Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-02-18
An Inspiring
Sight
By F. A. mitchell


France suddenly felt his knees give
way beneath him and collapsed. going
down with thousands of explosions
ringing in his ears. Mingled with
these were the shouting of officers.
neighing of horses, shrieks, groans-
indeed. every conceivable sound Incl
dent to battle. But he did not hear
them long. for he became unconscious
Jacques awoke. He heard no sound
but the piping of a bird in tree near
by. Opening his eyes. be saw only
the blue heavens and light cloud
sailing ever so peacefully. for he was
lying on his back He felt of himself
and came upon a spot in bis side where
pressure gave him pain A little fur
Their investigation with his hand told
him that he had been wounded there
and his clothing had stanched the flow
of blood
Jacques lay still. He did not dare to
move for fear that his wound would
be opened. He was not sure that he
could move. He had no desire to move
unless it was to get wafer. He Won
dered whether there had been victory
or defeat for the side on which he had
fought Was he in the French or Ger
man lines! How long had he been
there: He tried to lift his head to see
about him, but he could not. 1t was
lonely to he Oiit there on the battlefield.
left to die with no one even to take a
message for loved ones at home.
War, which had brought him to such
a pass, came to console him. at least to
occupy his mind. What seemed to be
huge bird sailed gracefully into his
field of view. then another and an
other They were all moving in the
same direction. From the foremost
little puff of smoke appeared and float
ed listlessly away to the rear.
In another moment two aeroplanes.
moving side by side and in the oppo
site direction to those Jacques had al
ready seen. appeared in the heavens.
They were driving straight at the 9th
ers. He judged that the three were
French and was sure the two were
German. because they were oheying
the German method of attack. He had
learned that there was no defense III
the German army: it was all strike.
Another shot this time from one in
a German airship. 1t evidently caused
some damage to one of his enemy's
wings for there appeared Il spot
through which Jacques could see light.
Several shots were fired in quick sue
ceSsion by the Frenchmen There was
no report. for sound rises. The only
indication of the shots was the little
puffS Of smoke.
The aeroplanes were now maneuver-
ing. circing. each side trying to get in
a shot that would strike an enemys
vital part The Germans. though the
attacking party, seemed sensible of the
fact that they were inferior in num-
bers and used their skill to secure a
favora BILE position by separating the
Frenchmen and attacking in detail.
Jacques heard a report and slight
vibration of the earth on which be was
stretched and in few seconds saw
one of the French aeroplanes stagger
like wounded bird One of it's wings
was broken 1T sank in circles. soon
falling below the range of the soldiers
vision.
The numbers on each side were now
even. One of the German ships tried
to ram one of the Frenchmen. but
missed it by what seemed to Jacques
a hairs breadth At the same time ii
shot from the other Frenchman wound
ed German bird
Jacques was no longer lonely
wounded man on a deserted battlefield.
The spirit of contention was again
aroused in him He wished he were
ND in the air in one Of the aeroplanes.
He saw an advantage of position for
one of the aerial Frenchmen Forget
ting that he could not be heard. he
shouted:
You're on his broadside. Strike his
propeller"'
The sound of bis voice seemed to
mock him. For a moment the still |
ness that followed it seemed like that
vi ucdIu. ueI1 Il NOICC uCtll ny NdLuS
somberly:
''Comrade. have you any water?"
Water! No." cried Jacques. THAT
man up there had an advantage, and /
can't make him hear. There. He
has lost it.
Il don't care for the man up there
am only interested in the man down
here-myself | am suffering from a
horrible thirst
Another puff of smoke from
Frenchman and one of the German i
aeroplanes dropped like lead. A re-
port from below and Frenchman |
followed to earth. Another report and |
the remaining Frenchman turned and |
fed The German followed for short |
distance. but his propeller had been in
jured. and be. too. was obliged 70 turn .
TO his own regions.
THAT was more revivifying." said
Jacques. raising himself on his elbow
and looking at the man who had asked !