CHAPTERXIV
　　ATOUCHOFWAR
　　Theperiodofintensivetrainingwasdrawingtoaclose。Thefinishingtouchesinthevariousdepartmentsthathadcometobeconsiderednecessaryinmodernwarfarehadbeengiven。Withthe"puttingonthelacquer"thefightingspiritofthemenhadbeensharpenedtoitskeenestedge。Theywereallwaitingimpatientlyfortheorderto"goup。"Themotivesunderlyingthatardourofspiritvariedwiththetemperament，dispositionandeducationofthesoldier。Therewerethosewhowereeagerto"goup"toprovethemselvesinthatdeadlystrugglewheretheirfellowCanadianshadalreadywontheirrighttostandascomradesinarmswiththemostfamousfightingbattalionsoftheBritisharmy。Others，again，therewereinwhoseheartburnedadeeppassiontogetintogripswiththosehellishfiendswhosecruelties，practisedupondefencelesswomenandchildreninthatverydistrictwheretheywerecamped，anduponwoundedCanadians，hadstirredCanadafromVancouvertoHalifaxwithadesireforrevenge。
　　But，withthegreatmajoritytherewaslittleofthedesireeitherformilitarygloryorforrevenge。Theircountryhadlaiduponthemadutyforthedischargeofwhichtheyhadbeenpreparingthemselvesformanymonths，andthatdutytheywerereadytoperform。Morethanthat，theywereeagertogetatitandgetdonewithit，nomatteratwhatcost。Withallthis，too，therewasanunderlyingcuriosityastowhatthethingwouldbelike"upthere。"
　　Fardownbelowalltheirfeelingstherelayanunansweredinterrogationwhichnomandaredtoputtohiscomrade，andwhichindeedfewmenputtothemselves。Thatinterrogationwas："HowshallIstandupunderthetest？"
　　Thecampwasoverrunwithrumoursfromreturningbattalionsoftheappallinghorrorsofthefrontline。Eversincethatfateful22ndofApril，1915，thatdayoftragedyandofgloryfortheCanadianarmy，andfortheCanadianpeople，theYpressalient，thepointofhonouronthewesternfrontfromDixmudetoVerdun，hadbeengivenintothekeepingoftheCanadianarmy。Duringthoselongandterriblemonths，inthefaceofacontinuedbombardmentandofsuccessivecounter—attacks，withthelinegrowingthinner，weekbyweek，hackedupbywoefullyinadequateartillery，theCanadianarmyhadheldonwiththegrimtenacityofdeathitself。Therewasnothingthattheycoulddobutholdon。Topushthesalientdeeperintotheenemylineswouldonlyemphasisethedifficultyanddangeroftheirposition。Theroleassignedthemwasthatofsimplyholdingsteadywithwhatultimateobjectiveinviewnooneseemedtoknow。
　　Weekbyweek，andmonthaftermonth，theCanadianbattalionshadmovedupintothesalient，haddonetheir"tours，"buildinguptheirobliteratedparapets，diggingouttheirchoked—upwater—
　　courses，revettingtheircrumblingtrenches，andrebuildingtheirflimsydugouts，andthenreturningtotheirreservelines，alwaysleavingbehindtheminhastilyduggravesovertheparadosoftheirtrenches，orinthelittleimprovisedcemeteriesbyHooge，orMapleCopseorHill60，afewmoreoftheircomrades，andeversendingdownthelinetheirmaimedandbrokentoberefittedforwarordischargedagaintocivilianlife。Itwasaltogetheraghastlybusiness，akindofwarfarecallingforanenduranceofthefinesttemperandacourageofthehighestquality。
