Fifteen Hours(科幻战争)-第8部分

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the　trenches　gathered　to　advance　beside　him。　“Keep　on　firing。　Forward　and　advance！”
Following　the　sergeant’s　lead　the　advance　continued；　the　constant　fire　of　the　Vardan　guns　and
the　slow　measured　pace　of　their　progress　seemed　every　bit　as　relentless　and　unstoppable　as　had　the
orks’　charge　earlier。　Until；　wilting　before　the　remorseless　ferocity　of　the　Vardans’　attack；　the　orks
did　something　which　Larn　had　never　thought　he　would　live　to　see。
They　turned　and　ran。
Watching　the　surviving　orks　run　back　towards　their　lines；　Larn　slowly　became　aware　of　a　brief
hush　falling　across　the　battlefield　as　the　Vardans’　advance　halted　and　they　stopped　firing。　Soon；　as　it
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became　plain　the　orks’　attack　was　ended；　new　sounds　broke　the　silence：　the　cries　of　wounded　men；
the　shouts　of　their　comrades　calling　for　a　medic；　the　noise　of　nervous　laughter　and　disbelieving
oaths　as　other　men　found　they　were　still　very　much　alive。　Hearing　those　sounds；　Larn　felt　the
tension　abruptly　leave　him　as　the　realisation　hit　him　that　he　had　survived。　Still　kneeling　over　the
body　of　the　dead　gretchin；　he　looked　down　at　the　thing’s　rained　face　in　with　sudden　queasiness；
afraid　he　was　going　to　vomit。　Then；　he　saw　a　shadow　fall　across　him　as　a　nearby　Guardsman　came
to　stand　beside　him。
“You　must　be　a　new　fish？”　a　cynical　voice　asked　him。　“One　of　the　new　groxlings　to　the
slaughter　they　sent　us　in　the　lander？　I　think　this　belongs　to　you。”
Looking　up；　Larn　found　himself　staring　at　an　ugly　dwarfish　Vardan　with　a　shaven　head　and　a
mouthful　of　stained　and　crooked　teeth。　The　Vardan　was　holding　a　lasgun　in　each　hand；　one　of　which
Larn　recognised　sheepishly　as　his　own　gun　—　the　same　weapon　he　had　lost　earlier。
“Here；　new　fish；”　the　rant　said；　giving　him　a　sardonic　broken…toothed　smile　as　he　tossed　the
lasgun　towards　him。　“Next　time　you　need　to　kill　a　gretch；　you　might　try　using　this。”
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CHAPTER　SEVEN
13：39　hours　Central　Broucheroc　Time
The　Field　Station　—　Lessons　in　Futility；　Parts　One　&　Two　—　Friends　&　Heroes　Awaiting　Disposal
—　Welcome　to　the　902ND　Vardan　—　Corporal　Vladek　and　the　Distribution　of　Resources　—
Meeting　Sergeant　Chelkar　and　an　Addition　to　Davir’s　Woes
Pausing　for　a　moment　to　catch　his　breath　while　he　waited　for　the　stretcher　bearers　to　bring　another
patient；　Surgeon…Major　Martus　Volpenz　was　surprised　to　realise　how　inured　he　had　become　to　the
sound　of　men　screaming。　Around　him；　the　walls　of　the　apothecarium　field　station　reverberated　with
it　constantly。　He　could　hear　men　shouting；　begging；　moaning；　shrieking；　muttering　profane　oaths
and　whispering　half…remembered　prayers。　Not　for　the　first　time；　ever　mindful　that　it　was　his　calling
to　alleviate　the　pain　of　others；　the　surgeon…major　looked　about　him　at　the　place　where　he　practised
his　craft　and　felt　despair。
To　a　man　less　accustomed　to　it；　the　dimly　lit　interior　of　the　field　station’s　main　operating　theatre
might　have　been　mistaken　for　a　scene　from　hell。　Along　one　wall　of　the　station；　hundreds　of　severely
wounded　men　lay　in　litters　stacked　four　men　high　on　a　series　of　metal　racks。　Against　the　other　wall　a
