The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1914-08-18
CHAPTER VI
Copyright 1918. by the Frederic
A. Stokes Col

CHAPTER VI
Copyright. 1918. by the Frederic
A. Stokes Coz
n JR subaitern, lying a bare
five PAGES away from the
arass, raises himself on
his elbows and cares lntently
through his field glasses.
know what ls veslna his soul.
He 10 a handsome. splendid lad,
for whom even we arlxricd old.
timers would 90 through fire
and water. for he meets you an
man 60 man. without shifting
or swaeger. az u becomes a
younester.
And the other day when ! was
marching with the rear guard. we
discussed Liliiencron's novels.
Since then he has always ap.
pealed to mo as n he had stepped
right out OF one OF these romRneen
OF war.
He is all ablare TO CLEAN his first
iaurelH
hut however much he may twid.
die the focus OF his glasses up aud
down and crane hts neck. he can.
not discover trace OF the enemy.
and We blaze away foolishly at the
wood. and may. for all know be
bringing down leaves or birds from
tho trees there.
Close to the big oak. To the
right I'm tho underground some
one OF tho rank and file sings out.
strain my eyes TO the spot and
fail to see anything.
And again hear the guns arowi.
Ing all round US But somewhere
out OF the FAR distance clear.
ionq-drawr buale-eail rlnGa out
amid the iron bass. u thrills Hike
nerve and brain against an iron
wall.
Behind there. 20 the rinhs--shey
are on the run therei And from
afar the rifle fire rstsies like mad.
MY menl Up with you. A.
the doublei"
That came from our lot
our subaitern IL racing on with his
drawn sword In his hand. |
am stiil prone. and have. almost
automatically. drawn my right knee
close up under my body they
are rising 20 their feet 20 the left.
and right OF me. and dashing on
after him wrench and my
knapaack siides iop-stded up the
back OF my neck then Jump
up with my rifle IN my right hand.
and am running for all my legs are
worth.
But rs we rise 20 our feet the
machine guns In the woods begin
TO buzz. and 20 rain lead into our
ranks. until right and left OF me
men yeip and drop twisted and
tumbled 10 the ground
Down, Rapid firei"
The line IL prone and again we
are blazing desperately into the
wood. and can catch no glimpse
OF our enemy. Never a single arm
raised agains, us. never the eye OF
a single man 10 challenge us. The
wood. the green wood. is murder.
ing us from afar. before a single
human face comes In view.
And while 10 the right and left
OF me the rifle fire chatters inces
sanity. the grim mockery OF u mad
dens my blood. and makes me see
red before my eyes
I see scale.arnior and visorr
high In their stirrups the
knights burst blazing out OF the
wood, and !. a reckless horseman
of the past, leap into the saddle
my broadsword flashes clear and
kisses the morning breeze-and
now up and at them like thunder
bolt. Then eyes are flashing into
mine and hands are raised for the
meIee-and stroke for stroke.
breast 10 breast. the pride OF youth
full, virile strength
Haha-ha.hai what has hap.
peued? Where have horse and
rider vanlshed7 Where Is my
sword? We are not even charging
men. Machines are trained on us.
WHY. WE ARE ONLY CHARGING
MACHINES. AND THE MACHINE
TRIumPHs DEEP INTO OUR
FLESH. AND THE MACHINE is
DRAINING THE LIFE BLOOD
FROM OUR vEI'ss, AND LAP
PING 1T UP IN BUCkETFUls.
THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN HIT
ARE ALREADY LYING MOWN
DOWN in sWATHEs BEHIND US
AND WE ARE WRITING oN
THEIR WOUNDS. AND VEL
THEY ARE RACING UP BEHIND
US IN THEIR HUNDREDs--
YOUNG, HEALTHY HUMAN
FLESH FOR THE MACHINES TO
BUTCHER.
"Up, Get on, At the double''
The gallant young subaltern
dashes on he Ia waving his
sword above. his head recklessly
a picture for n painter.
am rushing after him his
cheer IN my ears then the
gallant vision begins 10 sway :.
tho sword flies from his grasp--the
subaltern stumbles and falls face
forward I'm the short, stiff stubble
then race past him |
can hear nothing except the un-
canny buzz coming out OF the wood.
literally feel how the lead IL
splashing into our ranks. how men
are breaking down 10 the right and
left OF me.
Down, Rapid fire." |
throw myself on my face, my rifle
at the ready.
Why dnna the order fall 10 rench