Book-bot.com - read famous books online for free

Uncle Sam's Boys with Pershing's Troops - Dick Prescott at Grips with the Boche by H. Irving (Harrie Irving) Hancock
page 42 of 227 (18%)

"When pursuing a retreating enemy one of the most effective thrusts
with the bayonet can be delivered right here. Learn to mark the
spot well."

Half-turning, the lieutenant pointed to the spot in the small
of his own back, before he went on, impressively:

"A bayonet thrust there will drive the blade through a kidney.
I will admit that that doesn't sound like sportsman-like fighting,
but unfortunately we're not to be employed against a really civilized
enemy in this war. Page, you will stand out. It isn't a popular
role to which I am going to assign you, but you will run slowly
past me and represent a fleeing enemy. Dobson, you will take
a blob-stick and chase Page, running just fast enough to overtake
him in front of me. Then you will give him the kidney thrust,
taking care to make your aim exact. Thrust with spirit, but do
not hit hard, even with the blob-stick, for Page is not a real
German."

Though the men were perspiring uncomfortably, their officer's
pleasant conversational way and his interesting talk kept the
interest of these young soldiers. Private Page stepped out and
took post where the lieutenant indicated, prepared to begin running
away at the word of command. Private Dobson picked up a blob-stick,
a long, wand-like affair intended to represent a rifle and bayonet,
the bayonet's point being represented by a padded ball such as
is seen on a bass drummer's stick.

"Go ahead, Page," commanded the lieutenant. "Kill him, Dobson!
DigitalOcean Referral Badge