Carrizozo outlook. [volume] (Carrizozo, N.M.) 1910-1945, 1917-12-21
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aSNkpAY
THB bosom Of Sergeant Lynd.
ham was filled 10 the brim with
disgust and lonthlng. Nor was
this disgust and loathlng entire
ly without reason. Months of wallow.
ing like n pig In the mud Of trenches
does not sweeten the soul. and when
II Is combined with endless duties In
the cold fall rains OF n shell-swept rc-
glOn that Is akin to the borders of
inferno, the nerves become ragged.
Hence had ZONE about the curdllng OF
the milk OF human kindness which had
previously existed within him.
NCr had n few little midnight sur.
prise parties over the top In which the
bayonet had been the principal piece
de resistance tended to decrease these
sensations. Even being bowled 20
feet by the cOncusslon OF n shell had
not cheered him. But Il had remain
cd for n Whit Of poison gas and n
squirt Of liquid fire to set and solldlfy
his mind to It's present condition.
Alive, dead, or as yet unborn, Ser
geant Lyndham was Of the fixed opln-
ion that he did not like the Bochcs.
And the last % hours had been
particularly obnoxious from the fnct
that they had been entirely slcePlcss.
The horizon was still lurid with cnn-
non flashes and the uproar remained
tiendish despite the fact that II was
hours after midnight, but he was nc
customed to such things, and knew
that once asleep, they would not trou-
BILE him. Also, for all he knew, he
might dream Of something pleasant. He
was free now for n few hours within
his blankets. and was In the net OF
removing his boots when his captain
thrust his head within and motioned
for him Ia come forth. Knowing that
something both new and d~lsngreeable
confronted him, he arose and stepped
out as commanded.
For Il quarter of n mile they silent.
ly wound their way along Il muddy
rond until the dim lights of n partially
shell-rulned house appeared before
them. Into this they entered, and the
sergeant, casting his eyes about, saw
the colonel OF his regiment sitting Mt
n table. Salutlng he stood ut atten-
ton.
Sergeant Lyndhnm," said the colo
mel thoughtfully. "a few months ago
v hen you accompanied one of u air.
men over the line and destroyed n
plant Of the enemy, you did n very
brave and skillful thing. For that
net you were made n sergeant. To-
night we must have another duty per
formed, and | have selected you be-
cause Of my confidence In your cour-
nge and ability. II Is very likely that
YOU Will not return, yet war demands
its sacrifices. Without knowing more
Of this new duty do you volunteer "a
try and accomplish III" II was plain
enough now that there would be nc
rest or sleep for him again this night
and the sergeant's disgust and louth.
ing mounted accordingly. Yet he man
aged To swallow them.
ayes, sir" he grunted. The coloneI
nodded.
You are n brave and willing soldier
sergeant. Were II not for the fact tina
the regiment contains so many mel
like you ! would sometimes becOm,
filled with fear and sadness. Now
for the reason | sent for you. Yot
will remember the trenches which rur
through Theirs woods, do you not 2
"Slightly, colonel, | helped cap
turc them from the Boches at the pOln
Of the bnyonOt."
"And IN turn were driven from
them by the same amlable gentlemen.
Lyndhum made n wry face.
ayes, colonel. But they surprised
MS most unfairly. II was all very dis
gushing and made me loathe them"
~ hive no doubt. But now listen
We have reason 10 believe that the.
have evacuated the position, while
has become important that we regal
It. You will follow my reasoning.
the enemy has deserted the ditch W
wish 10 know II, while II he has moi
II Is equally important that we shout
know, since we must be advised before
hand what we may expect when W
make our advnncc-whether r~eslstanc
or unopposed occupancy. Therefor,
we are compelled 10 send someone Il
n scout to ascertain the conditions,
"And because Of the darkness an
treetops the nlrnen ARE uselessY"
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