nnoitre, as the whole responsibility
of command in that part seemed to rest with him.

"'Ere's the Captain a-comin' up," said a man.

Sure enough, there he was, coming up behind the bank. The Subaltern
heaved a sigh of relief.

"D'you know what this is all about, sir?"

"No," said the Captain, as much as to say "How should I?"

"We had better hold on here, and wait and see what is to be done," he
added.

Arm-chair strategists may not know it, but a man who has not learned how
to "wait and see" is not much use in tactical warfare. War is not, as
some people seem to think, an excuse for a perfect orgy of recklessness.
But that is by the way.

"It would not be a bad idea if you went forward to see what is
happening. I think I can see some people coming up between the trees on
the left there."

The Subaltern set out, without loss of time. Yes, there certainly were
"people" advancing cautiously up the hill, from round the corner, but
there were not many of them. Still crouching, he began once more to
mount the hill. As he neared the top, he dropped on his hands and knees
in the long grass, as he feared that he might unwittingly appear over
the enemy's skyline, and be shot down where he stood.

He peered cautiously about him. The summit of the hill was round and
smooth. Not a particle of cover was offered, but about twenty yards down
the other side he saw the edge of a dense wood, which appeared to roll,
uninterrupted, half-way up the further slope. The top of this slope
formed the skyline, and seemed to be about three-quarters of a mile
away. Except for the men working their way up on his left, whom he had
already noticed, there was not a man in sight; but the shells were still
sailing overhead.

At length the party came up, and amongst them was the Colonel of one of
the Battalions in the Brigade. The Subaltern immediately asked him for
orders.

"As far as I can see," said the Colonel, "this hill is a sort of
salient in our line. The enemy are probably holding that ridge along
there," pointing to the skyline. "Anyway, we will hold on to this hill
until I have orders for a general attack."

The Subaltern walked down the hill to report what he had found out.

"All right," said the Captain; "you had better take your Platoon and all
these men round about here, and help to hold on to the hill."

He called for his Section Commanders, explained what was to be done, and
set off once more. As they were just about to