We were on the great road to the east and the border hills, and soon we should stand upon the farthest battle-front of the war.

This was no commonplace intelligence job.

That was all over, and we were going into the firing-zone, going to take part in what might be the downfall of our enemies.

I didn't reflect that we were among those enemies, and would probably share their downfall if we were not shot earlier.

The truth is, I had got out of the way of regarding the thing as a struggle between armies and nations.