The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-09-08
"The Hyphen Draws the Line"

blackness on the other side streak of
light emerged, paused hesitaingly and
burst, dropping six red stars in pairs.
They went ont suddenly, and the darkness
seemed more intense than ever.
Scotty, shivering little. hunched for
ward on his bench to peer through the
gloom at the motionless bulk which he
knew must be his comrade. The other re-
manned silent. Scotty drew himself back
against one of the uprigbts Of the lean-to
and ran his hand along the barrel Of the
rifle that stood between his knees There
was hole in the woollen glove on his
right hand, and the barrel felt cold and
clamrny to the protruding finger.
"Think we oughter take crack al
emp he asked. He spoke slowly to mask
the tremor in his voice.
HE said we shouldn't replied his COM
panion, without moving. The tone was
cultural, and there was a suggestion of
foreign accent in it. The emphasis laid
on the "he" was as though the reference
were to some divine power.
"Hell!" said Scotty, apparently re-
ieved at producing response of any
sort. "This is war, amt it, What's the
use Of sittin' like a couple of mummies
and never takin' a crack at emp
"There is nothing to shoot at" said the
other calmly. "You only draw fire if you
shoot"
"You oughter be General; you know
so much about it," said Scotty sarcastic
cally.
There was no answer to this sally, and
silence settled again over the post; ST.
lence so profound and depressing that it
seemed after while more than the boy
could bear. He squirmed uneasily, shiv-
cred and pulled his overcoat collar more
closely around his neck.
"Wish I'd brought a blanket out" he
said. Don't let's forget that tomorrow
night"
There was no reply. He tried new
tack.
"Dutch," he called softly.
There was a grunt from the other.
"Got any chewin'T
mo"
Scotty was silent for few moments,
peering across the wooden gun rest at the
vague shadows of posts and tree stumps a
few yards in front. Suddenly he brought
up his rife and fired. The shot reverber-
ated with unexpected loudness, and rat,
just in front Of them, scuttled away into
the darkness.
"What you shootin' atr' demanded
"Dutch"
"Saw somethin' move out there" In
sisted Seotty, gazing into No Mans Land,
his rifle almost at his shoulder, as If
seeking to vindicate his judgment.
"Nerves," said the other. keep quiet.
Posts don't move"
Scotty muttered something under his
breath about "wishin' he had Taylor with
him." and lowered his Springfield to his
knees. A faint creaking Of duck boards
In the distance caused both to turn
sharply. 1t was "Dutch" who did the
challenging.
Lieutenant" came a CHEEKY voice QUE
Of the gloom, and tall figure appeared
in the trench alongside them. "What is
itY' he asked.
Thought I saw somethin', sir" said
Scotty, somewhat abashed, and poked the
muzzle of his piece in the general direc-
ton of the German lines.
"Posts," said the other tersely.
The Lieutenant stopped and, entering
the lean-to, sat down beside Scotty.
"They do look as if they were moving
sometimes, don't they" he said with a
low chuckle. "But we don't want any un-
necessary firing" he added more sternly.
"You know I've told you that before. You
mustn't shoot unless you are sure there is
some one there"
eyes, sir" said Scotty miserably.
"You didn't see anything, did you,
Schneider
mo, sir"