The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1918-12-26

IN
NHE bosom of Sergeant Lynd-
ham was filed to the brim witt
disgust and loathing. Nor wa&
this disgust and loathing entire.
~ without reason. Months of wallow-
ing like a pig in the mud Of trenche:
does not sweeten the soul, and when
It Is combined with endless duties iE
the cold fall rains Of q sh~ell-swept re-
giOn that is akin to the borders c.
inferno, the nerves become ragged.
Hence had come about the curdling of
the milk Of human kindness which had
previously existed within him.
Nor had a few little midnight Sui.
prise parties owe the top in which the
bayonet had been the principal piece
de resistance tended to decrease these
sensations. Even being bowled 20
feet by the conclusion Of a shell had
not cheered him. But it had remain
ed for a Whit Of poison gas and a
squirt Of liquid fire to set and solidify
his mind to it's present condition.
Alive, dead, or as yet unborn, Ser
geant Lyndham was Of the fixed opin-
ion that he did not like the Boches.
And the last "a hours had beeI
particularly obnoxious from the fact
that they had been entirely sleepless.
The horizon was still lurid with can
@ flashes and the uproar remained
fendish despite the fact that it was
hours after midnight, but he was &C.
customed to such things, and knew
that once asleep, they would not trou.
BILE him. Also, for all he knew, he
might dream Of something pleasant. he
was free now for q few hours within
his blankets, and was In the act OF
removing his boots when his captain
thrust his head within and motioned
for him to come forth. Knowing that
something both and disagreeable
confronted him, he arose and stepped
out as commanded.
For a quarter Of q mile they silent
~ wound their way along a muddy
road until the dim lights Of a partially
s%hell-ruined house appeared before
them. Into this they entered, and the
sergeant, casting his eyes about, saw
the colonel Of his regiment sitting at
a table. Salut1ng he stood at atten'
ton.
Sergeant Lyndham," said the colo
1yh thoughtfully. "A few months age
When you accompanied n Of our air
men over the line and destroyed q
plant Of the enemy, you did a very
brave and skillful thing. For that
act you were made a sergeant. To-
utght we must have another duty per.
formed, and I have selected you be,
cause Of my confidence in your cour-
age and ability. It is very likely that
you will not return, yet wal demands
its sacrifices. Without knowing more
If this new duty do you volunteer tc
fry and accomplish it," It vas plain
enough now that there would be no
rest or sleep for him again this night,
ind the sergeant's disgust and loath'
ing mounted accordingly. Yet he man.
uged to swallow them.
eyes, SIR" he grunted. The colonel
nodded.
"You are q brave and willing soldier,
sergeant. Were it not for the fact that
the regiment contains so many men
like you L would sometimes become
| 6lled with fear and sadness. Now
for the reason I sent for you. You
will remember the trenches which run
through Theirs woods, do you not?"
"Slightly, colonel. I helped cap
ture them from the Boches at the point
Of the bayonet."
"And in turn were driven from
them by the anne amiable gentlemen"
Lyndham made a wry face.
Eyes, colonel. But they surprised
US most unfairly. It was all very dis
gushing and made me loathe them"
II have no doubt. But now listen.
We have reason to believe that they
have evacuated the position, while It
has become important that we regain
it. You will follow my reasoning. It
the enemy has deserted the ditch we
wish to know 1t, while If he has not,
1t is equally important that we should
know, since we must be advised before
hand whae we may expect when We
make our advance--whether resistance