58
The Ypres Times.
The rest of the day would have been terrible if Tom had not been so stupefied. The
fire went on till nearly eleven at night, and man after man dropped all that time. It
seemed hardly worth while to notice who was still standing at any particular moment.
The trench itself seemed to be the only thing that mattered. Tom felt that that was still
alive as long as he could hear the machine-guns chattering. At last the relief came, and
all the men who could march were taken off to Ypres by the Menin road. There were
hardly more than forty of them. They were caked with dirt from head to foot, and their
faces were yellow from the gas. On the way they saw a general coming towards them
in the half light when he came nearer, Tom saw it was General Mullens, their own briga
dier. Some of the men recognised him, and one of them called out, Here goes the old
Ninth." The brigadier looked at them, but seemed unable to speak. He raised his
hand and kept it at the salute till they had passed.
W
SERVICE OE LA REINE
^lalai* b«r ?ru
Monsieur le Colonel,
La Reine a re$u avec gratitude,1'hom
mage que voub Lui avez fait du premier numéro de la Publi
cation "Ypres-Times",
Sa Majesté a trouvé a la lecture de
eet ouvrage.un profond intérêtjet m*a chargé de voub ex-
primer Ses remercïments sinceres pour cette attention
delicate que Notre Souveraine apprécie infiniment.
Veuillez agreer,Monsieur le Colonel,
1'assurance de ma consideration la plus distinguee.
Le Secretaire de la Reine,
Bruxellee le 2 Janvier 1922.
Facsimile of letter of appreciation received from the Secretary to Her Majesty the
Queen of the Belgians. We are glad to acknowledge the receipt of a great many
other kind letters of approval from readers.
