Getting One Ready to Fire.
It takes several hours to get a big one ready for firing but once its mechanism is started, under the capable handling of a trained crew, it works with the prettiness and precision of an engine. First the gun rolls forward on to an arrangement of curved tracks which are called "epies," and whose tips point toward the objective. Then, to steady the piece, twelve large wooden feet are dropped by hydraulic jacks against the rails, and the gun is ready to fire.
It fires, all right, sending a good ton of steel in the direction indicated by the aerial observer. When it recoils, the flat car and all slides back a good couple of yards on the rails. Then it is brought back into position again, the barrel is cooled by jets of water, the wooden feet are braced again, and the piece loaded. Even with all those operations, the big fellow can fire a good forty shots a minute.
But, though they can fire those forty per minute, each one takes a lot out of the big fellow's life. Unlike the guns of smaller calibre, they cannot be used over and over again. They are too powerful to be used in actual trench warfare, but let a fortress, or a mountain that has perversely got in the way of operations, loom up ahead, and down it goes! Also the big shells have been found exceedingly useful in knocking in the roofs of German tunnels underground, even those that are quarried out ninety feet under the surface.
All in all, the big fellow has a short life, but—if he's directed right—it's a mighty gay one.
——
A BULL IS DURHAM'S PRIDE.
——
A Durham, N. C., enthusiast recently telegraphed to United States Marine Corps headquarters in Washington:
"Terrier belonging to U.S. Marine kills huge rooster after battle royal in main thoroughfare. Indignant chicken fanciers witness affair and demand dog pay death penalty. Then they learn ill-fated rooster's name was 'Kaiser.' Result: Dog is now pride of Durham."
——
"HE MAY OVERHEAR IT!"
——
"Aw, he ain't a bad skipper—as skippers go!"
"Gee, though, that was some clip he run us at on the way up that hill! It pulled my cork all right, I'll tell the world!"
"Sat'day afternoon drill, too, eh? I wonder, is he goin' to work us all eight days o' the week?"
"Aw, lay off! Don't blame him! He gets hell from higher up if he don't work us, don't he? He ain't the boss!"
"Listen, guy! I wish you'd of worked for the cap'n I had to work for in the Philippines! This bird is tame alongside o' him!"
"He's a good skate, all right, when he's off duty. I was talkin' to the [top the other day, and he says—"]
"Sure, he's the real thing! Served two hitches in the ranks before he come up to where he is now!"
"Who? The cap'n? Say, bo, he's a regular guy, he is!"
TIFFANY & Co
25, Rue de la Paix and Place de l'Opéra
PARIS
LONDON, 221, Regent Street, W.
NEW YORK, Fifth Avenue and 37th Street
Exclusive
Styles
Special
Fittings
"Regulation
Pattern"
WALK-OVER
SHOE COMPANY
34 Boulevard des Italiens
19-21 Boul. des Capucines
Trade Mark
PARIS
NEW YORK LONDON
LYONS, 12 rue de la République
NAPLES, 215 Via Roma.
Sole Agent in France for
"ONYX" HOSIERY
All soldiers are welcome at the WALK-OVER Stores, where they can apply for any information, and where all possible services of any kind will be rendered free of charge.
BELLE
JARDINIÈRE
2, Rue du Pont-Neuf, PARIS
THE LARGEST OUTFITTERS in THE WORLD
French and Allied Military Uniforms
EVERY ARTICLE
for Officers and Mens' outfits and Equipments
——
Agents for BURBERRYS
——
Sole Branches: PARIS, 1, Place de Clichy, LYON, MARSEILLE
BORDEAUX, NANTES, NANCY, ANGERS
Self-measurement Cards, Catalogues and Patterns,
Post Free on application.
JOHN BAILLIE & CO.
1 Rue Auber, PARIS
(Opp. Ticket Office of Grand Opera.)
The Military Tailor
to United States Officers.
All Insignia, Sam Browne Belts, Trench
Coats. Large variety in stock.
UNIFORMS MADE TO ORDER IN 24 HOURS
"WORLD SERVICE."
AMERICAN EXPRESS CO.
11, Rue Scribe, PARIS.
BORDEAUX HAVRE MARSEILLES
3, Cours de Gourgue. 43, Quai d'Orléans. 9, Rue Beauvau.
GENERAL BANKING FACILITIES
FOR
AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES.
DEPOSIT AND SAVINGS ACCOUNTS OPENED.
PAY CHEQUES CASHED.
REGIMENTAL AND COMPANY ACCOUNTS.
REMITTANCES FORWARDED BY MAIL AND CABLE.
Travelers' Cheque — Drafts — Money Orders.
TRAFFIC DEPARTMENT.
Shipments of every description forwarded to all parts of the world.
TRAVEL DEPARTMENT.
Steamship and Railroad Tickets issued.
EASTER GIFTS.
Purchases including Gifts, Flowers, etc., for delivery in United States at Easter or other festivals and on anniversaries may be arranged through
AMERICAN EXPRESS CO.
ORDER AND COMMISSION DEPARTMENT.
[The COMPTOIR NATIONAL D'ESCOMPTE DE PARIS]
which Bank has branches throughout France are Correspondents for the American Express Company and will
accept remittances for payment through the American Express Company, also deposits for transfer
to Bank Accounts opened with American Express Co.