The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1914-10-30

ing the isolated beginnings into
single trench.
Again Dellarme looked toward regi-
mental headquarters, his fixed, CHEEKY
smile not wholly masking the appear
in his eyes. The Grays had only two
or three hundred yards to go when
they should make their next charge IN
order to reach the crest. But his men
had fifteen hundred to go in the val
ley before they were out of range.
After their brave resistance facing the
enemy they would receive a hail OF
bullets in their backs. This was the
time to withdraw if there were to be
assurance of safe retreat. But there
was no signal. Until there was, ne
must remain.
The trench grew; the day wore on.
Two rifles to one were now playing
against his devoted company, when
had had neither food nor drink since
early morning. AS he scanned his
thinning line he saw look of blood
lessness and hopelessness gathering
on the set faces of which he had grown
so fond during this ordeal. Some OF
the men were crouching too much for
effective aim.
See that you fire low! Keep your
heads up!" he called For your
homes, your country and your God!
Pass the word Slong!"
Parched throat after parched throat
repeated the message hoarsely and
leaden shoulders raised a tritie and
dust-matted eyelashes narrowed sharp
ly on the sights.
For the man in us!" growled Stran-
sky. For the favor of nature at birth
that gave us the right to wear trou'
sers instead of skirts! For the Joy
of hell, give them hell"
For our homes! For the man IN
us!" they repeated, swallowing the
words as if they had the taste of
! stimulant
But Dellarme knew that it woulc
not take much to precipitate break
He himself felt that he had been OF
that knoll half a lifetime. He looked
at his watch and it was five o'clock
For seven hours they had held on
The Grays' trench was complete tn
breadth of the slope; more reserves
were coming up. The brigade com
mander of the Grays was going tt
make sure that the next charge sue
ceeded.
At last Dellarme's glance towar,
regimental headquarters showed tn
flag that was the signal for with
drawal. Could he accomplish it? TIL
first lieutenant, with shattered arm
had gone on a litter. The old sci
geant was dead, victim Of the colo
NAL wars. Used to fighting savage Ell
emies, he had been too eager in e1
posing himself to a civilized foe. H
had been shot through the throat.
Men of the first section" Dellarm
called, you will slip out of line wit
the greatest care not to let the enem
know that you are going!"
} Going Careful! Men {
the first section going!" the parche
! threats repeated in thrilling whispe
} "Those who remain keep increasin
their fire!" called Dellarme agail
Cover the whole breadth of tt
trench!"
! Every fourth man wormed himse
} backward on his stomach until he VIZ
/ below the skyline when his stiffene
) limbs brought him to his feet and /
} started on a dead run down into Il
) valley and toward a cut behind a
r other knoll across the road from Il
7 Galland house. The others followed
/. intervals.
: Once across a road and up three s
r ries of steps of the other garden te
: race, behind a breastwork of san
= bags, the company rested. Most
: them had fallen asleep on the groul
/ after finishing their rations, logs
|. men in animal exhaustion. Some
J. those awake were too weary to gi
/ to each other more than a nod Al
n smile. They had witnessed too mu
/ horror that day to talk about it. B
n Stransky foraged.
t. Marta, coming out on the veranC
@ saw him.
l. you are tired! You are hungry
|, she said with urgent gentlene
r Come in!"
p He followed her into the house a
o dropped on a leather chair, before
shining table in a room paneled W
q oak, wondering at her and at himsC
D. No woman of Marta's world had eN
70 spoken in that way to him. But
70 was good to sit down. Then a m;
p with sad, winsome face and tenC
IS eyes brought him wine and bread a
g. cold meat and jam. He gulped do
a. a glassful of wine; he ate with or,
70 mouthfuls in the ravenous call
IS healthy, exhausted tissues, while
Id maid stood by to cut more bread.
le when 1t comes to eating after fis
ing"
1t He looked up when the first paI
of hunger we're assuaged. Enormo
a broadehouldered, physical, his chez