Chapter I: Foreword

Some human experiences that one has in France stand out like the silhouettes of mountain peaks against a crimson sunset. I have tried in this book to set down some of those experiences. I have had but one object in so doing, and that object has been to give the father and mother, the brother and sister, the wife and child and friend of the boys "Over There" an accurate heart-picture. I have not attempted the too great task of showing the soul of the soldier, although I have tried to picture him at some of his great moments when he forgets himself and rises to glorious heights, just as he might do at home if the opportunity called.

I have tried to show his experiences on the transports, when he lands in France, his welcome there, the reactions of the trench life; something of his self-sacrifice, his willingness to serve even unto the end; his courage, his sunshine. I have also given some other pictures of France that aim to show his heart-relations to his allies and to the folks at home.

If I have done this, sufficient shall be my reward.

CONTENTS

I. SILHOUETTES OF SONG
II. SHIP SILHOUETTES
III. SILHOUETTES OF SACRIFICE
IV. SILHOUETTES SPIRITUAL
V. SILHOUETTES OF SACRILEGE
VI. SILHOUETTES OF SILENCE
VII. SILHOUETTES OF SERVICE
VIII. SILHOUETTES OF SORROW
IX. SILHOUETTES OF SUFFERING
X. SOLDIER SILHOUETTES
XI. SKY SILHOUETTES
XII. THE LIGHTS OF WAR
XIII. SILHOUETTES OF SUNSHINE

ILLUSTRATIONS

"_Traveller, hast thou ever seen so great a grief as
mine?_" . . . . . . _Frontispiece_

"_What are those dots on the sun?" Doctor Freeman
shouted to me_

_The upturned roots of an old tree were just in front_

"_The last seen of Dale he was gathering together a
crowd of little children_"

"_The boys call her 'The Woman with Sandwiches
and Sympathy'_"

_What was the difference? He had gotten a letter_

_One night I had the privilege of seeing a plane caught
by the search-light_

_The air-raid had not dampened her sense of humor_