The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-10-02
AN ESCAPE
AT SEA
A Yankee Prisoner Takes
to The Water
By WILLARD BLAKEMAN


man cruisers were destroying British
commerce on the high seas Jack Mars
ton, an American boy, was an or
binary seaman aboard the English ship
Sea Gull. That wasn't the real name
of the vessel, but there are reasons
why 1t should be fictitious. Jack had
been brought up on the Maine coast
and was as much at home in the water
rs on shore and nearly as much at
home in 1t as out Of it. AT any rate.
he preferred to be in it.
Just why he shipped aboard n Brit
ish vessel instead Of an American does
not appear, though American ships be
ing few and far between 1t is prob
able that he would have been obliged
to look for some time In order to get
a berth on one. He was in Portland
one day and, finding the Sea Gull there
and about to make a trip to Valparaiso
and return, concluded to sign for the
voyage.
One morning when the Sea Gull was
not hundred miles from the port Of
her destination her captain espied on
her port quarter war vessel too far
distant TO make out to what nation
she belonged. He was not long in
doubt, for the ship headed for the Sea
Gull. and when she came near enough
the German flag was seen flying from
her stern. She proved to be the EN-
den, one of the most remarkable Of
the commerce destroying cruisers Of
that period.
The Sea Gull being defenseless. her
captain and crew realized that her
sailing days were ended. They were
taken aboard the Emden. and their
ship was scuttled and sunk. That
Jack MarstOn was United States
citizen was no especial advantage to
him, for, being member Of the crew
of British ship, he was subject to the
same terms as the others. However,
there was nothing to be done with the
cnptives until the Emden's commander
could find some way Of getting rid of
them, and they were all kept aboard
the Emden. They were considered
prisoners Of war. but not placed in con-
fnement Indeed, there were crews
Of two other captured ships aboard,
besides number Of passengers.
Jack had not shipped to be kept
aboard German cruiser, darting hith-
er and thither hunting for the mer-
chant marine Of Germany's enemies,
and was much disgruntled. He told
the captain Of the Emden that he was
an American citizen and asked to be
furnished the means of,getting ashore
But he had no proofs Of his citizenship
and even II he had would probably not
have been entitled to different treat
ment from the other captives.
Jack having nothing to do, his mint
turned on the problem Of regaining his
liberty. He did great deal Of think
ing, with no practical result. There
may be regularly planned escapes. but
Jack, being out OH the ocean, usually
hundreds Of miles from shore, nigh
plan till the crack of doom withOu
hitting upon any way Of getting ashor,
even IL he could elude the officers ant
crew Of the Emden. If the cruiser hat
put into port the matter might hav,
been feasible. But this she dared no
do, for British warships were watch
ing the harbors. Indeed, the safes
place for the Emden was far out a
sea. where the area was so large tina
she was not likely to be found, and 4
sighted by an enemy too strong fOl
her she would have plenty of room TO
fight.
Such being the case, Jack soon mad,
up his mind that he must wait for al
opportunity, and an opportunity woul,
not likely arise unless the EmdeI
found 1t essential to approach tn
coast, either for supplies OF to get ri,
Of her prisoners, who were maxim,
great inroads Into her stock Of provi
sions.
Jack one morning on awakening wa
surprised to sec land not two mile
from the ship. The Emden was steam
ing northward, skirting the shore TIL
reason for this was soon apparent
Jack saw seward British man-of
war. cruising along In the same direC
ton as the Emden. 1t was eviden
that the latter was keeping within tn
limit of three miles from shore, whic
by international law is neutral water.
Jack looked at the shore longingly. Fl
would have undertaken to swim to Il
but in broad daylight 1t would be I'm
possible for him to leave the ship witt
out being seen. He resolved to wa
till night. But when night came tn
idea of committing himself to tn
black, inhospitahe waters to swim b,
tween two or three miles to shore b
could not see was too much for eve
his water pluck. and he dared not II
IT. He hoped for an opportunity jus
before dawn.
But during the midwatch a fog rol
ed In. and the captain of the Emdel
taking advantage of 1t, ran out to Sc
and when the next day the fog LITE
she was out of sight Of land. JAG
ground his teeth, for he feared that I
would not again get so near the shore
That day one Of the Sea CULTS ere
died. The sailmaker Of the Emden W,
engaged In making bag In which
give the corpse sea burial, and ,
Jack sat watching him at work an idt
entered his head. One might put hir
Violin Long Popular
Enr nnra than . n wears tho Ninli