The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1919-05-23

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We were machine gunners Of the
British army stationed Somewhere in
France" and had just arrived at our
rest billets, after weary march from
the front-line sector.
The stable we had to sleep In was
an old, ramshackle affair, absolutely
overrun with rats, big, black fellows,
who used to chew up our leather equip
ment; eat our rations. and run over
our bodies at night. German gas had
no effect on these rodents; in fact,
they seemed to thrive on it. The floor
space would comfortably accommodate
about twenty men lying down, but
when thirty-three, including equip
ment, were crowded into 1t, 1t was
nearly unbearable.
The roof and walls were full of shell
holes. When 1t rained constant drip,
drip, drip was in order. We were SO
crowded that If fellow was unlucky
enough (and nearly all of us in this
hole, he had to grin and bear it.
It was like sleeping beneath shower
bath.
At one end Of the billet, with lad
der leading up to it, was a sort Of
grain bin, with q door in it. This
place was the headquarters of our
guests, the rats. Many a stormy cab
met meeting was held there by them.
Many a boot was thrown at it during
the night to let them know that Tom
my Atkins objected to the matter I'M
der discussion. Sometimes one of
these missiles would ricochet, and land
IN the upturned countenance Of a
snoring Tommy, and for about half
an hour even the rats would pause in
admiration of his flow Of language.
On the night in question we Topped
down in our wet clothes, and were
! soon asleep. AS was usual, No. 2 guns
crew were together.
The last time we had rested In this
particular village, it was inhabited by
| civilians, but now 1t was deserted. An
order had been issued, two days pre-
vious to our arrival that all civilians
should move farther back Of the line.
l had been asleep about two hours
when l was awakened by Sailor Bill
shaking me by the shoulder. He was
| trembling like a leaf, and whispered
to me:
"Wake up, Yank, this ships haunt.
ed. There's someone aloft who's beer
moaning for the last hour. Sounds
10 hn win in, %ho v.to nj
scared of humans or Germans, but
when it comes to messin' in with spir.
Its it's time for me to go below. Lend
your ear and cast your headlights or
that grain locker, and listen"
I listened sleepily for a minute OF
so, but could hear nothing. Coming
to the conclusion that Sailor Bill was
/ dreaming things I was again soor
asleep.
Perhaps fifteen minutes had elapsed
when l was rudely awakened.
'Yank, for Gods sake, come aboard
and listenw I listened, and sure
enough, right out OF that grain biz
overhead came a moaning and whim
| pering, and then a scratching against
the floor. My hair stood on end
Blended with the drip, drip Of the
rain, and the occasional scurrying Of
rat overhead, that noise had a su
pernatural sound. I was really fright
ened; perhaps my nerves were a triflt
unstrung from our recent tour In thu
trenches.
awakened Ikey Honey, while Sail
Or Bill reused Happy Houghton ant
Hungry Foxcroft.
Hungry's first words were, "What''
The matter, breakfast ready?"
In as few words as possible we tolt
them what had happened. BY thu
light of a candle / had lighted theil
faces appeared as white as chalk. Jus
then the whimpering started again, ant
we were frozen with terror. The ten
sion was relieved by keys voice:
Il admht> I'm afraid Of ghosts, bu
that sounly like dog to me. Who.
going up the ladder to investigator"
No one volunteered.
had an old deck of cards in m,
pocket. Taking them out suggested
| cutting, the low man TO go up the Lad
der. They agreed. I was the last t.
cut. l got the ace of clubs. Sailor
Bill was stuck with the five of da
monds. Upon this, he insisted that 1
should be the best two out of tire,
cuts, bit we overruled him, and he wal
unanin ously elected for the job.
With $50 long, mates, I'm goinl
lloft," he started toward the ladder
with the candle in his hand, stumblin.
over the sleeping forms of many. Sun
dry grunts, means, and curses follow
Ell in his wake.
AS soon as he started to ascend thu
ladder, "tap-tap-tap" could be hear,
from the grain bin We waited In fea
| and trembling the result of his mis-