The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1918-06-20
CHAPTER XXI.
A~
About Turn.


The next evening we were relieved
nv the til brigade, and once again
returned to rest billets. Upon arriving
at these billets we were given twenty
four hours in which to clean up. had
lust finished getting the mud from my
uniform when the, orderly sergeant in
formed me that my name was in orders
to leave, and that was to report to
the orderly room in the morning for or
ders, transportation and rations.
nearly had a fit, hustled about
packing up, filling my pack with SOU
venirs such as shell heads, dud bombs,
nose caps, shrapnel balls, and Prus-
sian guardsman's helmet. In fact, be-
fore turned in that night, had every
thing ready to report at the orderly
room at nine the next morning.
was the envy of the whole section,
swanking around, telling Of the good
time was going to have, the places I
would visit, and the real, old English
beer l intended to guzzle. Sort of
rubbed 1t into them, because they all
do it, and now that it was my turn, ]
took pains to get my own back.
At nine reported to the captain, re-
ceiVing my travel order and pass. He
asked me how much money I wanted
to draw. I glibly answered, ''Three
hundred francs, sir" he just as glibly
handed me one hundred.
Reporting at brigade headquarters,
with my pack weighing a ton, waited,
with forty others, for the ad1utant to
inspect US. After an hours wait, he
came out; must have been sore because
he wasn't going with us.
Inc quartermaster sergeant issued
Us two days rations, in a little white
canvas ration bag, which we tied to
our belts.
linen two motor 1orries came along
and We piled in, laughing, joking, and
IN the best Of spirits. We even loved
Tue Germans, we were feeling so happy.
our journey to seven days bliss in
0lghty had commenced.
Inc ride in the lorry lasted about
TWO hours; by this time we were COW
eIeu With fine, white dust from the
'Oad but didn't mind, even If we were
nearly choking.
AT the railroad station at F. we
aepcrted to an officer, who had a white
Uauu around his arm, which read "R.
~ "" (Royal Transportation Oficer).
~ Us this officer was Santa Claus.
1ne sergeant in charge showed him
Oul orders; he glanced through them
alu said: Make yourselves comfort
SOle On the platform and don't leave;
me tra1n is liable to be along In five
Uiuutes-Or five hours"
Il, At came in five hours, a string Of
~ .s'en match boxes on big, high
"aees, drawn by a dinky little engine
m m'l the con-" These match boxes
m we're cattle cars, on the sides Of which
% %9S painted the old familiar sign,
uOmmes 40, Chevaux g."
NJ. -ne Il. I. o. stuck as all into one
% We didn't care; it was as good
~ Pullman to us.
hra IVY Gays we spent on that train,
son png' stopping, jerking ahead, and
H w. sliding back. At three sta
son nS we stopped long enough to make
MI. YEA, but were unable to wash, SO
"uen we arrived at B where we
s "'Ie to embark for Blighty, we were
W Olack as Turcos and, with our un-
t tuoVen faces, we looked like a lot Of
happy. '70 ~" we "
dat we mad packed up, preparatory to
hon nalnlng' when r. T. o. held up his
ana lor US to stop where we were
"pa zane over. This is what he said
hoy SS' I'm sorry, but orders have just
von received cancelling all leave. IF
wo' nau been three hours earlier you
hot u :. nave gotten away. Just stay in
win ldln' as it is going back. Rations
imrn De issued to you for your return
RDaaey TO your respective stations.
"1'y rotten, I know" Then he left.
asr+ Dead silence resulted. Then men
tbo 9u TO curse, threw their rifles on
no ,'oor OF the car; others said moth
had 'teihed to be stupefied, while some
w. Ne tears running down their
to Oh 1t was bitter disappointment