With Joffre on the battle line; the adventures of an American boy in the trenches

Front matter

Class ‘I

Book , )< r r. . .

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Preface

Every American boy is, or ought to be, deeply interested in the latest European war — the greatest struggle of all history. All may lament the existence of the gigantic contest, but sorrow cannot explain it away. Its effects on civilization and commercial life, the heroism of the soldiers, the measureless cost of life, suffering and money, are facts that cannot be ignored. Every intelligent man (and boy) ought to understand the causes of the contest and its development.

The natural way to interest boys is by means of a story. The writer has not glorified war, although he has accepted it as a fact that cannot Kghtly be pushed aside. He has tried to avoid sensationalism and a false conception of the glory of war. The incidents which have been incorporated in this tale have all been reported in dispatches from the field.

Table Of Contents

CHAPTEB PAGE

I A Start for the Front 11

II A Close Call 19

Chapter I A Stabt For The Front

"Y arm and shoulder feel just as fit as they ever did. ^ ’

‘You are a very lucky young man. If that bullet had gone only a little farther to the right you would not he dancing around in this fashion. ’ ^

Leon Platt was talking to a Eed Cross nurse. He was a young American, only seventeen years of age. Traveling in Belgium at the outbreak of the great war in 1914, he had been caught between the battle lines. On his way from Liege to Brussels he had chanced to meet a young French aviator, Jacques Dineau, by name. These two boys had formed a warm friendship earlier in the summer and it was a great surprise to both when, they met again so unexpectedly in Belgium.

The young American had already had some thoughts of enlisting in the army of France. His 11 ancestors had been French, so he was naturally drawn to that country rather than to any other. Jacques exerted all his influence to persuade his friend to join the French army and Leon needed but little persuading. He readily consented to the pleadings of the young French airman and soon found himself enrolled as a member of the Army of the Kepublic.

Leon had been assigned to duty as an air scout in conjunction with his friend Jacques. The young Frenchman drove the aeroplane while Leon acted as scout. Many thrilling experiences they passed tlirough together, and much valuable information had they acquired for their troops.

They had watched the great army of' the Kaiser roll on through Belgium in its mad drive for Paris. Oftentimes they had come in closer contact with this army than they desired. Slowly they had retreated with the allied forces, as yet unprepared to withstand the rush of the Germans; they had fallen back stubbornly, however, fighting every inch of the way.

Finally had come the great battle at Charleroi, and Mons. Leon and Jacques had been in the trenches there and had their first experience on the battle line. Needless to say, they acquitted themselves with honor, and in a daring rescue of a French flag Leon had been wounded in the shoulder. He had been taken to a hospital in Mons

A STAET FOR THE FRONT and cared for there. There it was that the conversation recorded at the beginning of this story took place.

‘‘Yes,’’ exclaimed Leon, “it is as good as new.”

“What are you going to do now!” inquired the nurse.

‘ ‘ Such a question to ask ! I’m going to join my regiment, of course.”

‘ ‘ Do you know where it is ? ”

“No, I don’t.”

“Do you know that the whole allied army has been driven back almost to the gates of Paris?”

“No, I didn’t know that,” replied Leon.

“Well, it’s so, just the same,” said the nurse. “Between you and your regiment are thousands and thousands of German soldiers. I don’t see how you expect to make your way through them. There isn’t one chance in a hundred that you will succeed.”

“How do you know all these things?” demanded Leon.

“I’m telling you the reports we have received. ’ ’

“Just the same, I’m going to make a try for it.”

“Do you suppose you can even get out of this city?”

“Why not?”

“The Germans are in control here and do you think they are going to allow any man to leave who wants to help the very people they are fighting?’^

‘‘You mean there are German soldiers here in this town?”

“ I believe so. Not many of them, I hear, but still there are no French or English troops at all.”

“It’ll be hard work, all right,” said Leon thoughtfully. “Still I think it can done and you may he sure I shall make an attempt.”

“Good luck to you,” said the nurse. “You’ll need good luck, too. When do you start?”

“What time is it now?”

“Half past four,” replied the nurse, consulting her watch.

“I am discharged from the hospital, am I not?” asked Leon.

“Absolutely.”

