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Chapter 5

           Anewwideroadwasbeingfinishedthatwouldgooverthemountainandzig-zagdowntothebridge.Whenthisroadwasfinishedtheoffensivewouldstart.Itcamedownthroughtheforestinsharpturns.Thesystemwastobringeverythingdownthenewroadandtaketheemptytrucks,cartsandloadedambulancesandallreturningtrafficuptheoldnarrowroad.ThedressingstationwasontheAustriansideoftheriverundertheedgeofthehillandstretcher-bearerswouldbringthewoundedbackacrossthepontoonbridge.Itwouldbethesamewhentheoffensivestarted.AsfarasIcouldmakeoutthelastmileorsoofthenewroadwhereitstartedtoleveloutwouldbeabletobeshelledsteadilybytheAustrians.Itlookedasthoughitmightbeamess.ButIfoundaplacewherethecarswouldbeshelteredaftertheypassedthatlastbad-lookingbitandcouldwaitforthewoundedtobebroughtacrossthepontoonbridge.Iwouldhavelikedtodriveoverthenewroadbutitwasnotyetfinished.Itlookedwideandwellmadewithagoodgradeandtheturnslookedveryimpressivewhereyoucouldseethemthroughopeningsintheforestonthemountainside.Thecarswouldbeallrightwiththeirgoodmetal-to-metalbrakesandanyway,comingdown,theywouldnotbeloaded.Idrovebackupthenarrowroad.

           Twocarabinieriheldthecarup.Ashellhadfallenandwhilewewaitedthreeothersfelluptheroad.Theywereseventy-sevensandcamewithawhishingrushofair,ahardbrightburstandflashandthengraysmokethatblewacrosstheroad.Thecarabinieriwavedustogoon.PassingwheretheshellshadlandedIavoidedthesmallbrokenplacesandsmelledthehighexplosiveandthesmellofblastedclayandstoneandfreshlyshatteredflint.IdrovebacktoGoriziaandourvillaand,asIsaid,wenttocallonMissBarkley,whowasonduty.

           AtdinnerIateveryquicklyandleftforthevillawheretheBritishhadtheirhospital.

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