The Yale expositor., 1916-11-30
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Am II" Mr.. Brown was surprised
at that. Somehow. | don't feel any
different" he said.
,You would If you stuck your head
over that trench and they happened
to see It," the captain told him grimly.
| "Well-believe me, I'm not going
| to-" said Charlie. Aren't they un-
usually quiet tonightT
Yes, rather! But always before
the evenings over they give us bit
OF fireworks and go for some OF our
men with lucky shrapnel or two
You see, they try to get our range in
the daytime. and then at night they
shoot at the same range"
Charlie Brown and his escort had
not talked long before Guy Falconer
came out of his abstraction. He raised
his head all at once and looked inQuir
ingly at the civilian. Then be Jumped
up and approached Charlie with out
stretched hand.
al thought | recognized that voice!'
he exclaimed. do you remember me,
Charlie Brown
Hello. Guyw the delighted Ameri-
can cried. $50 you did come over
to the front, after all? Didn't | say
you wouldY"
"Yes | came over with the first
batch-bribed the recruiting sergeant!
| And here ! am! But what are
you doing at the front?"
Charlie explained how he had fallen
into the hands OF the Germans. how
they had set him free and started him
toward Brussels. But his rebellious
nature had revolted and having hid
den by day and Travelled by night. he
had made straight for the place where
he understood the British to be in
trenched
Mr.. Brown had scarcely finished his
brief recital when there followed an
ominous whistle, which seemed TO
come from over his head. OF In the
distance there was a fash and an ex-
plosiOn
whats that?" the American asked
"Oh. just one of our shells travelling
somewhere to our friends. the enemy"
the captain informed him.
That will probably start their eve
ming song" Guy remarked.
They needn't hurry on my ac-
count" Charlie said.
For n few minutes they stood there.
discussing the war.
Whats it forT" the newspaper man
asked. There's no individual hatred
no great, sOul-stlrring emotional
crisis behind it ALL"
But England was forced into IT."
Captain Montague interposed.
And dare say France and Russia
and Austria all feel they were forced
into it. too" Charlie replied. That's
the whole trouble. Each nation be-
lieves honestly that it's in the right,
and in some way / suppose each of
them is. l don't know-Fm
not a big enough man TO attempt to
say. And what good is Ii all? 2"
at Is that militarism shall cease
that never again can there be another
war like this" the English captain
told him.
AS they talked, a doctor, accompa-
MED by two stretcher bearers, en-
tered the trench, and, finding that
there was no need for their services
In that quarter. they passed on.
That's the Red Cross" Captain
Montague explained, noticing the jour
nalist's interest In the trio. Following
close upon his words came another of
those sinister whistles.
That's one OF their shellsp' the
captain continued, meaning the Ger
mans.
At the information MIR. Brown
promptly ducked and huddled down
upon the bench under the overhang OF
the trench.
"You needn't duck. old man! Ii
wouldn't do you any good" the elder
officSr remarked. Anyway, that
shell was on its way toward one OF
our batteries" he added, pointing to
their rear.
"well, now they've started, any
how" Guy said.
two shots-and then again they go on
oil night" his senior officer explained.
Stepping to the field telephone,
which rang insistently. Captain Mon
tague received a message from the
battery posted some distance behind.
When Guy Falconer learned that some
light bombs were to he LET or he
begged the captain TO let him climb
the tree that rose near one end Of the
trench, In order that he might try to
get the range of the German guns.
The captain did not like the idea.
He had been cautioned not to expose
his men--and especially his officers
unnecessarily. And he warned Guy
that he might get picked or by a Ger
man sniper.
| "Not chancsW Guy protested