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' lOGOLEVITCH, HE SAID, " I AM VERY MUCH OBLIGED TO YOU FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT YOU HAVE GIVEN US "
THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL The Story of the Youngest Veteran of the IVar BY Corporal PAUL lOGOLEVITCH A Soldier in the Russian Jrmy at Tzvelve i ILLUSTRATED
The Young Russian Corporal
Copyright 1919, by Harper & Brothers Printed in the United States of America Published September, 1919 I-T
I. Who said slac er? i II. First blood 15 III. A LEAP IN THE DARK 37 IV. I CAPTURE A GENERAL 48 V. I JOIN THE "fighting THIRD DRAGOONS" .... 60 VI. Dead man's shoes 76 VII. Cold steel 97 VIII. Surrounded by Germans iii IX. On patrol 135 X. The battle of vSavendi i 157 XI. WhEELLESS wagons ANT5 FIRELESS GUNS .... l8l XII. A DISASTROUS FURLOUGH 203 XIII. Souvenirs 216 XIV. Two AGAINST TWENTY 233 XV. I MEET THE CZAR 245 XVI. Revolution 253 XVII. Across Siberia 276 XVIII. In the land of the free 285 XIX. Under the American eagle 307
ILLUSTRATIONS "IOGOLEVITCH" he said, "I AM VERY MUCH OBLIGED TO YOU FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT YOU HAVE GIVEN US." Frontispiece I SAW THE HORSE REAR HIGH IN THE AIR, AND THEN THE HUN THREW UP HIS HANDS CONVULSIVELY .... Page 32, 33 The next moment somebody's strong hand had grabbed me by the nec " 7 1 "What was the meaning of the three horses I noticed not far from here?" " 85 "You poor fiddler! Don't you now a dead man's
boots are the luc iest you can wear?" . . " 95 Before me was a huge German brandishing his gun " 105 At length we managed to get out of the open field and found shelter in the woods . . " 1 29 As I SNATCHED IT FROM THE TABLE I DETECTED A STRANGE MOVEMENT OF THE OTHER TABLE-CLOTH " I5I "Go UP-STAIRS AND WAIT UNTIL THE GERMANS COME!" I ORDERED " 171 "I AM A POOR BOY AND I WANT TO EARN SOME MONEY IN THE VILLAGE BY PLAYING MY VIOLIN'" , . . " 1 83 When I regained consciousness I was riding on a HORSE, strapped ACROSS HIS BACK, HEAD DOWNWARD " 201 When I came to my senses I was still lashed to THE post " 217 The weapon was just in my hand when the officer turned and found himself facing his own revolver " 224
ILLUSTRATIONS Captain Panunsev made a speech telling the men OF MY experiences AND ANNOUNCED THAT I WAS TO BE PRESENTED FOR A SECOND WAR CrOSS OF ST. George Page 235 I LEAPED IN FRONT OF THE RIFLES AND ORDERED THE MEN WHO WERE ADVANCING TOWARD THE DOOR TO STOP AND THROW UP THEIR HANDS " 239 A PATROL OF MOUNTED POLICE CAME GALLOPING DOWN THE STREET AND FIRED A VOLLEY OF SHOTS POINTBLANK INTO A CROWD ON A CORNER " 257 "You CALL ME A ROBBER, YOU RUSSIAN DOg!" HE SHOUTED, JUMPING AT ME AND SEIZING ME BY THE THROAT " 293 ''He seems TO WANT TO BLEED THE ReD CROSS, THAT's all — is that a crime in this count .y?" ... " 298 "Courage and bravery won't win a war without
ammunition to bac them up," i declared . . " 323
PUBLISHERS' NOTE When Paul logolevitch was wor ing on the manuscript presented in these pages he dined one evening with Mr. Godfrey M. Lebhar, of New Yor , who was helping him to put the boo into shape for publication. Paul didn't ta e any dessert. Some evenings later, when the two were again dining together, Paul again declined dessert. The idea of a boy consistently "passing up" dessert was unusual enough to prompt a question as to the reason. "I have not eaten sweetness since I was seven years old," the Russian boy explained, in his peculiar phraseology. "I was so fond of sweetness then that I thought it would be a good thing not to eat it. It taught me to say 'No' when I was strongly tempted to say 'Yes.' After a year or two I lost all desire for sweetness, and now I never eat it." The incident, unimportant in itself, is interesting because it reveals a phase of the boy's character which explains better than any other single factor how it was possible for him to have accomplished more at the age of seventeen than most of us even dream of achieving in a lifetime. The strength of will which he developed as a mere boy carried him
PUBLISHERS' NOTE safely over obstacles which would have stopped most of us. When the Great War bro e out Paul was well started on a musical career which promised to put him in the front ran of modern violinists. For the sa e of an ideal — to prove that a Russian boy of the Jewish faith was not afraid to fight for his country — Paul promptly decided to abandon his musical career and fight for Russia. Because of his youth and other handicaps he had a hard time getting into the army, but his determination and persistence won the day for him. The boy violinist became the boy cavalryman. During the two strenuous years which followed, his will-power and devotion to an ideal carried him triumphantly through many a hair-raising adventure.
but Paul had another vision. and to-day.When the war was over so far as Russia was concerned Paul made his way to America. Then some one told him that he could render greater service as a spea 'er in the campaign which the United States Shipping Board was waging to speed up war wor . and. In presenting the inspiring story of Paul logolevitch — the boy violinist. Lebhar. He started at once to master the English language. "I believe that Russia and America are the two greatest countries in the world. the boy soldier. I love my music. THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL . "and I have decided to devote the rest of my life to bringing them closer together. the boy idealist — the publishers wish to ac nowledge the assistance of Mr. His success as an orator was so pronounced that he was sent all over the country to arouse the patriotism of war wor ers. He was too young. the boy orator. above all. who helped him to prepare his manuscript for publication. there was no place for him in our army. PUBLISHERS' NOTE When the armistice was signed and his wartime activities were over. Godfrey M. and within two or three months had made such progress that he was able to address rough-andready American wor ing-men in their native tongue. the boy patriot. the obvious thing for Paul to have done would have been to have resumed his musical career. Despite his military record. he is in the Far East. at the age of seventeen. where he hoped to continue his fight for the Allied cause." he declared. engaged in establishing a branch ban for the organization he represents. but Paul could spea hardly a word of English. but 1 love my Russia more!" He at once obtained a position in the Foreign Department of one of America's most important ban ing institutions.
THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL every plan I had made. I should have said that about the last boy in all the world to be affected by a universal call to arms would be Paul logolevitch. From th^t time on. At any rate. Somebody had discovered when I was about foiu* years old that I had some musical talent. Secondly. who was a doctor in the Russian army. if it did I certainly never gave it a moment's serious consideration. I had played before the great Prof. every step I had ta en — almost every breath I had breathed — had been based upon the one thought that one day I was to be the world's greatest violinist! Thus. Leopold Auer. and my family had promptly decided that one more name— a very long and unwieldy name — • was to be added to the long list of great musicians that Russia had produced. and had impressed him to such an extent that I had been admitted as a student under the special care of his assistant. however. the idea that I might play an active part in it never occurred to me. . Professor Nalbandian. if any one had as ed nie. to demonstrate that whether or not I might ever turn out to be the world's greatest violinist. Indeed. It required only about four wee s after the Russian mobilization. I had a watchful father and a doting mother. everything I had done. no one could ever deny me the title of the world's poorest guesser. when my father. and perhaps principally. at the Conservatoire. a distance of nearly six thousand miles! We had been living at Harbin since the Russo-Japanese War. I was only a boy. when I was eight years old.WHO SAID SLACKER? WHEN the Great War bro e out. my family had moved all the way from Harbin. In the first place. in order that I might enter the Imperial Conservatoire at St. was stationed in that vicinity. Manchuria. Petersburg. Thirdly. I had a career. Certainly I did not imagine that a little thing li e the war would be allowed to interfere with the program that I had been following so religiously ever since my infancy.
Paul. Petersburg. you're only fifteen ! You couldn't if you wanted \o. On that day I was still at a small place in Finland where I had been spending my summer vacation. we'll be hard at it again. lived in the city. and that fact had made us close chums. One of the latter was Sammy Fin el. and. I suppose. I met him on the Nevs y Prospect — the Broadway of St. Outside of myself. " in a wee or two now. too. Sammy!" I retorted. and — " "That's a lie. you'll now one more before the wee is out!" And Sammy left me. 'Til find a way. having been given a commission as major in the medical corps of the Twentyfifth Tvers aia Drudgina. They won't ta e you. The new term at the Conservatoire didn't begin until August 20th. Paul!" he replied. Sammy. Paul — that we are refusing to fight for Russia. "Well. very positively. Petersburg — the day after I got to town. an infantry regiment stationed near Warsaw. have volunteered. "Why. and three days after I got bac my father left for the front. besides—" THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL "That's all right." interiiipted Sammy. I'm going to enlist!" "Enlist!" I repeated.1914. after we had exchanged vacation experiences. "I don't mind telHng you that the Conservatoire has seen the last of me. I started for St. of course. but some. my cousins. and I now lots of other fellows who — " "Well. Petersburg at once. amazedly. he was perhaps the youngest of the three thousand students at the Conservatoire. Did you see in the papers where the government doesn't expect much help from the Jews? Did you read where it said the Jews are slac ers. "My father didn't hesitate a moment." I said. eh?" "Not me. with a loo of determination on his face that was quite un- .Ml WHO SAID SLACKER? The Russian mobilization began July 31. Most of the students lived out of town and had not yet come to St.
I loved Russia with all the patriotic ardor that a boy can feel for his country. whose hearts are as big as their country and whose minds are as simple and as guileless as their winter snows. or west — that I had not visited in connection with my concert wor . because of my father's education and professional position. and at twelve I had played in all the capitals of Europe. and I loved the Russian people. had been on a concert tour all through Russia and Siberia before I was eleven. there was hardly a section of the country — north. I started to play at concerts when I was nine. Refuse to fight for Russia 1 That night and the following day I read the newspapers closely. Besides that. where I was born. on La e Bai al. Refusing to fight for Russia! As for myself. south. east. — and Russia is nearly three times as big. at Harbin. just as Sammy had said. Sure enough. and in the capital city of St. her gushing oil-fields. however. her endless forests. but I loved her just as she was. I had seen much more of it than the average Russian boy — more of it than the average American boy sees of the United States . Petersburg. and her lofty mountains. of course. our own family had always enjoyed privileges which were denied others of our race — but surely this was no time to throw our grievances in Russia's face. in the Far East. I loved Russia's mighty rivers. I new that in some respects Russia was far behind some of the other countries I had visited. Manchuria. that Russia had treated our people shamefully in the past— although.mista able. I decided to call on Sammy and tal it all l5) ." I new. I ran across a paragraph here and an editorial there which pointedly questioned the patriotism of Russian Jews. and it made the blood rush to my chee s to read it. her fertile plains. As I turned bac home I could not help thin ing of Sammy's words: "The Jews are slac ers" — "refusing to fight for Russia. her teeming mines. her bounding orchards. The more I had seen of other countries and peoples the more I had come to love my own. | WHO SAID SLACKER? had lived in central Siberia — at Verchne Udins .
but.THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL over with him. On my way. what do we care what the papers say? Haven't they always attac ed us? If it isn't one thing it's another. I passed a shorni punct — a m. This incident only served to emphasize the newspapers were printing. "I wouldn't worry about it at all. and. "We're too young to get into this. and he had a pretty level head. During the days that . anyway. intelligent-loo ing fellow." he said. of course. besides. or peasant. WHO SAID SLACKER? I tal ed the matter over with my brother Boris. He was a big. stepping up to him and then. as he turned and swung at me. type. "I can tell you the Huns would be in St. it is only natural that they should cast slurs at our patriotism. and who now too off his cap and waved it. There was quite a crowd of men and women gathered outside. Paul. and. listening to the spea er. it was. \o\ what not be duty. he was not of the usual muzhi . reassuringly. "Luc y for Russia she doesn't depend upon the Jews to defend her!" he was saying as I approached. and in the center of one Httle group was a Russian cavalryman in full uniform. It might true that the Jews were shir ing their at any rate. He was two years older than I. hul ing fellow in civilian clothes who had stood with open mouth. I could not help thin ing what a bad time Germany was going to have if our army of eight million men included many li e this powerful trooper. Forget it!" I couldiit forget it.obiHzation center. blond. Petersburg by this time if we had to depend on those slac ers!" "You're right. "It's a wonder you wouldn't do some fighting yourself!" I cried. everybody seemed to thin and that was bad enough. you're quite right!" agreed a big. while only a private. darting quic ly out of his reach. soldier. and now.
Still others were planning to leave within a wee or two. to pic up the scattered sheets I apologized to him. but soon my thoughts wandered to Sammy. I was just picturing him in a trench with shrapnel exploding all around him when bang! crash! — something exploded right at my elbow. of course. bC' THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL cause of the distraction of the times. I just could not eep my thoughts on my wor . but there were hmits to their patience. shamefacedly. Every one was tal ing about the war. and who I figured must have carried out his intention to enlist. he had arisen from his chair. It was the professor! Without any preliminary warning. No matter how hard I tried. Others came in uniform — just to say good-by before joining their regiments.followed I thought of it more and more. but he was too angry to notice me and bec oned for . grabbed the music I was supposed to be reading. I started off all right. Other students were in the studio awaiting their turn. Many of our students didn't show up. "If you can't follow the music on the violin. The teachers made allowances. One afternoon I was playing for Professor Nalbandian. and thrown it angrily out of the door. the music-stand crashing to the floor at the same time. Then the Conservatoire opened and I went to report. When I went out I overheard conversations among people in the streets and between passengers in the street-cars. and when I stayed home I read the same false insinuations in the papers. Never in the course of my musical studies had I made a worse showing than I did those first few days of the term. who had failed to show up. It was just his polite way of saying to inattentive students. Reports of the successful invasion of East Prussia by our troops had come in and filled us all with enthusiasm. and peering through the glass partition which formed one of the walls of the room were still others who usually assembled when one of the big professors was giving instruction. follow it on your hands and nees!" As I stooped.
and I felt very much ashamed of myself as I made my way out of the studio. and I new what it was. Boris.the next student to ta e my place at the musig- WHO SAID SLACKER? stand. ''Why don't you enlist. There was only one thing for me to do. for the present. It was useless for me to attempt to continue my wor when other things. during many a long and lonely vigil in the dar est of Russian . I started the subject again. satirically. was over. "why. but this was the first time I had given him cause to treat me in that manner. Boris?" I as ed. "Me enlist?" he repeated. This incident acted upon me as a dash of cold water upon the face of a fainting person. Paul. "Me? I would in a minute. you're going to give it all up? You a I9] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL soldier! Why. they won't ta e you. aren't you. if you tell them how old you are. you're as old as Sammy Fin el. and I got into bed without another word. and you now it!" The latter charge was so near the truth that I had no answer to ma e. It brought me to my senses. which now seemed to me of far greater importance. and he's gone? Of course. Ever since I had been an infant I had been afraid to sleep alone." "Well. you must be crazy! After all the time you've devoted to your musical education and everything. at any rate. In the days that were to come. That night. and you now it. Instantly I saw that my musical career. I'm going to try it myself!" " Yoii. Paul!" he answered. but you don't have to tell them all you now. I had seen the professor act in this way with other students. were uppermost in my mind. if they put you on sentrygo they'd have to send some one with you to hold your hand — you're even afraid to sleep alone. only I'm too young. when Boris and I were getting ready for bed. which the accompanist had replaced.
The next morning I had a serious tal with my mother. Pavli ? A lot of muzhi s who can neither read nor write. it wasn't necessary. I told her I realized what a lot I would be sacrificing if I left the Conservatoire. "We've got to correct that notion. but not least — my career! I argued and coaxed and fumed. I was entirely too young. with German snipers all around me. and I wanted her consent. "It is out of the question. and last." and I told her of the Russian cavalryman whom I had heard spea ing at the shorni punct. My mother was not easily startled. I'll wire your father. and a lot of chinovni i [petty officials]." "Well. who thin that the easiest way to earn promotion is to vent their spleen on the Jews and the peasant classes!" "No. and that." I pointed out. Russia didn't need boys. and the only way those of us who are not called can do it is to volunteer. I told her I wanted to get into the fight for Russia. She would not give it a moment's consideration. You might as well give up the idea now once and for all." "Every one is saying that the Jews are trying [lo] WHO SAID SLACKER? to get out of fighting. as Russia had all the soldiers she needed. Pavli ." she finally agreed.nights. mother. "When they are called to the colors." she answered. because the world could never have too many great . finally. but I felt that I would be sacrificing more if I stayed. "but I can tell you now it will be useless. It did no good." In due course word came bac that in my father's opinion I would ma e a far better violinist than I ever could hope to be a soldier. "No. I've heard it from others — intelligent people. I had better stic to the Conservatoire. I sometimes recalled this conversation with Boris — but that's getting ahead of my story. and that's what I want to do. mother. they try to get positions that will eep them out of the firingline. It loo s — " "Who's saying it. but this entirely unexpected suggestion from me nearly too her off her feet.
Boris decided that he was through." he whispered. "Paul. and I told my mother that if she didn't help me to get into the army somehow I would do something [12] WHO SAID SLACKER? desperate. a couple of gendarmes entered. Suffice it to say. and got away all right. and this time. We had only a few hours. [ii] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL We went up to our room. Let's go!" I could hardly believe my ears.violinists. we bought some uniforms. pic ed us out without hesitation. and. for she wired my father again. She must have seen I was in earnest. after as ing us a few questions. pac ed them into a bundle. and at last I got him almost as enthusiastic as I was myself. I did not let the matter rest there. I shall not go into that adventure at length because I have so many more to relate that wor ed out more successfully. This one proved a fizzle. much to my surprise. A hasty wire to the authorities was all that had been necessary to nip our flight in the bud. Day after day I tal ed it all over with Boris. The thing for us to do is to enHst. sent us bac home! We found out then that the fellow who had sold us the uniforms had afterward become scared and had called up my mother. but I became more determined than ever. as we soon decided to ta e the train that very night for Warsaw — a distance of some fifteen hundred miles and a three-day journey. At once we began our preparations. One day he came into the house and told me he had a big surprise for me. and we were able to get our railway tic ets without much difficulty. she got the following answer : . "I've decided you're right. but after we had traveled all night the train stopped at one of the important stations.
— Major Iogolevitch. and my doubts were materially increased when. a white Persianlamb fur hat. as the regular army clothing issued at camp was miles too big. We'll give him a taste of war and see how he H es it. riding-breeches — with leather on the insides of the legs — high leather boots lined with fur. were all too long. It made my eyes swim. while my father and I went on to 2 [13] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL camp. and so I went to war with my mother in one hand and my violin in the other! Little did I thin then what an important part a violin might play on occasion even in actual warfare. They came to an end at last and my mother returned to St. "What's the idea?" I protested. my mother insisted that I ta e my violin with me. "Am I going to war or is it a concert tour?" I was so glad to be on my way to Warsaw without fear of being stopped and sent home. When we got to Warsaw my father disclosed that he had obtained permission from the Commander-in-chief of the Russian army for me to wear the uniform of a Russian soldier and to act as mounted messenger under his protection! My joy new no bounds. and a Sam Browne belt from which hung a Lady Browning revolver and a small sword! Besides this I was provided with a carbine. On the way my father explained that the only reason he had as ed me to bring my violin was that I might provide amusement for his fellow-officers. and the three days that followed. that I did not press my objections. or short cavalry rifle of the regulation type. the new mounted messenger of the Twenty-fifth Tvers aia Drudgina must have loo ed li e the Czar of all the . in whose company I was to spend much time. I didn't now exactly how to interpret this. on the day of our departure. however. I was glad of it when I saw the outfit my father had ordered.Bring Paul to me at once. I had to have a uniform made specially for me. Petersburg. Attired in his full uniform. which were spent in sight-seeing in Warsaw. There was a green coat.
I wanted to be treated li e any other soldier. I could not help regretting that there was no prospect of attac by hostile patrols and that I would have no chance to show how bitterly I would fight if the occasion arose. I was only a messenger. and about the only danger that could come to the pac et which I had carefully placed in my inside poc et was that I might lose it. Things were so unsatisfactory to me in this respect that I spo e to my father about it. father. the colonel's orderly handed me a pac et to be carried to the brigade headquarters at Warsaw." During the first wee I was given very little to do — in fact. because of the position my father occupied. however. Indeed. "you haven't done me any favor. "If you have tried to ma e things easy for me. to which I was attached as mounted messenger. as I trotted along the muchtraveled road between the camp and the city. II FIRST BLOOD 'T'HE camp of the Twenty-fifth Tvers aia ■*■ Drudgina. Of this much I'm sure — he certainly felt li e it. did not treat me as I would have preferred to be treated and as would have been more befitting the lowly ran I occupied. At any rate. We were too far from the front for any such adventure." and "Tvers aia. and the men. ." I said. It was a regiment of infantry reserves from the town of Tver — "Drudgina" meaning "regiment. the ofBcers refused to ta e me seriously." [15] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL He insisted that no special favors had been as ed for me. I felt that perhaps my misgivings had been unwarranted. I jumped on my horse and started off for Warsaw as proud as if I had been intrusted with a mission of life-and-death importance. and when. was about five miles from Warsaw. I didn't want to be treated li e an officer.Russias himself." "of Tver. that same afternoon.
" I interrupted. As in him one regiment. " I'm supposed to see that no one steals you!" I was so angry at the thought that my father had evidently felt it necessary to have me "chaperoned" that I dug my spurs into my horse's side and galloped off as fast as I could. I had gone hoofs of a little. the traffic became so thic and there were so many children in the streets that I was forced to slow down and I was afraid I would be overta en. Ivanoff. As I came to the outs irts of Warsaw. my "escort" encoimtered the same difficulties.and to ma e sure that it was still secure I ept slapping the breast of my coat as I jogged along. and he felt perhaps as important as I did." I said. "I will hand them to his Excellence myself!" The orderly eyed me carefully from head to foot and then from foot to head — he did not [17] ." he repHed. "Very well. hand them over. as he came abreast of me. but. fortunately. to the orderly on duty at headquarters. nothing." And Ii6j FIRST BLOOD then. and I slowed up a the rider approached I recognized of the cavalrymen attached to the "Well. The orderly happened to be only a yoimg fellow himself. I new how to ride — ^my brother and I had each owned a pony when we were ids in Harbin — and before my "escort" had time to reaUze what had happened I was half a mile ahead of him. too. "I suppose you're headed for Warsaw. and — " "Hand them over. "I have here" — ^indicating my breast poc et — "important papers from the Twenty-fifth Tvers aia Drudgina for his Excellence the brigadiergeneral. and when I reached brigade headquarters I was alone. importantly." I declared. he added. " That's the idea. eh?" " Yes. about two miles when I heard the horse behind me. somewhat sul ily.
you see. Half an hour passed. "Well. "but. orderly could hardly could hardly eep my smiled at me so much help blurting out: [i8] during which time the eep his eyes off me and I hands off him. He that finally I could not FIRST BLOOD "You seem to be having plenty of fun in here. What might have happened to him — or to me — I don't now. "The general's very sorry that he can't come out to see you." he said. nitted his eyebrows. and then I handed the general the pac et. and he's already covered that for to-day." I glared at him to show that I new he was ma ing fun of me. for just then the door opened and the general himself came out. and ordered me to accompany him to his machine. He tore it open. As I entered I came sharply to attention. if you'll sit down a moment I'll let the general now right away that you are ready to receive him and he'll come right out!" — and he saluted me in anything but a military manner and bac ed himself into an adjoining room. and then told me to wait outside again in the antechamber.THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL have far to go in either direction — and. clad in his greatcoat. but if you will be good enough to follow me he will see you inside. he's allowed to wal only a certain distance each day. became very sarcastic. clic ing my heels together and saluting. . not seeing any particular insignia about me to indicate superior ran . but followed him into the general's room. but if you'll come outside for a minute I'll show you something funnier." and that made him laugh outright. I had been sitting in the antechamber about five minutes when he reappeared. Then I got mad and started toward him. read the contents hastily.
logolevitch. When the general referred to me as the "rising young violinist" I assumed that he must have heard of me in connection with my concert wor . "to the papers I brought you yesterday?" ' ' Papers? " he repeated. three young officers. "to be my guest. on account of possible air-raids. and the host and hostess. but my amazement increased when. vaguely. his lower jaw dropped." I don't now who was the more surprised. * ' What papers do you refer to. But I was almost equally amazed. There were about ten in all." he said. supporting the weight of his body on his bent fists. an instrument being provided for me. including two very handsome young ladies. In the morning the general directed me to return to camp. After supper I was as ed to play the violin. there was little to distinguish this from an ordinary gathering in peacetimes. at the house where the general was stopping. The performance lasted until after midnight. but as I saluted and turned to follow the general out of the room I got a glimpse of the most astounded young man I had ever seen in my life. How did the general now my name ? Why was he ta ing a mere mounted messenger as a guest to his home? I as ed no questions. and I let it go at that. the pac et from the Twenty-fifth . and one of the young ladies accompanied me on the piano." I ventured. "Is there no answer."You are going home with me. I or the orderly. Apart from the fact that it was necessary to eep the shades entirely drawn down so as not to let any light into the street. he introduced me on terms of [19] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL social equality to the rest of the party. and his eyes fairly popped out of his head. logolevitch? " "Why. and when he heard me addressed by name and invited to the general's home he just fell forward. your Excellence. He had been standing against a fiat-top des when the general came out.
the sooner I now it the better!" My father assured me that more important wor lay ahead of me and cautioned me not to be too impatient. "That was merely a letter of introduction from your father telling me that you could play the violin and would be pleased to amuse us!" [20] FIRST BLOOD A letter of introduction! I don't now whether the general noticed my disappointment or not. when I saw my father. "If I thought I got into the army just to amuse the officers. That wasn't what I gave up my career for! I want to do real army wor . "I would get out of it just as soon as I could." "Oh." I declared. By this time I had been detailed as personal messenger to Colonel Yannaw. It was pitch-dar when we too the road. We started early in the morning.Tvers aia Drudgina. From that time on I did receive more important assignments. angrily. that. The hospital unit^ A my father was connected. brought ^ar. and then our regiment and the hospital force were ordered nearer to the front lines. and if I am not going to be allowed to. I don't thin I slept a win the night before we were to start — I was so excited at the prospect of getting into action." he replied. . abovit three o'cloc . This continued for about two months. the commander of the regiment. and I rode right behind him at the [21] GNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL /entire regiment. but I was quite sure my father should now the state of my feelings when I saw him. indifferently. the officers beginning to send me on errands of a military character as soon as I learned my way about.
but I was determined to let none escape me. . hunger. At last. I only. one has to expect privations in the army. Girls in the woods. I didn't even notice that we got no breaKfast. the blac bread. As the hours wore on. two villages. could be more ridiculous than such lines as these: Three hamlets. because the songs the Russian soldiers sing have the most mournful airs imaginable and the words are seldom more than childish nonsense. Mine were to come in full measivre later. After all.as very cold. and with our stomachs well lined we were in much brighter spirits. he would never have guessed how light-hearted we really felt. but I didn't notice it at 1. Girls out of the woods. for instance. I go with them. if a foreigner had heard us singing as we swung along the snow-bound roads. I go with them. or veal I had tasted in all my life before. [22] FIRST BLOOD What. I heard an occasional complaint among the men. We soon resumed the march. although. and the veal were all infinitely better than any asha. there go I. and the asha (cornmeal). get out otu' itchen. fatigue. Eight girls. and eat dinner. and cold formed a combination which began to ma e itself felt. Never before had borsch (Russian soup) tasted so good to me. Where the girls go. early in the afternoon we received orders to rest. however. blac bread. and up to that time I had nown none. I argued to myself.
Volga. Russian river. Fil a. to commend it. His prize aroused more jealousy than enthusiasm among his savage followers. To retain the loyalty of his followers he resolves to sacrifice his prize. thou jo er. Sten a went on a maraudmg exploit down the river Volga. which we never got tired of singing. There I was directed by the colonel to find quarters for the staff. The Don Cossac leader smells mutiny. sing and prance!" There is no response. for that reason. sing your loudest To her beauty. Swallow now this living present From a liberal Cossac giver!* And so we marched along. In fact. perhaps. dance! Come now. the Russian Robin Hood. But there was another song. native mother. a Don Cossac brigand of days gone by who had robbed the rich to feed the poor and whose memory. And yet there was no military song which was heard more frequently wherever Russian soldiers congregated. an old racingstable formerly maintained by the Russian ban er Berson being requisitioned for the purpose. As the song goes. A loo of dismay comes over his featiu-es and he decides that his revelry has gone far enough." It told the story of Sten a Reizin. brothers. It was "Sten a Reizin. they soon showed very clearly that they didn't intend to play second fiddle to their leader's beautiful captive. which I did after considerable difficulty. Volga. until we came to Ulinec. and among the loot he brought bac with him was a beautiful Persian princess. had ever since been cherished by the downtrodden muzhi s. and he seizes his Persian beauty and throws her bodily into the river! "Volga. . singing. Volga.We converse. and which had more. [23] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL Blac loo s and ugly mutterings greeted Sten a's command: "Why are you devils so downhearted? Dance.
under a young officer." the officer demanded. and. the colonel continually consulting a map and telling me to watch our course carefully. We rode for an hour through the forest. There were hundreds of them quartered in the trenches. siu-e enough." On the way bac to Ulinec I made a second effort to observe the landmar s. as you may thin . At the appointed time I reported at the colonel's quarters. We finally came to a clearing. to the reserve trenches." the colonel pointed out. when I was given a map and told to conduct one of our detachments. "The men here are not wasting their time. absolutely sure. The place seemed to me to be entirely uninhabited. going through various openings in barbed-wire fences. what appeared to be a dead plain was veritably alive with men. . that I new the way. as I approached near enough to see. because the whole terrain in front of us is laid out li e a chec er-board and every day's calculations and gun-practice enable us more effectively to control each particular square. I felt sure. "The more time our men can spend here the more valuable this reserve line becomes. It wasn't until we had been traveling about twice as long as the march ought to have ta en that I realized that we were lost! "Give me that map. leading his horse by the reins. where we left our horses and went wal ing around the hills. but the colonel explained to me that right behind the fences were our reserve trenches. He appeared promptly and ordered me to follow him. as it would be necessary for me the next day to guide one of the companies of our regiment over the same route. and the next [25] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL day.We had been at Ulinec about a wee when I was ordered by the colonel to get a rifle and two hundred bullets from the quartermaster [24] FIRST BLOOD and be ready at three o'cloc to start on a joiirney.
It was bitterly cold down there in the officers' dugout where I was quartered. we finally struc the right path and eventually landed at our destination — about five hours late! For the delay caused by my misdirection I was severely reprimanded by the commander in charge of the reserve trenches. Then came word that the Germans were ma ing a second big drive on Warsaw. determined that no such misfortune should ever occur again if I could help it. My father did not want to leave me at Ulinec. and he was less inclined to ta e me with him.angrily. and our medical unit was ordered to. I was again intrusted with missions to the reserve trenches. You'll have us bac in Warsaw if we leave it to you much longer!" I had no answer and handed the map over to the officer. After studying it for several minutes and starting off once or twice in the wrong direction. I lived in the trenches for about a month. seeing my confusion. but it certainly was cold. little occurred during the next four wee s to disturb the regular routine into which my life had fallen. and the fire we built made little impression on the cold winds that invaded our quarters. "We're about two hours late already. For the next few days. While it I26J FIRST BLOOD was well beyond the danger zone. it gave me a taste of military life in the open and hardened me considerably. There was no door to the place. and soon I was attached to the trench command as messenger. where it was badly needed. As I became more familiar with the map. although in most cases the Him machines were far beyond the range of my weapons. and so he suggested . and that gave me a chance to practise pistoland carbine-shooting. every hour I had to myself I spent in the saddle familiarizing myself with the roads. German airplanes flew over us almost daily. Outside of an occasional shell from a German long-range gun. The experience was a valuable one. the front lines. The place was lined with firtree branches and it had a wonderfully pleasant aroma.
Sitting In a slow-moving motor-car with shrapnel bursting all around you has little to commend it. A big grenade struc fifty yards from our car. Suddenly German shrapnel began to burst above us and we realized that the enemy was nearer than we had imagined. "and you want me to quit! I now the roads now: I might be a real help to your contingent on its way to the front." I complained. and if you don't turn bac you'll pretty quic find out why!" [28] FIRST BLOOD According to another soldier we hailed." our chauffeur declared to one of the soldiers who was passing our car. I was scared stiff. . We had not gone far. We started in a motor-car for Blonie and arrived there without incident. "but we were told to evacuate it.that I be transferred to Warsaw." was the answer. on the Bzura River. and the thin blac column of smo e that rose from the ground loo ed li e a geyser. From there our plan was to ma e Sochaczef . It was no fun. I want to go with you!" [27I THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL After considerable argument. our troops were still in possession of Sochaczef. "Here is a real opportunity for me to serve. but I ept my mouth shut and tried not to show how scared I really was. when we encountered increasing numbers of retiring Russian soldiers and transports. and his request was granted. "I thought our troops were still in possession of Sochaczef. My father as ed the colonel to transfer me to the medical imit as my father's body-guard and guide. isn't it?" "Yes. however. I refused to go. "That's eighteen miles from here. The roads became so congested that we could ma e little headway. that was the way it was arranged. and he was at a loss to account for the shrapnel and the retreating soldiers.
lifted out the wounded doctors and carried them to a Red Cross ambulance which was trying to worm its way through the retiring soldiers. summoning help. The physician next to him was also wounded. I thought. the chauffeur. I shouted at them. The blood had oozed through my coat and was freezing on me. Then I suggested that my father. In trying to turn the car he got stuc in the ditch. and while he was struggling with his steering-wheel a shell burst right above us and showered us with pieces of steel. For five miles we continued through the woods in the direction of Warsaw. My father was apparently untouched. and when my father finally noticed . As for myself.We decided to proceed until we could get an intelligent idea of the exact situation. Then I became aware of a sharp pain in my shoulder. his right arm having been almost severed at the elbow by a piece of flying shell. as I did not want to alarm my father. but we had gone only about five miles more when the fire became so intense that we instructed the chauffeur to turn bac without further delay. All the time I was trying to conceal my wound from my father. who had grasped it with his wheel. a piece of shrapnel which had penetrated the flesh just above the collar-bone 3 [29] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL fell to the floor of the car. his head covered with blood. I finally made myself heard and brought them to. and then I saw one of the physicians who had been sitting in the bac of the car throw up his hands and fall forward. but suffered from the shoc . and his grip was so tight that my wrist was bleeding. I was untouched. but was bleeding freely. and. and I try to ma e our way through the woods and thereby get more quic ly out of range of the German shells which were again beginning to bvirst all around us. the German shelling abating for a moment. We decided to abandon the car and. tearing open my coat to examine it. I closed my coat quic ly. I turned quic ly to see whether my father had been hit. My father and the chauffeur seemed to be stunned. and. It was not a verydeep wound. My left hand was clutched in the hand of the chauffeur.
Suddenly I heard rifle-shots.it I said it came from the wounded doctors. and the soldiers we met informed us that the German drive had been definitely stopped. Almost simultaneously the chauffeur started blazing away. but I don't now what at — the German patrol was gone! All that was left was a prancing horse. Before we could ma e up our minds what to do the Germans were upon us. and then the Hun threw up his hands convulsively. and then he shoo the chauffeur's hand and told him that his presence of mind would be promptly reported to the commander of the outfit. I saw the horse rear high in the air. "There's a German cavalry patrol not a mile behind us!" they shouted. [30] FIRST BLOOD In my hand was my father's revolver. striving frantically to free itself from the reins which had become entangled around its legs and were still held in the deathly grip of its former rider. but my father clasped me to his breast and said some nice things to me. The leading German was not twenty feet from us and had raised his saber. their horses having freed themselves and galloped away. I fired the remaining shots in my gun. when bang! bang! I had fired two shots in quic succession. The next moment his body was hanging lifeless from the saddle. Finally we got on to the main road again. The whole thing happened so quic ly that I had not had a real chance to get frightened. and two other Germans who lay quite still among the trees. When we got bac to Ulinec I had one of the [31] f ! . and almost simultaneously two Russian cavalrymen darted by us and told us to hide as quic ly as we could. and the second and third men fell.
which made it smart unbearably. AND THEN THE HUN THREW UP HIS HANDS CONVULSIVEUY THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL men fix up my shoulder. he explained. who had to inspect the medical department there. He had stopped the flow of blood by binding his belt around the arm. where. and I turned in as soon as I could get away from the rest of the fellows. as ed him what it was he wanted. noticing him. I had been ta en by my father. determined not to utter a whimper. His coat was thrown over his shoulders. For an answer he threw off the coat which enveloped his shoulders and laid down on the [34] FIRST BLOOD table in front of the doctors his severed left arm! It had been cut off just below the elbow by a train. as a id of seven. My father was siunmoned and examined it and then he painted it all around with iodine. I bit my lips. who made me tell over and over again all about the fight we had had. when I noticed a soldier wal in and stand outside the group. In the morning my shoulder had swollen so much that my shirt wouldn't close. waiting for my father to get through with a group of officers who were all going over some records. and I could conceal my wound no longer. He must have stood patiently there for a minute and a half before my father happened to turn around and. and perhaps I was helped in that by a recollection which came to me then of an incident I had witnessed at a military post at Handow-hadze.SAW THE HORSE REAR HIGH IN THE AIR. and I noticed blood on his boots. near Harbin. his face was haggard. but he did not seem to be injured. Despite all the anguish he must have . I was hanging around the place.
glaring head-lines declared: RUSSIA'S YOUNGEST HERO A JEW! . was my picture. I had been in the army less than six months. My father pointed out that he himself had been put temporarily on the reserve list on account of the shell-shoc he had sustained. and as the order under which I had been admitted into the army provided specifically that I could serve only with my father. There. my father and I. Before I left the colonel shoo my hand and told me that he was presenting my name for a decoration for bravery and selfcontrol. there was nothing more to be done. he had calmly and quietly w^andered into the doctor's office and waited patiently with his uncanny burden until my father had happened to give him attention ! What was my suffering compared with that? I as ed myself. on the front page. I was sent to the hospital and they ept me there a wee . This was the beginning of February. above it. As we traveled bac to Petrograd. 191 5. We stayed there two days. and. What had I accomplished for Russia? How had my humble participation in the war helped in even the slightest degree to remove the slurs which had been cast at Jewish patriotism? A copy of a Petrograd newspaper which the newsboys brought into the train at Vilna gave me the answer. and it made it easier for me to bear the pain. Before we left I received a paper stating that I had been pro[35] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL moted to the ran of corporal and that I was honorably discharged from the army on account of my wound. I wondered whether the sacrifice I had made in giving up my musical career had really been worth while. and then I received the unwelcome tidings that I was to be sent home! There was no use rebelling this time.been suffering and the shoc his system must have sustained. The next day we started for Warsaw. Nevertheless.
