Norwich bulletin., 1918-01-31

front line It was dark as pitch. now and then German star shell would pierce the bIackness out in front with it's silvery light. I was trembling all over, and felt very lone ly and afraid All orders were given in whispers. The company we re- heyed filed past us and disappeared into the blackness of the communi- cation trench leading to the rear As they passed us, they whispered. "The best O luck mates"
 l sat on the fire step of the trench with the rest of the men. In each traverse two of the older men had been put on guard with their heads sticking over the top, and with their eyes trying to pierce the blackness in "No Mans Land" In this trench there were only two dugouts and these were used by Lewis and Vickers machine gunnexs, so it was the fire step for ours. Pretty soon it started to rain. We put on our "macks", but they were not much protection The rain trickled down our backs, and it was not long before we were wet and cold. How l passed that night I will never know, but without any unusual | occurrence. dawn arrived
 The word stand down" was passed along the line, and the sentries got
 down off the fire step. Pretty soon the rum issue came along. and it was a Godsend. It warmed our chilled bodies and put new life into us Then l from the communication trenches
 came dixies or iron pots, filled with | steaming tea, which had two wooden
 stakes through their handles, and
 were carried by two men. I filled my
 canteen and drank the hot tea without l taking it from my lips. It was not
 long before I was asleep in the mud
 on the fire step.
 i My ambition had been attained! I was in front line trench on the
 western front. and oh how I wished
 were back in Jersey City. CHAPTER v
 Mud, Rats and Shetts 1 I must have slept for two or th4ee 1 hours, not the refreshing kind that re- 1 suits from clean sheets and soft pill 1 lows, but the sleep that comes from
 cold, wet and sheer exhaustion | Suddenly, the earth seemed to shake and a thunderclap burst in my ears
 I was splashed all over with sticky mud and men were picking themselves 1 up from the bottom of the trench. | The parapet on my left had toppled
 into the trench, completely blocking it with a wall of tossed-up earth. The man on my left lay still. I rubbed the mud from my face, and an awful
 sight met my gaze-his head was smashed to a pulp, and his steel hel- met was full of brains and blood. 4
 German Minnie {trench mortar) had
 exploded in the next traverse. Men
 were digging into the soft mass of l mud in frenzy of haste. Sretcher- bearers came up the trench on the
 double. After a few minutes of dig
 ging, three, still, muddy forms on stretchers were carried down the com munication trench to the rear. Soon
 they would be resting somewhere ir
 France with little wooden cross
 over their heads. They had done
 their bit for King and Country, hat died without firing shot, but theil
 services were appreciated, neverthe less.
 Later on, I found out their names
 They. belong to our draft si I was dazed and moionless. Sud !, denly a shovel was pushed into m! ; hands, and a rough but kindly voie' ; said:
 Here my lad, lend hand clearfn, the trench, but keep your head down and LOOK out TOT Sn1perS. One or rn' } Frit5's is daisy, and hen get you i you're not careful"
 Lying on my belly on the bottom ; of the trench, I filed sandbags wti the sticky mud they were dragged t. ,l my rear by the other men. and th' ) work of rebuilding the pafapet was on The harder worked, the better I felt
 Although the weather was cold, wa! ] soaked with sweat
 U eContfnued Tomorrow1