The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-01-06
An Inspiring
Sight
By F. A. mitchell

in the French army In the north OF
France, suddenly felt his knees give
way beneath him aud collapsed. going
down with thousands of explosions
ringing in his ears. Mingled with
these were the shouting OF officers.
neighing of horses, shrieks, groans-
indeed, every conceivable sound incl
dent to battle. But he did not hear
them long, for he became unconscious.
Jacques awOke He heard no sound
but the piping Of bird in tree near
by. Opening his eyes, be saw only
the blue heavens and light cloud
sailing ever so peacefully. for he was
lying on his back. He felt of himself
and came upon spot in bis side where
pressure gave him pain. A little fur
Their Investigation with his hand told
him that be had been wounded there.
and bis clothing had stanched the dow
of blood.
Jacques lay still. He did not dare to
move for fear that his wound would
be opened. He was not sure that he
could move. He had no desire to move
unless it was to get water. He Won
dered whether there had been victory
or defeat for the side on which be had
fought Was be in the French or Ger
man fines? How long had he been
there? He tried to lift his head to see
about him, but he could not. 1t was
lonely to be out there on the battlefield.
left to die with no one even to take a
message for loved ones at home.
War, which had brought him to such
a pass, came to console him. at least to
occupy his mind. What seemed to be
a huge bird sailed gracefully into bis
field OF view. then another and an.
other They were all moving in the
same direction From the foremost
little puff of smoke appeared and float
Ell listlessly away to the rear.
In another moment two aeroplanes.
moving side by side and In the 0ppo-
site direction to those jacques had al
ready seen. appeared In the heavens.
They were driving straight at the 9th.
ers. He judged that the three were
French and was sure the two were
German. because they were obeying
the German method Of attack. He had
learned that there was no defense IN
the German army; it was all strike.
Another shot, this time from one In
q German airship. 1t evidently caused
some damage to one Of his enemy's
wings, for there appeared spot
through which jacques could see light
Several shots were fired In quick sue
cession by the Frenchmen. There was
no report, for sound rises. The only
indication of the shots was the little
puffs Of smoke.
The aeroplanes were now maneuver'
ing, circling. each side trying to get IN
a shot that would strike an enemys
vital part The Germans, though the
attacking party, seemed sensible OF the
fact that they were inferior In num-
bers and used their skill to secure
favorable position by separating the
Frenchmen and attacking in detail.
Jacques heard report and slight
vibration of the earth on which he was
stretched and in few seconds saw
one Of the French aeroplanes stagger
like wounded bird. One of its wings
was broken. 1t sank In circles. soon
falling below the range Of the soldiers
vision.
The numbers on each side were now
even. One of the German ships tried
to ram one of the Frenchmen. but
missed it by what seemed to jacques
a hairs breadth At the same ttue
shot from the other Frenchman wound.
ed German bird.
Jacques was no longer lonely
wounded man on q deserted battlefield.
The spirit of contention was again
aroused in him. He wished be we're
M in the air in one OF the aeropianes.
He saw an advantage OF position for
one Of the aerial Frencbmen Forget
ting that be could not be heard, be
shouted:
you're on his broadside! Strike bis
propeller!''
The sound Of bis voice seemed to
mock him. For a moment the still
ness that followed 1t seemed like that
OF death. Then a voice near by came
s0mberly:
"Comrade, have you any waterT'
water! No." cried jacques "rhat
man up there had an advantage, and
| can't make him hear. There! BE
has lost It,"
u don't care for the man up there.
/ am only interested In the man down
here myself. am suffering from D
horrible thirst"
Another pun. Of smoke from q
Frenchman and one Of the German
aeroplanes dropped like lead. a re-
port from below and a Frenchman
followed to earth. Another report and
the remaining FrenchmaD turned and
fed. The German followed for short
distance, but his propeller bad been In
jured, and be. too, was Obliged to turn
to his own regions
THAT was more revivifyfng," said
Jacques. raising himself on his elbow
~ ,ooi,,no al tho man wh0 had asked