New-York tribune., 1916-07-20

was to get behind and strangle him
while the rest kept his attention.
Accordingly, the following day, No
yembsr II, when our soup arrived, our
guard seemed happier than ever over
a recent German victory, and did not
notice our man with a strip Of cloth
from his blouse, approach behind him.
In the midst of a hearty laugh, II was
an easy matter TO slip the gag In this
mouth, while two others overpowered
him. A fourth, with a knee on his
chest, and two thumbs on his windpipe,
soon finished him. while another lmi-
tated the Germans laugh, so that the
guards outside would suspect nothing.
"We then formed two lines on either
side of the narrow door. The man who
strangled the guard took his revolver
and waited Soon we heard tramplng
outside and saw four guards coming
10 find out why the fifth had not re-
turned. Some one opened the door. and
the moment the guards stepped in,
they were shot dead"
Liaudat continues his narrative by
recounting how all the prisoners rushed
out, first having taken the precautlon
TO turn their black blouses inside out
so that the reward notice would not
show. The fugitives separated, but
their black blouses against the white
snow offered excellent targets for the
pursuing horsemen. Liaudat outdis-
tanced his companions and headed for
a small FIR copse, but hearing shots be-
hind him threw up his arms, falling
backward, pretending he was dead. In
stead of making sure his pursuers
turned their attention TO his com
panions. every one Of whom Liaudat
believes succumbed.
Crawling on his stomach he succeed
ed in reaching the trees, and when
once beneath their shelter he set about
destroying his tracks. He walked about
in circles, but each time instead OF
making new footprints was careful 10
keen in the old ones, so that the trail
seemed TO be endless. Then climbing
one of the young saplings he was able
10 pass from branch TO branch above
ground and when he reached the end
of the woods, he walked backward TO
the nearest little village.
An old woman, who had lost two
sons in the war. was at first inclined
10 refuse him admittance, as he spoke
Ce man 10 her, fearing to speak his
native tongue, but throwing himself
on her mercy he asked for protection
in French. Then she. led him TO the
celler to hear his story, fearing that
thew might be overheard speaking
French, wieh is a criminal offence.
He waited until dark, before setting
forth. first changing his clothes, and
burning his former prison garb. lie
was advised 10 make straight for
Switzerland, as Holland was consider
ed too dangerous, not only being over
run with spies, but having the from
tier strictly guarded. Accordingly at
nightfsn, he started forth, armed with
two losves Of bread and bottle OF
water
II would take too long to follow his
different steps on his way 70 srass,,
burg, of how he slept in barns and
under haystacks, snstching food wher-
ever il might be found, and travelling
at night, carefully. avoiding all towns
and villages. One incident, however,
Of his encounter with German patroi
must be quoted.
Il was walking along the never-end.
ing road. when ! heard the sound OF
horses behind me. Immediately /
thought OF the prison guards. They
ordered me TO halt. Halt! Wer ds!
and asked me who ! was and where !
was going. knew that IL spoke !
would betray myself. My only sal Iva.
tion was TO pretend that | was dear
and dumb-snd stupid.
After half an hours questioning
they decided to take me to the gsrri-