" ''Here!" I repeated. and several times ris ed his life in No Man's Land in efforts to save his comrades. or I am sure he would have been one of the first to have volunteered. As I was leaving I ran into a fellow named Gavril Kapustin. Gavril himself was so near-sighted that he was quite inehgible.In those early days of the war wounded soldiers returned from the front were more or less a novelty. lunches. pointing in the direction of the Conservatoire infirmary. I suppose. "Lose his nerve! I should say not! He was one of the bravest in his regiment.Ill A LEAP IN THE DARK TT too us three days to get bac to Petrograd. ''Has any one heard from Sammy Fin el?" I as ed. They say he feared nothing. if you want to. He's here. and we got tal ing about some [37] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL of the boys who had gone to the front. I attended more parties. '. and receptions that first wee after our return than I had been to in any six months before. and what tic led my vanity more than anything else. One night. "Why. "What on earth is he doing at the Conservatoire? Did he lose his nerve?" "No! No! He's over there!" Gavril replied." As soon as I could get away from my family long enough I spent a day at the Conservatoire visiting my professors and former fellowstudents. while on duty in the trenches. dinners. you can hear from him yourself. Paul. his feet were so badly frost-bitten that they had to be amputated — . sadly. and the welcome my father and I received upon our arrival home was so vigorous that it too us off our feet. was the fact that the girls I new seemed to thin a whole lot more of me in uniform than they ever did when I was just "the boy violinist. I began to thin that I was about the most important boy in Petrograd.
On his breast was a medal. as I wheeled him bac to the infirmary. my father was ordered to Vitebs . I couldn't say a word. and after wandering around a bit I met him.and so you'll find him over there" — again pointing to the infirmary. "no one has had enough of fighting in a time H e this as long as he is still able to fight some more. but there they told me that Sammy was wheeling himself around the par in a wheelchair. poor fellow! The tears came to my eyes and a big lump came up in my throat as I recognized him coming toward me. Paul!" he greeted. which I did. that's all!" I promised to see Sammy again very soon. ''Hello. Paul. but before he went he advised me to give up any notion I might have [39] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL . but Sammy was less affected. "He will be glad to see you." he declared. "What brings you bac ?" And then we went fully into all the experiences we had had. cheerily. As long as a fellow can fight and his country needs him and everything. He [38] A LEAP IN THE DARK loo ed very pale and run-down and that made his blac eyes flash even more brightly than they were accustomed to do. and Sammy's story made all my adventures seem li e child's play. "You're a luc y fellow. Poor. I thin he ought to drop everything else and fight! I just wish I could go bac . turning around in his chair and sha ing his finger in front of his face vehemently as he spo e . as head of the medical examining board there." I lost no time in getting across the campus to the infirmary. Paul. I'm all through!" "But my father insists that I have had enough of fighting and — " "Don't you believe it!" interrupted Sammy. "you've got another chance. In the mean while.
I discarded my uniform. our victorious campaign in the Carpathians. It hung on a ribbon of orange and blac . but she would do nothing to help me get into the army again. and it bore the inscription.of getting bac into the army and to go bac to the Conservatoire instead. although it was much against my personal inclination. the colors of the Order of St. and so I decided to try it on my own account.suffering were due to the treachery of Jews in the ran s who were betraying their comrades. I found it almost impossible to ma e any headway — having neither a viniform nor special permission to cross the trac s. As I hung around the trac s. only a few wee s. . Again the newspapers began to belittle the part the Jews were playing in the war. My [40] A LEAP IN THE DARK mother new what was in my mind. George. After our tremendous successes in Galicia. and our second invasion of East Prussia. Indeed. At the Warsaw station in Petrograd. the Hun lines had stiffened. our capture of the fortress of Przemysl. and went bac to the Conservatoire. In April came word that the Russian forces were suffering reverses. and the fact that I now ran ed as a corporal were factors in my favor. donned civilian clothes. Within a wee or two I received through the provost-marshal in Petrograd a medal which had been awarded me by the Empress of Russia. and now the Huns were sweeping our armies before them as easily as we had dispersed theirs. My former experience. It did not ta e me very long this time to ma e up my mind where my duty lay. some of them went so far as to say that the reverses our armies were ." Following my father's advice. but my age and the fact that I had been discharged from the army were against me. My civil life lasted. superior leadership and strategy had outgeneraled us. wondering how I could possibly get aboard one of the trains. "For Bravery. my medal. from which the troop-trains left for the front. however.
which I did. as I greeted him. and pleaded with them to let me ride in the car with them. quic ly recognizing my opportunity. All day long we traveled without incident. [42] . that is the train that I am going on." I replied. Will the officer accompany me?" He indicated his consent. and invited me to join them in the tea and bread which they had just prepared.I was approached by an officer. "Why. and with him at my side it was a simple matter to get by the gendarmes. however. and the nearer we approached Vilna the more frequent these inspections became. "I'm siu-e it leaves from one of the left trac s. They promptly assured me that they had not the slightest objection. The co-operation of the soldiers invariably did the tric for me. 5. they got so proficient in concealing me that the inspections gave me no concern. 5 leave from?" he demanded. As we approached an important station I would jump into the hay and the soldiers would cover me with saddles. When we got over to the set of trac s on the left I pointed out a train several trac s away and told him that that was trac No. and so I would remain until the train was well on its way again. and a lot of saddles and hay. and as he left me I jtimped aboard a freight-car attached to a train which was just starting on my right. eight horses. Transportation room was so valuable at that time that every precaution was ta en to prevent unauthorized people from "stealing" a ride — even in a freight-car. and when we were approaching our first stopping-place the men advised me to jump into the hay and cover myself up. "Which trac does troop-train No. but the following morning a gendarme entered our car and made a rather careful survey of the individuals in it. In fact. showed them my medal. We were soon all very good friends. I41I THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL In the car were several cavalrymen. I explained my plight to the soldiers. in case the car should be entered by any of the authorities.
I warn you now that you will be court-martialed and it will go hard with you if you don't give me the facts now!" There was no answer. we have seen no such boy during the whole trip from Petrograd!" I breathed such a sigh of relief that some of the saddles on top of me shifted and I was afraid for a moment the whole collection would come toppling to the floor and attract the officers' attention. and then almost as one man they answered. and the officers turned to leave. while my whole plan would be shattered. on the floor of the car.A LEAP IN THE DARK At Vilna. I were to give myself up now and declare that the men new nothing of my presence in the car. and once again the officer spo e: [4-3] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL "I'll give you men one more warning. If. as motionless as I could. "No. glancing at a telegram he had in his hand. If the men stuc to their story in order to save me. ' ' Have any of you men seen him? ' * It seemed li e an hour before their answer came. sir. beneath a pile of hay and saddles. At the door they stopped. If any of you men now anything about it and are trying to shield him. instead of a gendarme. however. If any of you have seen this boy. while I remained. spea up now or suffer the consequences!" My mind had been wor ing very quic ly. . "This boy is missing from his home. "We're searching for a boy wearing a medal and answering to the name of Paul logolevitch ! " the officer stated quic ly. an ofBcer entered the car and behind him was the general of the whole division! Instantly the men jumped to attention. on the other hand. The local authorities inform us that he boarded this very train. these big-hearted muzhi s would not suffer for their indness to me. and I was discovered afterward despite their loyalty. I could see him through my camouflage. they would be most severely punished.
called a soldier. and when night came I was ta en aboard a train that was leaving for Petrograd. and when I told them how my desire to get bac to the fightingline had been frustrated by a lot of foolish gendarmes who had evidently received notice that I was missing from home and felt that it was necessary to send me bac at all costs despite the object I had in mind. When the gendarme's bac was turned the baggagemen promised that if the opportunity came they . I was ept under guard all day. angrily. and I believe the gendarme himself felt sorry for me when he heard what my offense consisted of.Brea ing through the load of saddlery. they all expressed their complete sympathy with me. I jumped to my feet and came to attention before the astonished and angry officers. you are under arrest!" And he turned toward the door of the car. your Excellence!" I answered. and I felt very badly about it. "Who are you?" the junior officer demanded. addressing the general. "I have been hiding in the far corner of the car behind the horses for two days : these men new no more about my being there than did your Excellence. being ta en to a near-by restaurant for meals. The medal I wore had led them to as me questions. "I am Paul logolevitch. I was marched off without a chance to say good-by to the men who had done their best to help me or to say a word in their defense if they were indeed haled before a court martial. instead of just a Russian boy trying hard to brea into the army. Their case will be attended to later. "And what were you doing under that hay? " If I had been a German spy caught redhanded in an attempt to blow up the Czar's palace." "Never mind these men. In the baggage-car to which I was consigned were four baggagemen besides the gendarme who had me in charge. It did not ta e me long to ma e friends with the baggagemen. and directed him to ta e me to the gendarmerie. Why didn't you come out in [44] A LEAP IN THE DARK the first place when you heard your name mentioned? logolevitch. the general could not have glared at me more threateningly. mee ly.
Carefully I edged my way to the open door. the open door bec oned to me. but outside it was pitch-dar and I had not the slightest idea what I might jump into if ever I could get up the courage to ma e the leap. Telling the baggagemen that I was going to ta e a nap. the sooner I accomplished it the better it would be for me. I went over to one of the comers of the car and lay down. although I don't believe he imagined I had any idea of escaping. the gendarme was not paying the slightest attention to me. As we approached a station or slowed down the gendarme was alert enough to station himself at the door. I had been lying there only a few minutes when I overheard a spirited argument going on between the men and the gendarme over some unimportant subject. We had been rumbling along for about an hour when it suddenly occurred to me that if I was going to escape. and it would not have been a very difficult matter to have gotten out. thin ing. [46I A LEAP IN THE DARK I got to within three feet of the door without attracting the gendarme's attention. because the farther we got away from Vilna the greater the distance I would have to travel in my effort to get to the front. but it was so hot in the car from the steam heat that the door had been left open. The train did not seem to be going particularly fast. stood erect for a brief second. that I had fallen asleep. 4 [45] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL I had not really thought of ttying to escape. and I got the idea that they were merely trying to divert his attention from me to give me an opportunity to escape — if that were my intention.would assist me to get away. and jumped out into the dar ness! . no doubt. and without a moment's further hesitation I got to my nees. crawled to the door. The train was going not more than fifteen miles an hour.
where he had been sleeping. and a deeprooted grievance against the man who selected the stones for that road-bed.IV I CAPTURE A GENERAL AS soon as my feet touched the ground it ^ seemed to jump up and hit me in the head. "What do you want." and then she called out a name and an old man. "Vilna! It is twenty-five miles from here. an old woman opened the door after I had noc ed several times. I thin I would have been rolling still. showing her a ruble. and I limped my way toward them. for fear of finding that I had been badly injured. I was cut and scratched and covered with dirt and gravel. came clattering through from a rear room. I was afraid even to try to move my arms or legs. angrily. I had a bad fall. feeling that as soon as the gendarme discovered my escape he would give the alarm and. And then I want to get to Vilna. you little devil?" she demanded. He must have spent a lifetime pic ing out the ones with the sharpest edges. evidently her husband. but you will have to ta e the train to Vilna. You can come in." I replied. At the first little hut I came to. "I want to come in and clean myself. If that fence hadn't been there. About a mile away I could see some lights. When I was cleaned up as well as their primi- . When I finally did ta e an inventory of myself I found that all I had was a sprained an le. and then I landed plump up against a fence. perhaps. I decided to get away from the trac as fast as I could. as she held up a candle and got a glimpse of perhaps the most disreputableloo ing young man her eyes had ever beheld. Over and over again I rolled and I did not seem to be able to stop myself. have the train stopped to search [48] I CAPTURE A GENERAL for me. For a moment or two I lay still. a fine collection of bruises and scratches.
tive facilities made possible I succeeded, after much argument, in getting the old man to wa e up one of his neighbors, who had a horse and wagon, and bargained with him to ma e the trip at once. We drove all night. It was eight o'cloc when we reached the city the next morning. The cost of the trip left me with but a few dollars. I bought brea fast at a cheap restaurant, and [49]
THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL then I went over to the station where the trooptrains were going out. There were hundreds of freight-cars loaded with ammunition, food, and troops standing along the reserve trac s, waiting for their turn to come to start for the front. One train seemed just about to start, and to a group of cavalrymen who were squatting on the floor of one of the cars I told my story as briefly as I could. They grasped the situation quic ly and then they grasped me by the hands and pulled me up to them. They were just as sympathetic as my former traveling companions had been — I wondered if all cavalrymen were so big-hearted — and they told me to go over to one corner of the car and ma e myself at home — with the horses. It was nearly three hours before the train finally started, and just before it got under way a young officer jumped aboard and declared that he was going to honor us with his company as far as the next station we stopped at, which he said would be about three hours later. As I was fairly covered by a pile of saddles, which seemed to grow heavier every minute, I did not relish the idea of having to remain in that condition for three hours — even for the honor of traveling with an officer — but I was afraid to reveal my presence to him, and decided to stic it out. l5o]
I CAPTURE A GENERAL My discomfort was increased very shortly by a restlessness which developed among the horses. They started to fight! Their hind legs began
stri ing out in all directions. I was entirely neutral, but that didn't save me; on the contrary, I seemed to draw the fire of all the belligerents, as neutrals usually do. But for the saddles, which, of course, received the first force of the horses' blows, I should very soon have been pounded to death. As it was I was pretty badly bruised, and on several occasions I was on the point of calling out for assistance. It was better, I figured, to be sent bac alive than to continue my journey dead! But the soldiers, evidently realizing my predicament, quic ly got after the restive animals and succeeded eventually in restoring amicable relations among them. An hour and a half later we stopped at a station which had possibly not entered into the officer's calculations, and he left the car. I was brought out by the soldiers and anxiously examined. I was so covered with dirt they were not quite sure at first I was the same boy they had stowed away, but when I was brushed off it was not difficult for me to establish my identity, and they were much reHeved to find that I had not suffered as badly as they had feared. They gave me some tea and food, and I soon felt much better. At Orany the soldiers disembar ed and were [51]
THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL ordered to transfer their baggage and.eqmpment to some hea\y motor-lorries which were on hand for that purpose. One of the men bundled me up in an old horse blan et, tied me around with ropes, and swimg me over his shoulder, depositing me, not too gently, at the side of one of the lorries. When the coast was clear he loosened the ropes and gave me a nudge to come out. I did not wait to say good-by to my good friends, but made off as quic ly as possible for the main street of the little town, which was bustling with miUtar>" activity. Cavalr}% artillery, and infantr)^ with all their paraphernalia, filled the street, and there was so much noise that I felt comparatively safe — safer than I had felt for a wee . The warm gloves I had had when I left home had disappeared, and I went into a small store to buy a pair. It was bitterly cold. The merchant seemed to be a indly fellow and I did not hesitate to tell him my stor}'.
" Yoimg man," he said, in a indly way, "I am going to do what I can to help 3^ou. There's a cavalr}" regiment in town now and I now the commander. I will see him to-day or to-morrow and I will spea to him about you." I than ed him a thousand times, and as ed him whether I could increase my indebtedness to him to the extent of a uniform. "Yes, yes. I'll trust 3^ou. I'll fix up a uni[52]
I CAPTURE A GENERAL versity student's overcoat for you. I have one in stoc . Come bac this afternoon and we will see what we can do." That afternoon I returned to the store accordingly, and in very short order I came out attired in a regular student's overcoat which fitted me well and made me loo so much older that I no longer had any fear that I would be rejected on account of my youth. Two days later the merchant too me to division headquarters and presented me to the general. "How old are you, logolevitch?" the general as ed, after I had given him a few facts regarding my former army experience. "Eighteen, sir!" I replied, but the blush that came to my chee s revealed at once that I was lying, and, under the sharp gaze of the officer, I could not stic to it. "Seventeen, I should say," I stimibled. "How old are you, logolevitch?" he repeated, firmly, as though he had heard neither my first nor my second answer. "Fourteen, sir," I replied, unable longer to lie; "that is, I will be fourteen in December." Then I showed him some newspaper clippings, my discharge papers, and the paper which my father had received from the main headquarters of the Russian army granting me permission to serve as his messenger. [53]
THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL "I have heard, your Excellence," I hastened to say, fearing that he was going to decide against me, "that no man who wants to serve his country will be turned down if he appeals to you. I really did not mean to lie about my age, but I wanted to get into the army so very much that—" "I'm going to give you a chance, logolevitch," he replied, getting up and sha ing my hand. "I'm going to write your father to get his consent, but in the mean while I will ta e the responsibility upon myself. If you really want to serve, we'll put you in the regimental itchen, as the coo 's assistant. How will that do?" "I am very grateful," I replied. "I am anxious to serve in any capacity," for, although I could not see much glory in itchen wor , I had a suspicion that the general was only trying me out, and I wanted to show him that I new that a soldier's first duty is to obey orders, and obey willingly. My theory did not wor out, however, for into the itchen I went and there I stayed, and there was no play about the wor the coo made me do, either. It had one compensation, though — in the itchen we saw to it that we didn't get the worst of the food that we had to prepare. The next day I was called into the general's [54]
I CAPTURE A GENERAL quarters and as ed for my father's address. I gave him an address of six months ago, which had since been changed. I hoped that, with the imperfect telegraph system prevaihng in Russia, my father would never receive the general's message and that, in the mean time, the conditions imder which I had been ta en into the regiment might be forgotten. That was another theory that didn't wor out, as I discovered when, a wee after I had been installed as coo 's assistant, I was again summoned before the general. "logolevitch," he said, "no word has come from your father. It is a wee since I wired. I
but I figured that the delay could not possibly do me any harm. but his saber caught in the door and he did not seem to be able to extricate it. "Paul!" he cried. and then. "I now the general slightly!" When we got to the general's quarters he wal ed right into the inner office without even noc ing on the door. and said he had arranged to have me play in the officers' mess. As I sat there despondently loo ing out of the window and wondering if it could be half as hard to get out of the Russian army as it was to get into it. "We'll fix that for you in no time. "Perhaps the answer will come by that time. but I recovered my presence of mind quic ly and came to attention. to my surprise. Paul. and I went bac to my itchen.am afraid I shall have to let you go ! " "Will your Excellence give me two days more?" I pleaded. It did. optimistically. while something might develop that would help me out of the difficulty. A lieutenant jumped out. he added. ''what on earth are you doing here? " I was so surprised to be called by name by an officer whom I did not recognize that I almost forgot to salute him. with a smile. and then I was told to go bac to my quarters. I ran out to help him." he declared. and then. The general said he would wait two days more." I had no idea that the two days — or two years. and as I did so I recognized in the officer an old friend of my father's. . That night the lieutenant came to me with a violin he had procured. for that matter — would ma e any difference so far as word from my father was concerned. I noticed a machine stop in front of [55] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL the place. In a few words I told him of my experiences and my present status. as I approached him. greeted his superior familiarly as "Uncle"! For a moment or two they carried on a whispered conversation.
" During the evening meal I was ordered to the officers' mess and invited to play. but his nephew." he suggested. He's going to eep you with us."Do your very best. When it was all over — they ept me at it for nearly two hours — the general came toward me and shoo my hand. I felt that my immediate purpose had been gained. "I now of no way in which you could ma e me happier. the lieutenant. whispered a few words to him. " logolevitch. Now what would you li e me to do for you?" "Put me in one of your cavalry regiments. Play the Berceuse. and as I left the mess-room the lieutenant came behind me and whispered: [57I THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL "It's all right. Paul. **The general's very susceptible to music. If you play it as well as you did when I heard you at a concert in Petrograd. I thin the general will be ready to turn the division over to you!" "I'll be satisfied if he just eeps me in one of his regiments. and I than ed God for the talent with which He had endowed me and which was proving valuable to me in ." he said. From the expression on his face I felt that I had captured him. but I played it for all I was worth." I slept little that night. lieutenant!" I answered." I answered. your Excellence. "I am very much obliged to you for the entertainment you have given us. and I aimed directly at the general. and I thin you can get anything you want out of [56] I CAPTURE A GENERAL him if you win him to-night. Paul. by Jarnfeld." He seemed about to demur. "and you may be sure I'll do the very best I can. and he said he would see what he could do for me in the morning. The violin was not the very best I had played on.
and bringing up the rear was von Mac ensen! I was so startled I dropped my bow. he handed me a violin and a bow ! The instrument was covered with ice. and the figures turned away from me. I played more vigorously than before and they quic ened their steps! In a moment they would be right in our trenches. "Get up. As they reached the parapet I recognized the leader as the Kaiser. but when I started to scrape it across the strings music came. As I played at the parapet of the trench to the accompaniment of rifle. I stooped and pic ed up my bow and went on playing." he invited. good-naturedly. It was a board which the coo had swung across my bac . you good-for-nothing fiddler!" he was yelHng. machine-gun. and when it came my turn to relieve Sammy Fin el on watch. \ "and tell me which of my regiments you would j li e to join. and again they advanced toward me." . poured a cup of tea from a steaming samovar. logolevitch. come toward me. and icicles were hanging from the bow. instead of a rifle. but his orderly told me to go right in. "Sit down. behind him was von Hindenburg.such an unexpected direction. and artillery fire I saw three figures suddenly arise from the Hun trenches before me and. You are to report at headquarters at once!" V I JOIN THE "fighting THIRD DRAGOONS** WHEN I got to the general's quarters — ^and I didn't lose any time getting around there — he was at brea fast. and then — bang! Something [58) I CAPTURE A GENERAL had snapped. with hands upraised. as he . "The general's orderly is here. In the course of the few hours of sleep I did snatch I dreamed that I was in the Russian trenches in East Prussia.
the Cossac s it shall be. no I odds great enough to ma e him waver. although I did consider myself a good rider and thought that possibly I might develop my ability in that direction sufficiently to be worthy of riding with the Cossac s. logolevitch. ! There is no tric in riding the Cossac does not ] now. one Hussar. in a Cossac regiment a man is supposed to supply his own uniform. no privation he is not willing to endure. "Very well. "Where do I get my uniform?" I as ed one of the men. and his own saber." I answered." the general answered. where I went to explain my predicament regarding a uniform and 5 [6i] . and one Dragoon regiment composing the division. I was still wearing my sailor-suit under the student's overcoat which I had procured from the Orany merchant. j no fight too hard for him to underta e.i ing horsemen by and large the world over. I | don't suppose it would be possible to find j another million to equal the million serving in I the Russian army in 1914 — but down in his | heart he feels that the Cossac is supreme. All the government gives us is a rifle and ammunition." At the colonel's quarters. "Report at once to the essaiil (the Cossac name for colonel) — Essaul Homutov. one Uhlan. [60] i THE "FIGHTING THIRD DRAGOONS" ''I'd li e to join the Cossac s. and turned over to the sergeant. smiling to indicate that I reahzed my wish was preposterous. The Russian boy has a high regard ! for all Russian cavalry organizations — ^and ta .There was one Cossac . and I will telephone him in the mean while concerning you. where my pedigree was ta en down by the company cler and I was assigned to the second ssotnia — meaning hundred — as the Cossac squadron is called. "Uniform? Why." I hastened to the essauVs quarters. his own horse and saddle. and I was anxious to don the uniform of dar -blue trousers with red stripes and ha i coat which the Cossac s were wearing.
logolevitch. yes. to my appeal for equipment. One officer after another was summoned before the colonel." he suggested." It was more than half an hour before the colonel would see me. there are one or two fellows in that regiment. undoubtedly. We have been ordered to the front! I haven't enough horses for the regiment as it is. "I'm Sony. who would ma e excellent chiuns for you. "What's the matter with the Third Dragoons? Now I come to [62] THE "FIGHTING THIRD DRAGOONS" thin of it.THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL equipment. "The regiment has been ordered to the front at once. came out smiling all over." he confided to me. "but I really don't now what I can do for you. "You certainly are in luc . I'll spea to the general about it at once." Within two hours my transfer had been arranged. for instance. I had been accepted as a member of the Third Dragoons and assigned to the first company of the first squadron — a squadron to which. I was informed. a wonderful singer. there's Stanislav Nedzvegs i. and departed bris ly to prepare. you'll have to equip yourself the best way you can and join the regiment later!" "Have I the colonel's permission to ta e the matter up with the general? " I as ed. "I wouldn't bother any more with that Cossac outfit." At the general's quarters I ran into his nephew. In the first company. for the move to the front which had been ordered. the lieutenant. hastily. "Yes. Really. and one of the most popular men in the division. the general's message having been followed by a natural burst of activity. the general's orderly had just delivered a pac age. Come bac in half an hour and I'll let you now if it can be fixed. Do anything you li e. volunteers. remained closeted with him for a moment or two." the colonel replied. not wanting to get into trouble by going over my commander's head. only men who had been .
our business is To get what we go after ! " Perhaps the last line was a signal. He seemed to have a wonderful talent in that direction. Some of the men were better throwers than they were catchers. improvising the lines to familiar airs. and I didn't protest [64] . Paul. and he started at once to tell us some of his adventures.decorated for bravery were assigned — and half an hour later I was sha ing hands with Stanislav Nedzvegs i. is the initiation of Paul logolevitch. "the next order of business. and every now and then he interpolated a rhyme or two which he improvised as he went along. He told them so funnily that he soon had us all convulsed in laughter. At any rate. We're called the 'Fighting Third Dragoons. and they let me slip through their arms and land heavily on the floor. I suppose.' We get what we go after." and then. Then I was ta en down and thrown around the room li e a medicine-ball. what the Dragoons went after just then was me. I new I was expected to ta e everything that came to me in good part. he sang some lines to the following effect : "When duty calls us to the front We go with songs and laughter. with blue eyes and a comical expression about his mouth which revealed at once the secret of the popularity which the man seemed to enjoy. a tall. Stanislav — they called him Stassie in the regiment — had been on a short furlough. then formed a circle and started marching around me. "And now. "So when you join the Third Dragoons Prepared to join our laughter. about ten in number. My feet went from under me and the next moment I was hanging head down from a beam in the ceiling. Remember." he declared. blond cavalryman. and they certainly got me. without a moment's reflection. each one letting me now he was present by slamming me on the bac as he passed. The men. as he finished the I63] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL story of his furlough. and as he had a good singing voice he frequently burst into song.
and I pressed myself up against the farthest wall to get as far away as I could from that fiery bonfire. loc ing the door as they went. I was ordered to undress. "Stay here till we come Stassie's parting word. and there was snow all around us. It was so cold that I had to jump from foot to foot as I disrobed to eep from freezing. it only made the ground and air seem colder by contrast. not more than eight feet square. they were bac again in perhaps twenty minutes. but never before had I been compelled to bare my body to the winter air in this fashion. shoved me in and closed the door. The blazing fire in the hut was too far away to help me. The place was small. but there was nothing for me to do but comply. and I shivered and shoo li e a half -drowned dog who has bro en through the ice of a frozen pond I65] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL and has finally managed to struggle bac to dry land. It had been built on the ground — the hut had no floor — and one of the soldiers was feeding it. I was glad enough hoped they would forget bac for you. Then they too me over to the shanty. As it was. They soon got tired of the manhandling they were giving me and left the hut in which the company was quartered and in which the initiation was ta ing place. over. It was bitterly cold. The goose-flesh stood out all over me li e a nutmeg-grater. Then through a small window they threw pail after pail of water — not . and then I was led to another hut some two hundred yards away. but through the open door I could see a big fire burning. Big stones were all around it. on the contrary. They didn't ta e me inside." w^as As I felt bruised all to be let alone and to come bac at all. My Siberian blood was not unaccustomed to low temperatures. however. After I was stripped they ept me in the open for a moment or two while they conversed among themselves and pretended that they were paying not the sHghtest attention to me.THE "FIGHTING THIRD DRAGOONS'* or resist. but the heat was intense.
"One minute. and I finally stayed where I was put. Perhaps it saved my life . "don't forget you're only a ' plain ' member of the company now . to become an ' honorable ' member it is necessary now to go through the initiation ordeal again. "you may dress yourself and we will consider your application for membership in the best company of the best squadron of the best regiment in the best army in the world!" I new." interrupted Stassie. logolevitch. Are you ready?" "Not on your life. After a while they let me out into the open air while the fire was replenished. the little room became filled with hot steam. Every time I attempted [66] THE "FIGHTING THIRD DRAGOONS" to get out. "And now. they threw me bac . the cold outside or the fearful heat inside. in some other way. I don't now which was the worst. although they gave me enough opportunities to judge. I'll become an 'honorable' member some other time and." . that he was only idding and that I had already been accepted. which I did almost instinctively." I replied. and then I was thrust bac again and put through the same ordeal. The effect was appalling. I felt that I was going to be boiled alive! Through the steam I could see the burning logs. Every one of them seemed to hit me at once. Stassie. after I had sha en hands all around. At length they tired of this form of torture and for a change threw me into a tub of water which was so cold that I don't now how they ept it from freezing. and I ept as far away from them as I could. who had acted as master of ceremonies. and I than ed the company for the honor thay had done me and expressed the hope that they would not regret it. preferably. Paul logolevitch. appreciating the evident fact that he was jo ing. "A 'plain' member is honor enough for me.on me. but while it was going on I had no idea that that was its purpose. but on the hot stones around the fire." declared Stassie. by the smile on his face as he spo e. The cold bath was followed by a massage such as only Russian soldiers can give.
I could turn around inside my shoes. hard as nails and stern of visage. Nothing fitted me. My hat was so big it slipped over my eyes. I was able to get enough equipment from the quartermaster and from members of the regiment. I was given a horse. Paul. but I filled them with paper and that made them half-way serviceable.[67] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL "Very well. but I did. and put through a few cavalry exercises. a gun. which I afterward christened Wania." he replied. The saber was . The next day we learned that the Third Dragoons was to leave for the front at four the following morning. Panunsev told me I had done wretchedly. a lance. All the overcoats offered me were impossible. and I decided to wear my sailor-suit under my uniform instead. and a belt of bullets. said he would give me a try-out. but one of the men told me that he usually meant the opposite of what he said. Our whole organization immediately became alive with bustling activity. a typical Russian cavalryman. just as you say. led me to thin that the man was right. It served two purposes: it provided me with additional warmth and it helped fill out the uniform. I was so stiff from the manhandling I had received that afternoon that I don't now how I was able to go through with it." I answered that I would rather call him by some other name. who were ind enough to help me out. My equipment consisted of a saber. a man named Panunsev. "And now you are privileged to call me by my first name. but I would wait until I had fully recovered from the "initiation" before I applied it. Despite the excitement. In the evening the porntchi (lieutenant) of our company. to ma e some sort of an appear[68] THE "FIGHTING THIRD DRAGOONS" ance — what sort of an appearance I could judge from the smiles my appearance invariably produced wherever I went. and from the encouraging way he had patted me on the shoulder as he instructed me to ta e care of the horse and then turn in.
so long — or I was so short — that it dragged on the ground. We were supposed to carr>^ only two hundred bullets. I was so ambitious I as ed for four hundred! They weighed li e four thousand. When the call to assembly came the next morning I carried my lance in my right hand and with my left led my horse to the spot where we were to fall in. Stassie nearly collapsed with laughter when he saw me. ''Good Lord! Paul," he declared, between convulsions, "throw that lance away. You'll ill more Russians than you will Germans with it! Anyway, don't come within a mile of me, that's all I tell you!" As it happened, however, it was right next to [69]
THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL Stassie that the porutchi ordered me to ta e my position. "Stassie will ta e care of you on the march, logolevitch," he ordered. "Stic to him." As we stood in line, unmounted, four abreast, Wania, my horse, started to get nervous and jump around. If my shoes hadn't been so big, I thin my feet would have been crushed a dozen times. As it was, Wania's hoofs landed most of the time on my excess shoe and missed my toes. We stood in line a few minutes, and then the order came, "Mount!" The company leaped to the saddle as one man — except me. I made a frantic effort to do the same thing, but the weight of my equipment just anchored me to the ground. It was li e trying to swim attired in a heavy overcoat. I loo ed appealingly at Stanislav, but he had turned his head the other way. Again I tried, but still I couldn't ma e it, and then while I was still struggling to mount the order came, "March!" Gathering all my strength, I sprang again to the saddle, and this time I made it, but lo! in the attempt I let go my lance and in trying to save it I fell off the horse!
The men behind me cursed — I had bro en up their formation. The next moment somebody's strong hand had grabbed me by the nec and lifted me bodily across my horse, and I quic ly [70]
THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL found my stirrups. I don't now who my ind friend was, but it wasn't Stassie. He was sha ing so with laughter that I half expected him to fall out of his saddle, and I wished he would. The officers, who were riding ahead of us, I was glad to see, pretended not to have noticed my fiasco. For an hour or two we marched along without incident. Then we dismounted and got our brea fast. When the time came to resume I saw to it that Wania was standing near a slight rising in the ground, and I was able to mount without difficulty, a small piece of leather which I had attached to my stirrup and which formed a sort of extension helping me considerably. Except when we stopped for meals we were on the march most of the day. At night we bro e alinement and trotted along more or less at will. At one point we came to an encampment where thousands of soldiers were sitting around bonfires. It made a wonderful picture in the blac Russian night, the flares from the bonfires not only lighting up the soldiers' faces, but occasionally revealing an artillery wagon or a motor-lorry traversing the winding roads. The men were singing. From almost every direction I heard the familiar strains of: * Three hamlets, two villages Eight girls, I only — " [72]
THE "FIGHTING THIRD DRAGOONS" and the other miHtar}?- songs which our men never seem to get tired of singing. I was so entranced with the picturesqueness of the scene that before I was aware of it my company got far ahead of me, and soon I realized that I was alone. I galloped ahead, but did not overta e my companions. I shouted '*Stanislav!" and a dozen voices answered me from aroimd the fires, but there came no answer from my comrade. Meeting a cavalryman coming from the opposite direction, I as ed him whether he had passed my company, and he said that some company, perhaps mine, had turned off to the left a quarter of a mile farther on and were entraining. When I turned to the left as directed I landed in a thic bog. Wania could ma e no headway, and I jumped off to try to lead her out of the mud. I stuc in it so fast, myself, that I was afraid I would lose my boots. In this dilemma I was just about convinced that I would never be able to catch up with my company, when I heard a horseman coming in my direction and I shouted to him. It was Stassie. He had been sent bac to loo for me. With his help I and my horse finally got out of the bog, and we galloped bac to the regiment. Stanislav was silent for a moment or two, and then suddenly he bro e out with a verse to the following effect: [73]
THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL "He heard his country calling, A call to stir the blood, He yelled aloud, ' I'm coming,' But his feet were fast in mud ! Tra-la, tra-la, tra-la, Tra-la, tra-la, la-lee." When we pulled up at the railway trac s we found our company engaged in leading their horses up inclined plan s into the freight-cars. Every one's horse seemed to go up the runways willingly enough except Wania. She wouldn't budge. We tried various schemes, but without effect, which provo ed Stassie to sing out:
"You cannot blame poor Wania, She is a wise old pony. The freight-car has no charms for her, She feels she is too bony ! Tra-la, tra-la, tra-la, Tra-la, tra-la, la-lee." And then he too my horse by the head, rubbed his own against her face, whispered something in the animal's ear, pointed to the door, and the next moment, to our surprise, Wania bolted up the incline so eagerly that one might have thought we had been holding her bac ! We followed our horses into the cars at once and an hour or two later the train started, We l74l
THE "FIGHTING THIRD DRAGOONS" traveled for two days without incident, living on canned food, and disembar ed at Keidany, a little town near Kovno, in Lithuania. There we too possession of the estate of a Lithuanian noble, a wonderful place, and the officers occupied the mansion, while we found quarters in the smaller houses. The stables provided the best quarters for our horses that they had had in a long while. At the first opportunity we too a stroll around the little town of Keidany. It showed very plainly the effects of German artillery fire and air-raids. Numbers of buildings were in ruins and most of the stores were closed up. Some of the inhabitants told us that two wee s before the Huns had come within a mile or two of the town and they had prepared for the worst, and then something had happened and the foe had retreated. Later we met some infantrymen who told us that they had participated in the defense of the line. They had stopped the Huns, but their forces had not been strong enough to drive the enemy bac . "That's what you're here for, I suppose!" he added. The prospect of actual fighting at last pleased all of us. That was what we were in the army for, and that, it turned out, was what we were about to have. [75]
" I said to myself. and. hoping to get an idea of what a whole division loo ed li e when on the march. After we had formed in companies we were ordered to load our rifles and revolvers and be ready for combat. We made a wonderful picture when we were in line. the heavy batteries. "I pity the poor Huns who run foul of this outfit. and the food transports. and another was sent over to the woods on the left.VI DEAD MAN S SHOES THE next morning our division started off again. but I could tell from the tense atmosphere that pervaded officers and men ali e that we were apt at any moment to be in action. It was to be our duty to feel the way for the rest of the forces in the drive that was to be made against the Huns. when we had traversed a particularly long stretch of straight roadway which climbed a hill I turned my head as we reached the simimit. I often loo ed bac . was the hospital unit. We had traveled about eight miles when the division stopped and Porutchi Panunsev. and got a view of the whole division. however. bringing up the rear. aviation corps. two more a quarter of a mile. Everything was done without excitement. while several soldiers were ordered to follow us at a quarter of a mile and half a mile respectively. and I cannot say that the prospect left me unperturbed. acquainted us with the fact that our particular squadron was going on [76] DEAD MAN'S SHOES ahead on patrol wor . the light artiller}^ the machine-gun corps. and it thrilled me all through. one was sent off into the woods to the right. but the winding roads usually cut my view short. our company commander. Once. I congratulated myself that I was left with the . Two of our men were ordered to advance half a mile. There were four cavalry regiments.
" offered Stassie. Even with our advance-guards to warn us of danger. I've got another suit under my uniform. which the enemy would naturally hold until we were well within range. We proceeded in this fashion for about two hours. It was cut short by three shots. [78] DEAD MAN'S SHOES . was obvious. Without an overcoat I felt it very severely and my teeth were soon chattering — although whether the cold 6 [77] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL was entirely to blame for that I would not li e to say. Stassie explaining to me why the men had been deployed as I have described. of course. It is awful c-c-cold. I'll be all right in a little while. In that formation we advanced. noticing our depression. was anything but inspiriting. The weather changed suddenly. Captain Solntsef ordered some of the men who could sing to get together and give us a song. "You're shivering!" "No. In this frame of mind we showed little appreciation of Stassie's "funny stuff. Paul. Stassie. A terrible cold wind sprang up and went right through us. although none of us mentioned it. b-b-but it's no w-w-w-worse for me than it is for the other f-f-f-fellows!" Then Stassie started telling us anecdotes to ma e us forget the cold and relieve the strain which. you now. but the object. riding slowly and cautiously. and I suppose we were all aware of it. as the faces of most of the men showed. Stassie and three or four others accordingly rode up and started a lively melody. The idea that at any moment we might run into a withering machine-gun fire. one after another." and. it was possible that we might be allowed to march right into a trap.main body. we all felt. followed by the sound of horses galloping directly toward us. "Better ta e my coat.
