At daybreak I brought my workers and patrols back to Ornes, all satisfied with the work accomplished. On reaching the cantonment I said to them: "_Mes enfants_, you have done well to-night and I am very much pleased with you----" One of the _poilus_ I had known for a long time, replied: "Can I ask you a favor, lieutenant?" "Certainly." "Since you are pleased with us, we all would like to have god-mothers!" "It is understood--you will have them!" That is how the squad from Ornes got a very serious contingent of god-mothers to the great happiness of my _poilus_, who received that winter woolen socks and warm slippers! FOOTNOTES: [15] Royalist.--Tr. [16] A certain type of wire entanglement.--Tr. CHAPTER FIVE EPARGES AND CALONNE TRENCH _This period of the author's life begins during the first days of October, 1915, and ends on the eve of the battle of Verdun, February 20, 1916._ _He directed certain works in the different sectors of the Verdun front, at Eparges, at Calonne Trench, in the Hauts-de-Meuse, at Chevaliers Wood, at Ornes, at Forges and Béthincourt, at Corbeaux Wood, etc._ _He remained a greater part of the time at Eparges, which was then the bloodiest sector on the front. The episodes in mining warfare left an impression of horror with those who were lucky enough to survive._ [Illustration: Eparges Mill recalls the ruins of some ancient Abbey.] CHAPTER FIVE THE DAY OF MY ARRIVAL, EPARGES. _October_ 7, 1915. When I come here for the first time I cannot help but feel that I will pass the unhappiest moments of my life---- Upon arriving at Calonne trench and descending toward Mesnil-sur-les-Côtes, I perceive Eparges on the right. With its mine craters, its smoke, this barren hill, tinted red, appears like a kind of Stromboli---- The road all the way to Longeau is simply exquisite. Eparges mill, demolished almost completely, and overgrown with grass already recalls the ruins of some ancient abbey. I have traversed the length of the sector with a friend--it is very active to-day. The boches, at break of day, exploded four mines simultaneously. A section of the trench is completely demolished and a hundred men have been killed---- We are on the verge of contact with the enemy and it is necessary to crouch over dead bodies and sandbags to observe what is transpiring in front of us---- GUNTHER DUGOUT, THE CORRUGATED IRON, THE RATS, THE MAP, THE LETTERS, EPARGES. _November_, 1915. At the beginning our shelter was nothing more or less than a mole hole. Little by little it is becoming habitable. The walls have been boarded and the ceiling made of corrugated iron. A long, large, white table, with benches----. How many of us will no longer sit there! Everyone found in this little space is loved like a brother.