The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-01

have tC walt until there were al least three in the party before they could go forward. To satisfy him they gave him full details of the sys- tenn and instructions as to what he should say and do on the trip. Then one night he was overjoyed when three more soldiers were brought in --especialy as among them was Rich.
 The next night the four left the house, crossed the railroad yard and climbed into tho baggage car of the Paris Bordeaux express. The bag gage man hid them behind a pile of boxes.
 Calling them from their hiding place after the train had been un- der way for a few minutes. he in formed Hines that the first stage of the journey would be finished at St. Pierre des Corps, about two miles outside of Tours. Here, he said, they would be met by another member of the organization, who would take care of them until he could put them on a train for Bor- deauX.
 When Graham from his window saw the party leave the house, he notified Hodson; so when the train arrived at St. Pierre des Corps. be- sides the apparent deserters It car ried Hodson and Graham, who left the train on opposite sides eacii ready to take up the trail.
 Graham saw the deserters swing off the car and. in charge of peas ant, start across country. He called tC Hodson, and they both trailed along as closely as they dared. Luck fly for them, the peasant had brought his lantern with him. Stumbling and floundering around in the dark ness, chasing that ~ill-o'-t wlsp of a lantern,-through bushes, fali- Ing into ditches and mire, wet to the skin and chilled by the night air. they finally ran their quarry to earth in an ill-smelling French peasants cottage. While Graham kent watch on the house, Hodson started off in the darkness across country in search of telephone. to warn us that the chase was on.
 It was well after daylight when Hodson. dirty. foot-sore, weary ana wet from sudden immersions In numerous ditches that he could nCt see In the darkness, finally reached St. Pierre. Making his way 10 the American camp there, he told the commanding officer who he was, and at once communicated the situation to us at Bordeaux
 The deserters, when they left the train, were cautioned not 10 make any unnecessary noise and to fol- lew behind the guide in single file. When at last they reached the farm house, they followed their guide up a ladder and into the garret of the barn. where they threw themselves on makeshift beds and were soon lost in the sleep of utter exhaus- tion.
 Poor Graham on the outside, after hunting around, finally located hay-stack. By dint of hard work he dug himself a nest. and, crawling Tn, he too was sound asleep. The next morning, before any one else was | stirring, Graham succeeded in find ing an empty bottle, which he filled with water to sustain him in his lonely vigil. That night Hodson re- turned, bringing food, and for the first time in twenty-four hours. Graham had something tC eat. The two got what comfort they could in | their hay-stack, and prepared 10 spend that night there and as many | more as were necessary until the deserters again started on their | journey.
 The second night came; and at l o'clock in the morning. Hodson, who was on watch, heard the men talking and soon they saw them start back across the field toward St. Pierre.