“That was a desperate fight,” continued the O. C. “It was here that the Middlesex men made their great charge. Fifty men reported from the battalion when it was over. In that village they had a whole division fighting before they were through, Middlesex men, Royal Scots and Irish, for three days and three nights.”
As they rode along, the guns on either side began their evening chorus and from the far rear came the roaring rush of the H. E.'s like invisible express trains hurtling through the air. It was music to their ears, and they rode forward with a new feeling in their hearts, for there appeared to be almost no reply from the enemy guns.
The battalion took to the trenches at the crossing of the Pozieres Road, and so effective was the counter-battery work that they were able to settle down into their battle positions without casualties. The R. A. P. was in a deep German dug-out thirty feet below the surface, with double entrances and heavily timbered. It had been most elaborately prepared, planked on sides and floor, and fitted with electric lights. There were two main rooms, with a connecting corridor, leading to each entrance. They found an Australian medical officer in charge.
“These chaps were regular settlers, weren't they?” said Barry, after they had exchanged greetings.
“Yes, sir, they intended to sty, apparently,” said the Australian, in his slow drawl. “We found some letters on a wounded officer indicating their intention to remyn for the durytion, but we wanted the plyce—couldn't carry on without it in fact. It's quite a good plyce, too,” he added with a cheerful grin.
“Why, it's just bully,” said the M. O. “I am only sorry that we can't promise you as good in The Salient.”
“I hear it is rather rotten, eh, sir?” said the Australian.
“Not as bad as Gallipoli, though,” said Barry. “By Jove! You Australian chaps did magnificently down there. Must have been a perfect hell.”
“Oh, yes, quite hot for a while, but I fancy you Canydians didn't have any afternoon tea party in The Sylient, eh? My word, there was some fighting there. Oh, there it comes,” he added.
As he spoke a muffled explosion was heard, and the dug-out rocked, and the candles flickered.