A blast from the captain's whistle was a signal for Panunsev to send a few men forward. "Yes. regiment. you spea GeiTnan. by his helmet. At any rate. which we carried across our bac s. He chose three. and awaited developments. and Captain Solntsef galloped forward to meet them. including Stassie. unslung our rifles. and after they joined the captain they all proceeded down the road. captain. with drawn sabers. and I lost sight of them. the suspense was more nerve-rac ing than actual fighting would have been. A moment later we recognized our advanceguard coming toward us. but the prisoner refused to give his name or regiment.We sought cover in the forest which Hned the road on either side of us. My mouth was dry and I trembled considerably. If the Huns were coming at us. The rest of us were ordered to form a circle two deep. why didn't they come? From the distance came the sound of irregular rifle-firing and then the captain and the rest of the men came galloping toward us. " logolevitch. The sight of a German prisoner stirred me and I was rather surprised that the rest of our jnen showed no enthusiasm — as though captur[79I THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL ing German soldiers was an every-day occurrence to them. the men with lances ma ing the outer ring and the others. which the captain had directed me to search. and what brought him here. don't you?" the captain as ed. I recognized to be a German. "What brought you here?" I demanded. . In this position we stood for a few minutes. with two extra horses — one riderless and the other bearing a soldier whose coat was bloody and who." I put the questions as directed. Perhaps it was from the cold. and I obtained them from papers in his poc ets. forming the inner one." "As this man his name.
indicated that the Germans were in force somewhere in the vicinity. sturdy Caucasian named Demetri Pirov. and we formed our company of thirty men in two lines. called two soldiers and ordered them to ta e the prisoner and the extra horse bac to our main forces. Among his papers was a scout map. a line of communication between our company and the squadron being maintained by means of men stationed at distances of a quarter of a mile. The road was wider here. In the afternoon we came to an open plain [80] DEAD MAN'S SHOES near the village of Eragola. which indicated that he had been on patrol duty the same as we were. part of which had escaped. Stassie was posted a quarter of a mile to the right. the lancers forming the front ran and the others the rear. "Their cavalry arrived this morning — they turned us out of ovir houses — they made us dig trenches — they are preparing for more soldiers to come to-night! You will be outnumbered. as we were certain that the patrol we had run into. Our sergeant. facetiously. a short. was sent ahead. "The Russian soldiers!" he answered.sternly. and I was detailed as Panunsev's messenger. you better turn bac !" Without comment Panunsev ordered us to . seeing that we could get nothing of value out of him. and Eragola we met a peasant with a horse and cart. doubling our guards in each direction. I translated his answer to my commander. where we had left our squadron. ''The Germans are at Eragola!" he shrie ed. Our company was ordered to proceed to the village. About midway between the plain. We proceeded a little more cautiously. who. the rest of the squadron following at a distance. and I could not help thin ing that this patrol wor was pretty ris y business. where we were supposed to camp until morning and wait for our main forces.
A moment or two later one of them reappeared on our side of the ravine. and we trotted along. as though we had decided to abandon our fallen left guard. so that. advance toward the ravine on the other side of which lay our wounded comrade. and Panunsev too his field-glasses to the top of the hill to observe the wor of our rescue-party. Our left guard was ordered to approach it and loo it over. his lance falling from his hand and his arms hanging limp at his sides. As his messenger I dismounted and accompanied him. We were about to run to him. I saw them descend the ravine and then I [82] DEAD MAN'S SHOES lost them. when we recognized his apparent cry of pain to be: "Stop! Keep away!" Panunsev ordered us to close up into mass formation. leaving their horses in the mass. from a distance. His place was immediately ta en by two . As the men started on their mission of rescue the rest of us. Almost simultaneously something flew toward his head — it loo ed li e a gun — and he toppled over bac ward into the ravine. When we had covered quite a distance and reached a hill we were halted. were ordered to gallop off. On our left there was a ravine.proceed. on the other side of which was a hut. with the three horses. and crawl along the ground toward our fallen comrade. As he fell he yelled frantically. and then he directed three of our men to dismount. and then I noticed some more spec s come out from behind some haystac s which we had not been able to see before because the hut had obscured them. [8i] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL He reached the ravine and was just about to cross it when there came a shot from the hut and he fell from his horse. and then I saw a flash come from his rifle. we could not be distinguished individually. With my na ed eye I could see several spec s emerge from the hut.
He was dead. My errand was a dangerous one. and the third horse were then sent bac to our division imder guard of one soldier and we proceeded on to Eragola. too. With shouts and cheers we flew down the road and never stopped until w^e reached the ravine.others." responded Panunsev. wears a sailor. Stassie. There we found the two Germans whom I had seen fall. The two prisoners. we found the body of the first Hun who had fallen. It was easy enough to start off. logolevitch?" For answer I tore off my blouse and got out of my trousers and was ready to proceed. tied to their horses. in the hands of our rescue-party. we'll go for them!" Panunsev declared. When we reached the outs irts of the village two of our men were sent ahead to secure whatever information they could.'" suggested Stassie. forget for the moment that he is a soldier.suit. "a young soldier who. He himself was uninjured — he had dropped from his horse at the first shot merely as a ruse. "Now. Let him ta e off his uniform. porutchi . mounting his horse. and wal boldly into Eragola as a civilian. running down the hill. . logolevitch. and they had not been fortunate enough to meet any of the villagers. "We have with us. In the ravine we found our left guard's horse. and ordering us to follow him. but who had not been hit. with my whole squadron loo ing on. but they returned [83] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL very soon and reported that they could not get near enough to the village to learn anything worth while without showing themselves. underneath his uniform. who promptly dropped to the earth — whether they had been shot or were merely see ing cover I could not see. There. but as I got farther and farther away from them and nearer and nearer to the village which I new was occupied by the enemy my heart beat fast. Could anything be simpler?" "That's a good idea. despite Stassie's rose-colored prospect. "How about it.
Farther on I saw more horses. he conducted me to his i? h WHAT WAS THE MEANING OF THE THREE HORSES I NOTICED NOT FAR FROM HERE?" home. Little flags flew from the tops of the lances which had been left with the horses. the old man's daughter. but we did not encounter any soldiers. but the riders. and with a sigh of relief. probably imagining that I was loo ing for a lodging. and the wind penetrated my clothing so easily that I shivered with the cold. were nowhere to be seen. He was stone-deaf! He too me by the arm and. turning bac in the direction of the village. a little hut. Just before we came to this hut I noticed several horses tied to a post. Near the village I met an old Jew with a long beard. who I imagined [ 85 ] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL must be German soldiers. I told her that I had just come in from one of the neighboring towns and was .I had ripped my suit here and there to ma e it loo old and worn. but the excitement of my adventiu*e made me oblivious to the discomfort of it. I stopped him and as ed him the news. In the hut was a young girl. figuring that I could perhaps leani from him all it was [84] DEAD MAN'S SHOES necessary for me to find out.
I had heard enough. All day long they made the men dig the trenches — everybody in the village except some of the Jews who could spea German. and as we entered the village we were greeted with a volley of shots from the German cavalrymen. "They were tied to a post and there were three lances with little flags at their heads? Are our troops in Eragola?" "Why. and retraced my steps as fast as I could. whom they used as interpreters to convey their orders to the rest. They told us that there would be many German soldiers here by tonight. without telling her who I was — which under the circumstances I thought would be foolhardy — I than ed her for her indness. and she became very friendly and brought me some bread to eat. and they turned and fled — evidently unaware of the fact that we were but a handful. [86] DEAD MAN'S SHOES and by the time I had gotten into my uniform again the order was given to us to start for the village at once. I had been sleeping about an hour when I was aware of somebody sha ing me and shouting in . for which I paid as much as I could spare. lying down in the dirt. near the stable. I was assigned to ta e care of the horses and secure food for them — which reminded me that but for the crust of bread the Jewish girl had given me I hadn't eaten all day. and then. and then I went bac to the horses and.hungry. fell asleep. Entering the village. "What was the meaning of the three horses I noticed not far from here?" I as ed her. We too possession of the Polish church and used its tower as an observation post. I reported promptly to Porutchi Panunsev. who had observed our approach and who had hastily mounted. I just wish some of our soldiers would get here first!" "Perhaps they will!" I answered. At one of the houses where I saw a light burning. Panunsev posted guards all around the place. I got something to eat. We returned their fire. We galloped down the road. and they ept us hard at wor so we would have the trenches ready for them. don't yoti now? It's the Germans! They are in the village! They arrived this morning.
" Then he told me how to get to the spot where Stassie was posted. I hunted for him in the woods. I wal ed to the place the sergeant had indicated. he made off through the woods and I was left alone. my head seemed so heavy from fatigue and cold. and eep awa e. observing that I left it l3ang where I had laid it when I fell asleep. logolevitch!" Sergeant Pirov ordered. and before he could leave me it was necessary for him to ta e me over the post I was to cover and give me all the instructions that I was supposed to follow. "It's a wonder you wouldn't wait till morning. . Paul!" he complained. Paul. "You are to reUeve Stassie. I pulled myself together. and I started off. but could hardly get to my feet. "I've been on duty here for four hours and I'm ready to drop. will you?" He could see that I was still only half awa e. get a move on you. Paul!" he concluded. I want to sleep!" Prodding me in the stomach with the butt of his [88J DEAD MAN'S SHOES rifle. one of our men. "Get up. he may order me to shoot you cold. "Better ta e your gun with you. but it was more than half an hour before I found him. "Being found asleep on post is the worst crime a soldier can commit. "There's only one thing more. but Stassie was nowhere to be seen.my ear. Now be a good fellow. If the porutchi catches you. I tell you!" It was Sergey Wolins i. as he entered the stable. will you? The sergeant's outside. Now then. [87] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL "Come now. Paul. will you? I don't want any shooting practice to-night. bonehead! You may need it!" Pirov commented.
"Who goes there!" I would shout as fiercely as I could. and I don't mind admitting it! For company's sa e I thought I would wal to the extreme end of my post and pass the hour of night with the sentinel who was covering the adjoining post. as a twig would brea or a bird would flutter from one tree to another. It was very cold. I waited at the spot where our posts met. I couldn't see three feet ahead of me. satirically. Five minutes — ten min- . and I would raise my piece nervously to my shoulder and challenge the supposed intruder. echoing through the trees. and I could hear better lying down than when I was pacing to and fro. but perhaps the episode which came before me most distinctly was that interview with Boris in our bedroom when I had revealed to him my purpose to enlist. Paul. you're even afraid to sleep alone. but I am free to confess I was covered with perspiration from the excitement of my vigil. The exercise aroused me.It was pitch-dar . After a few minutes I became more accustomed to the dar ness. Sentry duty in such a spot as this was a case of listening more than watching. In the few hours that I was [89] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL on watch that night I thin every incident in my whole Hfe passed before me in review. As I strained my ears for strange sounds the silence seemed to become more pronounced. My voice sounded very peculiar in the night air. Time and time again. anyhow. God nows this night I wasn't afraid to sleep alone — sleep would have been a happy relief — ■ but to stay awa e in that silent forest. When I felt I was sufficiently awa e to ta e care of myself I found a nice place in the shrubbery and decided to lie down and use it as a listening-post. There was never any response to my challenges. In the stillness of the night the slightest rustling of the trees was magnified a thousand times. and you now it!" he had remar ed. and was able to pace up and down without wal ing into trees or tripping over the underbrush. " You enlist! Why. waiting. waiting for a possible shot or bayonet-thrust from out the dar — that made me sweat. I felt sure that some one was advancing.
I whistled low — thin ing that he. showing him the abrasion on my rifle where the bullet had grazed it. Thin ing I had been mista en or that it was some small animal. I was about to give up my quest when I thought I noticed something moving carefully through the shrubbery.utes — fifteen minutes passed. bringing my piece to my shoulder and ta ing careful aim. blowing my guard whistle as loud as I could. A moment later the rest of the guard was around me. a second shot rang out and a bullet grazed my gun near the trigger and noc ed the piece out of my hands. might have established a listening-post somewhere in the vicinity — ^but got no response. There was no answer and the movement stopped. too. I ran for cover. and he didn't appear. "[90] DEAD MAN'S SHOES "Halt!" I shouted. when — bang ! — a gun went off not six feet from me and a bullet whizzed right past my head ! I dropped to the ground instantly. and not wishing to alarm the guard by firing unnecessarily. excitedly. figuring that if the movement I thought I had noticed had indeed been that of an intruder. my ruse would lead him to restmie his original plan. Pic ing up the gun by the sling. Paul?" they as ed me all at once. I peered through the shrubbery. I explained to the sergeant the cause of the firing. but I could see nothing. "Where's Kuzmov? What was he doing?" Kuzmov was the sentinel covering the ad[91] . Dawn was beginning to brea and the dar ness was not so intense. As I did so a figure jumped up from the ground and disappeared in the woods. "What's the matter. but before I could ta e aim and fire. I lowered my rifle and wal ed away about ten feet.
"Suppose I find Kuzmov asleep. which was the signal for the sentry to report. I was unable to answer their questions. As we approached. It was after the war was over so far as I was concerned. one of the students left the table and I got a glimpse . I hadn't seen him all night. but Kuzmov didn't appear in response to it. To try to shield him would probably mean my own court martial. He was indeed asleep — the sleep from which there is no awa ening. I didn't want to find Kuzmov. we were detailed as a searchingparty to find Kuzmov.THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL joining post. his head was crushed almost beyond recognition. But for his form and his uniform we should not have been sure of his identity. in this connection. but it was something to which I never became callous. He too me into the dissecting-room and led me to a table around which several students were gathered. a visit I paid to the Medical Department of the University of Moscow with one of the students who was a friend of mine. Suddenly from one of our men came the cry. which remained open. Some of the soldiers went through his clothes to collect his effects. I remember. I can see them now. His glassy eyes. In the days that were to come I was to see death many times and in various forms. The sight had sic ened me. I found the sergeant and one or two men bending over the form of poor Kuzmov. The thought that I [ 92 ] DEAD MAN'S SHOES might have been in his shoes and suffered his fate made me shudder. what shall I do?" To report him would mean his summary execution at the hands of a court martial. His body was so full of bayonet wounds that it loo ed li e a sieve. haunted me ever after. The thotight that worried me as we beat about the bushes was. The sergeant blew a whistle. "Here he is!" Running over to where I had first noticed the moving object. but I wal ed away. for if he were found unharmed it would be mighty hard to explain how it was he had not heeded the sergeant's whistle. After waiting several minutes.
if you want to. let us get out in the air. You can have the overcoat. and they're smaller than the ones you are wearing. In the streets I ran across a number of men from the rest of our squadron as well as from other regiments in our division. but it is better than none.of the corpse they were dissecting. In the stiff form and glassy-eyed countenance lying on that table I see a composite picture of scores of victims who made the supreme sacrifice. I was relieved from further sentry duty at once — my watch was nearly up." I answered. as well as the boots. I couldn't bear to handle them. "let's go somewhere else. This place stifles me!" But to return to Eragola. Paul? An}one would thin ." "What's the matter with you. too. much less to wear them. after all your experiences. " Better ta e 'em." "No. One glimpse was enough." From his reference to the coat. I inferred that it. anyway — and went bac to the village. which had evidently caught up with us during the night. that sights li e this would seem tame. When I reached the hut where our company was quartered one of our men threw me a pair of boots which he had been examining rather closely. had belonged to poor Kuzmov. Petrovitch. "I came near to death myself so many times that the sight of a dead body brings before my eyes a aleidoscopic picture of the dangers I went through. "Come. It has some blood stains on it and there are some ugly holes in it. Come. Paul. . "You're entitled to them. too. Whenever I saw a victim on the battle-field I used to thin of the thoughts that must have run through his mind in his last moments — the same 7 [93] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL inds of thoughts that ran through my mind when it seemed that my last moment had come." he declared." I said. and I let the latter lie where he had thrown them. I too my friend's arm and led him from the room. There I made an official report of the occurrence.
and I was disposing of them in that way when Stassie entered the room.< YOU POOR fiddler! DON'T \'0U KNOW A DEAD MAN's BOOTS ARE THE LUCKIEST YOU CAN WEAR?" THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL "What's the matter. when Demetri left the room. "For the love of Peter. indifferently." I answered. it certainly did not operate to eep me out of them! [96] VII . they belonged to poor Kuzmov. Demetri. noticing that I had apparently rejected them. Paul?" he demanded. Later. "No. but if the charm they bore helped to pull me through the dangers I encountered. I decided to deposit them behind an old chest of drawers." "You idiot! You poor fiddler! Don't you now a dead man's boots are the luc iest you can wear? Put them on this minute or I'll mighty quic show you the ones you have on are the unluc iest you ever wore!" Stassie was so excited about it that I compHed and. Paul? Aren't they good enough for you?" he as ed. in a tone of awe that I could not disguise. "I'd rather go barefooted than wear them. put on the bloodstained boots. "Why. I pic ed them up and pretended that I was going to appropriate them. disgusted as I was. what are you doing with that perfectly good pair of boots. In the months that followed I soon forgot their uncanny association.[94] /. I thin they're too big. not wanting to appear chic en-hearted." I answered. and then. Stassie.
for which I was prepared to pay. It did not ta e me long to find it. My blood was boiling. or you will have no further use for food or anything else!" And then. "You ought to feel honored that we are willing to eat your dirty food! Bring us brea fast. I was just about through when five soldiers came into the room. angrily. She as ed me in and prepared me some tea and brought me bread and butter. I cannot afford to give it away!" " Don't as idle questions!" one of the soldiers answered. Even the Huns would treat their own women better than you are treating her!" The woman heard my angry words. and we want it quic !" "Will you pay me — as this yoimg soldier is going to do?" the woman as ed. **7'm a Jew and I'm fighting against the Huns just as hard as you are! This woman is a Russian and she's entitled to be treated as a Russian. I tell you. bringing his fist down heavily on the table. jtunping to my feet. roughly. and I as ed the lady who came to the door. and bring it quic . politely enough. "Hurry up. "we want some brea fast. I thought I might be luc y enough to get a decent brea fast if I could find the house where I had procured a meal the night before. he as ed. enough for all of them. disgustedly : "What do you thin of these Jews? Didn't I tell you they're wor ing hand in hand witii the Huns?" "That's a lie!" I cried. There were not chairs. but they managed to seat themselves on the three chairs that were already placed at the table. who appeared to be Jewish. turning to his comrades.COLD STEEL WITH my newly acquired boots on. "I have but a scanty supply of food for my hus[97] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL band and myself. evi- . whether she would furnish me brea fast. and. old woman!" they ordered.
" she wept. "But why do they insult me and my people? Is it nothing that my son fights for Russia? Why is Russia so ungrateful to his mother?" The incident upset me. but you'll be paid eventually. "Yes. logolevitch. It may ta e a little time. the commander-in-chief. we've just received an order from the Grand. but they did not answer me.Du e Nicolai Nicholevitch. and you can't expect these muzhi s in uniform to act any better." he admitted. "It is against the law for soldiers to act this way." I told her." "It is not so much the money — although I can ill afford to feed strangers for nothing. try any Jew that is suspected. Three officers may constitute themselves a court. but wliat can I do? The government itself. "I will report these men and you'll be paid by the Commissary Department. There might have been some justification for acting that way in enemy territory. to watch the Jews closely and to deal with them summarily if we have any doubt of their loyalty. you now. but why should Russian soldiers act so unfairly to their own people? When I got bac to our quarters I spo e to the porutchi about it. has always been against the Jews. which was fortunate. "it is against the law. Why. They glared at me while they ate their bread and dran their tea and made some insulting remar s about the woman of the house. After they had eaten they got up and left the place without paying a cent! [98] COLD STEEL The woman went into the adjoining room and threw herself across a bed.dently fearing trouble. brought the men food without further protest. and may order [99] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL his imraediate execution if convinced of his guilt!" . trying to comfort her. perhaps — for me. starting to cry.
"but the general himself wouldn't dare to cross me. . with Stassie. When he was transferred he [ loo] COLD STEEL realized that it does not pay to run foul of Matvay Kapustin! Better watch yourself. Matvay Kapustin was a "four-flusher. Stassie and I still acting as advance-guard. he suffered terribly later on as the result of Hun barbarism. I had never li ed him because he was always boasting about the great pull he had in the regiment. and in accordance with instructions which were given him we followed a by-road which led into the woods. My companion was a peculiar fellow named Matvay Kapustin." he chattered as we trotted along. I heard a term which puzzled me. I was glad. An hour or two later we were ordered to proceed. 2 of our squadron. if possible. however. upon inquiry. an hour or two later. We rode a quarter of a mile behind the company. almost throwing us from our horses as they swept by. I couldn't find it in the dictionary which I was using. I had some trouble with a pol oimi once. when. I was relieved and sent forward. A second or two later our two companies came galloping past us. but when. where we joined Company No." "I'm only a corporal. followed by twenty or thirty more. logolevitch!" I paid little attention to him. ahead of the advance-guard. A couple of years afterward.This inteUigence made me very unhappy because I felt that many innocent members of my faith would undoubtedly suffer death under such a drastic rule. I determined to eep my eyes and ears open when quartered in these villages and ascertain. and then came some more shots. whether there was any real justification for the suspicion leveled against the Jews. This time I was assigned with another man as rear-guard. I found out what it signified I thought how well it would have fitted Matvay — poor fellow. Suddenly Stassie' s horse snorted and almost simultaneously a shot rang out behind us. when I went to America. His chatter went in one ear and out the other. Stassie was given a map.
while I turned my bac . Blood was streaming from her chest. ] COLD STEEL . | Panunsev informed us that we were to ta e j the village at the point of the bayonet. we fixed our bayonets and marched down the road. while my legs were squeezed tightly behind his lance. there was quite a force of Germans in possession. I continued to ride with Stassie until we came to a row of huts which formed the outs irts of the village of Betigola.My horse reared up on his hind legs and threw me. which did not seem to li e the idea of being passed by the rest of the company. who was trying to hold in his mount. after examining the wound. [lOl] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL and Stassie's left hand was pressed heavily on my bac . a soldier of Company 2 too my revolver from my hand and. Every hundred yards 1 or so we came upon the body of a dead horse. who came galloping down the road. and with all his strength swung me up in front of him. Poor Wania! I would sooner have shot myself. and dashed off into the woods on our left. we were told. grabbed my hand. The branches of the tree struc us cruelly. ordered me to shoot the animal. where. 1 [ IC2 ] . shot poor Wania twice in the head. through which we made our way in an effort to overta e our comrades. j Bro en telegraph wires and other signs indicated that the Germans had captured the village only after a bitter fight. which was attached to both his right arm and right foot. Stassie. where they were waiting for us. I was lying face down across the horse's nec . Leaving a few men to guard the horses and the equipment which we didn't need. and we i were ordered to dismount. Seeing my repugnance to ta e the animal's life. We caught up with our company about a quarter of a mile farther on. bent down quic ly from his saddle. and there we were joined by Wania. and Panunsev.
The companies which had joined us had brought with them a machine-gun. Panunsev blew a whistle. we came upon some trenches which some of our men were ordered to occupy to cover us if we were compelled to retreat. We had advanced within perhaps five hundred yards of the village when the enemy's patrols spied us and opened fire from the houses. and it was placed upon a slight rising in the ground. When we came to a point from which through field-glasses we could see the village we waited for the other two companions of our squadron. I could hardly restrain myself from getting to my feet and charging at them. I was trembling a little with excitement. Crawling along in this way. that it represented the center of our attac ing force. right past the point where we lay concealed in the shrubbery. The gun I carried seemed very heavy. there!" commanded Sergeant Pirov. no doubt. then. When we were all properly placed a signal was given and we started to move forward on our hands and nees. I wondered why we were not ordered to attac them on the flan . but I realized that it was the best friend I had at the moment and I clutched it firmly. figur[ 103 ] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL ing. and another body was sent over similarly to the left. With them w^e had in all about a hundred men. A terrible odor came from the rotting carcasses. men. I was with the party that had been told off to the right. ma ing their way through the woods. Part of our men were ordered off to the right flan .with glassy eyes and stomach blown up to an enormous size from the gases which had formed when putrefaction set in. let them have it! Charge!" . As the Germans came rushing down the road. and legs rising straight and stiff in the air li e pieces of wood. in a low voice. A moment later the enemy came charging at the machine-gun. which had been ordered to join us. Our machine-gun started to rattle away. "Now. Between us and the village lay an open plain. "Steady.
and one of the things that impressed me was that he wore a cap instead of the customary helmet. to a single combat. Tvithdrew my bayonet from his body.the sergeant shouted. we ept up a machine-gun fire after the fleeing Germans as long as they were in range. From the roof of one of the buildings. so far as I was concerned. and around his body were three belts of bullets. They were headed straight down the road and didn't expect to be attac ed on the flan . which he held by the muzzle and had swung far above his head. We scrambled to our feet and charged full tilt against the passing Huns. and followed my comrades. We too Betigola. whom I could see had the Germans on the run. but suddenly I realized that the whole fight had narrowed itself down. I didn't pic out any one in particular. It pierced his body just above the heart and loosened his hold on the rifle. and then. noc ing me to the ground. and then we estabHshed a buc et brigade and . and the next moment he fell forward on top of me. in which my head struc the ground heavily. I got one short glimpse of his huge figure. which was intact. [ 104 ] COLD STEEL That was all I saw. which went BEFORE ME WAS A HUGE GERMAN BRANDISHING HIS GUN hurtling through the air. It was partly in flames. stunned by the fall. I lay still for a moment. because then I shut my eyes and thrust my bayonet blindly toward him. pushing the unconscious form of the [105] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL German from me. I got to my feet. Before me was a huge Gemian brandishing his gun.
the inhabitants coming out of their houses and bringing us bread. When the animal was stabled I got a chance to get some sleep. that while the Germans were in possession of Betigola the Jew^s of the village had done all they could to help them! Knowing the hatred which these Lithuanians bore toward my race. it seemed. cheese. An hour or so later we were joined by tne rest of our division and the Httle \allage once again resumed its normal appearance. Don't be afraid to tell me exactly what occurred. and their conversation filled me with misgi\'ings. and with apparent sin- . I was provided with a new horse. "You can answer me truthfully. I did not believe there was the slightest foundation for the accusations they had made. nowing that among the officers were many anti-Semites.endeavored to stop the spread of the flames in the village. and I new that in very short order the rumor of the Jews' disloyalty would spread through the village and reach the ears of our officers. I started to than God for ha\'ing brought me safely through the battle. In the main street I met a Jew. corporal!" he declared." "There is no truth in it at all." I added. I stopped him and as ed him how the rumor had arisen that the Jews had aided the enemy. "I'm a Jew myself. and I hastened into the village to find out just what was going on. 1 106] COLD STEEL Some of them had been told by Lithuanians in the village. I feared the worst. which I christened Was ia. In the hut where I was quartered were a number of men who did not belong to our squadron. but I was so thoroughly exhausted that I fell asleep before my prayer was finished. earnestly. but the soldiers had been more credulous. I overheard them tal ing while I was getting up the next morning. and butter in to en of their appreciation for our services in rescuing them from the Hims.
sir.cerity. At the end of it I saw an immense crowd. breathlessly. We were all soon busy at our wor . but among the diggers harsh things were said about our people. you dog!" he retorted. If he had plunged a nife into me he could not have pained me more. did not understand German. I suppose. a corporal. should have the temerity to address him in that fashion." It was just as I had thought. Poles. The Jews who acted as interpreters were no more to blame than the rest of us who dug the trenches. At the side of the scaffold was an officer. I ran down the street. As I left my informant I noticed hundreds of soldiers and villagers hurrying down the main street. white with anger that I. as I came within six feet of him. "What do you mean by this insult!" . Is that it?" "Yes. Most of the villagers. "They're hanging the Jew traitors — nine of them!" he replied. In its midst was a scaffold ! The sight gave me unsuspected strength and I forced my way through the crowd as though they were so many cor figures. you now. that they were wor ing hand in hand with the Germans. "Captain!" I shouted. and so the Jews were pic ed out to act as interpreters. and hurried after the crowd. and I stopped one of the men of my company and as ed him what the excitement was about. "When the Huns too possession of our village we were all ordered to dig trenches. "Stop these murders! There is a terrible mista e!" [io8] COLD STEEL "Silence." "And because the Jews were seen in conversation with the German officers the conclusion was reached. Lithuanians. that is the whole truth. and Jews — all [107] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL except those who were used as interpreters and who acted as overseers. They had no choice in the matter.
had fallen to the floor and was crying aloud for justice. but what's the use of grieving? Remember God is the final judge. from cuts and scratches which they had undoubtedly received when they were seized. I — " His arm shot out and caught me on the point of the chin and I measured my length in the mud. white-faced and serious — • the first time I had ever seen him in that condition. I got slowly to my feet. Some time later I felt a grab at my shoulder and turned to find Stassie. The innocent may have suffered to-day — but the guilty will not escape. and a girl."Innocent blood is about to be shed. There was a stoic expression about their countenances in which one read the tragedy of their race. two boys. "It's tough. half stunned from the shoc of the blow. Turning from the pitiful scene." . and hurrying away 8 [109] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL as fast as I could. Pavli . I didn't stop until I got to the stable where my horse was stalled. ''I feel ten-ible about it myself. Their faces were colorless. I burst through the crowd. very tough!" he sympathized. the poor woman whose screams had attracted my attention. hoping that the physical pain might ma e me forget the mental torture of the tragedy that was being enacted down the street. Falling into the hay. My hand was on my revolver. that their last despairing cries might not haunt me for the rest of my life. A ninth. The piercing cry of a woman attracted my attention momentarily to the scaffold. but my better judgment restrained me. I pulled at my hair as hard as I could. biting my lips to eep from crying. except where they were stained with blood. captain. I new I couldn't save those poor wretches and so I wanted to get away from the spot as fast as possible. The sight will never be blotted from my brain. two women. Justice! The tears came to my eyes at the realization of my utter helplessness. Eight poor wretches were standing at the foot of the scaffold — three men. This is no time for etiquette.
merica and came to understand how impossible such a thing was in a country where liberty is something more than a name. anxious to get away as far as possible from the scene of that pitiful tragedy. . The lances of the men in front would bend the boughs and then they would snap bac and stri e the men who followed. [no] VIII SURROUNDED BY GERMANS T^HE next day our squadron was ordered to ■*■ advance toward the city of Rossieny. Later on. We wal ed out of the village. we proceeded through the woods. Solntsef evidently decided to wait until dar . and our advance-guards reported that through their fieldglasses they could see a force of Germans occupying an estate. Finally the men with lances were ordered to iiii] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL the rear and from.I got to my feet and accompanied him out of the stable. and many of us were severely scratched and bruised as a result. that time on our progress was attended with less discomfort. there were some thirty or forty thousand Germans in possession of that city. that our little squadron of one hundred and thirty men should attac the Huns. of course. It was not expected. I realized to the full how sadly my country had suffered for the want of it. it was impossible to dodge the blows of the boughs. but it was a long time before the events of that fateful day ceased to distress me. Wherever possible. but at night — and it got to be dar about four o'cloc in the afternoon — it was particularly difficult. when I visited A. Owing to the dar ness. Our job was merely to harass the German scouts and patrols and at the same time feel the way for the advance of our own forces. At dawn we penetrated the woods. From what we heard. It was not easy going even in the daytime.
When our scouts got bac we were ordered to proceed cautiously toward the estate adjoining the one in the possession of the enemy. A s y-roc et from the enemy's estate. we were ordered to change our positions constantly. several detachments of infantry having been seen to enter the estate and none to come out. We drew our sabers and chased them. During the day our scouts reported that the numbers of the Germans had been increased. told us that our presence was nown to the Huns. but it soon became evident that they had another plan in view. with the [112] SURROUNDED BY GERMANS idea of quieting them for good. Then we went outside and lay prone. This continued for nearly an hour. followed by another and then a third. and we gave it up. but we only excited them the more. We had barely reached the estate when a dozen or more dogs began to bar vigorously. At the first flare we were ordered to place our horses under cover. feeding our horses and ourselves from the reserve food we carried in our saddles. A storm of machine-gun bullets struc a wooden building near where we were lying. and we were sleepy and fretful. during which time we expected them to storm our estate at any moment. In the afternoon Solntsef sent scouts forward to ascertain whether the adjoining estate was occupied by the enemy. holding the nostrils of our horses to prevent them neighing and thereby attracting the enemy's attention. We led them into a stone building which had evidently been the home of the owner of the estate. indicating that the enemy's illuminations had disclosed our exact position. The damage had been done. While the fire from the original direction was sustained we suddenly . As the enemy's aim became more accurate with each succeeding flare. anyway. Our day of inactivity in the woods had gotten on our nerves. While they were gone it started to sleet and made things very uncomfortable for us.All day long we were ept in the woods. ready for a possible attac of the enemy.
" "No. we shall be annihilated!" A dozen or more of us jumped forward. "I will go as I am. read it to luc . after he had explained our pre[113] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL dicament. "If you will let me ta e the machine-gun and some of our men to the right of the estate." I replied. I guess we'll ta e a more experienced man this time. We were now completely surrounded. "If we don't get help before morning. we might surprise the enemy and per- . Shortly afterward the enemy began to fire on us from the right flan . Paul. as I had done before. This idea sounded good to me. [114] SURROUNDED BY GERMANS captain. I suggested that I could remove my uniform and pass as a civilian. Step forward!" He handed the trooper response to the order scribbled. "That would not protect you now!" the captain answered.became aware that we were being fired upon from the rear and from the left as well! We were being gradually surrounded. and wished him good word the soldier plunged disappeared from sight. Without another into the dar ness and who came forward in a note which he hastily him. I was lying not far from our machine-gun and I heard one of the men remar that it would have been better for us if some of us had remained in the woods with the gun so that we could have bothered the Germans from two angles. Gavril Kolnin. we'll give you the honor. "The Huns would fire on anything that moved out of the estate!" "Very well. I suggested it to the commander. captain. "Who will volunteer to get through and carry a message to our forces at Betigola?" Captain Solntsef as ed.
but later on decided to give the plan a trial. It was li e a htige firefly flying in circles. Our ruse wor ed. Fortunately for us. The Germans must have noticed it. The captain ordered our men to cease firing for a full minute and then to resimie for two minutes. too. After the fourth spell of firing we were to move over rapidly to the right and to set our machinegun several hundred yards nearer the enemy. From a dozen or more volunteers he detailed ten men besides myself to put it into execution. We were . The men who had surrounded the estate. with the parting injunction to ma e our dash for the forest when he fired his revolver four times. about one hundred and fifty yards nearer the German lines we observed a THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL strange moveraent of a red flare in the air. for they ceased firing ■ — ^undoubtedly suspecting a tric on our part. We were no sooner located in our new position when Stassie suggested that if we would obey his orders. and we dashed for the woods. only it traveled faster than any firefly. We got our machine-gun to wor without delay and the rest of us fired our rifles as fast as we could pull the triggers and reload. inhaling so that he produced a considerable flare. Then I got to the woods as fast as my legs would carry me and found there the rest of our party. surprised by the fire from ." He disagreed at first.haps have a chance to brea through their cordon. following this schedule four times. Then came four pistol-shots in quic succession.willing to ta e a chance. but I pic ed myself up in time to see the form arise and run toward the German estate. placed three Russian cigarettes in his mouth and ignited them. Stassie lighted a match under his overcoat. the enemy's flares having temporarily ceased. A moment later. I had run but a short distance when I tripped over a form in the dar and fell forward on my face. Then he disappeared in the dar ness. Stassie was one of the party. he would show us a way to brea through the German lines and get to the woods in safety. this maneuver was carried out without discovery.
and he was soa ed through. mounting their horses and dashing for the woods. but apart from these minor injuries he was unharmed. where we were already safely sheltered. a voice from the dar ness [ii6] SURROUNDED BY GERMANS cried. but the fifth we could find nowhere. Before he could answer. the tips of his fingers were burned by the cigarettes he had used as a torch. dozens of them being caught. He had spent half an hour in a hole half filled with mud and water. by our machine-gun fire. I was among the latter. A canvass of our members revealed that eleven of us were wounded and five were missing. In the morning we were ordered to approach the outs irts of the woods and resume our attac on the estate occupied by the Germans. "For God's sa e. We found two of them dead and two more badly wounded. got up and ran for their estate. and we assumed that the poor fellow must have been captured. Our horses were where we had left them and unharmed. and when we got to the scene of last night's battle the first thing we did was to search for our missing. stop the shooting a moment and give me a chance to get out of this hole!" We stopped our fire immediately and Stassie came running toward us. and then half of our number was ordered to ta e possession of the flaming estate and the other half to reoccupy the estate we had held the night before.the woods and thin ing we had received reinforcements. We waited about ten minutes. however. Besides. [117] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL . although the stone building was fairly plastered with bullets. The rest of our squadron seized the opportunity to escape from the estate. But where was Stassie? I was so sure that he had paid with his life for the tric which had saved the squadron that I voiced my fear to the soldier who was manning the machine-gun. but when we came to the edge of the woods we observed that it was in flames.
The only thing we could find in the way of food was potatoes. It wasn't long before we were aroused and ordered to dig trenches. we made ourselves as comfortable as we could. Ten of our men were assigned to carry our wounded to Betigola and the rest of us too the road in our usual formation. now that it was all over and our stomachs were fed. nature would no longer be denied. ' ' you loo dead ! ' ' "I feel it. and we lay down without removing our uniforms and were soon dead to the world. but in the afternoon we got another chance to catch up on the sleep we had missed. a sentiment in which I readily concurred. besides. and then prepared some brea fast for ourselves. which were plentiful. Paul!" Stassie suggested . They ept us at it all the morning. tasted as good to us as a seven-course banquet. "Better get a little sleep. boiled over a camp-fire. but. but how about you?" . In the evening Stassie and I were detailed to establish a listening-post about half a mile up the road. which were more comfortable than the main house. but a cold wind blew up and it started to rain again. "It would be better for our health — and. The excitement of the night had made us forget all about sleep. fed them hay and oats. We entered it and placed our horses in the stables. but it was so long since we had had anything but cold meals that the potatoes. Our trench dug. We were soon drenched to the s in. our forms might mar the beauty of the scene!" he declared. Five miles along the road we came to another estate which our advance-guard reported was unoccupied. [ii8] SURROUNDED BY GERMANS When we reached the spot indicated Stassie suggested that we dig a trench.We did not linger long at this point.
