le
support. This would mean at least a rest before the next fight, he told
himself.

These "dragons" seemed exceedingly intelligent and superior men. They
were quite preoccupied, like men who are going to do something. There
was none of that inane shouting "A bas les Bosches." Later on, some
transport columns were passed, and the men descended from their wagons
and distributed bread to the English.

All day long the sound of guns rolled along to the right. The sound
seemed to move parallel to them, otherwise the day's march was
uneventful. At about half-past five in the evening the Battalion
suddenly struck the "route nationale," along which they had advanced
north of Etreux. There had been a feeling, once again, that the enemy
had been successfully shaken off by the rapidity of the retreat.

Once again came disillusionment, for here were the Guards' Brigade
entrenching themselves for the night. Apparently there had been very
severe fighting around Etreux, which had resulted in a check to the
enemy, for the moment, at any rate. The Regiment, however, passed
through Etreux, and was eventually ordered to occupy a defensive
position around the village of Venerolles. Darkness fell so suddenly
that the Company Commanders had the greatest difficulty in selecting
good positions. Eventually the Subaltern's Platoon was placed astride a
sunken lane, along the edge of an orchard. The position was a happy
one, and since the hedge that stretched along its front was thick and
about ten feet high, it seemed safe from surprise.

It was now quite dark, and the men had not had a meal since the few
biscuits which had been given out in the early morning. At last,
however, the Regimental Transport was heard creaking up the small lane
which led to the position. Then the trouble began. The road was dark,
deeply rutted and narrow, and crossed by a little stream. A nervous
horse took fright at the running water, dashed up one of the banks, and
firmly embedded the water-cart, which he was pulling, in the other, thus
effectively blocking the way.

When the Subaltern, having seen everything safe for the night, was
returning to report to the Major, he found something akin to confusion
in the Transport. Horses were neighing, backing, plunging, making things
worse, as only horses can. If the Regiment had been attacked that night,
and forced to retire, the way was so completely obstructed that it would
probably have been annihilated, as the Tran