The first time, and the second time we believed it was ungreased axles, but after the third time we understood.
Then our officers came walking along the footboards, speaking to us through the windows and pretending to point out characteristics of the scenery; and we took great interest in the scenery, asking them the names of places and the purposes of things, for it is not good that one's officers should be other than arrogantly confident.
We were a night and a day, and a night and a part of a day on the journey, and men told us later we had done well to cross the length of France in that time, considering conditions.

On the morning of the last day we began almost before it was light to hear the firing of great guns and the bursting of shells--like the thunder of the surf on Bombay Island in the great monsoon--one roar without intermission, yet full of pulsation.
I think it was midday when we drew up at last on a siding, where a French general waited with some French and British officers.

Colonel Kirby left the train and spoke with the general, and then gave the order for us to detrain at once; and we did so very swiftly, men, and horses, and baggage.

Many of us were men of more than one campaign, able to judge by this and by that how sorely we were needed.

We knew what it means when the reenforcements look fit for the work in hand.