Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1914-11-11
CHAPTER lx-cOntinusd.


But would one? He understood
that with their smokeless powder the
Gray guns could be located only by
their flashes. which would not be Wis
ible unless the refraction of light we're
favorable Then "thur-eesh thur
eesh" above every other sound in a
long WALL No man ever forgets the
first crack OF a shrapnel at close quar-.
tiers. the first bullet breath on his
cheek. or the first supporting shell
from his side In flight that passes
above him.
That is oursl" called Dellarme.
"0ursl" shouted the sergeant.
"Ours," sang the thought OF every
one OF them.
Over the Gray batteries on the plain
an explosive ball OF smoke hung in
the still air; then another beside e.
"Thur-eesh thur-eesh ~ thur-eesh."
the screaming overhead became gale
that built cloud Of blue smoke over
the offending Gray batteries beauti-
full, soft blue smoke from which a
spray OF steel descended There was
no spotting the flashes OF the Browns
guns In order TO reply to them, for
they we're under the cover of a hill,
using indirect aim as nicely and ac-
curately as II firing pointblank The
gunners OF the Gray batteries could
not go on with their work under such
a hail-storm; they were checkmated.
They stopped firing and began moving
60 new position. where their com
mander hoped to remain undiscovered
long enough to support the 12Sth by
loosing his lightnings against the de-
tenders at the critical moment OF the
next charge which would be made as
soon as Fracasse's men had been rein.
forced.
There was an end to the concus-
sions and the thrashing OF the air
around Deilarme's men, and they had
the relief OF breaking abscess ia the
ear. But they became more conscious
OF the splits of dust In front OF their
faces and the passing whistles OF bull
let's. In return. they made the sec.
tons OF Gray infantry in reserve rush
ing across the levels, leave many gray
Jumps behind But Fracasse's men at
the foot Of the slope poured In heav.
Her and still heavier fire
Down there's where we need the
shells nowl' spoke the thought OF Del
larme's men, which he had anticipated
by word 10 the signal corporal, who
waved his flag one--two--three--f
five times Come on. now, with
more OF your special brand OF death.
fire-control Officer Your own head is
above the skyline. though your guns
are hidden. Five hundred yards be.
yond the knoll is the range! Come
on
He came with burst of screams 50
low in flight that they seemed 60
brush the back OF the mems necks
with a hair broom at the rate OF a
thousand feet second Having
watched the result. Dellarme turned
with a confirmatory gesture, which the
corporal translated into the wigwas
of Correct" The shrapnel smoke
hanging over Fracasses men appeare,
heavenly blue to Dellarme's men,
They are going TO start for US
soonl Oh, but Wen get lot OF
themi" whispered Stransky gleefuuy
10 his rife.
Dellarme glanced again toward the
colonets station. No sign Of the re
firing flag lie was glad OF that He
did not want to fall back IN face OF
charge; to have his men silhouetteC
in the valley as they retreated. And
the Grays would not endure this show
er-bath long without going one way oil
the other. He gave the order to Il,
bayonets, and hardly was II obeyet
when he saw flashes of steel through
the shrapnel smoke as the Grays Exec
theirs. ahe Grays had 500 yards 4
go; the Browns had the time that 4
takes running men to cover the dis
tance in which TO stop the Grays.
Wen spear any OF them who has
the luck to get this far" Whispered
Stransky to his rife The sentenc,
was spoken in the uidst OF a salvo d
shrapnel cracks, which he did no
hear He heard nothing. thought roth
ing. except to kill.
The Gray batteries on the plain
having taken up a new position an,
being reinforced. played o. the ores
at top speed instantly tEe Gray linz
rose and started up the slope at thu
run With the purpose of confusing
no less than killing, they used percus
sion, which burst on striking tn,
GROUND. as well as shrRpnel which
burst By ume-fuse in the air. Foun
r. tains Of sod and dirt shot upward {,
meet descending sprays Of bullets. Til,