Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1918-09-19

Driven by hunger we approached
the village The first thing we did
was to hasten to the wells and drink.
We drank as If we wanted to fill our
selves up with enough water to last us
the rest of our lives. Only here and
there were we able to find anything to
eat. A few beets were left in the gar
dens and we ate them eagerly, without
waiting to wash or clean them.
Where is our company Nobody
knows. We are the company, we 20
men. And our officers Somewhere
surely" said a soldier. somewhere in
bomb-proOf corner"
But what were We to do? No one
could decide. Presently a noncommis-
stoned officer of the field gendarmes
approached on horseback 1t is the
duty of this particular class of defend
ers OF the fatherland to round up
slackers behind the front.
you are pioneers" he called to us
roughly. "What are you doing here7''
Then he asked US innumerable ques-
lions. which we answered as well as
we could.
''Where are the others2" he asked.
"Over there" said a young Berlin
soldier. and pointed to the battlefield.
1The others are dead or perhaps
prisoners. Several others have man.
aged to save themselves and are some
where, perhaps"
"Never mind" the noncommissioned
officer said roughly. The conversation
had become disagreeable to him. "Wait
here, until come back. Where are
the OffcerS?"
Again no one could answer. "What
a 70
Perhaps they are in Vitry."
We told him the names of our Off
GERS He gave us Identification papers
so that we might be able to prove to
others inquiring why we were waiting
where we were.
81 hope his horse falls and he breaks
his neck" said one of our men.
We entered one of the houses which
had been robbed, as were all the others,
threw ourselves down upon the mat
tresses to sleep. sleep, sleep. How
long we slept no one knew. We only
knew that it was night and that some
of our company had aroused us. These
were newcomers who had been hunting
for us for long time
Come along. The captain is out
side and he is very angry. He has
cursfng like the very devil because he
could not locate you"
Sleepy, and>entirely Indifferent to the
future, we left the building. We knew
that we would be sent into action
again but no longer cared. I had never
before seen among a body of soldiers
such an atmosphere of absolute indif-
ference.
We came upon the captain. He saw
us approach minus our headgear, our
uniforms torn into Shreds and without
guns and knapsacks.
"Why are you running around here?''
he roared. That was our reception.
Nobody answered. Nobody cared.
Nothing could be worse than what we
had been through. but although every
one among us felt keenly the injustice
OF the captains attitude we all re-
manned silent.
where is your equipment Lost
Lost. This has been a nice business.
The state equips you. you rebel If all
were like you"
He raved on for a while after this
fashion. this brave fellow. who, without
any action on his own part permitted
the rebels to retreat while he defend
ed his fatherland- in Vitry, 4-26 kilo-
meters behind the battle line.
We selected guns from those lying
around us in heaps and soon were
ready to fight again.
We stood around half asleep, lean
ing on our guns, and waited to be led
once more to the slaughter. A shot
fell in our midst. It struck a color
sergeant and smashed his right hand.
He cried out from the pain. His hand
was quickly bandaged. He was the
first
An eyewitness told us how this had
happened He had rested his hand on
the gun barrel in the same manner
as did all the others except that his
hand partly covered the muzzle. The
orders provide that the gun be locked
if loaded. Turning to the color ser
geant. who was, writhfng with pain.
the captain roared at him: 81 shall
report you for punishment for your
gross carelessness and for mutilating
yourself in the field"
I III