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[Page 13]
the inevitable result of exposure. Several hours later I was taken into a small room in the adjacent building where the first dressing was applied. During the operation an orderly attempted to steal my wallet; much to my amazement the Doctor prevented him by shouting something unintelligible to me. I appreciated his humane action. The Doctor then proceeded with his work, placed a rough dry dressing over my knee, and a piece or board under my leg to prevent any movement of the knee. I was then carried to my former resting place in the stable to await removal to an ambulance station.
Small horse transports are used for conveying wounded, (those unable to walk) to the Railway.
7 P.M. I was hoisted into a transport about with a badly wounded Sergeant. Wood shavings and straw were thrown over us, as we lay on the hard boards. The driver whipped the horses, and we were soon travelling along a rough cobble stone road. I cursed the French for building cobble stone roads. The roads are very rough under ordinary conditions, especially to one badly wounded travelling under these trying conditions; we simply made the best of it. The progress varied from walking to a trot, and the rain commenced to fall, much to our misery. I suffered two hours of this rough travelling, and at the end of the journey, I was taken into a huge marquee tent, crowded with wounded awaiting a hospital train to convey them further inland.
13th. I suffered another sleepless night without food, the only stimulant received since my capture, is a cup of soup at the first Hun billet. I still possessed a few damp cigarettes, which fortunately were smokable. A smoke soothes the nerves, and greatly assists to combat pain. The tent was most unpleasantly congested with wounded prisoners and securely guarded by "Uhlans". Sentries are quite unnecessary but no doubt they are posted as a matter of form. A Hun orderly sat near us, but never attempted to relieve our sufferings, or assist in any way. Three small pieces of black bread per man were issued this morning. None of us could eat a morsal of the horrid stuff, it was extremely sour