I won't be far away — sleeping. It was impossible for any one to pass without hitting our barrier. he crossed to one side of the road and told me to ta e the other end and go to the other side. and the next instant something else did. too — about ten horse-power. turning over on his side and closing his eyes again. in firstclass condition. who was sound asleep in the trench. "Now. from which he hung our rifles and other equipment. except our revolvers. [119] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL "By Jove. but your airplane is a motor-cycle — a German motor-cycle. however. "isn't that an airplane?" "Sure it's an airplane. and mine he formed a rope. I jumped toward Stassie. his ammunition-belt."Well. . "Careful there." The motor was now too plain to be mista en. "I brought one along on my horse. and shoo him. perhaps. It's good for about two minutes more and then — pff !" and with a snap of his fingers he indicated the fate that was in store for the oncoming machine. "vStassie!" I yelled. "hold on for all you're worth!" The machine came nearer and nearer. but the noise became plainer and plainer. or you'll bust your machine!" His boldness almost noc ed me off my feet." I may have dozed off. and ta ing one end of the improvised barricade. Paul! You're nearly half right. The belt was jer ed out of my hands. in a more comfortable place. and Stassie jumped to his feet. you idiot!" he answered. then. as though the machine were coming our way. and I was flung over to one side of the gutter. and suddenly I heard a noise from afar li e the motor of an airplane. but I ept one eye and both ears open most of the time. I got up quic ly and rushed toward Stassie. I thought at first that I was dreaming. the motorcycle s idded across the wet road. With his overcoat. Paul!" Stassie whispered. When it was almost on top of us Stassie yelled.
too. Brought before Captain Solntsef. attracted by the shots. They were on top of him and were pounding his face as hard as they could wor their fists. covering the other fellow. the Ger- . aimed a blow at my face. and the next instant a flash from a revolver reminded me of my own. we marched bac with our two prisoners and the motor-cycle." Stassie declared. with his revolver. who was just recovering from the stunning blow I had given him. which led him to remar that he was sorry headquarters couldn't have his bro en nose. "I'm going to save this blood. drawing bac his arm. he was informed that it would be appropriated by headquarters. Then a squad of our men arrived." but when I121] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL we reported to Captain Solntsef and Stassle laid claim to the machine as his legitimate spoil. A second flash revealed Stassie still holding his prisoner and. and we got a chance to breathe.who was battling with two Germans. In the mean while Stassie had succeeded in seizing the other fellow by the throat. If he had landed. referring to the crimson stream which flowed profusely from his battered nose. and he fell bac ward unconscious. caught him a terrific blow on the side of the head. One of the Germans stopped pounding Stassie long enough to grab me by the leg and down I went. Leaving two of the men in charge of the post. but I drew up my right leg and ic ed him in the stomach and then. which Stassie had already decided he could use very nicely. "and use it as gasolene for the motor-cycle. I am sure he would have noc ed my nose clear through the bac of my head. In the excitement I forgot my revolver and jumped [ 120] SURROUNDED BY GERMANS into the melee swinging at the Huns as hard as I could with my fists. but when I reached for it I found it was gone. with my left nee. He pulled me toward him and.
we received word to turn bac . A couple of Cossac s who overtoo us told us that some ten thousand of our men were in the vicinity and that. and then some more infantry. and various other military units. I heard one of the men suggest that I go outside and get some straw off the roof of one of the huts and ma e a bed of it as the others were doing. A little farther on we met the general of the corps and his staff. Half asleep. although we were very anxious for those rest billets which the Cossac s had spo en of. did not so much resent the delay. Following them came the machine-gun corps. and after riding some ten minutes we ran into the advance-guard of the forces the Cossac s had referred to. for that reason. a Red Cross unit. that they had been on their way to the estate from which we had driven the Germans the night before. as our services would no longer be needed. I 122} SURROUNDED BY GERMANS For the next four miles we passed one continuous column of infantry and cavalry on their way to the front. On account of the crowded condition of the roads our progress was necessarily slow. That was the first cheering news we had received in many days and we were afraid it was too good to be true.mans admitted. After providing for our horses. and a message in their poc ets revealed that large enemy forces were on their way to meet ours. telegraph and telephone companies. an airplane corps. in all probability. our squadron would be sent bac to rest billets. to whom our commander gave ^ report of our wor and who then reviewed us. through me as interpreter. The following morning we started off again. I pic ed out the nearest corner of the stable and lay down on the wet and dirty floor without even stopping to remove my ammunition-belt. and. itchens and food transports. the engineer corps. The prisoners were sent bac to Betigola. although the cold and dampness of the floor made me shiver and sha e. and in one of the estates we came to we were ordered to stay for the night. We were dead tired. however. the light artillery. Shortly afterward. I coiled up and fell . but I was too tired to get up. and.
There we spent five memorable days. Later on he sent a soldier to me with an instrument he had secured in the village. although our pleasure was somewhat clouded by the fact that our commander. but I had to appear agreeable and I said I would do my best. a number of whom we saw passing through . and during the rest of our holiday we had music with our I 124] SURROUNDED BY GERMANS meals. driving the enemy bac seventy miles and capturing many prisoners. was not going to be very popular with us. but was awa ened from time to time by the enormous rats which infested the place and which jumped around the stable as boldly as you please. but we had no say in the naatter. I slept soundly. and ^e felt particularly happy and carefree because word drifted through to us that our forces had captured the town of Rossieny. before our meals. He didn't loo to be more than eighteen years of age. Our company commander. Captain Panunsev whispered to him. Captain Solntsef. I felt. He was a stem disciplinarian and a demon for wor . Porutchi Panunsev. was retired on account of ill health. but in the morning I felt considerably refreshed.asleep. The day the new podporutchi too charge of our company. Early next morning we started on our way again and at length reached Betigola. and we all felt that it was influence that had secured him the position rather than merit. I didn't li e to be singled out by an officer who. and was succeeded by a young fellow fresh from an officers' school. was promoted to the captaincy of the squadron. and then he called me over and shoo hands with me and declared that he was going to procure a violin so that we could have some music during our furlough. and after our meals. but he was no shir er himself and we wor ed for him willingly. sometimes landing squarely on our bodies and sometimes on [123] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL our faces. We really had a very good time. Podporutchi Lavronsev.
several heavy explosions coming one right after another. 9 I 125] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL We were being bombarded ! Without waiting for instructions. for a shell burst right over our stable and the shrapnel too the comer off the roof." As we started down the street a grenade exploded right ahead of us and we turned into a near-by alley. a loud buzzing and shrie ing. Just as we reached the wagon a shell exploded right above us. Coming toward us was an army wagon loaded with boxes of shrapnel. We were not a moment too soon. and injuring a woman and a child who happened to be passing. "We better wa e them up. and a shell flew right over our heads and exploded on the other side of the village. and we finally concluded that it must be from our own gun sfiring at airplanes. and went bac to sleep. Then came a third. throwing the horses to the ground. During the night we were awa ened again. upsetting the wagon. day was beginning to brea . but the^-^ could see nothing in the dar ness. The explosions continued for an hour or more.Betigola. With these reports to cheer us. we were quite at a loss to understand a terrific cannonading which bro e out the last night of our furlough and which shoo our building to its foundations. and prepared for whatever orders we might receive. through which we planned to reach the main street. saddled them. We decided to nin over to the house where our officers were quartered. we got out our horses. This time it was not so dar . It was drawn by six horses. Again some of our men jumped to the stable roof. which exploded right in the center of the village. however. Another landed a moment later in about the same spot. There was a jumbled mass of horses. and in the forest far away we could see clouds of smo e. "or they'll miss the performance. Suddenly there came a drilling sound. ammuni- ." declared Stassie. Some of the men climbed to the roof of the stable.
panic-stric en troops were engaged in a desperate struggle among themselves. swooping down from time to time and spraying the confused mass with machine-gun bullets. The struggling mass made a plain target for the German guns. On the main road. The noise was deafening. transports. When we reached the main street we found it jammed with artillery. The execution was terrific. which was higher than the field. artillery wagons. and I scrambled bac and followed my comrades through the field. and troops. al- .tion-boxes. Soldiers carrying the wounded on stretchers dropped their pitiable burdens and ran to save themselves. Again we turned bac . Shrapnel was bursting in the air and bombs were falling from enemy planes which hovered above us li e birds of prey. every one trying to get out of harm's way without the faintest idea of where safety lay. Suddenly a grenade struc not twenty yards from me and flying splinters struc down my I127I THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL nearest comrade. and debris. My own horse fell to her nees and I lost my seat. and at a wild gallop made our way to a field. My animal was uninjured. motors. however. the victims toppling down the side of the emban ment in vast numbers. There we ran into a scene of [126] SURROUNDED BY GERMANS disorder such as it is almost impossible for me to describe — an army run amuc ! There were thousands of soldiers and horses running wild across the field. Guns and ammunition were scattered everywhere. Transports and Red Cross wagons were standing upside down or hopelessly entangled with artillery and gun-carriages. The agonized cries of the wounded added to the awful din. Some of the soldiers had removed their boots that they might move faster. We were about to turn bac when a shell burst behind us and our horses leaped over the wrec age and galloped down the alley.
In the forest we found thirty or forty men of our regiment. but it was not many minutes before a colonel rode over to us and ordered us to mount and follow him. We had to do as we were ordered." he declared. although. Watch ! " Jumping off his horse. for fear of attracting the attention of the officers and. must have fallen asleep immediately. and so we got what sleep we could in our saddles. "I'm. and shrapnel and shell were flying toward the enemy 's lines over the heads of our retreating forces. and myself were the only members of our company who seemed to have found their way there. "How are you gomg to manage it?" I as ed. . climbing into the truc himself. we learned from one of the officers that he was bound for Kovno— a two or three days' trip ! [128] AT LENGTH WE MANAGED TO GET OUT OF THE OPEN FIELD AND FOUND SHELTER IN THE WOODS THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL Stassie was very sore about it. By the time we reached this cover we observed that our artillery had at last started a counter-attac . He led us to the road and. but Sergeant Pirov. Stassie. At length we managed to get out of the open field and found shelter in the woods. pointing to an artillery brigade and some Red Cross and transport wagons. " It's very simple. anyway. ordered us to accompany them. after we had ridden several miles. which were perspiring and foaming. perhaps getting Stassie in trouble. lay down full length and. from his snoring.though we were widely separated. We decided to wait until morning before attempting to locate the rest of our company. The sergeant and I were afraid to do the same thing. going to ta e a rest. he hitched it to one of the artillery truc s and then. disgustedly. we lay down on the ground to rest. Getting off our tired horses.
Needless to say. the scaffold they used at Betigola to murder those poor. Such catastrophes as this. the treachery that had placed our army in this awful predicament had ept the enemy fully posted and at the proper moment an attac was launched against ovir helpless lines. guiltless Jews would have served a better purpose at Petrograd." I answered. . with the result that we had witnessed. Stassie. but large bodies of troops which had been sent from Kovno to reinforce our left flan had gone forward without a pound of ammunitio7i. When they too their places in the front lines the only ammunition they received was what came from the enemy's guns! An army without ammunition is worse than helpless. which. it seemed. Our armies have suffered more from treachery in our own High Command than from any superiority in the High Command of the enemy. who was responsible for that condition and who was later found to have been a traitor to Russia. had been entirely successful in the drive against the Huns and had indeed recaptured the town of Rossieny. Paul.We rode all that day and through the night. and in the face of an attac retreat is the only logical course. did more to brea down the morale of the Russian army than all the legitimate successes of German arms. "Doesn't it ta e the heart out of you?" lamented Stassie as we continued on our way to Kovno. had told the commanding officers of the contingent that they would find ample ammunition when [ 130] SURROUNDED BY GERMANS they arrived on the firing-hne. Its useless guns and equipment retard its movement. "I tell you. Colonel Petroff. At one of the villages we went through the next morning we learned the cause of the disastrous panic in our army which we had witnessed at Betigola. adequate provision having been made to supply them. That I am sure of!" "I guess you're right. were far too frequent and which were invariably the result of treachery in the Russian High Command. Our troops. as we had been informed. the commanderin-chief of the fortress of Kovno. unfortunately.
and then we started for Keidany. At Kovno we received a certificate from the commander for our absence from our regiment. and to-morrow's always another day. But to be sent against the enemy with our arms practically tied behind our bac s — without the ghost of a fighting chance — to ta e all that's handed to us without a chance in the world to stri e bac — that's not the fortunes of war. and prepare hopefully for to-morrow's battle. only to be told that our . Does any one complain about that? If we get the worst of it after a bitter fight in which we give almost as much as we ta e. from which place we hoped to be able to learn. "and Brusiloff and Ruz y are more than a match for all the von Hindenbtirgs and the von Mac ensens the Germans can supply. we rode along silently. our armies have sometimes met reverses. by the use of the telephone or telegraph." Stassie went on. despite superior generalship. however. a line of protest that was being constantly voiced in the ran s of the Russian army. He was only repeating. v/e accept the situation philosophically. don't we? That's the fortunes of war. lic our wounds. Sic at heart. where we could rejoin our command. After riding all day we reached that village. but. At Keidany we were told that our regiment was at Remigola." "We've got a wonderful leader in the grand du e. Successive experiences of the character of that we had witnessed at Betigola — all [132] SURROUNDED BY GERMANS brought about in precisely the same way — at length bro e the spirit of the Russian army.[131] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL "but I don't see how we can do anything to change the situation. Paul — that's wholesale murder! I'd just li e to have my hands for one second on the throat of the Russian traitor who's responsible for such crimes ! ' ' The loo on Stassie's face as he expressed the last sentiment spo e volumes.
and he stopped his bullying of the sergeant. without giving us a chance to explain. struc Sergeant Pirov a vicious blow in the face. and there we finally located it. for. and was about to follow it up. "If I don't send a bullet through that bully's head the first chance I get. constant wor fraught with the gravest danger. But for this ruse I was quite sure there would have been a sad mix-up. with possible serious consequences. "you can hand me over to the Huns!" and Stassie and I both felt that his resentment was fully justified. We started down the street to report to Podporutchi Lavronsev. and in the days that were to follow we endured such hardships as only Russian soldiers would tolerate. in the morning. but as we passed one of the huts Captain Panunsev jumped out and. we ran into one of the men of our regiment who was riding through the village. with two vSac s of mail on his horse's bac . Pirov constantly wiping the blood from his face and swearing to himself. and seldom a word of praise for duties well performed — that was the program day in and day out. lifted a stone from the ground. Fortunately we stayed at Remigola that night. After the excitement we continued down the street. insufficient sleep. The crash of the falling glass had the effect I had intended. when I bent down from my saddle. for . but we did not grumble. a man who had the reputation for being as unreasonable an officer as Panunsev had proved.regiment had not been there at all. From him we learned that the regiment was at Bessigola. Poor food and little of it. It distracted the captain's atten[ ^33 ] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL tion long enovigh to give him a moment's reflection. for I could see that Stassie was having a hard time to restrain himself and a second or two later would have seen him jumping from his horse and giving the captain the thrashing he deserved. With such officers we did not hope for much consideration. and threw it through the window of the nearest house." he muttered. Later we learned that the commander of our regiment had been replaced by a Colonel Karpovitch.
brought down part of the ceiling. from a comer of the room where one of the men had dropped a cigarette he had just lighted. Kapustin lighted his cigarette [135] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL and too a deep puff. of course. Bang! Crash! A heavy explosion in the room had thrown us all off our feet. and when they signaled to us that it was unoccupied we rode up. that the loaded cigarettes had been left by the Huns to secure the effect they had produced. As usual. "Cigarettes!" I shouted. two of our men were sent ahead to investigate. reaHzing. After riding some time we came to a forest. Although I did not smo e myself. Kapustin got there first and in a moment had a cigarette between his lips and had handed the box to the others. The first thing that caught m. excitedly. Lieutenant Lavronsev led us toward the Dubissa River. [134] IX ON PATROL pARLY next morning our company was or-'-' dered out on patrol. Poor Kapustin was terribly burned. and I were detailed to search the hut. Stri ing a match. After following the main trail for some ten miles we came to a little hut. Sergeant Pirov. Kapustin. I realized what a lot cigarettes meant to the others. Before we could get to our feet a second explosion. which we entered. "The dirty swine!" I shouted.y eye as I entered the room was a pac age of cigarettes lying on a table in the corner of the room. Kapustin and the sergeant jumped toward the table to which I pointed. His cigarette had exploded while in his mouth and half .that is the lot of the Russian cavalryman. It was followed by cries of pain from Kapustin and another man who had been wounded. two other men.
Podporutchi Lavronsev and four men. They cried for water. We new that German patrols were in the vicinity and it was only a question of time before a s irmish was inevitable. He and the others were carried to Vasilichi. Our two men rode up to the hut cautiously. jimiped off their horses several hundred yards from it. started immediately on patrol. including myself. Entering a forest. while the rest of his face was a mass of bums. but soon their wounds turned a dar blue. unable to endure the intense pain of their bums. which moved forward in the direction of the river. whose cigarettes had exploded in their hands. and. but were not seriously hurt. we were ordered to occupy it. that our company was to proceed some few miles nearer to the river and camp in the forest all night as a reserve. but our company had no chance to rest. He seemed to be afraid of his own shadow. Kapustin's face was horrible to see and he suffered [136] ON PATROL such terrible agony that we hoped he would die and be released. but word came from Colonel Karpovitch. had suffered hand bums. It was getting dar and we felt that we were entitled to a rest. Lavronsev sent two men forward to inspect it. During the night new orders were received. coming to an estate. The poor fellows jimiped from one foot to another. Coming to a little hut. when we got bac to the spot where we had left the rest of the company water was procured and the men soa ed their bums in it. The regiment filled the estate. and. We sat bac about half a mile away and watched them. approaching on foot. entered it. Nevertheless. They had been inside about five minutes with- . where they were turned over to the regimental medical corps. the new commander of the regiment. but the sergeant said it would only ma e their pain the greater. We rejoined the regiment. Lavronsev used me as a sort of bodyguard. It seemed to relieve them for the minute. The others.his nose and his upper lip had been blown off.
" the coward replied. Within a hundred feet of it I stopped for a moment to listen carefvilly. I will go alone. and started for the hut. trotting his horse up and down. "What can be the matter with those fellows!" Lavronsev as ed. there may still be a chance to save them!" "No. I sprang toward it. I crept a little closer. podporutchi . with my body away from the door. When. podporutchi ?'' I ventured. logolevitch. when the thought occurred. trembling as he spo e. but the beating of my heart was all I heard. nervously. but I said nothing.[ 137 ] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL out reappearing or showing themselves at the window. I thin we'll stay right where we are. Placing my hand on the handle lightly. however. " No ! No ! We'll stay right where we are ! " Ten minutes more elapsed and then I was tolerably siu*e that our men had run into trouble. which I pushed open with the muzzle of my revolver. and. pointing my revolver at the door of the hut. "Suppose we go forward and investigate. sent the blood to m^ ON PATROL head. and then a deep groan. we all began to grow uneasy. to me that something had happened. another five minutes elapsed and still no sign of life from within. and Wilins i here will remain with you!" Without waiting for his yea or nay I too off my sword and handed it to Wilins i. but then changed my mind and threw myself fiat on the ground. as from a man in pain. "Very well. . "If the podporutchi will allow me and Wilins i to go to the rescue of our comrades. I turned it.
turning his horse's head in the opposite direction." None of us were particularly anxious to see the remains of our unluc y comrades. When I saw the gruesome sight a feeling of hatred and revenge such as I had never experienced in my life before came over me. when we left our huts to fetch our horses. boys. The effect of our fire was to eep the Huns in the hut and it allowed me to rejoin the officer and Wilins i. we couldn't help it. as though those inside had imagined that I was wal ing in and had aimed a heavy blow at me. "No. [ 139] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL As we were getting up the next morning some one ran into the hut and told us excitedly that the men we had lost yesterday had returned.'" I suggested. we retraced our steps along the forest trail and returned to the estate to report the sad result of our adventure.As the door slowly opened on its hinges something heavy struc it. Wilins i opened fire on the hut. firing as I retreated. "They were brought in on a farm truc by a Lithuanian this morning. pod pondchi . You can see them outside if you want to. There came a volley of shots in return. Follow me!" and.'^ 'Wilins i chimed in. and. podporutchi . I guess we'll leave bad enough alone. the leg of one of them had been removed. " I am ready. and I decided that I was outnimibered and that it would be idiotic for me to attempt to enter the place single-handed." our informer declared. seeing what was happening. • From my position on the ground I fired through the open door. The s in of the victims was cut to pieces with a nife. I bac ed toward the forest. "He said he had been held up by some Germans on the road and had been ordered to convey the bodies to us. too. but half an hour later. excitedly. "The three of us together would have a chance against the place. . The bodies were lying on the ground right outside our door.
the arms were three-quarters severed. At supper I overheard some remar s about Stassie's imaccoimtable absence. and when I got up to overta e him a piece of paper fell from my nees. Paul!" he whispered. It was a scribbled note from Stassie. The temper of the others was similarly aroused. "I thin I'm going to need it. without telling any one where he was going or what he was going for. don't bother to save brea fast for me. and promised myself that I would ma e those Huns pay for their savagery. the eyes had been pulled out of their soc ets. What desperate plan had he embar ed on? Why hadn't he confided in me and let me share his danger with him! I was so angry I felt li e reporting his absence at once and having a searching-party sent out for him. and the s ulls were fractured ! It was an eloquent exhibition of German Kultiir. I didn't realize till a moment later that perhaps my place was by his side. I wish you good luc ! Stassie. If this is good-by. realizing that Stassie was simply performing his duty as he saw it. clenched my fists in anger. and when I saw Stassie. and he hastened away. [ 140 ] ON PATROL ** Give me your revolver. and read: Dear Paul: If I am not bac by six o'cloc to-morrow morning. but I soon swallowed my disappointment." I gave him the weapon without attracting attention. but I ept my 10 [ 141 ] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL . You needn't say anything about it. his eyes full of fire. I new he had some desperate plan in mind. I ran to the stable. You can then report to Lavronsev that my horse may be used as a reserve. either.
Will the podporutchi allow me to remain behind to wait for him? " "No. Stanislav will have to ta e care of himself." "I'll ta e care of Stassie's horse. . I now that." "Well. after me — ^became restless. logolevitch. I figured it could not be done. "That fellow Stassie has gone too far with his jo es this time!" he threatened.mouth shut. and when the signal came to assemble I remained where I was. my own. After the regiment was out of the estate I returned to the stable to eep company with Stassie's mount and Was ia. I had found out where the company was headed for. or something. podporiitcJii . sergeant. you'll do no such thing. "Something has undoubtedly detained him. Then Sergeant Pirov began to get angry about it. and. eh? I ain't. he'll meet with something worse than an accident when he gets bac . "I guess he must have met with an accident somewhere. and I was in hopes that Stassie would return in time to allow us to overta e it before it had gotten very far." I volunteered. You'll march with the rest of your company!" [ 142 ] ON PATROL I didn't ride with the rest of the company! Instead. I got the feeling that something had happened to her master. Stassie himself was absent. Absence without leave don't mean nothing to him at all. It was mighty monotonous waiting.'" I pointed out. He's gone far enough and I ain't going to stand for it!" At nightfall we were ordered to leave the estate. As the hours went by Stassie's mare — he had named her Paula. and so I went to Lavronsev and reported that. "He may be bac any moment. while Stassie's horse was on hand. nowing the intuition of animals. "I'll report him if it costs him his life. I'm telling you. I rode off to a far comer of the estate. Who's going to ta e care of his mount. As I saddled my horse I wondered how I was going to cover Stassie's absence and at the same time arrange so that when he returned to the estate he would now where we had gone.
All through the night I ept my lonely vigil — I and the two horses. but I did not now how many more of them were behind the clump of trees. "Do you thin he has deserted us and will never come bac to ma e us laugh at his silly jo es? No such luc ."Do you thin your crazy master has gone away for good. It would have been a simple matter for me to have pic ed off the three Huns. It was no use trying to sleep. That would be a blow I could not endtu-e. Then I lay down and waited. which was slung across my shoulders. It must have been about seven o'cloc when I observed three Germans suddenly emerge from behind a clump of trees. They were apparently running toward me. mount my horse. I could not close my eyes until they had once again set on Stassie. Paula?" I argued with her. The wiser policy seemed to be to jump from the tree. When morning came I too care of the horses. presented itself to me as a vStrong possibility. slim figure. Brave Stassie! Kind Stassie! Strong Stassie! What a lot I owed him! Stassie not come bac ! The fact that the estate might now be entered by German patrols. I was still debating which was the better course to follow when I noticed that the Germans were advancing toward me in a most unusual manner. who were probably aware that our regiment had left it. With a revolver in each hand he was covering the three Huns. Paula. no such luc !" But what if Stassie should not come bac ? The thought filled me with terror and sent cold chills down my spine. and then climbed a high tree to watch for Stassie. I reached for my rifle. ate some blac bread for my brea fast. Closer observation revealed that the reason for the peculiar gyrations they were exhibiting was — Stassie! There was no mista ing his tall. I decided to THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL saddle the horses and get them ready for a quic get-away if the necessity for sudden flight should arise. and to let them now that he was right behind them [144] . and gallop off before they had a chance to fire on me.
started off to rejoin our regiment. and while I ept them covered Stassie went through their poc ets. I jiunped from the tree without further hesitation and hastened forward to reHeve Stassie of one of his prisoners. Then we tied the three of them together. As we rode along slowly. Stassie burst into some impromptu lines to the following effect: "Three Huns captiired Means three Huns more.ON PATROL he ept hitting first one and then the other across the bac of the nec — a program which fully accounted for the peculiar steps of his prisoners. and. and we got a severe reprimand for our pains. nor did he ever explain it to me. In the army. We don't really need them. and I now that all the time he was thin ing of our poor comrades who had suffered so terribly at the hands of the Hims two days before. eeping them between our horses. retarded by our prisoners. the end does not justify the means. hands downward. but delivered them proudly to Captain Solntsef . our com- . as I had long since found out. Not a word could I get out of Stassie as to how he had come to ma e the capture. We lined them up against a tree with hands upraised. Although the captain offered Stassie no word of praise for his remar able capture. and we were warned by our commander that we were to be severely dealt with because of our absence without leave. Three more hungry mouths to feed Than we had before. Capture is too good for them. I'd rather fight than feed them " [i4S] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL Nevertheless. we did not release our prisoners. Every good find he registered with a blow. Thin we better let them go .
were more appreciative. They made him tell over and over again how he had brought his prisoners in. Evidently the Hims were on both sides of the river. Our horses put to rest. After the sleepless night I had spent I was about all in. however. It was necessary for us to eep constant watch. not to harass him. because of the blac ness of the night. We certainly needed it. we decided to ta e some ourselves. Nevertheless. When we reached the point designated we found a row of huts about one hundred and / fifty yards our side of the river. and Stassie was in no better condition. [146] ON PATROL The fifteen miles' trudge too us several hours. we felt that these huts would ma e an ideal stronghold for us. When daylight came we shifted our position to the hut nearest the woodpile. two of us remaining on guard at the window all day long. but from the direction of a woodpile on our side. relieving each other at half -hour intervals. Just as we were about to turn in the podporutchi entered our hut and ordered Stassie and me to join several others of our men and proceed with them to a post on the ban s of a river some fifteen miles away from our quarters. our officers did not see that we were entitled to any particular consideration.rades. "You will leave your horses behind!" he added. although it was a case of listening rather than watching. but he wouldn't disclose how he happened to capture them in the first place. and they were going to ma e us suffer for it. but our orders were to watch the enemy. As the Germans were in possession of an estate on the opposite ban of the river. There were several opportunities during the day for us to pic off careless Huns who from time to time exposed themselves in the vicinity of the woodpile. whom we found in the stable. but as we entered one of them a shot came through the wall — not from the other side of the river. it . We had been absent without leave. Unfortunately.
and when night [147] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL came we felt pretty miserable. we were in pretty bad shape. Morning came at last.was mighty hard to resist the temptation to fire on the easy target which the Huns provided at three hundred yards. and it is just as well to admit it. and I volunteered to strip off my uniform and. but none of us could supply the answer. A heavy rain had begim to fall and the ground was soa ed through. ma e my way through the forest . in my sailor-suit." one of the men suggested. Our clothes wet and our stomachs empty. Our morale was at a low ebb. and we waited impatiently for the morning. If the Huns had surroimded us at that time. and so we too it in turns to crawl to a point within one hundred yards of the woodpile." one of our comrades complained. I thin we would have surrendered without much of a fight. All we had to eat that day was the reserve bread we carried in our poc ets. your patriotism does get a severe jolt. It was useless to maintain a watch at the window at night. Isn't it worth while doing some foraging?" The idea struc me as being a good one. "but why should they hand it to the rest of us? " There was logic in that. and on top of it all you feel that you are being treated unjustly. from which vantage-point we were in a better position to hear what was going on. but the relief didn't. Hirnian nature is himian nature. "It's all right for them to starve you and Stassie to death for absence without leave. which made ovir tas particularly disagreeable. "In one of these huts there must be potatoes or something. " The poor fellows who abandoned them when the Huns made things too hot for them couldn't [ 148 ] » ON PATROL possibly have ta en everything with them. when we expected to be relieved. and when you're hungry and cold and dead for sleep.
As I did so. He wal ed right past the door and made for an adjoining hut. Near the door I thought I saw something of the ind and wal ed toward it. I was mista en. feeling that if I fell into the hands of Hun patrols I might possibly pass myself off as a Russian civilian and be allowed to go unmolested. and other supplies. My poc ets were neither large enough nor secure enough to hold the precious treasure. demand my surrender. I put down the handle and decided to get away as fast carrying as many of the potatoes as my would hold. I reached the vegetable-shed without incident and in one comer of it I ran across a stac of potatoes. and. They were full of holes. It loo ed hefty and I seized it. which he entered. however. I was unarmed and wea from hunger. I hoped to find a sac or a piece of cloth which I could turn into a bag. Through the crac of the door. pushing open the door of the hut.a sigh of relief. besides. had a promising sort of outhouse such as is usually employed for the storage of grain. vegetables. [149] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL Leaning against the wall was the handle of a dilapidated shovel. I entered and waited for the Hun to follow me — for I felt sure that the advancing figure was that of a German patrol. as he cleared the woods. but I expected him at any moment to rush the place and. and. in my present condition I would be imable to put up much of a fight. where it swung upon its hinges. with revolver in hand. I put my plan into action at once. Then. With . but just as I was about to shovelas I could. I saw that he was indeed a German soldier! He came toward the hut cautiously. and even if the man in the forest were similarly unequipped.to a hut on the other side of the woodpile which seemed to be less dilapidated than the ones we were occupying. blouse carry this . I could see the man advancing. It was better than nothing. I observed a form moving through the forest in my direction. Somewhere in the place. My heart jumped to my throat.
The best thing to do was to stand pat. and that as soon as I crossed the threshold a shot from his revolver might welcome me. There came a red flash as though some one were [ISO] I n "1 o H U M H > H W O H M D to H o < .plan into execution it occurred to me that the Hun might have passed right by merely as a ruse to get me to come out. A moment later I saw a movement at the s ylight of the hut which the German had entered.
and then the door of the hut opened and the Hun came out. Not finding what I wanted there. It was dar . after waiting for five or six minutes.O H 8 > i 'I// THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL signaling from it. The stairs were in flames ! The match I had lighted and thrown away had evidently fallen upon a [152] . as though there were some one hiding under it ! Without further investigation I sprang for the door and flew down the stairs. but the man made direct for the forest. This was repeated several times. although not without some misgivings. The ground floor of the hut in which I had ta en refuge was in the usual state of disorder that we found whenever we entered these places. Again I grabbed the shovel-handle. to go up and explore. I decided it was safe for me to resume my search for a sac in which to carry bac a supply of the much-needed potatoes which I new my comrades were anxiously awaiting. At the head of the stairs there was a large room. There was the very thing I wanted — one of those table-cloths ! As I snatched it from the table I detected a strange movement of the other table-cloth. and. I turned toward a flight of stairs which led to a second story or attic. each covered with a cloth. In it I saw two tables. my speed hastened by a terrifying sight that met my eyes. and I lighted a match to see where I was going. and decided.
with only three or four feet of water in it. Just as I reached the door I heard footsteps above. Instantly I heard shots from various directions. hoping that my comrades would find some way of locating me. Some one had jimiped the full flight of stairs and landed upon my bac . I could not get out. Splash I went down the well! Fortunately the well was not more than eight or nine feet deep. Coming to a bric well. then a few muttered curses. for it was quite clear to me that without outside help I would drown li e a rat in this dirty well! I must have been in the well about four hours when I heard voices above me. A single blast was our signal to shoot at whatever target presented itself. Shots were coming in my direction and I crawled along the ground to escape them. his hair a mass of flames ! Bursting through the door. I was not sure whether the voices came from friend or foe. I nelt behind it for a moment's rest. I blew my . but capture by the Germans would be better than the slow death which must inevitably be my doom if I remained in the well. deciding to ta e a chance. try as I might. but the bric s were loose and my weight was too much for them. I felt the powerful grasp of a strong hand at my throat and everything turned blac . Something burning fell on my chee . I blew my scoutwhistle as loud as I could. It was about four o'cloc in the afternoon and already dar . 1 153] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL I blew my whistle as loud as I could.ON PATROL pile of rubbish at the foot of the staircase and the woodwor was now ablaze and smo e was spreading through the place. and then my assailant loosened his grip. Evidently our men as well as the Germans across the river were blazing away blindly as a result of my signal. but the cement sides were so slimy that. and the next moment I was down in a heap. and as I opened my eyes I saw him jimip for the door. and.
On his body they had found notes regarding our forces and a map of the surrounding country. others were just coo ed right. and while some of the potatoes were burned to a crisp. Later the men from my company retimied from a search they had been ma ing for me in the woods. and a couple of men were sent to the shed to get a supply of them. "What ind of tric is this youVe played on us.whistle with all the strength I could summon. and they tasted wonderfully good to us. Paul. There I found myself in the hands of men from our third company. After I was through with my meal I told the men about the potatoes which nearly cost me my life. The man who had fled from the hut with his hair afire. A moment later a voice from the top of the well called to me in Russian: "Don't worry. you young scoundrel.^" shouted Stassie. they told me. "Here we've wasted our reliefhours searching the forest with a magnifyingglass for you. attired again in my uniform and apparently none the worse for my experience. When they saw me. they could hardly believe their eyes. The potatoes they brought bac were coo ed! The fire from the hut had spread to the shed and burned it to the ground. trying to loo angry. who explained that they had relieved my own comrades at noon and had been told of the mission upon which I had departed and from which I had not returned. had made a plain target and had been shot.spy. indicating that he was a German . and while I was eating and drin ing I learned that the blast from my whistle had precipitated a hot fight between our men and the ON PATROL German patrols. and you're here all the time feeding your face! Holy Peter! I've a good [155] . but unable to conceal the pleasiu-e he apparently felt at finding me safe and sound. I was ta en bac to the hut which our men were occupying and given some hot tea and bread. and that the Huns had been forced to flee across the river. We'll have you out in a jiffy!" A moment or two later I was being hauled to the top by means of a rope which had been lowered to me.
We started off in the direction of ShavH. After some three or four hours' ride we came to an estate about two miles from a river. but the excitement of the day made it difficult.THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL mind to brain you — but before I do tell me what happened to you!" Again I told my day's adventures. and after putting up our horses in the estate stables we were ordered to continue. Between the estate and the river was a village. We were getting ready. As we marched along. It was the first chance we had \ had to change since we had left Urany ! j As Stassie expressed it.\ pletely intrenched and occupied by large forces of our infantry. to the village. our engineers unwound telephone wires. perhaps the vermin do!" ! X THE BATTLE OF SAVENDIKI AT midnight we were aroused and ordered to -'*• saddle our horses and prepare for a march. and then I retired to a comer of the hut and tried to get ' some sleep. "If we don't need the I change. and after . and we learned from some of the infantrymen whom we relieved that directly across the river was the village of Savendi i. Our regimental headquarters was established in the estate. The Huns were maintaining . which was held by a strong force of Germans. where we were to relieve the infantry force stationed there. apparently. the regimental itchen having arrived. The village was surrounded by trenches. to attac the Germans across the river. and in the mean while there was very little for > us to do. stringing them along the road so that we would have direct communication with our headquarters. We found the place com. We built camp-fires and had a real dinner. The next morning our company was recalled to the regiment. our meal we each received a fresh supply of underv^^ear which had come through from the ' Red Cross. on foot.
As soon as we arrived in the village half of our men were sent into the trenches. the others remaining in reserve. had not been ta en into his confidence. There was little or no firing on either side. but the air was tense and something told me that trouble was in the wind. I was detailed as the captain's aide. the captain's aide. Whether or not he had information that the Huns were planning an attac or he planned to cross the river and attac them during the night. Still nursing . but it was quite evident to me that something was brewing. In the evening when the watch was changed I accompanied the captain on a tour of the trenches. I new how necessary it was to guard military information of this character. 11 [157] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL Captain Panunsev was in charge of our four squadrons. ' ' the for the Better not remove your uniform. why couldn't he give me at least an hour or two to thin about it? These were the questions that I turned over and over in my mind as I lay on my cot. [158] THE BATTLE OF SAVENDIKI Why didn't he tell me what was in store for us? If a battle was scheduled for the night. as I was about to turn in the night. the colonel having remained on the estate. ' ' captain suggested. Stassie was among the latter. All day long I had a feeling of impending danger. "We may be called suddenly in night and there won't be time to dress!" Then he flung himself down on the cot that had been provided for him. lest by some underground channel it lea ed through to the enemy. and he warned all the officers and men to eep on the alert. and I followed his example. The hut he selected as his headquarters was right in front of a cemetery. logolevitch.a heavy guard along their side of the river. but I couldn't help feeling a little hurt that I. I don't now. When we got bac to the hut my suspicions were confiiTned.
passing over the cot upon which the captain had been sleeping. The next second a bullet came crashing through the window and. there ! " yelled the captain. breathlessly. opened it. Then I was to . I handed him his revolver and stood by his side in the lee of the hut. • Hastening bac to Panunsev. "We're being attac ed. plowed through the opposite wall. Had it arrived a second or two earlier it would imdoubtedly have accounted for the captain! We crawled to the door. and get my revolver and your piece!" I sprang into the hut and reached for the revolver that was lying on the table. by a force three times as large as ours!" one of the men reported. and the activity in our trenches was very heavy. bending so low that they passed right by us.this unwarranted grievance. "Get bac to our room. " Podporutchi Lavronsev awaits your orders!" "Tell the podporutchi to hold the position at all costs! I will send reinforcements!" And then he directed me to pic up as many of the men who were shooting from the roof-tops as I could and send them forward to report to the podporutchi in the trenches. followed almost instantly by the sound of bullets stri ing the wall of the hut. [159 J THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL logolevitch. "They're using four or five machine-gims ! " the captain asserted. As I grasped it. Panunsev and I both scrambled from our cots and lay flat on the floor. and got out. Two of our men came running toward us. Our men in the village were established on the roofs of the huts and were maintaining a hot fire against the Huns across the river. a bullet came through the window and shot into smithereens a glass which had been standing right next to the captain's pistol. I fell off to sleep. It must have been several hours later when I was awa ened by a crash at our door. the men heard the captain's order and wheeled around. captain. "Turnbac !" Above the banging of the rifles and machineguns. ''Where're you going.
