“I’ll say, oui,” replied Jimmy. “Wish for a thing and you’ll sure get it. Remember my wishing that they’d send us to a real front. There ain’t no camouflage2 to this joint3. Listen to that damn machine-gun music, will you?”
From the depths of the Haumont Bois issued the frenzied4 snapping and barking of machine-guns that contrasted strangely with the unending thunder-roll of the heavy guns.
Before Jimmy and his pal5 was the pivot6 upon which the German defenses in the Argonne depended. Upon that cemented pivot was hinged the hopes of the German High Command. If the pivot was forced the entire line of defenses that swung back and forth8 like a red, intangible thing in the depth of the Argonne woods would be swept away by the intrepid9 American troops. The Prussian militarists had rushed some of their finest divisions in front of Verdun to stay the advance of American soldiers who had been ordered to unhinge the pivotal defense7 at all costs.
It mattered not that companies and battalions10 were cut to pieces and mowed11 down by the hidden machine-gun fire of the Germans who held the high ground and were securely intrenched. The order was to force the pivot. Jimmy’s division had been ordered to unhinge it.
For three weeks he and his comrades had advanced yard by yard, each yard calling for the sacrifice of many brave men. After the third day in the lines beyond Verdun Jimmy had looked for his friend Neil, to learn that an ugly shell wound had sent him to the hospital. An entire new gun crew was manning the first piece, as every man had been killed or wounded when a German two-hundred-and-twenty made a direct hit on the howitzer. The Boches had been using gas with deadly effect. Ten men that he knew very well had been caught by the poisonous fumes12 and were evacuated13 to a hospital. Death had come pretty close to both Jimmy and O. D., but by some law of destiny they had come through unscratched.
“We might try to get back now, O. D.” Jimmy raised himself cautiously and scanned their surroundings.
A shell whistled, almost in his ear. He ducked down again.
“That drink of water may cost us a lot before we get back. Gee14! but I was thirsty. No water in three days. It’ll be three more before we can pull this stunt15 again. Think them damn Heinies have got us under observation. Stuff’s comin’ mighty16 close. They’re breakin’ right over by that hill.” He pointed17 to a hill not a hundred yards away. It was perforated by shell hits and blue smoke was rising from a dozen places where shells had lately exploded.
“Dick said we were goin’ to fire again, toot sweet, so we’ll have to make a dive for it. You follow me, O. D.”
Jimmy squirmed out of the slimy hole and crawled away in the direction of his position. O. D. followed behind at about ten yards’ interval18. The condition of O. D.’s clothing made him look like a tramp. His wrap puttees were mud-soaked and ripped in many places. His breeches were as dirty as Jimmy’s had ever been. He had the front written all over him. The guerre had stamped its trade-mark upon O. D.
After fifteen minutes of snakelike progress Jimmy and O. D. reached the position. There wasn’t a soul to be seen. Everybody and everything lived below the surface in those terrible days and nights beyond Verdun.
“Let’s get down to the old hole and lie quiet till it’s time to fire,” and Jimmy crawled down to what he and O. D. called “the hole.”
It was their home. The boys had stretched their canvas shelter-halves over the top of a crater19 made by a giant shell. Underneath20 this protection was their stock and store of worldly possessions, which consisted of an odd sock, a suit of dirty underclothes, and a little box that held a few personal trinkets. Raincoats, and what little extra underclothes they once owned, had been lost in the advance from Verdun.
Jimmy got to “the hole” first.
“Great Lord, O. D.! Here’s some mail. Ration21 cart just brought it up from the échelon. Guess it’s all for you. No here’s three for me,” he cried, excitedly.
Mail it was. The first that they had seen in nearly a month. Jimmy had three letters from Mary and in one was two pictures.
“To hell with this guerre!” shouted Jimmy, jumping up.
“What’s the matter, Jimmy? Get good news from some of the boys?” asked O. D.
“Boys hell!” answered Jimmy. “They’re from Mary—” then he stopped short and felt kind of foolish.
“Oh!” exclaimed O. D. “I knew Mary would write if I told her to. I’ve got some from her and mother.”
