The Washington herald., 1918-03-05
"OWR THE TOP"
By ARTHUR GUY EMPEY
Copyrighted by Arthur Guy Empey.

CHAPTER III-CONTINUED.
When we had read our instructions
we knew we were in for it good and
plenty.
What Atwel said is not fit for pub
Iication, but I strongly seconded his
opinion Of the war, army, and division
al headquarters in general.
After a bit our spirits rose. We
were fuIl-hedged spy-catchers, because
our instructions and orders said so.
We Immediately reported to the
nearest French estaminet and had sew
eral glasses of muddy water, which
they called beer. After drinking our
beer we left the estaminet and hailed
an empty ambulance.
After showing the driver our passes
We got 1t. The driver was going to
the part oft he line where we had to
report
The ambulance was a Ford and lived
up to its reputation.
How the wounded ever survived a
ride in it was inexplicable to me. 1t
was worse than riding on a gun car
riage over a rocky road.
The driver of the ambulance was a
corporal Of the r. A. NJ. c., and he
had the wind up" that is, he had
an aversion to being under fire.
was riding on the seat with him
while Atwell was sitting in the am
bulance, with his legs hanging out Of
the back.
As we passed through a shell-de-
stroyed village a mounted military po-
liceman stopped US and informed the
driver to be very careful when we
got out on the open road, as it was
very dangerous, because the Germans
lately had acquired the habit OF she'll
ing 1t. The corporal asked the troop
er If there was any other way around,
and was informed that there was not
Upon this he got very nervous, and
wanted to turn back, but we insisted
that he proceed and explained to him
that he would get into serious trouble
with his commanding officer If he re-
turned without orders; we wanted to
ride, not walk
From his conversation we learned
that he had recently come from Eng
land with a draft and had never been
under fire, hence his nervousness.
We convinced him that there was not
much danger, and he appeared greatly
relieved.
When we at last turned into the open
road, we were not so confident. On
each side there had been a line of
trees, but now. all that was left of
them were torn and battered stumps.
The fields on each side of the road
were dotted with recent shell holes.
and we passed several in the road
itself. We had gone about half a mile
when a shell came whistling through
the air, and burst in a field about
900 yards to our right. Another soon
followed this one. and burst on the
edge Of the road about 400 yards in
front of US.
1 told the driver to throw in his
speed clutch, as we must be in sight
Of the Germans. I knew the signs;
that battery was ranging for US, and
the quicker we got out of its zone of
fire the better. The driver was trem-
bling like leaf, and every minute i
expected him to pile us up in the ditch.
preferred the German fire.
In the back, Atwen was holding onto
the straps for dear life, and was sing
ltls dL lue Top OI MS VOICE.
We beat you at the Marne,
We beat you at the Aisne,
We gave you hell at Neuve Chapelle,
And here we are again.
Just then we hit a small shell hole
and nearly capsized. Upon a loud yell
from the rear looked behind, and
there was Alwen sitting in the mid
die of the road, shaking his fist at
us. His equipment, which he had TAX
en- on upon getting into the ambu-
lance. was strung out on the ground,
and his rife was IN the ditch.
/ shouted to the driver to stop, and
in his nervousness he put on the
brakes. We nearly pitched out head
first. But the applying Of those brakes
saved our lives. The next instant there
was a binding flash and a deafening
report All that 1 remember Is that
I was flying through the air, and won
dering If would land in a soft spot
Then the lights went out.
When I came to, Atwell was pour
ing water on my head out Of his bot
tie. On the other side Of the road.
the corporal was sitting, rubbing a
lump on his forehead with his left
hand. while his right arm was bound