Read Online Doveland by Martha Moore - Free Book Online Page B

shared a brotherly love that would last a lifetime.
    Their conversation was suddenly interrupted by rustling sounds coming from the battlefield. Trench raiding was not uncommon on the battlefield. They flew to their lookout to investigate. In the pre-dawn morning, they could see the enemy crawling on their bellies toward the allied trench lines, quietly dragging their rifle bayonets for a surprise attack. With their weapons still clinched in their arms, the unsuspecting allies were fast asleep, leaning against the parapets. Aware of the impending danger, Homer stretched out his neck.
    â€œWhere’s the whistleblower?”
    Clovis realized they had to warn the troops, and turned to Homer. “I’m looking at him!”
    â€œMe?”
    â€œYou want to build another nest?”
    With that comment, Homer let out a shrill that echoed throughout no man’s land. The warning alerted the allied troops who responded so quickly that the enemy almost crawled backward in their hasty retreat.
    â€œGood work, Homer!”
    Later that day, they would discover a new kind of invention when they spotted an enemy carrier crossing the allied trench line over the smoke- filled battlefield undetected. They followed him into the forest and brought him down. Each standing on one wing with the carrier lying on his back, Clovis and Homer stared at the funny looking box strapped on his chest. Click! Click! The box opened and closed at specified intervals.
    â€œWhat kind of canister is this?” asked Homer.
    â€œIt’s not a canister, stupid; it’s a camera that take pictures. Now, let me go.”
    â€œFirst, tell us what a camera is before we let you go,” replied Clovis.
    â€œIt takes pictures of the number of soldiers in the trenches and where they are located,” he confessed.
    â€œHe’s spying on the troops, Clovis.”
    â€œWhat is your name?” asked Clovis.
    â€œDer Tourist.”
    â€œI don’t know how to open this one, Homer, Let’s keep all of it.”
    â€œYou are thieves,” yelled the carrier as they removed the equipment.
    â€œNo,” chuckled Homer. “You said they were our pictures, right?”
    Der Tourist was finally released.
    Homer suggested that the allies should know about the camera. But, they soon agreed that bringing it to their attention might jeopardize their own safety. They buried it deep in the woods.
    After returning to their homes that evening, Homer thought about the early morning sneak attack.
    â€œAre you awake, Clovis?”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œI’m tired, but I can’t sleep.”
    â€œWhy keep me awake?”
    â€œWell, I keep having the same dream – that we’ll wake up in enemy territory . . .or something.”
    Clovis thought for a moment and realized they had been neglecting their night vigils.
    â€œOkay, back to guard duty.”
    â€œYou get the first watch, remember?” reminded Homer.
    The following day, as they perched on the branch of their lookout once again, Clovis felt weary and longed for peace. Looking for a brief escape, he bowed his head for a few moments and let his mind drift to a more peaceful time. The constant rattling of machine guns and loud ground artillery slowly faded in the distance as he dreamed about the tranquil sounds of Doveland: The gentle flow of sunlit waters; the twitter of wild birds; soft breezes shuffling through the pines, and the simple sound of an acorn falling on the ground… Suddenly, he felt startled.
    â€œClovis!” Homer kept repeating. “Can you hear me?”
    Clovis remembered the pact they had made to never mention Doveland again.
    â€œYeah, I guess I fell asleep for a moment.”

CHAPTER 10
    The sting of winter was once again upon no man’s land, as the Tommies draped their sleeping blankets over their thick woolen tunics to keep warm. A cold windy drizzle hung over the battlefield as sounds of gunfire decreased in