CHAPTERXIV
ATOUCHOFWAR
Theperiodofintensivetrainingwasdrawingtoaclose。Thefinishingtouchesinthevariousdepartmentsthathadcometobeconsiderednecessaryinmodernwarfarehadbeengiven。Withthe\"puttingonthelacquer\"thefightingspiritofthemenhadbeensharpenedtoitskeenestedge。Theywereallwaitingimpatientlyfortheorderto\"goup。\"Themotivesunderlyingthatardourofspiritvariedwiththetemperament，dispositionandeducationofthesoldier。Therewerethosewhowereeagerto\"goup\"toprovethemselvesinthatdeadlystrugglewheretheirfellowCanadianshadalreadywontheirrighttostandascomradesinarmswiththemostfamousfightingbattalionsoftheBritisharmy。Others，again，therewereinwhoseheartburnedadeeppassiontogetintogripswiththosehellishfiendswhosecruelties，practisedupondefencelesswomenandchildreninthatverydistrictwheretheywerecamped，anduponwoundedCanadians，hadstirredCanadafromVancouvertoHalifaxwithadesireforrevenge。
But，withthegreatmajoritytherewaslittleofthedesireeitherformilitarygloryorforrevenge。Theircountryhadlaiduponthemadutyforthedischargeofwhichtheyhadbeenpreparingthemselvesformanymonths，andthatdutytheywerereadytoperform。Morethanthat，theywereeagertogetatitandgetdonewithit，nomatteratwhatcost。Withallthis，too，therewasanunderlyingcuriosityastowhatthethingwouldbelike\"upthere。\"
Fardownbelowalltheirfeelingstherelayanunansweredinterrogationwhichnomandaredtoputtohiscomrade，andwhichindeedfewmenputtothemselves。Thatinterrogationwas：\"HowshallIstandupunderthetest？\"
Thecampwasoverrunwithrumoursfromreturningbattalionsoftheappallinghorrorsofthefrontline。Eversincethatfateful22ndofApril，1915，thatdayoftragedyandofgloryfortheCanadianarmy，andfortheCanadianpeople，theYpressalient，thepointofhonouronthewesternfrontfromDixmudetoVerdun，hadbeengivenintothekeepingoftheCanadianarmy。Duringthoselongandterriblemonths，inthefaceofacontinuedbombardmentandofsuccessivecounter—attacks，withthelinegrowingthinner，weekbyweek，hackedupbywoefullyinadequateartillery，theCanadianarmyhadheldonwiththegrimtenacityofdeathitself。Therewasnothingthattheycoulddobutholdon。Topushthesalientdeeperintotheenemylineswouldonlyemphasisethedifficultyanddangeroftheirposition。Theroleassignedthemwasthatofsimplyholdingsteadywithwhatultimateobjectiveinviewnooneseemedtoknow。
Weekbyweek，andmonthaftermonth，theCanadianbattalionshadmovedupintothesalient，haddonetheir\"tours，\"buildinguptheirobliteratedparapets，diggingouttheirchoked—upwater—
courses，revettingtheircrumblingtrenches，andrebuildingtheirflimsydugouts，andthenreturningtotheirreservelines，alwaysleavingbehindtheminhastilyduggravesovertheparadosoftheirtrenches，orinthelittleimprovisedcemeteriesbyHooge，orMapleCopseorHill60，afewmoreoftheircomrades，andeversendingdownthelinetheirmaimedandbrokentoberefittedforwarordischargedagaintocivilianlife。Itwasaltogetheraghastlybusiness，akindofwarfarecallingforanenduranceofthefinesttemperandacourageofthehighestquality。
