Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1915-05-19


growth of shrubs in which the shells
have followed out unapproachable
quagmires and so entangled the
branches that even in a high wind it
would be impossible to pass through
without making a noise loud enough
to attract attention.
Il was sent for. To place several
sentinels there would be all right but,
on the other hand, for these three
deaths we were determined to exact
payment from the slayer, who prob
ably would not dare attack two or
three men at a time.
Refuse to Let Captain Go. 49,
II listened, then said / would go as
sentinel. Not one of the men vol
unteered. They looked at one an
other searchingly. 1t was evident
they did not wish me to risk my life.
Finally they must have cast lots.
Chance selected a sergeant He
departed at night. / had a search
light set up, ready to operate, so that
he should have light and assistance
at the slightest attack. He surround
ed himself with wire netting, mount
ed on small stakes to which bells
we're attached Our lines were a lit
tie way back of it. This was how he
discovered the 'boche,' who had prob
ably arrived by fox track, prepar
ing his way during the day, and,
when all was ready, cutting the
threats of our sentinels.
Next day his cap was ratified off,
which is never permissible, but there
are times when a rule may be in
fringed l had the sergeant proposed
for the rank of adjutant."
The captain was thus conversing
with me in a cafe when his orderly
entered and asked TO speak to him.
Excuse me-" the captain said, after
getting the message, 81 have to 60"
AS he departed, his subordinate,
robust, blue-eyed Breton, whose child
ish figure contrasted with his strong,
almost fierce appearance, exclaimed:
For him we would willingly die. All,
monsieur, the 'boches' may do their
best; they have no chiefs like ours"
AS a matter of fact, I think one
could not have gained better idea
of the best type of French officers
than from this captain, so full of en-
ergy and courage, intolerant of any
serious breach of discipline; unforgiv-
ing toward towards certainly, but at
the same time thoroughly understand
ing and ready to excuse certain weak
nesses, and constantly endeavoring
to lessen them by being the friend of
his men as veil as their leader And
is it not a slight but sure proof Of
his influence that he is dressed as
they are, neglecting the prestige of
his Uniform, just as he eats, sleeps
and dirties himself as they do?
2o2 Days Without Undressing.
An artillery lieutenant, with whom
1 talked, mingled most interesting
speculative reflections with amusing
recollections of his life at the front.
After having explained to me the
difference between percussion shells,
which explode on striking an obstacle,
and fuse shells, which burst in the
air at regulated distances, he con-
fessed to me while consulting a small
calendar that he was much pleased
when shower baths were finally in
wonderful subterranean establish
ments. he said.
And l assure you," he added, they
seemed very comfortable. as 1 had
been exactly .202 days without I'M
dressing once, sleeping always in the
same barn, in my same hole in the
hay"
Dares to Criticize the Famous rs.
Suddenly he changed the subject.
And as a variation from the usual
French attitude, he actually criticized
the famous 75-millimeter guns.
Much trouble has been taken for
nothing" he said. The rs is a good
cannon, but it was created too exclu-
sively for direct firing. In fact, in
this war, where one has to hit men
hidden behind obstacles, it is of little
use. What is needed is a means of
throwing projectiles which, after de-
scribing widely curved trajectory,
will fall on the heads of the occupants
of the trenches, without first striking
the trench walls.
THAT is why we have bomb slim
gers, which do not carry farther than
200 or 800 yards at most, and the how
itzers and mortar pieces, which must
not be confused with the cannon. The