dozen　exhausted　surgeons　worked　feverishly　to　clear　the　most　urgent　cases　from　tables　that　stank
with　the　blood　that　stained　every　surface　of　the　floors　and　walls。　For　each　man　they　healed；　a　dozen
more　men　waited　amid　the　suffocating　stink　of　blood　and　pus　and　death；　desperately　wailing　and
pleading　for　help　in　a　cacophony　of　suffering　that　never　reached　its　end。
“Stomach　wound；”　his　surgical　assistant　Jaleal　said；　breaking　into　his　thoughts。　“He’s　been　given
morphia；”　he　added；　checking　the　treatment　notification　tag　on　the　patient’s　ankle　as　the　stretcherbearers
lifted　the　unconscious　form　of　a　wounded　Guardsman　onto　the　operating　table　before　them。
“Two　doses。”
Taking　a　pair　of　scissors；　Jaleal　removed　the　tag；　before　cutting　away　the　Guardsman’s　tunic　in
blood…encrusted　strips　to　reveal　the　wound　hidden　beneath　it。　Then；　taking　a　wet　cloth　from　a　bucket
at　the　foot　of　the　table；　he　washed　the　worst　of　the　blood　away　from　the　edges　of　the　wound。
“Looks　like　a　through　and　through；”　he　said。　“From　the　size　of　the　wound　I’d　say　an　ork　gun　was
the　culprit。　The　blood’s　dark。　Looks　like　his　liver’s　been　punctured。”
“Give　him　some　ether　somnolentus。”　Volpenz　said；　taking　a　scalpel　from　a　tray　of　instruments
nearby　as　he　stepped　to　the　side　of　table。　“Standard　dosage。”
“We　have　none；”　Curlen；　his　other　assistant；　said。　“We　used　what　was　left　on　the　last　patient。”
“What　about　the　other　anaesthetics？”　Volpenz　said。　“The　nitrous　oxide？”
“Gone　as　well；”　Jaleal　said。　“If　he　wakes　up　we’ll　just　have　to　hold　him　down。”
“At　least　tell　me　we　have　some　blood　plasma　left？”　Volpenz　said。　“If　I　have　to　go　digging
around　this　man’s　insides　in　search　of　a　wound　in　his　liver　he’s　going　to　bleed　like　a　stuck　pig。”
“Not　a　drop；”　Jaleal　said；　shrugging　in　helplessness。　“Remember　the　sucking　chest　wound
twenty　minutes　ago？　He　got　the　last　of　it。”
“How　much　blood　is　there　in　the　overspill　bag；　Jaleal？”　Volpenz　asked。
Ducking　his　head　under　the　table；　Jaleal　checked　the　contents　of　the　transparent　bag　underneath
it　designed　to　catch　the　blood　bleeding　out　of　the　patient　as　it　oozed　along　the　disposal　gutters　set　in
the　table’s　sides。
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“About　half　a　litre；”　he　said；　pulling　the　bag　up　from　beneath　the　table。　“Maybe　three…quarters。”
“All　right；”　Volpenz　said。　“Replace　that　bag　with　a　new　one　and　use　the　contents　of　the　one
you’ve　got　to　autosanginuate　him。”
“You　want　to　transfuse　him　with　his　own　blood？”　Jaleal　said。　“There’s　barely　enough　in　here　to
keep　a　dog　alive；　never　mind　a　man。”
“There’s　no　other　choice；”　Volpenz　said；　leaning　forward　with　a　practiced　hand　to　make　the　first
incision。　“He’ll　die　anyway　if　this　wound　isn’t　seen　to。　Now；　look　sharp；　gentlemen。　We’re　going　to
have　to　do　this　fast；　before　he　bleeds　to　death。”
Cutting　an　incision　to　open　the　wound；　Volpenz　quickly　peeled　back　the　skin　around　it　and　fixed
a　clamp　in　place　to　keep　it　open。　Then；　while　beside　him　Jaleal　used　his　cloth　to　mop　at　the　blood
welling　in　the　wound　cavity；　Volpenz　searched　desperately　for　the　source　of　the　bleeding。　It　was
hopeless。　There　was　so　much　blood　in　the　wound　he　could　hardly　see　a　thing。