　　Fromthisgrimandendlesstestofendurance，theCanadianshaddiscoveredaformofreliefknownasa"trenchraid，"aspecialdevelopmentoftrenchwarfarewhichlatercametobeadoptedbytheircomradesoftheFrenchandBritisharmies。Itwasaformofsport，grimenough，deadlyenough，greatlyenjoyedbytheCanadiansoldiers；andthebattalionwhichhadsuccessfullypulledoffatrenchraidalwaysreturnedtoitslinesinastateofhighexaltation。TheyhadbeenabletogiveFritzalittleofwhattheyhadbeenreceivingduringthesewearymonths。
　　Whilethebattalionwaitedwithever—growingimpatiencefortheorderthatwouldsendthem"uptheline，"agroupofofficerswasgatheredintheseniormajor’shutforthepurposeofstudyingindetailsomephotographs，securedbyouraircraft，oftheenemytrenchesimmediatelyoppositetheirownsectorofthefrontline。
　　Theyhadfinishedtheirstudy，andwereengagedinthedivertingandpleasantexerciseofraggingeachother。Theparticularsubjectofthatdiscussionwastheirvarioussprintingabilities，andthecomparativeusefulnessofvariouskindsoffunk—holesasaprotectionagainst"J。J。s"（JackJohnsons），"whizzbangs，"ortheuncertainandwobbling"minniewafers。"
　　SeldomhadBarryfoundoccasiontocalluponMajorBustead，withwhomhehadbeenunabletoestablishanythingmorethanpurelyformalrelations。Amessage，however，fromtheorderlyroomtoLieutenantCameron，whichheundertooktodeliver，broughthimtotheseniormajor’shut。
　　"Comein，padre，"saidthemajor，whooflatehadbecomemoregenial，"andtellusthebestkindofafunk—holefora’minniewafer。’"
　　"Thedeepestandtheclosestforme，major，Ishouldsay，"saidBarry，"fromwhatIhaveheardofthoseuncertainandwobblingbeasts。"
　　"Iunderstandthatchaplainsdonotaccompanytheirbattalionstothefrontline，butstaybackatthecasualtyclearingstations，"
　　suggestedthemajor。"Wiseoldbirds，theyare，too。"Themajorhadanunpleasantlaugh。
　　"Isupposetheygowheretheyareordered，sir，"repliedBarry，"butifyouwillexcuseme，IhavehereachitforLieutenantCameron，sir，whichhasjustcomein，"andBarryhandedCameronhismessage。
　　"Willyouallowme，sir？"saidCameron。
　　"Certainly，goon，readit，"saidthemajor。
　　Cameronreadthemessage，andonhisfacethereappearedagraveandanxiouslook。
　　"It’sfromthecasualtyclearingstation，sir。OneofourchapsfromEdmontonistheredangerouslywounded，andwantstoseeme。
　　I’dliketogo，sir，ifImight。"
　　"Oh，certainly。I’llmakeitallrightwiththeO。C。Getahorsefromthetransport。Whichcasualtyclearingstationisit？"
　　Cameronlookedathismessage。
　　"MeninMill，sir。"
　　"MeninMill！Bygad，IthoughtitwasBrandthoek，butMeninMill，goodLord，that’sadifferentproposition。That’swaybeyondYpres，youknow。Rightupontheline。Youcan’ttakeahorsethere。Doyouthinkyououghttogoupatall？"
　　"IthinkIshouldliketogo，sir，"repliedCameron。"Iknowthechapwell。Wenttoschoolandcollegewithhim。"
　　"Then，"saidthemajor，"youhadbetterhurryupandattachyourselftooneofthetransportsgoingin。Youwillbarelybeintime。"
　　"Thankyou，sir，"saidCameron，andlefttheroom。
　　Barrywentoutwithhim。"Whoisit，Cameron？"hesaid。"DoI
　　knowhim？"
　　"Idon’tknow，sir，whetheryoudoornot。It’syoungMcPhersonofEdmonton，anawfullydecentchap，andmyverybestfriend。"
　　"MayIgoupwithyou，Duncan？IknowColonelTaitandCaptainGregg，whoareattheMill，Iunderstand。"
　　"Iwouldbeawfullygladifyouwould，butIhardlylikedtoaskyou。Ithasn’tthereputationofbeingaveryhealthyplace，I
　　hear。"
