Precaution Trench leaves a memory of horror with all those who have frequented it—. There is such an accumulation of German and French corpses; all huddled together, that one feels a swelling of the heart if one remains for any length of time in this charnel-house——
But we have to put the trench in condition. With sweeps of the shovel human arms and legs are dismembered so that free passage may not be blocked. Legs and bodies are, above all, difficult to disentangle——
At night, when the earth breathes, our men faint occasionally, and it is necessary to give them menthol-alcohol on bits of sugar——
"Look, mon vieux, at that rotting breast——"
"It's possible a woman, dearly loved, has been tightly pressed against that breast there!"
"This man has been reported missing—he still wears his identification tag——"
"Perhaps they are waiting at home for him—they are always hoping, without doubt——"
"Him? Ough! he's shot to hell—but—what about her?"
YOU'RE A SLACKER! EPARGES.
December, 1915.