The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-12-22
~ MAJOR Donald MeRse.

lfiltf En- "
rHE dashing scout OF former wars
who cut so gallant and pictui
esque q figure on horseback IS
no more.
8 Instead OF riding on the back OF
chsfker, the scout OF today orawls Tor
the most part through mud and carriou
and the blanket OF night covers his un-
romantic movements.
What he learns Of the enemy and
the terrain. he learns almost by ply
siesl contact. The ground he IS inves-
tiaating has to be gone over inch oy
inch. for his work in No Mans Land
must be done at night
A few buttons picked up sssse and
there usually from casualty. a water
flask. a belt buckle, may give nior
NATION OF the enemy for which the
stall is waiting One has 10 grope Tor
these things in the darkness ana mean
while the enemy's searchlghts and
patrols may be yroping for you.
On one occasion there had been a
shik of forces in the trenches oppo-
site cur sector. SO far we, had been
unable to tell what regiments were op-
po,ed 10 us. The staff wanted the
kncvIedQe. Late enc night ar order
cssne for me 70 take eight men and
crawl out intot NO Mans Land to try
10 Identity the New troops
We went out through listening post.
This particular post" was an under,
sround room q, the end OF 3 tunnel
which ran straight out from the trench
about fifty yards or more.
Crawl on Stomsehs Over Own Men.
In order 10 reach the compartment, !
was obliged TO crawl on my stomach
rs nearly like a snake or a caterpillar
as human being could do As neared
the end OF the tusnel, which ran directly
from q firing hay, one OF the listeners
thrust a bayonet within few inches
Of my head and said
Halt! Who is there
There ] lay ~ a stick ot wood
with tl,~ steel almost grazing my scalp.
and didn't feel at all Friendly toward
the man who was really only doing his
duty. but replied, Friend with the
counteYsign !"
advance. friend, and give the coun'
tersisn," said the voice.
How in hell can advance" said
peevish;y. "Bui here's your counter
sign" and ] gave it
~Nine men going Out through this
Oostv | then told him.
Their was a sound OF mufiled swear
ing and groans. Then sergeant
hissed. and all was still When | re
iurned with the eight men was to take
with me. | learned the reason for the
swearing.
There were four men In the listen
ins post. One was on duty at time
while The other three slept They we're
pa<bed 90 close that they were lying
half on top Of one another as il was,
and We niDe had to tramp over them
TO climb through the narrow slit ths,
led from the underground chamber 10
the aif.
A we went out, one of the men in
the post counted u.s. Before the first
man stuck his head above the sur
face Of the earth the news had been
teiephmed to all our listening posts
and firing bays that nine men were
going ont ~ patrol at certain
tina and would rsturn at a certain
time.
II this were not done. a patrol would
very lkely be shot TO pieces by its
own troops for anything seen moving
in NE dark Will draw fire unless il is
known friendly patrols are ont.
j always had the men OF my patrols
return one at q time and. when close
to our lines hold their hands above
their heads Our troops had orders
never to shoot at one man coming in
with his hands up Even a single enc
my In this position can do no harm
There Is no use taking chances and
many : good man has been lost need.
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