The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1912-1921, 1918-07-11

very embarrassing, particularly as ]
could give them no. information re-
garding the cause of my condition, al.
though, of course, they all knew that
| was refugee from Belgium.
As the train pulled out of the sta.
ton, the crowd gave a loud cheer and
the tears almost came to my eyes as
l contrasted in my mind the conduct
of this crowd and the one that had
gathered at the station in Client when
l had departed a prisoner en- route
for the reprisal camp. | breathed a
sigh of relief as l thought of that re-
prisa1 camp and how fortunate | had
really been, despite all my sufferings.
to have escaped it. Now, at any rate,
was free man and l would soon be
sending home the joyful news that
had made good my escaped
At Einhoffen two Dutch officers got
into the compartment with me. They
looked at me with very much disfayor,
not knowing, of course, that / was a
British officer. My clothes were still
pretty much in the condition they
were when / crossed the border, al
though l had been able to scrape off
some of the mud had collected the
night before. / had not shaved nor
trimmed my beard for many days,
and / must have presented a sorry
appearance. could hardly blame
them for edglng away from me.
The trip from Einhoffen to Rotter-
dam passed without special incident.
At various stations passengers would
get in the compartment and, observ-
ing my unusual appearance, would
endeavor to start q conversation with
me. None Of them spoke English,
however, and they had to use their
own imagination as to my identity.
When l arrived at Rotterdam
asked policeman who stood in front
of the station where / could find the
British consul, but l could not make
him understand. ! next applied to a
taxicab driver.
English consul-British consul
American consul-French consul !"
said, hoping that if he didn't under
stand one he might recognize an
other.
He eyed me with suspicion and mo-
toned me to get in and drove off. /
had no idea where he was taking me,
but after a quarter of an hours ride he
brought up In front of the British
consul. Never before was ! so glad
to see the Union Jack
/ beckoned to the chauffeur to go
with me up to the office, as 1 had no
money with which to pay him, and
when he got to the consulate l
told them that if they would pay the
taxi fare / would tell them who l
was and how happened to be there.
They knew at once that l was an
escaped prisoner and they readily
paid the chauffeur and invited me to
give some account of myself.
They treated me most cordially and
were intensely interested in the brief
account l gave them of my adven-
lures. Word was sent to the consul
general and he Immediately sent for
me. When / went in he shook hands
with me, greeting me very heartily
and offering me a chair.
He then sat down, screwed a mon
ocle on his eye and viewed me from
top to toe. l could see that only good
breeding kept him from laughing at
the snectacle l presented. / could see
he wanted to laugh in the worst way.
"Go ahead and laugh !" said. you
can't offend me the way l feel this
blessed day" and he needed no second
invitation. Incidentally it gave me a
chance to laugh at him, for was
about as much amused as he was.
After he had laughed himself about
sick he got up and slapped me on the
back and invited me to tell him my
story.
Lieutenant" he said when I had
concluded, you can have anything
you want. l think your experience
entities you to it."
"Well, CONSUL" l replied, II would
like a bath, a shave, a haircut and
some civilized clothes about as badly
as a man ever needed them, l suppose,
but before that I would like to get
cable off to America to my mother
telling her that / am safe and on my
way to England"
The consul gave me the necessary
information and had the satisfaction
of knowing before | left the office that
the cable, with it's good tidings. was
on its way to America.
Then he sent for one of the naval
men who had been interned there
since the beginning of the war and
who was able to speak Dutch and
told him to take good care of me.
After had been bathed and shaved
and had haircut bought some new
clothes and had something to eat and
I felt like a new man.
AS / walked through the streets OF
Rotterdam breathing the air of free
dom again and realizing that there
was no longer any danger of being
captured and taken back to prison,
it was a wonderful sensation.
I don't believe there%will ever be a