Connecticut western news., 1917-08-16

route. They found us as comfortable as bugs ill a rug except for the i'll .er- nal and continuous bombing at ou2 flank barricade. The Germans had concluded that it was useless to try to drive us out About one-fourth of the coo of us who were still on their feet were holding the sentry posts, and tho remainder of the GOO were having banquets in the German dugouts, which were stocked up like delicatessen shops with sausages, fine canned foods, cham pagne and beer. If we had only had few ladies with us we could have had a real party.
 got so happily interested in the spread in our particular dugout that I forgot about my wound until some one reminded me that orders required me to hunt up dressing station and get an anti-tetanus injection. The Tom mics like to take a German trench, be- cause if the Fritzes have to move quickly, as they usually do, we always find sausage, beer and champagne, a welcome change from bully beef. I could never learn to like their bread, however.
 After this fight l was sent, with other slightly wounded men, for weeks rest at the casualty station at Contay. I rejoined my battalion at the end of the week. From Oct. 21 to Nov. IS we were in and out of the front trenches several times for duty tours of forty-eight hours each, but were in no important action. At 6:10 on the morning of Nov. IS, a bit ter cold, day, we went over" to take the Desire and also the Desire support trenches. These were the names given, these trenches. We started from the left of our old position, and our ad- vance was between Thiepyal and P0zieres, opposite Grandecourt.
 There was the usual artillery prep aration and careful organization for the attack. I was again in charge of the 'mopping up wave, numbering POO men and consisting mostly of bombers. It may seem strange to you that q noncommissioned officer should have so important an assignment, but sometimes in this war privates have been in charge of companies number ing 250 men, and I know of case where lance corporal was temporari- ly in command of an entire battalion. It happened on this day that, while l was in charge of the second wave. did not go over with them. At the last moment I was given special duty by Major Jchn Lewis, formerly manag- ing editor of the Montreal Star and one of the bravest soldiers 1 ever knew, as well as the best beloved man in our battalion.
 The Troublesome Machine Gun.
 "AIcClintoek," said he, 'I don't wish to send you to any special hazard, anu, so far as that goes, we're all going to get more or less of dusting, but l want to put that machine gun which has been giving us so much trouble out of action"
 l knew very well the machine gun he. meant. 1t was in a concrete em- placement, walled and roofed, and thel devils in charge of it seemed to be de. scendants of William Tell and the prophet Isaiah They always knew NudI NdS COlLlIS duu hdQ lAc1 S Nhi accurately trained on it before it came.
 ''If you are willing" said Major Lewis, Il wish you to select twenty five from the company and go after that gun the minute the order comes to advance. Use your own judgment about the men and the plan for taking the gun position. Will you goY'
 II sure will,'' I answered. 'I'll go and pick out the men right away. l think we can make those fellows shut up shop over there"
 "Gocd boyr' he said. "You'n try, all right"
 1 started away. He called me back.
 "This is going to be bit hot, Me Clintock," he said, taking my hand. II wish you luck, old fellow-you and the rest of them" In the trenches they always wish you the best of luck when they hand you a particularly tough job.
 I thanked him and wished him the same never saw him again. He was killed in action within two hours H VI ~s>Sa AN