It was now midnight. My guide told me to follow him. "We'll go down below and find a place in which to snatch a little sleep." Down a long flight of stairs we went, along corridors, then down another flight and round more corridors. The passages seemed endless, until at last we came to a halt beside the bunk-like beds fastened on the wall. "What an extraordinary place; how deep is it?" "About sixty feet," said my companion. "The place is like a rabbit warren." "Well, I'm glad you are with me, for I should never find my way out alone." And I rolled my blanket round me and went to sleep. I was awakened by my guide. "Come on," he said; "time we moved off." I quickly got out of my blanket. Jove, how cold it was! My teeth chattered like castanets. "It's like an ice-house down here; let's go out and see if any of the men have any fire left. Might be able to have a little hot tea before we go. I have some biscuits and odds and ends in my satchel." "Will you let me have a man to help me with my tripod?" "Certainly, as a matter of fact I arranged for one last night." Up we went. Along the corridors men were lying about in their blankets, fast asleep. Holding a piece of guttering candle in my hand, and shaking like a leaf with cold, I stepped between the sleeping men; but it was anything but an easy task. During the journey I missed my companion. By a lucky accident I managed to find an exit, but it was nowhere near the one I entered last night. Ah, here's a fire, and quickly getting the water on the boil, made some tea; then shouldering the camera, and ---- helping me, by taking one of the cases, we started off. It was still very dark, but the sky was quite free from clouds. If only it would keep like that I might just get an exposure. We proceeded as fast as the innumerable shell-holes and old barbed wire would allow, and made straight for the ruins of ----, then crossing the road we followed the communication trenches along the top. It was still pitch dark. I looked at my watch. It was 4.30. The trenches were full of life. Men were pouring in to take up their positions. Bosche put a few shells over near by, but fortunately nobody was touched. He was evidently nervous about something, for on several occasions he sent up star-shells, in batches of six, which lighted up the whole ridge like day, and until they were down again I stood stock still. [Illustration: OVER THE TOP AT MARTINPUICH, SEPT. 15, 1916. I PHOTOGRAPHED THIS SCENE AT 5.20 IN THE MORNING] [Illustration: TWO MINUTES TO ZERO HOUR AT MARTINPUICH, SEPT. 15, 1916, THEN "OVER THE TOP"] Day was breaking in the east. A low-lying mist hung over the village. I hoped it would not affect my taking. We were now in the trenches, and daylight was gradually beginning to appear. "It's got to light up a lot more if I'm going to be able to film," I said. "But thank heaven the sky is cloudless. That's the one chance."