Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-27
NOT PASSED
BY CENSOR
The Zero Hour.
BY DEWITT MACKENZIE.

THE first gray streaks which heralded
= a sunless dawn were just beginning
to rear themselves mushroomlike into
the sky from the far-off edge OF the
sinking sea of mud called Flanders.
Down to the south of the Ypres
salient, in this cockpit OF Europe, the
British front-line trenches over q
stretch of perhaps five miles we're man
ned with grim-lipped, silent soldiers VINO
were waiting for the signal to go over
the top" The zero hour was almost
there.
There was scarcely sound within
the trench itself. Occasionally Ger
man shell found the British front line
a moment of living hell, means. ana
then silence.
within the trench was silence, but
out in front, and Just in back, was
ceaseless crash Of splintering steel.
For hours the British gunners had
been bombarding the enemy In prepara-
ton for the infantry attack. A tiny
bit more light was all they needed.
Then would come the British barrage,
behind which Tommy Atkins would
make his way blindly out across no
mans land TO do or die.
No man spoke. No man looked at his
cornrade. No man had slept Tor "A
hours-a day and night in the crater
of q seething volcano. They were shell
shocked and exhausted, and only raw
nerve kept their tired bodies erect at
the parapet. Many could have scream
ed with the anguish of it, but the horrid
nightmare held their Threats in an I'M
relenting grip.
The broad shoulders of Capt. Bob
hunched against the trench among his
lads. His eyes were on the Illuminated
dial Of mis- wrist watch, counting of the
seconds and minutes. His men saw the
seen him scores Of times before, calm
and steady. It gave q fellow courage
Just to look at Capt. Bob.
But Capt Bob was far from being
as calm as he appeared. He was wag-
ing mighty battle with himself as he
stood there counting, counting-God,
how long would 1t be before the hands
Of his watch touched the zero hour?
Something queer had come over Capt.
Bob, something he had never expert
enced before. His nerves were playing
havoc with him. He was filled with
terror-stark horror of that coming
rush out across no mans land. He.
the hero of q hundred fights, was afraid.
He tried to crush the feeling, but 1t
would not down. And not only was he
afraid, but he was suffering that greater
torture-fear of being afraid.
Two minutes more and he would be
giving the signal, would have to lead
his men into action. Could he make 1t?
He tried to pull himself together.
Came the great moment. Capt. Bob
raised his hand. With a cry his men
swarmed over the top of the parapet.
Out there ahead the welcome British
barrage Crashed down and began its
steam-roller progress.
But Capt. Bob didn't move. He
slumped weakly up against the wall OF
the trench. Tommy, standing next his
captain, hesitated in surprise, and terror
seized him, too. The sergeant majors
quick eye caught the ne, sit nIan9n ;, h.
snarled at Tommy. "Or I'll shoot you
through the CUTS"
The sergeant leaned over his captain.
whats the matter, sir?" he asked.
"Get hit?"
Capt. Bob shook his head.
TT just can't make 1t, sergeant
major" he whispered. I'm done. MY
nerve is gone"
The sergeant barred his teeth. He
didn't like the captain, anyway.
For tuppence I'd shoot you, TOO, you
yellow swine" he grated. But I'll leave
you for the firing squad, you--"
The assistant provost marshal OF Cas-
sci tucked the order into his tunic
pocket and sighed. Another trip to the
front line TO arrest a man for cowardice,
another court-rlartial, another firing
squad. -.
The A. P. M. didn't like his job. 1t
was a captain fellow this time, too, a
Capt Bob What pity! The A. P. M.
wondered who Capt. Bob might be. ana
sighed again as he started on his un-
welcome journey.
The sergeant major guided the A. p:
NJ along the trench and finally pointed
out a broad back down the line.
There's your man, sir" said the
sergeant, and he licked his lips.
The A. P. M. walked up and tapped
the captain on the shoulder and an
nounced:
"1've come for you"
The big chap turned and faced the
A. P. M. The latters eyes encountered
first the captains chest, and there they
rested in amazement, for strung across
the stained tunic was row of ribbons
won for valor In battle. There were
medals from the British, medals from
the French, medals from the Belgians-
each tribute to great bravery.