Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1918-11-15

dawn was breaking. But what was
that mangled shape lying over there
among the sandbags? Slowly dragging
himself to it. he saw the body of the
sentry. One look was enough to know
that he was dead. The soldiers head
was missing. The sentry had had his
wish gratified. He had ''gone home"
He was safe at last from the "whizz-
bangs" and the Allemand.
Like flash it came to Lloyd that he
was free. Free to go lover the top"
with his company. Free to die like
true Brlton fighting for his king and
country. A great gladness and warmth
came over him. Carefully stepping
over the body Of the sentry, he started
on mad race down the ruined street
Of the village. amid the bursting shells.
minding them not. lodging through or
around hurrying platoons on their way
to also go lover the top" Coming to
a communication trench he could not
get through. 1t was blocked with laugh
ing, cheering and cursing soldiers.
Climbing out Of the trench. he ran
wildly along the top. never needing the
rain of machine-gun bullets and shells
not even hearing the shouts of tire Of
ficers, telling him to get back into the
trench. He was going to Join his COM
pany who were in the front line. He
was going to fight with them. He, the
despised coward, had come into his
own.
While he was racing along. jumping
over trenches crowded with soldiers. a
ringing cheer broke out all along the
front line, and his heart sank. He
knew he was too late. His company
had gone over. But still he ran madly.
He would catch them. He would die
with them.
Meanwhile his company had gone
"over." They. with the other con-
panies had taken the first and second
German trenches, and had pushed
steadily on to the third line. d COM
pany, led by their captain. the one who
had sent Lloyd to division headquar-
tiers for trial, charged with desertion,
had pushed steadily forward until they
found themselves far In advance of
the rest of the attacking force. 'Bomb-
ing out" trench after trench. and using
their bayOnets, they came to German
communication trench, which ended in
a blindsap. and then the captain, and
what was left of his men. knew they
were in a trap. They would not re-
tire. ID company never retired. and
they were d company. Right in front
of them they could see hundreds OF
Germans preparing to rush them with
bomb and bayonet. They would have
some chance If ammunition and bombs
could reach them from the rear. Their
supply was exhausted, and the mer
realized it would be case of dyina
as bravely as possible. or making a rur
for it. But d company would moi
run. 1t was against their tradition.
and principles.
The Germans would have to advances
across an open space Of three to foIi
bundled yards before they could get
within bombing distance of the trench
and then 1t would be all their own way
Turning to his company, the captain
said:
MEN, it's a case of going West FOL
us. We are out of ammunition ant
bombs, and the Boches have US in {
trap. They will bomb us out. Oul
bayonets are useless here. We vii
have to go over and meet them, ant
it's a case Of thirty to one, SO sent
every thrust home. and die like thu
men of D company should. When
give the word. follow me, and up ant
at them. Give them r.! Lord. II
we only had, a machine gun, we coult
wipe them out! Here they come, ge
ready, men,"