“‘Ere’s the Captain a-comin’ up,” said a man.

Sure enough, there he was, coming up behind the bank.  The Subaltern heaved a sigh of relief.

“D’you know what this is all about, sir?”

“No,” said the Captain, as much as to say “How should I?”

“We had better hold on here, and wait and see what is to be done,” he added.

Arm-chair strategists may not know it, but a man who has not learned how to “wait and see” is not much use in tactical warfare.  War is not, as some people seem to think, an excuse for a perfect orgy of recklessness.  But that is by the way.

“It would not be a bad idea if you went forward to see what is happening.  I think I can see some people coming up between the trees on the left there.”

The Subaltern set out, without loss of time.  Yes, there certainly were “people” advancing cautiously up the hill, from round the corner, but there were not many of them.  Still crouching, he began once more to mount the hill.  As he neared the top, he dropped on his hands and knees in the long grass, as he feared that he might unwittingly appear over the enemy’s skyline, and be shot down where he stood.

He peered cautiously about him.  The summit of the hill was round and smooth.  Not a particle of cover was offered, but about twenty yards down the other side he saw the edge of a dense wood, which appeared to roll, uninterrupted, half-way up the further slope.  The top of this slope formed the skyline, and seemed to be about three-quarters of a mile away.  Except for the men working their way up on his left, whom he had already noticed, there was not a man in sight; but the shells were still sailing overhead.

At length the party came up, and amongst them was the Colonel of one of the Battalions in the Brigade.  The Subaltern immediately asked him for orders.

“As far as I can see,” said the Colonel, “this hill is a sort of salient in our line.  The enemy are probably holding that ridge along there,” pointing to the skyline.  “Anyway, we will hold on to this hill until I have orders for a general attack.”

The Subaltern walked down the hill to report what he had found out.

“All right,” said the Captain; “you had better take your Platoon and all these men round about here, and help to hold on to the hill.”

He called for his Section Commanders, explained what was to be done, and set off once more.  As they were just about to cross the crest, he signalled to them to “get down,” and at length they took up a sort of position along the edge of the wood on the other side.

The enemy had evidently not “spotted” them, and they were left in peace for an hour.  Then their troubles began.