Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1918-08-07

dawn was breaking But what was
that mangled shape lying over there
among the sandbags? Slowly dragging
himself to IL, he saw the body OF the
sentry. One look was enough TO know
that he was dead. The soldiers head
was missing. The sentry had had his
wish gratif1ed. He had gone home"
He was safe at last from the ''whizz-
bangs" and the Allemand.
Like a fash it came 10 Lloyd that he
was free. Free to go ''over the top.
with his company. Free TO die Ike a
true Briton fighting for his king and
came over him. Carefully stepping
over the body Of the sentry. he started
on mad race down the ruined street
OF the village, amid the bursting shells,
minding them not, lodging through or
around hurryIug plstoens ON their way
to also go "Over the top" Coming to
communication trench he could not
get through. II was blocked with laugh
ing, cheering and cursing soldiers.
Climbing out of the trench. he ran
wildly along the top, never needing the
rain Of mRchtne-gun bullets and shells.
not even hearing the shouts Of the Of
ficers, telling him to get back into the
trench. He was goinSto join his COM
pany who were In the fW@t line. He
was going to fight with them. He, the
despised coward, had come into his
own.
While he was racing along. jumping
over trenches crowded with soldiers, a
ringing cheer broke out all along the
front line, and his heart sank. He
knew he was too late. His company
had gone over But still he ran madly.
He would catch them. He would die
with them.
Meanwhile his company had gone
"over." They, with the other com
panies had taken the first and second
German trenches. and had pushed
steadily on to the third line. ID com
pany, led by their captain, the one who
had sent Lloyd to division headquar-
tiers for trial, charged with desertion,
had pushed steadily forward until they
found themselves far In advance of
the rest of the attacking force. Bomb
ing out" trench after trench. and using
their bayonets, they came to a German
communication trench, which ended in
blindsap, and then the captain, and
what was left of his men, knew they
were in q trap. They would not re-
tire. D company never retired, and
they were d company. Right Ia front
of them they could see hundreds of
Germans preparing to rush them with
bomb and bayOnet. They would have
some chance IL ammunition and bombs
could reach them from the rear. Their
supply was exhausted, and the men
realized it would be a case of dying
as bravely as possible. or making a run
for it. But D company would not
run. 1t was against their traditions
and principles.
The Germans would have to advance
across an open space Of three to four
bundled yards before they could get
within bombing distance of the trench.
and then it would be all their own way.
Turning TO his company. the captain
said:
Men, it's case of going West for
us. We are out OF ammunition and
bombs, and the Boches have us in a
trap. They will bomb Us out Our
bayonets are useless here. We will
have to go over and meet them. and
it's a case Of thirty to one, so send
every thrust home. and die like the
men of D comp3Iy should. When /
give the word. follow me, and up and
at them. Give them hi Lord, If
we only had q machine gun, we could
wipe them out Here they come, get
ready, men,"