The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1915-02-25
An Inspiring
Sight
By r. A. mitchell

In the French army In the north OF |
France, suddenly felt bis knees give
way beneath him and collapsed. going |
down with thousands OF explosions
ringing in his ears. Mingled with
these were the shouting OF omcers.
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 sounu
but the piping of bird In tree near
by. Opening his eyes. he saw only
the blue heavens and light cloud
sailing ever so peacefully. for ne was
lying on his back. He felt OF nlmsei1
and came upon spot in his side where
pressure gave him pain. A little fur
Their investigation with his mana toiu
him that be had been wounded there
and his clothing had stanched the now
of blood
jacques lay still. He did not dare to
move for fear that his wound wouo
be opened. He was not sure that ne
could move. He had no desire to move
unless it was to get water 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 linesl How long had ne been
there? He tried to lift his head to see
about him, but be could not. 1t was
lonely to be out there on the battlenelu'
left to die with no one even to take
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 DO
huge bird sailed gracefully into his
Geld OF view. then another ana an
other. They were all moving IN the
same direction. From the foremost a
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 otn-
ers. He judged that the three were
French and was sure the two were
German, because they were obeytng
the German method Of attack. He bad
learned that there was no defense In
the German army; 1t 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 a 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. circling, each side trying to get In
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-
GERS and used their skill to secure
favorable position by separating the
Frenchmen and attacking In detail.
JACQUES heard a report and a slight
vibration OF the earth on which he was
stretched and In few seconds saw
one of the French aeroplanes stagger
IKE wounded bird. One Of its wings
was broken. 1t sank in circles, soon
falling below the range Of the soldiers
vision.
The numbers on each side were DOW
even. One OF the German ships tried
to ram one Of the Frenchmen. but
missed it by what seemed to Jacques
hairs breadth. At the same time q
shot from the other Frepchman wound
ed German bird.
JACQUES was no longer a lonely
wounded man on deserted battlefield.
The spirit of contention was again
aroused in him. He wished he were
up In the air in one OF the aeropianes.
He saw an advantage OF position. Tor
one Of the aerial Frenchmen. Forget
ting that be could not be beard. De
shouted:
you're on his broadside! Strike his
propeller
The sound Of his voice seemed to
mock him. For q moment the still.
ness that followed It seemed like that
Of death. Then voice near by came
somberly:
"Comrade, have you any waterT"
"Water! No." cried jacques. "rha,
man MP there had an advantage. ano
/ can't make him hear. There! He
has lost It."
II don't care for the man up there
am only Interested In the man dowr
here-myself. am suffering from 9
horrible thirst"
| Another pun of smoke from
Frenchman and one OF the German
aeroplanes dropped like lead a re
port from below and Frenchma1
followed to earth. Another report anc
the remaining Frenchman turned ane
fed. The German followed for shor1
distance. but his propeller had been ID
jured, and he. too. was Obliged to 'tnrr
to his own regions.
''That was more revivifying." sale
Jacques. raising himself on his elbow
and looking at the man who mad askee
for water, than skirmish. rec
ready to fight again"
"Not I, especially In the air." replied
the other. "It's quite enough for mi
to be wounded on the earth without
falling from a thousand feet"
"Here comes the Red Cross. an
anxious to recover and get into tn
ranks again. What a ins signt ina
WASP