Fromthisgrimandendlesstestofendurance，theCanadianshaddiscoveredaformofreliefknownasa\"trenchraid，\"aspecialdevelopmentoftrenchwarfarewhichlatercametobeadoptedbytheircomradesoftheFrenchandBritisharmies。Itwasaformofsport，grimenough，deadlyenough，greatlyenjoyedbytheCanadiansoldiers；andthebattalionwhichhadsuccessfullypulledoffatrenchraidalwaysreturnedtoitslinesinastateofhighexaltation。TheyhadbeenabletogiveFritzalittleofwhattheyhadbeenreceivingduringthesewearymonths。
Whilethebattalionwaitedwithever—growingimpatiencefortheorderthatwouldsendthem\"uptheline，\"agroupofofficerswasgatheredintheseniormajor’shutforthepurposeofstudyingindetailsomephotographs，securedbyouraircraft，oftheenemytrenchesimmediatelyoppositetheirownsectorofthefrontline。
Theyhadfinishedtheirstudy，andwereengagedinthedivertingandpleasantexerciseofraggingeachother。Theparticularsubjectofthatdiscussionwastheirvarioussprintingabilities，andthecomparativeusefulnessofvariouskindsoffunk—holesasaprotectionagainst\"J。J。s\"（JackJohnsons），\"whizzbangs，\"ortheuncertainandwobbling\"minniewafers。\"
SeldomhadBarryfoundoccasiontocalluponMajorBustead，withwhomhehadbeenunabletoestablishanythingmorethanpurelyformalrelations。Amessage，however，fromtheorderlyroomtoLieutenantCameron，whichheundertooktodeliver，broughthimtotheseniormajor’shut。
\"Comein，padre，\"saidthemajor，whooflatehadbecomemoregenial，\"andtellusthebestkindofafunk—holefora’minniewafer。’\"
\"Thedeepestandtheclosestforme，major，Ishouldsay，\"saidBarry，\"fromwhatIhaveheardofthoseuncertainandwobblingbeasts。\"
\"Iunderstandthatchaplainsdonotaccompanytheirbattalionstothefrontline，butstaybackatthecasualtyclearingstations，\"
suggestedthemajor。\"Wiseoldbirds，theyare，too。\"Themajorhadanunpleasantlaugh。
\"Isupposetheygowheretheyareordered，sir，\"repliedBarry，\"butifyouwillexcuseme，IhavehereachitforLieutenantCameron，sir，whichhasjustcomein，\"andBarryhandedCameronhismessage。
\"Willyouallowme，sir？\"saidCameron。
\"Certainly，goon，readit，\"saidthemajor。
Cameronreadthemessage，andonhisfacethereappearedagraveandanxiouslook。
\"It’sfromthecasualtyclearingstation，sir。OneofourchapsfromEdmontonistheredangerouslywounded，andwantstoseeme。
I’dliketogo，sir，ifImight。\"
\"Oh，certainly。I’llmakeitallrightwiththeO。C。Getahorsefromthetransport。Whichcasualtyclearingstationisit？\"
Cameronlookedathismessage。
\"MeninMill，sir。\"
\"MeninMill！Bygad，IthoughtitwasBrandthoek，butMeninMill，goodLord，that’sadifferentproposition。That’swaybeyondYpres，youknow。Rightupontheline。Youcan’ttakeahorsethere。Doyouthinkyououghttogoupatall？\"
\"IthinkIshouldliketogo，sir，\"repliedCameron。\"Iknowthechapwell。Wenttoschoolandcollegewithhim。\"
\"Then，\"saidthemajor，\"youhadbetterhurryupandattachyourselftooneofthetransportsgoingin。Youwillbarelybeintime。\"
\"Thankyou，sir，\"saidCameron，andlefttheroom。
Barrywentoutwithhim。\"Whoisit，Cameron？\"hesaid。\"DoI
knowhim？\"
\"Idon’tknow，sir，whetheryoudoornot。It’syoungMcPhersonofEdmonton，anawfullydecentchap，andmyverybestfriend。\"
\"MayIgoupwithyou，Duncan？IknowColonelTaitandCaptainGregg，whoareattheMill，Iunderstand。\"
\"Iwouldbeawfullygladifyouwould，butIhardlylikedtoaskyou。Ithasn’tthereputationofbeingaveryhealthyplace，I
hear。\"