　　"Allright，Cameron。I’mgoingup，"saidBarry。
　　Uponenquirytheyfoundthattheyweretoolateforthetransports，andagainthequestionaroseastowhether，inviewofthemajor’sorder，theyshouldmaketheattemptbythemselves。
　　"Itwasnotreallyanorder，Ithink，sir，"saidCameron。"Itwasmoreinthewayofasuggestion。IthinkI’llgo。Thenotesaid，’dangerouslywounded，’andhesentforme。"
　　"Allright，"saidBarry，"we’llgoon，andwe’llalmostcertainlypickupsomeonewhowillbeabletodirectustotheMill。"
　　Theirroad，whichtookthemtoVlammertinghe，ledthroughlevelfields，lyingwasteanddesolatewithrank，overgrowingweeds。Astheyapproachedthathistoricvillage，theysawoneveryhandthecruelmarksofwar。Oneithersideoftheroadwererooflessandshatteredcottages，grownaroundwithnettlesandbriars。Amongtheseruins，astheyfoundonalaterday，weretheoldgardenflowers，pansiesanddaisies，bravelytryingtoholdtheirown。
　　Amongtherankweedswastobeseenthehalf—hiddendebrisofbrokenfarmgear。Hereandtherestoodtheruinsofwhathadbeenathriftyhomestead，withitsstone—flaggedcourtyard，aroundwhichclustereditsstables。Nownettlesandbriarsgrewaroundthebrokenwallsandshattered，staringwindows。Atrareintervals，agreathouseappeared，withpretentiousgateway，andgrass—growndrivewindingupbetweenstatelyandmutilatedtrees。Overthewholecountrysidehungamelancholyandweirddesolation，cottages，homesteads，fields，theverytreescryingaloudtohighheavenforpityandvengeance。
　　AtVlammertinghe，itself，thechurchtowerstillstoodwhole，butthechurchitselfwaswrecked，asweremostofthevillageshopsanddwellings。Inthevillagewastobeseennolivingthingexceptsomesoldiers，whointhebrokencellarsweremakingtheirbivouacs。Thevillagestooddesertedofitsinhabitants，eversincetheterrificonslaughtoftheHuns，onthe22ndofApril，1915，whichhaddriventhemforthfromtheirhomes，apanic—
　　stricken，terror—huntedcrowdofoldmen，womenandlittlebabes，whileoverthembroke，withacontinuousandappallingroar，apitilessrainofshells。
　　Atthecross—roadsstoodamountedofficer，directingthetraffic，whichheretendedtocongestion。Astheyenteredthevillage，thesentryhaltedthemtoenquireastotheirbonafides。Havingsatisfiedhim，theyenquiredtheirwaytotheMeninMill。
　　"Menin！"Therisinginflectionofthesentry’svoiceexpressedamildsurprise。"TheoldMill！Areyougoingthere？"
　　"Yes，"saidBarry，answeringhisinflection。"Whynot？"
　　"Well，sir，youknow，it’sratherabadroad。Warmbitofcountryupthere，but——"HeshruggedhisshouldersinquiteaFrenchmannerasiftosayitwasnobusinessofhis。"IfyouaregoingtoMenin，youkeepthisroadstraightthroughpastWiperspasttheClothHall，outbytheMeninGate。Ahotplace，that，sir。Thenstraighton，takingtherightinclineforaboutamileandahalf。
　　Youwillseeabigcemeteryonyourleft。TheMillstandsnearabigschoolonyourright。Butwhynotdropintothedressingstation，here，sir，righthereinthisoldmill，whichstandsatthecross—roads？YoumaycatchanambulancegoingstraightuptotheMill。"
　　"Thankyouverymuch，"saidBarry。"We’lldothatverything。"
　　"Goodluck，sir，"saidthesentry，saluting。
　　Theyfoundanambulanceabouttostart，andaskedforalift。
　　"Allright，sir，"saidthedriver，"butyou’dbetterstepinandasktheofficer。"
