Ì«×ÓүС˵Íø > Ó¢Óïµç×ÓÊé > bruce(²¼Â³Ë¹) >

µÚ13½Ú

bruce(²¼Â³Ë¹)-µÚ13½Ú

С˵£º bruce(²¼Â³Ë¹) ×ÖÊý£º ÿҳ4000×Ö

°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·­Ò³£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡




except¡¡under¡¡special¡¡order¡£¡¡These¡¡dogsor¡¡the¡¡pick¡¡of¡¡themwere¡¡destined¡¡

for¡¡work¡¡at¡¡the¡¡front¡£¡¡The¡¡bark¡¡of¡¡a¡¡dog¡¡has¡¡a¡¡carrying¡¡quality¡¡greater¡¡than¡¡

the¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡combined¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡shouting¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡ten¡¡¡¡¡¡men¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡last¡¡¡¡¡¡sound¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡follow¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

balloonist£»¡¡after¡¡he¡¡has¡¡risen¡¡above¡¡the¡¡reach¡¡of¡¡all¡¡other¡¡earth¡­noises¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Hence£»¡¡a¡¡chance¡¡bark£»¡¡rising¡¡through¡¡the¡¡night¡¡to¡¡where¡¡some¡¡enemy¡¡

airman¡¡soared¡¡with¡¡engines¡¡turned¡¡off£»¡¡might¡¡well¡¡lead¡¡to¡¡the¡¡bombing¡¡of¡¡

hitherto¡¡unlocated¡¡trenches¡¡or¡¡detachment¡­camps¡£¡¡For¡¡this¡¡and¡¡divers¡¡other¡¡

reasons£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡first¡¡¡¡¡¡lesson¡¡¡¡¡¡taught¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡arriving¡¡¡¡¡¡wardogs¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡abstain¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡

barking¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡dogs¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡divided£»¡¡¡¡¡¡roughly£»¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡breeds£»¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡regarded¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡line¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡

training¡¡¡¡¡¡assigned¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡them¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡collies¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡taught¡¡¡¡¡¡courier¡­¡¡¡¡¡¡work¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡

Airedales£»¡¡¡¡¡¡too£»hideous£»¡¡¡¡¡¡cruel£»¡¡¡¡¡¡snake¡­headed£»were¡¡¡¡¡¡used¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡couriers£»¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡

well¡¡as¡¡to¡¡bear¡¡Red¡¡Cross¡¡supplies¡¡and¡¡to¡¡hunt¡¡for¡¡the¡¡wounded¡£¡¡The¡¡gaunt¡¡

and¡¡wolflike¡¡police¡¡dogs¡¡were¡¡pressed¡¡into¡¡the¡¡two¡¡latter¡¡tasks£»¡¡and¡¡were¡¡

taught¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡listening¡­post¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡duty¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡through¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡available¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡breeds£»¡¡

including¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡stolidly¡¡¡¡¡¡wise¡¡¡¡¡¡Old¡¡¡¡¡¡English¡¡¡¡¡¡sheepdogs¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡prove¡¡

invaluable¡¡in¡¡finding¡¡and¡¡succoring¡¡and¡¡reporting¡¡the¡¡wounded£»down¡¡to¡¡

the¡¡¡¡¡¡humble¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡terriers¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡mongrels¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡taught¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡rid¡¡¡¡trenches¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡

vermin¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Everywhere¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡quiet¡¡¡¡¡¡efficiency¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡tirelessly¡¡¡¡¡¡patient¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡skillful¡¡

work¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡part¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡trainers¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡For¡¡¡¡¡¡Britain's¡¡¡¡¡¡best¡¡¡¡¡¡dog¡¡¡¡¡¡men¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡

recruited¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡service¡¡¡¡¡¡here¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡On¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡perfection¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡¡¡charges'¡¡¡¡¡¡training¡¡

might¡¡depend¡¡the¡¡fate¡¡of¡¡many¡¡thousand¡¡gallant¡¡soldiers¡£¡¡Wherefore£»¡¡the¡¡

training¡¡was¡¡perfect¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Hundreds¡¡of¡¡dogs¡¡proved¡¡stupid¡¡or¡¡unreliable¡¡or¡¡gun¡­shy¡¡or¡¡too¡¡easily¡¡

confused¡¡in¡¡moments¡¡of¡¡stress¡£¡¡These¡¡were¡¡weeded¡¡out£»¡¡continually£»¡¡and¡¡

shipped¡¡back¡¡to¡¡the¡¡masters¡¡who¡¡had¡¡proffered¡¡them¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Others¡¡¡¡¡¡developed¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡amazing¡¡¡¡¡¡speed¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡cleverness£»¡¡¡¡¡¡grasping¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡

profession¡¡as¡¡could¡¡few¡¡human¡¡soldiers¡£¡¡And¡¡Bruce£»¡¡lonely¡¡and¡¡heartsore£»¡¡

yet¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡throwing¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡himself¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡into¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡labors¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡zest¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡best¡¡

thoroughbred¡¡type£»was¡¡one¡¡of¡¡this¡¡group¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡His¡¡early¡¡teachings¡¡now¡¡stood¡¡him¡¡in¡¡good¡¡stead¡£¡¡What¡¡once¡¡had¡¡been¡¡

a¡¡¡¡¡¡jolly¡¡¡¡¡¡game£»¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡own¡¡¡¡¡¡amusement¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Mistress¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡45¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡46¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Bruce¡¡