The two boys read their letters on in silence. The more that Jimmy read of Mary’s letters the more he was willing to believe the rumors22 that had been coming in by radio that the Germans might sign an armistice23. In fact, you could have told Jimmy almost anything at that moment and he would have believed it. He studied Mary’s new pictures with the one that he had taken from O. D. O. D. caught him in the act.
“Mary gave me one of those seashore pictures before I left, but I lost it some place lately,” said O. D., looking at the two new pictures.
“Yes, I guess you did, O. D. I swiped it from you. Don’t mind, do you, old man? I wanted a picture of Mary.”
“Did you take that one, Jimmy?”
“Oui.”
“Anything you do, old boy, is O. K. with me. You know that, Jimmy, don’t you?” asked the brother of Mary.
“Bet I do, O. D. Funny how guys get to be pals24 up here, ain’t it! Back in the States you and me would have passed each other up, most likely. Out here it’s mighty darn different. Makes a fellow get down under the skin of things. I feel like I’ve known you all my life, O. D.”
“So do I, Jimmy. I never knew any fellow as good as I’ve come to know you.”
“Well, when men get close to dyin’ with each other, when they’ve starved side by side and damn near froze to death under the same pieces of cheesecloth, it ain’t any wonder that they find out who and what each other is. Do you know, it’s gettin’ colder every night? We’ve got to rustle25 up some more coverin’ soon or we’ll pass out one of these nights. It’s that cold mud underneath us that puts ice in the bones. Look here, O. D., don’t you wake up in the night no more and listen to me talk in my sleep ’bout cold and put your coat over me. Keep it on your side. I’m more used to this stuff than you,” commanded Jimmy.
“I wasn’t cold, Jimmy, honest. Think I’ll turn over and cushay a while. We ’ain’t slept in forty-eight hours now. There won’t be anything to monjay tonight; stuff got in too late for supper. Goin’ to give us some coffee and stuff ’round nine o’clock.”
“Well, we’ll both crawl in and knock out some sleep,” said Jimmy, and they got under their thin dirt-spattered blankets and fell into sound slumber26 with no effort.
Three hours later Jimmy and O. D. were throttled27 out of their sleep by the banging of incoming shells and the quaking of earth that shivered and shook as the shells ripped great smoking holes in its sides.
Between the bangs and the crashes they caught the piping of the whistle that called them to the pits. Twenty seconds later Sergeant28 Dick Dennis, chief of Jimmy’s gun section, sang out to the executive officer, “Third section in order, sir.”
“Battery—On basic deflection—Right, One—Three—Zero—F. A. shell—I. A. L. fuse—Charge double zero—Site zero—One hundred rounds—At my command—Elevation five, six three,” shouted the executive officer.
There was grim silence in the gun-pits. A shell came tearing over and hit fifty yards from the first piece. Fragments and stones pattered down through the trees.
“F—I—R—E!” was the command.
Four flashes illuminated29 the night shadows and four guns loosened their brass30 tongues of thunder. The ground rocked. The air quivered. The pieces bayed and roared on like mad, fire-spitting animals. Joining their voices in the savage31 symphony of death that filled the woods they crowded that particular part of the world with an infernal clamor.
Down in the cozy32 mire33 of their gun-pit Jimmy McGee and his gang worked hands over fists to keep Betsy roaring. Almost ten months on the line had made them indifferent to enemy fire, especially if they were fighting back, so they labored34 on while the Hun missiles came tearing overhead, spilling their contents of death dangerously near.
O. D., working directly behind Jimmy, marveled at his pal’s coolness in adjusting sights and elevations35, unconscious of the fact that he was almost as cool in his own work as Jimmy.
An explosion more terrific than any previous one shook the entire vicinity of the battery position. After the crash of bursting steel and iron had ended agonized36 cries were torn from the throats of suffering men. Piteous pleadings for aid filled the flame-shot night. Above the groans38 that were racked by pain a voice called out, “First piece out of order, sir.” A fit of coughing followed the report.
Spare men and the two Sanitary39 Corps40 men rushed to the pit of the first section where the shell had landed and demolished41 the gun while tearing the crew into lifeless or quivering wrecks42 of humans. Everything that could be done for the men was accomplished43 heedless of the incoming shells. Every moment brought an increasing number of shells into the immediate44 vicinity of the battery position. Trees were smashed and chewed to bits. Earth was thrown high into the air. Tree branches mingled45 with the shell splinters that rained down.
