Friends to the end

One could not but be moved by the story of the soldier who asked his officer if he might go out into the ‘No man’s land’ between the trenches to bring in one of his comrades who lay grievously wounded. ‘You can go,’ said the officer, ‘but it’s not worth it. Your friend is probably killed, and you will throw your own life away.’ But the man went. Somehow he managed to get to his friend, hoist him on to his shoulder, and bring him back to the trenches. The two of them tumbled together and lay in the trench-bottom. The officer looked very tenderly on the would-be rescuer, and then he said, ‘I told you it wouldn’t be worth it. Your friend is dead and you are mortally wounded.’ ‘It was worth it though, sir.’ ‘How do you mean, “worth it” ? I tell you, your friend is dead.’ ‘Yes, sir,’ the boy answered, ‘but it was worth it, because when I got to him he said, “I knew you’d come!
From The Presence of Jesus Leslie Weatherhead the Epworth press London 1930:13