\"Allright，Cameron。I’mgoingup，\"saidBarry。
Uponenquirytheyfoundthattheyweretoolateforthetransports，andagainthequestionaroseastowhether，inviewofthemajor’sorder，theyshouldmaketheattemptbythemselves。
\"Itwasnotreallyanorder，Ithink，sir，\"saidCameron。\"Itwasmoreinthewayofasuggestion。IthinkI’llgo。Thenotesaid，’dangerouslywounded，’andhesentforme。\"
\"Allright，\"saidBarry，\"we’llgoon，andwe’llalmostcertainlypickupsomeonewhowillbeabletodirectustotheMill。\"
Theirroad，whichtookthemtoVlammertinghe，ledthroughlevelfields，lyingwasteanddesolatewithrank，overgrowingweeds。Astheyapproachedthathistoricvillage，theysawoneveryhandthecruelmarksofwar。Oneithersideoftheroadwererooflessandshatteredcottages，grownaroundwithnettlesandbriars。Amongtheseruins，astheyfoundonalaterday，weretheoldgardenflowers，pansiesanddaisies，bravelytryingtoholdtheirown。
Amongtherankweedswastobeseenthehalf—hiddendebrisofbrokenfarmgear。Hereandtherestoodtheruinsofwhathadbeenathriftyhomestead，withitsstone—flaggedcourtyard，aroundwhichclustereditsstables。Nownettlesandbriarsgrewaroundthebrokenwallsandshattered，staringwindows。Atrareintervals，agreathouseappeared，withpretentiousgateway，andgrass—growndrivewindingupbetweenstatelyandmutilatedtrees。Overthewholecountrysidehungamelancholyandweirddesolation，cottages，homesteads，fields，theverytreescryingaloudtohighheavenforpityandvengeance。
AtVlammertinghe，itself，thechurchtowerstillstoodwhole，butthechurchitselfwaswrecked，asweremostofthevillageshopsanddwellings。Inthevillagewastobeseennolivingthingexceptsomesoldiers，whointhebrokencellarsweremakingtheirbivouacs。Thevillagestooddesertedofitsinhabitants，eversincetheterrificonslaughtoftheHuns，onthe22ndofApril，1915，whichhaddriventhemforthfromtheirhomes，apanic—
stricken，terror—huntedcrowdofoldmen，womenandlittlebabes，whileoverthembroke，withacontinuousandappallingroar，apitilessrainofshells。
Atthecross—roadsstoodamountedofficer，directingthetraffic，whichheretendedtocongestion。Astheyenteredthevillage，thesentryhaltedthemtoenquireastotheirbonafides。Havingsatisfiedhim，theyenquiredtheirwaytotheMeninMill。
\"Menin！\"Therisinginflectionofthesentry’svoiceexpressedamildsurprise。\"TheoldMill！Areyougoingthere？\"
\"Yes，\"saidBarry，answeringhisinflection。\"Whynot？\"
\"Well，sir，youknow，it’sratherabadroad。Warmbitofcountryupthere，but——\"HeshruggedhisshouldersinquiteaFrenchmannerasiftosayitwasnobusinessofhis。\"IfyouaregoingtoMenin，youkeepthisroadstraightthroughpastWiperspasttheClothHall，outbytheMeninGate。Ahotplace，that，sir。Thenstraighton，takingtherightinclineforaboutamileandahalf。
Youwillseeabigcemeteryonyourleft。TheMillstandsnearabigschoolonyourright。Butwhynotdropintothedressingstation，here，sir，righthereinthisoldmill，whichstandsatthecross—roads？YoumaycatchanambulancegoingstraightuptotheMill。\"
\"Thankyouverymuch，\"saidBarry。\"We’lldothatverything。\"
\"Goodluck，sir，\"saidthesentry，saluting。
Theyfoundanambulanceabouttostart，andaskedforalift。
\"Allright，sir，\"saidthedriver，\"butyou’dbetterstepinandasktheofficer。\"
