The White Road to Verdun by Kathleen Burke
page 13 of 56 (23%)
page 13 of 56 (23%)
|
Both animals had been the companions of the men whilst in the trenches, and they were bringing them home. A soldier standing near me commenced to grumble because he had not been able to bring his pet with him. I inquired why he had left it behind, since the others had brought theirs away with them, and elicited the information that "his pet was a cow, and therefore somewhat difficult to transport." He seemed rather hurt that I should laugh, and assured me it was "a noble animal, brown with white spots, and had given himself and his comrades two quarts of milk a day." He looked disdainfully at the cock and cat. "They could have left them behind and no one would have pinched them, whereas I know I'll never see 'Sarah' again--she was far too useful." Entering Vitry-le-François we had a splendid example of the typical "motto" of the French trooper, "Il ne faut pas s'en faire." One of the motor-cars had broken down, and the officer-occupants, who were evidently not on an urgent mission, had gone to sleep on the banks by the side of the road whilst the chauffeur was making the necessary repairs. We offered him assistance, but he was progressing quite well alone. Later on another officer related to me his experience when his car broke down at midnight some 20 km. from a village. The chauffeur was making slow headway with the repairs. The officer inquired whether he really understood the job, and received the reply, "Yes, mon lieutenant, I think I do; but I am rather a novice, as before the war I was a lion-tamer!" Apparently the gallant son of Gaul found it easier to tame lions than to repair motors. We left Vitry-le-François at 6 o'clock next morning, and started "the |
|