Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-05-28

N/HEN daylight came the , eonse,
and 1 had to find a hiding place
for the day. l thought 1 would approach
the first peasant L came to and ask for
food, but that day L had misgivings-a
bunch that L would get into trouble
If l did, and / decided to go without
fod altogether for that day.
II was foolish thing to do 7 found,
because 1 not only suffered greatly from
hunger all that day, but it interfered
with my sleep. I would drop off to
sleep for half an hour, perhaps and dur
ing that time / would dream that / was
free, back home, living a life of compar-
ative case, and then l would wake up
with start and catch a glimpse of the
bushes surrounding me, feel the hard
ground beneath me and the hunger
pangs gnawing at my insides, and then
/ would realize how far from home
really was, and l would lie there and
wonder whether l would ever really see
my home again.
Then l would fall asleep again and
dream this time, perhaps of the days
spent in Courtrai. or my leap from the
train Window, OF the Bavarian pilot
whom I sent to eternity in my last air
fight. of the tracer bullets getting closer
and closer to his head, and then / would
wake up again with start and thank
the Lord that L was only dreaming it all
gain instead of living through it!
Finds First Zeal Friend
That night I got an early start be
cause I knew 7 had to have fod and /
decided that rather than look for Vege-
tables / would take a chance and apply
to the first Belgian peasant whom [
came to
1t was about 8 o'clock when I came
to a small house. I had picked up a
handkerchief and I was resolved to use
it as a weapon if it became necessary.
After all 1 had gone through, ] was re-
solved to win my liberty eventually It
whatever cost.
AS it happened. I found that night
my first real friend 1 had encountered
in all my travelling. When l knocked
timidly at the door it was opened by a
Flemish peasant, about fifty years of
age He asked me in Flemish what I
wanted, but 1 shook my head and point
ed to my ears and mouth, intimated
that I was deaf and dumb, and then
opened and closed my teeth several
times to show that 1 wanted food.
He showed me inside and sat me at
the table. He apparently lived alone
for his ill-furnished room had but one
chair, and the plate and knife and fork
he put before me seemed to be all he
had. He brought me some cold pota-
toes and several slices of stale bread,
and he warmed me some milk on a
small oil stove.
I ate ravenously and all the time
was engaged 1 knew that he was eye
ing me closely
Before ] was half through, he came
owe rto me. touched me on the Shout
der, and STOPPING over so that his lips
almost touched my ear, he said. in
broken English, You are an English
mani know it--and you can hear and
talk if you wish-am ! not right"
There was a smile on his face and a
friendly attitude about him that told
me instinctiveiy that he could be trust :
ed, and ] replied: You have guessed
right-only I am an American, not an
Englishman."
He looked at me pityingly and filed
my cup again with warm milk.
Wanted to Warn Him
His kindness and apparent willing
ness to help me almost overcame me- !
and 1 felt like warning him of the con-
sequences he would suffer if the Huns
discovered he had befriended me.
had heard that twenty Belgians had
been shot for helping Belgians to es-
cape into Holland, and l hated to think
what might happen to this good Sa-
marian if the Huns ever knew that he
had helped an escaped American pris-
oner.
After my meal was finished / told
him in as simple language as l could |
command of some of the experiences !
had gone through and l outlined NV
future plans.
You will never be able to get to Hol- :
land" he declared, without a passport. /.
The nearer you get TO the frontier the I
more German soldiers you will encoun-
ter. and without a passport you will be !
q marked man."