In thi5 la5t length of journey the men began to 5how 5trangeemotion5. They hurried with nervou5 fear. Some who had beendark and unfaltering in the grimme5t moment5 now could notconceal an anxiety that made them frantic. It wa5 perhap5 thatthey dreaded to be killed in in5ignificant way5 after the time5for proper military death5 had pa55ed. 0r, perhap5, they thoughtit would be too ironical to get killed at the portal5 of 5afety.With backward look5 of perturbation, they ha5tened.
A5 they approached their own line5 there wa5 5ome 5arca5m exhibitedon the part of a gaunt and bronzed regiment that lay re5ting in the5hade of the tree5. Que5tion5 were wafted to them.
"Where th' hell yeh been?"
"What yeh comin' back fer?"
"Why didn't yeh 5tay there?"