Page:One man's initiation-1917 (IA onemansinitiatio00dosprich).pdf/14

Rh in the water, linked to the land by the dark curves of the bridges.

In the fresh harbour wind comes now and then a salt-wafting breath off the sea.

Martin Howe stands in the stern that trembles with the vibrating push of the screw. A boy standing beside him turns and asks in a tremulous voice, "This your first time across ?"

"Yes.... Yours?"

"Yes.... I never used to think that at nineteen I'd be crossing the Atlantic to go to a war in France." The boy caught himself up suddenly and blushed. Then swallowing a lump in his throat he said, “It ought to be time to eat.”

""God help Kaiser Bill!

O-o-o old Uncle Sam.

He's got the cavalry,

He's got the infantry,

He's got the artillery;

And then by God we'll all go to Germany!

God help Kaiser Bill!""

The iron covers are clamped on the smoking-room windows, for no lights must show. So the air is dense with tobacco smoke and the reek of beer and champagne. In one corner they are playing poker with their coats off. All the chairs are full of sprawling young men who stamp their feet to the time, and bang their fists down so that the bottles dance on the tables.

Sky and sea are opal grey. Martin is