ten. But grousing is the privilege of the soldier.
Indeed, I always suspect the man who doesn't grouse. He is either too
meek, or else he is like a Quaker--far too respectable. And this great
camp of ours would, indeed, be dull without the original adjectives of
our Australasians.

"That is all, gentlemen, except this--and it is important--in a few
weeks you will be in active service. We expect great things of the
Australasians, the Twenty-ninth Division, and our Lancashire men; and I
know that we shall receive of your best. Good-day, gentlemen." And
off rode the handsome courtier and soldier with a rousing cheer ringing
in his ears. There's nothing like brains; and there's a great deal in
tact. Ask a colonial.

CHAPTER VII

THE LANDING

A great convoy of transports, guarded by destroyers, ploughed silently
through the waters which lap the European side of the Gallipoli
Peninsula. The ships had the Australian force on board, and the
destroyers were there to assist them in one of the most daring missions
in modern war.

All lights were out and strict silence was observed. Each man had,
therefore, time to commune with the spirits of those nine thousand
miles away. It was not a time for the buffoon; they were faced with
all the dread perils of war.

Nearer and nearer the ships drew to their objective. At last they
reached the point assigned them by the Staff. A quiet signal was
given. Destroyers, pinnaces, and row boats were placed at the sides of
the transports, rough gangways thrown out, and the command to move
quietly was passed along. Noiselessly they stepped from the
transports; but all the while there was an electric-like feeling around
the heart--that peculiar something which only the soldier knows.
However, there wasn't time to romance or moralise. War rules out
sentiment and fears. There was a job to be done.

When each boat was packed with its human freight, the gangways were
slipped, cables thrown off, and all were quietly towed to the shore.
It was still dark--one hour, in fact, before the dawn. When close
inshore, the hand of Providence proved kind. This took the form of a
strong current--so strong, in fact, that it pressed the boats away from
the point previously assigned for the landing and washed them into a
safer part for the historic encounter.

That current saved thousands of Australian lives; indeed, it may have
ensured the success of the mission. Had the Australians