The state herald., 1918-08-09
CHAPTER VII.
Crawling Through Germany.

Crawling Through Germany.
The exact spot at which made my
desperate leap don't know. Perhaps,
after the war is over someone on that
train will be good enough to tell me
and then I may go back and look for
the dent I must have made in the rock
ballast.
have said, didn't stop very long
that morning after once regained my
senses.
was bleeding profusely from the
wounds caused by the fall. but
checked II somewhat with handker-
chiefs I held to my face. and / also
held the tall Of my coat SO as to catch
the blood as 1t fell and not to leave
tell.tale traces on the ground.
Before stopped had gone about a
mile. Then took my course from the
stars and found that had been going
Just opposite TO the direction l should
be making, but / could not 60 back
across the track there.
Heading west, therefore. kept this
course for about two and half hours,
but as / was Tery weak from loss Of
blood didn't cover very much ground
In that time. Just before daylight, !
came to canal which knew / had to
cross, and ! swan II with everything
had on.
This swim, which proved to be the
first Of series that was destined to
make, taught me several things.
In the first place. I had forgotten to
remove my wrist-watch. This watch
had been broken In ny fall from the
air. but had II repaired at Courtrai.
In the leap from the train. the crystal
hsd been broken again, but 1t was
still going and would probably have
been Of great service TO me In my
subsequent adventures, but the swim
across the canal ruined II.
Then, too. had not thought to take
my map out Of my sock and the water
damaged that. too.
Thereafter. whenever I had any
swimming to do. was careful to take
such matters into consideration, and
my usual practice was to make a
bundle Of all the things that would be
damaged by water and tie II TO my
head. In this way was able to keep
them dry.
II was now daylight, and knew that
u would be suicidal for me to attempt
to travel In the daytime. My British
uniform would have been fatal to me.
decided to hide In the daytime and
travel only ut night.
Not far from the canal I could see
heavily-wooded piece Of ground. and
made my way there. BY this time l
had discovered that my left ankle had
bean strained In my leap from the
train. and when got TO the woods I
was glad to lie down and rest. The
wound In my mouth had been opened.
too. when ! jumped. and II would have
been difficult for me to have swallowed
had not the piece Of bread. which was
o serve for my breakfast. got wet
when swan the canal. ! found safe
hiding place In which to spend the
day and ! tried TO dry some Of my
rlothes. but slight drizziing rainfall
made thnt out Of the question. I knew
that ought to sleep. rs l planned &c
travel at night. but sore rs was
.aked with mud and blood. my cloth
Ing soaked through and my hunger no,
nearly appeased. sleep was out Of III,
question. This seemed TO me abou
the longest day I had ever spent, bu,
was sti. to learn how long day cur
-eally be and how much longer night
When night came ! dragged myself
together and headed northeast.
Ny clothing consisted Of my Flynn
Corps uniform. two shirts. no under
wear. leather ieggings, heavy shoes. .
good pair Of wool socks and German
cap. hnd . wallet containing sew
sral hundred francs In paper none!
nd various other papers. also In,
a 5ackknife which ! had stolen on,
day before from tho property room a
Courtrni. where all the personal If
fects tnken from prisoners were kept
For dny or two had cnrricd knap
sack. but ~ ! had nothing to carry Il
Il discarded Il.
l travelled rapidly. considering IN,
diflcuities. and swan couple q
canals that night. covering In all per
haps ten miles before daylight. Thei
located In some low bushes, lynn
there all day In my wet clothes ant
finishing my sausass for food. Ths