Last Wednesday we had a sham fight at night: paraded at 5 p.m., raining and jolly cold. Had to go out the usual six miles and spent about three hours messing about. when one couldn't see a yard ahead. Tt was fierce, and the climax was reached in the bayonet charge. We stumbled arid fell into water, and worse, dragged ourselves through three thorny hedges and numerous ditches. But what cared wet We carried the position. It was great, but it is the life, indeed. We were in a terrible mess on our return, muddy and wet from head to foot. But the worst part of this sort of thing is that directly one gets back one has to clean up one's boots and clothes in readiness for next morning. Cleaning those army boots is Oh! for my boy to lend 549
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.