further from his opponent
than he had been before.

At last, striking a clearing, the town of Villiers Cotterets was
reached. There was nothing to distinguish it from a score of other small
agricultural centres through which the Column had passed. The only thing
the Subaltern remembers about this town is that he handed a French
peasant woman there a couple of francs on the odd chance that she would
bring back some chocolate. She did not.

On the further side of the town the Brigade Transport, with steaming
cookers, was massed ready to give the troops a midday meal. This was an
innovation greatly appreciated. Such a thing as a meal in the middle of
the day had not occurred since the days of Iron.

CHAPTER XII

VILLIERS-COTTERETS

Twenty minutes later the Column was again on the move, but this time not
for long. Having reached the edge of another forest, a fresh halt was
made while the Transport was hauled past them into the wood. The
Transport, known technically as "second line" of a Brigade, is a very
large, cumbersome, and slow-moving affair, and it must be protected at
all costs, for without it the Brigade is lost.

A swift deployment was then made, and the edge of the wood was held
astride of the road. After everything had been arranged, there was a
wait of thirty to forty minutes. Nothing could be seen, as the position
was on the "reverse slope" of the incline, but the field of fire was
absolutely clear for at least two hundred yards in front. It is the most
trying time of all, this waiting for the approach of an enemy you cannot
see, and it tells on the most phlegmatic disposition. The men occupy the
heavy moments by working the bolts of their rifles, and seeing that they
work easily. The success or failure of the defence depends mainly on the
speed and accuracy with which the defenders "get their rounds off." The
Officers pace about, making sure of "keeping touch" with the units on
their flank, discovering the best way to retire, and so on. There is at
such moments an odd desire to give way to the temptation of saying to
oneself, "Where shall I be in an hour's time?" One gazes with a subtle
feeling of affection on one's limbs, and wonders, "Where shall I get
it?" Subconsciously one is amused and a little ashamed of such
concessions to sentimentality. The best thing to do under the
circumstances is to go and check the range-finders' figures, or prepare
the headlines of a message or two.

*