“So he is in No Man’s Land?”
The soldier nodded.
“Is he alone?”
Again the soldier nodded, and so did two of the others.
“Is he alive or dead?”
“Wounded,” they said, almost in unison.
“So you just left him there alone, is that what you’re telling me?” His voice had now taken on a menacing tone. No one spoke, they just stared blankly back at him. His face got even redder, and had twisted into a look of absolute fury. “Cowards!” he bellowed, “lousy, poxy cowards!”
Now the rage had taken over his whole body which started to shake uncontrollably. Every man in the dugout knew that to move or speak at this precise moment would mean certain death. The standoff seemed to last forever until a young lieutenant came in and broke the silence.
“What’s going on here? Speak up!” Albert did not mov
