I spent the night by leaning first on one companion, and then on the other.

The morning found us still travelling, and finally at half-past ten the train drew up once more at our starting point in Abbeville station.

Having been eighteen hours without food or drink or the opportunity of a shave, I thought it was about time to retire, and told my companions that life was too short to spend it in railway journeys of that description.

So, with a feeling of superiority and independence which made the others green with envy, I bid them good-bye.

I never heard any more of my friends, but, although the war has long since ended, I have a sort of dim impression in my mind that they are still travelling round and round and coming back to Abbeville again.