IN THE NIGHT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12409, 29 August 1918, Page 8

IN THE NIGHT.

the hospital convoy

‘‘Nurse, a convoy is expected at midnight; sec that everything is ready. Hie day nurses must be on duty.” “ Yes, sister.” Immediately probationers set to work, i

Beds must be prepared for "stretcher eases,” the top bedclothes rolled lengthways,. and blankets so arranged that the patient lies between for the required "blanket bath” which takes place on arrival.

In the lockers beside each bed must be placed three empty bags to receive respectively the patient's clothing 10 be sterilised, bis boots and strappings, his personal belongings—letters, children's photographs, German bullets and buttons, and other souvenirs. There must also bo a white shirt, red tic, handkerchief, soap and flannel •—and for the 11 walking cases” felt slippers and suit of blue. And, lastly, a postcard. And woe betide the probationer if one article is missing from its appointed place.

At 1 a.m. a purring sound at the front entrance announces the arrival of Lii©‘ first motor ambulance.

Immediately the groat hospital becomes alive—day nurses hasten to their wards, where the hush of sleep still prevails. In the distance the eveii tread of men's feet can be- heard as the precious burdens are borne steadily along the corridors. .

The lights go up as the first patient, arrives in the ward—a fluttering round the bed,,and the stretcher-bearers withdraw.

_ Otheip patients soon follow,, . Some limp in’ion crutches, others walk with steady 1 :|tep but with tattered ; sleeves danglirtj* empty. From a jhass of bandages a pair of mischievous blue eyes look out. piercingly. AmLstretellers follow stretchers. ~.>F

The present occupiers of. the; ward, all wide awake, sit up and ask questions, but conversation is dilatory; the newcomers are straight from Franc© and are too weary to talk. There is something peculiarly pathetic about this return in the quiet of the night—something which makes the. heart cry in the midst of all the work there is to do.’ So lustily did they go out, the spirit of battle, and the spirit of duty hot within them. Broken and battered, dirty and tired, do they return, with a. label affixed to them denoting their names and regiments and the nature of their wotmus. In one corner is a man in great pain. He was repairing wire when lie was hit, as the piece still wound round his arm bears testimony. Silently he lies throughout the process of cleansing him of the mud of Franco, and throughout the painful process of dressing his terrible wound only once does be speak. ‘■Nurse, can you change Fromm money heie?” "I expect so.” "Because I’ve only got French money with me, and I want, to buy a stamp.” "Ab. but you can have as many stamps as you want.” Even at 2 a.m. and in the midst of his agony he_ is thinking of someone eagerly watching out fori news. Bond I and bread and milk are taken round. " Have some?”

".Sorry, nurse, I can’t hold it- I've, got one ami in a splint, and 1 left the other in Franco.”

"You poor soul.” " What makes me wild is that I lost my gold ring with it!” All have had baths and are comfortably in bed.

" Oh, but it’s 100 mighty good to be true.”

“Yon must gp to sleep'now.” “I can’t, nurse; I just can’t give over thinking that I’m back in ■ old England again.”—" Daily Mail.”