Williams news., 1918-11-29

WOlT Ire. A Q-----I Slifti- s5s5GJ l :n., just for chance to turn D loose on them.' 9ssyxgt,5
 q was trembling with excitement. From repeated stolen glances at the captains range chart, that road with its range was burned into my mind.
 lover the wire I tapped, ID 23S bat tery, Target IT, Range 60O0, 8 degrees 30 minutes, left, safvo, fire.' Cassell O. K.'d my message, and with the re- ceiver pressed against my ear, wait ed and listened. In couple of min ates very faintly over the wire.4came the voice of our battery commander issuing the order: D 23S battery. Salvo! Firer
 '@rhen roar through the receiver as the four guns. helched forth. ia screaming and whistling overhead, and the shells were on: their 4waX.re ss1se ''-The captain jumped as if she~were shot, and let out a. great big expressive d--n, and eagerly turned his glasses in the direction of the German road I also strained my eyes watching tha: target. Four black clouds of dust rose up right in the middle of the German column. Four direct hits-anothel record for D 23S.
 "The shells kept on ~histljng over head. and I had counted twenty-foul of them when the firing suddenly ceased. When the smoke and dust clouds lifted the destruction on that road was awful. Overturned limbers and guns, wagons smashed up, troops fleeing in all directions. The road and roadside were spotted all over with L~11 guns.
 ''The captain, in his excitement, had slipped off the sandbag, and was on his knees in the mud, the glass still at his eye. He was muttering to himself and skipping his thigh with his disen- gagged hand. At every slap a big round juicy cuss word would escape from his lips followed by: *"
 "'Good! Finel Marvellous Pretty Work! Direct hits all.'
 'oThen he turned to me and shouted
 Wilson, what do you think of it Did you ever, see, the like of it in youi life? D-n fine work, call it.
 Pretty soon a look of wonder stole over his face and he exclaimed:
 "'But who in h-l gave them tht order to fire. Range and everything correct, too. knowI didn't. Wilson did give you any order for the bat tery to open up? Of course I didn't did IT.
 "I answered very emphaticaIly. No sir, you gave no command. Nothfnl went through this post. I am .abso lutely certain on that point, sir
 "'Of course nothing went through, he replied. Then his face fell, and h' muttered out loud:
 "tBut, by love, wait till Old Pep per gets wind of this. There'n be fu flying
 Just then Bombardier Cassell cut 1T on the wire:
 "'Genera1s compliments to CaptaiI A.. He directs that officer and sig naIer report at the double to brigade headquarters as soon as relieved. Re lief now on the way
 "In an undertone to me, Keep 2 brass front, Wilson, and for Gods sake, stick I answered with, Rely OF me, mate,' but was trembling all over
 "I gave the generals message to the captain. and started packing up.
 "The relief arrived, and as we left the post the captain said:
 "'Now for the fireworks, and know they'll be good and plenty They were.
 "When we arrived at the gun pits the battery commander, the sergeant major and Cassell were waiting for us. We fell in line and the funeral march to brigade headquarters started.
 Arriving at headquarters the. bat tery commander was the first to be interviewed. This. was behind closed doors. From the roaring and explo- sions of Old Pepper it sounded as if raw meat was being thrown, to the Hons. Cassell, lateE,, -described 1t as sounding like bombing raid, In about two minutes the. officer reappesred. The sweat was pouring from his fore head. and his face was. the color Of beet. He was speechless. As he passed the captain he terked his thumb in the direction of the Hons den and went out. Then the captain went in, and the Hons, were. once again, fed. {: The captain stayed about twenty Smin- utes and came out. couldn't see his face, but the droop in his shoulders was enough. He looked like wet hen.
 ~The door of the generals room opened and Old Pepper stood in the doorway. With a roar he shos1tsd;4
 "Which one of you is Cassella D--n me. get yonr heels together when speak !! Come in herer .z .tCassel started to say. Yes sir
 "But Old Pepper roared. Shut up r
 "CasSel1 came out in five minutes. He said nothing, but as he passed me he put his tongue into his cheek and winked, then, turning to the closed door, he stuck his thumb to his nose