 So Gerrard's company set out on foot for the farm; on the way they are joined by Captain Dickie Mead and his signaller, Ames.Arriving at the farm, Gerrard's men chase out the occupants and dig slit trenches out in front of the farm.With the water tower and its ladder in clear view, Mead decides to wait until just before dawn to climb the tower while it is still dark.