We told him that possession by capture was not recognized in our circle, and ordered immediate restitution.  He agreed gloomily, no doubt feeling that the foundations of his world were falling about his ears, and what was the use of being a corporal anyway?

In the afternoon we sought out the motor authorities, finding our old friends Ristich and Derrok in command.  They easily promised us transport for Sir Ralph Paget’s box and henchmen—­no trouble at all they said.  Yet had we not known them personally we might have waited a month without help.  One is irresistibly reminded at every turn that the Near East means the East near the East and not the East near the West.

We went to the English colonel’s, but no news was yet forthcoming, and we were, after a jolly tea, invited back at eight.

The camp was in darkness by the time we reached it once more.  The fire lit up the men sitting about it, and the two inverted V’s of the tent entrances; very faintly behind could be seen the outline of the line of little tented waggons.  We had collected an additional member, Miss Brindley of the “Stobarts.”  She was very keen to get home, as her parents were anxious, and both her brothers at the front.  Jo gave one look at her and said “Certainly.”  She had rushed immediately into the town and had laid in a stock of beans and lentils, as her contribution to the common stock.  They were all she could buy.

After supper back to the colonel’s, and at last got definite news.  It was unlikely that Skoplje would fall, and very little use loitering in hopes.  The colonel advised Jan to get his party out by the best route possible, and we took a grateful farewell.

Coming back to the camp Jan had a nasty half-hour.  Should we go by Mitrovitza, or should we go by Berane?  In the first case there was the long route, the difficulty of getting lodgings and of transport, the risk of falling behind the Serbian General Staff, and of finding the country bare, the high passes of Petch and the snow; Willett was only just recovering from a bad chill, West’s arm had grown much worse, and had been operated on in the morning by a doctor with a pair of scissors faute de mieux—­a most agonizing process.  On the other hand, the Berane route was unknown to the authorities, and might have fallen so into decay that it was useless; we did not know where the Austro-Germans were, and they might be already on the outskirts of Novi Bazar; if any of us fell ill we should certainly be captured.  It was a toss up.  Finally he asked the others.  They said—­

“What you think best.  You know the country.”

We finally decided to go to Novi Bazar and make inquiries.  If there were no road we could go thence to Mitrovitza, and would only have lost a day.  If, as the colonel said, the bridge was washed away, we could probably ford the river.

Then to bed.  One could not sleep really well, for the rugs did not give sufficient warmth, and the chill striking up from the ground penetrated everything.