n--The German view, and the English view--'Punch'--"When you return
Conqueror"--K.'s new Army.

_Thursday, January 7th._--We moved out of Boulogne about 4 A.M., and
reached Merville (with many long waits) at 2 P.M. Loaded up there, and
filled up at Hazebrouck on way back. Many cases of influenza with high
temperatures, also rheumatisms and bad feet, very few wounded. When they
got the khaki hankies they said, "Khaki? that's extra!"

9.30 P.M.--We have 318 on board this time, including four enterics,
four diphtherias, and eighteen convalescent scarlets (who caught it from
their billet). A quiet-looking little man has a very fine new German
officer's helmet and sword. "He gave it to me," he said. "I had shot him
through the lung. I did the wound up as best I could and tried to save
him, but he died. He was coming for me with his sword." Seems funny to
first shoot a man and then try to mop it up. The Germans don't; they
finish you off.

An officer on the train told me how another officer and twenty-five men
were told off to go and take a new trench which had been dug in the
night. Instead of the few they expected they found it packed with
Germans, all asleep. "It's not a pretty story," he said, "but you can't
go first and tell them you're coming when you are outnumbered three to
one." They had to bayonet every one of those sleeping Germans, and
killed every one without losing a man.

All my half of the train had khaki hankies and sweets; they simply loved
them. They are all, except the infectious cases, just out of the
trenches, and such things make them absurdly happy; you would hardly
believe it. I am keeping the writing-cases and bull's-eyes for the next
lot. There were just enough mufflers to muffle the chilly necks of those
who hadn't already got them.

The wet has outwetted itself all day--it must be a record flood
everywhere. We shall not unload to-night, so I had better think about
turning in, as I have the third watch at 4 A.M.

I found some lovely eau-de-Cologne and shampoo powders from R. among the
mufflers, and a pet aluminium candlestick from G. Such things give a
Sister on an A.T. absurd pleasure; you'd hardly believe it.

_Friday, January 8th._--Still pouring. We unloaded by 9 A.M., got our
mail in. My wardmaster was so drunk to-night that the Q.M.S. had to send
for the O.C. And he had just got his corporal's stripe. He was a
particular ally of mine and was in South Africa.

We are in that foule