"Good-morning, sir, and good luck!"
The gunner hurried back to his camouflaged emplacements, and I turned to find Roy at my elbow.
"A message came through from brigade, sir," he said, "just after you left, to say that the enemy were massing heavily opposite Primrose Hill, and that we were to get up as soon as possible."
"Right! Let us have a look at a covered approach I have just heard about."
We crossed a meadow and looked over a hedge. Sure enough, at our very feet lay a deep cutting, following the line of the hedge towards Primrose Hill.
"Bring your company over here," I said, "and start them up this thoroughfare for all they're worth. Have the signallers arrived?"
"Yes, sir; they came with me."
"Tell the signal sergeant to establish telephone communication with Brigade Headquarters as quickly as he can." I turned to that faithful shadow, my adjutant. "Notify the other companies as they arrive—to this effect." I scribbled an order. "Explain to Major Wylie"—Major Wylie was my second in command—"that I have gone ahead with A Company. He will take charge of affairs here and maintain communication as far as possible from front to rear. Is that quite clear?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good! Ah! here is Captain Birnie, with A Company. Now, Roy, young fellow-my-lad, what about it?"