Theypassedintoalargeandhigh—vaultedstonebuilding，whichinpeacedayshadbeenamill。Theold—fashioned，massivemachinerywasstillstandingintact。Obtainingpermissionfromtheofficer，theytooktheirplacesbesidethedriveroftheambulance，andweresoonontheirway。
Itwasalreadygrowingdark，but，althoughthesurfaceofthestonepavewasfrequentlybrokenwithshell—holes，theambulance，dodgingroundtheholes，rushedwithoutpausealongatahighrateofspeed。
\"Youdon’tuseyourlights？\"askedBarry。
\"No，notlately，sir，\"saidthedriver。\"That’sthenewestorder，\"
headdedinatoneofdisgust。
Theroadlaybetweendoublerowsofoncenobletrees，centuriesold，withthefirstdelicategreenofspringsofteningtheirbareoutlines。Now，splintered，twisted，broken，theirwoundsshowingwhiteinthedarkeninglightthroughthedelicategreen，theystoodsilentlyeloquentoftheterrificforceoftheH。E。shell。
Astheywentspeedingalongtheshell—markedroadtheycameuponahugetrunkofamightyelm，brokenclearfromitsstump，lyingpartiallycrosstheirtrack，whichsoldierswerealreadybusyclearingaway。Withoutaninstant’spause，thedriverwheeledhiscaroffthe’pave’，crashedthroughthebrokentreetops，andcontinuedonhisway。
Barrylookeduponthehugetrunkwithamazement。
\"Didasingleshellbreakthattreeofflikethat？\"heasked。
\"Youbet，\"wasthereply，\"andalltheseyouseealonghere。It’sthegreattransportroadforourfrontline，andthebochesshellitregularly。Herecomesonenow，\"headded，casually。
Therewasasoftwoolly\"whoof\"faraway，ahigh，thinwhine，asfromaviciousinsectoverhead，witheveryfractionalsecondcomingnearerandyetnearer，everdeepeningintone，everincreasinginvolume，until，likeanexpresstrain，withanoverwhelmingsenseofspeedandpower，andwithanappallingroar，itcrasheduponthem。
Inthefieldontheirleft，thereleapedfiftyyardsintotheairahugemassofearthandsmoke。Thenastunningdetonation。
InsensiblyBarryandCameronbothcroucheddowninthecar，butthedriverheldhiswheel，withouttheapparentquiverofamuscle。
\"There’llbethreemore，presently，Iguess，\"hesaid，puttingonfullspeed。
Hisguessprovedright。Againthatdistantwoolly\"whoof，\"thelong—drawnwhine，deepeningtoascream，theappallingroarandcrash，andasecondshellfellintheroadbehindthem。
\"Two，\"saidthedrivercoolly。\"Therewillbeacouplemore。\"
Againandyetagain，eachtimetheterrorgrowingdeeperintheirsouls，camethetwoothershells，buttheyfellfarbehind。
\"Oh，Fritzie，\"remonstratedthedriver，\"that’srottenbadwork。
You’llhavetodobetterthanthat。\"
Againandagain，ingroupsoffour，theshellscameroaringin，butthecarhadpassedoutofthatparticularzoneofdanger，andspedsafelyonitsway。
\"Doyouhavethissortofthingeverynight？\"enquiredBarry。
\"Oh，no，\"cheerfullyrepliedthedriver。\"Fritziemakesalotbetterpracticethanthat，attimes。Doyouseethis？\"Heputhisfingeruponatriangularholeafewinchesabovehishead。\"Igotthatlastweek。Wedon’tmindsomuchgoingup，butit’sratherannoyingwhenyou’rebringingdownyourloadofwounded。\"
AstheyapproachedYpres，theroadbecamemoreandmorecongested，untilatlengththeyhadtothreadtheirwaybetweentwocontinuousstreamsoftrafficupanddown，consistingofmarchingbattalions，transports，artillerywagons，ambulances，withnowandthenamotororabiggun。
