"Captain, we have been out reconnoitering the enemy; we saw a boche on sentinel duty; he did not see us—I believe I can get him."
"How far is he?"
"About half a mile away."
"Go—get him!"
We continued the conversation as the poilu went on his errand; it struck us that the man had been deceived. As on a certain night they had charged on a blind, about a hundred yards from here——
The night was passing without incident when soon our brave chap returned and, assuming his former position before his officer, said:
"Captain, I cannot get him—there is a network of barbed wire. Can I kill him?"
"Why, certainly. Always use your own judgment. You don't usually have time to come back for instructions——"
Again he started out and the heavens began to pale; we searched once more for images of the past in the glowing embers of the wood fire which was fast dying out.