Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1918-05-02
FROM ALEX MCLEAN
Continued from page One.

had n Examined u guns and a.
our beds and wanted to show us that
they felt fine toward US. We have
learned a little French, so could talk
to them a little. In the morning we
were woke up and they served us COT
fee while in bed. What do you know
about that? After we had the cof-
fee, which is about all there is to
their breakfast, they all wanted to
see u stuff again and exclaimed,
"Americans parteek," which means
Americans are particular.
About one o'clock we loaded our
stuff in a wagon and the five officers
started for the front. We could hear
the guns all the time we were getting
closer. We passed through villages
that had been bombarded by the Ger
mans, when they made their advance
at the start of the war. There were
trenches and wire entanglements all
around as they had been left. When
we had made about three miles in the
wagon, and were near the front, we
piled u stuff in a cart drawn by
a mule. An old Frenchman and I
started for a dugout. The officers
and Hawkinson of Milton, who was
with me, started for some place else.
We went through woods, over stumps,
through holes, over rocks and every
thing else for about two hours. l did
not know where I was. The guns
were firing over all the time. We
could hear the shells whistle and I
began to get a little nervous, but I
would not let that 'Frenchman think
so for anything. After a while we
stopped near a hole in the ground and
unhitched the mule. and went down
into the dugout. 1t was just like a
deep cellar but very small. Bunks
were on each side and a table was in
the middle. We were just in time for
supper. Those dugouts are dirty and
we had beef and bread for supper,
with no coffee or water. They had a
sour wine to drink that night and it
sure was sour. While we We're eating
Wes heard shooting to beat the band,
asthey were firing anti-aircraft guns
at the plane, but did not get it.
After supper WI picked up our
stuff and started walking for another
place and after a while found our Of
ficers. We left our baggage and one
officer and l started on for another
camp. 1t was mostly uphill and l
vas about all in from carrying the
load when we got to the camp. 1t
was a much better camp, built in the
side of a hill and about 500 yards
from the German lines. A lieutenant
and I stayed with a French officer
who could speak English, so it was
not so bad, though we were the only
in the camp.
1t vas about the same here as at
the other camp. The French lieuten-
ant had a little kitchen at one side
of the dugout with an old cook and an
orderly. l stayed there the most Of
the time and had an awful time try
ing to talk with those fellows.
1t was quiet that night, not much
at all. We got out at four in
the morning to go up to the big guns
in the front lines. We could see the
German lines easy and guess they
could see US though they did not
shoot. They seem to have made a
bargain not to shoot until something
big happens and not to .snipe one OF
two at a time. That day was pretty
quiet but at night there was quite an
artillery battle. The shells were going
right over US, but we were safely be-
always fell far enough off. We did
think much of it, when all at once
we heard n coming right at us.
Holy9smokes we were scared and we
ducked. 1t went about rs yards from
and exploded. We decided to
start for the dugout. Hawkinson had
to go n way and I the other. Had
to go right through the line Of fire
and | was some scared, but went
around and got a piece of the tree
as a souvenir that the big shell hit.
Another came over as 1 was going up
the hill and thought it was going
to land right on top of me, but lit
about fifty yards away I reached
the dugout and did not run any either
for some Frenchmen were watching
us and we did not want to get laughed
at.
We started home ca Sunday and got
to Paris and stayed At the same hotel.
The next day we went; out to see the
sights. 1t is sure a pretty place. We
were out to Napoleon's tomb but it
is mostly covered to protect it from
raids. We saw some of the holes
made by the big gun chat is firing in
to Paris. l got some souvenirs and
will send them home as soon as I
get a chance. The souvenirs are not
much, but just souvenirs of Paris.
Everything is awful high here but
l didn't go broke and still have plen-
ty of money. Besides this we get our
pay next week again.. It is a good
plan to have a little money on hand
for no telling what will happen. /,
guess have told you about all,
should tell and the censor will pc