to Mitrovitza, because
the Serbs say that Uskub will fall in a few days."

"I should get out of the country as soon as you can," said one.

"It is exceedingly unlikely that Uskub can fall," said the other. But
they promised us as definite information as they were allowed to give if
we would return for tea, by when the aeroplane reconnaissance should
have come in.

We went back to the camp with the news.

Colonel G---- came up and tried to wipe out the impression which he had
made the evening before. He repeated that Uskub must certainly fall
within the week, and that we should be very silly to go off to Novi
Bazar, which we could never reach because the bridge had been washed
away.

All the hill behind was crowded with Austrian prisoners. They had
received one loaf between every three men, and said that it had to last
three days. They did not know where they were going. Blease went through
their lines, and at last found an old servant--a Hungarian. He was a
stoic.

"One lives till one is dead," said he.

The hospital was doing a brisk trade in wounded: sisters and doctors
both hard at work. The "Stobarts" were resting, and had built a camp
fire outside the door of their hovel. We got lunch ready, ruining
recklessly another biscuit tin. While we were eating it a Serb came
near.

"I am starving," he said.

We gave him some curry and rice. He devoured it.

"To-morrow," he said, "I go back to commando."

We pointed to his hand, which was bound in dirty linen.

"But?"

"It is better to go back though wounded than be starved to death."

We also held a court of justice. A driver complained that one of the
Englishmen had given him a pair of boots and that the corporal had taken
them.

"CORPORAL!!"

He came grinning. We exposed the complaint.

"Certainly the man had a pair of boots," said he; "but he has them no
longer. Now, they are mine, I have taken them."

"But they were given to him."

"But I have taken them. I needed new boots." He exhibited his own, which
were split.

We told him that possession by capture was not recognized in our circle,
and ordered immediate restitution. He agreed gloomily, no doubt feeling
that the foundations of his world were falling about his ears, and what
was the use of being a corporal anyway?

In the afternoon we sought out the motor authorities, finding our old
friends Ristich and Derrok in command. They easily promised us transport
for Sir Ralph Paget's box and