Evening star., 1918-06-02
A NIGHT IN WINTER.
BY PATRICK MaeeILL,
TW0VSSV11D
The Navy Poet, Author Of "The Great
Push.n


The Navy Poet, Author Of 1.-THE Great
PUSH"
1THE young officer raised himself
from the mud Of the firestep, but
toned his coat, stuck his top boots
into the slush of the trench and stood
up, with the muck just reaching to his
knees. All feeling had gone from his
legs; they were quite dead, and for all
he knew to the contrary his very feet
were gone. He looked round him
vaguely and his eye rested on the sol
der who stood on the firestep, his bayo-
net within easy reach and his hands in
his pockets. The man was crouching
against the parapet, almost overcome
with weariness, but stin his eyes were
fixed on the formless field in front,
watching for the enemy intrenched on
the other side Of no mans land.
THAT you, Reynolds?" inquired the
officer
The soldier Strengthened himself, pull
ed his hands from his pockets and grip
ped his rife.
Eyes. sir,' he replied.
'Quiet?' inquired the officer.
mot 80 bad, SIR" said Reynolds. "a
couple Of shells passed over a minute
ago. Hope they haven't caught the ra-
tion party coming back"
NO, no; that wouldn't happen again
surely" said the officer, after last
night"
On the previous evening the ration
party had been swept by machine gun
fire and three of the men had been
wounded. Their mates carried them
back to the dressing station, leaving
their rations on the field to await their
return when the act OF mercy was COM
pleted. But on coming back the men
were unable to find the rations and,
though they searched all night, they re-
turned empty-handed in the morning.
This meant that whole day was pass
ed without food. for no communication
trench ran back from the front line, and
as the country Immediately behind was
open to enemy observation, it was i'm
possible to cross the fields by day.
We'll. l hope we get something to
eat tonight, SIR" said Reynolds to the
officer. Il never felt so hungry in my
life"
The officer did not answer. Tucking
his coat up under his belt SO that its
tail should not trail in the mud, he
made his way along the trench. Move
ment through the mud was very diff
cult. At times the slush rose over the
tops of his boots and dropped down his
legs and around his feet. But he was
not conscious of this, for all feeling had
gone from the lower parts Of his body.
All the men who were not on duty
were asleep. some lying on the fire.
steps. their heads resting on the legs
OF rhe sentries. others crouched up
against the parapet. their heads hang
ing forward. ana their hands holding
10 the muzzles of their rifles to save
themselves from falling into the
slush.
There were no dugouts All had
fallen in during the wet weather, and
-hcre v as no place where q man might
sleep in peace for an hour. No fires
cleaned along the trenches, for
braziers were not allowed to be light
ed. 30 near were they to the Germans.
and men had to wear the same wet
clc:hes and boots during their turn
in the front line. They had now been
In the line for four days and no word
CT being relieved had as yet reached
them.
The oficer plowed his way through
the trench. grunting painfully at az
most every ste:. when alone but brac-
ing himself when he came near q SEN
Getting alcnE all riRht.'' he would
inquire in 4 cheery voice.
Not 30 bad. sir" the sentry wolld
reply. marveltng . little at the alert
tones OF the officer. Sonpe men can
stick 1t and remain cheeFy through
all trials. he would think, a. his on
Ger. with an encouraging word. pro-
ceeded on his way.
Suddenly the o0eer came to Q dead
thing was moving toward him. crawl
ing through the muck and groAaing
pitifuhy. A far as he could zee, c
was Roeh&ag hAsnan. oothtog that he
(CoNtinued On F1fth Rage.)