US Army Infantry School - Doughboy Yearbook (Fort Benning, GA)

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Jr- U -- if .41 '3 i l . J. 4. QP A3 N ew -,,.. N' Axz f ligliiglgu-B'i The spell was broken and I again directed my progress toward the Manor, the charm of which had now somehow diminished. Being now left somewhat in rear I waited for the next maneuver of that motley crew. And I had not long to wait, though their actions were' contrary to my expectations. I had anticipated hostilities, and was greatly surprised to see them met by well mannered young men Whose habilment was greatly brightened by what appeared in the distance to be pink breeches. Their foot gear I easily recognized as having been made by one rind of London. And these young gallants led my people into an out-house situated on the edge of the Manor grounds. Now I was sure 'twas an ambush, for they came out one by one, each dropping in a metal receptacle with a disappointed and disgusted look, the little blue object he had carried in his hand so carefully all the way from the village. This I had taken for some unusual imple- ment of war, since each treasured his so jealously. But as I saw them looking closely at these on the way along the trail: muttering and looking heaven- ward, I concluded 'twas some form of prayer book or the Koran. I was more bewildered when I took one from the refuse can and read in large letters on its cover: 'Informationf I now noticed for the first time the hovels of the vassals situated a re- spectful distance in the rear of the Manor. I G51 And these seemed exceedingly small and in sad repair as though the estate were unpro- 5 3 fitable and the Prince niggardly in providing gf, 'N at Silk 'Q the Baron with funds. And into these the , invaders were herded with their womenfolk. Fl ' ' I I fml K I 0 0 And my heart bled for them in their hour 1, 1 9 of trial. 5? allu.,. vll ' The heat being now past all endurance, I sought shelter and saw not these people for a number of days. And when I did I was greatly surprised. As they had ap- 0 p e a r e d spirited JUS? J 7,- when last I saw OQKQK 198, W- Q gg t h e m, thought 64 ,J A troubled and con- 7 fused, I had expected a revolt as soon as they 4. , could purloin that with which to fight. Ima- A gine my astonishment when I found them ' ' f armed with fowling pieces, but stretched E 'Pings 2 ia 1 1:52 1, ? ' :ii 1 'S no ' 5 , . r , 1 is, 1. 7 - K ,-1 '01 iv I

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Jr. it sax iw , , , 7 ,. ,xv ai.. N .1 --3 N 2 'I : 9z4- oouenaov J Their faces bore strange expressions and varied. Those blessed with the comradeship of their womenfolk seemed most oppressed as though wonder- ing if the Avenging Angel had not chosen the wrong object in giving peace to the souls of their trusty steeds. But when the moon had arisen peace reigned in the village, and the quiet was broken only by the chuckles of the landlord. Next day as the Sun arose in all his glory and covered with his cone of fire a beaten zone which seemed without limit, this tribe which was loosely knit and without a leader, abandoned all thought of remaining longer in the town and wended its weary way along a dusty trail, whither I knew not. But I followed, keeping at a respectful distance that I might be free from moles- tation and able to retire should they be suddenly engulfed by that which their expressions seemed to fear. And slow and ever slower grew their pace. As the sun rose higher in the heavens and my feet be- came weary from endeavoring to follow the contour I had chosen as mine, I was reward- ed with a beautiful vision. Upon a prominence beyond the stream which I learned was the Upatoi, there suddenly ap- peared a feudal village, color- ful as an artist's painting and magnificent in its old world charm. I hastened my stride, as did those before me, with H1 'I l l fi ' ' ' I J 2 I l l J in 1 if 911156,- fix Illll Q I fm L,.. sr... .... ?gQJb3X:x:: Wwwuixril W UH ti'-1 if-jj 22,58-ff.QEj' ijf'f.,,,:t'qffZL.7Z,i' x ' I-.fhfz.Li,, hs Wm my eye ever on the Manor which I rightfully surmisecl was the seat of the. Baron who held sway over this village and vast estate. And a fitting seat it was, with its ancient galleries where gentlemen of old were wont to take their ease sipping nectar and ambrosia, and watching the dainty squirrels garnboling on the green. Ah, had those squirrels known the feast that was being prepared for them how prodigal they would have been. Half way to the top of the plateau I casually glanced to the right, and thought myself in fairyland. In a sylvan dell there glistened a pool of sur- prising brilliance, its shores bedecked by nymphs of such transcendent beauty enhanced by the sweet simplicity of their raiment, as to hold me in ecstasy until a rude swain at my side uttered the strange jargoni 'Aint nature grand'. E' R - W 5 , . YZ v tx, li 'YW ii is ii,

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Jr. ll -- 1 I, f.... L Y -M3l,lQ,24,-QQLQHBOY upon the ground in complete subjugation. pointing their pieces at small disks held some ten paces forward by persons of their own tribe, while their keepers stood above them armed with nothing save small sticks sometimes used in riding. But these vassals seemed not ill con- tent, and I actually observed much merri- ment among them. And I noticed too, a number had provided themselves with round crystals with which old men are Y wont to read small print. But these men al were not old, nor were they using these crystals for their accustomed purpose, but rather focusing the rays of the sun upon the necks of their fellows in front. And oft they slapped at what they no doubt thought were large insects of the locality. My attention was attracted a little fur- ther down the line by hearing someone called Admiral, and at this I marvelled, since I had seen neither ships nor sea. I made bold to approach this sailor-like per- son, and enquired what 'twas all about. And he told me a strange tale. We are learning to squeeze the triggerv he said. And I asked: Have you nothing to squeeze but triggers?,' But he uttered a strange nautical expression and turned away. When I next saw them there was little merriment and their actions were most strange. Each had in front of him a small board, upon which he from time to time made curious curves, and rubbed them out as fast as he made them. They all moved, with no apparent reason, from place to place, keeping however always near three large circular objects which I later learned were tanks. Upon looking further I discovered a bookish person wearing spectacles and an intelligent air, with neither board nor occupation. I approached him that I might learn the reason for the strange conduct of all about me. And he told me they were searching for contours to place upon a drawing of the local- ity. At this I rnarvelled, since he held in his hand a drawing which he consult- ed from time to time as if it were of the particular locality. So Iemade bold to 1 - be -W 5 , . ,Z i N w V 41 I 4 X WS r ill