And they had, for they were running back for all they were worth in the direction of Bierne.
Our men were positively disappointed, and I can honestly say I was myself, for the possibilities of a wonderful scene had disappeared.
The tension relaxed; most of the men returned to their billets and quickly made themselves at home with the people.
Noticing people going into church, I went up the hill to investigate. As I entered the outer gate an officer clattered up on horseback, swung himself off and walked up to me.
"Hullo," he said, "I am the doctor. Anything doing here?"
"Well," I said, "there might have been just now."
I related the happenings of the last ten minutes.
"Have you been to Bovincourt?"
"Yes, but the poor devils are too ill for me. I haven't sufficient stuff with me to go round."
Another officer ran up, "I say, Doctor, for Heaven's sake look in the church here. The place is packed and half of them are ill, God knows what with, and one or two are dead."