The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1918-04-12
CHAPTER v.
Mud. Rata and Shells.

Mud. Rata and Shells.
I mnsI have slept for two or three
hours, NOT the refreshing kind that 70.
suits from Glenn sheets and soft pill
lows. but che sleep that comes from
sold. wet and sheer exhaustion.
suddenly. the earth seemed 10 shake
end thanderclap burst n my ears /
opened my eyeef was aplashed hii
over with sticky mud, and men we're
picking themselves az froa the bottom
~ the trench. The parnpef on my left
had toppied into The trench, completely
blocking n with wnli Of tosaed,np
#nrih, fha man ca my left lay still. l
rubbed The mud from my face. aud an
awful sight met my gazehis head
Nas anashed 20 q pulp. and his steci
helmet Was fun of bruins ana blood.
a GermNn "MlnniaH trench mortafl
had exploded 10 fhe next traverse. Men
were dlEeing inso the soft ulaas IL mud
"a 4 frenzy II haste Slretrhershearv
efs raHle 20 The trench Ga the double
After q feW minutes ~ digging, three
stiii, maday forms 90 strrtchers were
carried Down the communication
treach 70 the rsuE Soon they would
he resting somewhere III rrance.H with
little wooden cross over their heads.
They had dene their biz far Ming aud
country had died without firing shot
but lhsir services were appreciated.
neeerlheiesH
Lister on. found ont their names.
They belonged 70 eur draft.
! WAS duRed and motlonleas. Sud-
denly shovel was pushed into ms
hands, and a rough bat kindly voice
said
Here, my led. lend hand clearing
the trench. but keep your head down.
ard look ont Tor SHIPPERS, one Of the
Frtss a u daisy, aud he'n get you IL
you're not careful"
Lying on my heliy on the bottom Of
the sreneh, | rtied Handhags with the
sticky mud. they were dragged 10 my
rear by the other men. aud tho work Of
fpbuiidln9 she pafapet was on. The
harder I worked, the better / felt. Al
though the weather was cold, | was
soaked With sweat.
Occasionally u bullet would crack
overhead, and machine sun would
kiek up the mud On The hashet,lu para
pet Az each crack | would eesa aud
shield HY fne6 with my ara. Ome o.
the oiier men noticed this action Of
asinN and whispered;
Dent duck at the crack 0g a bull.
lel. Yant che danger has passod--you
never heRr tbr ens that wings you
Always Feuember that Il sou are Eoipg
20 gut u. Foatil eet II 50 never worry
Thsn made d great Impression On me-
q The time. aud from then Ga. / adopt,
"a his motto, III you're going to set II
you'u see L."
u helped me wonderfully. I used Il
- oftra afterwards that some 81 my
mates dubbed me. III you're going to
geg 4. youtl SET f."
After an hours hard work. an my
nervousness lrff ne, and was laugh.
iug and joking With the rest
AZ o0e g'cs0ck. elmer came up Ia
tirc form q dixie " hot stew,
looked fur my eanseeu. II had
fallen Or the are step. aud was half
aerted tR The mud The man ga ny
iefi netieed this, aud told the corporal.
elshlng out the Fatlcns. 10 put my
SHARE IN his mess tia. Thea be whis.
Pered % nis. Always take care 81 your
taess tlu. plRt0-"
bad iearaea another maxim Of the
trenches
That stew tasted One. I was AZ
hungry rs d bear, We had Seconds. e
81 smother helping. because thrue ef
TIRE uen asd sgoae West kiiled b.
the sxpiosipa 81 the GermAn tronch
m0rtHF, aud ee ate their share, but
stiil ! was hnaEry, 80 I atled IN with
bulty hsef ana biscuits Then drained
my water BEETLE. Later On I learned
Smother msxlgn q the front limo. 60
ssssrlnEly with y0ur water The bully
6-sf made Dle thiFEty, and b tea time
Was dying Tor a drink. but my pride
wonld not ailo@ me to ask my mates
for wsier. ! wRs fast learning the
ethics Of the trenches
That nlgtt I WAC pat on guard with
an cider man. We stood on the Gre
ytep with our hands over the top. peer.
ing out intD No MANS Land. II was
seryous work for me. but the other fcl.
bow seemed 70 take II as part OF the
alKht's routine.
Then something shot past my face.
bly, heart stopped beating. and dueked
mE head below the parapsA A soft