In the early part of 1917, while the Germans were falling back to the
Hindenburg line on the Somme, trench warfare was replaced by advanced
outposts for the time being. Rations were taken up to the company
headquarters on mules.
[Illustration: "S'sh. For 'eaven's sake be quiet."]
Another C.Q.M.S. and I were going up with mules one night and lost our
way. We wandered on until a voice from a shell-hole challenged us.
_We had passed the company headquarters and landed among the advanced
outposts._
The chap implored us to be quiet, and just as we turned back one of the
mules chose to give the Germans a sample of his vocal abilities.
The outpost fellow told us what he thought of us. The transport chap
leading the mule pulled and tugged, using kind, gentle words as drivers
do.
And in the midst of it all my C.Q.M.S. friend walked up to the mule,
holding his hands up, and whispered: "S-sh! For 'eaven's sake be
quiet."--_F. W. Piper (ex-Sherwood Foresters), 30 The Crescent,
Watford, Herts._