New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-13


sense of the mystery which surrounds them,
which conceals the Russians from them and
them from the Russians.
Carefully, measuredly, they eat at night
their cold conserves; it may be long time be-
fore another fresh supply comes to them over
the metre-deep mountain SHOWS; and in the
morning they wash themselves in the snow
which here sufices for all uses-soap, drink,
roadway, bed and shroud. So another day
comes, which may bring an advance, an as
sault, perhaps victory, if the Russians show
themselves. Instinctively they look out into
the white silence.
The under officer was a Pole, but Pole
who smoke German. He had Ratchet nose,
very black, glowing eyes and pallid face. 1t
seemed TO me that he always kept moving his
hands uneasily. l noticed also the golden
medal for valor which he wore. | had milk
chocolate with me, and so he told me the story
of how he got the decoration. 1t was THIS:
1--WE knew at last where the Russians stood.
Rut thew we're three companies strong, and we
we're only one, so we couldn't we'll attack them.
Resides. they stood near little wood and mad
machine guns. But we had to get ahead lhey
were across our path, and there were other
reasons which my lieutenant explained 10 me-
but which / couldn't understand.
$50 we decided to try to take them by sur
nrise But that is very difficult, for on TINS
accursed snow in the Carpathians you can see
everything. It would be almost necessary TO
din ones self into barrel of -four. Fortu-
klo
night we resolved to make the attempt
1--WE knew exactly the direction; the nrs'
lieutenant had made drawing on which every
thing was clear and plain. Two men were 10
be chosen who should steal ahead and over
power the sentinels. Many volunteered lg-
natz and were selected.
"Evervthing depended on our not beng as
covered. The company crawled behind u.s. !"
was compelled to stop behind the last sno"
ridge; otherwise its presence would nave Deeh
detected 1t was bold enough stroke 10 nave
oone that far; and except for the fog ana 'he
snow even this could not have been accom-
xI;.hod Two hundred men always make some
noise however much they try to avoid 1t. 30
thew stayed behind the ridge, about a huiuieu
naces from the trees where the two Russian
sentineIs were posted. Then 1t was Tor US 10
do our work. 49,,
"Tbe night was dark and the fog thick, put
the snow gave off a certain light we ola ho'
600 the two Russians, but we thought we Sd"
the shadows of the pine trees under wnlch 'hey
stood We crawled along slowly over the
sro,y each for himself. We had plenty OF
time The point was not to be quick, but 10
make no sound.
"Wo had taken off our shoes and wrapped
orr feet in white woollen cloths. Inc ridge
there was pretty steep; but one couldn't tuni-
~ dur, Il for the snow would have cracked
Ordinarily they would not have heard H. nor
would have heard it. But on such night d
sentinel could hear everytning-N was '0
frightfully still. ,,d
'Yet we got ahead And then we could
cra,yl further on the level surface. was very
careful, and now and then shoVeneu WIN NY
hands little snow bank, so that cou'u ""'
some shelter if they discovered me. :,
owe couldn't see the sentinels yet; tha' 10, !
.o,,,do,t coo them. About Ignatz know noun
inc and nobody will ever know whe'her Vi
NOT he found them. There may have peeh
deem hole somewhere in the snow cover VI
maybe he grew weak and tainted
about that don't know cra"ieu io'
ward without looking for him. suddenly !
heard the two Russians talking, and quite near
me. 1t couldn't be more than twenty PAGES
away. ,, -. .hor,
~ held up. had to wait till one OF 'ne'''
went away or till Ipatz came.
"They had been careless. But was aireauy
o. rear and it is a wonder TO me that 'hey
didn't notice me. II,
az oould have shot them; but that would
have given the alarm. l didn't "a"V "
attack them with the bayonet, for they wou'u
have cried out and would have awakened 'he
yedettes, who were somewhere behind mem
.rd then the whole three companies would nave