Notwithstanding the armistice and the conditions that
neither army should move, the "Mitrailleuses" were advanced to a
favorable point nearer the enemy and the heavy and constant drill
resumed.
All expected that hostilities would continue at the close of the
armistice. The two armies lay within plain sight of each other.
Discipline was strictly enforced; several French soldiers were executed
for neglect and disobedience of orders. One cold night Paul stood two
hours guard over a Gatling gun that was placed in a shed with no sides
and the fierce, cold wind whistled and penetrated his very bones. He was
worn out with a heavy day's drill and concluded that he could watch the
gun as well above in the shelter as by standing alongside. He mounted
the beam and stretched himself out on a board. He knew, that it was
instant death to be caught sleeping on guard, but he could not refrain
from closing his eyes and was soon in a fretful slumber from which he
was awakened by the crunching of the frozen snow under the feet of the
advancing relief. Quick as lightning he dropped to his post and sang
out the hail: "Halt, who comes?" the answer sounded, "France." On being
questioned by the officer why he did not hail them sooner, according
to orders, he assured him that, "the words had been frozen down his
throat and he could not get them out sooner.
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