Aboutamilefromthecity，theycametoalargeredbrickbuilding，withpretentioustowersandsurroundedbyahighbrickwall。
\"Anasylum，\"explainedthedriver。\"Nowusedasadressingstation。
We’lljustruninfororders。\"
AtwhatseemedtoBarryrecklessspeed，hewhirledinbetweenthebrickposts，andturnedintoacourtyard，ononesideofwhichheparkedhisambulance。
\"Bettercomeinside，sir，\"saidthedriver。\"Theysometimesthrowafewinhere，seeingit’sahospital。\"
Theypasseddownthewidestairs，thecentreofwhichhadbeenconvertedintoagangwayforthepassageofwheeledstretchers，intoalargebasement，withconcretefloorsandmassivepillars，litbyflaringgasjets。Alongthesidesoftheouterroomwererowsofwoundedsoldiers，theirbandagedheadsandarmsnowhiterthantheirfaces，apatientandpatheticgroup，waitingwithoutcomplaintforanambulancetocarrythemdowntheline。
Inaninnerandoperatingroom，Barryfoundtwoorthreemedicalofficers，withassistantsandorderlies，intentupontheirwork。
Whilewaitingtherefortheirdriver，theyheardoverheadagainthatominousandterrifyingwhine，thistime，however，notlongdrawn，butcominginwithterrificspeed，andendingwithasharpandshatteringcrash。Againandagainandagain，withhardlyasecondbetween，therecametheshells。ItseemedtoBarryasifeverycrashwasfairupontheroofofthebuilding，butnomaneitherofthemedicalattendantsorofthewaitingwoundedpaidtheslightestheed。
Atlengththerecameacrashthatseemedtobreakwithintheveryroominwhichtheyweregathered。Thelightsflickered，someofthemwentout，therewasasoundasifatowerhadcrasheddownupontheroof。Dustandsmokefilledtheroom。
\"Lightupthatgas，\"saidtheOfficerCommanding。Anorderlysprangtoobey。Thegasjetswereoncemorelightedandtheworkwenton。
\"Rathernear，wasn’tthatone？\"askedBarryofawoundedmanathisside。
\"Yes，\"herepliedcasually，\"theygotapiecethattime，\"andagainhesunkintoapatheticsilence。
Inafewmomentsthedriverhadobtainedhisordersandwasreadytosetforth。
\"Betterwaitabit，\"saidthesergeantatthedoor，\"untiltheirEveningHateisover。\"
\"Oh，that’sallright，\"saidthedriver。\"IguessFritzisprettywellthrough。Theyarerathercrowdedthereatthemill，andI
guesswe’llgoon。\"
Inhisheart，Barryearnestlyhopedthatthesergeantwouldinterposewithamoredefinitecommand，but，inasmuchasthebombardmenthadapparentlyceased，andasifitwereallinaday’swork，thedriver，buttoninguphiscoat，said：
\"We’llgo，sir，ifyouareready。\"
Afewminutes’runbroughtthemtothegateoftheruinedcity。
Asthecarfeltitswaythroughtheghostlytown，Barrywasonlyvaguelyconsciousinthedarknessofitsghostlyskeletonlikeruins。FifteenminutesbroughtthemtotheMeningate。
\"Soundsratherhotoutthere，\"remarkedthedriver。\"Well，Fritzie，Iguesswewon’tjoinyourpartythistime。Weprefertowait，ifyoudon’tmind，really。\"
Heranthecarintotheleeoftheramparts，bythesideofthegateway，waitedtherehalfanhourorso，untilthe\"EveningHate\"
waspast；thenonwardagaintotheMeninMill。
Theyliftedtheblanketcoveringthesandbaggedentrance，passedthroughadarkcorridorandcameintoacellar，litbylanterns，swingingfromtheroof，andbycandleseverywhereuponledgesoruponimprovisedcandlesticks。
Nosoonerhadtheycomeintothelight，thanBarrysawacrosstheroomhisfriend，Dr。Gregg，hiscoatoff，andhisshirtsleevesrolledtohiselbows。
