The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1898-04-12
THE AMBUSCADE.

Without a word, the sharpshooters
drew up before the half open door of
the post, through which came puffs of
warm air, and whose windows were
dimly lighted by the rays of petro-
leum lamp. There were ten men, their
hands in their pockets, their guns hang
ing from the shoulders by strap, the
collars Of their jackets turned up, and
shivering from the first contact with
the cold morning air.
At distance, by the wall of the
farm, sentinel was pacing up and
down, peering into the menacing dark
ness, with ears alert for the vague
sounds Of the country. He saluted with
GOOD luck, comradesl' and after
hating moment to watch us descend
toward the Meuse by path leading
through little hollow continued his
monotonous promenade.
We followed the bank of the river.
The water flowed beside us with an in
termittent splashing and gentle rustic
against the rushes. We could see moth
ing distinctly. The river and the town
were asleep, and the fields and sky
seemed blended in uniform tint of in
dia ink.
My men marched without speaking a
word, and with the cautious wariness
that proximity to the enemy gives to
the bravest. At such a time, when
plunging into an unknown danger,
there are few but would feel SILVER
run through them, and myself, having
tolerably exeitable nerves, feverishly
fingered my sword knot beneath my
cape.
When we passed our last outpost, we
halted, and in few words | explained
to my men the work which lay before
us.
Every morning at daybreak platoon
of uhlans made round between Warcq
and Darmouzy, two towns occupied by
Prussian observation corps. They
were seen to file quietly along about 10
miles in advance of their lines We had
orders to lie in ambush for them in the
woods Of Etourneaux, through which
they had to pass.
We soon left the towpath and cut
across the fields, by difficult ascent,
where our feet sank in the long grass.
The wind had risen, driving away
the Clouds and dim light fell from
above. About 200 yards before us a
dwelling outlined itself-the farm Of
Grael, recently burned to prevent the
Prussians from establishing themselves
there.
One soldier was sent forward to scout
and went off like hare, crouching and
using the greatest caution. From the
ditch where we were hidden, with
weapons ready, we watched him for
some time then he disappeared in the
dusk. In about five minutes he return
ed, having seen nothing suspicious.
Then we crossed the courtyard of the
farm. Only the four walls were still
standing, but half crumbled away The
burned debris crushed under our feet,
and strong smell of smoke almost
choked us. Perfect silence reigned-the
silence of new ruins, where life has not
yet had time to graft itself upon the
death of former things.
A gray light appeared in the horizon,
the wind waited us the sound Of clock
striking the half hour and the voices
of cocks saluting the dawn.
As we reached the wood the day be-
gan to break We marched in single file
along an indistinct path, INSTRUCTED by
overhanging branches, which scratched
our faces or fell with dry crack. The
dead leaves blown here and there by a
puff Of wind Weakened muffled echoes in
the wood; then again all was silence.
"HaltP'
The sun rising behind us in the fog
threw red light across the coppice,
and the dew sparkled on the borders of
the leaves. An early chafinch sang
above our heads.
Stationed on the bank overhanging
the road, some of the sharpshooters
squatted on their heels and hastily ate
a piece of bread or drank swallow of
brandy. The others waited, lying on
their stomachs, their elbows buried in
the moss They all looked serious, with
pinched noses and set lips
Daylight increased. Already we could
see the white trunks of the birch trees,
looking like stiff phantoms among the
notified foliage. The morning dampness
penetrated me to the bone in spite of
my cape, and l dozed with my eyes
open, made light headed by the odor of
the moist leaves and the anticipation of
the coming fight; odd dreams and fan
tastic Authorizations wandered through
my brain, and tangled rings of uhlans
seemed to dance around me. After
many wakenings / mechanically drew
out my watch-the hands seemed sta
tionary, for they moved with such ex-
asperating slowness.
Lieutenant, F." a sergeant whispered
in my ear, "there they come-there
they comet"
drew myself up.
Attention, comradesl On no ae-
count fire without the word Of COM
mand. Our lives depend upon it. Do
you understands"
The trot of the horses became more
and more distinct. Suddenly it ceased.
The Prussians consulted together before
entering the Etourneaux woods Soon
one of them rode forward as a scout, re-
volver in his hand and passed about
ten PAGES before us-a handsome fell
low, sitting upright on his horse, whose
orupper was covered by the long cape
his colors, black and white, floating be-
hind him in the wind.
He advanced few steps, carefully
scrutinizing both sides Of the road. He
hesitated moment and listened; then
he drew up his horses bride, and al
most Immediately whistle sounded,
telling his companions that the road
was clear.
From our shelter we could hear the
uhlans laugh and joke, chopping their
harsh Teutonic syllables and swearing
at their sturdy Mechlenburg horses
when they stumbled in the heavy leaves,
wet with dew.
A strange emotion took me in the
throat, as if hand grasped me there.
certainly bad no fear, but it seemed to
me as if was about to commit cow
ardly act In killing these men by sur
prise, almost by treachery, without al
lowing them to defend themselves. Yes,
hated the Germans, those odius con-
querors, whose hating places were
marked by executions, pillages and ar
son. and yet there was a feeling stron-