Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-08-13
(Continued)

(Continued)
When Lloyd recovered conscious
ness, he was lying on his right side,
facing what used to be the entrance Of
The guardroom. Now, 1t was only q
tumble Of rent and torn sandbags. His
head seemed bursting. He slowly rose
IN his elbow, and there in the east the
lawn was breaking. But what was
hat mangled shape lying over there
among the sandbags? Slowly dragging
himself to 1t, he saw the body Of the
sentry. One look was enough to know
hat he was dead. The soldiers head
vas missing. The sentry had had his
wish gratified. He had "gone home"
lie was safe at last from the ''whizz-
bangs" and the Allemand.
Like flash it came to Lloyd that he
vas free. Free to 60 "over the top"
With his company. Free to die like
rue Briton fighting for his king and
country. A great gladness and warmth
>ame over him. Carefully stepping
over the body Of the sentry, he started
IN mad race down the ruined street
If the village, amid the bursting shells,
ninding them not, lodging through or
around hurTying platoons on their way
70 also 60 "over the top" Coming to
communication trench he could not
get through. It was blocked with laugh.
ng, cheering and cursing soldiers.
Climbing out Of the trench, he ran
wildly along the top, never needing the
rain Of machine-gun bullets and shells.
not even hearing the shouts Of the Of.
ticers, telling him to get back into the
trench. he was going to join his COM
pany who were in the front line. He
was going to fight with them. He, the
despised coward, had come into his
own.
While he was racing along, jumping
over trenches crowded with soldiers, q
ringing cheer broke out all along the
front Ane, and his heart sank. He
knew he was too late. His company
had gone over. But still he ran madly.
He would catch them. he would die
with them.
Meanwhile his company had gone
"over." They, with the other COM
panies had taken the first and second
German trenches, and had pushed
steadily on to the third line. D COM
pany, led by their captain, the one who
had sent Lloyd to division headquar.
ters for trial, charged with desertion,
had pushed steadily forward until they
found themselves far In advance Of
the rest Of the attacking force. 'Bomb.
ing out" trench after trench, and using
their bayonets, they came to German
communication trench, which ended in
blindsap, and then the captain, and
what was left of his men, knew they
were in trap. They would not re-
tire. D company never retired, and
they were D company. Right In front
Of them they could see hundreds Of
Germans preparing to rush them with
bomb and bayonet. They would have
some chance If ammunition and bombs
could reach them from the rear. Their
supply was exhausted, and the men
realized 1t would be case Of dying
as bravely as possible, or making run
for 1t. But D company would not
run. It was against their traditions
and principles.
The Germans would have to advance
across an open space Of three to four
hundred yards before they could get
within bombing distance Of the trench,
and then it would be all their own way.
Turning to his company, the captain
said:
"Men, it's case Of going West for
us. We are out Of ammunition and
bombs, and the Boches have US In a
trap. They will bomb US out. Our
bayonets are useless here. We will
have to 60 over and meet them, and
It's q case Of thirty to one, so send
every thrust home, and die like the
men Of D company should. When I
give the word, fellow me, and up and
at them. Give them h-i Lord If
we only had a machine gun, we could
wipe them out Here they come, get
ready, men,"
Just as he finished speaking, the well
come ''pup-pup" of machine gun IN
their rear rang out, and the front line
Of the onrushing Germans seemed to
melt away. They wavered, but once
again came rushing onward. Down
went their second line. The machine
gun was taking an awful toll Of lives.
Then again they tried to advance, but
the machine gun moved them down.
Dropping their rifles and bombs, they
broke and fled in a wild rush back to
their trench, amid the cheers Of ID"
company. They were forming again
for another attempt, when In the rear
Of D company came mighty cheer.
The ammunition had arrived and with
Il q battalion of Scotch to re-enforce
them. They were saved. The uL known
machine gunner had come to the rescue
In the nick Of time.
With the re-enforcements 1t was an
easy task to take the third German
line.
After the attack was over, the cap
tain and three Of his noncommissioned
officers, wended their way back to the
position where the machine gun had
done its deadly work. He wanted to
thank the gunner in the name Of d
company for his magnificent deed.
They arrived at the gun, and an awful
sight met their eyes.
Lloyd had reached the front line
trench, after his company had Lett It. A
strange company was rtmbly crawling
up the trench ladders. They were re-
endorsements going over. They were
Scotties, and they made magnificent
sight In their brightly colored kits and
bare knees. 49,
Jumping over the trench, Lloyd raced
across mo Mans Land" unheeding the
rain of bullets, leAping over dark forms
on the ground, some Of which lay still,
while others called out to him as he
speeded past. Is
he came to the German front line,
hut It was deserted, except for heaps
Of dead and wounded-a grim tribute
to the work of his company, good old
D company. Leaping trenches, and
gaspipg for breath, Lloyd could BEE
nght ahead Of him his company In q
= - n -