Chapter XVII

After Gorizia—Method and thoroughness of General Cadorna—Amusing
story—Result of the three days fighting—Employment for first
time of cavalry and cyclists—Udine reverts to its usual
calm—Arrival of visitors—Lord Northcliffe and others—Whitney
Warren—Changes along the fighting Front—Monte San Michele—A
misleading statement—“Big Events” pending—A visit to Gorizia—My
companions—Great change visible on road—Battlefield cleared
away—Gorizia—Deserted streets—Rules and regulations for the
inhabitants—The two cafés open—Rumours of counter-attack—The
General’s Headquarters—Somewhat scant courtesy—A stroll round—We
decide spend night in Gorizia—The deserted Hotel—We take possession
of rooms—A jolly supper party—A glorious summer night—One long
hellish tatoo—The Austrian counter-attack—A night of discomfort—The
noise from the trenches—The cause of my “restlessness”—The
“comfortable” beds—Gorizia in the early morning—Indifference
to the bombardment—Back to Udine via Savogna, Sdraussina and
Sagrado—Panorama of military activity—Monte San Michele—Looking for
a needle in a bundle of hay—The cemeteries—The pontoon bridge—The
Austrian trenches—The cavalry division—Renewed shelling of
Gorizia 237