ad to prevent them touching the bare skin.

"Up at the trenches, I was four days and nights stationed about sixty
yards from the Huns doing sentry on and off day and night the whole
time, waiting with bombs and bayonet in case they attempted to take it,
and now on return here have done three more night-guards and then no
more sleep again hardly for four more nights, when we return to the
firing line.

"It is a hard life, isn't it? For in between, one is sent off on all
sorts of fatigues, drawing rations, sand bags, trench boards, etc., etc.

"I must some time see that new Turkey carpet. The only one I see now
is sand bags. If there is a big move shortly, which seems more than
likely, it may delay our leave as I guess all the troopers would be
wanted in that case, but I am looking forward tremendously to seeing
you all again.

"Must conclude now, dear father.

"Much love to all from your son,
DICK."

"P. S. We dug up some dead Prussian Guards the other day. There has
been some great fighting here and may be again. I don't know what I
should do without the candles and matches you send me. They keep me
going nicely.

"I have just thought perhaps my letter does not seem very cheerful; so
I must tell you we have lots of fun in between the serious parts of the
game. Last rest, I had some great French feeds (for about one franc)
in a town near by. Got pally with six French gendarmes and hope to see
them again when I have another spell off.

"I guess they could take me around the town if I wanted to see the
sights. Also at all villages where we stay, I make friends with some
of the cottagers, and get lots of coffee and salads and washing done
for me. I am getting quite a reputation for finding places to obtain a
little meal to vary the Army rations.

"Cigs are best in tins; in boxes they get very damp. Cheer on! Good
luck to you.

DICK."

Zaidos handed back the letter with a smile.

"Thank you very much," he said. "That's certainly a fine letter. It
was nice of you to share it with me."

"That's all right," said the boy. "Everyone is glad to read every
other fellow's letter out here, whether he knows anything about the
people or not. We get so few letters. The people at home send us
candles and matches and kippers, as you see from the letter, and they
send lots of cigarettes to my brother. I don't smoke. They send us
paper and envelopes, too. You know all our letters are opened, don't