Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1918-03-01

brains and blood. \ German Min
ME" tr>nch MORTAR had exploded in
the next traverse. Men were digging
| into the soft mass Of mud in frenzy
of haste. Strctcher- bearers came up
the trench on the double. After Il
few minutes Of digging. three still,
| muddy forms on stretchcrs were car
/, ried down the communication trench
to the rear. Soon they would be
| resting somewhere in France" with
Il little wooden cross over their heads.
They had done their bit for king and
| country. had died without firing Il shot.
but their services were appreciated.
nevertheless.
Later on | found out their names.
They belonged 10 our draft.
was dazrd and mntionlcss. Sud-
denly II shovel MAS pushed into my
hands. and rough but kindly voice
said:
Here. nay lad. lend a hand clearing
and look out for snip"rs. One of the
Fritzs is a daisy. and he'll get you If
you're not careful"
Lyins on my belly on the bottom of
sticky mud. they were dragged To my
rear by other men. and the work of
rebuilding the parapet WAS on. The
hard'r | worked the better felt. Al
Il, H.. CALL I
soaked with sweat.
occasionally II bullet would crack
overhead. Lnd Il machine gun would
kick up the mud on the mashed-in
parapct NJ each crack | would duck
and shield my face with my arm. one
of the cider men noticed this action
of mine. and whIspercd
Don't duck at the crack of bul-
let. Yank: the danger has pusscd-you
never hear the one that wings you.
Always remember that if you are 60
ing to get it. you'll get it, 50 never
worry
This made Il great impression on me |
at the time and from then on, adopt
cd his motto. IF you're going to get it. |
you'll get it,
II helped me wonderfully. used II |
50 often aftcrward that some of my
mates dubbed me. IF you're going to
get it. you'll get it,
After an hours hard work. all my |
nervousness left me, and was laugh |
ing and joking with the rest.
AZ one o'clock dinner came up in |
the form OF dixie of hot stew.
/ looked for my cantecn. Ii had
fallen Off the fire step. and was half |
buried in the mud. The man on my |
left noticed this, and told the corporal, |
dshing out the rations. to put my
share in his mess tin. Then he whis-
pered TO me, Always take care of
your mess tin, mate"
had learned another maxim of the
trenches.
That stew tasted fine. I was as
hungry Us Il bear VIC had seconds" "
on another helping, because three Of
the men had gone west" killed by
mortar. and we ate their share, but
still | was hungry, so | filled in with
bully beef and biscuits Then ] drained
my water bottle. Later on / learned
another maxim o. the front line, go
sparingly with your water" The bully
beef made me thirsty. and by tea time
/ was dying for drink, but my pride
would not allow me to ask my mates
for water. | was fast learning the
ethics of the trenches.
That night | was put ON guard with
an older man. We stood on the fire
step with our hands over the top peer
| ing out into No Mans Land. II was
nervous work for me. but the older
fellow seemed to take it as Il part Of
the nights routine.
| Then something shot past my face.
My heart stopped beating, and I
ducked my head below the parapet
a soft chuckle from my mate brought
me to my senses. and feebly asked.
For heavens sake, what was that"
He answered: only rat taking a
promenade along the andbags." /
felt very Sheepish.
| About every twenty minutes the SEN
| try in the next traverse would fire a
star shell from his flare pistol. The
| ''plup" would give me il start of fright.
never got used to this noise during
my service in the trenches.
would watch the arc described by
the star shell. and then stare into No
Mans Land waiting for II TO burst. In
its lurid light the barbed wire and
stakes would be silhouetted against its
light like latticed window. Then
darkness.
once. out in front of our wire, |
heard noise and saw dark forms
moving. My rifle was lying across the
sandbag parapet. l reached for it.
and was taking aim to fire. when my
mate graspcd my arm and whispered.
Don't fire" He challenged In low
voice. The reply came back instantly
from the dark forms:
Shut your blinkin' mouth. you
bloomin' idiot: do YOU want us to click
II from the Boches?"
Later we learned that the word, NO
challenging or firing. wiring party out
In 'front.'" had been given to the sent
ry on our right. hut he had failed to
pass it down the trench. An officer
had overheard our challenge and the
reply. and Immediately put the Of
Tending sentry under arrest The
sentry clicked twenty-one days on the
wheel. that is. he received twenty one
days field punishment No. l. or
'crucifixion." as Tommy terms It,
This consists of being spread-eagled
on the wheel of Timber two hours a
day for twenty-one days. regardless of
the weather. During this period, your
rations consist Of bully beef. biscuits