Master£»¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡now¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡life¡­work¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Steadily¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡trainer¡¡¡¡¡¡wrought¡¡¡¡¡¡over¡¡¡¡¡¡him£»¡¡

bringing¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡latent¡¡¡¡¡¡abilities¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡dumfounded¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡earliest¡¡

teachers£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡steadying¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡directing¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡gayly¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡dashing¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡intelligence£»¡¡

upbuilding¡¡and¡¡rounding¡¡out¡¡all¡¡his¡¡native¡¡gifts¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡dog¡¡of¡¡Bruce's¡¡rare¡¡type¡¡made¡¡up¡¡to¡¡the¡¡trainers¡¡for¡¡the¡¡dullness¡¡of¡¡

their¡¡average¡¡pupils¡£¡¡He¡¡learned¡¡with¡¡bewildering¡¡ease¡£¡¡He¡¡never¡¡forgot¡¡a¡¡

lesson¡¡once¡¡taught¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡No£»¡¡the¡¡Mistress¡¡need¡¡not¡¡have¡¡interceded¡¡to¡¡save¡¡him¡¡from¡¡beating¡£¡¡

As¡¡soon¡¡would¡¡an¡¡impresario¡¡think¡¡of¡¡thrashing¡¡Caruso¡¡or¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Paderewski¡¡as¡¡would¡¡Bruce's¡¡glum¡¡Scottish¡¡trainer¡¡have¡¡laid¡¡whip¡¡to¡¡

this¡¡best¡¡pupil¡¡of¡¡his¡£¡¡Life¡¡was¡¡bare¡¡and¡¡strict¡¡for¡¡Bruce¡£¡¡But¡¡life¡¡was¡¡never¡¡

unkind¡¡to¡¡him£»¡¡in¡¡these¡¡first¡¡months¡¡of¡¡exile¡¡from¡¡The¡¡Place¡£¡¡And£»¡¡bit¡¡by¡¡

bit£»¡¡he¡¡began¡¡to¡¡take¡¡a¡¡joy¡¡in¡¡his¡¡work¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Not¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡day£»perhaps¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡hour£»¡¡¡¡did¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡big¡¡¡¡¡¡collie¡¡¡¡¡¡forget¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

home¡¡of¡¡his¡¡babyhood¡¡or¡¡those¡¡he¡¡had¡¡delighted¡¡to¡¡worship£»¡¡there¡£¡¡And¡¡the¡¡

look¡¡of¡¡sadness¡¡in¡¡his¡¡dark¡¡eyes¡¡became¡¡a¡¡settled¡¡aspect¡£¡¡Yet£»¡¡here£»¡¡there¡¡

was¡¡much¡¡to¡¡interest¡¡and¡¡to¡¡excite¡¡him¡£¡¡And¡¡he¡¡grew¡¡to¡¡look¡¡forward¡¡with¡¡

pleasure¡¡to¡¡his¡¡daily¡¡lessons¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡At¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡end¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡three¡¡¡¡¡¡months£»¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡shipped¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡France¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡There¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡

seemingly¡¡aimless¡¡studies¡¡at¡¡the¡¡training¡¡camp¡¡were¡¡put¡¡to¡¡active¡¡use¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡*¡¡*¡¡*¡¡*¡¡*¡¡*¡¡*¡¡*¡¡*¡¡*¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡At¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡foot¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡long¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Flanders¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡hill¡­slope¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Here¡­We¡­Come¡¨¡¡

Regiment£»¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡mixed¡¡¡¡¡¡American¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡French¡¡¡¡¡¡infantry£»¡¡¡¡¡¡held¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡caterpillar¡­¡¡

shaped¡¡line¡¡of¡¡trenches¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡To¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡right£»¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡few¡¡¡¡¡¡hundred¡¡¡¡¡¡yards¡¡¡¡¡¡away£»¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡posted¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡Lancashire¡¡

regiment£»¡¡¡¡supported¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡battalion¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡Cornwall¡£¡¡¡¡On¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡left¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡two¡¡

