Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1918-09-13

ton, he went back into his room and
/ watched where he put the map.
When, therefore, learned that was
on my way to Germany, realized that
It was more important than ever for
me to get that map, and with the help
Of my friend, we got the interpreter
out of his room on some pretext or
another, and while he was gone con-
fiscated the map from the book In
which he kept 1t and concealed 1t In
my sock underneath my Logging. AS
/ had anticipated, 1t later proved or
the utmost value to me.
/ got Ii none too soon, for half an
hour later we were on our way to
Client. Our party consisted Of i've
British officers and one French officer.
At Client. where we had to wait for
several hours for another train to take
us direct to the prison camp In Ger
many, two other prisoners were added
TO our party.
In the interval we were locked in q
room at q hotel, q guard sitting at the
door with q rifle on his knee. It would
have done my heart good for the rest
Of my life II could have gotten away
then and fooled that Hun-he was SO
cockSure.
Later we were marched to the train
that was to convey US to Germany. It
consisted Of some twelve coaches,
eleven of these containing troops going
home on leave, and the twelfth re-
served for us. We were placed In
fourth-class compartment with old,
hard, wooden seats, a filthy floor and
no lights save a candle placed there
by u guard. There were eight OF rs
prisoners and four guards.
AS we sat In the coach we were an
object of curiosity to the crowd who
gathered at the station.
slope you have nice tripl" one Of
them shouted sarcastlcally.
"Drop me a line when You get to
Berlin, will you?" shouted another In
broken English.
"when shall We see you againl"
asked third.
Remember me to your friends, will
you? You'll find plenty where you're
goingT shouted another.
The German officers made no efi0rt
to repress the crowd, in fact they
Joined in the general laughter which
followed every sally.
Icalled to a German officer who was
passing our windew.
you're an officer, aren't your I
asked, respectfully enough.
YES, what Of it," he rejoined.
swell, in England" ! said, I'VE let
your officers who are prisoners ride
first class. Can't you az 1t 90 that we
can be similarly treated, or least be
transferred to second-class compart-
ment"
'f had my way" he replied, you'd
ride with the hogs"
Then he turned to the crowd and
told them Of my request and how he
had answered me. and they all laughed
hilariously.
This got me pretty hot
'1That would be q D. sight
better than riding with the Germans I"
/ yelled after him, but II he conSld-
cred that a good joke, he didn't pass
II on to the crowd.
Some months later when had the
honor Of telling my story to King
George, he thought this incident was
one Of the best Jokes he had ever
heard. don't believe he ever laughed
harder In his life.
Before our train pulled out. our
guards had to present their arms for
inspection and their rides were loaded
In our presence to let rs know that
they meant business.
From the moment the train started
on Its way to Germany, the thought
kept coming to my head that unless !
could make my escape before We
reached that reprisal camp ! might -
well make up ny mind - far - ]
was concerned. the var vas Over.
II occurred 20 M that n The oight