“All right, then; I shall start as soon as it is dark.”

“Very well. What few possessions you have are in the office. Before you leave come there and you may have them, and I will also try to secure a little food for you.”

“Thank you very much,” said Leon warmly. “I’ll be there in about half an hour.”

The nurse left him to go on with her work of caring for the wounded. The hospital was crammed to its capacity with the wounded of all sides. Germans lay in cots alongside French-

A START FOR THE FRONT men; Irisli, English, and Belgians were also in evidence, Scotchmen were among the sufferers, while now and then a black Turco appeared, stricken in one way or anotlier.

The hospital was a busy place, and a sad place, as well. Here the results of the great game of war were much in evidence. Most of the wounded were young men in the prime of life and health, and many would leave the place mutilated for life. Here a man had lost a leg; there a man had had an arm shot away. Sometimes it was found necessary to amputate a limb to save the life of a sufferer. Sometimes nothing would avail and the occupant of a cot would be carried out, never to return.

His place was immediately filled, however, and soon the other men became hardened to these frequent scenes and paid but scant attention to them. Leon had noticed one thing, however. No matter how badly a man was wounded or how much he suffered, he always wanted to get out and fight again. Every man looked forward eagerly to the day when once more he could rejoin his colors.

Leon himself was no exception to this rule, and as he was only human, he was naturally impatient to be in action again. He sat on the step outside the hospital and pondered over in his mind the best method of accomplishing his purpose.

So wrapped up in his thoughts was he that he failed to notice a man approaching on crutches.

‘‘What are yez thinkin’ about, me hjeV^

Leon looked up startled by the unexpected question.

“Hello, Pat,’^ he said. “I didnT see you coming.’'

“Yez should be able to hear me thin. These wooden legs Oi hov are not viry quiet. Oi niwer saw any one so dape in thought as youse, Oi must say. ' '

‘ ‘ I was thinking of some way to get hack to my regiment," said Leon. “I have been discharged from the hospital and I leave to-night."

Pat was an Irishman with whom Leon had become acquainted soon after he had joined the allied army. They had both been wounded at the same time and had occupied adjoining cots in the hospital. As the big Irishman heard Leon speak, his eyes flashed.

“If Oi could only be wid ye," he exclaimed, eagerly. “Wait a few days and take me along."

“I wish you could go with me," said Leon, “but I can't wait. I can't stay here very well and I am anxious to be back."

“Do you think I can make it?" inquired Leon.

“Why can't yez?" demanded Pat. “It'll not

A START FOR THE FRONT 17

be an aisy job, but Oi know Oi could do it, so why can’t youse do it, too?”

‘‘I can do it, of course,” exclaimed Leon, springing to his feet ‘‘It’s just as you say, Pat, it’ll be hard but it can be done all right. Nothing is impossible if you only have the right spirit, and that’s what you’ve given me.”

“Do you know where your rigiment is?”

“No^ but I’ll find it somewhere.”

“Thot’s the way t’ talk!” cried Pat, trying to slap Leon on the back, and almost losing his balance as a consequence.

“I’m going to get ready now,” said Leon. “Good-by, Pat.”

“Good-by, and good luck,” said Pat heartily. “Take care o’ yerself an’ Oi hope t’ see yez soon agin.”

“I certainly hope so, too,” exclaimed Leon, as he disappeared inside the hospital.

He made his way to the office and there found the nurse waiting for him, as she had promised. She had his blanket and automatic revolver — all the things that had been rescued for him. In addition, she had an extra pair of socks, a very important item of clothing. When a man walks many miles a day his feet must be taken care of if he is to stand up under the strain.

This was all the clothing he possessed, aside from his uniform, which he wore. He had but little money and his undertaking seemed almost a hopeless one at the start. His friend, the nurse, had provided him with a parcel containing food, however, and consequently he was assured of at least one or two meals.

Night had now fallen. Leon expressed his thanks to his benefactor and prepared to leave. He swung his blanket over his shoulder. Rolled inside were his extra socks and his food. His revolver he placed in his hip pocket, and he was ready to set out.

He extended his hand to the nurse, thanked her once more, and turned to go.

‘‘Good luck,’’ she said in a low voice as Leon stepped out of the door and vanished into the night.