“Vital　signs　are　weak；”　Curlen　said；　his　fingers　at　the　man’s　neck　to　feel　his　pulse。　“We’re　losing
him。”
“Lift　his　legs　up；　Jaleal。　It’ll　send　more　blood　to　his　heart；”　Volpenz　said。　“I　only　need　a　few
more　seconds。　There！　I　think　I’ve　found　it。　He’s　got　a　tear　in　the　main　artery　leading　to　the　liver。”
Pushing　his　hands　deep　into　the　wound　cavity　Volpenz　clamped　the　bleeding　artery　shut。　Only　to
find　his　hopes　frustrated　as；　abruptly；　the　cavity　began　to　fill　with　blood　once　more。
“Damnation！　There　must　be　another　bleeder！　Curlen；　how’s　he　doing？”
“I　can’t　find　a　pulse　anymore；　sir。　We　could　try　to　manually　resuscitate　him？”
“No；”　Volpenz　said；　throwing　his　bloody　scalpel　down　on　the　instrument　tray　in　frustration。　“It
wouldn’t　do　any　good。　He’s　bled　out。　The　round　probably　hit　a　rib　and　caused　bone　fragments　to
perforate　his　liver　in　a　dozen　places。　Clear　the　table。　We　can’t　save　this　one。”
Grabbing　a　piece　of　discarded　cloth　to　clean　his　hands；　Volpenz　stepped　away　from　the　table；
pausing　only　to　glance　at　the　dead　Guardsman　as　Curlen　signalled　for　the　stretcher　bearers　to　take
him　away。　How　old　was　he；　he　thought。　He　looks　to　be　in　his　forties；　but　that　means　nothing　here。
Broucheroc　has　a　way　of　aging　a　man。　He　might　only　be　in　his　early　thirties；　even　late　twenties。
Then；　as　they　lifted　the　dead　man’s　body　from　the　table；　Volpenz　noticed　an　old　scar　in　the　patient’s
side。　He’s　been　wounded　before；　he　thought。　And　patched　up。　I　wonder；　was　it　my　work　or　someone
else。　Doesn’t　matter　now；　I　suppose。　Whoever　saved　the　poor　bastard’s　life　before；　there　was　no
saving　him　this　time。
Sighing；　he　turned　away　to　gaze　once　more　at　the　confines　of　the　operating　room　around　him。　As
he　did；　he　realised　how　little　good　could　be　done　there　for　the　dying　and　suffering　men　who　came　to
the　field　station　day　after　day。　It’s　not　the　war　or　even　the　orks　that　kills　most　of　them；　he　thought。
It’s　the　shortages。　We’re　short　of　anaesthetics；　antibiotics；　plasma；　even　the　most　basic　of　medical
equipment。　Short　it　seems　of　everything　except　pain；　death　and　futility。　Here　in　Broucheroc；　these
things　at　least　are　never　in　short　supply。
Then；　as　he　made　to　throw　away　the　cloth　he　had　used　to　clean　his　hands；　Volpenz　noticed
something　was　written　on　it。　Looking　at　it　more　closely；　he　saw　there　was　a　name　stencilled　in　the
cloth。　Repzik。　Abruptly；　he　realised　the　cloth　must　have　come　from　the　dead　Guardsman’s　tunic　—
one　of　the　pieces　Jaleal　had　cut　away　earlier　to　reveal　the　man’s　wound。　Repzik；　Volpenz　thought
sadly。　So　that　was　what　his　name　was。　Then；　just　as　abruptly；　he　realised　that　it　made　no　difference。
Whatever　name　the　man　had　come　here　with；　he　did　not　need　it　now。
In　the　shadow　of　the　dugout　emplacements；　a　little　way　behind　the　trenches；　the　corpses　of　the　men
killed　in　the　last　hour…and…a…half　had　been　piled　in　a　line　three　cadavers　deep。　Their　feet　bootless；
their　bodies　stripped　of　their　equipment；　some　with　faces　wrapped　in　concealing　cloth；　others　with
dead　features　left　naked　to　the　biting　cold：　all　of　them　laid　haphazardly　atop　each　other　like　so　many
logs　ready　for　the　burning。　Like　firewood；　Larn　thought　as　he　stood　gazing　down　on　the　dead　bodies
of　the　men　who　had　made　the　journey　with　him　from　Jumael　IV。　Men　he　had　known　and　liked。　Men
