Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1915-03-05
An Inspiring
Sight
BY F. A. Mitchell


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. lie heard no sound
but the piping of bird in a tree near
by. Opening his eyes, he 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 Il spot in his 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 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 linesY How long had he been
there? He tried to lift his head to see
about him, but he could not. 1t was
lonely to be out 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
a 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 a
little puff of smoke appeared and float
ed listlessy 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 in
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
puts of smoke
The aeroplanes were now maneuver-
ing. circlinG. each side trying to get in
II shot that would strike an enemy'S
vital part. The Germans. though the
attacking party, seemed sensible of the
fact that they were inferior in num-
bers aud used their skill to secure
favorable position by separating the
Frenchmen and attacking in detail.
Jacques heard report and a slight
vibration OF the earth on which he was
stretched and in few seconds saw
one OF the French aeroplanes stagger
like u 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 now
even. One OF the German ships tried
to ram one of the Frenchmen, but
missed it 10y what seemed TO Jacques
hairs breadth At the same time
shot from the other Frenchman wound
ed German bird
Jacques was no longer lonely
wounded man on n deserted battlefield.
The spirit of contention was again
aroused in him Ele wished he were
up 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 his voice seemed to
mock him. For moment the still
ness that followed 1t seemed like that
OF death. Then a voice near by came
somberly:
"Comrade, have you any waterY
water! No." cried Jacques. THAT
man up there had an advantage, and
L eau ilukG ulIl uGdl. nCits nc
has lost II"
II don't care for the man up there.
| am only interested in the man down
here-mysef | am suffering from a
horrible thirst"
Another puff of smoke from
Erenchman and one of the German
aeroplanes dropped like lead, a re-
port from below and n Frenchman
| followed 10 earth Another report and
the remaining Frenchman turned and
| fed. The German followed for "A short
/ distance but his propeller had been in
! jured, and he, too, was obliged TO turn
TO his own regions.
THAT was more revivifying," said
Jacques, raising himself on his elbow
and looking at the man who had asked
for water. than a skirmlsh | feel