CHAPTER VI

DARKNESS


At about five o'clock on that aching day, Maroilles was reached. All
through the streets there were halts and delays, intolerable to those in
whom the want of rest had become a positive passion. At last the members
of the billeting party were sighted--here at last was rest and sleep....

Many a slip 'twixt cup and lip! The General, followed by the
Brigade-Major and an orderly, came trotting down the road. A few hasty
commands were thrown at the Adjutant, accompanied by gesticulations
towards the road leading out of the town. Assuredly some fresh devilment
was rife, and for the moment, anyway, the cup had slipped. An attack on
the town was expected by a large detachment of cavalry. The wretched men
had to be hurried out, to line a row of hedges to the west of the town.
They waited about half-an-hour, but saw not a sign of the famous
square-crested Uhlan helmet. It appeared that the enemy had been content
with destroying the canal bridge, which formed the communication between
Maroilles and Landrécies, and had then withdrawn. There was a whole
brigade in Maroilles, which was therefore cut off from the rest of the
division, and from its natural line of retreat. That, however, did not
greatly upset the rank and file, and billets were at last achieved.

The Subaltern found that he was billeted in the same house as the
Headquarters of the Battalion--Colonel, Second in Command, Adjutant,
etc. His servant brought him his valise from the Regimental Transport,
and he began to change the offending boots for a fresh pair, without
nails.