, at
the same time calling for tea. He had shadowed none other than the
chief Intelligence Officer of the Division the whole afternoon! There
was nothing for it but to own up and apologise as best he could, to
the vast amusement of the Staff Officer. After this incident, we were
spared further wild-goose chases by this enthusiast, and the keenness
hitherto shown by him for these quests somewhat abated.

A good deal of excitement was caused, at this time, by the arrival of
some heavy artillery in our neighbourhood, so much talk had come to
our ears concerning them. The guns were duly placed in position, and
on the afternoon on which they were to open fire a large turn out of
F.O.O.'s collected in the O.P.'s to watch the enemy get a surprise.
They did considerable damage, but, at the same time, were largely
responsible for stirring up a veritable wasp's nest of hostile heavies
which had been lying dormant for ages, and consequently our front
again became active.

While our F.O.O. was proceeding one day from the O.P. to the front
line, he was caught in one of those bursts of hate and separated from
the telephonists who accompanied him. On the conclusion of the shoot,
a search was made for him, but he was nowhere to be found. They returned
to the Battery and reported the circumstance to the B.C., who, much
concerned, speedily organised a search-party, and set out for the
scene of action. After a couple of hours weary tramping, they came
upon a Company Headquarters in the front line, and there, comfortably
ensconced in an easy-chair, with a large whisky-and-soda by his (p. 022)
side and a cigarette in his mouth, sat the missing officer. Much
indignation was expressed and explanations followed, but, in future,
it was only in the last extremity that search parties were instituted!

Thus the days sped by, until it came to the minds of those in
authority that the Division had vegetated quite long enough in this
area, and, at the beginning of February, we were pulled out and
transferred to another sphere of activity.

Everyone regretted leaving this peaceful spot, and the period we spent
there was always looked back upon as the brightest and happiest time
of our sojourn in France.

CHAPTER IV. (p. 023)

In "The Salient."

It soon became known that we were bound for Ypres. This town will,
without doubt, be the Mecca in France of the British soldier for all