The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1918-03-28
CHAPTER V.
Mud, Rats and Shells.


/ must have slept for two or three
hours, not the refreshing kind that re-
suits from clean sheets and soft pill |
lows, but the sleep that comes from
cold, wet and sheer exhaustion.
Suddenly, the earth seemed to shake |
and thundrrclap burst In my ears. |
opened my cycSI was Splushed all
over with sticky mud, and men were
picking themselves up from the bottom
Of the trench. The pnrapet on my left
mad topplcd into the trench. completely
blocking 1t with Il wall of toSsed-up
earth. The man on my left lay still.
rubbed the mud from NY face, and an
awful sight met my gazchis head
was smashed to pulp, and his steel
helmet was full Of brains and blood.
German Minnie" Ircnrh Inortar)
had exploded in the next traverse Men
were digging into the soft mass OF mud
In frenzy OF haste Strrtcher-hrur-
ers came up the trench on the double.
AFTER rev minutes OF digging. three
still, muddy forms on &rctchers we're
carried down the communication
trench to the rear. Soon they would
little wooden cross over their heads.
They had done their bit for king and
country. had died without firing II shot.
but their services were appreciated,
nevertheless.
Later on, l found out their names.
They belonged to our draft
1 was dazcd and mOtionless. Sud.
denly shovel was pushed into my
hands. and a rough but kindly voice
said:
Here, my lad. lend Il hand clearing
che trench, but keep your head down.
and look out for snipcrs. One OF the
Frltz's is Il daisy. and he'll get you If
you're not careful"
Lying on my belly on the bottom of
the trench. filed sandbngs with the
sticky mud, they were dragged to nv
rear by the other men and the work Of
rebuilding the pnrnprt was on. The
harder worked, the better felt. Al
though the weather was cold. | was
soaked with sweat
occasionally Il bullet would crack
overhrnd. and Il machine gun would
KICK up the mud on the bnShpd.ln nara
pet. AT each crack l would duck and
shield my face with my arm. One Of
the Older men noticed this action Of
mine, and whispered:
Don't duck at the crack OF bul.
lot, Yank; the danger has pussed--you
never hear the one that wings you.
Always remember that If you are going
to get 1t. you'll get 1t, so never worry"
r,,n. .1n
at the time, and from then on. adopt
ed his motto. "If you're going to get IT,
you'll get It,"
1t helped me wonderfully. used 1t
so often afterwards that some OF my
mates dubbed me, "If you're going to
get 1t, you'll get it,"
After an hours hard work all nv
nervousness left me, and | was laugh.
Ing and joking with the rest.
AT one o'clock, dinner came nm IN
the form OF dixie OF hot stew.
looked for my cantcen. It had
faflen Off the fire step. and was half
buried in the mud. The man on nv
left noticed this. and told the corporal,
dishing out the rations. to put my
share In his mess tin. Then he wh!s-
pered to me. always take care OF your
mess tin, mate"
l had learned another maxim of the
trenches.
That stew tasted fine. was as
hungry as a bear. We had seconds" )"
or another helping. because three Of
the men had "gonc West" killed by
the explosion Of the German trench
mortar, and we ate their share, but
still was hungry, so filled in with
bully beef and biscuits. Then I drained
my water bottle. Later on learned
another maxim Of the front line. "Go
sparingly with your water" The bully
beef made me thirsty, and by tea time
I was dying for drink. but my pride
would not allow me TO ask my maAes
For water. I was fast learning the
ethics Of the trenches.
That night I was put on guard with
IN older man. We stood on the fire
tep with our hands over the top, peer.
ng out into No Mans Land. 1t was
lervous work for me, but the other fell
Ow seemed to take 1t as part Of the
lights routine.
Then something shot past my face.
~ heart stopped beating, and ducked
~ head below the parapet. A soft