Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-10-09

De Tie udIlSSlOuS Olle. tS llIC Gil
envy could not fire at them without
risk of destroying all their ammu-
nitions, they could do little when
it was light enough to see-espe-
cially as there were several boxes
of cartridges in the arsenal which
fitted the old-fashioned, but effec-
tive, Remington rifles with which
the defenders were equipped, SO
that their ammunition was practi-
cally unlimited.
But during the darkness the
danger of the place being rushed
was considerable.
What Gun had hoped to find was
some magnesium or other flares.
Break up these cases, Tommy,
and take particular care of those
with nails in 'em."
Then came Corals voice:
81 think they're coming out of
the Factory-but it's almost i'm
possible to see properly now"
Collect all the wood" said Gun
to Tommy, and proceeded to explain
his plan, which was simple, but
sounded as though it would be eff
fective.
A few minutes later and the last
of the moon had gone and it was
dark.
"Come on, Tommy" said Gun.
"You work to the left, I'll do the
same to the right. Use your torch
as little as possible"
They crept out, distributed their
pieces of wood all along the front
of the arsenal, and about sixty
yards away, placing the thin pieces
of wood down in such a manner
that if trodden upon they would
break and the sound would act as
a warning.
The wood that had nails in was
placed carefully with the points of
the nails upward. The men about
the Factory habitually wore rub
ber-soled shoes, and on this occa-
sion they would be certain to wear
them, to avoid noise.
In a very short time they had
distributed their wood, and so far
had heard no sign of the enemy.
They then retired on the arsenal,
stepped over the breastwork, and
crouched behind it, their rifles in
their hands and pile of cartridges
between them.
1t was nervous work waiting
there, in the pitch darkness. Con-
versation, even in whispers, was
owing to the necessity
of keeping their ears strained for
any sound which might herald the
approach of the enemy.
There were stars overhead, yet
the darkness seemed, after a while,
to be enwrapping them like
shroud.
They crouched behind their
breastwork, Coral in the middle,
Gun on the left, and Tommy on
the right.
Presently Gun heard the rattle
of a rifle being moved slightly be-
side him, and then a slim, rather
hot hand found his own and chung
there.
A voice whispered in his ear:
do you mind, Gun? This wait
ing, I mean"
"Waiting's always a long and |
trying business" Gun whispered
back.
Trying Good Lord, I'm scared |
stiff"
II wouldn't worry too much. It'll
be quick when it comes"
ooh, I'm not worried about |
THAT! It's only that I'm scared
Of the dark"
People talk about 1.-The darkest
hour before the dawn" Gun, fash
lg his torch on to his wrist watch,
decided that that hour had come.
Certainly it could not be much
darker.
BY this Tina their nerves were
On edge. Coral was depressing an
inclination to scream only by sheer
Ni!l-pcwer, ard her feelings were,
n s0E!e way, communicated to
Sun. TIE silence was as bad as
lie Ga&n;.i2ss.
Arid then. without warning, there
:ame s,,c!cti'ing for them to hear.
4 sharp c:acK'ing scs,nd. Someone
lad stepped OF tncir wood.
Followed almost instantly a
sharp cry of pain, and then
'IrSa:
"L2rd! The grounds full of
;r:ii,,:s."
C3l&l instantly fred at the
'cun', thsn pulled tie trigger
IN al. agsin.
Guns Land went to h:s s.:%,th-
lien he threw something out into