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who　had　crossed　the　unimaginable　distances　of　the　void　only　to　waste　their　lives　on　the　wrong
planet　and　in　the　wrong　campaign。　His　comrades；　now　reduced　to　nothing　more　than　a　temporary
landmark　in　the　unforgiving　and　war…torn　landscape　he　saw　all　about　him。　For　what？　To　Larn；　it
seemed　the　most　pointless　of　the　many　horrors　he　had　witnessed　already　in　this　desolate　place。　A
lesson　in　utter　futility。
Hearing　the　protesting　squeal　of　a　rusted　axle；　Larn　turned　to　see　four　bent…backed　old　women
bundled　in　ragged　layers　of　civilian　dress　pushing　an　empty　handcart　across　the　frozen　ground
towards　him。　Noticing　the　faded　insignia　of　the　Departmento　Munitorium　on　the　khaki…green
armbands　they　wore　on　their　sleeves；　Larn　realised　they　must　be　militia　auxiliaries　levied　from
among　the　local　population。　Wheeling　the　cart　past　him；　they　halted　beside　the　line　of　corpse　and
wearily　began　to　lift　them　into　the　cart。　Until　at　last；　as　their　labours　revealed　the　face　of　a　corpse
hidden　deeper　in　the　pile；　Larn　saw　something　that　made　him　cry　out　and　race　towards　them。
“Wait！”　he　yelled。
Startled；　cringing　away　as　though　afraid　he　might　hurt　them；　the　women　stopped　their　work。
Then；　seeing　Larn　standing　by　the　pile　to　peer　down　at　the　face　of　a　corpse；　one　of　the　women　spoke
to　him　in　a　voice　made　dull　and　lifeless　with　fatigue。
“You　knew　him？”　she　said。　“One　of　the　dead　men？”
“Yes；”　Larn　said。　“I　knew　him。　He　was　a　friend。　A　comrade。”
It　was　Leden。　His　face　slack　and　pale；　his　body　covered　in　gruesome　and　horrendous　wounds；　he
lay　at　the　centre　of　the　pile　with　dead　eyes　staring　up　at　the　foreboding　sky　overhead。　Having　not
seen　Leden　die　during　their　mad　flight　across　no…man’s　land；　Larn　had　harboured　the　hope　the
simple…minded　farmboy　might　have　made　it　to　the　Vardan　lines　and　survived　just　as　he　had。　Now
that　hope　was　dashed。　Looking　down　at　Leden’s　face；　Larn　realised　his　last　living　link　with　his
homeworld　had　been　severed。　He　was　truly　alone　now。　More　alone　than　he　could　have　ever　thought
possible。　Alone；　on　a　strange　new　world　that　seemed　entirely　given　over　to　randomness；　brutality
and　madness。
“He　was　a　hero；”　the　old　woman　said。
“A　hero？”
Unsure　of　her　meaning；　Larn　looked　at　her　in　confusion。　For　a　moment；　her　eyes　dim　and
uncomprehending　with　exhaustion；　she　returned　his　gaze　in　silence。　Then；　barely　more　animated
than　the　dead　bodies　before　her；　she　tiredly　shrugged　and　spoke　once　more。
“They　are　heroes；”　she　said　in　a　listless　voice；　as　though　reciting　a　speech　she　had　heard　a
thousand　times　herself。　“They　all　are：　all　the　Guardsmen　who　die　here。　They　are　martyrs。　By　giving
their　blood　to　defend　this　place　they　have　made　the　soil　of　this　city　into　sacred　ground。　Broucheroc
is　a　holy　and　impregnable　fortress。　The　orks　will　never　take　it。　We　will　break　their　assault　here。
Then；　we　will　push　them　back　and　reclaim　this　entire　planet。”
“So　the　commissars　tell　us；”　she　added；　without　conviction。
Returning　to　their　work　the　women　made　to　lift　Leden　from　the　pile。　Finding　him　held　fast　and
stuck　to　the　other　bodies　by　frozen　and　congealed　blood；　one　of　the　women　took　a　pry　bar　from　the
