New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-10

l.-verous expedition. NO pAease, hVOouS
-. volunteer vet. The mission is one OF
...ve importance, but
avow. I am going TO be frank with you;
800 ching 70 tell you the absolute truth. This
.,,-ol is practically forlorn hope, Only be-
-, the fate of the corps, and perhaps even
~. than that may depend on it, and because,
-,tor.unately. he has not single aviator at
=, disposal. has his excellency given the order.
,,n Won this confdentislly. And now, may
AL for volunteers?"
an altered themselves. There were married
-, among them. But none betrayed the least
,spetance in expression or manner.
n. eolonel's eyes shone. His glance ran
,.,rbingly from one tall figure to another.
Tsm proud Of your resdiness-of your sin
,,..uindedness,' he said.
Re walked up TO lieutenant, young man
Nth a grave, determined face.
% choose you, Herr Won Oettingen."
Then. turning 70 the others:
81 thank you, gentlemen"
When the colonel was left alone with the
ming officer, he laid his hand in fatherly
r,v upon the lstters shoulder.
Gyou are one Of those whom I like best,
n,4inren. may say that TO you now, under
s.se circumstances. But, first Of all. / con-
tder YOU best qualified professionally for this
3uty. And, in addition Ito spreak frankly,
MN have neither wife or child, parents or
near relatives; therefore"-
The lieutenant interrupted his superior.
I'll NAV beg leave most respectfully, no ex-
plsnaton is Necessary. I consider 1t an honor
!, be selected; that goes without saying"
Yet the corners Of the young officers mouth
had twitched q little, very little, when he
hard what his regimental commander had
sid II was true that he had neither wife nor
child and also no parents. He had spent
worth unblessed by friendship or love. But
now he. too had found a solace in life. He
bad become engaged, although secretly.
"Bravey spoken, my dear Oettingen. And
row. listen carefully. Our corps is here on
he defensive For the present it is our func-
ton to draw on US as large part as possible
Of the enemy's fighting strength, to retire
slowly, and 10 give our main force an oppor-
unity to make an enveloping flank movement.
We can discharge our very dangerous task
successfully only if we keep in some measure
informed Of the strength and dispositions Of
tbs enemy in front Of US. The necessary OBJ
srvations can be made from only one point,
and that is Hill 81. You can see it from
here
The colonel pointed with his hand toward
he south, and then continued:
This little eminence lies in a long bend OF
he river, which by this time ought to be out
'snked by the Russian advance. On the hill
are some trenches, dug by US, which are now
empty, since the troops which were there were
cut up by Russian machine gun fire. But the
Enemy has not yet crossed the river. You can
se that with big field glass. Apparently he
still little suspicious"
For minute the commanding officer stopped
alhng and looked earnestly at the young lieu
.enant
You will 60, then, In amongst the enemy.
AZ the crest Of the trench line, near short
gude post, you will find a telephone. Go,
Osttngen; take forty volunteers with you.
Wake observations and. if it is Heavens will
MIRACLES still happen these dsys-come back
ass and sound
The lieutenant clicked his heels together and
pressed the colonels hand, which the latter
stretched out TO him with eager cordially.
Then he turned and walked away.
But after taking a few steps he faced about
again Unwonted excitement and something
IKE indecison could be read in his counte-
lance Then suddenly ne mastered himself and
es natural expression of decision and deter
nination returned.
Herr 0berst' he said firmly, ~ am not
ssA'todo. Under ordinary circumstances |
soad hardly have had the courage. But
'SS-in case something happens TO me-
saead not like 10 have you judge me wrongly
yOa should hear about it in another way.
A''r 0berst, your Liesel and /, we love each
chez
lie colonel colored
loa ought 10 have made that confession
'No't, Oettingen God in heaven
Don't be dspleased, Herr Colonel. meant
"A''y what ! said while ago. ! simply
'sh'ed 70 avoid possible complications"
ne started away again. But the colonel
40 nm back and then drew him to his arms
70 with God, my son."
Auft Won 0ettingen reported 70 his inme-
A@ regimental superiors and took leave OF
Sn' Then he chose forty men from among
y many volunteers from his company who
'1e'ea themseves-but only after making
'r 70 them the perilous character Of the
Continued on Last Column