WAR- CHRONICLE

41
visited. The Protestant soldiers of two companies are to assemble
after each other, in front of Oberleutnant S . .'s hut, who is leader
of the company. The others I can visit in the trenches.
A gradual declining subterranean passage leads to the middle
of the position. It is built in zigzag so that the hostile shells
cannot do so much harm. After going a few steps, I come to a
forked way, where two trenches meet. There they are standing
shoulder to shoulder, our faithful warriors and defenders. Their
guns are lying ready, ranged against the enemy, to the right and
left of each gun, a sack full of sand and loose earth thrown up,
so that the edge of the trench is made almost invisible for the
enemy, to see, and in the trenches, some crouched in corners trying
to protect themselves from the icy wind, some leaning against the
edge,' or repairing the entrenchments, spade in hand, our soldiers—
lying or standing enveloped in straw.
They are delighted with the greetings from home, a bright-eyed
youth says: "We shall not let you through here!" Another asks
nié in a low voice: "Do'you think, we shall be home for Christmas
?'"'•—I speak a few words on fidelity, duty, and the courage
that will help them through. ; But at this moment the French bullets
prove, that the direction, from which our conversation has come,
has been recognized. The other men are waiting before the hut.
I question each of them as to his health, news from home, wishes,
etc. Bût now the bullets come whizzing in our direction, so that
in order to have a little peace, we must go into the hut, where I
hold a short evening service for the first, second, and third sections
consecutively. Most of the men asked for the New Testament and
Tracts. Often during the long day they should have liked to read,
if they had had them. One of them asked for Holy Communion,
the others joined him in prayer. I was really touched seeing these
men pray. Who is a man? He, who can pray!
I shall never forget, how firmly they pressed my hands and all
the thanks to which I could not listen. Then it was time for us
to return to our horses. Their neighing, as well as their willing
steps towards home, brought several shots from the French, which
luckily missed their object. When we disappeared over the hill
into the wood again,, all was quiet.
Our heroes down below were on the watch!
May their watching and fighting soon bring victory and peace
to our country.
II th October 1914.
W. Nell, Freiwilliger Feld-Divisionspfarrer,
(Der Eeichsbote, 2 nd December 1914.)