side　of　the　cart。　Sickened　to　his　stomach；　Larn　watched　her　slide　the　bar　under　Leden’s　body　and　put
her　weight　on　it；　the　corpse　rising　with　a　crack　of　splintered　ice　as　her　sisters　pulled　it　free　and
tossed　it　on　the　cart。　Then；　two　of　them　pushing　down　the　handles　of　the　cart　while　the　others　stood
by　the　side　to　stop　its　contents　from　falling　out；　the　old　women　began　to　wheel　away　the　bodies　they
had　collected。
“What　will　you　do　with　them？”　Larn　called　out　after　them；　not　altogether　sure　he　wanted　to
know　the　answer。
“They　will　be　buried；”　the　women　he　had　spoken　to　earlier　said。　“Like　heroes　should　be。　Buried；
up　on　the　hill　past　the　old　plasteel　works　on　the　Grennady　Plass。　Heroes’　Hill；　it　is　called。　Or　at　least
that　is　what　they　tell　us；”　she　shrugged　again。　“We　just　transport　the　bodies。　Others　deal　with　their
disposal。”
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With　that　she　turned　back　to　the　burden　of　the　cart；　pushing　it　away　with　the　other　women　in　the
direction　of　the　outskirts　of　the　city。　As　he　watched　them　go；　Larn　belatedly　tried　to　remember　one
of　the　prayers　he　had　been　taught　as　a　child。　A　prayer　to　ease　the　passage　of　the　departed　souls　of　his
comrades　into　the　afterlife　as　they　went　to　join　their　Emperor　in　paradise。　His　mind　was　a　blank；　his
heart　so　sick　with　grief　it　felt　dull　and　empty。　All　his　prayers　had　left　him。
“Take　off　your　jacket　and　pull　back　your　tunic；”　he　heard　a　voice　say　behind　him。
Turning；　Larn　found　himself　face…to…face　with　a　gaunt　Vardan　medic　wearing　a　blood…splattered
greatcoat　and　carrying　a　satchel　slung　across　his　shoulder。
“If　you　want　me　to　treat　that　shoulder　wound　I　will　have　to　be　able　to　see　it；”　the　medic　said；
opening　his　satchel。
Looking　at　his　own　left　shoulder；　much　to　his　surprise　Larn　noticed　a　small　bloodstained　hole　in
the　epaulette　of　his　jacket。　Dimly　remembering　the　sudden　pain　he　had　felt　there　when　the　ork　bomb
had　exploded　in　the　trench　behind　him；　he　did　as　the　medic　had　asked；　removing　his　jacket　and
pulling　down　his　tunic　shirt　to　allow　him　access　to　the　wound。
“Hmm。　The　good　news　is　you’ll　live；”　the　medic　said；　prodding　at　the　wound　while　Larn
shivered　in　the　cold。　“Looks　like　you　were　winged　by　a　piece　of　shrapnel。　Took　a　little　bit　of　flesh
with　it；　but　it　doesn’t　look　as　though　the　bone　is　broken。”
Taking　a　sachet　of　white　powder　from　inside　his　bag　the　medic　poured　it　liberally　on　the　wound
and　pressed　a　gauze　pad　over　the　hole；　applying　half…a…dozen　pieces　of　adhesive　tape　to　hold　the
dressing　in　place。
“You　didn’t　realise　you　had　a　hole　in　you；　I　take　it？”　he　said。　Then；　seeing　Larn　nod；　he
continued。　“Probably　shock。　Get　yourself　some　recaf。　Food　too；　if　you　can　find　it。　It’ll　help　you　get
yourself　together。　Though　I　warn　you；　you　probably　won’t　thank　me　for　that　advice　in　an　hour’s
time。　Once　you　get　your　feeling　back；　chances　are　you’ll　find　that　wound　aches　like　a　bitch。　You
have　morphia？”
“Four　phials；”　said　Larn。　“In　my　med…pack。”
“Good。　Let　me　see　it；”　the　medic　said。　Then；　when　he　saw　Larn　hesitate；　he　held　out　his　hand　in
command。　“Kit　inspection。　As　company　medical　officer；　it　is　my　job　to　make　sure　you　are　properly
equipped。”
Pulling　the　slim　oblong　wooden　case　of　the　med…pack　he　had　been　issued　with　on　Jumael　from
