New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-23
Lands Man and
Scurries for Home

Finally, however, he told me the
facts. Thev had taken the supposed
peasant over the lines. The Boche
spotted them as soon as they crossed
and opened an exceedingly brisk shrsp-
mel FIRE They ran on till they were
some twenty kilometres back of the
German front and over a field adjoin-
ing the forest of H. With the
shrapnel still bursting, Bstcheler made
his machine act as if it had been hit
and went into a vrille until he was
only q little way above the ground
He Strengthened out and made land
ing, but as the ground was rough and
unfamiliar ne ripped off his beque-
the protruding stick at the end OF the
fuselage, which, in conjunction with
the wheels, helps stop an avion after
il hits the ground. Even before the
machine stopped moving the peasant
had rolled out and bolted into the
brush. >,
Bateheler was up instantly, at full
speed. The others were waiting Tor
him, guarding against any Boehe
planes that might have got aloft. Then
the three dashed for home through an
exceedingly heavy shrapnel fire. All
got through without injury, but when
Batcheler tried to land without his
beoue on our field his machine capoted
turned turtle), and was wrecked
Batcheler was, as usual in such cases,
unhurt.
Later I learned that the apparent
peasant was man on whom Germany
would willingly have laid her hands
His costume, his dialect, all we're as
sumed-including his hump. There
was a very real reason for this de-
formity. The hump was wicker
basket, made TO conform to his
body and give the outline OF q
real hump, but divided into four COM
partments, in each Of which was car
rier pigeon. These were to carry back
such information as he was able 70
obtain, but be sure he used them only
when his information was OF great
value, since when they were gone ms
mission was ended. Then he would
have TO make his way back into the
French lines as best he could.
How many succeed in doing this,
how many fail, only the chiefs know.
I never saw nor heard Of this man
again, though | came to know much
about the system. He is only one OF
thousands who deliberately risk their
lives. knowing that detection and capt
ure mean certain death-at best-and
who return into the German lines again
and again.
or course, there Is a reverse end 70
the traffic. Aeroplanes go out in the
night with only a pilot and return
with a passenger. Others, lowering Tar
bsck Of the enemy lines, perhaps IN
villages where there Is hardly a ssigr
Of war. will drop swiftly, snatch
nacket or a verbal message and wins
hack across the front How many such
trims are made | should not care u
guess-information is very valuable
The identity, plans and movements o,
snies are concealed with the utmost
care. even from those on whose SIDE
81 course, the Allies have no mo-
nonolv on this line Of work. The Ger
man spy system ovcrlooks no chances
Whether the spy is hero or villain
denends on which side he Is on. But Of
one thing we may be sure-not one OF
the Allied spies has resorted TO tht
use Of disease germs, the setting mr.,
20 factories containing hard work'nf
women. poisoned candy for children
or other dastardly methods common II
the German system.