Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-03-24
ssOVER THE TOP''
BY ARTHUR GUY ENIPEY An American Boy Who Went
tCy Arthur Empey1

shell came whistling through the air.
ana burst in field about 500 yards TO
our right. Another soon followed this
one. and burst on the edge CT the
road about 400 yards in front of us.
i told the driver TO throw in his
speed clutch. as we must be in sight
OF the Germans. l knew the signs:
'Act battery was ranging for us. and
the quicker we got out of its zone of
ii:e tie better, The driver was trcm-
bling like a leaf. and every minute
expected him 10 pile US up in the ditch.
preferred the German fire.
In the back, Atwell was holding
onto the straps for dear life. and was
singing at the top OF his voice.
We beat YOU at the Marine
We beat you at the Aisnc
We gave you hell at Neuve Chapelle
And here we are again
just then we hit n small shell hole
and nearly capsized. Upon a loud veil
from the rear / looked behind. and
there was Atwell sitting i'm the middle
OF the road, shaking his fist at us Ills
equipment, which he had taken off
upon getting into the ambulance. was
strung out on the ground, and his rifle
was in the ditcH
/ shouted 10 the driver to stop. and
in his nervousness he put on the
"hSH. W he"i ~ pltChcd out head
first. But the applying of those brakes
saved our lives. The next instant
there was binding flash and a deaf
ening report. All that | remember is
that | was flying through the air. and
wondering il would land in soft
spot. Then the lights went out.
Nhcn came TO. Atwell was pouring
water on my head out OF his bottle
ON tie other side OF the road. the
corporal was sitting. rubbing a lump
Oh his forehead with his left hand.
while his right arm was bound up in
a bloed-soakcd bandage. He Was
moaning very loudly. | had an awful
headache. and the skin on the icft
size OF MY face was full of gravel. and
tie blood was trickling from my nose.
Eur that ambulance was turned over
IN the ditch and was perforated with
roles from fragments Of the she'll one
OF the front wheels was slowly revolv-
ing. so | could not have been out"
for a long period.
II Mr.. Ford could have seen that car.
ms peace at any price conviction
would nave been materially strength
cncd. and he would have immediately
fitted out another peace ship"
The shells were still screaming ever
head, but the battery had raised its
fire. and they were bursting in little
wood, about half a mile from us
Atweli spoke us: II wish that officer
hadn't wished us the best o. luck
Then he commenced swearing
couldn't help laughing. though my head
was night to bursting.
Slowly rising 10 my feet. felt my
self all over 10 make sure that there
were no broken bones. But outside
OF Few bruises and scratches, / was
all right. The corporal was still
moaning. but more from shock than
pain. y shell splinter had gone
through the flesh of his right forearm
Atwell and |. from our flrs;-aid pouches.
put tourniquct On his arm TO stop
the bleeding. and then gathered UP
our equipment.
We realized that we were In dan
serous spot. Al any minute a she'll
might drop on the road and finish us
Off. The village we had left was not
very far. so VIC told the corporal he
had better go back to ii and get his
arm dressed. and then report the fact
of the destruction OF the ambulance
TO the military police. He was we'll
able 10 walk. so he set off in the dircc-
ton of the village. while Atwcll and
continued our way on foot
Without further mishap we arrived
at our destination. and reported to
brigade headquarters for rations and
billets.
That night we slept in the battalion
serSeant-major's dugou;. The next
morning ] went to a frst-aid post and
mad the gravel picked out of my face
The instructions we received from
division headquarters read that We
We're out to catch spies. patrol trenches
search German dead. reconnoiter in
no mans land" and take part in
trench raids. and prevent the robb.ng
of the dead.
had pass which would allow me
10 go anywhere at any time in the
sector of the line held by our division.
1t also gave me authority to stcp
ana search ambulanceS. motor lorries
wagons and even officers and soldiers
whenever my suspicious deemed il
necessary. .ttwcll and 1 were allowed
10 work together or sinGiy-it was
left TO our Judgment. We decided t.
team up.
Atwell was good companion. and
very entertaining. lie had an utter
contempt for danger. but was not fool
hardy. At swearing lie was wonder
tTO &c Continued To-Morrov.)