his　belt；　Larn　handed　it　over。　Breaking　the　seals　on　the　box　lid　the　medic　slid　it　open　and　checked
the　contents。
“Morphia。　Vein　clamps。　Sterilising　fluid。　Synth…skin　canister。　Wherever　you’re　from　they
obviously　don’t　believe　in　sending　their　sons　under　equipped　to　war。　Still；　my　need　is　greater　than
yours。　I’m　going　to　have　to　requisition　some　of　your　supplies。”
“But　you　can’t　just　help　yourself　to　my　med…pack；”　Larn　said　in　outrage。　“The　regulations　say—
”
“The　regulations　say　a　lot　of　things；　new　fish；”　the　medic　replied；　taking　a　handful　of　items　from
inside　the　med…pack　and　dropping　them　into　his　satchel。　“Though　you　can　be　sure　whichever　genius
wrote　them　never　troubled　himself　actually　finding　out　if　they　worked　in　practice。　Anyway；　I’m
leaving　you　with　half　of　the　gauze；　morphia；　and　clamps。　Plus；　you　get　to　keep　the　insect　repellent。
Given　the　climate；　there’s　not　much　call　for　it　hereabouts。”
“But　if　I　should　get　seriously　wounded—”
“Then　you’ll　need　a　medic。　Just　scream　loudly　and　I’ll　come　running。”
Tossing　the　depleted　med…pack　back　to　him；　the　medic　closed　his　satchel　before　looking　at　Larn
once　more。
“Now；”　he　said；　“seeing　as　you’re　standing　about　here　on　your　own；　I　take　it　you’ve　not　been
assigned　to　duties　yet？”
“No…　I…　my　company　was　destroyed　and…”
44
“Go　see　Corporal　Vladek；”　the　medic　said。　“He’ll　sort　you　out。　Tell　him　Medical　Officer　Svenk
sent　you。”
“Corporal　Vladek？”
“Over　there；”　the　medic　said；　pointing　to　one　of　the　dugout　entrances　as　he　turned　to　walk　away。
“Barracks　Dugout　One。　Vladek　is　our　quartermaster　—　the　biggest　scavenger；　thief；　pack　rat；　and　all
round　scrounger　in　the　sector。　You’ll　know　him　when　you　see　him。　Oh；　and　a　word　to　the　wise；　new
fish。　Don’t　drink　any　more　than　two　cups　of　Vladek’s　recaf。　Or　else；　next　thing　you　know　you　could
be　charging　the　ork　lines　on　your　own　in　a　one…man　assault。”
Walking　down　the　rough　earthen　steps　underground　into　the　dugout；　Larn　was　greeted　with　a　warm
blast　of　air　thick　with　the　smell　of　smoke　and　the　odour　of　stale　sweat。　Eyes　watering　at　the　stench
of　it；　he　stepped　past　a　couple　of　Guardsmen　playing　dice　just　inside　the　doorway　and　made　his　way
into　the　barracks。　Inside；　he　saw　two　lines　of　rusting　metal　bunks　arranged　either　side　of　an　iron
stove　at　the　centre　of　the　room　where　a　group　of　Vardans　sat　talking；　eating；　or　cleaning　their
weapons。　For　a　moment；　Larn　considered　asking　them　if　any　of　them　had　seen　Corporal　Vladek。
Then；　seeing　a　flabby　unshaven　Vardan　in　a　stained　undershirt　sitting　alone　at　a　table　in　a　corner　of
the　room；　Larn　remembered　the　medic’s　description　and　knew　he　had　found　his　man。
Crammed　on　ramshackle　shelves　and　in　alcoves　cut　directly　into　the　earth　of　the　wall　behind　the
corporal　was　a　treasure　trove　of　scavenged　equipment。　Larn　could　see　lasgun　power　packs；　frag
grenades；　boxes　of　dry　rations；　shotgun　shells；　bayonets　and　knives　of　all　shapes　and　sizes；　spades；
picks；　hand　axes；　lanterns；　uniforms；　helmets；　flak　jackets；　even　a　large　metal　claw　that　could　only
have　come　from　the　arm　of　a　dead　ork。　Meanwhile；　on　the　table　and　the　floor　around　him　were　a
number　of　standard　issue　Guardsmen’s　field　rucksacks；　the　contents　of　which　the　corporal　was