“Red Cross man,” says the boy; and then: “Any water?”
“Not a drop, mate,” said I. “Been wounded long?”
“Since yesterday evening,” says the boy.
“Been here all that time?” I asked. (It was now mid-afternoon.)
“Yes: couldn't get away”—and he pointed to his foot.
“'E carn't move—it's 'is arm. We crawled 'ere.”
“I'll be back soon with stretchers and bandages,” I said, and went quickly back along the water-course and then past the Engineers.
“Found 'em?” they asked.
“Yes: getting stretchers up now,” said I. “Awful stink here! Found any dead?” I asked.
“Yes, there's one or two round here. We buried one over there yesterday: 'e fell ter bits when we moved 'im.”