"Have a smoke, boys," said Captain Thorley. "Just to celebrate the taking of the High Wood...."
At that moment a shrapnel shell burst over the captain's head and he fell to the ground mortally wounded. A bullet had hit him on the temple. A few men rushed in to his assistance, Bubb leading. But nothing could be done. His brains were oozing out.... Consciousness was lost, death would come in a few moments. A stretcher-bearer appeared, then another, and they carried the captain away. He died before reaching the dressing-station.
The London Irish now set about consolidating their position and spent long hours of spade-work on the job. Next night the men were relieved.
CHAPTER XX
BACK FROM BATTLE
And as we left the trench to-night,
Each weary 'neath his load,
Grey silent ghosts as light as air
Came with us down the road.
And as we sat us down to drink,
They sat beside us too,
And drank red wine at Nouex les Mines,
As once they used to do.
(From "Soldier Songs.")
A soft rain was falling; a low wind swept across the levels, and the leaves of a near birch copse rustled in the breeze, faltering timidly as they shook the rain from their shining fringes. A soft, bluish haze surrounded the tops of the birches, the trunks were engirt with a pale mist which gave an eerie atmosphere to the whole wood.