having made up
their minds to it, and stood the forty-five minutes' strain of waiting,
it had seemed a bit tough not to be repaid with a whack at the Turks.

The long hot day drew at length to a close. The setting of the sun
amidst the islands was full of wild beauty. The airy pinnacles of
Samothrace and the wild hills of Imbros, scarred and parched, stood
silhouetted against a glorious background of wonderful colouring, high
tones and low tones, an idealized Turner canvas. Out to the sinking
sun stretched a golden path, while to the right and to the left lay
untroubled leagues of blue. The gloaming slowly enveloped the horizon
to the north and south, the shining path of light broadened and
burnished, as the sun rested a moment, then disappeared, while the
island grew darker against the riot of deep colouring.

Resting on a clay ledge on the edge of the cliff which rose
precipitously to a height of 600 feet a few hundred yards from the
shore, Mac and Smoky drank in the glory of these rare moments. Both
sides were tired, the Turks weary of the carnage and their failure, and
the invaders of the hot, waterless hours of waiting, but conscious of
their successful defence and increased security. They discussed the
events of the day, the prospect of a swim on the morrow, and, as
always, of the long shandies, the ham and eggs, and the apple pie which
they would have on that great occasion when they returned once more to
New Zealand. Yes, a bush whare was all that Smoky would want for the
rest of his life, a possie where he could eat and drink and sleep just
as much as he wished. He aspired also to brands of tobacco other than
those the Army thought suitable to his taste. These pleasant
anticipations of the future were abruptly cut short by the order,
"Stand to." From Mac's point of view this was quite an unnecessary
proceeding, involving much inconvenience and discomfort, and, in the
early morning hours, loss of valuable sleep. Still, these things had
to be put up with, and "stand to" could be profitably spent cleaning
rifles and other gear. The issue of rum, when not stopped by the
higher command or absorbed by the A.S.C. and quartermasters, was
occasionally a relieving and pleasant interlude about this time.

"Stand to" ended, they composed themselves to sleep where they were,
which was still in the same communication trench in reserve. The
trench was five feet in width--in favourable spots it may have been
si