Fighting in France

letters were deposited at the regimental post-office, a most solemn ceremony. Many a long thought passe

ing around," whispered Jacques in L

anding here in the darkness with thousands of men all

he roar of the French artillery came distinctly to the ears of these men who stood and waited. Every man knew why it was that its activity was so greatly increased that night. Their gun

warned Ear

man lent his voice to that stirring anthem. In a few moments every soldier present was singing and even the ro

feeling. Since the war had started, however, it had seemed different to him. As the soldiers sang it, biting out each word sharp and short, it had b

g to the right marched down the road leading to the trenches. On both the right and

hey?" whis

to his comrade's query. "Both regiments ar

t and none of the customary bantering was present. Perhaps every man was busied wit

neral march," exclaim

ike it, either

's spirits will revive in a few minu

ced conversations could be heard. The men even began to tease one another and tell jokes. It seemed almo

enches," exclaimed Jacq

ck," said Earl, co

far," murm

file the men marched through the communicating trench. Every little while a lateral trench appeared and as they came

ms resting on the ground. They eyed the regiment filing past them enviously and were apparen

ou?" deman

éme," sai

d the man

No wonder it had been chosen to lead the advance. If anyone could get through, la douziéme was that one. A feeling of confi

Leon suddenly. "Wh

of it whatever it is,"

had once been a village, but only its ghost now remained. Every house had been bombarded a

l suddenly. "I saw it over my rig

it," said

them up. Straight ahead they went and then turned sharply to the right. A short dis

st line trench,"

to tell me that,

peering cautiously through one o

they were, and had somewhat the appearance of a great display of fireworks. The noise was beyond description. So fast did

ion with the man next to him, "that only the

eon grimly. "I want to live long enough

ng-range cannon of th

d Leon. "They'r

the 42-centimete

shing forts. They're

with our 75's," excl

ield work, you

s can compare with

every one's satisfactio

y discuss the merits of the rival artillery. Such is the effect of war, however. It seems as if a man can become accustomed to almost anything,

ome sleep," Jacque

sleep here?"

id Jacques. "I'm he

" suggested Leon. "We can use our knapsack

ues as a German shell whistled over their heads and expl

it will do us any good to keep thinking about it. I suppose w

to lie down," laughed

ckly, taking this remark literally. "I am but s

eon. "At any rate I

t always catch the drift of some of the

imed Earl. "We can get s

nd lay down, with their knapsacks under their heads. Still the artillery roared. Incessan