\"Hello，Dunbar，\"saidthedoctor，comingforward。\"IguessIwon’tshakehandsjustnow。Sitdown。Won’tyouhaveacupofcoffee？
Jim，\"turningtoanorderly，\"giveCaptainDunbaracupofcoffee。\"
BarrypresentedCamerontohisfriend，andtogethertheysatdownandwaited。Whenthedoctorwasthroughwithhispatient，hecameandsatdownwiththem。
\"WecameuptoseeayoungchapnamedMcPherson。Ithinkyousentanotedownabouthimto—day。\"
\"McPherson，\"saidthedoctor。\"Idon’tremember，butIwillsee。\"
Heturnedtoadeskandturningoverthepagesofarecord，apparentlyfoundthename，andreturnedtoBarry。
\"IamsorrytosaythatMcPhersondiedthisafternoon，\"hesaid。
\"Dead，\"saidBarry。HeturnedtoCameron。\"I’mawfullysorry，Duncan。\"
\"Wasthereanybodywithhim？\"heenquiredofthedoctor。\"HewasLieutenantCameron’sveryclosefriend，andcollegecompanion。\"
\"Oh，awfullysorry，\"repliedthedoctor。\"Yes，IthinkCaptainWinter，thechaplainofthe——th，waswithhimatthelast。He’snotherejustnow。Icantellyouwheretogethim。To—morrowishisdayhere。\"
\"Is——is——ishisbodystillhere？\"enquiredCameron，afterafewmoments’silence。
\"Yes，it’sinthenextroom。Doyouwanttoseeit？Hewasprettybadlysmashedup，I’mafraid。\"
\"IthinkIshouldliketoseehim，\"saidCameron。\"Iknowhispeople，yousee，andIwouldliketotellthemthatIsawhim。\"
\"Oh，allright，\"saidthedoctor。Hecalledanorderly。
\"Comethisway，sir，\"saidtheorderly。
Togethertheyfollowedtheorderlyintothenextroom，apparentlyastorehouseforgrain。Therelyinguponthefloortheysawthreesilentshapes，wrappedingreyblankets。
\"ThisisMcpherson，sir，\"saidtheorderly，lookingatthecardattachedtotheblanket。
Hestooped，drewdowntheblanketfromthefaceandsteppedback。
Incivillife，bothBarryandCameronhadseenthefacesofthedead，butonlyinthecoffin，afterhavingbeenpreparedforburialbythosewhoseofficeitistosoftenbytheirartdeath’sgrimausterities。
Camerongaveoneswiftglanceattheshapeless，bloodymass，outofwhichstaredupathimwide—openglassyeyes。
\"Oh，myGod，myGod！\"hegasped，grippingBarrybythearm，andstaggeringbackasifhehadreceivedablow。Heturnedtothedoorasiftomakehisescape，butBarry，himselfwhiteandshaken，heldhimfirmly。
\"Steady，oldboy，\"hesaid。\"Steady，Duncan！\"
\"Oh，letmego！Letmegetoutofhere！\"
\"Duncan，therearealotofwoundedchapsoutthere。\"
Theboy——hewasonlynineteen——washaltedattheword，stoodmotionlessandthenmuttered：
\"Youareright，sir。Iwasforgetting。\"
\"And，Duncan，remember，\"saidBarry，inaquietandsolemnvoice，\"there’smorethanthattoMcPherson。Thatfineyoungchapwhomyouknewandlovedisnotthatpoorandbatteredpieceofclay。
Yourfriendhasescapedfromdeathandallitshorrors。\"
\"Yes，yes，Iknow，\"whisperedCameron，stillshaking。\"We’llgooutnow，sir。I’llbeallright。IassureyouI’mallright。\"
Theypassedoutintothedressing—roomagain，wherethewoundedwerecontinuingtoarrive。Cameronwasfordepartingatonce，butBarryheldhimback，unwillingthattheladshouldbedrivenawaybeatenandunnervedbywhathehadseen。
\"Isay，Duncan，let’sseesomeoftheseboys。Wecanperhapscheerthemupabit。Theyneeditbadlyenough，Godknows。\"
\"Allright，\"mutteredCameron，sittingdownuponabenchintheshadow。TheywaitedtheretillDr。Greggcamealong。