　　Theypassedintoalargeandhigh—vaultedstonebuilding，whichinpeacedayshadbeenamill。Theold—fashioned，massivemachinerywasstillstandingintact。Obtainingpermissionfromtheofficer，theytooktheirplacesbesidethedriveroftheambulance，andweresoonontheirway。
　　Itwasalreadygrowingdark，but，althoughthesurfaceofthestonepavewasfrequentlybrokenwithshell—holes，theambulance，dodgingroundtheholes，rushedwithoutpausealongatahighrateofspeed。
　　"Youdon’tuseyourlights？"askedBarry。
　　"No，notlately，sir，"saidthedriver。"That’sthenewestorder，"
　　headdedinatoneofdisgust。
　　Theroadlaybetweendoublerowsofoncenobletrees，centuriesold，withthefirstdelicategreenofspringsofteningtheirbareoutlines。Now，splintered，twisted，broken，theirwoundsshowingwhiteinthedarkeninglightthroughthedelicategreen，theystoodsilentlyeloquentoftheterrificforceoftheH。E。shell。
　　Astheywentspeedingalongtheshell—markedroadtheycameuponahugetrunkofamightyelm，brokenclearfromitsstump，lyingpartiallycrosstheirtrack，whichsoldierswerealreadybusyclearingaway。Withoutaninstant’spause，thedriverwheeledhiscaroffthe’pave’，crashedthroughthebrokentreetops，andcontinuedonhisway。
　　Barrylookeduponthehugetrunkwithamazement。
　　"Didasingleshellbreakthattreeofflikethat？"heasked。
　　"Youbet，"wasthereply，"andalltheseyouseealonghere。It’sthegreattransportroadforourfrontline，andthebochesshellitregularly。Herecomesonenow，"headded，casually。
　　Therewasasoftwoolly"whoof"faraway，ahigh，thinwhine，asfromaviciousinsectoverhead，witheveryfractionalsecondcomingnearerandyetnearer，everdeepeningintone，everincreasinginvolume，until，likeanexpresstrain，withanoverwhelmingsenseofspeedandpower，andwithanappallingroar，itcrasheduponthem。
　　Inthefieldontheirleft，thereleapedfiftyyardsintotheairahugemassofearthandsmoke。Thenastunningdetonation。
　　InsensiblyBarryandCameronbothcroucheddowninthecar，butthedriverheldhiswheel，withouttheapparentquiverofamuscle。
　　"There’llbethreemore，presently，Iguess，"hesaid，puttingonfullspeed。
　　Hisguessprovedright。Againthatdistantwoolly"whoof，"thelong—drawnwhine，deepeningtoascream，theappallingroarandcrash，andasecondshellfellintheroadbehindthem。
　　"Two，"saidthedrivercoolly。"Therewillbeacouplemore。"
　　Againandyetagain，eachtimetheterrorgrowingdeeperintheirsouls，camethetwoothershells，buttheyfellfarbehind。
　　"Oh，Fritzie，"remonstratedthedriver，"that’srottenbadwork。
　　You’llhavetodobetterthanthat。"
　　Againandagain，ingroupsoffour，theshellscameroaringin，butthecarhadpassedoutofthatparticularzoneofdanger，andspedsafelyonitsway。
　　"Doyouhavethissortofthingeverynight？"enquiredBarry。
　　"Oh，no，"cheerfullyrepliedthedriver。"Fritziemakesalotbetterpracticethanthat，attimes。Doyouseethis？"Heputhisfingeruponatriangularholeafewinchesabovehishead。"Igotthatlastweek。Wedon’tmindsomuchgoingup，butit’sratherannoyingwhenyou’rebringingdownyourloadofwounded。"
　　AstheyapproachedYpres，theroadbecamemoreandmorecongested，untilatlengththeyhadtothreadtheirwaybetweentwocontinuousstreamsoftrafficupanddown，consistingofmarchingbattalions，transports，artillerywagons，ambulances，withnowandthenamotororabiggun。
