' ' BATTLES________LONG________AGO ' '

" Turn on the light, somebody . . ."

The dark, gloomy Major jumped out of bed and
pressed the switch. Even as he did so a couple of
revolver shots rang out, and a couple of bullets smacked
the wall just above the Gunner Captain's head. The
light disclosed the fair-haired Major standing in the
centre of the room, revolver in hand, staring wildly
about him with dazed, wide eyes. The R.A.M.C.
Major, who was nearest, sprang forward and gripped
the wrist that held the revolver. All the others
hastened forward to assist.

But there was no struggle. The light restored to
the fair-haired Major consciousness of his whereabouts.
The dazed look faded from his eyes. He drew his
hand across his forehead as though to brush away
some lingering remnants of a dreadful vision. Then,
with a half-sob, he lurched forward and fell face
downward heavily on his bed.

The doctor Major sat by him uttering soothing
words and winking over his shoulder at the others.
After a few minutes he returned to his corner of the
room and rummaged about in his haversack.

" Now you swallow these, old fellow," he said to
the broken man, handing him three white tablets
and a glass of water. " To-morrow you'll be as right
as a trivet."

The fair-haired Major swallowed them as obediently
as a child, and very soon sank into a heavy slumber.

" That'll keep him quiet for a bit," said the doctor.
" But I'll take care of his gun, in case. His nerves
have gone pretty bad, but he'll be all right. A few
nightmares now and again, I expect. Damn nuisance,
waking us all up like that."

" I don't see why, because a man has a nightmare,
he should disturb the whole room," grumbled the
dark, gloomy Major. " Other people don't . . /'

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