Towards two o'clock in the morning a thunder shower came on. We were soon soaked to the skin.
"In ordinary life," joked Guillaumin, "we should have kicked the bucket after a night like this."
I offered to go the rounds with the object of keeping myself awake.
The first sentry challenged me at a good distance. It was Judsi. He was calmly smoking a cigarette.
"Smoking's not allowed, Judsi."
"Pooh. It's a bit o' coompany. That won't stop a chap keepin' 'is eyes skinned."
But directly I had pointed out that the point of light might betray his presence at a distance, he gave way:
"That's true enough, that is."
He instantly threw his cigarette away in the damp grass.
I wanted to try an experiment on the next sentry-group and continued to advance after the order to "Halt!" Very well! I saw my two fine fellows both order arms again.