Page:War's dark frame (IA warsdarkframe00camp).pdf/149

Rh gled from that suggestive embrace. For on these transports every one is compelled to wear a life-belt from port to port.

They commenced to troop off—Tommies, subalterns, and generals. It seemed fantastic so many human beings could be crowded into these little boats. There were no smiles on the sunburned faces. Men coming to Flanders for the first time or returning after leave don't smile easily, but when a boat goes forth for the chalk cliffs of England even the menace of submarines can't kill a breathless gaiety.

Williams collected our party—a man from the foreign office and two Japanese, one straight and slender with a face of a Samurai type, the other short and round with a gentle, nervous manner of speech.

During luncheon in the maritime station Williams outlined his plans. That afternoon we were to see interesting but not dangerous places. Later we might learn the vital mechanism of army service and ordnance. If we wanted to go, he would take us to the front line trenches. We could visit Arras—possibly Notre Dame de Lorette, and other notorious points of the fighting line which for the present must share the general anonymity.

That programme was carried through, and we