IN A BELGIAN LOFT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 251, 1 April 1915, Page 3

IN A BELGIAN LOFT.

There is a graphic little sketch in the United Free Church Record of a Sunday morning in a Belgian loft. There had been a sharp engagement and the British troops holding a village had been hurriedly forced by great masses of the enemy to retire. In the confusion three Scottish privates and a corporal hud bee n cut off in the streets and had backed into the first open door they came to. The occupants had fled, and they made their way up a long staircase intending ti find the roof and wnich events from there. But it ended in ;m empty loft, where there was only a skylight beyond their reach. "Better lie low for a while," suggested the corporal as they stood listening to the terribie. sounds outside. The Germans were evidently burning, looting, and killing. Now and again they heard screams and the discharge of rifles; sometimes an explosion would shake the building, while the smell of burning wood penetrated to their retreat. This went on for hours. The soldiers knew they would be discovered sooner or later, and expected no mercy. Suddenly the corporal said: "Lads, it's time for church parade; let's hae a wee bit service here; it may he oor last." The soldiers looked a little astonishul, but they piled their rifles in the cori'tr and came and stood at attention. The corporal took out. a small Testament from his breast pocket and turned over the pages. "Canna we sing something first? Try y're hand at the 23rd Psalm. Quiet noo —very quiet."

Yea, though I walk in death's dark "al.

Yet will I fear none ill; For Thou art with me, and thy rod And staff me comfort still. There wasn't much melody about tie tune, but the words civ me from the heart. The n the corporal began: "Fear not them which kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; lint rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are

not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall oil the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows."

As lie read there were loud shouts I>°low, doors banged, and glass was smashed. But he went on: — "He that findeth his life shall lose

it; and he that loseth liis life'for --?y

sake shall find it." He ended and his grave face took on a wry smile. "I'm no a <ude hand at this job," fie said, "but we maun finish it off. Let us pray." The corporal stood with the boolc in his hand and the others knelt and bowel their heads. A little haltingly, but very simply, he. committed their way to Cod and asked for strength to meet their coming fate like men. While he prayed a heavy hand thrust open the door, and t'licy heard an exultant exclamation and then, a gasp of surprise. Not a man moved, ami the corporal went calmly on. After a pause, he began, with great reverence, to repeat the Lord's Prayer. That a Gorman oll'iivv or nrivato was standing there thev realised; they did not see. but they felt what was taking place. They heard the click of his heels, and they knew that he also win standing at attention. For a moment the suspense lasted, and then came the sort closing of the door and his footsteps dying away. The tumult in the house gradually ceased, and soon aftorwaids the storm of war repeated like the ohh of the tide. At dusk the four men ven- ] tured forth, and by milking a wide dot tour worked round the flank of the

enemy and reached the British outposts in safety,