Bull a few pages back reminds m