Read "War the Creator" by Gelett Burgess online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
On the morning of August 21 they crossed the boundary. Hurrahs from the men-they were going forward to conquer! They were going to deliver this brave little country from the barbaric invader who had laid it waste. Coco was thrilled with the nobility of their mission. "_Vive la France! _" he shouted with all the rest; but alas, the approaching thunderstorm soon damped his spirits. The rain poured down in torrents, down the back of his neck and into his shoes. Coming to a halt, they bivouacked in a wide field. It thundered and it lightened. Soaked and cheerless, the regiment tried to sleep. The fires wouldn't burn. One couldn't even smoke a cigarette. As Coco turned on his side the water oozed under him sloshily.
He dozed off, however, after a while, only to be awakened by a punch in the ribs. "Listen! " Francois was saying. "What's _that_?"