CHAPTER IV.

CHEMIN DES DAMES

AFTER a short hike from Camp Coetquidan, we reached the station at Guer about noon. For hours we waited, while other units entrained. Eventually our turn came, and we drew into the freight yards. The loading platform, or ramp, was a solid embankment of stone and cinders retained by concrete walls. A sloping roadway led from the ground to either end of the ramp, which was somewhat less than a hundred yards long and fifteen wide. As the track ran alongside, it brought the floor of a freight car on a level with and only a few inches from the surface of the ramp. The train that was to carry Battery A was waiting on the track, and we began entraining at once. The flat cars were in the middle, and the ridiculously small box cars were at both ends of the train, extending well beyond the ramp. Al­ though these "soap boxes on wheels" were marked "40 Hommes-8 Chevaux," it seemed impossible at first to force in such a number. Later we were to learn that there is absolutely no limit to the number of men that can be put into a box car. Guns, caissons, and wagons were driven up on the ramp. The horses were then unhitched, and led off to be unharnessed.

This first stage completed, the hard part began. Short, heavy gangways were put into position, running from the ground to the car doors. The horse that did not at once take a violent dislike to these cattle cars was a rare exception. The great majority objected strongly to so much as setting foot on the

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