The Wisconsin weekly blade. [volume] (Madison, Wis.) 1916-1925, 1916-06-22
What Befen an
Ammunition Train
BY F. A. Mitchell

went ~ EHSianu, where he was CON-
miSsioned an aviator and was sent to
Belgium.
Brentwood became very expert with
his machine and made many n valua-
Bile reconnaissance for British generals,
but the most valuable work he did for
his side was in another line entirely,
though without his aeroplane and, for
that matter without an accident to it
he would not have been in a position
to accomplish the feat.
John was soaring one day while the
enemy was making strenuous efforts
TO capture British position of great
value The Germans had rained a
hailstOrm of explosives at the position
for thirty-six hours, then charged it.
They took it, and it was retaken and
taken again several times. John was
up in the air directing the British gun
ners where to fire when he saw a long
ammunition train beneath him moving
toward that part of the German line
which was engaged. Signaling the
fact and its location, it was lombard
ed, with the result that a number of
the men operating it We're killed.
While he was looking at the train
something gave way in the machinery
of his aeroplane, and he began to drop
He succeeded in starting up again just
before landing, and this saved his life.
He fell in a thicket of low growth
bordering a creek, and before the Ger
mans came up to seize his machine he
succeeded in getting away from it and
hiding under some rocks
1t was not long, however, before he
heard voices nearing him and conclud-
ed that he had better move on, for he
was doubtless being hunted. Hearing
the kissing of a locomotive, he knew
he was near the ammunition train he
had seen. He climbed up the bank.
and, sure enough there within a nun
dred feet of him was the engine stand
ing on the track without any one visi-
bic in the cab.
John made up his mind to a bold
dash Running to the locomotives, he
mounted to the cab, and there lay the
engineer mutilated. He had been kill
ed by a shell fragment. The missiles
were still coming so thick that John
did not expect to live very long him
self. He determined to take that train
away from where its freight was es-
pecially needed. He knew very little
about locomotive: but. always having
been fond of machinery. knew enough
to back up. This he did. slowly at
first; but, gathering impetus. and then
reaching decline in the grade he
moved quite rapidly. He saw an Off
GER galloping toward him, frantically
waving his sword. doubtless as a sig
nal for him to stop, but by this time
John was going as fast as the rider
and paid no attention to him A switch
had been left open. and the result was
that two-thirtls If the train was dump
ed into the creek
This caused bait, and JOHN knew
that it WAS time t. set out before any
one could reach him. 1t occurred to
him that the best chance for him was
to hide under the engine. He succeed
ed in getting there In time to escape
detection. \ few minutes later there
was n babel of voices about him-offi-
GERS. soldiers and train hands shouting
and gcsticulating Finding the engi-
neers body in the cab. they supposed
that he had been running the engine.
and his being killed had caused all the
trouble
II occurred to John that if he could
reach a point where the overturned
cars were in the creek he might find
more permanent hiding place. Waiting
till the crowd had left the engine he
peeped and saw that the car next back
Of him was leaning against underbrush
He succeeded in getting from under
the locomotive to this car without be-
ing seen. ana then it was an easy mat
ter TO wriggle through the brush and
down to the creek.
John was III the enemy's line. but
there was 10 necessity for him to he
suspected OF wrecking the ammunition
train. The chances of his getting back
to his comrades were slight. and he
made up his mind to surrender him
self when be could do so without ex-
citing any especial suspicion lie re-
NAMED III tie creek till night made his
hiding more effective; then crawled up
on to the opposite bank Of the creek
from the wrecked train
All was still except periodic booms
There was no evidence Of any one he
ing near him. and it occurred Ia him
to take his chances Of getting into the
British lines. This would me- cssitatc
his approaching the German trenches
from the rear. since the two forces
were facing each other and very near
together. Advancing, he soon came to
the German trenches. He walked over
one Of them without their -u-recting
his not being one of them and maneu.
vered among the trees ard brush Til
he suspected the position Of the Brit
ish. Crawling near 10 them. he whs
tied God Save the King" in o low tone
who's there" came a voice aud Fl
simultaneous click Of a rife.
Without replying at once John chang
ed his position. then called IA a low
voice:
Friend"
In another moment he was in the
British lines.
II,