Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1918-03-28

81 AiVhNy VI HdSle. SIreIcner-Deaf-
ers came up the trench on the double
After few minutes of digging. three
sui, muddy forms on stretchers 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 a hand clearing
the trench, but keep your head down.
and look out for snipers. One of the
Fritz's is a daisy, and he'll get you If
you're not careful"
Lying on my belly on the bottom of
the trench, 1 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 l worked, the better l felt. AL
though the weather was cold, l was
soaked with sweat.
Occasionally a bullet would crack
overhead and a machine gun would
kick up the mud on the bashed-in para
pet. At each crack l would duck and
shield my face with my arm. One of
the older men noticed this action of
mine, and whispered:
Don't duck at the crack of a bull
let, Yank; the danger has passed-yOu
never hear the one that wings you.
Always remember that if you are going
to get 1t, you'll get it, so never worry"
This made great impression on me
at the time, and from then on, adopt
ed his motto, "If you're going to get it.
you'll get it,"
1t helped me wonderfully. / used 1t
so often afterwards that some Of my
mates dubbed me. "If you're going to
get 1t, you'll get It,"
After an hours hard work, all my
nervousness left me, and was laugh
ing and joking with the rest.
At one o'clock, dinner came up In
the form of a dixie of hot stew.
looked for my canteen. 1t had
fallen off the fire step, and was half
buried In the mud. The man on my
left noticed this, and told the corporal.
dishing out the rations, to put my
share In his mess tin. Then he whis-
pered to me, always take care of your
mess tin, mate"
/ had learned another maxim Of the
trenches.
That stew tasted fine. was as
hungry as a bear. We had seconds"
or another helping because three of
the men had ''gone West" killed by
the explosion of the German trench
mortar, and we ate their share, but
still | was hungry, so filed in with
bully beef and biscuits Then I drained
my water bottle. Later on l learned
another maxim of the front line, go
sparingly with your water" The bully
beef made me thirsty, and by tea time
was dying for a drink, but my pride
would not allow me to ask my mates
FOR water. l was fast learning the
ethics of the trenches.
That night was put on guard with
IN older man. We stood on the fire
,tep with our hands over the top, peer
ng out into No Mans Land. 1t was I
nervous work for me, but the other fell
Ow seemed to take it as part of the i
rights routine.
Then something shot past my face. !
NY heart stopped beating, and ducked /
huckIe from my mate brought me to
nv senses, and l feebly asked. "For
Ieaven's sake, what was that?'
He answered. "Only rat taking
along the sandbags."
cit very sheepish.
About every twenty minutes the SEN
~ in the next traverse would fire d
tar shell from his flare pistol. The
plop" would give me a start of fright.
never got used TO this noise during
nv service in the trenches.
| would watch the arc described by
he star shell, and then stare into No
Ian's Land waiting for 1t to burst. In
s lurid light the barbed wire and
takes would be silhouetted against its
ght like latticed window. Then
arkness.
Once. out in front of our wire, /
card noise and saw dark forms
loving. My rifle was lying across the
lndbagged parapet. reached for it,
nd was taking aim to fire, when my
ate grasped my arm, and whispered,
Don't fire" He challenged in low
,ice. The reply came back instantly
ON the dark forms:
"Shnt vnnr hl'~I''-'