as in the trenches last night when word was passed round to
prepare to meet a big Turkish attack after dark. This did not come
off, last night was quiet except for an occasional spurt of rifle
fire.

_September 5th._--Sir Ian Hamilton is reported to have said that the
war will be over in ten days.

This morning we have been notified that we go to Imbros, probably for
a week, on the night of the 8/9th. This does not seem to give pleasure
to many. It means a night spent in crossing, and being tired all next
day when we will have to work hard to provide shelter, then returning
before we get really settled down. If this order takes effect we will
besides miss the "grand finale" which will be held among the forts of
"The Narrows" (!!!)

There was much artillery fire by both sides yesterday, and this
morning they have been very busy--they even managed to send two shells
after a Taube, these bursting many hundred yards behind their
objective. But it let the Taube see that we were not asleep at 7.30
a.m.

My friend Pirie, M.O. to the Royals, passed through this in the
afternoon, having been wounded in the back while he was holding his
Sick Parade--only a "couchy wound," such as the Irish pray to the
Virgin Mary to send them at the beginning of a fight, so that they
might escape something worse. Pirie walked in with his usual smile,
and pleaded with us, before we knew there was anything wrong, "not to
make him laugh as it was sore". (To everyone's sorrow, Pirie was
afterwards killed in France.)

_September 7th._--It was the duty of Agassiz and myself to take over
the dressing station last night, and there we now are. After the
experience we had last time when we did not feel over comfortable
after dark and the bullets began to fly, we were glad to occupy the
same dug-out during the night, for the sake of company. It is a most
unpleasant feeling to find you are fired at when alone. I have noticed
this especially when out a walk just as it is getting dark. You ask
yourself how long you may have to lie, if you get wounded, before
anyone comes your way. But even in daylight if shells are dropping
about they are doubly terrifying if you are alone.

This Gully has been a most uncomfortable place all along, its banks
afford little protection from rifle fire; they are too low for
cross-fire, and a few days ago we found it could be enfiladed. At
ordinary times we have only occasional bullets during the day, but as
soon as th