The L'Anse sentinel., 1923-06-15
Joe Boyle, Last
of D'Artagnams

even more dangerous than the Ger
mans, they wanted to get that treas
ury back to Jassy.
Colonel Boyle undertook the task.
With his credentials he went to Mos
COW and secured train on which he
loaded the cases containing millions
of bank notes, securities and valuable
papers. Then, accompanied by two
young British officers, he left Mos
COW. Toward dusk on the second day
Of their journey, they reached small
station, where the train stopped for
an unduly long time. Joe descended
from the train and looked about him.
Behind, flames from burning houses
set on fire by the Bolsheviki, mounted
to the sky. The sounds of rifle fire
came nearer. The engine he found de-
serted and few men dead drunk In
the station. He returned to the two
other Britishers.
"The engine driver has disap-
peared," he commented. "We can't go
back. 1t doesn't seem very attractive
to stay here. Let's go on" he sug-
gested.
"Have you ever driven an engineer
they asked.
mo. But don't see why shouldn't
begin now," was his answer.
Runs the Locomotive.
They mounted the engine cab,
found the fire dying. and the boiler
empty. After filling 1t up, small
pailfu at time, from a tap in the
station house, they succeeded In get
ting the engine in motion. Without
signals, the amateur engine driver
proceeded slowly on his way. After
some hours they halted in quiet
spot. One of them cautiously recon-
noltered. Guided by light, he
knocked at the door Of small house,
and inquiry revealed the fact that they
were within easy walking distance Of
the Rumanian frontier. Led by the
friendly cottagers, the officers went to
the nearest Rumanian station and
brought back train crew.
When the queen Of Rumania heard
Of this exploit she hung around his
neck the star of the Rumanian
Order of the Crown, the highest order
in Rumania.
He turned the Russian Black Sea
fleet pro-ally at critical moment. He
arranged peace terms between Ru-
mania and the Bolsheviki. He saved
GO Rumanlan deputies from banlsh-
ment to Sebastopol and probable death
by putting on bold front and beard
ing the Russian commander. IL am a
Briton and therefore keep my word"
he said to the Austrian.
To Save Dowager czarlna.
Another OF the famous exploits was
his effort to get Marie, dowager car
ina of Russia, out of the land Of the
Bolshevlsts. The czarlna was known
to be In the Crimea, and King Ferdi-
nand of Rumania was anxious that
she should be brought to Jassy. Colo
mel Boyle volunteered for the task,
and with a )ship, 200 soldiers, a picked
crew, and plentiful supply Of food
and munitions, he reached Yalta, the
nearest port.
The whole antagonistic population
Of the town was at the dock, for this
was the first ship they had seen for
months. While one of the officers en-
tertained the Bolshevists at a lavish
supper, Colonel Boyle drove out into
the country where, after some search
ing, he found the house, modest
villa, where the czarina was staying.
The czarina was deeply touched,
but she refused to leave Russia.
II am an old woman now," she said.
my life Is nearly over. cannot
abandon my friends"
She intrusted Boyle with letters for
her sister, Queen Alexandra, and for
King Ferdinand.
Many Of Boyle's adventures at this
period were carried out by airplane.
AS result he suffered a partial
paralytic stroke. He was Immediately
taken to the royal palace and nursed
back to health by the queen and her
daughter In person.
Won Many Honors.
The honors won ty Boyle In two
years of war service included the fol-
lowing: Rank Of colonel and nas-
tinguished Service Order from the
British; the Order OF the Crown and
Star of Rumania with swords from
Rumspia; the Croix de- 0uerre from