“Second section out of order, sir,” shouted the chief of that section. His gunner had reported that the bore would not stand another shot. The piece had been recommended for the mobile repair shop two weeks before.
“Second section, abandon your piece. Take cover,” ordered the executive officer, crowding data for the third and fourth piece on top of that command.
Jimmy McGee’s crew was still putting them over when fragments from a shell that had ruined the fourth section knocked his Nos. 4 and 6 down. Short-handed he kept the hot one-hundred-and-fifty-five howitzer going. O. D. was still hanging on the rammer46 and pushing the big shells in the breech.
Captain Henderson rushed into the pit.
“You men take shelter. Your gun’s the only one left in action.”
“Please don’t make us quit, Pop. Pardon, sir. Shoot the dope along. We’ll stick, won’t we, O. D.?”
“Bet we will, Jimmy!” shot back O. D., grimly, as he helped his No. 5 get the shell on the tray.
The answer had barely escaped his lips when a shell made a direct hit on a tree behind the pit. O. D. fell to the ground. Jimmy McGee sank down with a stifled47 groan37. The two boys left in the pit toppled like young trees from the blow of a mighty ax.
The captain, who was untouched, raised Jimmy and got his knee under his head.
“Get Bacon or March, the first-aid men, quick!” commanded the captain to a man who was stumbling over the debris48 in the pit.
“Both of ’em are down, sir; got hit. The boys are havin’ a hell of a time with the wounded.” The man stooped to pick up Dick Dennis, who had been killed outright49.
“My God!” groaned50 Henderson, tearing away Jimmy’s blouse to get at his wounded arm.
“Cap—cap,” called Jim, feebly. Henderson bent51 over him. “I’ve only got a splinter—only stunned52. Get to O. D. first.” Jimmy tried to get loose and go to O. D., who lay quiet in a pool of blood.
“Johnson—Johnson, try to bind53 O. D.’s wound,” ordered the C. O., turning to a man who sat all huddled up amid the horror and torture, puffing54 wildly at a cigarette like some grotesque55 being.
“Can’t touch him,” answered Johnson, blowing a mouthful of smoke after the jerky words. “God have mercy on me,” he kept repeating. The fellow’s nerve was gone. Henderson had seen a few like him before. He let him alone.
Jimmy crawled to O. D.
“O. D.—O. D.! Talk to me! God! Look at his back; it’s all busted56 up. O. D., I’m Jimmy. Answer me, boy,” implored57 his pal.
Henderson came with a mess-cup full of water and some bandages.
The water brought O. D. to a state of semi-consciousness. Jimmy saw his eyes flutter open about half-way and he started talking again.
“We’re fixin’ you, boy—hang on. The Boches never was made to get you and me. We got to go back to Mary, O. D.”
“Jimmy—Jimmy—” The name was called so faintly that Jimmy could hardly hear it. He bent his ear close to O. D.’s blue lips.
“I’m listenin’, pal. What is it?”
“You go back—back—back—to Mary for—” The words trembled and stopped short.
“For you, O. D.?” supplied Jimmy.
“Oui,” gasped58 the dying boy.
“But you’ll go, too, O. D. Hell, you can’t die now.”
“Yes—die—later—see you—somewhere— Good-by, Jim—” Death cut the words short.
A great lump rose in Jimmy McGee’s throat. Something warm and salty burned his eyes. He pressed his good hand against the torn back of his pal and tried to staunch the incessant59 red flow with his fingers. Captain Henderson removed him tenderly from the body of his pal a few moments later and led Jimmy, dry-eyed and white-faced, over to the dressing-station.
“Just the way of it, cap. The best guys gets it. Poor O. D.!” muttered Jimmy as they bound up his splintered arm.
They buried O. D. in a shell-hole and wrapped his body in the blankets and shelter-halves that he and Jimmy had slept between. Jimmy looked at the sad mound60 of earth and then let them take him away to the ambulance that was to bring him and two others down to the échelon infirmary. His wound was not deemed serious enough for hospital treatment.
