Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-03-21
OVER THE TOP
BY
ARTHUR GUY EAIPEY,
AN American Boy Who Went.
tcopyrisht. 1917. by Arthur Guy Empey.>
CHAPTER XXI.
Abou1 Turn,

Tho next evening we werc relieved
by tho -th Brigade. and once again
returned to rest billets. Upon arriy-
ing at these billets we were given
twenty-four hours in which to clean
up. had just finished getting the
mud from my uniform when the or
derby sergeant informed me that my
name was In orders for leave and tina.
was to report to the orderly-room
in the morning for orders, transporta-
ton and rations.
l nearly had a ut, hustled about,
packing up. filling my pack with SOU
venirs such as she'll heads. dud bombs,
nose caps. shrapnel balls, and Prus-
sian Churchman's helmet. In fact. be-
fore 1 turned In that night. had
everything ready to report at the order
ly-room ut the next morning.
was the envy Of the whole section.
swanking around. telling Of the good
time was going to have. the places
/ would visit. and the real, old English
beer 1 intended to guzzle. Sort OF
rubbed IT into them, because they al!
10 1t. and now that 1t was my turn, 1
took palms to get my own back.
AT / reported to the captain, re-
ceiving my travel order and pass. He
asked me how much money I wantcd
to draw. glibly answered. Three
hundred francs, sir; he just as glibly
handed me ono hundred.
Reporting at brigade headquarters.
with my pack Weighing n ton I waited.
with forty others. for the adjutant to
inspect us. After an hours walt he
came out: must have been sore be-
cause he wasn't going with us.
The Quartermaster- sergeant Issued
two days rations, in a little white can
vas ration bag, which we tied to our
belts
Then two motor lorries came along
and we piled In. laughing, Joking, and
in the bes; of spirits. We even loved
the Germans. we were feeling SO happy.
Our journey to seven days bliss in
BiiGhty had commenced
The ride in the lorry lasted about
two hours: by this time we were GOV
cred with fine. white dust from the
road. but didn't mind, even II we were
nearly choking.
At the railroad station at r we
reported to an officer. who had a white
band around his arm, which read "R.
T. o." Royal Transportation Oficer).
To us this officer was Santa Claus.
The sergeant in charge showed him
our orders: no glanced through them
and said. Make yourselves comforta-
bic on the platform and don't leave
the train Is liable to be along in FIVE
minutes-or five hours"
1t came in five hours, a string of
eleven match boxes on big, high wheels.
drawn by dinky little engine with
the con" These match boxes were
cattle cars. on the sides of which was
painted the old familiar sign, HON
mes 40, Chcvaux s."
The r. T. o. stuck us all into one
car. We didn't care. 1t was as good
as q Pullman to US.
Two days we spent on that train.
humping. stopping. jerking ahead, and
sometimes sliding back. at three sta
tons We stopped long enough to make
some tea. but were unable to wash
so when we arrived at B. where
we were to embark for Blighty, we
were as black as Turcos. and. with our
unshaven faces. we looked like n lot
Of tramps. Though tired out, We were
happy.
We had packed up. preparatory to
detraining, when n r. T. Q. held up
his hand for us to stop where we were
and came over. This is what no said:
Boys. I'm sorry, but orders have just
been received canceling all leave. If
you had been three hours earlier you
would have gotten away. Just stay in
that train. as it is going back. Rations
Will be issued to you for your return
journey to your respective stations.
Beastly rotten. I know" Then he left
4 dead silence resulted. Then men