I admire all poilus, and especially did I admire Pierre. Once only did
I find him at fault. It was one of my functions on a hospital ship
plying between ---- and ---- to wheel about the more fortunate of the
patients. On the occasion on which I met Pierre he was journeying to
his mother in London and was temporarily engaged in the same pursuit.
I beheld him approaching with his charge and immediately ported my
helm. He bore down on his, keeping to his right, and we collided.
"Keep to your left, you fool!" I cried as the crash came.
"_Mais non! le droit, M'sieur._"
Here was a deadlock indeed. It was an English ship, therefore the
English rule of the road should be maintained. On the other hand, the
fact that we were still in French waters was in his favour. But my
stubborn British will would not give way, and Heaven knows how long
we should have remained there had not one of the invalids grunted,
"Caan't thee keep t' the rule o' the waater?" and I saw a dignified
way out of the difficulty. I withdrew to the right, and we passed on
with no animosity towards one another. Still, it was a near thing for
the Entente.
* * * * *
"The unfortunate lady was examining an unloaded pistol when it
went off and caused instantaneous death."--_Times of Ceylon_.
In the circumstances we trust we are justified in thinking this tragic
intelligence to be the result of a false report.
* * * * *