Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-03

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suddenly and without warning, fol
the repdrts Of the distant howitzer,
| from which they were hred could no
| reports. three or four heavy shells fel
| into the village, sending up hugt
| clouds. Of dust and smoke, which as.
cended in brownish-gray column. T<
| this no reply was made by our side.
shortly afterward there was a Qutcs
| succession of reports from a point
some distance up the subsidiary valley
on the side opposite our trenches, and
! therefore on their flank. 1t was not
possible either by ear or by eye te
proceeded. Almost simultaneously. as
it seemed, there was a corresponding
succession of flashes and sharp detona-
lions in the line of the hillside along
what appeared to be our trenches
There was then pause and several
clouds of smoke rose slowly and re-
manned stationary, spaced as regularly
as poplars.
Again there was a succession OF re-
ports from German quick-frers on the
far side of the misty valley. and IKE
echoes Of detonations of high expo
sives; then the row of expanding
smoke clouds was prolonged by severai
new ones. Another pause and silence
except for the noise in the distance.
Field Guns Speak in Reply.
After a few minutes there was
roar from our side of the. main valley,
as our field guns opened one after an
other in a more deliberate fire upon the
positions OF the German guns. After
six reports there was again silence,
save for the whirr of shell as they
sang up the small valley. Then follow
ed flashes and balls of smoke-one two,
three, four, Ave, six-as the shrapnel
burst nicely over what in the haze
looked like some ruined buildings at
the edge of the wood. Again, after
short interval. the enemy's gunners re-
opened with a burst, still further pro-
longing the smoke, which was by now
merged into one solid screen above q
considerable length of the trenches.
and again did our guns reply. And
SO the duel went on for some time e,,,
Ignoring our guns. the German artii-
lerymen, probably relying on conceai-
ment for immunity, were concentrating
all their efforts In a particularly force
full effort to enfilade our trenches. FOR
them it must have appeared to be the
chance of a lifetime, and with their
customary prodigality of ammunition
they continued to pour bouquet AFTER
bouquet of high explosives or combined
shrapnel and common shells onto our
works.
Occasionally. with a roar. high
angle projectile would sail over the
hill and blast a gap in the village; one
could only pray that our men noioine
the trenches had dug themselves IN
deep and we'll and that those In the
village were in cellars.
No Men or Horses Visible.
In the hazy valleys, hathed in sum
light, not man. not q horse not
gun, nor even a trench. was to be seen.
There were only flashes and smoke ana
noise. Above, against the blue sky
several round white clouds were hang
ing. The only two visible human souls
were represented by a glistening speck
IN the air. On high. also, were to De
heard more or less gentle reports OF
the anti-air craft projectiles.
But the deepest impression created
was one of sympathy for the men sub
Cpon inquiry as to the losses sustained.
however. it was found that our men had
been able to take care OF themselves
and had dug themselves wei! in In tnat
afternoon were portions or TOUR pat
talions of British soldiers-the Dorsets,
the West Kents, the Kings Own YORK
shire Light Infantry and the Kings Own
Scottish Borderers Over 300 projectiles
were fred against them. The result was
nine men wounded
"The following day 100 shells were
fred. at the trenches occupied by the
West Kent Regiment alone. Four Off
GERS were buried, but were dug out I'M
hurt One man was scratched. The viii
lage itself was unoccupted.
Many Camp Yarns Told.
Many camp yarns are now in circu-
lation among the troops. mostly of an
amusing nature. AZ an instance a report
is current that the Turcos. who are our
close neighbors, have been rather short
Of food and have bartered the use OF