French¡¡regiments¡£¡¡In¡¡front£»¡¡facing¡¡the¡¡hill¡­slope¡¡and¡¡not¡¡a¡¡half¡­mile¡¡distant£»¡¡

was¡¡the¡¡geometric¡¡arrangement¡¡of¡¡sandbags¡¡that¡¡marked¡¡the¡¡contour¡¡of¡¡the¡¡

German¡¡first¡­line¡¡trenches¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡hill¡¡behind¡¡them£»¡¡the¡¡boches¡¡in¡¡front¡¡of¡¡them£»¡¡French¡¡and¡¡British¡¡

troops¡¡on¡¡either¡¡side¡¡of¡¡themthe¡¡Here¡­We¡­Comes¡¡were¡¡helping¡¡to¡¡defend¡¡

what¡¡was¡¡known¡¡as¡¡a¡¡¡¨quiet'¡¡sector¡£¡¡Behind¡¡the¡¡hill£»¡¡and¡¡on¡¡loftier¡¡heights¡¡

far¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡rear£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Allied¡¡¡¡¡¡artillery¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡posted¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Somewhere¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡same¡¡

general¡¡locality¡¡lay¡¡a¡¡division¡¡of¡¡British¡¡reserves¡£¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡46¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡47¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Bruce¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡is¡¡almost¡¡a¡¡waste¡¡of¡¡words¡¡to¡¡have¡¡described¡¡thus¡¡the¡¡surroundings¡¡

of¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Here¡­We¡­Comes¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡For£»¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡¡¡¡¡warning¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡all£»¡¡¡¡¡¡those¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡entire¡¡

surroundings¡¡were¡¡about¡¡to¡¡be¡¡changed¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Ludendorff¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡little¡¡¡¡¡¡playmates¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡just¡¡¡¡¡¡then¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡engaged¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

congenial¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡sport¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡delivering¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡unexpected¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡blows¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡various¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡successive¡¡

points¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Allied¡¡¡¡¡¡line£»¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡effort¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡find¡¡¡¡¡¡some¡¡¡¡¡¡spot¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡soft¡¡

enough¡¡to¡¡cave¡¡in¡¡under¡¡the¡¡impact¡¡and¡¡let¡¡through¡¡a¡¡horde¡¡of¡¡gray¡­clad¡¡

Huns¡£¡¡And¡¡though¡¡none¡¡of¡¡the¡¡defenders¡¡knew¡¡it£»¡¡this¡¡¡¨quiet¡¨¡¡sector¡¡had¡¡

been¡¡chosen¡¡for¡¡such¡¡a¡¡minor¡¡blow¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡men¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡higher¡¡command£»¡¡back¡¡there¡¡behind¡¡the¡¡hill¡¡crest£»¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

belated¡¡inkling£»¡¡though£»¡¡of¡¡a¡¡proposed¡¡attack¡¡on¡¡the¡¡lightly¡¡defended¡¡front¡¡

trenches¡£¡¡For¡¡the¡¡Allied¡¡airplanes¡¡which¡¡drifted¡¡in¡¡the¡¡upper¡¡heavens¡¡like¡¡a¡¡

scattered¡¡¡¡¡¡handful¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡dragon¡­flies¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡drifting¡¡¡¡¡¡there¡¡¡¡¡¡aimlessly¡£¡¡¡¡They¡¡

were¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡eyes¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡snakelike¡¡¡¡¡¡columns¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡crawled¡¡¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡¡¡blindly¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

scarred¡¡¡¡¡¡brown¡¡¡¡¡¡surface¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡earth¡£¡¡And¡¡¡¡¡¡those¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨eyes¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡discerned¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

massing¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡force¡¡¡¡¡¡behind¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡German¡¡¡¡¡¡line¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡discerned¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡duly¡¡

reported¡¡it¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡attack¡¡might¡¡come¡¡in¡¡a¡¡day¡£¡¡It¡¡might¡¡not¡¡come¡¡in¡¡a¡¡week¡£¡¡But¡¡it¡¡

was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡comingunless¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡behind¡­the¡­lines¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡preparations¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡gigantic¡¡

feint¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡¡¡¡¡quiet¡¡¡¡¡¡dawn£»¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡quiet¡¡¡¡¡¡trenches¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡quiet¡¡¡¡¡¡sector¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Desultory¡¡

artillery¡¡and¡¡somewhat¡¡less¡¡desultory¡¡sniping¡¡had¡¡prevailed¡¡throughout¡¡the¡¡

night£»¡¡and¡¡at¡¡daybreak£»¡¡but¡¡nothing¡¡out¡¡of¡¡the¡¡ordinary¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Two¡¡men¡¡on¡¡listening¡­post¡¡had¡¡been¡¡shot£»¡¡and¡¡so¡¡had¡¡an¡¡overcurious¡¡

