going to go over the top with this regiment. I got sent way
over to this sector for special service. A fellow told me he
heard it was because I got a level head. I can't tell you where I
am, but this morning we're going to take a town. I didn't have to
go, 'cause I'm a non-com., but I volunteered. I don't know what
I'll have to do.

"I ain't exactly scared, but it kind of makes me think about home
and all like that. I often wished I'd meet Roscoe Bent over here.
Maybe he wrote to you. I bet everybody likes him wherever he is
over here. It's funny how I got to thinking about you last night.
I'll--there goes the bugle, so I can't write any more. Anyway,
you won't get it unless I'm killed. Maybe you won't like my
writing, but every fellow writes to a girl the last thing. It
seems kind of lonely if you can't write to a girl.

"Your friend,

"TOM SLADE."

CHAPTER SIX

OVER THE TOP

The first haze of dawn was not dispelled when the artillery began to
thunder and Tom knew that the big job was on. Stolid as he was and used
to the roar of the great guns, he made hasty work of his breakfast for
he was nervous and anxious to be on the move.

Most of the troops that were to go seemed to have gone already. He
joined the two signal corps men, one of whom carried the wire and the
other a telephone apparatus, and as they moved along the road other
signal corps men picked up the wire behind them at intervals, carrying
it along.

Tom was as proud of his machine as a general could be of his horse, and
he wheeled it along beside him, keeping pace with the slow advance of
his companions, his heart beating high.

"If you have to come back with any message, you'll remember
Headquarters, won't you?" one asked him.

"I always remember Headquarters," said Tom.

"And don't get rattled."

"I never get rattled."

"Watch the roads carefully as we go, so you can get back all right.
Noise don't bother you?"

"No, I'm used to artillery--I mean the noise," said Tom.

"You probably won't have much to do unless in an emergency. If Fritzie
cuts the wire or it should get tangled and we couldn't reach the airmen
quick enough you'd have to beat it back. There's two roads out of
Cantigny. Remember to take the south one. We're attacking on a mile
front. If you took----"

"If I have to come back," said Tom, "I'll come the same way. You needn't
worry."

His advisor felt