The midland journal., 1917-08-03
PAID FOR HIS RIDE
Soldier Had Mo Complaint to
Make About Price.
Was Glad He Stopped Bullet Which
Might Have Hit Driver of Car
Loaded With Wounded.

In the course of the battle of the
Marne, the Germans fought a stiff,
rear-guard action at Priez. At its
height. Mr.. Frederic Coleman, who mar
rates his experiences in his book,
''From Mons to Ypres," found himself
and his automobile involved in the pro-
ceedings.
| One of the Sussex men, saws Mr..
Coleman, came running back with the
news of general retirement. Rifle
fire in front, rifle fire from our left.
and shrapnel everywhere, made us
wonder whether retirement was not
less wise than staying where we were.
But orders are orders; so we headed
down the slope for the village, where I
had left the automobile.
Presently we reached a 50-foot gap
in the bank at the roadside; that part
of our journey must be taken in full
sight of the enemy. Two soldiers
rushed at it, only to fall before they
had got across. While we paused,
herd of some twenty cows galloped,
believing, down the hedge side in the
field beside us. Blessed with an in
spiration, we sprinted down the road in
the lee of the barrier thus provident-
tally provided.
"We're all right so long as the beef
holds out!" painted Tommy.
In a few seconds I had reached the
car A major asked me if would take
back a load of wounded. I believed
that any occupant Of car that tried
to pass through the village and up the
slope in plain sight Of the enemy would
stand little chance Of escape; but the
wounded were tossed into the tonneau,
into the front seats, on the folded top
at the rear, wherever space could be
found. jumped into the driving seat.
The running board of the car was lined
with soldiers, and one, the only one
unhit, was mounted on mud guard.
Up the hill we crawled. My load was
eleven, some badly hit. Two cyclists
in front gave promise of blocking the
way as we gathered speed, but shell
that burst over us knocked one of the
pair off his wheel. He careened into
his fellow, and the pair rolled into the
ditch together. Bang went another
shell, seemingly a few feet over us.
Four men from group ahead of us
were hit. Bullets sang all about. Some
one hanging on the running board was
hit and cried as he dropped off. AS
the slope became less steep, overlook
and passed an ammunition timber, with
the team-minus driver-in full fight
toward the rear.
A mile or so farther on we found
hastily improvised hospital, where I
delivered my load.
"WoundedY asked an orderly as I
drove up.
eyes" I answered GAIL but one"
and turned to look back at him.
81 stopped one, coming up the hill,"
he said, with a grin. "I stopped one
proper, I didw And he opened his
tunic and showed me blood-soaked
side. might have got you if I hadn't
teen there" he added, $50 perhaps it
was just as well. I couldn't have,
brought the others back in this thing"
And he grinned again.
"Good luck, son." I said, with lump
in my throat.
His teeth We're set as he was borne
away by two ordcrlies, but the corners
of his mouth twitched in another half
smile, and he said:
"Thanks. Don't you worry about me.
I'm all right. It's nothing!"
I have often thought of him since,
and hoped that he came through In
good shape. His spirit was so very,
very fine youths Companion.