sentry¡¡who¡¡peeped¡¡just¡¡an¡¡inch¡¡too¡¡far¡¡above¡¡a¡¡parapet¡£¡¡A¡¡shell¡¡had¡¡burst¡¡in¡¡

a¡¡trench£»¡¡knocking¡¡the¡¡telephone¡¡connection¡¡out¡¡of¡¡gear¡¡and¡¡half¡¡burying¡¡a¡¡

squad¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡sleepers¡¡¡¡¡¡under¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡lot¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡earth¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Otherwise£»¡¡¡¡¡¡things¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡drowsily¡¡

dull¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡a¡¡dugout¡¡sprawled¡¡Top¡­Sergeant¡¡Mahan£»formerly¡¡of¡¡Uncle¡¡Sam's¡¡

regular¡¡army£»¡¡playing¡¡an¡¡uninspiring¡¡game¡¡of¡¡poker¡¡with¡¡Sergeant¡¡Dale¡¡of¡¡

his¡¡company¡¡and¡¡Sergeant¡¡Vivier¡¡of¡¡the¡¡French¡¡infantry¡£¡¡The¡¡Frenchman¡¡

was¡¡slow¡¡in¡¡learning¡¡poker's¡¡mysteries¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡anyway£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡three¡¡¡¡¡¡men¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡temporarily¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡penniless¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡

forced¡¡to¡¡play¡¡for¡¡I¡£O¡£U'swhich¡¡is¡¡stupid¡¡sport£»¡¡at¡¡best¡£¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡47¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡48¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Bruce¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡So¡¡when£»¡¡from¡¡the¡¡German¡¡line£»¡¡came¡¡a¡¡quick¡¡sputt¡­sputt¡­sputt¡¡from¡¡a¡¡

half¡­dozen¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡sharpshooters'¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡rifles£»¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡three¡¡¡¡¡¡men¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡looked¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡up¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡

desultory¡¡game¡¡in¡¡real¡¡interest¡£¡¡Mahan¡¡got¡¡to¡¡his¡¡feet¡¡with¡¡a¡¡grunt¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Some¡¡other¡¡fool¡¡has¡¡been¡¡trying¡¡to¡¡see¡¡how¡¡far¡¡he¡¡can¡¡rubber¡¡above¡¡

the¡¡¡¡¡¡sandbags¡¡¡¡¡¡without¡¡¡¡¡¡drawing¡¡¡¡¡¡boche¡¡¡¡¡¡fire£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡hazarded£»¡¡¡¡¡¡starting¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡

investigate¡£¡¡¡¨It's¡¡a¡¡miracle¡¡to¡¡me¡¡how¡¡a¡¡boche¡¡bullet¡¡can¡¡go¡¡through¡¡heads¡¡

that¡¡are¡¡so¡¡full¡¡of¡¡first¡­quality¡¡ivory¡¡as¡¡those¡¡rubberers'¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mahan's¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡strictures¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡quite¡¡¡¡¡¡unwarranted¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡sharpshooters¡¡

were¡¡not¡¡firing¡¡at¡¡the¡¡parapet¡£¡¡Their¡¡scattering¡¡shots¡¡were¡¡flying¡¡high£»¡¡and¡¡

hitting¡¡against¡¡the¡¡slope¡¡of¡¡the¡¡hill¡¡behind¡¡the¡¡trenches¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Adown¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡shellpocked¡¡¡¡¡¡hillside£»¡¡¡¡as¡¡Mahan¡¡¡¡and¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡other¡¡¡¡¡¡disturbed¡¡

idlers¡¡¡¡¡¡gazed£»¡¡¡¡¡¡came¡¡¡¡¡¡cantering¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡huge¡¡¡¡¡¡dark¡­brown¡­and¡­¡¡¡¡¡¡white¡¡¡¡¡¡collie¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡

morning¡¡wind¡¡stirred¡¡the¡¡black¡¡stippling¡¡that¡¡edged¡¡his¡¡tawny¡¡fur£»¡¡showing¡¡

the¡¡gold¡­gray¡¡undercoat¡¡beneath¡¡it¡£¡¡His¡¡white¡¡chest¡¡was¡¡like¡¡a¡¡snowdrift£»¡¡

and¡¡¡¡¡¡offered¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡fine¡¡¡¡¡¡mark¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡German¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡rifles¡£¡¡¡¡A¡¡¡¡¡¡bullet¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡two¡¡¡¡¡¡sang¡¡

whiningly¡¡past¡¡his¡¡gayly¡¡u

·µ»ØĿ¼ ÉÏÒ»Ò³ ÏÂÒ»Ò³ »Øµ½¶¥²¿ ÔÞ£¨0£© ²È£¨0£©

Äã¿ÉÄÜϲ»¶µÄ