TIRED SENTRIES.

Mataura Ensign, 21 June 1915, Page 6

TIRED SENTRIES.

The diary of a subaltern in a recons number-- of ‘Blackwood’s MajgaKiiH*'. gives ,us a further graphic picten*. oj iho unending strain a,nd anxiety of ‘much warfare. The subaltern hirmeli, we are told by ‘‘Lieutenant B,” is always the; man with one, ear awake—“for lae alone is responsible; if Ills trench is surprised and rushed, he alone will get the blame.” And he is very tolerant with tired sentries: — Fear of death will not keep a man awake when he is really tired; no, it is oxxly conscience, and a higher sense of duty and honor, that null keep him from giving way altogether; and there are some who have nob got these feelings at'all, and some who have not got tiie strength of mind to put them .before all others.

’ The . tragedy of the “inissing” receives a pathetic illustration. The order has been given to fall in.' “Come oil, Smith,” says the lieutenant, “you’ll get left behind.” ' “Can’t ’clp it, sir; look at my feet!” Lieutenant B. • looks and then wishes he had. not; Then, he makes another appeal. ■' “No, air, its no use. I’ll try and catch you up after a rest!” And so Lieutenant B. sets off after the column, and it rests with-the man himself whether he comes on or gets ■captured. The author of the diary, who,has only just come of age, is Lieutenant W. Synge, of •■the King’s Regiment, and a son of the Irish poet, John Synge.