" Remembering my narrow escape when I re[i6i] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL turned to the hut before for his revolver." the captain ordered. Having sent forward some twenty-five men. I put up my gun and hurried to the hut where the operator was stationed. w4th the receiver at his ear. " I must have left them on the table. while day was beginning to brea . I could see a blac mass. but of course I did as I was bid. and I was inwardly praying that I might prove equal to it. When I got bac the captain was tal ing to an officer and four men from another squadron. it was still too dar to see very far. I thought it extremely unreasonable for him to subject me to this imnecessary danger for the sa e of a cigarette.report to the captain at once at the hut at the extreme end of the village — which was the nearest building to the trenches. He seemed nervous and felt in his poc ets for a cigarette. I found him on the floor." he commanded as I came up. writing down a message that was coming through. but. I [160I THE BATTLE OF SAVENDIKI realized that serious wor was ahead of me this night. I started off excitedly on my mission. "Go bac to my hut and get my cigarettes and matches. "Ta e this to the telephone-operator. Bending low. He was lying prone at the spot he had indicated. I gave him my message and he told me that he had just sent a messenger to the captain. and I too that as my target as I lay down beside the captain and started pounding away with my carbine. . with my na ed eye. Across the river. I reached the hut in safety. I made my way to the captain. handing me a message that he had scribbled on a piece of paper. sttidying the German front through his glasses.
He was trying to say 1 162] THE BATTLE OF SAVENDIKI something. With an effort that seemed to cause him excruciating agony he raised his arm and pointed to one side. he ordered them to ma e their way as fast as they could to headquarters and deliver the . "They're going to surround us. excitedly. "Telephone headquarters that the machinegunners are shooting short!" he yelled. we noticed a dar spot moving in the distance. I returned with him to the captain and delivered the bad news. his hands clutched at his breast.although a nimiber of bullets struc the place while I was in it. Loo ing in the direction he indicated. His body contracted convulsively. but when he was within a few feet of us a bullet caught him in the bac and he dropped. A quarter of an hour later we received word that the men in the trenches had ammunition enough to last but another half -hour. He was bending low. We sprang toward him and dragged him to our position in the shelter of the house. but couldn't tal . and he uttered some queer sounds. "They are fresh forces!" he cried. Calling three soldiers. The captain caught up his field-glasses. and before the startled operator could protest I was on my way bac . and he directed me to notify headquarters and tell them to send forward some of their machine-guns. thin ing to save time. I met the operator half-way. He was coming toward me as fast as he could run. When I got bac word came that our machinegun fire from the estates was not reaching the enemy." As he lowered his glass a volley of machine-gim bullets came from the new direction. and we sent word to our headquarters to rush a further supply to us. Just then I noticed an officer on his way toward us. and when I reached the operator. I grabbed the instrument from his hand and shouted the captain's message through. "The wires are cut! I can get no connection!" he shouted.
but somehow I got through and delivered my message to headquarters. and I could ma e better time in a natural position. without waiting for his permission. saying that it was impossible to get through. captain. "My two companions fell. bending low wouldn't save me. which ept some of the German fire off the road. "The Huns are concentrating their fire on the road. There was a hot fire all along the road. I figured that if I was doomed to get one of those bullets. Ten minutes later one of them returned. heard road. and the other machine-guns were turned in the direction of the new enemy positions. and started to run li e a madman.message. because if I proceeded and got caught — which seemed inevitable — you would wait in vain for the machine-guns ! A number of our men carrying ammunition were lying dead on the road. boy!" he whispered. not even ta ing the precaution to bend low. and at that very moment a bul- . Tell the porutchi I— did— my— best — ^but — " A fit of coughing prevented him from finishing the sentence. As I hurried along I the men lying in the to him he pointed to he had been carrying down. "I'm all in. captain. stirred to action by the captain's vim. "I'll get to headquarters. I turned in the direction of the road. Sixty men and two machine-guns were immediately ordered to the village. I turned him over to free his throat from some of the blood that [164] THE BATTLE OF SAVENDIKI was clogging it. and." I163I THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL "Curse the Huns! I'll ma e them pay two for one before I'm through!" the captain exclaimed. I didn't loiter on the way. clenched my teeth. I thought it best to come bac ." I declared. a box to us a cry from one of As I stooped down of ammunition that when he was struc "Finish the trip for me." he explained.
"Will the captain trust me with one hundred and fifty men and one machine-gun?" I ventured. crossed the river on pontoons. men. [165] a as they and told a retire- THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL When I returned to the trench the machinegun had already been placed in position. which was repeated by our lieutenants in all our trenches." I yelled. who stopped firing long enough to hear what I had to say." Much to my surprise. If we're willing to ta e a chance. they came over the top. though. men?" Led by Stassie. Are you willing. they declared enthusiastically that they were ready for anything. the captain ran to a trench which my own sharing with about a hundred companies. even as ing consented. and then I crept over to the box of bullets and started for the village. At the signal our men left their trenches and made off in the direction of the estate — all except those who had volunteered to remain with me in the section of the line which it was my plan to hold. and I company was men from other "We're in a bad fix. As I reached the captain a sergeant was explaining that the enemy was evidently planning to surround not only the village. The route they selected was naturally one which subjected them to the least amount of fire from the estate. but the estate. and made direct for our trenches.let struc him in the face and finished him! I lay flat on the ground for a moment. without for particulars. too. I thin we can save the regiment. Then I ordered the men to cease firing. "I thin I see a way out. As the enemy observed our men leaving the trenches in full retreat. I ran bac to the captain him that in ten minutes he could order ment from the trenches to the estate. "I have just come from headquarters. dragging the box after me. stunned by the shoc . an idea stri ing me as the sergeant finished his report. Sending ten men to the cemetery to get machine-gun and as many bullet-ribbons could carry. A moment or two later came two shrill blasts from our commander's whistle. but it was directly in the line of fire from the trench which .
they came at us again. and then we let them have it! Our machine-gun and our rifles let out a burst of bullets that mowed down the onrushing Hinis li e wheat before the scythe! Those who. and then rushing another few yards. I realized that we could not possibly hold them bac if they were willing to pay the price. and now.we still occupied and in which we were breathlessly biding our time. and. This time we lac ed the advantage of surprise. here . The Huns new exactly where we were located and what they had to expect from us. then dropping to the ground and giving us a volley. Their leaders jumped feet foremost into our trench. by some strange miracle. A moment or two [ i66] THE BATTLE OF SAVENDIKI later. We waited until they were almost on top of us — until we could hear the shouts of their leaders. as they outnumbered us perhaps fifteen to one. Onward they came — a clear field apparently before them — their foe in full retreat. iiTespective of the cost. escaped our stream of lead realized that they had fallen into an ambush and beat a hasty retreat to their old positions. It was evident that they were determined to brea through. however. they were ! As they neared our parapet it seemed that the whole German army was coming at us. The line wavered for a moment and then came on. after their leaders had apparently sized up our probable strength and come to the conclusion that we were merely fighting a rearguard action. This time they advanced more cautiously — nmning a few yards. They threw no grenades. Such was my train of thought as I ept pounding away at the advancing line. Again we waited for them and then let them have another withering fire. Perhaps they figured they could just trample us to death ! In the hand-to hand fighting that ensued our quar[167] . The Hun leaders never hesitated to sacrifice their men to gain an objective.
of course. "Cease firing and run for your lives!" I shouted. They realized. I realized. that if they didn't get to us quic ly they would find an empty trench when they arrived. that after four or five minutes of the most ferocious fighting I had ever witnessed we had the satisfaction of seeing the enemy fall bac a second time. who were undoubtedly watching our every movement. and our men were masters at that form of fighting. and our gunners wrotight such execution among those who followed them. We had already lost about one-third of our men. It was a case of jab and stab.THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL ters were so close that it was almost impossible to swing a rifle. stung to madness by our resistance. There were about thirty of us when we started. and our action had already achieved its purpose — the regiment had successfully reached the estate. many of whom were lying in our trenches. would be short-lived. Again they started for us — this time see ing little cover and coming right at their goal. We were nearly through the village when I saw that we would inevitably . one falling after another. Our triumph. but our numbers dwindled every moment. I ordered our machine-gun and remaining rifles to eep up a constant fire to cover their retreat. That was the problem that now confronted me. [i68] THE BATTLE OF SAVENDIKI Then the Huns wo e up. To retreat all at once would have meant annihilation at the hands of the enemy. would be at us again. Our machine-gun was put out of action. Ordering Stassie to retire with thirty men. and this time they would undoubtedly down us. It wor ed so well that a moment or two later. I started thirty more men off. It would be only a few minutes before the Huns. dreadfully wounded. We made it so hot for the Huns who were unfortunate enough to land in our trench. The time had come to retire. jumping out of the trench and heading in the direction of the estate. before the Huns could realize what we were at. and our rifle-fire was too thin to ma e any impression on the advancing ran s.
where you ought to be. If I had threatened to deliver him over to the enemy for execution he could not have displayed more alarm. sitting on a barrel. but if . nevertheless. The Huns were almost on our heels and there didn't seem to be a chance in the world that we should ever emerge from our place of temporary refuge.be overta en before we could reach the estate. and blood. pointing to a trap-door in the center of the floor and proceeding to open it. including myself. they were unmindfvil of pain and they had no fear of death! "Loo here!" shouted one of them. Breathless. "Go up -stairs and wait until the Germans come!" I ordered. most of them more or less wounded. they won't hurt you. we tumbled down the stairs. and he revealed that he was the owner of the hut and had hid himself in the cellar as soon as the battle started. Falling upon his nees. covered with dirt. and pulled the trap -door shut over us. He seemed completely dazed. I spo e to him in Russian and then in German without getting any response. which made our tense faces appear ghastly. Then I tried a Jewish jargon. We slammed the door shut and hastily examined what we fully believed would prove our slaughter-house. and I darted into the last hut in the village street and was followed by the rest of my little force — now reduced to seventeen. in the comer of the cellar. desperate — ^many of us smarting from wounds which up till then we had been unable I169J THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL even to examine — we were. Without loss of time. he pleaded for mercy. determined to fight to the last. I rushed over to him and shoo him by the shoulder to bring him to his senses. which led to the cellar. "Get up!" I commanded. Some one lit a match and. smo e. I heard not a suggestion of despair or discouragement. Brave fmizhi s. the flic er revealed an old man with a long white beard. "and do what I tell you! If the Huns find you up-stairs.
[170] c o c h > to in > D > H P o PI > (/I o o /I .
and do all you can to eep them from coming down here!" Trembling all over. The old man had played square! There was quiet above for a little while and then the trap-door opened and the old man threw us down some bread and a leather portfolio which one of the German officers had evidently left in the room. frightened voice of the old Jew replying. and a partially completed translation of it.THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL they search the place and find you down here with us. It was full of maps and papers. stem voices. as though a crowd of men had entered the place. I confiscated the papers. and when the old man opened the door again and whispered that there was one German patrolling the house and the whole village was guarded by the Huns. we heard the intruders leave the hut. half of us had . to which we heard the thin. It must have been nearly half an hour later when we heard heavy footsteps above. There were loud. we [172] THE BATTLE OF SAVENDIKI decided to ta e a chance in the dar ness — it was now dus — and ma e for the estate. Proceeding cautiously through the vegetablegarden in the rear of the house. we waited breathlessly the result of the old man's diplomacy — or treachery — we did not now which to expect — and then. w^e'll all be massacred together! Hurry now. We crept quietly up the stairs and got out of the bac of the house without attracting the attention of the patrol in front. including a Russian map showing the disposition of our forces in this section of the front. to our intense relief. With bayonets and revolvers directed against the trap -door. the old man climbed the crea ing stairs and promised to do his best.
During the night I heard heavy firing. I opened my companion's coat. with hardly a sound. but before the Hun who held it could even thin . We jumped and ran — ran faster than any of us had ever run before. two of our men had jiomped at his throat. my companion.blood froze in our veins at the order. Another voice yelled. wounded or illed. exposed to precisely the same dangers. used his shirt as a bandage. I was too tired to care very much what it signified. That was our cue. This time I had found my voice. so we pic ed out a suitable spot and threw ourselves down for a few hours' sleep. I answered. and I. and tied up his wounds. I made in the direction of the forest. "Halt!" and there came a shot. but I paid no attention to it. and then we discovered that we two were apparently the only ones who had escaped! Realizing that we were now safe. thrown him to the ground and disposed of him. Before I finally closed my eyes in slumber I than ed God for the favor He had shown me in those past twentyfour hours of strife and death. It was useless to attempt to find our way through the woods in the dar ness. was badly in need of rest.succeeded in getting through the rear fence when otu. had escaped unscathed! One such experience in a lifetime is enough to convince any one of the inscrutability of the wor ings of Fate ! . and Petroff. We got to 12 1 173 1 THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL the woods and waited for the others to join us. Right by my side was one of our men who had been shot in the arm and shoulder. and. All around me my comrades had been falling. in as stem a tone as I could command. in German: "Don't yell! Ours!" The next second a light flashed in my face. in German: "Halt! Who goes there!" Again the challenge bro e the silence of the night. A roc et flared up and bullets came whizzing all around us.
Captain Panunsev greeted me most effusively. here I was safe and — Crash! A shot plowed through the trees. was his way of complimenting me — and I felt as proud as a peacoc . and I feared that blood-poisoning would set in if we did not get medical treatment soon. my mud-covered shoes caught my eye — the shoes of poor Kuzmov which were supposed to eep me out of danger. "Why don't you challenge before you fire! If it were not for these luc y shoes I'm wearing you would have illed one of your own comrades ! ' ' The man was so upset at the tragedy he had so nearly brought about that I decided his carelessness had been punished sufficiently and decided to say nothing further about the incident. He shoo my hand and insisted that I had made a sad mess of the whole thing — which. The sentry then stunmoned the guard and we were conducted to the headquarters of the regiment — which wasn't ours — and from there we were escorted to our own organization. with rifle raised. "You crazy idiot!" I shouted. "This must be some fool sentry's shot! Surely we cannot be within range of the enemy ! ' ' And then. Then some more officers came around and started to question me until I175I THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL I had told the whole story about half a dozen . revealed himself. As we plugged along. "Stand where you are. a Russian soldier. cautioning Petroff against reporting it. right past my face. His wounds required attention. Petroff!" I commanded to my wounded companion. He was feverish. [174] THE BATTLE OF SAVENDIKI I could not help smiling at the silly superstition of the simple-minded inuz i s — bvit at any rate. either. from out the woods. I new. I new.At daybrea I aroused Petroff and we started through the forest in the direction of our forces.
Handing the maps to the captain. "I'm afraid that Petroff and I were the only ones who escaped alive. Most of them were dirty and ragged. "Hello. their feet coming through their shoes. we too it during the night — and not only that — we drove the Huns bac across the river!" Just then Podporutchi Lavronsev came in and reported that five of the men who had [176] THE BATTLE OF SAVENDIKI escaped from the cellar with me had been pic ed up wounded. "Now tell us what happened after we cleared the way for the rest of you to escape!" I laughed at Stassie's way of putting it. and Captain Panunsev announced that he was going to recommend me for the St. We formed them in line at once and started off with them. Petroff. in the mean while. I made my way there without further loss of time. having been turned over to the medical department. and I'm — " "Try to get the village bac !" Stassie repeated. After we had had brea fast we were lined up in front of the stable. and. I as ed where I could find Stassie and the rest of the company. but that the other ten must have been illed. deserter!" shouted Stassie.times. and then told them the story. "Why. jimiping eagerly toward me as I entered the stable and sha ing my hand so vigorously that I had to smash him in the chin with my free hand in order to ma e him let go. George war-cross. and we were ordered to escort them. It seems to me we ought to try to get the village bac . being directed to a stable where our company was quartered." I concluded. but there was no time to celebrate. "And yet some of the boys may even now be alive and suffering somewhere between that hut and the woods. . The soldiers cheered and I felt so happy I could hardly hold myself. About one hundred and fifty prisoners had to be conducted to an adjoining camp.
Hearing me tal German always made Stassie mad — not because he hated the Huns any more than I did. pinching the poor devil by the bac of the nec to ma e him nod his head affirmatively. others wore only caps. Stassie was so elated at the news that I was to receive a war-cross that he could not forbear telling the prisoners all about it. undoubtedly. many of them had possibly heard. and he as ed one of the prisoners to confirm this. Delivering our prisoners to an infantry outfit. pointing to me and cutting a cross in the air with his saber. but which our regiment had afterward recaptured. And so he started off at a new tangent. I too along my violin. It had but two strings and the bow was old. There Podporutchi Lavronsev handed me an old violin which some one had secured. Stassie. was regularly meted out to German prisoners by the Russians! [ 177 ] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL To reassure them I explained in German what Stassie was saying in Russian. Among them were four officers. who presented a somewhat better appearance. At the colonel's invitation. During the meal the colonel announced that he had received orders from the headquarters 1 178] . having meant to name him. declaring that the captain had made a slight error in the announcement. I played one or two selections. At Lavronsev's suggestion. imagining. but still I was able to get enough out of it to amuse the men. the Germans loo ed very dubious. As he spo e in Russian and his gestures were not particularly illuminating.Some wore helmets. that the cross he was trying to describe meant that they were to be crucified and that I was to be their executioner — a fate which. whose headquarters were now established in the village from which we had been forced to retreat the night before. we returned to our quarters. but because he always imagined that I was saying something at his expense. In the evening I had to carry a message to Colonel Karpovitch. and he was so pleased that he as ed me to join his staff at tea. for the war-cross instead of me.
which is cleverly camouflaged. "In civilian clothes. which have probably been reserved for just such an attac as I contemplate. which I wear under my uniform. secure [179] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL the necessary information. "We're going to give them a little of their own medicine. "The situation on the western front may be such that they have decided to concentrate all their resources against our allies. headquarters that night and in the morning to report to the colonel for final instructions before starting off . and if you come bac alive. "but I'd very much li e to find out. you won't regret it!" I was instructed to stay at. I might possibly be able to get into Savendi i as a civilian. carrying my violin. and get bac to our lines again without a scratch?" "That's a great idea." "Will the colonel assign me to get the information desired?" I volunteered. "I don't thin it would be quite as simple a matter as you seem to thin — there would be grave danger — but if you are willing to underta e the tas I will give my consent. All the scouts I have assigned to the tas have been baffled by the trenches which surround the village. having got them in place. I'd give five years of my life to learn how they ever succeeded in getting their big guns through this muddy country and why. "There's only one thing that disturbs me : our aviators report that the entire village is surrounded by heavy artillery. they haven't let us smell their powder!" "Perhaps they're running shy of ammunition for the big guns." "I don't now what the reason is. with or without the information I want. and I confess I don't li e the idea of crossing the river in the face of those heavy guns. logolevitch ! " the colonel replied.THE BATTLE OF SAVENDIKI of the corps to cross the river and occupy the village of Savendi i. impulsively. colonel?" suggested one of the officers." the colonel repeated." he commented. enthvisiastically.
ta ing out my violin. My heart was beating furiously. although the early prospect of close contact with German sentries filled me with dread. it would demonstrate that when his country called. before sleep claimed me. with my violin in its case under my arm. After a short wait I was ordered inside and was given full instructions as to what information would prove most valuable to oiu.forces if I succeeded in getting behind the enemy's lines. but I whistled lightly as I ap- . Then I put my violin bac in its case. got up. If it failed. This bridge was in the possession of the enemy. a Jewish boy was not afraid to die! XI WHEELLESS WAGONS AND FIRELESS GUNS EARLY next morning. I passed through oiu* trenches — word having been given that I was to be allowed to pass unmolested — and then I followed a road which led to a bridge over the river. I than ed God for this new opportunity that had come to me to serve Russia. What new dangers I had brought upon myself by my impulsive offer I could not foresee. and I new it would be heavily patrolled. Then. as it led to the heart of the village of Savendi i. I started down the road in the direction of the river. I reported at the colonel's quarters. I played for ten or fifteen minutes as though I were just amusing myself. attired in my sailorsuit and a hat which some one had procured for me in the village and which loo ed more li e a lady's bonnet than a boy's cap. As I neared the bridge I strolled along slowly. If my mission succeeded it would show my fellow-countrymen what a Jewish boy could achieve for his country. but that night. T sat down by the side of the road and.on my mission. try as I could to remain calm. and wal ed straight toward the bridge. endeavoring to appear as unconcerned as pos[i8i] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL sible.
then. and let us see what's in it!" one of the men ordered.proached the German soldiers. I opened the box. turning it on all sides to convince them that it was indeed a musical instrument and not a camouflaged cannon or airplane. but it was part of my plan to disclose that I understood their language. whom I could now clearly see and whose bayoneted guns loo ed more and more forbidding as I neared them. "Halt! Put your box down and your hands up!" commanded one of the two soldiers who advanced toward me. "I am on my way to Savendi i. releasing my hands and holding his bayonet at my side as I [182] WHEELLESS WAGONS AND FIRELESS GUNS stooped to comply. but even then they were not I AM A POOR BOY AND I WANT TO EARN SOME MONEY IN THE VILLAGE BY PLAYING MY VIOLIN" quite satisfied and ordered me to play on it to prove that I was indeed a violinist. "I am a poor boy and I want to earn some money in the village by playing my violin. I played a German song which I thought would be familiar to them. One of the soldiers grasped my upturned arms by the wrists and started to question me. and I complied at once. They spo e in German. Never before had I realized what a great help it is to a musician to close his eyes while playing — but never before had I been compelled to play in such proximity to two glistening bayonets which threatened to explore my insides if I failed to satisfy my audience! . in German. That is how I earn my living!" "Open that box. while the other pointed his gun at me threateningly. too out the violin and showed it to them." I explained. much to their surprise.
but I did not notice many soldiers off duty. a man whose name I new. feeling now a little relieved as I saw that I had ' * passed the examination. but whom I had never even met. It taught me to be more careful in my answers thereafter." the officer replied. which seemed to be the . although not as a violinist. The officer led me into a hut. very luc ily."Very good!" one of the men exclaimed." I thought it rather li ely that they would. stating that I had studied in Germany under a certain professor. and then turning to his comrade [183] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL and trying to show his nowledge of music. "I now the professor very well. On the other side we met a young lieutenant and about fifteen soldiers. "I am very fond of music. where did you study?" I gave him a somewhat imaginative account of my musical career. if he studied and practised. bec oning me to follow him. he added." "I wouldn't be surprised if you heard of me again some day. "Now tell me. to get out of a difficult situation which I had gotten into quite unnecessarily. When did you see him last?" That was a bombshell ! It scared me so much that I quic ly changed the subject and man[184] WHEELLESS WAGONS AND FIRELESS GUNS aged." I answered. telling the soldiers that he would return in an hour. begrudgingly. We passed patrols all along the village streets. My escort explained to the officer about me. young fellow!" the officer declared. One of the men too my violin and. he might really amount to something as a violinist some day!" "Yes. and he ordered me to ta e my violin and accompany him. "That boy has talent. He started off toward the village. led me over the bridge. "Oh yes.
For a moment or two he paid no attention to me. of course. but a certain amount of lying was. The various questions he as ed me I answered along I185I THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL the lines I had previously decided upon. I suppose I shall have to continue on my wanderings — unless. but now I see the place is in possession of Germans. with straight red hair." I added. and then." and then declared that he would give me a chance to play for his officers. It was only when I lied — as I had unnecessarily in the case of the German professor — that I made the way hard for myself. and then we came to the colonel's room. a red mustache. the ey-note of which was to tell the truth as long as it was not absolutely dangerous. He was a stout man. The lieutenant then motioned to me to go . a soldier came out and told me to follow him. and in return would give me board and lodging in the village. He led me through two offices. and. pale s in. and small eyes which loo ed green. I was told to wait until I was called. he ordered me in a stern voice to approach him. and one of the men disappeared into an adjoining room and reappeared a few moments later with word that the lieutenant should go right in. As long as I stuc to the facts I would not have to charge my memory with my answers to guard against subsequent conflicting statements. in one of which were a number of telephone operators. and as he entered the room some soldiers who were sitting there jimiped up and saluted him." he ordered. whom he addressed as "Gross.most pretentious in the village. after a minute or two. "I expected to earn some money in Savendi i. although they might have been blue and got their greenish hue from their proximity to the flaming mustache. essential in this case. Truth is always consistent. loo ing up suddenly. as an afterthought — "unless Herr Colonel would care to have me play for his staff at mess? " The colonel whispered to the lieutenant. "Tell the colonel I would li e to see him as soon as convenient.
"we have to content ourselves with men most of the time.with him. while the other was apparently used as a bedroom only. In the former. You can stay here or go out in the village. "And now I've got to return to my guard. but I was stopped by an officer and made to turn bac . I ventured [187] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL In the direction of the trenches. and bedroom. if she understood what he said. trying to appear ignorant of the situation. The home consisted of two rooms. certainly did not seem to share his satisfaction. dining-room. and by measuring the shells I would now exactly the bore of the guns. 1 186] WHEELLESS WAGONS AND FIRELESS GUNS stood a Russian girl of about seventeen or eighteen years of age.'! would probably be able to observe the ind of ammunition that was being used for them." he repHed. whichever you li e. Neither did I observe any artilleryman from whom I had hoped I might be able to wean some of the desired information. but nowhere did I see the piles of reserve shells that the colonel was so certain I would encounter. All the soldiers I saw seemed to be infantrymen or cavalrymen. Colonel Karpovitch had told me that even if I could not get close enough to the big guns to ascertain their size. and as we wal ed out into the street he told me that I could stay in his hut. "Yes. I wal ed from one end of the village to the other." Shortly after he left I decided to explore the place. Thin ing that the shells were possibly stored between the village and the river. "I thought officers in the army had men for servants?" I remar ed. one of which served as itchen. When we reached it he told me to ma e myself at home. at the stove. who. . but don't go beyond the village limits. but you see I am luc ier!" and he smiled significantly to the girl.
and I tal ed of something else." Then I as ed him what he would li e me to play at mess that night. [i88] WHEELLESS WAGONS AND FIRELESS GUNS A little later I heard the noise of an airplane overhead and went out to watch it. and whether I would be paid for my services. just outside the village. ' ' When I was out wal ing I saw some artillerymen who were more than six feet tall!" "You didn't see any artillerymen. which I shared with the lieutenant in his hut. the men you saw were probably cavalrymen — we have some very big men in the cavalry.On my way bac to Lieutenant Gross's quarters. but later it set me thin ing. For once I was glad that a Russian aviator had missed his mar . but soon fell asleep. and from the taste of which I inferred that his coo was anything but a willing servant. He said I would be paid all my services were worth and that he would select the program later on. and he went out. I noticed a number of wagons and farm truc s lying on the ground. None of them had wheels. which he had left unanswered. and then. It was a Russian machine and dropped two bombs. a little later. but the suspicious loo he gave me warned me not to repeat the question. I went bac and started to read a boo . I as ed him carelessly the meaning of so many truc s without wheels. "that is to say." I declared. The Germans fired at the bomber with machine-guns and rifles. catching himself. I was awa ened about four or five o'cloc by Lieutenant Gross and ordered to accompany him to the "club. "Some of your men are wonderful specimens. but did not use their artillery. the lieutenant using a flashlight from time to time to light . trying a new tac . This fact did not then stri e me as having any particular significance. which I reached by way of a street I had not gone through before." he answered. and the aviator soon got beyond their range. During the midday meal." The "club" occupied a small hut which we reached through dar ened streets.
which I celebrated by snapping one of my strings when I was half-way through. A moment later the colonel and his adjutant entered and every one stood up. the shifting of chairs. When they were all seated again the adjutant ordered me to start playing. that's sure. as the fact that the noise prevented my overhearing what they were all tal ing about. "and to-morrow I will ta e a loo at them. and then among other scraps of conversation I overheard was a statement by one of the lieutenants to another to the effect that he had ''made" eight guns more that day "on Section B. which I tried very hard to do. The officers completed the national air vocally. drawn shades prevented any of the light showing through the windows. The dining-roomi was full of smo e. and I was not criticized for the "accident" to my violin." I concluded.our way. The lieutenant had referred to the fact that eight guns had been "made" that day." The concert ended with the playing of the German anthem. As I lay in bed that night several questions ept bothering me. Although the interior of the club was well lighted. but when my eyes became used to it I observed that around the table there were seated about nine ofiicers of various ran s. however. the conversation and laughter of the officers — that I don't believe they heard very much of my playing. How was it possible in a small village li e Savendi i to manufacture big guns? Why had I seen no artillerymen? Why had the Russian airplane been greeted with rifle-fire only? What was the meaning of those wagons without wheels? Why had I been unable to discover any ammunition for the big guns? "There's something mighty mysterious about those big guns. cost what it may ! ' ' Hanging on the wall of my room was a belt [ 190] . The noise abated somewhat when the supper was* over. There was so much noise— the clattering of dishes. That didn't annoy me 13 1 189 ] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL nearly as much.
I as ed him to write me a note permitting me to go to the next village. logolevitch. when the officer informed me that I could start and said I had better hurry if I expected to get bac in time for mess that night. but. pulled out a handful of the bullets. "No. I new I could procure what I wanted. When Lieutenant Gross appeared in the morning and after we had had a light brea fast which the girl sullenly prepared for us. Herr Lieutenant. I had an idea that I might find this powder useful in connection with a plan that I had formulated for my return to my regiment when the good time came." "Very well. that won't be necessary.WHEELLESS WAGONS AND FIRELESS GUNS containing bullets. I told him that. and poured the powder into one of the sounding openings of my violin. Then I replaced the empty shells in the belt and crept quietly bac to bed." "Well." I answered. opened them one by one with the aid of a itchen nife. "we'll send a soldier for them. I got out of bed quietly. I would have to get some new strings. I had noticed it there during the afternoon. that's all!" Save me the trouble! I would gladly have crawled there and bac on my hands and nees if it had been necessary for me to do so in rettun for the information I was sure the trip would furnish me. Things . I said. if it is absolutely necessary for you to ma e the trip yourself. I figured. and I got that. of course. trying hard to conceal my disappointment. but later. you can go. "That will be fine." the officer replied. 1 191] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL but I thought I would save you the trouble. would give me sufficient leeway to secure the information I was determined to get. too! I seemed to be in luc all through. I as ed him if he could furnish me with a horse. really. agreeably. I'm afraid the soldier won't be able to select just the ind of strings I need. where. This. owing to the accident to my violin the night before.
" they cautioned me. set fire to my violin. my violin exploded with a loud report. imtil I explained that all I wanted was a drin . I had not gone very far before I was stopped by patrols. I too my violin and started off through the woods in the direction of the river. The pass which the lieutenant gave me got me past the patrols. which was pointing up in the air in the direction of the Russian lines. "Remember there are Russian troops on the other side. and after I had left the village of Savendi i behind me I detoured and rode in the direction of the trenches. My tas was done and the only thing now was to get bac to my regiment. made artificial fortifications imnecessary. and if they see you they'll shoot. camouflaged. My pass seemed to satisfy them. One loo was enough! The mystery was solved! The gun was nothing but a solid piece of wood shaped s ilfully and mounted on wagonwheels to resemble a gim-carriage and deceive our aviators. There were trenches all along the river-ban except where the forest. When I had gotten about halfway across. and jumped into the river.were certainly brea ing easy for me. Several hundred feet behind the trenches I rode right up to a huge gun. dispelling any suspicion they might have felt. with its characteristic saddle. running down to the water's edge. but they could not understand why I should be going in the direction of the river. I decided that my best chance to get across the river would be by wor ing through these trees. the German cavalry horse. Hitching my horse to a tree." I climbed down to the river-ban . at which point I was beyond the observation of the German patrols. It would have been suicidal to have attempted to cross the bridge. but be careful. [ 192] WHEELLESS WAGONS AND FIRELESS GUNS I wheeled around quic ly and made toward the river. Some German soldiers whom I encountered did not even stop me. "Very well. .
throwing their grenades as they advanced. indeed. The exertion of my swim and run and the excitement . however. was the way it wor ed out. as I wanted to get my report in as long as possible before the Germans discovered my intrigue. "That's splendid! The mystery is now solved. That. Nicolai ' ' — addressing his adjutant — "we are going to have a big night!" Then he told me to lie down on the sofa in his office and have a good sleep. When the Huns got tired of firing.The explosion not only scared the Germans. logolevitch ! " the colonel exclaimed. At the colonel's quarters I burst right into his room without ceremony and reported breath[ 194 J WHEELLESS WAGONS AND FIRELESS GUNS lessly what I had discovered concerning the German big guns. concluding. For more than an hour I remained under cover. enthusiastically. the Huns started to fire at me and I had to see the shelter of a huge roc . As soon as I reached the side. crawled across No Man's Land. and reached our lines in safety. Their fire helped to eep the Germans under cover and enabled me to reach the opposite ban without mishap. that I had either been accounted for or had made good my escape. but not a shot at the lone swimmer whose mission they could only guess. "Great wor . I figured that my comrades would undoubtedly realize that I was trying to escape from the Germans or I would not be swimming direct for the Russian trenches in broad daylight. perhaps. Without waiting to get dry I as ed to be conducted at once to the headquarters of my regiment. but it attracted the attention of the Russian patrols to me. I climbed to the top of the embanlvment. who feared that a Russian grenade squad had succeeded in crossing the river and was climbing [ 193] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL the ban . realizing that if I attempted to climb the ban I would ma e an easy target. They fired volley after volley into the forest.
with its accumulations of plans. and papers? Was the whole thing a dream? I sat up. rubbed my eyes. but the colonel told the boys not to disturb you and left me here to wait until you wo e up!" The whole situation became clear to me at once. Without waiting to discuss that phase of it with the soldier. and I did as I was told very willingly. When I wo e up I found myself on the same sofa. but the room I was in was absolutely bare ! Where were the maps on the walls and the furniture? Where was the colonel's des . our troops had been hurled against Savendi i and had captured it. My information had borne quic fruit and I felt mighty proud about it. Coming down the street was our squadron. He was a Russian soldier and I gave him a nudge to wa e him up. [195I THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL Headquarters was moved there this morning. "No. reports. It was mighty good to see them. ' * What are you tal ing about?" "Yes. we too Savendi i during the night. They were returning from Savendi i with several hundred prisoners. headquarters moved to Savendi i this morning!" ' ' Savendi i ! " I echoed. After we had exchanged experiences I received so many compliments in the shape of slaps on the bac that I decided never to tell an- . and then my eyes rested on a soldier lying asleep on the floor directly under me. I was asleep as soon as my head touched the sofa.of the adventure had exhausted me. and gazed around the vacant room. "Is this headquarters?" I as ed. although there was a tinge of disappointment in it at that at the thought that I had not been given a chance to share in the garnering of it. Knowing that there was nothing to fear in the wooden guns which had loo ed so menacing. I ran out of the hut and hurried down the village street — almost as fast as I had run a day or two before when I was being pursued by the Huns. maps. "Headquarters?" he repeated. completely flabbergasted.
