"TEN MINUTES' HALT."

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 8, 7 May 1920, Page 14

"TEN MINUTES' HALT."

It was early in September, Sunday evenin' I remember ; We'd been riampin' all the day long^n' our skins was sweatin' salt. We was weary with the marchin' an' our tongues was diy an' parchin' When we fell out by the roadside for the old ten minutes' bait. She was young and she was slender, an' her smile was kind an' tender, When I saw 'er in the sunshine there a-lookin' 'own at me. I was lyin' here an' dozin, and I gazed at 'er s posin' Slie was j t the kind of dream-stuff that a t od Tommy'd see. So she stoo ' a minute waitin', lips apart an' hesik tin' Then she sj. >ke up softly, "Would the Anglais S. idat wish to drink?" I was weary, I was thirsty ; huskily I murmured "Merci" As I took the jug she held, an' set my lips agen its brink. It was "Packs on" then an' "Fall in;" but I'eard 'er voice a'callin'. As we limped along the dusty road "Bonne chance, Monsieur! Bonne chance 1" Now I ain't a cliap wot's flighty (I've a wife and kids in Blight.y), But I guess I shan't forget that gal, that damsel of France.