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1
huddled
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| 挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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2
camouflage
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| n./v.掩饰，伪装 | |
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3
joint
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| adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合 | |
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frenzied
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| a.激怒的；疯狂的 | |
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pal
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| n.朋友，伙伴，同志；vi.结为友 | |
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pivot
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| v.在枢轴上转动；装枢轴，枢轴；adj.枢轴的 | |
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7
defense
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| n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩 | |
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8
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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intrepid
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| adj.无畏的，刚毅的 | |
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10
battalions
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| n.（陆军的）一营（大约有一千兵士）( battalion的名词复数 )；协同作战的部队；军队；（组织在一起工作的）队伍 | |
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11
mowed
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| v.刈，割( mow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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12
fumes
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| n.(强烈而刺激的)气味，气体 | |
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evacuated
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| 撤退者的 | |
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14
gee
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| n.马；int.向右！前进！，惊讶时所发声音；v.向右转 | |
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15
stunt
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| n.惊人表演，绝技，特技；vt.阻碍...发育，妨碍...生长 | |
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16
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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18
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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19
crater
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| n.火山口，弹坑 | |
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underneath
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| adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面 | |
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21
ration
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| n.定量(pl.)给养，口粮；vt.定量供应 | |
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22
rumors
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| n.传闻( rumor的名词复数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷v.传闻( rumor的第三人称单数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷 | |
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23
armistice
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| n.休战，停战协定 | |
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pals
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| n.朋友( pal的名词复数 )；老兄；小子；（对男子的不友好的称呼）家伙 | |
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25
rustle
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| v.沙沙作响；偷盗(牛、马等)；n.沙沙声声 | |
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26
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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27
throttled
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| v.扼杀( throttle的过去式和过去分词 )；勒死；使窒息；压制 | |
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28
sergeant
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| n.警官，中士 | |
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illuminated
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| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
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30
brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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31
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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cozy
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| adj.亲如手足的，密切的，暖和舒服的 | |
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mire
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| n.泥沼，泥泞；v.使...陷于泥泞，使...陷入困境 | |
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34
labored
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| adj.吃力的，谨慎的v.努力争取(for)( labor的过去式和过去分词 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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35
elevations
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| （水平或数量）提高( elevation的名词复数 )； 高地； 海拔； 提升 | |
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36
agonized
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| v.使（极度）痛苦，折磨( agonize的过去式和过去分词 )；苦斗；苦苦思索；感到极度痛苦 | |
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37
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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38
groans
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| n.呻吟，叹息( groan的名词复数 )；呻吟般的声音v.呻吟( groan的第三人称单数 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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39
sanitary
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| adj.卫生方面的，卫生的，清洁的，卫生的 | |
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40
corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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41
demolished
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| v.摧毁( demolish的过去式和过去分词 )；推翻；拆毁（尤指大建筑物）；吃光 | |
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42
wrecks
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| n.沉船( wreck的名词复数 )；（事故中）遭严重毁坏的汽车（或飞机等）；（身体或精神上）受到严重损伤的人；状况非常糟糕的车辆（或建筑物等）v.毁坏[毁灭]某物( wreck的第三人称单数 )；使（船舶）失事，使遇难，使下沉 | |
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43
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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44
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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45
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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46
rammer
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| n.撞锤；夯土机；拨弹机；夯 | |
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47
stifled
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| （使）窒息， （使）窒闷( stifle的过去式和过去分词 )； 镇压，遏制； 堵 | |
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48
debris
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| n.瓦砾堆，废墟，碎片 | |
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49
outright
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| adv.坦率地；彻底地；立即；adj.无疑的；彻底的 | |
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50
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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51
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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52
stunned
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| adj. 震惊的，惊讶的 动词stun的过去式和过去分词 | |
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53
bind
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| vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬 | |
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54
puffing
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| v.使喷出( puff的现在分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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55
grotesque
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| adj.怪诞的，丑陋的；n.怪诞的图案，怪人（物） | |
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56
busted
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| adj. 破产了的，失败了的，被降级的，被逮捕的，被抓到的 动词bust的过去式和过去分词 | |
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57
implored
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| 恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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58
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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59
incessant
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| adj.不停的，连续的 | |
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60
mound
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| n.土墩，堤，小山；v.筑堤，用土堆防卫 | |
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