Hopkinsville Kentuckian., 1918-02-14
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sv ALAN HINsoALE.

first expeditiOnary fOTce that went to
France 20 fight the central powers to
be captured. II wns n night reconnoi-
tering force Of Germans who killed
several young fellows and took few
as prisoners. We were marched away
to the rear and put upier temporary
guard.
Being Americans. the officer In com
mand did not know what ~ do with
us. Whether we would be treated more
vigorously thnn troops OF other nation
allties didn't Know. but I believed
we would. SO I made up my mind to
escape before we were taken to Ger
many. or 10 get shot trying TO do so.
Having been recently captured. we
were not as strictls watched as doubt
less would be later on. But what
helped me was the bursting OF a shell
from the American lines very near
us and our guards. Several ~ the
guards were killed and two OF our
fellows were wounded. took advan-
tage Of the confusion to walk away to
the rear.
had not gone 30 ya,ds before I
cnme TO the dend body OF n German. I
dropped beside him. and under cover
OF the darkness--there were only such
lights as appear at night In war-I
appropriated his helmet and by dint
~ hard labor managed to get of hts
coat. As soon as I had put on both.
got mp and walked slowly rearward.
Hundreds Of shells were failing all
about me. and for other reasons per-
hnps l was not noticed. My trousers
were very dirty and might have be-
lOnged 10 a soldier OF any nationality.
The German coat and helmet wore
were all the disguise I needed. I pick
cd up rife lying on the ground and
now and again turned and fired n
shot In the direction Of the American
lines. was once stopped by an Off
Ger, hut before he could question me.
he saw something or someone else that
drew his attention from me. and I
gave him the slip.
made my way rearwards where
the troops were not so thick as at the
front. and though worked my way
without knowing where the reserve
lay. 7 had the good luck to get Into n
region where there were no troops. I
came presently to a little stream on
which was a min. heard the tramp
OF men coming. would have gone
Into the mill TO hide. but II was lock-
.I c. luaNAaA II AnNA mil
wheel and my weight let me down to
the bottom OF walled space wherein
the wheel revolved.
In n few minutes I heard a column
OF men marching by and the word of
command by the officers. l was where
they would not see ne; nevertheless
hid under the wheel. After they had
passed and the thud OF their shoes
was dying awny In the distance I con-
cluded TO move on. seeking for some
French family which had not been
turned out OF house and home. who
would hide me until I could get bnck
to my command. Naturally I took hold
OF the wheel and was about to step on
one OF the buckets. when II occurred
u me that it would turn and let me
down as far as asccnded. A glance
about showed me that | was impris-
oncd. j could not escape by the wheel,
and could not climb perpendlcular
wall.
What there was 10 grind | knew not
perhaps the miller WIS Obliged tn work
F.. FI.. ~ F4t ~.
fore day came | heard sounds above
something shifted, and down camc the
water. II had been turned into the
ilume. and pouring on the wheel, began
to rotate IL. When the water rose to
my waist | began to do n tread-mill act
on the wheel. climbed as the wheel
turned TO avoid being drowned
said to myself that between drown
ing and going to concentration camp
I'd rather drown. kept on with my
endless climb, feeling pretty we'll dis
couragcd ut the poor prospcc' ahrsd
of me. ] believed mat the u..l was
used by the Germans, and n this we're
so, | might better cease to tread and
fall back into a watery grave. when
death is far away We don't dread IL;
when II Is right before us, or behind.
as 1t was with me, we shrink from II.
was about 10 take my chances by
calling 10 the miller, when looking up
saw the sweet face OF little girl
looking down upon me.
Mon Dleuf" l heard her exclalm,
and she disappeared. In n few min
utes heard n shifting above, and the
water eeaslng 20 flow, the wheel stop
ped turning. Then came wom-
an and the girl had seen; | climb
ed out; when / said "Americuine"
they hurried me into the house near
the mill where they hid me.
They had secured little grain and
wee grinding Il for their own use be-
frsp dav lonlnu IN avadp fha Esrmung