Have you got any money? " [196] WHEELLESS WAGONS AND FIRELESS GUNS I assured him that I had enough to answer all my possible needs. I put Was ia up in a stable which was being used by the transport division of an infantry regiment and went to see the quartermaster. An hour or two later I was summoned to Captain Panunsev's quarters and told that I could have a two days' furlough. to whom I handed a note from Panunsev as ing him to ta e care of me. logolevitch. I had not written home for many months — I was ashamed to figure how long." and he handed me three rubles. you better ta e this. As soon as I reached the village I would sit right down and write a real long letter to my mother. and it was now July." he suggested. Was ia must have imder stood my plan. "You'd better go to Radziwilichis i. I After supper I got in with some of the sol[197] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL diers and spent the evening hobnobbing with the people of the village. for she lengthened her stride and clattered along at a great clip without any urging from me.other soul about my adventure so long as I lived. "Well. One duty that was imperative was to catch up with my correspondence. There were a nnmber of . 1916. I would push right along. As I started off for Radziwilichis i I reflected that it was the first holiday I had had since April. "That's the nearest village of any size. anyway. We want you to have a real good time. 1915. Good old Was ia! What a faithful old warhorse she was ! It was evening when I reached the outs irts of the village and slowed up. I turned over in my mind all the things I would li e to do in those two short days of freedom.
brother. Good Heavens! I had forgotten all my noble resolves to write home. not forgetting the rear-guard action at Savendi i which had earned for me the St. and sister. and they did so much to entertain us and ma e us forget. I covered sheet after sheet with stirring accounts of the wonderful adventures I had had. myself some new place where I could When I was all spruced at any time since I had I spent the whole day amusing myself in the village. Before I started an officer cautioned me to ride carefully. The next day I bought underwear and found a ta e a real hot bath. still thoroughly ashamed of myself. I decided to call my furlough a heat right then and there and get bac to hard wor and danger. for the time being. Borrowing a pencil and paper. I sat right down and wrote my father. I fetched Was ia and started bac for Savendi i. Enough food was offered me to have fed my whole company for a wee ! That night at supper I noticed some soldiers reading letters. With continued self-reproaches I went to sleep. The fact that I was voluntarily forgoing several hours of furlough was a penance which comforted me considerably. Instead of enjoying a furlough. too.pretty girls in Radziwilichis i. up I felt better than enlisted. memories of my family and my home-life crowded before my eyes and I don't [198] WHEELLESS WAGONS AND FIRELESS GUNS mind confessing that the tears came. George Cross. That was what I deserved. It was very nice to be the center of a group of admiring villagers and to recount my adventures while they stood around with open mouths listening to me. "The Huns have been pressing forward stead- . mother. the strain and worry and the discomforts and dangers of army life that the time passed very quic ly. I ought to be spending a wee in the guard-house for the way I had acted. As I wrote. The thought that my long silence must almost have bro en my mother's heart filled me with shame. and early next morning.
leaning over the mare's nec and patting her affectionately. [ 200 ] . made me feel at peace with all the world. My clean underclothing. Soon I would meet our outposts and my furlough would be over." he warned. He assured me that I could. Again I started off and I rode for an hour without incident. I as ed him if by following this by-road I could ma e a short cut to Savendi i. At this point there was a road leading into the woods. Then I decided that the road to the right must certainly be the one for me to follow. Stopping one of the soldiers. Perhaps some one would come along and direct me. but inwardly I felt nothing approaching alarm. and I felt as secure as if I were riding again with Boris along the long. would you. for the other would bring me out on the main road again. with never a snort. the good food I had had at Radziwilichis i. Watch out for yourself!" I assured him that I would ta e no chances. and I jogged along as happy as a lar . winding roads of far-off Harbin where we had spent our early years. Here was a dilemma. [ 199] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL "You wouldn't lead me into trouble. but in vain. It may be that the enemy has reached the road to Savendi i at some points. not to say anything of three chic ens which dangled at the end of my saddle by a piece of string tied around their nec s. I waited impatiently for ten or fifteen minutes. Was ia?" I as ed. "and our forces have been compelled to give ground here and there. and I gave my horse the spurs and galloped off. Then it divided. About fifteen miles down the road I passed a number of our transports and troops. one for branching off to the right and the other to the left. For seven or eight miles the road ran as straight as a die.ily for the past day or two. "You wouldn't get lost or anything — or carry me into the enemy's lines?" Was ia cantered along bris ly.
hailed the Hun in German. brought Was ia to her nees. I considered for a moment whether there was anything to be gained by feigning continued unconsciousness. HEAD DOWNWARD! THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL I was thin ing over the happy incidents of the past forty-eight hours wlien three shots. serious-loo ing. carrying a lance at the end of which was a little colored flag and wearing on his head a German helmet! I was a German prisoner! XII A DISASTROUS FURLOUGH WHAT had happened? How had I been captured? Where was Stassie and the rest of my squadron? How badly was I wounded? Where was I being ta en? What were the chances of escape? These and a dozen other questions came rapidly to my mind. pulHng me down with her. surprised to hear . head downward! I opened my eyes and just as quic ly shut them. my ride through the woods.WHEN I REGAINED CONSCIOUSNESS I WAS RIDING ON A HORSE. and. I was riding on a horse — across the bac of a horse — strapped across his bac . one after another. straight-bac ed. He loo ed around hastily. and then I opened my eyes again and too another loo at my captor. for I had gotten a glimpse of a soldier riding beside me. and before I had a chance to draw my revolver to defend myself something struc my head and everything swam before my eyes! When I regained consciousness I felt something under me jolting. He was a typical German cavalry patrol — trim. STRAPPED ACROSS HIS BACK. the three shots and the blow on the head. It was several minutes before the answer came in the recollection of my furlough at Radziwilichis i. then to the ground. square-shouldered. deciding that there was not.
. where his regiment was stationed and where I would be handed over to the officers. including my age. you dirty Russian ! " "Are you addressing me? " I as ed.himself addressed in his own language by a [ 203 ] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL Russian prisoner. To conceal his surprise he grabbed me by the feet and jer ed me out of the wagon. "Attention!" an officer yelled as I tumbled to the ground. I obeyed without too much alacrity and was ordered to move over to a table in front of a hut. and then explained to me that I had been captured by his patrol and that he was ta ing me to a village near Kelniy. All sorts of questions were as ed me. I told them that [204] A DISASTROUS FURLOUGH when I was a child I had spent some time at Dresden. We overtoo a man driving a truc . At that they loo ed at one another in surprise and then warned me not to lie. Then they started to cross-question me. I felt too wea even to thin of escape and soon fell asleep. as ing how it was I spo e such good German. at which sat two other officers. and heard one of them command in very poor Russian. I awo e just as the wagon drove into the center of a crowd of German soldiers. in German. which I gave them correctly — going on fifteen. and the soldier was considerate enough to unstrap me from the horse and put me in the truc instead. ''Get out of there. and that they could easily confirm my statements by comnumicating with the school that I attended there. which was true. riding right behind me and eeping his eye on me.
lieutenant?" 14 [ 20S ] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL I as ed. He led me to a hut in which I found forty other Russian prisoners. There are trenches to be dug and you are all going to get busy right away. however. Although the rest of the prisoners did not understand what he said. Most of these poor chaps were sitting on the floor. "In the mean time. "Tell these swine that we don't purpose to let them sit idly here. trying to show him that even if we were prisoners we still had some spirit left. They loo ed very despondent. especially when some of the German soldiers grabbed their rifles to scare me. "but I did not quite get the time. An officer whom I had not noticed before came swaggering toward me. "None of your insolence!" he yelled. we started . Shovels were given us and. and from what we had heard of the treatment accorded our prisoners by the Germans they had every reason to be downhearted." A soldier stepped up to the officers' table at a word of command and I was ordered to follow him. they new I had "got his goat" — as your expression is — and they loo ed a bit nervous. ''you will be treated as a military prisoner. because of your youth. the soldiers hustling us all out of the room and leading us to a bridge where trenches were to be dug. stirred on by German soldiers who shouted at us continually.They said they would investigate my story. I pitied them from the bottom of my heart. rubbing my ear as though it had been affected by his shouting. although. There isn't going to be any loafing while I have anything to say!" "Is there going to be any lunch. lieutenant!" I replied. getting red in the face with anger." the officer in command added. They told me they had been captured the previous night and were waiting to be transferred to a prison-camp. "Than you. Did you say afternoon lunch or supper?" To that there was no answer. we are going to eep you here instead of sending you to a prison-camp.
revealed tc me a number of good hiding-places which I stowed away in my memory for possible future use. Afternoon came and the guard was [206] A DISASTROUS FURLOUGH changed. papers. I placed my hand in my poc et to get a piece of bread and a hand erchief to wipe the perspiration from my face — everything was gone! My money. however. he relented.to dig. We were prisoners — that was enough. This gave me a chance to drin some water and. You'll go right on the same as the others till you get orders to stop!" A moment or two later. however. but the Huns showed not the slightest interest in our suffering. incidentally. Fortunately I had not been wearing my medal. He said I could go over to the bridge and straighten out some bloc s of wood that were stored under it. "You weren't too wea to fight. too. For a while the wor did not seem particularly hard to me. my bac and arm muscles commenced to protest against this unwonted labor. After several hours of digging. but the wor itself did not bother me particularly. Our job was to build a trench connecting the bridge with a trench about a quarter of a mile outside the village. but no food was brought us nor were we given any breathing-spell. or that would have been ta en. and we were almost famished. and precious crust of bread had been confiscated. for- . Calling one of the sergeants who was watching my particular section of the wor . you're strong enough to wor . but there was no stopping. were you? Well. My head still ached from the blow I had received and I was ravenously hungry. The perspiration dripped from our foreheads. I told him that I was too wea to go on. Jt was not until dar ness came— which. our hands were blistered.
They were on their way to the prison-camp. shivering from cold and wea from hunger and fatigue. My head was so heavy that I felt dizzy when I stood on my feet. I now." A moment or two later another soldier came . Some of the men went to sleep. where most of us dropped to the floor. he told me that in a few minutes I would receive a meal. although if we had not been relieved right then I thin nature would have stopped some of us. noticing that I had awa ened.[207] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL tunately. I can't help it. I don't now that it made us forget our hunger. You can chew it." he admitted — he was evidently a decent sort of Hun — "but it's not up to me. I've got some tobacco. was about half past three in the afternoon — that we were ordered to stop wor . "It will be all you get for the day. I soon fell asleep. but it certainly burnt our throats — mine. A squad of soldiers entered the shed and ordered every one but me to leave the room. and we followed his suggestion. "so you better ma e the most of it. and. That will burn your throats and ma e you forget your hunger!" He handed me about half a pound of strong tobacco. ''It's pretty tough. which I divided among the men. There was a guard sitting in the doorway. but they were not allowed to rest long. I appealed to one of the German soldiers who were standing guard over us to get us something to eat. I awo e late the next morning to find my throat swollen so [ 208 ] A DISASTROUS FURLOUGH that I could hardly breathe. We were lined up and marched off to a shed. though. if you want that. at any rate. "We wouldn't treat a German dog this way!" I protested." he added. Left alone.
On the fourth day of my captivity another party of Russian prisoners was brought in. bringing an earthenware bowl and a spoon. I realized at once that his plan was little less than madness. For two days we continued on this job. The nowl[ 209] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL edge that I was a captive would have been a sad shoc to my mother. Needless to say. no matter what was in store for me.into the room. running for liberty toward the forest! . which he placed near me. I was particularly than ful that the misfortune that had overta en me had come after I had written my family instead of before. and it comforted me to now that. The dish consisted of a rather thin soup in which a few pieces of potato were floating around. A moment later we were on our way. While we were putting the wires in place our guard went inside the tunnel. I had sent off only a few days before was full of cheering news. He loo ed at me triumphantly. As I was the only prisoner in the place. they didn't learn very much of value from me. Later I tried to swallow some more of the soup and gradually. As it was. and then another prisoner and I were sent to the trench end of the tunnel to build a wire door at the entrance. they did not put me to wor . but I decided to join him. I thrust the bowl aside and lay down again. Left alone. I had much to engage my thoughts. famished as I was. and when they were put to wor I was ta en with them. but I was questioned intermittently by officers who visited the shed and who wanted to now everything they could find out about conditions in the Russian army. My friend seized a coil of this wire and quic ly barred the entrance so that no one could emerge. For three days I was left considerably to myself. the letter. My attempt to swallow a spoonful proved so painful that. Again we were assigned to the tas of connecting the bridge with the line of trenches by means of a tunnel. despite the pain. I managed to get it all down. my family would be spared the pain of nowing it.
jumping up from his chair and bringing his fist down heavily on the table. I saw his face turn red. but I was totally unprepared for what happened. but because Vladimir towered above him. eh?" one of the officers sneered. while I was small enough for him to bully.We had not gone five hundred yards before we were noticed. [210] A DISASTROUS FURLOUGH "Trying to escape. [211] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL . our bodies bruised blac and blue from the blows we had received. you insolent swine!" the officer thundered. About fifty cavalrymen set off in pursuit. firing at us as they gained on us. Little did the Hun understand the character of brave Vladimir. Instead of appreciat ingthe officer's choice of a victim. the big-hearted Russian resented it. The officer addressed me rather than Vladimir. and Vladimir. my fellowprisoner. The men in the room were paralyzed by the Russian's audacity. "I will show you. I did not answer. did not understand. and the officer decided suddenly to let the revolver lay where it was. In five minutes it was all over and a little later we stood before the officers. Striding up to the officer with the manner of a giant reprimanding a pygmy. but Vladimir moved toward him. When the officer had seated himself with more violence than grace the big fellow pointed to himself and indicated that he was the man to be spo en to if any threats were going to be made. gaining his composure. not because I understood German. The officer. leaned over to seize a revolver lying on the table. he pushed the officer's face bac with the palm of his hand and forced him into his seat.
Ta e half an hour to thin it over." . followed by ten soldiers. corporal. Six privates pic ed up their guns and marched toward him." the big fellow assented. "You may have your choice of two punishments. "but it is useless for us to resist. unnatural voice he shouted that we would both pay dearly for our conduct. "you insulted an officer of the German Imperial Government because you felt that [212] A DISASTROUS FURLOUGH you were his superior in physical strength. I waited anxiously his announcement of the punishment that was to be imposed upon us. One is to be tied to a post and be thoroughly beaten. "You're a brave fellow. and he followed them quietly out of the room. He made it clear to them that he did not intend to resist. "Yesterday. although he was still trembhng. You will be punished in such a way that your strength will be of no avail. but we tal ed over the events of the day freely. cuttingly. and no more. "but I won't let these Huns bully me or any other Russian without letting them now that no single Hun can get away with it!" The next morning the officer who had crossexamined me the day I was first brought in came into our room.Then another officer in the room commanded the soldiers to seize Vladimir. If you choose the latter you will have just enough air to eep you alive. addressing Vladimir. With Vladimir out of the room." All the horrible stories I had heard about the German method of treating recalcitrant prisoners came into my mind. the officer who was the cause of all the trouble pluc ed up courage. Vladimir. We shall only bring greater suffering on our shoulders if we get ugly." I told him. I spent that night in a room with Vladimir. We were closely guarded. outmmibered as we are. In a strained." "That is true." he said. The other is to be nailed up in a long box for three days.
" and he held his ten powerful digits up before my eyes. venomously. The soldiers who had brought us over explained what had occurred. This enraged me so that I lost all sense of prudence. stepping toward me and swinging a heavy blow at my chin." he shouted to me as they led him off. "It would have given these ten fingers. from the rear. / I drew my head bac just in time to escape his vicious swing.I interpreted what he had said to Vladimir after the officer had left the room. Then came a shot. "You little cur!" he shouted. and drew bac my arm to counter. but our attention was not really attracted to him until he attempted. to which they proceeded to tie him for his beating. Seizing a near-by chair. his anger aroused at the officer's hideous threat. "I don't want to see their dirty faces!" I didn't repeat the latter part of his message. Vladimir turned suddenly and threw his full weight against the soldier and sent him crashing against the wall. Then more soldiers entered and we were seized and dragged out to the village square. to throw a rope around Vladimir's shoulders. The guard in the doorway had fired point-blan at Vladimir and [213] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL the big fellow's arm was hanging limp at his side. "peculiar satisfaction to have tightened themselves around that coward's throat!" Then a soldier entered the room. and the coward officer of yesterday smiled revengefully as he saw an opportunity to even up the score. "Why didn't you tell me when he was here!" Vladimir complained. Then Vladimir was seized and dragged to a post. There a group of officers were standing at an improvised judge's bench. . "Tell the officers that I prefer the other punishment. I hurled it at the guard and noc ed his rifle from his hands. but a soldier seized my hand and prevented further complications.
I recognized him as the man who had shot Vladimir. but he was immediately ta en away to suffer the form of punishment he had indicated." I pleaded. I heard some one say. while I was [214] A DISASTROUS FURLOUGH dragged to the post and lashed to it in his place. A soldier was marching up and down in front of me. There were several women in the crowd that had gathered around the whipping-post. "A drin of water. The water did not loo veryclean.not wishing to aggravate matters. and everything faded from before my eyes. Then came a torrent of blows from a whip which seemed to have the tongue of a thousand scorpions. It was a woman's voice. There was no longer a crowd about me. From sheer nervousness I began to smile and then to laugh." and I tried to obey that injunction. and when they saw me tied to it by my hands and feet they shrie ed in horror. and the sound of hammering that immediately followed told me too well what was happening to poor Vladimir. XIII SOUVENIRS WHEN I came to my senses I was still lashed to the post. as though I were enjoying the devil's own jest. please. A terrible shrie from the other end of the square where Vladimir had been dragged caught my ears. and my laughter became louder and louder. As soon as he saw that I was again conscious he wal ed toward me. . "Be brave to the last. There was a pail beside him and he stooped to pic it up. but it would moisten my parched lips.
"I remember it. Just before I lost consciousness. Experience had taught me that the Hun never wastes his breath calling up unpleasant recollections unless they are to be used as an excuse for an act of cruelty to come. [216] SOUVENIRS The Hun laughed at my despair and held his rifle toward me. he swung his arms bac in the position of a man about to chop down a sturdy tree and brought the butt of his weapon down full force against my leg! The pain and shoc of the blow sic ened me. "This is what you threw out of my hands yesterday!" he said." I said.The Hun moved intolerably slowly. however. and then with a wic ed leer he turned it upside down and let the water run over the cobblestones! Wea as I was. now you are to become really acquainted with it ! " And. I new that I was going to faint. I saw the brute raise his gun again for a second . "Well. leering at me. but my struggles were futile and only made my smarting body pain the more. If I could have freed myself at that moment I would have made that fiend pay for his cruelty if it cost me my life. Why couldn't he hurry? He raised the pail. gripping the gun tightly near the muzzle. I struggled in my bonds.
A woman sat in the corner of the room. I tried to move it. Just as I was about to repeat my question the door opened and a man wal ed in." she whispered. "Where is my friend — the other Russian prisoner?" There was no answer. I wondered whether she had heard me. staring at me in a helpless sort of way. " 'Sh-sh — don't spea . I tried my leg again and wondered how badly I had been hurt. Poor Vladimir! What had been his fate? I could not banish him from my thoughts. The position in which I lay made it impossible for me to loo up. gnawing pain in my left leg. but later J saw by his epaulets that he was a doctor. "Where am I?" I as ed. I threw my head bac — When I awo e — I don't now how long afterward—I was lying on a bed in a little hut. but my pain was so great that sleep would not come. but I discovered that I had no control over it whatever. It seemed as if the butt was going to [217 ] WHEN I CAME TO MY SENSES I WAS STILL LASHED TO THE POST THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL stri e me from a distance of a mile away. I felt an aching. frightened animal. At first I could not tell who he was. I shut my eyes and attempted to thin clearly. crying. Then I remembered the beating I had received and I closed my eyes and tried to sleep in an effort to blot out recollection of my troubles. li e a dumb. I ■ I218J .blow.
The light in spite of the pain the turned over and fell asleep. with three soldiers. hoping to convey the impression that I was not yet strong enough to get up. however. because I would rather have died than have been ta en to Germany a prisoner. the bone was not bro en.SOUVENIRS shut my eyes. The next morning a German soldier came to my bedside. He was approaching the hut. For five days I was allowed to remain in the hut in which I found myself when I came to after my beating. Somehow I would have to find a way to escape. . much to i^y Joy> that. It gave me something to thin of. effort caused me. As a matter of fact. I had just been trying how far I [219] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL could go when I observed. the officer who cross-examined me. out of no indness of motive — the Hun thought it would add a touch of bitterness to my pain. I could not tell what. The information was given me. By that time I was able to hobble around the room a bit. while my left leg was terribly swollen and quite blac from the nee to the hip. it wor ed just the other way. Then he left. "And I warn you. though not without pain. He felt my pulse. The revealed a squalid. Among other things he brought me the cheering intelligence that I was to be sent to Germany within a few days. I jumped quic ly into bed." he added. That morning I was given a real brea fast and it made me feel considerably better. It dirty interior. listened to my heart. I am sure. "that if you show any more of your insolence. pained my eyes and. My brain was quite clear and I discovered. and muttered something to himself. I woman lit a lamp. The officer entered the room and warned me that the next day I was to be ta en before the highest German officials in that section of the country. you'll regret the day as long as you live!" I turned to the wall and began to snore. It became dar . through the window.
and wal ed out. always ma ing in the direction of the bridge. subsisting on the scanty stoc of food I had stuffed into my poc ets before I started. When the sentry passed by me I could almost touch his shoulder from where I lay con- . I crept into the tunnel. I scurried from corner to corner as fast as my bruised leg would permit. A few hours later I heard excited voices and the tramping of hasty footsteps on the bridge. I reaUzed then that my escape had been discovered and that every effort would be made to recapture me. Bending low. As soon as it was dar I climbed out of the window unnoticed. Putting two and two together. my better plan would be to try it that night. and that was what I decided to do."You heard me!" he said. By that time. They would never imagine that I had remained right under their noses. they must have given up all hope of finding me. Once I got into enemy territory. Some one shouted an order to guard both ends of the tunnel. it would be mighty difficult to ma e a successful escape. With the itchen nife. In the evening I started out. which I had ta en from the woman. The safest thing I could do was to remain just where I was until the hue and cry had abated. When I passed the first patrol on this side without being observed I climbed under the [ 220 ] SOUVENIRS bridge and hid myself between the wooden bloc s I had noticed when wor ing there with the prison squad. I stayed in my hiding-place under the bridge all night and all the next day. I concluded. If I was to ma e a safe get-away. as there were always one or two soldiers in the trench. When I reached the end of the tunnel I decided to wait there until it grew a little dar er. and after hours of fruitless search they would conclude that I had outwitted them for good. and I felt comparatively safe. I was prepared to ill myself if the plan failed. I figured that the following day I would probably be started on my way to Germany. holding my nife ready to thrust into any one who opposed me. I figured.
I thought. sleeping in the daytime. one of them of gigantic size. I carefully brushed some of the leaves away in an effort to ascertain who it was who intended . Was my hiding-place [ 222 ] SOUVENIRS nown to them? Had I come to the end of my rope? "Herr Lieutenant. I 15 [221] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL didn't. Instead I waited until he had passed by me several times. It was not many minutes before I was fast asleep and I slept heavily. when the danger of meeting German patrols would have been too great to have continued my journey. Evidently I was not the occasion of their presence. in which way I learned how long the intervals were between his periodic appearances." said one voice. I jumped into it and covered myself as completely as possible with the foliage." This was encouraging. I found a hole in the ground. All night long I advanced by hops. "why don't you ta e a rest? I shall remain on guard and wa e you if necessary.cealed in the tunnel. using my sound leg and saving the left one as much as possible. I jumped into the trench and out again. a few minutes later. into the forest. From the way I felt I new that I must have slept many hours. All speculations along this line were rudely jostled out of my mind. at the opportune moment just after he had passed me. a wonderful place to hide for the day. It was partly covered with leaves and presented. however. but. when I heard several voices directly above me carrying on a conversation in German ! I listened breathlessly. and then. When I ultimately awo e it was daylight. and I concluded that I had slept all day and all night and it was now morning again. I decided to eep on as long as possible during the night. Behind several trees. for obvious reasons.
however. That would [223I Q O o Q < Pi H S W o > fa > g Z O ^ n . I had no idea of shooting him. Was it possible that these horses spo e German? "I will ta e off my belt.to ta e a rest right on top of me. and I saw a hand place a belt on the ground right near me. In doing so. Ordinarily I should have hesitated to ta e what didn't belong to me. but that revolver win ed to me too temptingly. he suddenly found himself facing his own revolver. It will be more comfortable to sleep without it. The weapon was only just in my hands when the officer turned. All I could see were three saddled horses tied to a tree. In it was a revolver." The voice came from the other side of the tree. Raising myself out of the hole on my elbows. I leaned over and slowly and carefully removed the revolver from the case. It seemed to me that he planned to place his belt between the soldier and himself instead of where he had dropped it originally.
but I warned him to raise his arms instead. It was only when he turned to loo at his officer that he saw me. I threw myself on the ground and pulled both of the Huns down on top of me. But while my brain quic ly came to those prudent conclusions my hand scoffed at such sober and sensible reflections. I started off in the direction he indicated. for he thought the officer had shot at him. The shoc of the experience must have bereft them of all speech. The soldier thereupon told me that there were Russian patrols in another direction which he pointed out. Although mistrusting him. for they refused to tell me. I as ed them where I could find the Russian forces. He dropped his gun as a result of the shoc . in the direction I indicated. which he did. The private bent to pic up his gun. Seizing the . gun in hand. One shot went into the ground and another traveled right past the face of a soldier who sat near by. Then I ordered them to march bac ward.go z » ■< ^§ 05 z o fa < n SOUVENIRS have made a noise and perhaps brought some more Huns. My best plan was merely to eep the two Huns covered. He also saw his lieutenant with hands upraised in to en of surrender. faces turned toward me. We had not gone fifty yards in this direction when a shot from a tree burned into my leg.
I shot the private through the shoulder. Then he shouted the order and the gun came tumbling down from a tree not a hundred yards away. I as ed the lieutenant to let me have the bandage which I new German officers invariably carried in their poc ets. I bac ed up toward the gun. The alacrity with [226] SOUVENIRS which he shot his hand to his bac poc et made me change my mind. "Halt!" I shouted. at the same time ordering the men to maintain their positions. warning him that his two comrades would pay with their lives if he attempted any funny business. Then I shot into the air. in which I held the officer's revolver. A huge red stain on my trousers demanded attention. Then I went up to him and placed my hand into his bac poc et. I ordered the officer to direct the hidden mar sman to drop his gun instantly. When all three were on the ground. "Raise your hands instantly ! I'll get the bandage myself ! " Ordering him to advance a few steps. which covered me so that I could not be made a target by the man in the tree. He was reluctant to do so until he noticed the muzzle of my revolver pointing at his stomach. The "bandage" he had been reaching for was a little Lady Browning revolver! . Reaching down. compelling the men to follow me. I made him turn his bac to me. I seized the gun with my left hand and ordered the man in the tree to descend. I held him with my left hand and ept him on top of me to shield me from further shots from the tree.[ 225] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL ofBcer by the shirt. With my right hand. with their five hands up — the man I had shot could raise only one — I loo ed at my leg to see whether it was still there. It was so numb it might just as well have been missing.
"I can use to better advantage on your wounded friend. I used their reins to advantage as a noose about the nec s of each of them. having no further use for it. Perhaps it will teach him in which direction the Russian forces are!" "Don't shoot!" he begged. [227] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL Again I Inquired as to how we might reach the Russians. I certainly didn't intend to be recaptured alive. for at the first sign of German soldiers I would shoot the three of them in cold blood. "You'll find a real bandage in my right-hand poc et!" Hurling the gun as far from me as I could. while that wovild mean their own captivity. Bac ing the men toward their three horses. Then I tied up the shoulder of the wounded man. they could be sure of decent treatment as prisoners. "This time I won't lead you into any ambush. I didn't intend to ta e the chance of returning to the prison-camp from which I had had the good luc to escape."This sort of bandage. On the other hand." I said." . rolled up my military trousers and also the sailor trousers underneath. Apparently this little indness was totally unexpected. The man whose wound I had dressed seemed convinced by my straightforwardness. "I will show you the way. I made my position perfectly clear to them. It would be better for them to become prisoners than to die ingloriously in the woods. for he murmured profuse than s. too my boot off the wounded leg. Then I stepped a little to one side. if they would direct me to the Russian lines. I searched the other two men and my efforts produced two bandages. I pointed out. If I couldn't get bac to my own lines." he said. You can eep the reins around our nec s until I ma e good. and if they had any idea of leading me into the hands of their comrades they were just planning their own deaths. and tied the bandage about the wound to stop the flow of blood.
I as ed him why he hadn't shown such good sense before. There was something in their manner of riding that told me they were Cossac s. and yet any show of wea ness on my part. "And we were fools enough to believe them. Every man in a Russian uniform. watch yourselves!" Through the trees I now saw a party of horse[229] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL men rapidly approaching.Much to my surprise. when we were all startled to hear the trampling of horses' hoofs. It was about an even chance as to whether they were Germans or Russians. bitterly. you die li e dogs. "In either event. I assured him. might prove disastrous to me. then. I felt I could go no farther. . I began to feel as if I had a weight of half a ton tied to my leg. I called a halt. I saw a loo of hope spring to the officer's countenance. you are my prisoners! Now. Noticing my condition. and as they came nearer I became quite convinced of it. My strength was slowly ebbing away. he ordered the other private to ta e me under the arm and help me along. but it was short-lived. he then began to swear at his superior officer. would treat him indly. We continued slowly in this way for another hour. claiming that as for himself he would be glad to be among decent people. I realized. for I at once ordered our party to retire into the woods which lined the road and to eep absolutely still until I had discerned whether the oncomers were friends or foes. If they are my friends." We traveled for an hour or two without meeting a living soul. Fortunately I had an ally in the wounded soldier. "If they're Germans and you ma e the slightest effort to attract their attention. [ 228] SOUVENIRS "They told us differently — our officers!" the man replied. you lose!" I pointed out to the officer.
Poor fellow! Although he had tried to double-cross me in the first place." the officer suggested. was on a postal-card which he had evidently planned to send away. the one who was wounded shoo my hand. He atoned for it afterward by helping me along when my wound began to get the best of me and when. if he had been less considerate. Only by divine help could I have hoped to escape. I was very much moved by these reflections. "Our own!" came bac the welcome answer. and requested to be sent to my regiment. as I was saying farewell to my prisoners. but my [230] SOUVENIRS prayer of gratitude comforted me and I soon fell asleep. and a moment or two later I ran out into the road to greet them. Sixth Volunteer . and that unwavering Ally had brought me safely through. and for the first time in several wee s slept again on a decent cot among friends. I told the officers my entire story from the day I was captured. In his place I would have acted the same way. "Better rest here to-night. The photograph he gave me. I did not close my eyes that night before I had than ed God for the consideration He had shown me. a volunteer in the Fifth Bavarian Cavalry Division. and implored me to write to them. "We'll send you to the Third Dragoons in the morning!" I was accommodated in one of the officers' huts. and which I still have. which I afterward did through Red Cross channels. I had been through dangers which seemed insuperable. In the morning. after being properly trussed so that they could do no harm. in Russian. and we rode rapidly bac to our lines. gave me his photograph and the address of his relatives in Germany. Tired and exhausted as I was. It gave his name as Gottlieb Rittweg. his comrades might have disposed of me and made their escape."Who goes there?" I shouted as loud as I could. I bore him no ill-will for it. I was helped on to a horse behind one of the Cossac s and my three prisoners were similarly accommodated.
accompanied by another soldier as guide. "Pretty active life for a young violinist!" I thought. "What's the matter. As we cantered along the road I thought over all the stirring adventures of the past few wee s. Before I left. indeed. captain. and then bandaged it. I was shot in the leg. sternly. "Life will seem pretty tame after what I've been through lately!" That." I answered. "Your furlough expired several wee s ago. "In two wee s it will all be healed up. I hurried to the captain's quarters. coming bac . "Great wor . jumping on a horse which had been brought out for me. "The Huns beat me up pretty bad and then. and yet within but a few days I was to go through an adventure which made all my previous experiences pale into insignificance. but the doctor says . "Good-by. getting up from his chair and issing me on both chee s. He cleaned it. I rode off. "This is fine. XIV TWO AGAINST TWENTY I HAD to ride about a day and a half before I reached my regiment. put some iodine inside and around it. Fifth Squadron. the military doctor examined my wound. after he had read the report. What's your excuse? " I handed him a report which had been given me by the officer to whom I had delivered my prisoners. logolevitch?" he as ed. giving me a few extra bandages for future use." he promised. Good luc !" [231 ] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL I than ed him and then. my boy!" he exclaimed. He said that it was only a flesh wound and would heal rapidly if I too care of it. did seem li e a reasonable conclusion to draw. How badly were you injured?" " Not very much.Regiment.
When the captain annovuiced th^t I was to receive a second war. I thin I'm better off in active service. I would rather stay with the squadron!" The upshot of it was that I was ordered to one of the huts. Coming down the village street was my whole squadron. As the captain spo e my eyes were scanning the faces of the men gathered around me. they were ordered to wheel around and form a semicircle around me. I thin youVe earned a real rest. but as they reached my hut. if I may. judging from the [ 233 J THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL developments of my last furlough. and I was soon in their midst going over . when I heard the approach of horses and I jumped to the door to see who was coming. captain. Finally they rested on Stassie. captain. I stood at the door. Anyway. George! I almost eeled over with joy at this news. I don't really need a furlough and. hoping to be able to say a word or two to those nearest me as they passed by." "Well. When the speech was over the men were dismissed. You can ta e a furlough for six wee s!" "I than you. but. I was thin ing over all the incidents of my recent experience and wondering how long it would be before I would have a chance to tell the whole story to Stassie and the rest of the fellows. Lying on the bed to which I had been assigned.cross [234] TWO AGAINST TWENTY Stassie indicated by mute signs that I ought to as the commander to give him one.the wound will be all healed in a couple of wee s. Then Captain Panunsev made a speech telling the men of my experiences during the past few wee s and concluding with the statement that I was to be presented for a second war-cross of St. where I was to rest until I had entirely recovered from the effects of my adventure. too.
That didn't suit me at all." Stassie repined. and so I [236] . Stanislav can bun here with you. But from all I can see It is quite clear to me There's more in a dead man's boots!" Stassie spent several days with me. If you li e. that they might inspect my wound. anyway. " If I had nown those boots I made you ta e were going to bring you all this luc . "you are a pretty luc y boy. referring to the war-crosses that were coming to me.the experiences of my disastrous furlough. GEORGE Captain Panunsev and Podporutchi Lavronsev came into my hut and made me ta e off my bandages. Then he told me that I would have to get another roommate. Then CAPTAIN PANUNSEV MADE A SPEECH TELLING THE MEN OF MY EXPERIENCES AND ANNOUNCED THAT I WAS TO BE PRESENTED FOR A SECOND WAR-CROSS OF ST. [235] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL "Well." Panunsev commented as he helped me rebind the leg. because he had been ordered to another village nearer the German lines for patrol wor . You will stay on the sic -list until this wound is entirely healed. And to thin of it — you were going to throw them out!" Then he bro e out to the following effect : " There are those who will claim That honor and fame Of merit and pluc are the fruits." That suited me admirably and Stassie brought around some of his belongings and arranged to occupy the hut with me. "I would never have let you even see them! You could have gone barefooted for the rest of your life before I would have offered them to you. I felt strong enough to be ta en off the sic -list. logolevitch.
"Something tells me that place is occupied. and test their strength. the whole surrounded by a barbed -wire fence. we too possession of the few huts that remained. with about twenty other men from our squadron. started off for the village in question. "This loo s interesting!" exclaimed Stassie. with a shed adjoining." To approach the hut across the clearing would have been too ris y. approaching it from a side which had no windows. Stassie going around one way and I the other. Arriving there at night. Our object was to ascertain the whereabouts of the German patrol. In our patrol there were five other fellows besides ourselves.TWO AGAINST TWENTY went to Captain Panunsev and as ed to be put on active wor . and late that afternoon Stassie and I. who we new must be in the vicinity. when we had to relieve the fellows who went out first. Stassie and I didn't go out until midnight. and half of us were assigned to patrol wor . Stassie had his rifle and I had my own pistol in one hand and Stassie' s Smith & Wesson in the other. At first he demurred. but after the doctor had loo ed me over it was decided that I might get bac to wor . There was little to be accomplished at night. We accordingly made a wide detour through the forest and came out at a point which was much nearer our objective. Stassie and I dismounted and went forward cautiously to inspect the hut. When we reached the blind wall we separated. 16 [ 237 ] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL Leaving the five other men to cover us from the shelter of the woods. A new horse was given me. but we covered a lot of ground just the same. About daybrea we came to a clearing in the woods and about a quarter of a mile away we could see a hut. Everything was so quiet that we fully expected .
Even at that short distance neither of our shots had ta en effect — we had both fired too hastily. He came crashing bac into the room. made for the window and started to climb through. I leaped in front of the rifles and ordered the men who were advancing toward the door to stop and throw up their hands. I jumped into the hut. wondering. In the dim light shed by a lamp in the center of the room I discerned the forms of no less than twenty German soldiers! Some were asleep on the ground. seeing [239 J THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL that I had all I could do to eep them covered. struc on the head by the butt of Stassie's rifle. In one corner of the room the men's rifles were stac ed.to find that all our precautions had been for nothing. I LEAPED IN FRONT OF THE RIFLES AND ORDERED THE MEN WHO WERE ADVANCING TOWARD THE DOOR TO STOP AND THROW UP THEIR HANDS My first impulse was to bac out. wow! — my head struc the head of another man violently. The Hun fired bac . In this frame of mind I turned the corner of the building rather bris ly and. A moment later the door opened and Stassie . I saw a million stars and a — ^German uniform! I fired. while one or two were hastening toward the door to investigate. They obeyed instantly. but the door closed behind me and made retreat impossible. no doubt. then turned and fled. My first glimpse convinced me that I had acted rashly. We would enter the hut and find it in the usual disordered state which was common wherever the Germans had penetrated. but another man. whether they had [238] TWO AGAINST TWENTY actually heard firing or had just dreamed of shots. others were sitting up and rubbing their eyes lazily.
Several others had made good their escape.entered. grabbing rifles as they went. but he was able to swing his powerful arms to good effect. At the same time we both let fire to show them that we meant business. Half a dozen of the Huns had ta en advantage of the melee to ma e their escape. but the impact threw me bac ward into the stac of rifles. Smashing and tripping. and now a volley of shots came from them directed at the house. and that brought the rest of them to their senses. "or we'll shoot you full of holes!" They obeyed sullenly. . Sure death awaits the man who leaves this hut!" A heavy-set German officer rushed at Stassie. which they had been unable to reach. The room was too small and too crowded for him to use his rifle. evidently intended to scare us. I threw up my arm and warded off the blow. There were nine privates. Several of the men fell. Stassie used his feet s ilfully and the Hun went sprawling. "Bac up against the wall. Your men who just left have been caught by the fire from our men in [ 240] TWO AGAINST TWENTY the forest. Four men and one officer we left dead in the hut. I saw Stassie forcing his way through them. The incident diverted my attention just long enough to give some one a chance to hurl a chair at my head. With their help it was a simple matter to round up our prisoners and start with them bac to the village. "The place is surrounded!" I shouted in German. came bursting Into the room. three of them wounded. casting longing eyes at their rifles. one wounded. shoving and trampling. sensing what had happened and deciding to ma e capital out of it. and in a moment he was at my side and had grabbed one of my pistols and pulled me to my feet. A moment later the men we had left In the woods. and two officers. and in the confusion the men started toward me. "It is useless for you to try to escape." I yelled. who had heard the firing. the big fellow swept through that crowd of sleepy Huns li e a bull in a wheat-field. every single one of you.
I had occasion to address the men employed In the Smith & Wesson factory. I feared that we were again to suffer through some treachery in our High Command. It gave [241 ] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL them a concrete example of the importance of hurrying arms and munitions to the men ' ' over there. it occurred to me that our barricade . Under the protection of our light artillery. The Huns were in possession of a forest which it was our tas to capture. a day or two later.Some time after. Although I was so busy loading and firing my rifle that I did not have much time for reflection. on our objective. The German artillery seemed to have perfect range and a storm of shells wor ed havoc in our ran s. when I went to America and too part In the "speed-up" campaign In the shipyards and munition-factories. When." and perhaps it inspired them to greater efforts. on foot. Shortly after our prisoners were turned over to our officers Stassie received word that he was to be recommended for a medal for bravery for his services in bringing bac the three prisoners some wee s before and for the part he played in our last joint adventure. our squadron rejoined the regiment we learned that with two other regiments we were to ta e part in a big drive against the Germans. and when I told them how Stassie 's revolver had helped us round up no less than eleven Huns and account for five others they went wild with enthusiasm. and the brave fellow could hardly hold himself for joy. we advanced. I was stationed behind a hastily constructed barricade with a numiber of other men from our regiment. but we encountered a very stiff resistance.
and shells were bursting all around us. pulling so hard on my horse's bridle that the animal reared on his hind legs. The noise was terrific. I left the line and made my way to the spot where our horses were stalled. Notifying Sergeant Pirov. "I don't now. I continued on my way.offered us very little protection. I had proceeded only a few yards when I heard a voice yell. In the midst of the din I felt a tug at my sleeve. I had a feeling that I would never emerge from this fight alive. The next moment a huge shell swept past my . Thin it's your father!" "My father!" I repeated. The first well[242] TWO AGAINST TWENTY directed shell would blow us to bits. "What's the idea?" I as ed the orderly. Instantly the thought ran through my head that my military career was over — my father had come to ta e me bac to civil life. * ' Bac — for your life ! ' ' Pay[243] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL ing no attention to the warning. "You are wanted at headquarters at once!" the colonel's orderly shouted in my ear. I wheeled around and started bac for our lines. At the thought of my comrades. Some one at headquarters wants to see you. It seemed to me that the climax of my adventures was about to brea . engaged in one of the most desperate battles we had so far encountered. Perhaps I would be ordered home without even a chance to say good-by to my comrades. well behind the lines. as we mounted and started bac .
head and everything went red before my eyes. I felt a cho ing sensation in my throat and nose. My horse fell from underneath me, and then I new no more.