\"Hello，Dunbar，youarelookingseedy。Feelingrotten，eh？\"saidthedoctor，eyinghimcriticallyforafewmoments。
\"Oh，I’mallright，\"saidBarry。\"Thetruthis，I’vejustbeenintherewithyoungCameron。Ratheraghastlysight。Cameron’sbadlyknockedup。Canyoudoanythingforhim？\"
\"Surething，\"saidthedoctorcheerfully。\"Stayrighttherewhereyouare。I’llbringyousomethinginamomentortwo。Nowsitrightthere，doyouhear？Don’tmove。\"
Inafewmomentshereturned，bringinghotcoffeeforthemboth。
\"There，\"hesaidinacheerfulmatter—of—factvoice，\"drinkthat。\"
Barrygulpeditdown，Camerontakinghismoreslowly，andwithevidentdistaste。Thedoctorcontinuedtoconversewiththemintonesofcheerfuland，asBarrythought，ofalmostcarelessindifference。
\"Now，Imustleaveyou，\"saidthedoctor。\"Iseethere’sacaseofshellshock。Wedidn’tknowhowtohandlethatforawhile。TheBritishR。A。M。C。forsomemonthsdeclinedtorecogniseitasrequiringtreatmentatall。Youmightcaretolookatthischap。
Poordevil！\"
Barryhadbeenlookingatthemaneversincehehadcomeintotheroom，supportedbytwoofhiscomrades。Hewasindeedanobjectofpity。Ofsplendidphysique，sixfeetandpowerfullybuilt，withthefineintelligentfaceofaneducatedman，hestoodtherewhite，twitchingineverymuscle，inastateofcompletenerve—collapse。
ColonelTait，whohadbeenobservinghimkeenlyeversincehisenteringtheroom，nowapproachedhim，greetedhimwithacheerful\"Hello！\"tookhimbythehandandfelthispulse。
\"Howareyou，oldchap？Feelingalittlebetterthanyouwere，aren’tyou？\"
\"Yes——doc——tor。Rather——rotten——though——Beallright——to—morrow——\"
\"Sureyouwill！Stillalittlerestwon’tdoyouanyharm。We’llsendyoudownforacoupleofweeks，andthenyouwillbefitenoughtohaveanothergoattheboche。\"
Sosayingheturnedhimovertoanassistant，andwentonwithhiswork。AtthispointCameron，fromwhoseeyesthelookofhorrorhadnotyetfaded，leanedovertoBarryandwhispered：
\"Let’sgetoutofthis。ForHeaven’ssake，thisthingisgettingme。\"HeglancedatBarry。\"What，areyouill，too？\"
\"Ill，\"answeredBarrybetweenhisclenchedteeth。\"Ill？No，whyshouldIbeill？Lookattheseboys。Iseemyselfill。ByJove！\"
headdedunderhisbreath，\"here’sanothershellshock。Sitdown，Cameron！\"Hisvoicetookonasternertone。\"Sitdown。Don’tbeanass！\"
OncemoreColonelTaittookinhandtheshell—shockman。Thissecondwasastretchercase。Themanwasveryviolent，requiringtwomentoholdhimonhisstretcher。
\"Oh，lethimgo！Lethimgo！\"saidColonelTait。\"What’swrongwithyou？\"hesaidtotheman。\"Haveyouanywounds？\"
\"No，sir，\"chatteredthemanmiserably。\"Shell——shock，——sir。
Buried——twice——byashell。Oh！Ah！\"
Thecolonelhadafewmoments’conversationwithGregg，whocameovertowhereBarrywassittingandsaid：
\"Isay，Dunbar，watchthiscase。Youwillseesomefun。\"
\"Fun，\"echoedBarry，shakenandindignant。\"Notmuchfunforthatpoorchap。\"
\"Standup，\"saidthecolonelsharply。
Themanstoodupwithoutmuchapparentdifficulty。
\"Ah！\"saidthecolonel。\"Shellshock。Badcase，too。\"Hisvoicewaskindandsympathetic。Hegrippedthemanbythearmandranhishanddownhisspineuntilhecametothesmallofhisback。
\"Painthere，eh？\"hesaid，givingthemanapoke。
\"Yes，yes！Ouw！Doctor。Awful。\"
\"Thoughtso，\"saidthedoctor。\"Badcase！Poorchap！Acuriousfeelinginthelegs，eh？\"