　　Aboutamilefromthecity，theycametoalargeredbrickbuilding，withpretentioustowersandsurroundedbyahighbrickwall。
　　"Anasylum，"explainedthedriver。"Nowusedasadressingstation。
　　We’lljustruninfororders。"
　　AtwhatseemedtoBarryrecklessspeed，hewhirledinbetweenthebrickposts，andturnedintoacourtyard，ononesideofwhichheparkedhisambulance。
　　"Bettercomeinside，sir，"saidthedriver。"Theysometimesthrowafewinhere，seeingit’sahospital。"
　　Theypasseddownthewidestairs，thecentreofwhichhadbeenconvertedintoagangwayforthepassageofwheeledstretchers，intoalargebasement，withconcretefloorsandmassivepillars，litbyflaringgasjets。Alongthesidesoftheouterroomwererowsofwoundedsoldiers，theirbandagedheadsandarmsnowhiterthantheirfaces，apatientandpatheticgroup，waitingwithoutcomplaintforanambulancetocarrythemdowntheline。
　　Inaninnerandoperatingroom，Barryfoundtwoorthreemedicalofficers，withassistantsandorderlies，intentupontheirwork。
　　Whilewaitingtherefortheirdriver，theyheardoverheadagainthatominousandterrifyingwhine，thistime，however，notlongdrawn，butcominginwithterrificspeed，andendingwithasharpandshatteringcrash。Againandagainandagain，withhardlyasecondbetween，therecametheshells。ItseemedtoBarryasifeverycrashwasfairupontheroofofthebuilding，butnomaneitherofthemedicalattendantsorofthewaitingwoundedpaidtheslightestheed。
　　Atlengththerecameacrashthatseemedtobreakwithintheveryroominwhichtheyweregathered。Thelightsflickered，someofthemwentout，therewasasoundasifatowerhadcrasheddownupontheroof。Dustandsmokefilledtheroom。
　　"Lightupthatgas，"saidtheOfficerCommanding。Anorderlysprangtoobey。Thegasjetswereoncemorelightedandtheworkwenton。
　　"Rathernear，wasn’tthatone？"askedBarryofawoundedmanathisside。
　　"Yes，"herepliedcasually，"theygotapiecethattime，"andagainhesunkintoapatheticsilence。
　　Inafewmomentsthedriverhadobtainedhisordersandwasreadytosetforth。
　　"Betterwaitabit，"saidthesergeantatthedoor，"untiltheirEveningHateisover。"
　　"Oh，that’sallright，"saidthedriver。"IguessFritzisprettywellthrough。Theyarerathercrowdedthereatthemill，andI
　　guesswe’llgoon。"
　　Inhisheart，Barryearnestlyhopedthatthesergeantwouldinterposewithamoredefinitecommand，but，inasmuchasthebombardmenthadapparentlyceased，andasifitwereallinaday’swork，thedriver，buttoninguphiscoat，said：
　　"We’llgo，sir，ifyouareready。"
　　Afewminutes’runbroughtthemtothegateoftheruinedcity。
　　Asthecarfeltitswaythroughtheghostlytown，Barrywasonlyvaguelyconsciousinthedarknessofitsghostlyskeletonlikeruins。FifteenminutesbroughtthemtotheMeningate。
　　"Soundsratherhotoutthere，"remarkedthedriver。"Well，Fritzie，Iguesswewon’tjoinyourpartythistime。Weprefertowait，ifyoudon’tmind，really。"
　　Heranthecarintotheleeoftheramparts，bythesideofthegateway，waitedtherehalfanhourorso，untilthe"EveningHate"
　　waspast；thenonwardagaintotheMeninMill。
　　Theyliftedtheblanketcoveringthesandbaggedentrance，passedthroughadarkcorridorandcameintoacellar，litbylanterns，swingingfromtheroof，andbycandleseverywhereuponledgesoruponimprovisedcandlesticks。
　　Nosoonerhadtheycomeintothelight，thanBarrysawacrosstheroomhisfriend，Dr。Gregg，hiscoatoff，andhisshirtsleevesrolledtohiselbows。
