[D] The trenches were about seven feet deep. On the forward side was a step, or ledge, on which the men could stand when shooting.--TRANSLATORS’ NOTE. [E] It has been found that water must not touch the skin for many hours after suffering a gas attack. The chemical action of the water rots the flesh. For the same reason the “poilu” is now clean-shaven: the poison of gas remains in a beard for days, and perspiration adds to the dangers of inhalation.--TRANSLATOR. [F] Literally, “I am gnawing them away.” [G] Adrian barracks are made in sections, which enables them to be put up or taken down quickly.--TRANSLATOR’S NOTE. TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES: Italicized text is surrounded by underscores: _italics_. Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized. Archaic or variant spelling has been retained.