“That’s a bad business!⁠—Then we’ll have to pull in our belts and wait till the rations come up in the morning.”

But I see Kat has put on his cap.

“Where to, Kat?” I ask.

“Just to explore the place a bit.” He strolls off. The artilleryman grins scornfully. “Go ahead and explore. But don’t strain yourself in carrying what you find.”

Disappointed we lie down and consider whether we couldn’t have a go at the iron rations. But it’s too risky; so we try to get a wink of sleep.