The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1918-10-24
CURIOUS SENTRY
CRABS " HUNS
They Had Escaped From Prison
and Were Boldly Travelling
Toward Front.
BY FRED s. FERGUSON.
Press Staff CORRESPONDENT.

With the Americans on the Vesle
(by maiD-Peter Begenski. American,
Of Mt Carmel, Pa, always was a
curious sort of person. AS a sentry on
duty just outside headquarters Of his
outfit in the var zone, he was always
wanting to know just what business
other people had around there, IL he
didn't know them, or If they didn't APP
pear to be at home. Peter would stop
a member of his own outfit If the lat
ter's actions didn't look good to him.
While Peter~ was thus looking after
his job IS sentry, always curious and
always stopping people he wasn't sure
of, two Germans escaped from a prison
camp. This camp was some 100 miles
or so from Peter and his sentry posts,
on the Marine. The two Heinies in some
way had obtained old French uniforms.
They n gotten a little food together,
and sneaking by the guards one night,
headed for the German lines. They
travelled several nights. Their food ran
out, and they lived on wheat and veg
etables from the fields. They kept to
the woods most of the time, but Oc-
c~asionally allied soldiers saw them. On
account of their French uniforms M
one paid n particular attention to
the fugitives.
After four days the Heinies reached
the Marine region. Things were lively
there then. Troops were on he move.
eryon was busy and no one paid
any attention to a pair of unattached
French soldiers. So the Germans be-
came bold. They passed through a viii
lage in broad daylight.
Peter had just taken up his early
afternoon trick at his post right at the
gate OF headquarters. His rifle was
shining, his shoes clean and his tunic
buttoned up as smartly as for parade.
Peter looked things over. There was
considerable movement along the
road. Wagons, men and horses were
hurrying past. Most OF the men were
Americans, but Peter noticed some
French here and there.
Then he saw two Frenchmen in par
ticular. They were walking slowly. The
first thing Peter noticed was that they
needed a shave. Also their uniforms
were sol ed. Peters curiosity began to
work. He watched the pair closely, n
became more curious. Just why should
two F~renchmen be as far back of the
lines as headquart ,rs. and look as
though they had lust stepped out of
the line? Peter asked himself, and
couldn't think of an answer.
The objects of Peters curiosity by
tins time were right in front Of the
gate leading to headquarters.
Peter stepped out into the road.
"HoN are you?" Peter ventured In
his very best French.
Very good; and you?" came the re-
spouse.
Then Peter wanted to know where
the two were going. and where they
came from. He got an answer, but his
retort was:
"Oh. l guess, not
simultaneously his rifle clicked and
he covered the strangers.
Peter marched them away. A brisk
line OF questioning IN the story OF
the two Germans came out.
Peter returned to his, post. And then,
with the Americans pride in his new
ly mastered" language, Peter told his
pals the real secret OF his capture.
1T was all up with 'em. as soon as
they began 10 talk TO me-" said Peter.
They spoke rotten French"