The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1918-11-22

dawn was breaking. But what waI
that mnngled shape lying over there
among the sandbags? Slowly dragging
himself to It, 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 grntined. He had "gOne home"
He was safe at last from the "whlKz-
bangs" and the Allemand.
Like fash II came to Lloyd that he
was free. Free to 60 "over the top
with his company. Free to die like q
true Briton fighting for his king and
country. A great gladness and warmth
came over him. Carefully stepping
over the body Of the sentry. he started
Oh a mad race down the ruined street
OF the village, amid the bursting shells.
mindIng them not, lodging through or
around hurrylng plAtoons on their way
to also 60 "over the top" Coming to
a communication trench he could not
get through. II wnS blocked with laugh
Ing. cheering and cursing soldiers.
Climbing out Of the trench, he ran
wildly along the top, never needing the
rain Of machine-gun bullets and shells,
not even hearing the shouts Of the Of
ficers telling him to get back into the
trench. He was going to join his COM
pany who were In the front 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. D COM
pany, led by their captain, the one who
had sent Lloyd to division headQuAr-
ters for trial. charged with desertion,
had pushed steadily forward until they
found themselves fnr In advance OF
the rest of the attacking force. Bomb
ing out" trench after trench, and using
their bnyOnets, they came to q German
communication trench, which ended In
n bllndsap, and then the captain, and
what was left Of his men. knew they
were In a trap. They would not re-
tire. d company never retired, and
they we're D company. Right in front
OF them they could see hundreds of
Germans preparing to rush them with
bomb and bayonet. They would have
some chance II ammunition and bombs
could reach them from the rear. Their
supply was exhausted, and the men
realized It would be q case Of dying
as bravely as possible, or making a run
for 1t. 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 1t would be all their own way.
Turning to his company. the captain
said:
Men. it's a case of going West for
us. We are out Of ammunition and
bombs, and the Boches have as in q
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 company should. When
give the word. follow me. and up and
at them. Give them a--l Lord. IL
we only had a machine gun. we could
wipe them out Here they come, get
ready, men,"