"Guess that barrage changed their minds," remarks the Colonel. With gas mask at alert, I walked out for a breath of fresh air. The atmosphere in a crowded dugout is stifling. From guns still roaring in the rear and from in front came the trampling sound of shells arriving on German positions. The first hints of dawn were in the sky. I returned in time to note the hour and hear: 3:18. "Boston talking--O-P reports enemy dropping line of shells from B-4 to B-8." "Trying to get the boys coming back, hey?" remarks the Colonel. "A fat chance. They're not coming back that way." 3:21. "Boston talking--23 reports that the barrage called for in their sector was because the enemy had advanced within two hundred yards of his first position. Evidently they wanted to start something, but the barrage nipped them and they fell back fast." "Perfect," says the French Major. 3:25. "Boston talking--two green and two red rockets were sent up by the enemy from behind Richecourt." "Hell with 'em, now," the Colonel remarks. 3:28. "Boston talking--all O. K. in Z-2. Still waiting to hear from Michel." "I rather wish they had developed their counter attack," says the Colonel. "I have a reserve that would certainly give them an awful wallop." 3:30. "Boston talking--more gas in Bois des Seicheprey." 3:33. "Boston talking--white stars reported from Richecourt." "They must be on their way back by this time," says the Colonel, looking at his watch. 3:37. "Boston talking,--enemy now shelling on the north edge of the town. A little gas." 3:40. "Boston talking--X-1 reports some enemy long range retaliation on our right. "They'd better come back the other way," says the Colonel. "That was the intention, sir," the lieutenant reported from across the room. 3:42. "Boston talking--signalman with the party reports everything O. K." "We don't know yet whether they have had any losses or got any prisoners," the Colonel remarks. "But the mechanism seems to have functioned just as well as it did in the last raid. We didn't get a prisoner that time, but I sorter feel that the boys will bring back a couple with them to-night." 3:49. "Boston talking--G-9 reports some of the raiding party has returned and passed that point." "Came back pretty quick, don't you think so, Major?" said the Colonel with some pride. "Must have returned over the top." It is 3:55 when we hear fast footsteps on the stone stairs leading down to the dugout entrance. There is a sharp rap on the door followed by the Colonel's command, "Come in." A medium height private of stocky build, with shoulders heaving from laboured breathing and face wet with sweat, enters. He removes his helmet, revealing disordered blonde hair. He faces the Colonel and salutes.