XV I MEET THE CZAR WHEN I regained consciousness I found myself lying on six chairs arranged as a couch. Some one was washing my face with a wet towel, some one else was ma ing me inhale some ind of gas, and my arms were being wor ed up and down li e pump-handles. It was my father and two sanitars. I opened my mouth to spea , but the words wouldn't come. My throat was paralyzed! ** Don't be scared, Pavli !" my father counseled. "It will be several days before you will be able even to whisper — but your voice will come bac all right. In the mean while you'll have to use pencil and paper." In that way, in due course, I had to as and answer all the numerous questions that we had to exchange. In that way I learned that I was suffering from shell-shoc caused by the shell which had passed so close to me and had thrown me from my horse. I was not otherwise injured, [245]
THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL I was lying in the dining-room of the Radziwilichis i Station. Of my trip from the front to Petrograd, where I next found myself, I have but a very hazy and probably inaccurate recollection. My memory was sadly sha en by the shoc I had sustained. As I recall it, I traveled all the way in the coalbin of a locomotive, which I shared with about fifty other wounded soldiers, forty-nine of whom were piled right on top of me! There was an incessant chorus of groans and curses, to both of which I contributed generously. I now it is quite out of the question, but the way I recall that journey it seems that it too about seven months and that none of us had a thing to eat or drin all that time, nor could any of us move from the positions in which we were originally
dumped. That is the best I can say for that homeward trip, but my impression, as I have said, was probably colored by a fevered imagination. I awo e in a hospital ward, in a bed which my father had donated to the 247th City Lazaret [Hospital] in Petrograd. My father and mother and Boris and Raymonde, my sister, were all around me, but I was still unable to tal . My power of speech came bac very gradually. It was two months before I was able to spea normally. Dviring that period I traveled from one resort to another. When my power of [ 246 ]
I MEET THE CZAR speech returned I visited my father, who was now stationed at the front in the city of Dvins . While at Dvins I formed a friendship with an aviator named Strebnitzs y, and it was not long before I had induced him to ta e me up on a flying trip. I had never been up before, and ten minutes after we left the earth I was quite decided that I never wanted to go up again ! Strebnitzs y wanted to show me what an accomplished aviator he was, and he started to do all sorts of tric s. I grabbed my seat for dear life. My heart was in my mouth and so were my nees most of the time. The noise of the engine was so great that he didn't hear me yell to him that I had had enough — or if he did he didn't seem to agree with me. It was not until he started to volplane to earth and shut off his engine that I was able to ma e myself heard. "I want to get bac , Strebnitzs y, just as quic ly as you can ma e it!" I declared, as firmly as my sha ing voice would permit. "Well, we're going one hundred miles an hour now, but, of course, if you're in a hurry, why — " I couldn't stop him. He started his engine and turned the nose of the 'plane almost perpendicularly down, the earth flew up to meet us, and then there was a tremendous crash! No, we had not hit the earth full force. If we had I wouldn't be here to-day. As a matter of fact, [247]
THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL Strebnitzs y had made a perfect landing, but in s imming along the surface one of our wings had struc a rising in the ground, and we had been brought to a stop abruptly as the wing collapsed. A crowd gathered around us and pulled us out. I felt an unnatural beard on my chin and, putting my hand to it, pulled out a sharp sliver of wood that had penetrated the flesh to the mouth ! As I pulled it out the blood flowed freely. I ran as fast as my legs would carry me to my father's quarters, stitches were ta en in my chin, and I was bandaged up so that only my eyes could be seen, and in that condition I returned once again to Petrograd, firmly convinced that the earth furnished all the excitement I should ever want without venturing into the air. During the months that followed I resumed my violin and general studies and spent a lot of time playing for various war charities. If I couldn't fight, I could at least help to provide the sinews of war. In due course my two warcrosses and my decoration came from the War Department and I received an honorable discharge from my regiment. Then I received word from the Imperial Palace that I was to play before some wounded noblemen who were being cared for at the palace of the Czar! The Czar! That was something that I had long dreamed about, but, although I [ 248 ]
I MEET THE CZAR had frequently played before nobility, I had never received such an honor. In the days that intervened before the great hour arrived I conjured up all sorts of pictures of the scene in which I was to play the star r61e. I had a vision of the Czar falling to his nees under the spell of my magic bow and begging my forgiveness for the way he had treated the Jewish people, and then, in a less optimistic frame of mind, I had seen myself ma ing a terrible exhibition and causing the Czar so much distress that I was consigned to Siberia for life! At length the day arrived. When I reached
the palace I was passed on from one secretary to another and conducted from one room to another until I was completely bewildered. Finally I came to the room where the concert was to be held. A general came to me and explained exactly how I was to conduct myself in the presence of the Czar. "You will just answer the questions that are as ed you, logolevitch. You will volunteer nothing!" he directed. The seats were occupied for the most part by wounded officers of noble families. When Princess Olga, the eldest daughter of the Czar, entered, I was presented to her. I bowed as low as I could, as I had seen the others do, and then the Princess as ed me what I was going to play, [ 249 1
THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL and I gave her the names of a few numbers, one of them, I remember, being Sarasate's Gipsy Airs, Op. 20. Then the Czar entered the room and everybody stood up. His Majesty made a few remar s and then the general bec oned for me to come down from the platform and approach the Czar. I did not now what to do with my violin, as the piano was in the other corner, so I deposited it on the platform and descended to the floor. When I was presented to the Czar that monarch held out his hand in a most unexpected democratic fashion. That was something I had not expected. I didn't now whether to grasp it or not, but as there seemed to be nothing else to do, I seized it and shoo it gingerly. "We are proud to have a son li e you, young man," the Czar declared, "and we than you for coming to play for our wounded heroes." Then, at a sign from the general, I went bac to the platform, feeling a little more at ease, and went through with the concert. As I played I thought once or twice of my experience at the bridge at Savendi i, with Hun bayonets pressed against my sides as I performed on the instrmnent with two strings! When it was all over I was called again to the Czar and invited to tell of my war experiences.
but before I could find the words to answer her she turned her bac on me.I went through some of the more interesting [250] I MEET THE CZAR incidents briefly. I was presented with a diamond star. This happened so many times that I finally decided to wait for my afternoon tea until I got home. and — " The general coughed and indicated by a frown and a nod of his head that I had said just about enough. The Czarina gave me her hand. I loo ed at the general. Then she as ed me something. I stopped abruptly. who volunteered and who are willingly sacrificing their lives for Russia. I added that I was not the only Jew who was fighting for Russia. Every time I put my cup to my lips it seemed some new member of the royal family entered the room and I had to put it down again and rise to my feet. she said. [251] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL Just as the time came for me to go Princess Olga came to me and than ed me for my playing. and then. and then the door opened again and the Czarina entered. and then I was led into an adjoining room where tea was being served. Then the Czarina said a few words to the assembled throng and left. "There are thousands of others. realizing my opportunity and having gained courage as I proceeded. your Majesty. I was led over to her and presented by the general. wondering what was the proper course in such a case. which. accordingly. and when I arrived there. but I got no help from him. Two wee s later I received a letter from her in which she as ed me to come to the Winter Palace at Petrograd. was a gift from the Czar. . and so I answered the question just the same as if my royal questioner had been polite enough to await my reply. which I issed.
The poor devils were preparing to stand in line all through the night so as to be served as quic ly as possible in the morning when the distribution began. clothes. coming home late at night. a protest against privilege. 191 7. It was a demand for equality and freedom. it would perhaps have made little impression. in fact. When I saw what was going on in the streets . For the poor. all the necessities of life.XVI REVOLUTION ! T HAD about decided that my military career ^ was over when. on March ii. meat. In those days. Through various channels they succeeded in getting more and better things than they were entitled to. sugar. weary wait. The rich found ways of evading them. I loo ed through the windows of our house and saw evidences of great excitement. bore particularly hard on the poor. but it had been going on for months now and began to loo li e a permanent institution. If this had happened only occasionally. Wor men were running through the streets carrying huge signs bearing such inscriptions as: "We want bread!" "Down with the lines!" The latter demand referred to the annoyance and suffering caused by the food and clothing rationing system. coal. butter. and even 17 [ 253 ] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL when they too their place in line it was their servants and not themselves who had to endure the personal discomfort of the long. it was a case of wait in line or go without. We had to have cards for everything — bread. while necessary. an appeal for the leveling of classes. however. Luxuries were almost entirely barred. I had sometimes seen the bread-line forming for the following morning's allotment. These restrictions. Ever since the early days of the war practically all commodities had been distributed by the card system. The demand "down with the lines" meant far more than it signified on its face.
said he would meet us. In the streets we saw government notices posted up on the walls. Paul!" our porter warned. He was the onlymember of my family in town. "Better get bac into the house. The others were in Finland. which was strictly against the law told me that a crisis had arrived. They were mounted. The very fact that the populace dared to gather in the streets. forbidding gatherings. it seemed. [254] REVOLUTION! I ran into the street to find out what it was all about.I new that trouble was ahead. and dashed right into the crowds in an effort to disperse them. Mr. A crowd is always powerless against horses. Apparently these notices were not ta en very seriously. and warning the wor men to stic to their jobs in the government ammunition-factories under penalty of being sent forthwith to the front-line trenches. a boy named Vassia. The men and women gathered. One of my chvmis. There didn't seem to be any particular program. These people demand bread and the government offers them bullets and jail if they don't get bac to wor !" Running bac into the house. I tal ed the situation over with Boris. Everywhere we went crowds were assembled. when a 1^55] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL . signed by the military governor of the state. demanding perfect order in the streets. "There will be shooting in a minute." I was saying to Boris and Vassia. and out we went to join him. merely to show their defiance. After we had had lunch we decided to call up some of our friends and all go out together to watch developments. A moment later I noticed the police arrive on the scene. and this one fled before the advancing officers. "It loo s as if the government was afraid to carry its threats into effect. who had joined us.
The representatives of the people demanded a Cabinet that was responsible to them. When the war bro e out. There was a wild scramble to get out of range. of course. Everywhere was evident a spirit of resistance and open defiance to the police which was entirely new to Russia. but no one imagined that the Czar's position would be any stronger after the war than before. "Revolution! The day has come!" he replied. Every Russian felt that some day there would be an end to Czarism. with all its abuses and outrages. we were not unmindful of the wide-spread and deeply rooted grievances which the Russian people nursed against the monarchy. and defiance. but wherever we went similar scenes were enacted. [256] > H W o o a H w o ►d o f . "What does it all mean?" I as ed Boris. Although I and the rest of my family had always been loyal subjects of the Czar. For the past two months outspo en charges had been made in the Duma against the government. alarm. but a dozen or more had fallen to the ground and were writhing in agony. There were cries of pain.patrol of mounted police came galloping down the street and fired a volley of shots point-blan into a crowd on the corner. We hurried out of the way. national questions were subordinated to the one pressing problem of defeating the enemy Hun.
o w o C8 W r w o <=> I ^ 9 a o w n w o w \\ 11 o r w o [/) n o H w o 5 H .
Red Cross wagons and hospital ambulances were in evidence everywhere. Rifle. These speeches had struc a most responsive chord in my breast. Their records were strewn about in the streets. disorder and confusion reigned everywhere.THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL That some of the men in high office were wor ing hand in hand with the enemy was freely charged. These scenes were repeated the following day. then. all doubt was dissipated. but it was not stated in so many words. Late that afternoon. Shop windows were smashed. one might gather that the rioting was the beginning of the end. Streetcars were lying on their sides. this was the beginning of a real revolution — the revolution that we had all thought would be postponed tmtil after the war — I was not at all sure that I would not throw my lot in with the revolutionists. The streets were jammed with soldiers and policemen. It was indeed the revolution! Boris and I tal ed it all over in the security of our home. but I said nothing at the time to Boris. and the conclusion we came to . We were not quite sure just what it all signified. If. Reading between the lines. Here and there fire-engines were putting out minor fires. for I had seen Russians led to the slaughter through the treachery of our High Command. when Boris and I were returning home all alone.and pistol-shots were constantly heard. Was it just a severe riot that would be squelched at the cost of a few lives or was it something of a more vital character? The newspapers were very guarded in their [258] REVOLUTION! accounts of the trouble. The police stations had been attac ed and burned. however. The following day.
when it was a question I259I THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL of illing our own people. Rather than ta e a chance of being made a target. That day we received a telegram from our father.was that if the majority had decided to overthrow the Czar. we went through an adjoining house and in that way got to the railway trac s. it was necessary to ma e wide detours. we each too a revolver and made our way to the railway station. we would become revolutionists without any question." the railway station for Finland. had planted them at the head of most of the streets and were using them freely to ill and terrorize the population. This thought came to me as we progressed from house to house. had spread a stream of fire across the square which fronted it. which we found to be in possession of revolutionary forces. Approaching one of the leaders. who was in command of a medical division in Helsingfors. My mother and sister were already with him. and he said he didn't want us to ta e part in the fighting in Petrograd. Finland. where our soldiers were lined up against the common enemy. we learned. Leaving instructions with the servants to ta e care of the house. At the front. disaster had frequently overta en them because of the failure of the government to supply them with needed ammunition. The police. because many of the bridges over the Neva River had been closed to trafhc by the police In their efforts to control the crowds. who was . but here. choosing the byways and side-streets in an effort to escape the attention of the police. When we finally arrived at the station we found ourselves face to face with a row of machine-guns which. He told us to join him there at once. the government seemed to be amply supplied. It was pretty hard sledding. who would not hesitate to fire even at a child who happened to wander into the danger zone! To get to the "Finliands y Wo zal. the day before. who had been supplied by the government with all the machine-guns they needed. and which loo ed ready to open up again upon any who dared to venture toward them.
wearing a captain's uniform, Boris explained that we were anxious to get to Helsingfors to spread the news of the happenings in Petrograd* The college student's uniform which Boris wore was sufficient credentials to satisfy the [260J
REVOLUTION! most rabid radical, and the captain listened to us patiently. "I would certainly li e to help you, tovareszch [comrade]," he replied, "but there are no trains running to the Finland boundary-line just now. If you want to wal the twenty-five miles it will be easy to get a train from that point. But, let me see, how would a hand-car do?" That, we said, would suit us very well, and it was accordingly arranged. Three soldiers accompanied us and too it in turns to wor the car. The journey too us two hours and at several points we were fired on by government soldiers. At Bieloostrof , the border city, we got a train to Helsingfors. Everything was quiet in the Finnish city. There was no sign of a revolution. Without any trouble we got to the armory where father was stationed. The armory, a tremendous old building, was situated near the harbor. There were large courts inside and soldiers were drilling. Mother and Raymonde were staying at a resort near by, and father suggested that the following day we should pay a visit to them to set their minds at rest. Father's fellow-officers were very much interested in our account of the revolution at Petrograd. "Nothing will come of it, however!" said one captain. "In a few days it will all blow over, [261]
THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL the ringleaders will be executed, and the ran and file will go bac to their jobs and try to escape punishment for their participation in the
affair." The others seemed to agree with him, but Boris and I, who had observed the temper of the people, did not share their opinion. That night I went to a play. Just as the climax was being enacted there came the sound of shots in the street. The audience rose and made for the doors, as though the theater had been on fire. There was a wild panic. The wea were thrown to the floor and women became hysterical. I was not in imiform, and, although I shouted for the people to be calm, my voice was drowned in the general hubbub. "You are perfectly safe in here!" I shouted. "You may be shot if you go outside! " My warning did no good. The people just jammed their way through the doors and I was swept along with them. Out in the street I drew my revolver, but I saw no occasion to use it. In the glare of the electric lights from illuminated signs I saw thousands of people running frantically up and down with apparently no set purpose. Soldiers mingled with the crowd, but whether they were with the crowd or against it, it was impossible for me to discern. I hurried to the armory. Outside was an [262]
REVOLUTION! officer and about thirty soldiers. They refused to let me in. "My father is inside," I explained to the officer. "That ma es no difference. My orders are to allow no one to enter without a special pass." I wal ed nervously around the armory. Crowds of people were gathered on the corner. Among them I heard the nmior that the sailors on the ships which were stationed in the harbor were about to bombard the armory if the infantry stationed in the building did not immediately join them in the revolt. Hiurying bac to the gate to notify the officer of what I had heard, I found my father arguing with him. After some further parley I was allowed to enter.
The officers inside were gathered in my father's bedroom, eagerly discussing the situation, and through the window which overloo ed the court we could see the soldiers similarly engaged. The soldiers had heard, it seemed, that the Czar had abdicated and they were angry because the announcement had not come to them officially. Voices became louder and louder. Suddenly one of the men burst into our room to report that the mob, led by some sailors, were at the gate and were preparing to rush the armory. "Seize the officers! Lynch them! They are 1 263]
THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL the cause of our suffering! We want no more officers!" These cries could now be distinguished and confirmed the soldier's report. Some of the officers in the room turned white. No doubt many of them deserved the punishment that now threatened and they figured that their end had come. They all loo ed to father for advice. He was not only the oldest and most experienced among them, but he was perfectly calm. " Let us go out and mingle with the men," he counseled. "If we stay here, they will naturally thin we are opposed to them!" Another soldier made his way into our room. "Captain Borovs y has been seized and lynched!" he shouted. The information added to the nervousness among us. Then word came through officially that the Czar had indeed abdicated. The news had been held bac for twenty-four hours because the government realized that as soon as it became nown many of the officers, no longer bound to the monarch they had sworn to serve, would join the revolutionists. When the soldiers were informed that the Czar
had abdicated they quieted down somewhat, but they still insisted that certain of the officers should be arrested and held for trial. Some of the officers who had incurred the men's dis[264]
REVOLUTION! pleasure yielded at once and were carried away; others, who held bac , were seized and dealt with summarily. The next morning we heard nmiors of the penalties that had been meted out to the captured officers. The commander of the navy, it was said, had been thrust under the ice and drowned. Other officers were disposed of in the manner which seemed most appropriate to their self-appointed judges, the men who had suffered most at their hands. Boris and I decided to return to Petrograd and ally ourselves with the revolutionists, and with our father's permission we left the armory, promising to stop off to see mother. Wal ing through the streets of Helsingfors we noticed many agitators in civilian clothes and in uniform giving money to the soldiers and supplying them with liquor. Every effort was being made, apparently, to urge the men on to greater excesses and give the uprising the appearance of anarchy. From the accent of these agitators there was no mista ing their German affiliations. As the Finnish borders were then unguarded, it was easy enough for German agents to get into that country and foment the rebellion against the government. We spent but a few hours with our mother and sister and then started bac to Petrograd in much the same way as we had come. [265]
THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL In the Russian capital we found the revolution had made great headway. A new form of government had been established by the Constitutional Democrats. Every one was tal ing about Kerens y, who had assumed an important place in the new government.
There were a number of young fellows in Petrograd who. We found that the city was without any real protection and private property was at the mercy of the lawless. because of the government positions they occupied." When I got bac home I called a meeting of the people of our neighborhood and pointed out to them how necessary it was for us to protect our homes." I pointed out.Scenes of violence were frequent. Without ammunition. It was generally believed that supplies had been freely given to the enemy by traitors high up in the Russian councils. and when they protested they were shot down by the police. had never gone to the front. while the Russian people were allowed to starve. dividing our district up into separate watches. They had not hesitated to shoot down men. but at the present time the city is entirely without protection and thugs and rowdies are ta ing advantage of the situation. Boris and I and a number of our friends decided that we could be most useful by acting as a sort of home-guard. however. not the populace." he said. and children who demanded bread. it is up to us to protect ourselves!" . "It may not be a particularly pleasant job to stand on guard through the night. "Protecting our own homes is the first duty of each of us. we were not strong enough to cope with the rowdyism that was getting worse every day. "I am glad that you boys are so willing to help maintain order. and we laid our plans accordingly. Incidentally it was discovered that the police were drawing salaries out of all proportion to their normal wages. "but I have already arranged to form a regular militia to ta e the place of the old police. I 266 J REVOLUTION! Kerens y was a friend of my father's and I went to him and explained what the boys of my district wanted to do. and now that the people were in power they were made to pay the penalty for their crimes. . women. and perhaps you and your friends will be able to join that. If we want to safeguard our property and our lives. only now it was the police who were the victims. although they were able-bodied and would have made good soldiers.
" he said. mostly college boys." I new.The little speech I made aroused some enthusiasm and it was arranged that every able-bodied man should ta e his turn at police wor . but we found that they sometimes neglected their duty. "In our district. and ex-soldiers. did not ta e the wor very seriously. however. We received arms and ammunition from the city armory and jumped into the wor with a good deal of enthusiasm. and the failings of some of my boys worried me not a little. highschool students. A couple of days later the militia which Kerens y had spo en of was formed and I was [267] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL put in charge of the local headquarters of our district. They li ed to carry rifles and ride the horses which I had procured for many of them. where education is enjoyed only by the few. In Russia. Most of them were gymnasium students. Three prominent lawyers who lived in our neighborhood were appointed as judges and one of the private houses was converted into headquarters. My experience in the army had taught me that discipline and strict attention to duty are essential in all military organizations. Some of the younger boys. of course. Service in the militia was voluntary. Then some one suggested to me that I press the Boy Scouts into service. that while these boys averaged not more than sixteen years of age. but at the first call I received a large number of enlistments. they would command the respect of the popvilace [ 268 ] REVOLUTION! because of their education. "the Boy Scouts have been doing some wonderful wor . and I don't now why you couldn't use them with the same result. a gymnasium .
For these reasons I had no doubt of the important part that the Boy Scout organization in Russia would be called upon to play in the tas of maintaining order. I imagine. stand for cheerfulness. and we had horses for some of them. "Do your boys understand. It was a common thing in Petrograd at this time — indeed it had been so always — to see a crowd of people accept the leadership of a boy of fifteen or sixteen. and. It is going to be a case of all wor and no play for a while. while they were all well under eighteen years of age. obedience. For a day or two only ordinary routine wor was required. But as the days went by conditions in Petrograd grew worse. and I immediately got in touch with them. they acted li e men. The boys were supplied with rifles. commissar. There were a certain nimaber of hours of patrol for each of us. pistols. under Chief-Scout Sergei Chernov. In answer to my inquiry. They were a fine-loo ing lot of boys." was the leader's prompt response. The Boy Scout headquarters in our district was located in Kirochnaia Ulitsa Street. but there was nothing of a very serious character. An occasional clash with rioters bro e the monotony. and service. and that very day fifty boys." I as ed of Sergei Chernov. reported at our headquarters. they informed me that they would be very glad to shoulder part of the responsibility of guarding the district. courage. "that the wor we are going to as them to do allows of very little time for pleasure? We don't watch the cloc in this game and there 18 [ 269 ] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL is considerable danger involved in it." "Our uniforms. The prisons had been thrown . and ammunition. and then a few horn's off on reserve duty. military appearance.boy of sixteen or even fifteen is loo ed upon with more deference than would be shown a boy five years older anj^vv'here else in the world. In their new uniforms they had a trim.
"They come driving down the streets at a terrific pace. I attended a meeting of all the local co7n~ [270] REVOLUTION! missars and we notified Kerens y of the situation. I ordered that all cars without Hghts should be stopped and examined and that every automobile-driver should be compelled to procure and show a special permit to drive at night. Our militiamen suffered at the hands of the lawbrea ers. invite the guard to step to the car to inspect their permits. Paul. and we realized that our wor was cut out for us. In this way many of our boys fell at their posts without even getting a chance to fire bac at their assailants. They were able to ma e rapid sorties against our armed guards and disappear after firing a few volleys from the windows of the car. but. too. while one of our men is examining the driver's permit the other can stand by and cover the occupants of the car. It was a case of might ma es right.200 soldiers were put at our disposal to use in case of emergency. No more Boy Scouts were . and it wor ed as well as it sounded. "Let us station our men by twos in the dar streets. To cope with the motor-bandits. of course. and as soon as he approaches them they seize him and carry him off!" I was at a loss to now how to guard against this menace. " Let me suggest something. Then. and prevent any funny business. Robberies and holdups were hourly occurrences. As a result i . No one's life was safe. "and when our Scout steps out into the middle of the street and challenges them they slow down. with whom I had become quite intimate. Sergei Chernov reported to me that his boys were being idnapped by the terrorists. This measiure only made matters worse." said Chernov. instead of singly." This plan sounded so sensible that we immediately put it into execution. the criminals escaped.open to release political prisoners." he said. The criminals vised automobiles to a great extent.
and the policemen of the old regime were sent to the front Hnes as soldiers. in our capture. where we had to eep a house on the Obvodny Canal surrounded for thirty-two hours before we finally bro e in and captured the inmates.I271] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL idnapped. under Kerens y's rule. Besides the prisoners we secured thousands of rifles. Little by Httle. on the other hand. We had many desperate fights in different sections of the town. and Chief-Scout Chernov became commissar in my place. but with the help of the soldiers whom Kerens y placed at our disposal we invariably got the best of it. many of them fully armed. went bac to college and I . order was re-established in the city. All the former heads and officials of the government were placed under arrest and held for trial. a great deal of ammunition which had apparently been stolen from the arsenals. while. After three and one-half wee s of this sort of wor my mother and sister arrived in Petrograd and begged me to give it up and resume my musical career. In addition to that he was very popular with the [272] REVOLUTION! rest of the boys and they would do anything he as ed of them. who had ta en an active part in the wor of the militia. our wor involved raiding the hang-outs of criminal bands and bodies of anti-revolutionists. There were more than three hundred men and women. and a lot of apparatus for manufacturing alcohol and counterfeit money. To humor them I resigned. Boris. we arrested many of the most vicious characters who had been terrorizing the neighborhood. Besides guarding the streets. He was a brave boy and had all the qualities of leadership. The worst fight of this character occurred In the slums of the city.
Everywhere I went I saw the evidences of German propaganda. The outloo . I would gladly have gone to the front again to serve under Kerens y. but without ammunition and supplies all their noble sacrifices were in vain. [273] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL and when I saw how successfully the Huns were wor ing their way into the inner councils of the new government I new that all the well-laid plans of Kerens y and other faithful wor ers would go for naught. our wor men abandoned their jobs in the munition-factories. Unfortunately. Under Kerens y's leadership a new offensive against the Huns was rapidly being developed. I was thoroughly ashamed at the way our men were acting. The Battalion of Death. composed of Russian women. the simple-hearted Russians were readily fooled by the intrigues of the Germans. and when the enemy offered a truce they wea ly accepted it. I new what that meant to our boys at the front. however. as I saw it. The idea of Americans traveling three . and we began to hope that Russia would once again become an important factor in the Great War. was very gloomy. while our allies were straining every nerve and fiber to beat Germany. under flags of truce. but I felt that our cause was doomed. and millions of our men who were intelligent enough to see through the German tric ery were willing enough to carry on.resumed my studying. Fooled by the fair words of the Hun agitators. and German propaganda in Petrograd was ma ing more converts every day. managed to get into our trenches and carry on their infamous wor . was demonstrating that our women were not afraid to shed their blood for the cause. who. Apparently they had forgotten the long list of crimes that the Huns had committed. It made me sic at heart to recall the frightful scenes of panic and disorder into which our troops had been thrown because of treachery in our High Command. I thought of the noble stand America had ta en.
When I went to the tic et-office to ma e the necessary arrangements I found a long line of people waiting. and rather than go through the same performance again the next day I decided to remain in line all through the night. the same thing occurred. while my own countrymen were laying down their arms. as the others were doing. I finally got . of course. A. however. I too my place in the line and waited hour after hour. The trip across the continent too eleven days and it was necessary. but in far-off America there was an eagle of another species that was flapping her wings and ma ing ready for the fray. but the tic et-office closed for the day before I was ta en care of. The Russian eagle had given up the fight. spurred me into action.thousand miles across the ocean to fight for an ideal. forgetful of what their comrades had suffered and were still suffer[274] REVOLUTION! ing at the hands of the Hun. S. I would leave everything and enlist under the flag of the U. in course of time. My plan was to get to Vladivosto and from there ta e a steamer to Japan. [276] ACROSS SIBERIA and in that way. The next day. XVII ACROSS SIBERIA GETTING out of Russia was by no means an easy tas . some of my Boy Scout friends saw me standing in line and volunteered to hold my place for me while I got some rest. When the tic et-window was closed for the day I was still several hundred feet away from it. to secure sleeping accommodations. Fortunately.
George was bound for Vladivosto on some government business. grab a sandwich or a plate of borsch or schie and run bac to the train with a handful of piroj i — [277] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL small roll-li e ca es made of butter-dough and filled with meat. was made to accommodate seven. with a small trun containing my uniform. We couldn't help being "close" because our compartment. There were enormous mountains on either side of the rails. but if it had ta en fifty-two days I would have stuc to my post. dociunents. Five soldiers crowded their way into it and we were jammed so tight that it was very hard for us to get into the corridor to go to the dining-room. He was a very fine young man and we became very close friends. at the more important stations on the Trans-Siberian Railroad. medals. As our train wound its way along the zigzag trac s we could frequently loo through our rear-car windows and see the front of our train. which was intended to hold only two passengers. and we got our meals by jumping out of the windows when the train stopped at stations. On the train I struc up an acquaintance with an engineer whom I came to call George. It too me fifty-two hours to get it. because I was determined to leave the country and get to America to ta e another whac at the Huns. or jelly — became one of the most exciting feattires of our trip during the first three or four days while we were passing through central Russia. and the next moment we were climbing a mountain-side at such a slow gait that we felt li e getting out and . A few days later. I left Petrograd. I forget what his last name was. All along the railway lines. To get out and rush for the restaurant. At one moment we were going down a grade so steep that we wondered why the cars did not pile up on top of one another. and other personal belongings and a case containing my violin. but now we w^ere going through the great mining areas.my tic et. Mile after mile of wheat-fields was all we had seen for two days. cheese. It was very monotonous traveling until we reached the Ural Mountains. the trains stopped for from ten to thirty minutes.
wal ing. when the hunting is best. After we had traversed the Ural Mountains and entered Siberia we plunged into the great Taiga Forest. The train was it when our car gave a to rise in the air. "Pull the emergency bra e!" yelled George. spread before us. waiting for the end. Our car was wabbling from one side of the bridge to the other. for the most [278] ACROSS SIBERIA part. and I expected it at any moment to go over the side and land in the cafion hundreds of feet below ! There was a terrific noise. who had sensed what had happened. Thousands and thousands of square miles of timberland untouched by the hand of man and. People were screaming. unvisited except by hunters. In the winter. I had read how these hunters penetrate the forest in their quest for fur s ins. I was standing near the emergency rope and pulled it. Here was a part of Russia which was practically unexplored. glass was crashing. Their food consists of frozen borsch (soup) which lasts for months. the cold is so intense and the snow so deep that many a hunter perishes. and we would have enjoyed it immensely had it not been for the crowded condition of the train which made comfortable traveling out of the question. The windows were smashed and the trun s and other baggage fell from their stands. While we were still in continent we came to a about in the center of sudden jer and seemed this wild section of the bridge. I crouched in the corner of the compartment. and the next moment everything crashed about us. It was all very beautiful. and the wooden [279] . nature providing the ice-box. The region is so far beyond the pale of civilization that it is necessary to ta e a supply of provisions to last for months. the train was pounding the sides of the bridge.
but it seemed li e hours to me. Our car was standing end up! Those of us who were still conscious were afraid to breathe for fear of upsetting the balance.THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL cars were being splintered. the nearest big city. Telephone wires were tapped and communication established with Krasnoyars . more crowded than ever. Krasnoyars was a typical . When I landed on the trac s I found that we had sucr ceeded in crossing the bridge. The whole thing probably didn't ta e a minute. which was piled high with wood. and as they slid along the trac s the friction splintered the rails. Doctors and nurses were immediately [280] ACROSS SIBERIA sent out to ta e care of the injured. The bra es held the wheels so firmly that they couldn't revolve. the passengers and conductors came running toward us. From the front cars of the train. we learned. Above them all was the natural reflection. had been caused by the overcrowding of the rear cars. In the mean while our baggage had been recovered and transferred to the front cars. All had been severely injured or illed. which had not left the trac s. and I now that at least a million thoughts flitted through my mind in that short space of time. iron. which had put too much pressure on the truc s and one of them had collapsed. and wrec ing-crews arrived to repair the bridge and trac s. When we reached Krasnoyars George and I v/ere still so sha en up from our experience that we decided to brea our journey for a day or two and rest up. He laughed nervously as he climbed out of the car window and I tumbled after him. Finally we came to a stop. am I at last to perish in a miserable old train accident?" George was the first to extricate himself. and other debris. "After all I have successfully escaped. Some of the men and women who had been standing on the platform had lost their nerve at the first crash and jumped. The accident. glass. and we continued on our journey.
George went on to Vladivosto . During the few days I stayed in Harbin I spent a lot of time with my cousins and boyhood friends. and it was along this picturesque route — with the mountains rising majestically on one side of the trac and the clear water of the la e spreading out as far as the eye could reach on the other — that we traveled. Formerly. although we had moved to Harbin when I was only three years old. but my childhood had been spent in Harbin. when the Trans-Siberian Railway was first finished. From the shores of the la e the mountains rise almost perpendicularly. I got off at Harbin. my father had commissioned me to loo over some of his property in that section of the country. although the population was in the neighborhood of one hundred thousand. and the wonderful scenery of this region had left its impress on my mind. . besides. who were still at school and who were green with envy when I told them of the wonderful chance I had had to get into the fighting. and I promised to loo him up when I reached that city. right through the foot of the mountains. After we had crossed the steppes and gotten into Manchuria the character of the population changed. with cobbled pavements and low wooden buildings.Siberian city. few more than two stories high. and. I was anxious to renew acquaintance with the friends of my childhood. a distance of sixty miles. the trains rode right on to ferry-boats and were [281] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL carried across La e Bai al. Here the Siberians were of the Mongolian type. but later a road was cut around the la e. When we came to Bai al La e I saw again the scenes of my infancy. and I was not unfamiliar with Manchurian characteristics. I was born at Verchne Udins . We stayed there for a couple of days and then too the next train for the east.
There I spent only a few hours with George.At Harbin I was able to get news of the recent developments in my country and of the terrible menace of the Hun drive on the western front. impatient as I was to get once again into action. and so my time was not altogether wasted. opportunity to fight again under a flag that had been most glorious motives that great nation. and I pac ed up my things and started off for Vladivosto . and. I shall never forget my emotions as the glad tidings of "land in sight" was spread about the boat.[282] ACROSS SIBERIA It reminded me of my main purpose. bound for San Francisco. Even the twenty-four hours that we spent in Honolulu. via Honolulu. 191 7. I just had to wait. I secured passage on the Shenya Maro. From there I too a train to Yo ohama. "to ma e the democracy"! but to me it meant an for the great cause unfurled with the had ever actuated a world safe for . but it seemed unbearably long. I was able to raise some money for wounded soldiers by playing at concerts. The voyage too about eighteen days. I suppose. as I was able to catch a steamer just leaving for Tsuruga. a Japanese passenger steamer of some twenty-four thousand tons. Japan. seemed twenty-four hours' unnecessary delay. to most of [283] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL the people on that vessel. There was a lot to be seen in the Japanese city. Incidentally. but at length we started off again and eventually reached San Francisco. At last. There was no steamer leaving for America for several wee s. It was a most interesting trip. . about the middle of June. where at Young's Hotel I recognized in the orchestra a young man who had sttidied with me at the Conservatoire and with whom I tal ed over old times. It meant much.
When I applied at the recruiting-office on Mar et Street I was received 19 [285 J THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL royally. ruefully. BeA sides my native tongue. If I was to fight with American troops I would certainly have to understand the language of the country. "but you are a foreigner and will have Lo show your papers. through the interpreter. "but how about this 'sixteen' years of age? I can't recruit you unless you're eighteen. The sergeant on duty couldn't understand exactly what I wanted. At the Russian consulate. to which I paid a visit very soon after I arrived. but he rightly conjectured that I wouldn't be bothering him if I didn't want to enlist. 191 7. which will disclose your true age. For two ." This information was very discouraging. One of the first questions I was as ed was my nationality. we did not progress very far until he sent out for some one to act as interpreter. As he new no Russian and I new very little English." I was told. "An American boy of sixteen might be able to camouflage his youth and thus get by the recruiting -officers. and the papers here say you're only sixteen. I could spea German. What can you say to that?" I could only shrug my shoulders. and when I showed him my medals he pulled out a long recruiting-blan and started to as me questions." remar ed the sergeant. and when they found that I was a foreigner they wanted to see my passport. but German was very much in disfavor on the Pacific coast at that time. but it proved to be correct.XVIII IN THE LAND OF THE FREE T LANDED in San Francisco in July. It did not ta e me long to realize that my lac of English was a serious handicap. That queered it. "I li e your medals and I thin you would ma e a good soldier. and I new practically no English. I was told that I would find it very difficult to enlist in the army. because of my age.
. I volunteered to play at various Red [287 J THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL Cross functions. After two months' study my English had greatly improved. A white lie would be sufficient to solve the problem for them. Through friends that I had ynade. With this plan in mind. and. I might acquire the. with the help of my Russian friend. at Doctor Straub's suggestion. To do that I would have to be able to spea English. language in a couple of months. I recalled the consul's remar regarding American boys of sixteen. If I [286] IN THE LAND OF THE FREE stuc to it. as I was still unable to fight for the cause as a soldier. but. I returned to San Francisco to continue my studies there. I too the first steamer that sailed for the Hawaiian Islands. There I met a Doctor Straub. but apparently I was not yet old enough to fight for Uncle Sam. I decided that I could at least do my bit with my violin. with a better chance of success. supporting myself by playing at concerts which my friend arranged for me. where. where I put in a good month. That was the only thing for me to do. Through his assistance I joined the Technical High School at Oa land. and in that way I met a number of prominent San Francisco people. Music was a language that every one understood and one that I could spea better than any other. The American Red Cross was actively engaged at that time in raising funds.years I had been fighting for Russia. and for the next two months I remained at Honolulu. I believed I could rapidly master the English language and could then renew my efforts to enlist. I decided to return to Honolulu. who too a great interest in me and did everything he could to further my plans. Apparently the only thing for me to do was to pass myself off as an American.
