Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-08-24

hours after their orders reached
them, telling them they were need
ed to help stem the TeutOn rush.
For three days ana nights they had
been on the march, resting only
occasionally for lew minutes, and
limiting their sleep to few hours.
They had come tar, astOnlshingly
TAR, in heavy marching order, and
i wondered how they stood the
strain
Now the head of the column was
opposite me and | made out an Old
ISL man at the head, as thick with
dust as the rest. He looked well
past So but sturdy and straight.
Weary ne undoubtedly was, like the
others, and foOtsorG. Then my
hand spTang to salute as he turned
our way and | made out a silver
eagle on his shoulder strap. This
was the colonel of the regiment, on
foot, at the head of his men.
"Can't Step U.s."
He's been on the so with US
since the start" q husky sergeant
whispered TO me as he passed. No
automobiles or horses for him!
What we do he does and you can
bet where he goes We'll 90, and I'd
like to see them stop US"
The colonel rode straight ahead
for the point beyond where the
Teuton hordeS were striving to
make secure their foOthOld across
the Marine and the weary French
needed help to stem the rush and
throw them back. And behind this
splendid, gray-haired figure strid
ing through the dust flowed his reg
iment, officers and men, rank on
rank There was. no sign of slack
ening or hesitation. How could
there be with such a leader? No
man would drop out who could still
push one foot before another be
meath the weight of his pack Hard
ly a man had dropped out during
those three weary days and nights.
The faces OF the boys-most of
them seemed little more than boys
were weary faces. They were
ashy gray, but only because the
dust lay thick aren them. The
eyes showed no signepf fear. They
were typical young Americans, lean,
vigorous, alert On Atheir faces
shone a great determination Not
an eye wavered, though shoulders
might sag a bit beneath the heavy
pack They had come a long way,
and were more tired than men
should be; but they were ready to
meet Heinie just as soon as they
could get to him. There was 10
hesitation, no tagging in those
ranks.
Realize TasI&Ahead.
Now and again a song would start
up, timed to the shuttle of march
ing feet Generally it was, Hail,
hail, the gangs all here" Though
sung with a vim. the sounds came
from husky threats and soon died
away. One saw no smiles and heard
no laughter. One does not joke
after a forced march extending over
three days. And these boys realiz-
ed the task ahead OF them and
knew it 10 be no Joking matter.
They were pouring into the mael-
strom of terrific conflict nbt light
~, carelessly, without understand
ing, but steadfastly, ageously,
with their eyes wide open and look
ing unwaveringly ahead
AS the end of the column neared
me a figure arrested my attention
The uniform and the helmet were
the same. He wore the same khaki,
the same fat steel hat, was covered
with the same coating OF dust
What made me notice him was that
he bore no gun. He was bowed be
meath a big pack Of enormous pro-
portions, larger than the packs
borne by the others, He was tall,
slender chap and seemed to stagger
beneath his load. Then he stepped
from the column and towards ne.
His hand sprang 10 salute and then
reached towards me A pair OF fine
gray eyes looked into mine.