after briefly scanning my target, told me that I was aiming
too low. After another long wait I had another chance; but this time I
was thoroughly chilled by the wind that had been blowing through us all
the afternoon. Then the worn cartridges and the old breech mechanism
behaved badly again, and though by following the captain's hint I did
better, making 27, it was very unsatisfactory. The officers hope for
more, and new, gallery rifles. Without them it is difficult to give us
good preliminary practice. For all this, you know, is to get us ready to
shoot with the service rifle.

Many of us came shivering off the field, and huddled in our tents with
our new extra blankets around us till we warmed up again. But very few of
the men failed to turn up at this volunteer practice, and to stay it
through on the chance of one more round. In the whole company there were
but six who slipped away to pleasures in the town. One of them was
Randall.

I am warm now, and fed. Love from

DICK.

PRIVATE GODWIN'S DAILY LETTER

Monday the 18th September, 5.40 A. M.
On my cot, while the others
sit about and chat.

DEAR MOTHER:--

The reason why the others sit and chat, and why I have time to write, is
this. Young David, fresh from his shave (which he has learned to do at
speed, and without injury, and is very proud of) came into the tent and
said: "We have ten minutes for making up our packs before mess." "Lucy,"
said Knudsen, "there's a chance of showers. Why do up packs that we may
have to undo again?" So David is polishing his shoes (likewise a new art
with him) and Pickle is sewing on a button, and they all are talking,
while elsewhere, chiefly in the street, the men are making up their packs
for the morning's work that is sure to require them. And now comes in
Bannister, chanting "Soupy, soupy, soupy!" It is time for mess.

--And now, forty-five minutes later, the whole company is at work over
the packs, most of the squads grumbling, but we very happy, for it is
showering in a dispirited way, and the order is, "Ponchos out of the
packs!" Wise Knudsen, and fortunate Squad 8! Now the next question is,
where to carry the ponchos--in the two lower straps of the pack?
Everybody gives everybody else his opinion. The word comes down the
stree