The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1914-10-14

saw " IloAt trere.
AZ soon a. II became wet
through and the air made the
reaction OF the chemicals. II
would flare UP Q red signal.
arumblingiy placed the to-
bsooo In my pocket and had sl.
moss reached the road when the
sudden red haze In the air told
me the worst had happened.
was unable 10 run.
The troopers had lesped TO
their feet. SUDDENLY one cried
out to sslxe me.
was seized Violently and
dragged back into the yard.
The soldier told Of finding the
alp In my tobacco.
was searched roughly.
The tobacco box was torn
spsrt--sod other sIlps found.
Shoot tho spy" 'Hc IL a spy.
I heard.
cried that I was an honest man !:
that I had found the tobacco by n
dead German soldier by the road.
side.
was bound: my arms tied be-
hind me. and sentenced TO die a,
once
II Was n beautiful day. August 81.
clear. with n light breeze blowing
and the sun shining.
The world looked very fair and
good.
In spite Of my protestA.ions I vas
told had 10 minutes 10 prepare for
the end. and advised 60 tell II other
spies were in the district
was thinking hard.
To protest was useless.
The French had been warned OF
the glowing signals. and already
had caught one OF our service with
them.
II was near Mons. they said. and
they had shot him.
argued we'll.
think I had half convinced them
when n peasant was brought In.
He lived not far away. and he ex.
posed me an an impostor. denying
that ever had lived In the district.
Ny 10 minutes had been dragged
out 10 ib when they led me to the
wall OF the little cottage.
They asked me II I would be blind.
folded. and told me shooting was
too good. that they should hang me
if there was rope near by.
For that ! was grateful.
But for a slight doubt think
fhnH urntff1 huHn haa..4
was marched TO the wall.
Three men were detailed TO
shoot me, when suddenly there
was an uproar, shouting and
shots from the roadway.
Troopers sprang for their
horses, others ran from the
roadway.
A group Of hard-pressed ones
came aalloplne down the road,
holly pursued by German
squadron.
In the excitement I leaped
into the open cabbage cellar,
arms stlll bound behind me.
One shot was fired at me.
Five minutes later the French
Ntif kpHt.
Tho Germans were breathing
their horses at the crossroads, shells
were screaming overhead.
crept out OF the celler and shout.
cd in German 10 be released.
My arms were united. explained
the situation.
] ran for shelter At cottage part.
ly destroyed, and climbed down the
well.
At dusk that evening a party OF
French. reconnoitering, stopped to
drink at the we'll and drew me up.
almost dead from cramps from
standing waist deep In cold water.
They laughed at me and ordered
me TO the rear.
There was desultory fighting on
the following day and fortunately
tas II proved) | received a severe
flesh wound In the shoulder from a
piece OF she'll. Il was fortunate.
else ! never would have been per.
mitted to reach Paris.
In my guise OF wounded peas
ant, received treatment near
Semlis.
The French and British, the lat
ter reinforced by great numbers.
were moving forward. II was said
the Germans had retired after four
days OF desperate fighting.
found the country Uttered with
evidences OF a terrific combat
My pose as a wounded peasant
enabled mo to move freely, now
that the troops were going forward
again.
Instead OF retiring TO Paris. or TO
the rear, as ordered. | moved east.
ward, intent upon observing the
movements and numbers of the
French and allied troops.
crossed the Disc. following
detachment OF British troops.