Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-30
said that he thought there was just q
sporting chance OF holding up tho

sporting chance OF holding up tho
bliEhters.''
The italian general looked at tho
would-be-holdcr-u Of tho "blighters"
and frowncd severely on the stripping
who thought he could do what had
never been done before in tho history
Of any war. Tho stripping stood the
scrutiny uncohcerned, and, as the posi-
ton was really desperate. the Italian
commander agreed to the holding up.
Tho younss,cr had his guns moved
up TO the best available positions. and
With thin screen OF Italian infantry
and cavalry TO hide him from too OBJ
servant enemies, he barred the advance
Of the enemy. who now concentrated
every available gun on the British bat
tory.
In the height OF the action the young
commander was wounded. He had his
men move him into position where he
could observe and give orders with the
minimum Of pain TO himself. and in the
anN ions hours that followed the wound
cd youngstcr remained at his post. 1t
was in vain that tho enemy threw
their masses against the improvised
position. They were always moved
down under the fire from the guns di-
rected by the wounded hero. and the
remnants OF the Italian army were
withdrawn under the eyes of the foe,
who had counted on securing IA crown
ing triumph in this stage of tho tight.
The most desperate phase OF the bat
tie vas reached when il became ncccs-
| sary TO move back the guns that had
played such great mart in the Strug-
sic. The foe kept pressing harde, than
eyer. and ratncd shcll-fre on tho re-
firing sun teams. Proppcd up on Il
gun-caTriage. supported by two OF his
men, and smoking cigarette the
young officer remained In charge to
the end giving the orders and Impress
ing something OF his own sublime cool
ness on his men. Never did the enemy
improve their position. They were
always kept at the same distance, ard
every time she" tried 10 get nearer
they found those deadly guns raining
death on them.
After q terrible journey, hghting day
and night. the battery reached the Itsl-
ian line just beyond the Tagliamento,
and the nrst man to greet the vic
torious commander of the battery was
the Italian genera! who had thought
the younGS.cr SO presumptious in imas-
ming that battery could hold in check
pursuing army. lie rushed forward
and embraced the lad in the presence of
his army. and when the wounded hero
passed through the Italian lines he
was checred by the lines OF enthusiastic
men who realized how much they owed
TO the splendid courage of this young
hero at the most critical stage OF the
retreat.
British Nurse's Heroisn.
Now for a story OF our brave nurses.
There is one Girl with whom | have
served ia Serbia. She il not yet TWEEN
tY. She found herself in charge OF
:; convoy Of wounded and sick in
critical stage OF the retreat. The
enemy were Smelling the convoy all
the way. and panic was inevitable. That
girl took command with Grmness
that put to shame all who thought OF
flight The convoy moved steadily on,
the girl herself bringing up tho rear
and showing not the slightest emotion
with shells bursting within few yards
OF where she was riding
Some OF the men transporting the
wagons were losing heart, and they
threatened TO abandon the convoy. She
went up to them and ordered them
10 remain at their posts. They obeyed
without word OF protest, and she
Kept the convoy on the move all day
and night. bringing it safely into Cdine
in the early morning.
When everything was seen TO, and
the patients were safely housed in a
new hospital, the brave girl owned to
feeling little siddy. She was pre-.
vailed on to lie down, and then il Was
discovered that she had received a
shrapnel wound i'll the early stages OF
the Journey. She had not mentioned
II for fear il would discourage the
party and lead to disa ster. She has
had rough lime since. for i, was
very serious wound, and il was not
improved by lack of attention.