April 4, evening of Easter Sunday.

DEAR MOTHER,—­We are again in the immediate care of God.  At two o’clock we march towards the storm.  Beloved, I think of you, I think of you both.  I love you, and I entrust the three of us to the Providence of God.  May everything that happens find us ready!  In the full power of my soul, I pray for this, on your behalf, on mine:  hope through all; but, before all else, Wisdom and Love.

I kiss you, without more words.  All my mind is now set upon the hard work to be done.

April 5, 1 o’clock A.M.

DEAR MOTHER AND DEAR GRANDMOTHER,—­We are off.  Courage.  Wisdom and Love.  Perhaps all this is ordained for the good of all.  I can but send you my whole love.  My life is lived in you alone.

April 5, towards noon.

DEAR MOTHER,—­We are now to be put to the proof.  Up to this moment there has been no sign that mercy was failing us.  It is for us to strive to deserve it.  This afternoon we shall need all our resolution, and we shall have to call upon the supreme Wisdom for help.

Dear beloved Mother, dear Grandmother, I wish I could still have the delight of getting your letters.  Let us pray that we may be strengthened even in what is before us now.

Dear Darling, once more all my love for you both.

YOUR SON.

April 6, noon.

DEAR BELOVED MOTHER,—­It is mid-day, and we are at the forward position, in readiness.  I send you my whole love.  Whatever comes to pass, life has had its beauty.

It was in the fight of this day, April 6, that the writer of these letters disappeared.

* * * * *

Printed by T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to His Majesty at the Edinburgh University Press

* * * * *

Transcriber’s notes: 

Periods added to a few date-lines to conform to rest of text.

Page 95, A space in the text was replaced with “us as”.  This has been surmised. “moves us as a Breughel . . .”