The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1918-06-06

and how sorry L felt tnat lney Hau W
stay in the front line and argue out the
war with Fritz. They were enyious
but still good-natured, and as left the
trench to go to the rear they shouted
after me:
"Good luck, Yank, old boy; don't
forget to send up few fags to your
old mates"
promised to do this and left.
reported at headquarters with six.
teen others and passed the required ex-
animation. Out Of the sixteen appli-
cants four were selected.
was highly elated because was, I
thought, in for a cushy job back at the
base.
The next morning the four reported
to division headquarters for instruc-
tions. Two of the men were sent to
large towns in the rear Of the lines
with an easy job. When it came our
turn the officer told US we were good
men and had passed very creditable
examination.
My tin hat began to get too small
for me, and noted that the other man,
Atwell by name, was sticking his chest
out more than usual.
The officer continued: 81 think can
use you two men to great advantage
in the front line. Here are your orders
and instructions, also the pass which
gives you full authority as special NJ.
P. detailed OF intelligence work. Re-
port at the front line according to your
instructions. It is risky work and I
wish you both the best of luck"
My heart dropped to zero and At
wells face was a study. We saluted
and left.
That wishing us the "best of luck"
sounded very ominous in our ears; II
he had said Il wish you both swift
and painless death" it would have been
more to the point.
When we had read our instructions
we knew we were in for it good and
plenty.
What Atwell said is not fit for pub
ication, but I strongly seconded his
opinion of the war, army and divisional
headquarters in general.
After bit our spirits rose. We were
full-fedged spy-catchers, because our
instructions and orders, said so.
We Immediately reported to the
nearest French estaminet and had sew
eral glasses of muddy water, which
they called beer. After drinking our
beer we left the estaminet and hailed
an empty ambulance.
After showing the driver our passes
we got in. The driver was going to the
part of the line where we had to re-
port.
How the wounded ever survived a
ride in ttat ambulance was inexplica-
BILE to me. It was worse than riding on
q gun carriage over rock road.
The driver Of the ambulance was q
corporal Of the r. A. NJ. O., and he
had the wind up," that is, he had an
aversion to being under fire.
was riding on the seat with him
while Atwell was sitting in the ambu.
lance, with his legs hanging out Of the
back.
AS we passed through a shell-de-
stroyed village a mounted military po-
nceman stopped US and informed the
driver to be very careful when we got
out on the open road, as it was very
dangerous, because the Germans lately
had acquired the habit of shelling it..
The corporal asked the trooper If there
was any other way around, and was
Informed that there was not. Upon
this he got very nervous and wanted to
turn back, but we insisted that he pro-
ceed and explained to him that he
would get into serious trouble with his
commanding officer If he returned
without orders; we wanted to ride,
not walk.
From his conversation we learned
that he had recently come from Eng;
land with a draft and had never been
under fire, hence his nervousness.
We convinced him that there was not
much danger, and he appeared greatly
relieved.
When we at last turned into the open