　　"Hello，Dunbar，"saidthedoctor，comingforward。"IguessIwon’tshakehandsjustnow。Sitdown。Won’tyouhaveacupofcoffee？
　　Jim，"turningtoanorderly，"giveCaptainDunbaracupofcoffee。"
　　BarrypresentedCamerontohisfriend，andtogethertheysatdownandwaited。Whenthedoctorwasthroughwithhispatient，hecameandsatdownwiththem。
　　"WecameuptoseeayoungchapnamedMcPherson。Ithinkyousentanotedownabouthimto—day。"
　　"McPherson，"saidthedoctor。"Idon’tremember，butIwillsee。"
　　Heturnedtoadeskandturningoverthepagesofarecord，apparentlyfoundthename，andreturnedtoBarry。
　　"IamsorrytosaythatMcPhersondiedthisafternoon，"hesaid。
　　"Dead，"saidBarry。HeturnedtoCameron。"I’mawfullysorry，Duncan。"
　　"Wasthereanybodywithhim？"heenquiredofthedoctor。"HewasLieutenantCameron’sveryclosefriend，andcollegecompanion。"
　　"Oh，awfullysorry，"repliedthedoctor。"Yes，IthinkCaptainWinter，thechaplainofthe——th，waswithhimatthelast。He’snotherejustnow。Icantellyouwheretogethim。To—morrowishisdayhere。"
　　"Is——is——ishisbodystillhere？"enquiredCameron，afterafewmoments’silence。
　　"Yes，it’sinthenextroom。Doyouwanttoseeit？Hewasprettybadlysmashedup，I’mafraid。"
　　"IthinkIshouldliketoseehim，"saidCameron。"Iknowhispeople，yousee，andIwouldliketotellthemthatIsawhim。"
　　"Oh，allright，"saidthedoctor。Hecalledanorderly。
　　"Comethisway，sir，"saidtheorderly。
　　Togethertheyfollowedtheorderlyintothenextroom，apparentlyastorehouseforgrain。Therelyinguponthefloortheysawthreesilentshapes，wrappedingreyblankets。
　　"ThisisMcpherson，sir，"saidtheorderly，lookingatthecardattachedtotheblanket。
　　Hestooped，drewdowntheblanketfromthefaceandsteppedback。
　　Incivillife，bothBarryandCameronhadseenthefacesofthedead，butonlyinthecoffin，afterhavingbeenpreparedforburialbythosewhoseofficeitistosoftenbytheirartdeath’sgrimausterities。
　　Camerongaveoneswiftglanceattheshapeless，bloodymass，outofwhichstaredupathimwide—openglassyeyes。
　　"Oh，myGod，myGod！"hegasped，grippingBarrybythearm，andstaggeringbackasifhehadreceivedablow。Heturnedtothedoorasiftomakehisescape，butBarry，himselfwhiteandshaken，heldhimfirmly。
　　"Steady，oldboy，"hesaid。"Steady，Duncan！"
　　"Oh，letmego！Letmegetoutofhere！"
　　"Duncan，therearealotofwoundedchapsoutthere。"
　　Theboy——hewasonlynineteen——washaltedattheword，stoodmotionlessandthenmuttered：
　　"Youareright，sir。Iwasforgetting。"
　　"And，Duncan，remember，"saidBarry，inaquietandsolemnvoice，"there’smorethanthattoMcPherson。Thatfineyoungchapwhomyouknewandlovedisnotthatpoorandbatteredpieceofclay。
　　Yourfriendhasescapedfromdeathandallitshorrors。"
　　"Yes，yes，Iknow，"whisperedCameron，stillshaking。"We’llgooutnow，sir。I’llbeallright。IassureyouI’mallright。"
　　Theypassedoutintothedressing—roomagain，wherethewoundedwerecontinuingtoarrive。Cameronwasfordepartingatonce，butBarryheldhimback，unwillingthattheladshouldbedrivenawaybeatenandunnervedbywhathehadseen。
　　"Isay，Duncan，let’sseesomeoftheseboys。Wecanperhapscheerthemupabit。Theyneeditbadlyenough，Godknows。"
　　"Allright，"mutteredCameron，sittingdownuponabenchintheshadow。TheywaitedtheretillDr。Greggcamealong。
