Flowers of the Forest

As “C” Squadron passed Brigade Headquarters the following morning, General Seely rode out and accompanied Flowerdew, advising him of the task assigned to the squadron. The enemy was being pushed to the east, out of Moreuil Wood, by Canadian Cavalry units and “C” Squadron’s task was to engage the Germans as they exited the woods. They were to hold them until Lieutenant Harvey, who had dismounted his squadron and entered the wood, came up to reinforce them. A total of six Canadian cavalry squadrons were to be engaged. Mingo found himself riding knee-to-knee with Willie Shingoose, who grinned with excitement at the prospect of the impending action. Willie opened several buttons on his tunic and pulled out a long war club. The weapon was made of a crotched tree branch holding a large egg-shaped stone fixed by rawhide thongs. Willie hung a loop - affixed to the handle of the primitive hammer - around his left wrist and shook the club menacingly. “What the hell is that?” Mingo said. “Old family heirloom.” Willie grinned. “Christ, how much does that thing weigh?” Mingo said. “Nine pounds,” the young Peigan grinned. I’m gonna drum out a tune on some Fritzie noggins today.” As the horsemen turned a corner and emerged from the forest, they became aware of two lines of German infantry emerging from the woods and advancing in the direction of Amiens. When the Germans became aware of the Canadian horsemen, there was a moment of hesitation…then, they mobilized and began to deploy their weapons. Flowerdew lifted his sabre, turned in his saddle and shouted: “It’s a charge boys. It’s a charge!” With a roar “C” Squadron spread into attack formation and made for the enemy. Reg Longley was fatally wounded as he was about to to raise his bugle. But, by then, the charge was well under way with horsemen leaping over the fallen bugler and making for the German lines. Mingo tucked his head behind Spud’s neck and pointed his sabre in the direction of the enemy. He made a silent prayer that he would not leave his weapon stuck in a German as he had with so many straw dummies on the practice field. Willie rode beside him whooping, waving his war club in one hand, his sabre in the other. The thundering sound of hoof beats shook the ground as the horsemen galloped over the undulating hills that led up to their objective. Shellfire flew over their heads when they were in the depressions and blew some of them out of their saddles as they emerged onto high ground. Behind the charging cavalry the ground was strewn with dead and dying men and horses. Mingo and Spud reached the German advance lines - the charge had taken just over a minute - and Mingo found himself in a sea of bucket-shaped helmets. He leaned from his saddle and began slashing and thrusting at the men on the ground. He wasn’t certain if he was doing any damage until he noticed that his blade was running with blood. Spud surged through the German infantrymen like a bowling ball and Mingo suddenly realized that the big stud had carried him through both German lines.