The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1915-04-24

Cross
For the two nations have become
one by bloodshed and bravery dis
played, and, IN addition, little incl
dent which | can relate will show that
there is a precedent for union OF
honors as there is evidence OF com
plete union of hearts.
I'm the British expeditionary force
there is an English soldier, member
Of a cyclist corps. who is proud to
wear upon his breast the 'medallle
militaire' Of the French army.
The story Of the stirring incident
hos been told to me by Henri Roger.
Young soldier of the Fifth infantry.
who saw it from the trenches and who
is now lying wounded in hospital here.
During one of the engagements
last week on the River Aisne, the Fifth
was holding an intrenched position
and was faced in the distance by
strong force of the enemy. To the
IRISH. and left of the opposing forces
we're large clumps of trees, in one or
which force of English troops had
taken up position a fact regarding
which the Germans were unaware. III
the other wood, it was soon discovered,
lay a considerable body OF German
infantry with several machine gun sec
tons
"A road ran beside the wood IN
which the enemy lay hidden. ana
along it force of French infantry was
seen to be advancing How were they
to be saved from the ambush into
which they we're marching? mat Was
the problem, and it was diiflcult one
Every time the French troops III
the trenches endeavored to signal 10
their oncoming comrades, hidden Ger
man sharpshooters picked Off the sig
nalers Soon the position seemed 10
be almost desperate: every moment
the intrenched French soldiers ex-
pected to hear the hideous swish OF
the Maxims moving down their I'M
suspecting comrades.
Suddenly. however, something hap
pened which attracted the attention
Of the French and German trenches
From the wood where the English lay
hidden a cyclist dashed-the Engilsn'
too. had seen the danger, and cychst
had been ordered to carry a message
of warning to the advancing French
column, several hundreds strong.
THE cyclist bent low In his saddle
and darted forward; he had not gone
a hundred yards before he fell. killed
by a well-aimed German bullet. A
minute later another cyclist appeared
only. in a second or two. to share MS
comrades fate.
Then a third-the thing had to De
done! The bullets whizzed round MIN,
but on he went over the flreswept
zone. The Frenchmen held their
breath as they watched the gallant
cyclist speeding toward the french
column.
1.-THE Frenchmen could not resist
loud 'Hurrah!' when they saw the
daring cyclist dismount on reaching
the officer in command OF the troops
which he had dared death to save.
1.-THE officer heard the message ana
took in the position at glance. ne
gave an order or two instantly. ana
turned to the Englishman.
Then was there fine but simple
battle picture which should live.
1.-THE French officer saluted the gal
liant fellow standing by the cycle.
Then, with a simple movement, TOOK
the 'medaille militaire'-the Victoria
Cross of France-from his own tun,c
and pinned it on the coat Of the Eng
lishman.
"T am glad young Roger told me
when he had finished relating the
story, to have lived to see that deeo
1t was glorious!"