Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1918-09-06
CHAPTER VII.
Crawling Through Germany.

Crawling Through Germany.
The exact spot Mt which made my
desperate leap don't know. Perhaps,
after the war Is over, someone on that
train will be good enough to tell me
and then l may go back and look for
the dent must have made in the rock
ballast.
/ have said, didn't stop very long
that morning after 1 once regnined my
senses.
] was bleeding profusely from the
wounds caused by the fall. but l
checked It somewhat with handker-
chiefs / held to my face, and l also
held the tail Of my coat so as to catch
the blood as It fell and not to leave
tell-tale traces on the ground.
Before stopped had gone about a
mile. Then took my course from the
stars and found that had been going
just opposite to the direction | should
be making, but could not go back
across the track there.
Heading west. therefore, kept this
course for about two and q half hours,
but as was very weak from loss of
blood didn't cover very much ground
, in that time Just before daylight,
came to a canal which knew had to
cross. and swan it with everything
had ON.
This swim, which proved to be the
first OF a series that was destined tc
make. taught me several things.
In the first place, I'had forgotten to
remove my wrist-watch. This watch
had been broken in my fall from the
cir, but I had 1t repaired at Courtrai.
In the leap from the train. the crystal
Ind been broken again, but it was
gtlll going and would probably have
been Of great service TO me In my
subsequent adventures, but the swim
across the, canal ruined 1t.
Then, too, l had not thought to take
my map out Of my sock and the water
damaged that. too.
Thereafter. whenever had any
swimming to do. was careful to take
such matters into consideration, and
my usual practice was to make q
bundle of all the things that would be
damaged by water and tie it to my
head. In this way ! was able to keep
them dry.
II was now daylight and knew that
II would be suicidal for me to attempt
to travel In the daytime. My British
uniform would have been fatal to me
decided to hide in the daytime an6
travel only at night.
Not far from the canal Lcould see Q
Aenvily-wooded piece of ground, and
made my way there, BY this time
had discovered that my left ankle hat
been strained in my leap from the
train, and when got to the woods
was glad to lie down and rest. The
wound In my mouth had been opened
too, when jumped, and it would have
been difficult for me to have swallowed
had not the piece Of bread, which wa!
to serve for my breakfast, got we
when swan the canal. found a saf,
hiding place in which to spend tn,
day and l tried to dry some of m.
clothes. but a slight drizzling rainfall
made that out of the question. i knew
TINT l ought to sleep, as planned t,
travel at night, but sore as l was
caked with mud and blood, my cloth
ing soaked through and my hunger no
nearly appeased, sleep was out of tn
question. This seemed to me abou
the longest day had ever spent, bu
was still to learn how long a day ca
really be and how much longer night
When night came dragged mysel
together and headed northeast.
My clothing consisted of my Flyin
Corps uniform. two shirts, no under
wear. leather leggings, heavy shoes,
good pair OF wool socks and a Germa
cap. had wallet containing Sc,
ernl hundred francs in paper none
and various other papers l also ha
a jackknife which I had stolen on
day before from the property room q
Courtrai, where all the personal e
fects taken from prisoners were KEEP
For day or two had carried knaI
sack. but MS / had nothing to carry
II I discarded It.
travelled rapidly. considering m
difficulties, and swan a couple /,
canals that night. covering in all pc
hhps ten miles before daylight. The
located Ia some low bushes. lyir
there all day In my wet clothes an
finishing my sausage for food. Thi
was the last of my rations.
That night made perhaps the san
distance, but became very hungry on
thirsty before the night was over.
For the next six days / still figure
that ! was In Germany, aad was Ii
Ing on nothing but cabbage, sugi
beets and an occasional carrot, alwa,
IN the raw state just as 1 got the
out OF the fields. The water drar
was often very rank. One night 1 |,
IN a cabbage patch for an hour lappir
the dew from the leaves with n
touguci
During this period I realized that
must avoid meeting anyone at all ha
nrds. was In the enemy's country al
my Uniform would have been a de,
give-away. Anyone VINO captured I
or who gave information from whi
my capture resulted might have be
sure of a handsome reward. kn'
that II was necessary for me to ma
progress as fast MS possible, but {
main consideration wns to keep out
sight. even II II took me a year to {
to Holland. which was my objecti'
From my mapI estimated that "
nhcut thlrty-fiye miles from Strassbu
when I made my hemp from the ira
and lf could travel in straight Ii
! had perhaps one hundred and fi
miles to travel. As 1t was. howev
erE compsiied to make many detou