BLOWN UP--HOW IT FEELS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 22, 21 October 1918, Page 6

BLOWN UP--HOW IT FEELS

To be blown up by a shell is a quaint experience, but devoid of excitement. Things happen so quickly that there is no time for psychological gymnastics. Tho events of your early life refrain from flashing across your brain in a second— at least mine did—and there is no preliminary agony of mind: at the moment, too, 110 physical pain. You 6imply get what is coming to you, and invariably you get it with merciful dispatch. "Pop across and take over No. 10 Platoon," said the adjutant. "Magrath's a. casualty. Will you go now or wait a wee while?" ' i The Hun had just put down a Tjarrage on us. Between me and the Tenth Legion shells were dropping with disgusting frequency. Aiid Sergeant M'Enchern—my sergeant—ivas watching me -1)'"I'll go now," I said. I could have got there more quickly if I had trotted—sooner still if I had rim. But I was sure that sergeant of mino was still watching inc, still smiling grimly. Ho was a fine old sergeant, with ribbons on his breast and a twinkle in his eyes. I didn't havo any ribbons. It may /bo that I had a twinkle, perhaps even a smile. I hope so. t Anyway, I would show him. I .walked. About 50 yards was the distance I had accomplished. . . . The crescendo scream of the shell told me it was going to land somewhere near. It dropped 50 yards behind me. I glanced back and saw the cloud of black eriioke drifting with tho wind. "Poor old Jl'Eachern!" I said. "King's and Queen's South African, 1914 Star. Military Medal, D.C.M— but maybe lie's just wounded—a Elighty."

I sighed. ' This time the shell-scream sounded a little shriller. I wondered if it would drop in front of me or in rear. I woftdered if it had ray name on it. It had. A week later I woke up. A nurse was standing at my bed. "Feel all rtaht now?" she asked. I grinned. White sheets in a bed felt • gonr! to mo. "Drink this and tell me how it happened." "Something about a shell," I answered. "Went, into'the.eronnd vnder my feet, th»i-this. It's lovely tea." When she l< ad gone T rewrdH tlie Httlo onrd with the ponHlUd words. It faid, "Omn. Fr«c. Lott Tibia, Omp.. iPrnc. T,eft Tib., Rimp.l Frnc. J>ft Ulna, )>f(: Radius Concussion.-" Thnt meant T liad a brok°n he. ft broken arm. anr> n lina<Wii«.-Macdonald Watson, in the "Daily Mnil."