The evening leader., 1918-12-07

floor, tiled roof, very high rooted, fair
ly damp but nevertheless comfortable,
after fashion, for it's clean, and this
bespeaks much in this country. Our
back yard is young orchard, trees
bearing apples and plums with which
we are fairly well fed up. Speaking
of apples, went to get some recently
at certain place and all they asked
for one was franc (20c). A fellow
in the company was telling me that
he saw some peaches in store the
other day and they were so irresisti-
BILE that he purchased two. They cost
IL francs each, or 30c piece. Oh,
Ii it's great country!
To resume: Well, we waited and
waited and thought our relief would
never come. Early in the eve ming it
was quiet, but as night wore on things
got hotter. Relief came in the young
hours of the morning, and, believe me,
it didn't take US long to get away. But
we had to retrace. our tracks of the
might before and our welcome was
identical, viz: everything Topped near
US, but nothing more than mud and
perhaps stray splinter or two hit
ANY of the party. One thing that
came very near bothering us, how
ever, was gas. The wind was in our
favor though and it's deadly ecect was
carried away from us.
In the young hours of the morning
we reached a certain headquarters
when we met our limbers, or wagons,
loaded our most burdensome load,
rested few minutes and were off for
another two-hour hike. Oh, what a
hike it was, too. / actually slept
while walking, for | was in a daze
most of the time. l never hought
such thing possible, but it really
was a reality. Reached a temporary
camp; then had a good hot breakfast
and took a two-hour rest. Then we
started off for our base camp, which
consumed the balance of the morning.
On reaching the camp, dined, for as
you may know we have a travelling
kitchen and don't, as rule, have to
wait very long for our meals. After
dinner l saw to it that equipment was
cleaned up and this consumed the rest
of the day. Of course, pitching tents,
etc., took some time. 1t was by then
supper time and then for my first
sleep in what seemed like a month.
Five days without sleep is something
to reckon with. Next morning got up
about eight, breakfasted and sought
place for bath. Found good one
where there was ample hot as well as
cold water. Previous to going, got
complete change which included ev-
erything but shoes and my hat. Threw
all the rest of stuff aside-cooties and
all, and they were most plentiful, and
came out new human being. Got
back, had nap, and at midnight
started another hike till daybreak,
: boarded "a train, rode all day, and
reached our destination at midnight,
hiked short distance to temporary
camp, slept couple of hours, up at
daybreak, breakfasted and washed up,
then for high consuming the whole
morning and most of the afternoon,
to our present quarters where we are
resting peacefully and comfortably,
| far beyond the hearing of our biggest
guns and where all is bliss. Have
hurried through things above so as
to get to an end sometime. An army
rest does not mean lying around doing
nothing. On the contrary, it is drill,
drill, drill, but this ekeps one in con-
dition and Furthermore, with a good
nights sleep each night, and week.
ends off, and in town where eats
can be had when you want them
what more can one ask for?
| We go out nightly for eats of one
kind or other, generally eggs and
fried potatoes. The price is high, but
not for this country. 1t costs US about
2 IL to a francs or so to soc per meal,
but this is fairly reasonable towards
what we have been up against. Very
often we go up to a little farmhouse,
bring eats along to be prepared,eat,
CAB and write, and with no one to dis
turb us it is simply extraordinary.
France, Sunday, Sept. Is, 1918