IN THE OUTPOST LINE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9214, 18 April 1908, Page 4

IN THE OUTPOST LINE.

AN INCIDENT OF THE EASTER MANOEUVRES. (By SENTRY No. 1.)

I peered out into the night, and saw nothing except the dim landscape ecarred by the dividing fences, the- trees near by that stood, like myself and my comrades, silent sentinels, watching and waiting^ and moving not, for fear lest our position might be disclosed to an alert enemy. I listened, and heard nothing, except the occasional neigh of a horse and the gentle swishing of the waters of a neighbouring creek. I knew that my comrades were not far from me, and that in the event of the rush of an unseen foe help was at hand ; yet I mud; confess that I was nervous. It was not the fear that one might expect to experience on active service, for there were no bullets in this mimio warfare, and no chance of a stab from

the bayonet of a lurking scout, but it was the fear that is bred by a 6ense of loneliness. Danger there was none, but I was alone with the night, and imagination evolved some strange pictures. The hedges became alive with forms — ghosts of a long-forgotten fighting force that I had read about. I could see the enemy's scouts in every field and on the roads kharki-clad men stole silently along. Pulling myself together, I laughed at my fears, for I quite realised that we were only playing at war. But that some intrepid scouts of the invading Blue Force might be lurking in the locality I knew was quite possible, and it was my duty to keep a sharp look-out to prevent any surprise should a night attack be made by the enemy, and to guard against patrols getting through out lines to obtain information as to the positions and numbers—large- or emallA-of the Red Force in the locality in which I was stationed.

I belong to the ■ Company, and we had been detailed as No. 1 picket. Before leaving trie show grounds at Addington on Iriday afternoon our particular duties had been explained, and the locality where We were to form the 1 outpost line had been pointed out. I am not at liberty t<> state the particular part of the district to which we Avere > sent, for fear of the Blue Force gaining information of our whereabouts. It would no doubt be interesting to the public to know something of the plan of campaign, but the present manoeuvres have been arranged on the lines of active service, and W© Volunteers intend to play the game.

At five o'clock yesterday afternoon hostilities actually commenced. Scouts had reported that a force from a raiding cruiser had landed, on the coast south of Akaroa harbour, and had encamped at Motukarara. This force, for purposes of manoeuvres, included the whole of the volunteers of South Canterbury, from Aehburton to Waimate. Two guns of the E Battery and a portion of the Canterbury Engineers were also attached to the invaders. Patrols of the Red Foroe scoured the country south and south-west of Christchurch, and th 0 ground being reported clear, the companies detailed for outpost duties marched to their several posts. Our company paraded fully equipped for the nigh't'a work and for the expected engagement of the morrow. Each man was well and warmly clad in a kharki uniform, with his .great coat en Tbandarolo and his haversack and water-bottle 6lung across his shouiders. We were officially known as No. 1 Picket. Tie duties of a picket are, briefly, to take up such a position as will ensure the protection or the main body of an army, which is resting in its rear; to entrench on the picket ground, ©o that the pa 6&a S e ?f a *J enemy could be effectually disputed until the force in the rear was formed in fighting order ; to throw out groups of sentries whose special work is to act as the eyes and the ears of an army; to obtain what information it can without in any way disclosing its position; and to do many other things which cannot be enumerated here. The outposts never invite an attack. Their special duty is to protect. This old line fully explains :

The sentinel guards the eleepinff camp. One must not imagine that the sentry stands over the tents in the manner that he is seen on a camp ground— ho is there a camp guard—but miles will separate the sentry in the outpost line from the f «' r «© tuat lie^ protecting; The disposition of a force, such as that with which I am, wtmld be : The sentry —At night probably a few yards only from hia group, by day perhaps 100y<la and more, the picket perhaps a quarter of a mile in the rear (all depends upon the nature of the country), the supports of a picket another 440 yds further away, reserves (if required) about a mile removed from the supports, and the main body perhaps another mile or two, or even more, further in the rear. Outposts are thrown out in fan-shaped manner, so that the flanks and front ot an army are protected. •

Arrived at our, post, the company was told off into centres, reliefs, various guards, the pickets and the supports. I happened to be No. 1 sentry of No. 1 group (three groups were thrown out from our company) of No. 1 picket. That is all easy to remember, but one needs to have his thinking cap on when he is, say, No. 3 relief of No. 2 group of No. 5 picket. I was marched to my lonely vigil and informed of the whereabouts of neighbouring sentries, given, all information that was known of the enemy, told the extent of the country to watch, and other details were imparted. Left to myself — my group comrades were about thirty yards from me, bnv' concealed in a fold of the country — I be&an to imagine the things that I mentioned in the beginning of this article. The fences in front became mcli who grinned at me and took aim with invisible rifles. Forms lurked in the fields, and the clumps of grass seemed to move towards me. If these are the feelings of peace manoeuvres, what must those of Avar be like? I shuddered, but, remembering my duty, dispelled illusions and peered into the night. I might have been on duty half an hour when I became conscious of someone moving near me. Instinct told me this wasno trick of the imagination. I strained my eyes, but saw nothing, and a creepy sensation stole over me. I distinctly felt a movement. Should I leave my post? Should I call my companions to my aid? No; I would play the game, and wait. Not long was I kept in suspense. A form did appoaT in front. Grasping my riflo firmly, I covered the figure, and in a quiet voice exclaimed, "Halt! Who goes there?" Immediately my group comrades were at my side, and tlio form — now a kharki man indeed — stood boldly up and replied, " A friend." Two of the group advanced and received the answer. " Reconnoitring patrol, No. 1 picket." Then we resumed our duties, and the patrol, wbo had been sent out by our commander, reported the front all clear for a mile at least. Not long afterwards I was rGlieved from sentry duty, and another member of the group stood alone watching the fields and the roads. And so the night passed on.

Old people and those who have weak lungs cannot be too careful in guarding against this disease. Pneumonia always results from a cold or an attack of influenza, and can be prevented by the timely use of Chamberlain's Cough Remedy. We have as yet to hear of an attack of pneumonia where Chamberlain's Cough Remedy was taken in time.

Artificial flowers were first invented by pioua nuns. In the Italian convents the altars and shrines were up to the end of the- eighteenth century, decorated with artificial flowers, laboriously made from pager and parchment.