　　"Hello，Dunbar，youarelookingseedy。Feelingrotten，eh？"saidthedoctor，eyinghimcriticallyforafewmoments。
　　"Oh，I’mallright，"saidBarry。"Thetruthis，I’vejustbeenintherewithyoungCameron。Ratheraghastlysight。Cameron’sbadlyknockedup。Canyoudoanythingforhim？"
　　"Surething，"saidthedoctorcheerfully。"Stayrighttherewhereyouare。I’llbringyousomethinginamomentortwo。Nowsitrightthere，doyouhear？Don’tmove。"
　　Inafewmomentshereturned，bringinghotcoffeeforthemboth。
　　"There，"hesaidinacheerfulmatter—of—factvoice，"drinkthat。"
　　Barrygulpeditdown，Camerontakinghismoreslowly，andwithevidentdistaste。Thedoctorcontinuedtoconversewiththemintonesofcheerfuland，asBarrythought，ofalmostcarelessindifference。
　　"Now，Imustleaveyou，"saidthedoctor。"Iseethere’sacaseofshellshock。Wedidn’tknowhowtohandlethatforawhile。TheBritishR。A。M。C。forsomemonthsdeclinedtorecogniseitasrequiringtreatmentatall。Youmightcaretolookatthischap。
　　Poordevil！"
　　Barryhadbeenlookingatthemaneversincehehadcomeintotheroom，supportedbytwoofhiscomrades。Hewasindeedanobjectofpity。Ofsplendidphysique，sixfeetandpowerfullybuilt，withthefineintelligentfaceofaneducatedman，hestoodtherewhite，twitchingineverymuscle，inastateofcompletenerve—collapse。
　　ColonelTait，whohadbeenobservinghimkeenlyeversincehisenteringtheroom，nowapproachedhim，greetedhimwithacheerful"Hello！"tookhimbythehandandfelthispulse。
　　"Howareyou，oldchap？Feelingalittlebetterthanyouwere，aren’tyou？"
　　"Yes——doc——tor。Rather——rotten——though——Beallright——to—morrow——"
　　"Sureyouwill！Stillalittlerestwon’tdoyouanyharm。We’llsendyoudownforacoupleofweeks，andthenyouwillbefitenoughtohaveanothergoattheboche。"
　　Sosayingheturnedhimovertoanassistant，andwentonwithhiswork。AtthispointCameron，fromwhoseeyesthelookofhorrorhadnotyetfaded，leanedovertoBarryandwhispered：
　　"Let’sgetoutofthis。ForHeaven’ssake，thisthingisgettingme。"HeglancedatBarry。"What，areyouill，too？"
　　"Ill，"answeredBarrybetweenhisclenchedteeth。"Ill？No，whyshouldIbeill？Lookattheseboys。Iseemyselfill。ByJove！"
　　headdedunderhisbreath，"here’sanothershellshock。Sitdown，Cameron！"Hisvoicetookonasternertone。"Sitdown。Don’tbeanass！"
　　OncemoreColonelTaittookinhandtheshell—shockman。Thissecondwasastretchercase。Themanwasveryviolent，requiringtwomentoholdhimonhisstretcher。
　　"Oh，lethimgo！Lethimgo！"saidColonelTait。"What’swrongwithyou？"hesaidtotheman。"Haveyouanywounds？"
　　"No，sir，"chatteredthemanmiserably。"Shell——shock，——sir。
　　Buried——twice——byashell。Oh！Ah！"
　　Thecolonelhadafewmoments’conversationwithGregg，whocameovertowhereBarrywassittingandsaid：
　　"Isay，Dunbar，watchthiscase。Youwillseesomefun。"
　　"Fun，"echoedBarry，shakenandindignant。"Notmuchfunforthatpoorchap。"
　　"Standup，"saidthecolonelsharply。
　　Themanstoodupwithoutmuchapparentdifficulty。
　　"Ah！"saidthecolonel。"Shellshock。Badcase，too。"Hisvoicewaskindandsympathetic。Hegrippedthemanbythearmandranhishanddownhisspineuntilhecametothesmallofhisback。
　　"Painthere，eh？"hesaid，givingthemanapoke。
　　"Yes，yes！Ouw！Doctor。Awful。"
　　"Thoughtso，"saidthedoctor。"Badcase！Poorchap！Acuriousfeelinginthelegs，eh？"