Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-08-20
Continued from Last IssueG

TIME King declared that he believed
my escape was due to my pluck
- and will power and that 1t was
one of the most remarkable escapes he
had ever heard of, which l thought was
quite a compliment, coming as 1t did
from the King of England.
II hope that all the Americans VII!
give as good an account of themselves
as YOU have, Leftenant,' he said, and
l feel quite sure they will. l fully ap-
preciate all the service rendered US by
Americans before the States entered the
war"
At this point l asked him If was
taking too much time.
Not at all, Leftenant, not at all!'
he replied, most cordially. Il was eX-
tremely interested in the brief report
that came to me of your wonderful es-
cape and snt for you because l
wanted to hear the whole story first
hand, and 1 am very glad you were able
to come"
1 had not expected to remain more
than a few minutes. as l understood
that tour minutes is considered long
audience with the King. Fifty-two min
utes elapsed before l finally left there!
During all this time 1 must have done
most of the talking, in response to the
sionalIy he interrupted to ask a ques-
ton about a point he wanted me to
make clear but for the most part he
was content to play the part of listen
er.
Genial and Gracious Sovereign
He seemed to be very keen on every
thing and when 1 described some of the
tight holes 1 got into during my es-
cape he evinced mis- sympathy. Occa-
sionally I introduced some of the Jew
humorous incidents of my adventure and
in every instance he laughed heartily.
Altogether the Impression l got Of
him was that he is very genial, gra-
cious and alert sovereign. 1 know
have felt more i'll at ease when talking
to major than when speaking to the
king-but perhaps l had more cause
to. -
During the whole interview we were
left entirely alone, which impressed me
as significant of the democratic man
ner of the present King of England, and
I certainly came away with the utmost
respect for him.
In all of my conversation, 1 recalled
afterward 1 never addressed the King
as Your Majesty" but used the mill
tary "sir." AS l was a British officer
and he was the head of the army, he
probably appreciated this manner of
address more than if 1 had used the
usual Your Majesty" Perhaps he at
tributed it to the fact that L was an
American. At any rate, he didn't evince
any displeasure at my departure from
what 1 understand is the usual form
of address.
Before 1 lief he asked me what my
plans for the future were.
why, sir, l hope to reJoin my squad
ron at the earliest possible moment.
1 replied.
NO, Leftenant," he rejoined, that is
out of the question. We can't risk los
ing you for good by sending you back to
a part of the front opposed by Ger
many, because if you were unfortunate
enough to be captured again they would
undoubtedly shoot you
well, if I can serve in France. sill"
1 suggested wouldn't it be feasible
for me to fly in Italy or Salonica?"
Done Enough
NO" he replied, that would be al
most as bad. The only thing that L
can suggest for. you to do is either to
take up Instruction. very valuable
form of service-or perhaps it might be
safe enough for you to serve in Egypt,
but just at present, Leftenant, 1 think
you have done enough anyway"
Then he rose and shook hands with
me and wished me the pest or luck, ana
we both said "Good-by."
In the adjoining room l met Earl
Cromer again, and as he accompanied
me to the door he seemed to be surpris-
ed at the length of my visit.
His Majesty must have been very
much interested in your story" he said.
AS l left the Palace Il policeman and
a sentry outside came smartly to at
tention. Perhaps they figured l had
been made a General.
AS 1 was riding back to the hotel in
a taxi I reflected on the remarkable
court of events which in the short space
of nine months had taken me through
so much and ended up, like the finish
of a book, with my being received by
His Majesty, the King! When 1 first