New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-10
A War Story with a
Happy Ending
Continued from First Column

Paschke, the gigantic Berliner.
yes" cried Lehman, who was also colos-
sus in stature But, Herr Lieutenant, il you
will permit It, then Paschke and will take
cannon Ia machine gun1 along He Will carry
the carriage and the barrel. On our backs,
Of course But that doesn't matter. Just wait.
Wen show the beggars some tricks
Kurt Won Oettingen smiled. He was sccus-
toned TO the racy talk Of his honest Landwehr
men.
"For my part, take your machine gun along
But don't think il will be Of much use"
wait and see," said Lehman softly, as ne
began to pack his part Of the weapon on his
shoulders.
Ten minutes later the little company was on
the march-on the way TO face death.
Until they neared the river bend they were
under the cover of little wood
As the patrol reached the further edge OF
the wood the goal could be seen between the
trees. Like the arc of a strung bow the river
flowed around the abandoned height.
The lieutenant was about 10 give the COM
mand to dash at top speed, backs bent through
the open space to the first trench, when he
stopped short.
It was too late The mission could not be
accomplished. The Russians had already
crossed the river on the north side and had
pushed forward on the level ground TO the
middle of the little peninsula.
What was to be done? Should they go
back?
The color rose to the young officers face
In that case he would have to appear before
his commander and say:
~ didn't accomplish my mission. But am
back here alive"
AS things stood it seemed impossible 10 make
any observations; for the forty men had al
ready battalion of Russians in front OF them
and more Russians were crossing the river.
He would have been able to take reasonable
view of the situation if he had not spoken TO
the colonel of his love. Now nothing was left
but to attempt the impossible-to go to certain
death.
But his men? Ought he simply out Of
sense of personal honor, drag them along to
death, without the slightest prospect Of accom-
plishing anything of value through the sacri-
fee?
He looked searchngy at the men. faces.
All we're set. They knew what was ahead Of
them. But no countenance betrayed anything
like hesitation. All were firmly determined to
do whatever their leader deemed it best to do.
Again Oettingen looked over at the Russians
and at the trenches, which the enemy had not
yet ventured to enter. If not he himself, then
some one else might succeed in reaching the
telephone, whose underground connection to
German headquarters was, of course, unknown
to the Russians.
The young officers eyes sparkled. He had
made up his mind. He was willing to spur his
men on to the desperate adventure.
He called the three under-offcers and six in
telligent privates, showed them the guide post,
which was already plainly visible, and said to
them:
whoever of US survives will go 10 the tee
phone there. To the best Of his ability he will
estimate the strength and describe the posi-
tions of the enemy. If | fall let me lie there,
and take my range-finder. In the case is
field sketch of the nelghborhood. II the Rus
SLAMS leave US only five minutes for observa-
ton, those five minutes will be enough"
Then he turned to the other soldiers. "When
raise my hand, we will rush forward into the
southern trench opening. Throw yourselves
into the foremost line, and stop the Russians
with rife fire or as long as you can"
Once more Kurt looked through his glass
He nodded, put away the range-inder care
fully, gave his men a sign TO be ready-and
lifted his hand.
The forty made mad rush for the trenches.
The distance from the woods edge TO the hind
most line of the abandoned German position
was about three hundred metres. The Rus
SLAMS had therefore every opportunity to wipe
out the little squad.
But they must have taken the patrol for the
advance guard Of much larger attacking
body; for, without shooting at it, they threw
themselves on the ground in defensive posi-
ton. OF course, when the enemy saw that no
supports followed out of the wood, they began
to fire; but by that time Oettingen and his men
were only about fifty metres from the protect
ing trenches. Three four soldiers were hit.
Yet even these were able to reach cover along
with their comrades. The first ditch was in
bad condition. so Kurt ordered the men for
ward into the second trench. That advance
was accomplished in few minutes and Oettin-
gen, himself unwounded, after directing his
little force 10 scatter, was about to hurry
through the communicating trenches and saps
TO the place where the telephone stood, when
he noticed the absence of some of his volun-
teers.
where are Lehman and Paschke?"