The training camp where we had prepared for the front after our arrival in France had been purchased by the United States from the French, and had been in use since the beginning of the war for the purpose of putting the high spots on the training of men belonging to both the heavy and light artillery.  It was a spacious place; we had comfortable quarters and lots of good food.  I had been on the Mexican border, so that sound of the heavy guns that were being used for training purposes did not annoy me, though to about ninety per cent. of the rest of the fellows this was a new sound, and orders were issued that cotton was to be put in the ears.

[Sidenote:  The French officers are fine fellows.]

Except for the return fire, we might have been at the front, for the camp was an exact duplication of conditions under fire.  Our equipment was largely French, and the officers who tutored us in modern warfare were all French—­and as fine a bunch of fellows as ever lived.

[Sidenote:  Buying a village for a target.]

One of the exciting incidents of the Camp was the day that news arrived that the American government had purchased a small village just beyond the Camp (France is honeycombed with small villages,—­it is almost impossible to walk a mile without passing through a village) and that it was to be used as a target for the American boys.

We practiced in turn, a battery going out for a few hours’ work, and then returning.  Both light and heavy Artillery used the village as a target, and it was not long before there was only a heap of rubbish to tell where there had once been houses.

[Sidenote:  The instructors praise American marksmanship.]

One of the things that the American fellows felt proud of was the fact that they were constantly being praised by their French instructors because of their very superior marksmanship.  Several men told me that the American troopers learned in two weeks’ time as much of the craftsmanship of war as the French learned in three months.  As the story was on themselves, I guess it must be true.

[Sidenote:  Good care close to the firing line.]

[Sidenote:  A question of high prices.]

We worked hard in camp, but the fellows liked it.  We had good food, lots of fresh vegetables, and meat.  It is a fact that the closer you get to the firing line the better care you get.  There was plenty of recreation through the Y.M.C.A. activities, but we did not have many furloughs.  Remember that at the time I am writing of, the American boys were new in France.  One of the reasons for the lack of furloughs was that in many of the towns near the great camps that were set apart for the Americans the merchants had decided that it was harvest time, and prices had gone very high.  General Pershing himself ordered that no member of the American force should buy anything in these towns until the matter of prices was adjusted, and this was speedily done.