For them I would li e to ma e as much money as possible out of my violin-playing. as soon as I got to San Francisco. M. Also you should ma e some money for yourself. and when he learned that I was a Russian violinist he suggested that I call to see a friend of his." I replied. and I will arrange a big concert for you at once ! ' ' There was something about the man that made me suspicious of him." . "My boy. Although he had a name that sounded English enough. I want to serve in whatever capacity will mean the most for the cause." I told him that money-ma ing was not my present object. J.Coming bac from Honolulu. "Until I am eligible for the American army. On it was lettered: "J. doesn't it? Come and see me to-morrow. That is right. "Of course you should play for the Red Cross. "you are a wonderful vioHnist. SCHMIDT. patting me on the shoulder." he said." he explained. I had gotten into conversation with the barber on the boat." At the first available opportunity. "If he consents to ta e charge of you. Smythe. Charity begins at home. Mortimer Smythe. and we will draw up a little contract. "I came here to fight for America. He became very enthusiastic after I had played for him. Through my violin I can raise funds for the Red Cross and similar organizations. your fortune will be made. I called on Mr. affectionately. a Mr. you can ma e a lot of money in this country — under the proper management. Smythe is a wonderful concert manager. With your war record as a foundation. and a large tin box which I observed on top of a closet in his room suggested to me the probable answer. "Mr. He was living at one of the big hotels. his accent was anything but English. my boy. but for myself I do not want to ma e a fortune!" [288] IN THE LAND OF THE FREE "You tal li e a foolish boy!" he exclaimed. therefore.
Smythe had with him a contract which he [289] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL wanted me to sign then and there." I too the contract to Smythe the next day and told him of the changes I wanted made." he said. If you will ma e the changes that I as . Again I had to as for certain changes and again Smythe got angry. "You ma e me very mad. threatening to tear the whole thing to pieces. "I may be a silly boy. The next day I too the contract to the Russian consul and he pointed out a number of features in it that ought to be changed. A day or two later." I replied. it seemed to me that I ought to ta e advantage of the offer. "but I'm not silly enough to sign this contract the way you have it. the following day. of course. of course. I will sign it." he explained. "The way it now stands.Feeling so Iti ewarm regarding this Mr. he called to see me and made me a most alluring offer." When he brought me the contract again. If everything was square and aboveboard. however. Mortimer Smythe. logolevitch. guaranteeing me no less than thirty thousand dollars for the year! Thirty thousand dollars! That was certainly a lot of money. but you cannot hold him to it — although. He got very mad and said I was a silly boy. I told him that I would have to ta e a day or two to study it — which meant. I did not go to see him the next day or the day after. You will sign the contract the way it is or you will have . He said he would arrange sixty concerts for me during the year and would give me half the proceeds. "You are a very foolish boy. but I told him to leave it with me that I might study it. a chance to submit it to my friend the consul. anyway. J. "Smythe can hold you. the fact that you are only sixteen would let you out of the contract.
good-naturedly. They had no idea of contributing to my support or to Smythe's. "Now don't you worry about that end of it. Paul. ma ing all the corrections I demanded and assuring me that I would never regret having entered into business relations with him. and I spo e to Smythe about it." he answered. Mortimer Smythe and Paul logolevitch. In a way it was ta ing money under false pretenses." I answered. That's why you have to have a manager — that's why you pay me half you ma e to show you how to ma e it. As a matter of fact. that was the way th^ announcements always read." Under his auspices I played at several concerts given for the benefit of Red Cross and similar organizations — at least. I at once moved into Smythe's hotel and from that time on all my bills were charged to him. We got the lion's share of the proceeds. Tic ets were bought by people because they thought the money was going to a worthy organization. "You're [291] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL a musician. "But . You just stic to your vioHn and leave the engagements to me!" "I don't question your ability to ma e profitable engagements for me. He had some photographs ta en of me and got out some literature featuring me as the ' ' famous Russian violinist. I soon found out that these concerts were given mainly for the benefit of J. The proposition didn't seem on the square to me. not a business man.to find another manager!" When he saw that I was not very upset at his [ 290 ] IN THE LAND OF THE FREE threat he changed his tactics and became very amiable. The more I thought over this phase of my wor the less I li ed it. and the trifling balance went to the charitable or patriotic cause which my audience really intended to patronize.
but the next day when he told me that he was arranging a series of Red Cross concerts for me the subject came up again. you Russian dog!" . ' ' You mean to threaten me! You will refuse to carry out your contract?" ' ' I will not carry out my contract if it means robbing the Red Cross!" 1 29. and that's final!" "And I tell you that 'we' won't play for more than twenty-five per cent. "The only hitch in the program. and that's final!" I 1 292 j IN THE LAND OF THE FREE replied. "is the percentage.I am worried at the idea of ma ing capital out of patriotic and charitable affairs. Don't let us tal about this foolishness again ! ' ' I let the matter drop then. You are getting the fifty-fifty I agreed to pay you.. "you call me a robber. and they want to give us only fifty per cent." he said.. Let us give the Red Cross a fair share of the proceeds and I shall feel easier about it ! " Smythe refused to discuss the subject with me any further. my mind having been made up in the mean time to ta e a firm stand on this question. hotly. of the proceeds. I'm holding out for seventyfive per cent.3 ] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL " Do you call me a robber. That's all there is to it. I told them we won't play for less than seventy-five per cent. JUMPING AT ME AND SEIZING ME BY THE THROAT * * What ! " he shouted. You made a contract to play at all concerts that I would arrange for you. you RUSSIAN dog!" he shouted.
Instead I slept at the house of a friend in Oa land. and he shoo me as a cat worries a mouse. understand this: the contract with the Red Cross will be made the way I want it. I will not play for you again. which I expect they will. He was nearly six feet tall and very powerful. Without another word I reached for my hat and started for the door. I did not go bac to the hotel that night. "He is my manager. and our share of the proceeds will be seventy-five per cent. jumping at me and seizing me by the throat. Smythe will pay it. understand. but I have decided to wor out my own salvation without your help. The more I thought of the ind of contracts he had been ma ing for me the more I reaHzed how impossible it was that I could continue under his management. but I hurried to the elevator and was half-way down before he could get to the elevator shaft." . Good day!" He sprang toward me as I closed the door. The first concert will be given next Wednesday. "Loo here. young man. anyway. and I slept better because of having bro en off [ 294] IN THE LAND OF THE FREE my relations with Smythe.he shouted." "He was yoiu" manager. not according to your crazy notions.!" "Mr. You will be ready next Wednesday to play for the Red Cross. I struggled to free myself. The next day when I went to the hotel to get my things I was informed by the manager that my room was not available to me until I had paid my bill. The way you have treated me just now would ma e it impossible for me to play for several wee s. which amounted to several hundred dollars. "Mr. but I was helpless in his grasp. before you go. provided they meet my terms. but he tells me that you have bro en your contract and that I must loo to you for the payment of the bill." I answered. Smythe. and then he threw me across the bed.
" \ "But—" ^ "You clear out of here!" "Just a moment. we'll clean out the room and dispose of your things." I answered. "when you sell my violin see that you get a fair price for it. "If you don't deliver my property at once. Be fair about — " "Clear out of here!" This time he raised his voice so loud that the house detective wal ed over and I realized it was useless to argue any further. if I am liable for this bill. . It's a Stradivarius and cost twelve thousand dollars ! ' * Apparently the manager didn't scare much for the next day when I went to the hotel I [295] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL found that the room I had occupied had been assigned to some one else and all my things had indeed been removed. or I'll hold the hotel responsible for its value. I — " "Well. Smythe's orders. "but until your bill is paid you will not be allowed into your room and we will hold on to your belongings. young man. you can do what you li e about it. "He hired the room and he gave it up. "I am not in a position to do so." I retorted. I went to the manager and as ed him for an explanation. if he hired the room. "You clear out of here." "Well." The manager's admission that the room had been charged to Smythe had come from him inadvertently. "or I'll put you out. sarcastically." he shouted. "That's Mr. of course. I'll bring suit against the hotel. But eventually. and it made him mad to thin that I had seen its significance."I cannot pay you now." he replied. If you don't settle up very soon." he answered. hoping to scare him. how can you hold my things responsible for the bill?" I as ed." "Well.
I new legal matters and I was afraid When I presented myself to the official he explained that a complaint had been made by J. stating that I had obtained board. Right from the start they [296] IN THE LAND OF THE FREE did everything they could to ma e the way easy for me. Mitchell. whom I had met in connection with one of my concerts. A day or two later. "I have made no pretenses. I went to see the did not now what I did not want to very little about of them. and I don't want to be [297] . and money from him and had then refused to carry out my part of the contract. although Mr." I urged. Smythe. Mr. prosecuting attorney. We did not see anything of Mr. and their indness to me did much to stimulate my love for America. Mitchell. I got a letter from the city prosecuting attorney. and they promised to help me whenever I needed it. however. but be thrown into prison. Mortimer Smythe. Mitchell as ed for him. He and his wife were two of the first Americans I had met after I landed in San Francisco. Mitchell went with me to the hotel. lodging. "I made a contract with a man who assaulted me and who seems to want to bleed the Red Cross and similar organizations. demanding that I appear at his office at once or a warrant would be issued against me for obtaining money under false pretenses. I explained the whole situation.I went immediately to a Mr. I the charge referred to. and after he had presented my case to the manager my things were delivered to me without another word and apologies were exacted by Mr.
. Have you any friends here who can testify in your behalf?" I told him of Mr." He got Mr. Mitchell. Is that a crime in this country?" "No.THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL connected with him any more. I cannot accept your mere word for it. In the mean while I went to live at the same hotel as Mr. Smythe will bear some investigating himself. If that is all there is to it. When I added it all up I found I owed him more than two hundred dollars.'" That was the end of my experiences with Mr. Mitchell. Mitchell on the 'phone and as ed him a few questions about me. but later I heard that the authorities had decided that he was too German to be safe at large and so they interned him. This indebtedness bothered me because I was anxious to get into the army and I did not want to go away without settling with my benefactor." he added. 1 298 J IN THE LAND OF THE FREE young fellow? If Mitchell vouches for you. yomig man. "Incidentally. that's all. and then he told me to go and not to bother any more about Mr. but. Smythe. I guess we'll let the Alien Enemy authorities have a tal with him while we've got our mind on 'false pretenses. Smythe. ''I have half a suspicion that this Mr. "he seems to want to bleed the red cross that's all— is THAT a crime IN THIS COUNTRY?" of course. "Why didn't you mention Mitchell at first. that's all I'll as . it is no crime and I will not issue a warrant. I'll call him up. His face and his accent don't quite fit his name. who assumed responsibility for all my expenses and paid all my debts.
see? He's got it a chance in the here for six mont's . At one end was a platform raised about one foot from the ground. but I did not now exactly how to go about securing an engagement.By this time I could spea English fairly well and I thought I might possibly be able to pass myself off as an American if the recruitingofficer was not too inquisitive. filled the rest of the place. ''If you're loo ing to steal you might just as well blow. The easiest way for me to earn some money quic ly. drin ing. and I was anxious to settle up as quic ly as possible. and then I went down the steps and wal ed into the place. and upon that was a piano at which a rather seedy-loo ing young fellow was struggling violently. with no table-cloths. naturally. [300] IN THE LAND OF THE FREE When a waiter came over to me to get my order I as ed him. I listened a moment to the wretched performance that was providing the time for the dancing. id. Beside him stood the violinist whose wor I had heard on the street and who had just placed his violin on top of the piano and was now engaged in what was apparently a more gratifying tas — • swallowing a long drin of beer which was wafted mysteriously to him from behind the piano. I have learned so much more English since that time that I can't help laughing at my conceited notion that [299] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL I could ever have passed myself off as an American upon the strength of what I then new. There was a bar at one side of the room and small round tables. nailed down. Wal ing along a side-street. and there ain't world for yer. merely out of curiosity. was by means of my violin. Been fiddlin' this guy's job. how much a vioHnist H e that could earn a wee . It was a sort of saloon and dancing-pavilion combined. To arrange a concert required time and influence and some responsibility and capital. Some men and women were dancing and others were seated at the tables. I heard the strains of a violin coming from the basement of a building.
and through them I secured a cabaret engagement at a well nown grill nown as Fred's. This was during the holiday season of 191 7. Why not play for a w^ee or two in some decent cafe or hotel? At the first hotel I came to I went in and as ed the manager how to go about securing a position of that ind. too — eighteen dollars per — and the drin s! Why. I was to play during meals and was to receive two hundred dollars per wee for my services. even when mine was so poorly represented as it was in this case. 20 [ 301 ] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL The idea of playing at a cabaret was not particularly pleasing to me. and no doubt it proved a good investment for the proprietor. and it didn't matter much how I got the money as long as it was honestly earned. I had played before the Czar of Russia and had toured the capitals of Europe. . The advertising filled the grill at the hours when I was scheduled to play. at Geary and Mason streets. and been giving satisfaction.now. there was to be a certain amount of advertising in which my name was to be played up big. dragging down more than a suds-carrier! What do yer now about that!" I could hardly help laughing at the waiter's comparison of his "profession" with mine." But there was no use in being too particular. and I felt it was far below my standing to play for the amusement of diners in a public restaurant — it was only a grade or two higher than the wor of the "fiddler" on Sutter Street — who got "eighteen dollars per and the drin s. He gave me the name of some amusement agents who made a specialty of placing musical talent in cafes. of course. but I said nothing. he's even got the bulge on some of us guys — him a fiddler. I signed up with the proprietor. I was to be featured as a soloist. Drags down good money. and. My main object was to get enough money to settle up and enlist. The incident gave me an idea. It did not seem quite to measure up to the dignity of my profession. I would play twice a day for him.
As I wal ed into the office the private sitting at the receiving des turned to the sergeant and remar ed in a voice not so low that I didn't overhear him: "See who's here! He's the Roosian fiddler at Fred's!" That illed all my plans. age eighteen. if you to03j THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL . "but I am afraid it is too good for cafe patrons. They come here to dance. you now. but what can we do?" I did not argue the subject with him.but at the end of the second wee he decided to call the deal off. Mr. "Of course. With the four hundred dollars I had earned I would be able to pay off all my debts. and they listen to music with their feet. "Your wor is very fine. I presented myself at the recruiting-office on Mar et Street. 191 8. but he thought I was *'up against it. father and mother dead. [302 ] IN THE LAND OF THE FREE Anything aimed above their an les goes over their heads! FooHsh people." "As the law stands." he explained. born in San Francisco." he explained. however. and that was all I wanted. This time I decided to call myself Paul Ingle. The way would then be clear for me to enlist. The sergeant was very much interested and said he would put in my application and see if anything could be done. It was useless to attempt to pass myself off as an American. but as long as I was there I thought I would go as far as I could. logolevitch. and so I gave the facts concerning myself. Early in January. we won't ta e 'em imder eighteen.
My musical talent I could capitalize in the form of concerts. Sorry. and my nowledge of conditions. That day I read an inspiring article in one of the magazines in which it was pointed out that there were more ways of fighting for America than by shouldering a gun or digging a trench or ma ing shells. if properly presented to industrial wor ers. Because he can't fight he concludes he can't help others to fight. but that's how it stands. speeding up the wor in industrial plants engaged in war wor and other war-time activities. "Decide what you can do best and then arrange to do it for Uncle Sam!" The article gave me a new angle. I had made a fair success as a soldier. both of which.can get Congress to change the law. how could I possibly have any military value when I had never had a chance to study the science and all I new was what I had pic ed up incidentally in actual wor ? The more I thought over this subject the more firmly I became convinced that my principal assets were my musical ability and my nowledge of conditions in Russia. why. That is a grave mista e. There are hundreds of ways to ' do your bit ' without ever getting within a hundred miles of a gun or a munitionfactory. but when I came to analyze my exploits I felt that whatever I had [304] IN THE LAND OF THE FREE accomplished was more the result of good fortune than any great military s ill. but it seemed that my fighting days were over for a while." I went home again very much discouraged. he can't get over to France." the article ran. I figured. young feller. for one reason or another. "Many a man is eating his heart out. If I told them of the slaughter of Russian troops which I had . As a matter of fact. might help to "speed up" production. that's different. I had traveled a long way to ta e up again the fight against the Hun. might possibly be useful in the great cause." And then the article went on to enumerate various forms of war service — raising funds for the Red Cross and similar institutions. "because.
" he argued. I would forget all about wanting to fight for America and devote myself to the equally valuable tas of helping others to fight harder. were greater. Paul. "You have done your best to enlist and you are not eligible. "But even if you were acceptable. and if I could convey to them even partially an idea of the privations which soldiers at the front have to endure. ' * The upshot of this conversation and several others that followed was that I left for the East. Mortimer Smythe would have demanded for my services. The draft will eep our army up to the required strength. but unless we can get the men across — unless we can increase our merchant marine fast enough to bridge the ocean — all our men won't avail us anything. . J. These possibilities made such a strong appeal to me that I decided to tal it all over with Mr. it was not difficult for me to get into the wor in the East. and I was given plenty of opportunity to perform at concerts given under the auspices of the different patriotic and charitable organizations — and I didn't exact one-hundredth of the toll which my former manager. Mitchell. There is more valuable wor to be done. With letters from the various organizations for whom I had played in San Francisco. XIX UNDJR THE AMERICAN EAGLE T ARRIVED in New Yor while one of the * Red Cross drives was in full swing. I really believe that 1 305] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL your value to this country would be greatest in other ways than by your enlistment. we figured.witnessed and which was brought about solely by the lac of ammunition. where the opportunities to participate in war activities. We have plenty of men. by speeding up war wor than there is by individual enlistments . Paul. it might stimulate them and indirectly help the cause more than any direct help I could give as a soldier. and he declared that I was entirely correct.
we have lots of players here who can amuse an audience sufficiently to raise funds. We exchanged experiences and that day we mched together. but all you've got to do is to forget the people in front of you for the moment and recall the horrors you have lived through — and then you go on tal ing and you [308J UNDER THE AiMERICAN EAGLE . At the request of the Red Cross I was wearing my uniform. until I went at it. "that your services would be more valuable as a spea er than as an artist." "That may be true. of the French Foreign Legion. but early in the war. When you get up on the platform the first time you thin you will never be able to go through with it.At a meeting on the Liberty Platform in Madison Square I met Corporal Mouvet. but there are not many people in this country whose nowledge of actual conditions on the front might do more to raise enthusiasm among our war wor ers. he had given up his career and joined the Foreign 1 307 ] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL Legion in France. Corporal Mouvet was an American. but I cafi't tal . One of the compensations of the wor I was now engaged in was the association it brought with people who had already accomplished great things and who were willing to give of their best to the great cause. I have thought of it myself. and when Mouvet saw that I was a Russian he introduced himself to me." he said. I'm afraid I'll have to let my violin do my tal ing for me! " "I didn't thin I could tal . "What you tell me about the havoc that was wor ed in the Russian ran s because of the lac of ammunition ma es me thin . either. long before America got into it. The unfortunate part about it is that I ca7i play. because he had spent some time in Russia and was very much interested in my country. With all deference to your musical ability.
Emergency Fleet Corporation. By the time he got through I felt that I had been wasting an awful lot of time trying to get into the army. I began to get nervous. the tongue was mightier than the sword sometimes. to become a spea er for the United States government in shipyards and ammunition-plants throughout the country. Paul. "You tell those men some of the things you've told me.Yard. while I had overloo ed a branch of service where my experience apparently would have proved of real value. He was to spea . too. it becomes the easiest thing in the world. I will ta e up most of the time. and I'll tal to some of the leaders about you. and there Doctor Eaton explained to me the ind of wor that I would be as ed to do and the value the government placed upon it. Charles A.see the eyes of the people in front of you opening wide and inviting you to continue and — why. We rode to the Navy-Yard in a car driven by one of the NavyYard chauffeurs. perhaps. and a day or two later I received an invitation from Dr. which could very well get along without me." I accordingly turned my papers over to him. You just let me have your papers. but by the time we got to the Broo lyn Bridge and I realized that in a few moments. and I told Mouvet of my misgivings. I would be facing an audience of wor ing-men who would have difficulty in following my poor English. your credentials. Mouvet accompanied me." he answered. The way Doctor Eaton put it. reassuringly. head of the National Service Section of the United States Shipping Board. Anyway. My first assignment was to spea at the [ 309 ] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL Broo lyn Navy. I presented myself at the headquarters of the bureau at the Manhattan Hotel. When we started from the hotel Doctor Eaton's words of encouragement were still ringing in my ears and I felt as brave as a lion. and if I couldn't wield a sword there was no reason v/hy I shouldn't wag my tongue. Eaton. and you will have to . and they won't pay any attention to how you spea . "Don't worry about that.
I was there to spea and that was all there was to it. but we were now driving through the entrance of the Navy-Yard and there was no use worrying about the inevitable. I was rather inclined to feel that the little English I new would desert me when I needed it most." the officer answered. When you have a sincere message to give you will be surprised to find how easy it is to deliver it. there are a few disturbers among them. Watch me! Corporal Mouvet got up on the platform and introduced himself. and he swung his clenched fists around vigorously to emphasize his argimients." I was not nearly so sure about that as Mouvet. boys!" As we were escorted to the Yard where several hundred of the men were assembled Mouvet turned to me and whispered: "I'm going to ma e some of these Bolshevi i cringe. and it is to offset the influence of this undercurrent that we need fellows li e you to come here from time to time and tell us just why it is essential to wor harder for Uncle Sam to-day than ever it was in history. He gave them an account of what Germany had done to France. and the immediate response his appeals always I311] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL .say only a few words. Mouvet as ed him what the situation was in the Yard. the veins stood out on his forehead. Go to it. The crowd listened eagerly to him and at each successive epithet that he applied to the Huns they cheered more heartily. The words just come by magic. At times he would call upon the men to show whether they agreed with him or not. "The men are right up on their toes — giving all they've got to the cause. and as he recounted some of the things he had witnessed on the western front his face turned red. We were ta en right in to the commanding [310J UNDER THE AMERICAN EAGLE officer and reported. Of course. "Everything is fine. He wasted very little time in preliminaries.
Here and . I now his words had aroused fuy fighting spirit. and I determined then and there to perfect myself in public spea ing until I. in which he apologized for my bro en English. of the wonderful effect a stirring speech can have. and when. To-day I had to wield an instrument — the spo en word — of which I had but an imI312] UNDER THE AMERICAN EAGLE perfect command. At the same time I was mindful of the great difference between this experience and my former appearances. My experience on the concert stage. These fleeting thoughts occurred to me as I stepped toward the crowd. To-day it was different. I had no longer any fear on my own account— I feared only that I might spoil the wonderful effect that Mouvet had created. then.evo ed seemed to give him added impetus. That the men would go bac to their various tas s more determined than ever to do their utmost for their country I was quite convinced. The first cheer from the crowd came at the end of my first sentence. Some of the enthusiasm which Mouvet had aroused was still influencing them and I was getting the benefit of it. after a few words of introduction. too. The sea of faces which proves so disconcerting to most people in their first appearance in public was no novelty to me. I felt that behind me were the millions of men who had died for a noble cause. There wasn't any doubt in my mind. before and since the war. and he wound up with his audience completely won. It acted li e a stimulant to me and I went on without much faltering. he made way for me on the platform. Words came to me that I never dreamed I could use. but they were forgotten with the first word I uttered. and in front of me were living millions urging me onward — imploring vengeance against the wic ed Huns who had set the whole wide world on fire." I was accustomed to large audiences. With this unreHable weapon I had to capture an audience which no doubt contained many who were my superiors. Hitherto my point of contact with my audience had been an instnmient of which I might modestly claim to have complete control. could handle an audience as Mouvet had. had made me "platformwise.
and there were hundreds of weighty reasons that I could give them. but the thoughts came to me so quic ly that if I found difficulty in expressing one I abandoned it in favor of another which pressed close behind. and I determined then and there to bend every effort to become a proficient spea er. They didn't care much about English. was facts. Those powerful wor ing-men were apparently not close critics. The experience demonstrated to me. and the cheers that they rendered as I concluded made me feel that perhaps. I received orders to go to Baltimore where I was to \ spend a wee in the shipyards in that vicinity. when. Accordingly.there I stumbled over a word or got mixed up in the middle of a sentence. no matter how fluent I became. I had contributed to the winning of the war just as truly as if I myself had wielded a hammer or bored a rivet hole. I felt . for. I finished as gracefully as I could. that if I could commit a well-constructed speech 1 to memory it would have more effect than any i extemporaneous effort on my part. The time was up. apparently. a day or two later. I was certain that I would i never be able to present my thoughts as clearly on the spur of the moment as I would if I put i them in writing under less pressure. to some unmeasurable extent. He said I had done well. I i wor ed out a regular speech on paper. but I am afraid a stenographic report of my actual words would read very funny. ' l3Hj 1 •< . than ing the men for their attention and urging them to greater efforts for the cause. that there was considerable virtue in this sort of war wor . What they wanted. however. [313] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL ' I had been spea ing for about five minutes when a whistle blew and the men started to leave the crowd. Corporal Mouvet congratulated me on my speech. They wanted to now why the}^ were being as ed to strain their bodies and limbs to fight a distant foe.
and we came to an immense tool-room in the center of which a stand had been erected. This time I was the only spea er and I had more time to go into some of my experiences on the Russian front. which I had entered as a wandering violinist. and when I had mounted the platform and faced my audience I decided to forget all about the speech I had partly committed to memory and launch out on an uncharted sea. It was the same sort of speech I had delivered at the Navy. apparently. and it aroused just as much enthusiasm. The next morning I was called for by a representative of the Baltimore Dry Doc s and Shipbuilding Company. I was in my uniform and had all my medals on. It was all covered with American flags and assembled around it was a crowd of about three thousand men. and so I went on and told of the treatment they had accorded Vladimir when we were fellow-prisoners. The manager of the plant too me through the place. giving them my . and how they had beaten me.Yard. Then I told them of our two men who had been captured by the Hun patrol and whose mutilated bodies had been I315] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL returned to us on the peasant's wagon the following day. To vary the monotony I told them of my experience at Savendi i. Realizing that they were all wor ed up to fever-heat against the cruel Huns. That heartened me. I then told them how the Allies had suffered at different times for lac of ammunition. He drove me to the plant where ships were being built for the government and where wor was going on at full speed day and night.UNDER THE AMERICAN EAGLE That night I arrived in Baltimore. and as the manager opened a path for me through the crowd they let out a tremendous cheer. If any one had uttered a pro-German sentiment right then I believe that crowd would have torn him limb from limb. I saw from the horror on their faces that I was arousing their ire against the Huns.
Later in the day I played for another group of men and made a short address in the same place. this time spea ing in Russian to a group of wor ers who were my fellow-countrymen. I declared.own experiences by way of illustration. when the gentleman in charge of the affair announced that the youngest war veteran on the Allied side was going to 21 [317I . and that same hour's delay might mean an hour's delay in the arrival of supplies at a particular section in the front-line trenches where the war was raging at its height. I had a very full wee . The loud cheering that greeted this argument convinced me that the point had carried home. and I thought that was a good place to stop. At one of the camps. An hour's delay in the completion of a steel plate might not at first seem very serious. My English seemed to improve by leaps and bounds. and I began to gage the temperament of my audience more accurately and ta e advantage of the openings that presented themselves as I went along. the man who was responsible for the delay in the completion of that single steel plate had a lot to answer for. and that. In the daytime I addressed the wor men in various shipyards and in the evening the Jewish Welfare Board and similar organizations usually too me to the camps in the neighborhood. for [316] UNDER THE AMERICAN EAGLE lac of sufficient ammunition. Each day the wor became easier for me. I argued. the Allied barrage might fall down just long enough to enabie the Huns to brea through and slaughter thousands of our boys — then. but when one stopped to thin that the delay in delivering that particular plate to a shipyard might mean the same delay in the completion of a ship. and the hour's delay in the completion of the ship might mean that same hour's delay in the sailing of a cargo of ammunition. was the important duty which rested upon the shoulders of those who were underta ing to build our ships. A photograph was ta en of the scene and was placed in the office of the company. To see that our boys across the seas were always supplied with sufficient ammunition. where I played for the soldiers.
After I finished spea ing he came over and grabbed me in his arms. that the great majority of the men in the plants were already wor ing to their utmost to win the fight for the AlHes . The fact was. Although I was now firmly convinced that the wor I was engaged in was of great importance. to see just what effect different argiunents produced. while the spea ing was going on. could be induced to put more pep into their efforts. was not. When I returned to New Yor I started to study and analyze the labor situation seriously. I could not help envying him. I believed. as some of the spea ers did. in order to improve my elocution. I noticed one of the men jiimp up from his seat and ma e his way to the rear of the platform. I attended lectures and listened to experienced spea ers. I heard many spea ers address wor ing-men in the course of my own wor . for one audience of wor ing-men was very similar to another. He was several years older than I and had served in the Russian army at the start of the war. and. One of the things I noticed was that the men seemed to resent the scolding tactics which some of the [318] UNDER THE AMERICAN EAGLE spea ers adopted. The traitors in the ran s. and there were some who had not yet awa ened to the importance of the wor they were engaged in. Later he had come to the same conclusion I had — that after Russia dropped out of the war the only thing to do was to go to America and continue the fight from there. the men who were maliciously sowing seeds of sedition and . as far as I was able to observe. He had managed to get into the American army and was waiting to be sent across to fight on the western front. and I invariably watched the audience carefully. and urge them to wor doubly as hard as they were doing. no doubt. He had nown me in Harbin when I was little. No doubt there were many slac ers in every plant — in some cases "slac er" was undoubtedly too mild a word by far.THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL address them and mentioned my name. But to refer to the whole audience as slac ers. the best way to produce results. there were some who. In that way I learned what line of approach was most apt to get the farthest.
and how they now had a chance to bac up the men who were leaving their homes in this free country to carry on the fight in Europe for the benefit of all. Bac them up!" Then I would as them to raise their right hands and pledge their loyalty to the cause. My general plan in addressing these gatherings. then. I reminded them how they had left their native homes in search of freedom and democracy and had settled in this country because here they expected to find them. I reminded them what German militarism had done to the people of Europe. "Our boys have left free America to fight autocracy in Europe. Every hand would go up. naturally. You came to America because you wanted to be free. Poles. for Heaven's sa e. or whatever nationality they had originally claimed. Italians. I as ed them to realize that they were all Americans and that I was addressing them as Americans — not as Russians. "You left Europe. I realized. and. therefore. to eep going at the same speed. to speed up just one notch. remember. if that wasn't possible. to find freedom in America. was to point out what wonderful wor they were already doing and explain to them by vivid illustrations of conditions on the front just what their wor meant to the boys in the trenches. I endeavored to ma e them forget that they came of various nationalities. but most [320] UNDER THE AMERICAN EAGLE . no amount of eloquence on our part could possibly convert. Americans are now going to Europe to ma e the whole world free. if possible.attempting to arouse dissatisfaction and stri es in order to aid the enemy. and then I would urge them. [319] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL As the contacts between these men and myself became more and more frequent I got a better hold of them. how millions of men and women had already paid with their lives and happiness in their fight against autocracy." I said. these.
The great German drive had been stopped and all the Allies were concentrating their forces on beating them bac once and for all. It was a time which called for the last ounce of reserve energy that every one of us could com- . My exertions would invariably leave me almost drowned in perspiration. had left Russia and joined the Siberian forces under General Semenoff. went up spontaneously and sincerely. All our hopes were in Marshal Foch. where he had acted as Surgeon-General. I was getting rather discouraged about this phase of my own affairs when I received word that my family had left Japan for the United States and would [321] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL arrive within a wee in San Francisco. By the same medium I learned that my father. I had the satisfaction of feeling that the charms of my music perhaps had helped to soften their hearts and loosen their purse-strings. Cables and letters were of no avail because of the chaotic conditions in Russia. It was the most critical period of the whole war. Walter E. Every man and every bit of force was being utilized. At a dinner in Newar . I spo e under the auspices of the United States Department of Labor. New Jersey. In Waterbury. It was during one of the hottest spells of the summer and frequently I found it necessary to remove my coat. and the consequence was that I caught cold and became so hoarse that for a while I had to discontinue spea ing. At this moment I received instructions from the Shipping Board to go immediately to Connecticut to address the men in several ammunition-plants where labor troubles were brewing. the Hon. and a very handsome siun was contributed by those present. Edge. a number of Senators and other prominent men. after I was able to tal again. Connecticut. The dinner was in connection with one of the drives for funds for the war sufferers. and as my playing came immediately before the collection was ta en up. since the overthrow of the Kerens y government. During all this time it was impossible for me to get into communication with my family. I felt. I had the honor of spea ing and playing before the Governor.of them.
V^ /^^■h . The meeting I was to address was held in a section of the plant where the steel was forged. The center of the trouble seemed to be at a government steel-plant. but it was out of the question. I was very anxious to see my family and my thoughts turned in the direction of California.« .^ ^0 Vu v-^-' - ^■ ^^. Their faces were hot and red and blac ened with smo e.mand. and most of the men who stood around the improvised platform were half na ed. And so I went to Connecticut instead. It was certainly no time to thin of personal desires. which made them loo very [322] '/ 4'- \i\>\)l''\K-c.
"Courage and bravery won't win a war without ammunition to bac them up. [324] UNDER THE AMERICAN EAGLE "Loo bac again to 191 7 when the revolution bro e out. Finally after a long struggle the old form of government was overthrown and we had freedom — but without unity what ." I declared. Then the supply of ammunition was cut off and defeat became inevitable. ' ' The failure of Russia in this war can be traced to her lac of unity and ammunition. At the beginning of the war." 1 declared THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL grim when an occasional glare from one of the furnaces would light up their countenances. and yet when I saw the masses of steel lying around the room and recalled the storm of shot and shell that the Germans were able to pour into our panic-stric en ran s because we had no ammunition with which to resist them.''■>!^?i^^' t^"-' "courage and bravery won't win a war without ammunition to bac them up. The heat of the place was so stifling that I had all I could do to stand it. I forgot the temporary discomfort of the men in front of me and thought only of the plight of their brothers at the front. "The Russian retreat meant not only loss of territory. when Russia was well supplied she was successful. but the loss of hundreds of thousands of men — soldiers and the inhabitants of the captured territory — perhaps wor men li e you and their women and children. To as these men to do more than they were already doing seemed presumptuous. There we see the results of lac of organization. Very stern and determined those men loo ed as I scanned their faces in the glow which spasmodically illuminated the smo e-dar ened room.
but goes against you by permitting the Germans to get just that much ahead of you. she is compelling every man in the ammunition-factories to stic to his job. Germany to-day has plenty of ammunition because. and ma e them see the light. I leave it to you to treat them as you see fit!" The crowd cheered so long and loud at this point that I began to wonder whether the government hadn't sent me to the wrong plant. far away from the distractions and sorrows of war-stric en Europe. There didn't seem to be much dissatisfaction here. I congratulated the men on the splendid wor they had been doing and wished them all good luc .' and every man who fails to do his duty by remaining away from his war job not only fails to stand by the majority of you men here. "All of this is the result of the lac of ammunition — for when the Russians yielded to the undermining influence of German propagandists and began to lose faith in their own country the power of that country was shattered. men. If it is merely through ignorance. It was a wonderful thing for us to be reunited in this far corner of the world. explain the situation to them. and the very next day he arrived.has freedom brought? Ours is a country immensely wealthy in natural resources. "Now. it is deliberate and malicious. none the worse for all the dangers he had been through. let us show the Germans that no external force will ma e a wor man for democracy — it is only the force from within. When I returned to New Yor I received word by wire that my father was on his way across the continent to New Yor . as them why they do* so. * A chain is only as strong as its wea est lin . If. the force that your own hearts and sense of justice will dictate to you that will supply our armies with more than enough ammunition to win the war. but there is no organization and the people are starving to death. at the point of the bayonet. however. [325] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL "If there are any here who are not wor ing as hard as they can or who stay off the job. . I learned afterward that the threatened stri e at this plant never too place.
and had the honor of an interview with that wonderful man. and he addressed some of the foreign audiences in Russian. New Jersey. It was on this tour that I met Charles M. His presence on the platform when I spo e was a constant source of inspiration to me. we had secured an apartment [326] UNDER THE AMERICAN EAGLE in New Yor . where we addressed the employees of the Emergency Fleet Corporation. and other Slavic languages. There was still much wor to be done. and I accompanied Doctor Eaton on a spea ing tour through Philadelphia. It was through him. From the very first moment I saw him my feeling of respect and admiration for him was profound. at Orange. By the time the rest of my family arrived. incidentally. Schwab. and I got mine a short time later. Edison. that I received one of the most valued souvenirs of my war wor — an autographed photograph of President Wilson! On my way bac from Philadelphia I addressed the employees of Thomas A. Polish. a few wee s later. The Shipping Board "loaned" me from time to time to the Ordnance Department to spea at various munition-factories. When my war wor came to an end my first .A day or two later I too my father with me on some of my spea ing trips. at which we all paid tribute to the inspiration which we had received from his remar able leadership. Later I made a violin record at the Edison laboratories. At a farewell dinner to Doctor Eaton. His true Americanism stood out all over him. he announced that the National Service Section would present several wor ers of the [327] THE YOUNG RUSSIAN CORPORAL United States Shipping Board with medals. and when we were once again united in a place we could call home otir happiness was indescribable. however.
And that is what I am going to do.impulse was to return to my native land.J^i. THE END THE LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Santa Barbara THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE STAMPED BELOW.-# - . I owed a lot to my violin. Series 9482 A A 000 293 558 3 ■. It seemed to me that if I gave up my music and devoted the rest of my life to the tas of bringing Russia and America — so much ali e in so many respects — into closer relations for their common benefit. it had served me more than I had ever served it. loo up my old instructor and devote the rest of my life to music. I would be serving at once the two nations in whose welfare I am most deeply interested. But then I thought of the future of Russia and how much she owed to the part America had played in the winning of the war.
*^ 11 ■ ■ ■ i i' w L ^^^^^^P' ' %.. ^^^Mi: M' .1^^ 1 1 1 1 ^. w ^^HH H^^H HHIHI i^^^H %B %M ^:m.