h he thinks is a naval battle. I think it is
lightning. It was. The gale is terrific: must be giving the ships a
doing.

_Saturday, December 5th_, 7 A.M.--We had a long stop on an embankment in
the night, and at last the Chef de Gare from the next station came along
the line and found both the French guards rolled up asleep and the
engine-driver therefore hung up. Then he ran out of coal, and couldn't
pull the train up the hill, so we had another four hours' wait while
another engine was sent for. Got into B. at 6 A.M.; bitterly cold and
wet, and no chauffage.

_Sunday, December 6th._--A brilliant frosty day--on way up to Bailleul.
We unloaded early at B. yesterday, and waited at a good place half-way
between B. and Calais, a high down not far from the sea, with a splendid
air. Some of the others went for a walk as we had no engine on, but I
had been up since 2 A.M., and have hatched another bad cold, and so
retired for a sleep till tea-time.

Just got to Hazebrouck. Ten men and three women were killed and twenty
wounded here this morning by a bomb. They are very keen on getting a
good bag here, especially on the station, and for other reasons, as it
is an important junction.

4 P.M.--We have been up to B. and there were no patients for us, so we
are to go back to the above bomb place to collect theirs. B. was packed
with pale, war-worn, dirty but cheerful French troops entraining for
their Front. They have been all through everything, and say they want to
go on and get it finished. They carry fearful loads, including an extra
pair of boots, a whole collection of frying-pans and things, and
blankets, picks, &c., all on their backs.

The British officers on the station came and grabbed our yesterday's
'Daily Mails,' and asked for soap, so what you sent came in handy. They
went in to the town to buy grapes for us in return. This place is famous
for grapes--huge monster purple ones--but the train went out before they
came back. We had got some earlier, though.

9 P.M.--We are nearly back at Boulogne and haven't taken up any sick or
wounded anywhere. One of the trains has taken Indians from Boulogne
down to Marseilles--several days' journey.

_Monday, December 7th._--Pouring wet day. Still standing by; nothing
doing anywhere. It is a blessed relief to know that, and the rest does
no one any harm. Had a grand mail to-day.

There is a heart-breaking account of my beautiful Ypres on page 8 of
December 1st 'Time