We left the train at Epernay, an important city some twenty miles back
from the battle lines, but subject to air raids, as I observed from
demolished and dilapidated buildings in various parts of the town, and
as I was to learn from personal experience before many days had
passed.
Here we were met by a member of Section One, a young fellow by the
name of Stout, well named, of stocky build and robust appetite. Norton
and I had eaten lightly and suggested that we repair to a café for
luncheon before proceeding on to where Section One had its cantonment
near the front. Stout said he would join us for company’s sake, but
that he had finished dinner just a short while before. As we ate and
talked a large plate of pastry was placed upon the table and Stout was
prevailed upon to take one, and as we talked Stout emptied the plate
and we called for more which we divided with Stout. After luncheon I
caught Norton’s ear and said to him: “You heard Stout say he had his
Sunday dinner?”
“Yes.”
“You noticed the vanishing plate of sweets?”
“Yes.”
“Well, it looks to me,” I said, “as if Section One is starving.”
That was before we knew Stout of robust appetite. But Stout had plenty
of vim and vigor and was untiring, and later won the Croix de Guerre
at Verdun. Stout and I quarrelled at Verdun, after which I had a
genuine affection for him.
We clambered into a motor truck, Stout driving, and were on the second
stage of our journey to the front. We reached the town of Louvois
about six o’clock. Here Section One had its cantonment. Louvois is a
picturesque village, far enough back from the lines not to be entirely
deserted by its civilian population, mostly simple people living in
simple homes just as their forebears had lived in the same homes a
hundred years and more before. Here we began to breathe the atmosphere
of the war――here, night and day, we saw the movement of the troops to
and from the front――we saw the procession of camions carrying
munitions and supplies――large cannons being drawn by many horses――the
little machine guns――sometimes a fleet of armored cars equipped with
anti-aircraft guns. Overhead we saw the large observation balloons and
heard the whirr of aeroplanes. In the distance we could hear the
firing at the front.
Supper was being served underneath a shed, and it was a good supper,
too. Section One was not starving. We were cordially received by the
members of the Section. “Red” Day and “Farney” were in the gathering.
“Red” had served with the Section in Belgium. After supper we strolled
along the street and listened while Purdy, a bright young fellow, told
us all about the war. Purdy was six feet tall and as I later observed
every inch a soldier.
That night we were billeted in the second story of a dilapidated
barnlike building from which the windows were all gone, and lying on
my cot I could see the stars through the roof. That night a rat ran
across my face. At last I was getting into the war.