The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1918-03-21
CHAPTER v.
Mud, Rats and Shells.


mist have slept for two or three
honrs not the refreshing kind that re-
CULTS from clean sheets and soft pill
lows but the sleep that comes from
enid wet and sheer exhaustion.
Suddenly, the earth seemed to shake
and thunderclap burst in my ears.
onened nv eyes-I was splashed all
over with sticky mud, and men were
nicking themselves up from the bottom
Of the trench. The parapet on my left
had toppled into the trench. completely
Unlocking it with a wall of tOsSed-up
earth. The man on my left lay still.
rubbed the mud from my face, and an
awful sight met my gaze-his head
was smashed to pulp, and his steel
helmet was full of brains and blood.
A German Minnie" (trench mortar)
had exploded in the next traverse. Men
were digging into the soft mass of mud
In a frenzy of haste. Stretcher-bear-
ers came up the trench on the double.
After few minutes of digging, three
still, muddy forms on SGretcherS were
carried down the communication
trench to the rear. Soon they would
be resting somewhere in France" with
a little wooden cross over their heads.
They had done their bit for king and
country, had died without firing a shot,
but their services were appreciated,
nevertheless.
Later on, found out their names.
They belonged to our draft
l was daZed and mOtiOnless. Sud-
denly a shovel was pushed into my
hands, and rough but kindly voice
said:
Here, my lad, lend hand clearing
the trench, but keep your head down,
and look out for snipers. One Of the
Fritz's is daisy, and he'll get you If
you're not careful"
Lying on my belly on the bottom of
the trench, I filed sandbags with the
sticky mud, they were dragged to my
rear by the other men, and the work of
rebuilding the parapet was on. The
harder worked, the better felt. Al
though the weather was cold, was
soaked with sweat.
Occasionally q bullet would crack
overhead, and a machine gun would
Kick up the mud on the bashed-in para
pet. At each crack would duck and
shield my face with my arm. One of
the older men noticed this action of
rhine, and whispered:
Don't duck at the crack Of bull
mt' Yank; the danger has passed-you
never hear the one that wings you.
Always remember that if you are going
20 get it, you'll get it, so never worry"
Ih1s made great impression on me
at the time and from then on, adopt
gu MS motto, IF you're going to get it,
you'll get it,
IL helped me wonderfully. I used it
so often afterwards that some of my
mates dubbed me, eff you're going to
get it, you'll get it,
AFTER an hours hard work, all my
uerVousness left me, and I was laugh
ing and joking with the rest.
AT one o'clock, dinner came I'D in
the form Of a dixie of hot stew.
l. looked for my canteen. It had
toiien on the fire step, and was half
CURED IN the mud. The man on my
!elt noticed this, and told the corporal,
uiSnlng out the rations, to put my
Snare IN his ness tin. Then he whis-
pereo to me, always take care of your
mess tin, mate"
mad learned another maxim Of the
trenches.
mat stew tasted fine. I was as
hungry as bear. We had seconds"
VI another helping, because three Of
:, e men had "gone West" killed by
eue explosion of the German trench
mortar, and we ate their share, but
sun sun was hungry, so I filed in with
Du'lV Deef and biscuits. Then drained
10y water bottle. Later on I learned
~uo'ner maxim of the front line, eco
Ssparlngly with your water" The bully
peeA made me thirsty, and by tea time
was dying for a drink, but my pride
mou'u not allow me to ask my ma4es
~ water l was fast learning the
0'Llcs of the trenches.
nat night I was put on guard with
~ oluer man. We stood on the fire
h ,n With our hands over the top, peer
n OUT into No Mans Land. It was
ISl'ouS work for me, but the other fell
n -" seemed to take it as part Of the
lights routine.
NJ, 1nen something shot past my face.
nv heart stopped beating, and / ducked
H7a0 below the parapet. A soft