Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1929-09-26
CHAPTER XVII-Continued

Il am Efau 10 see yoGt SIT. WY die
we treated like this? And are prison
ers OF war to be tried by cIviiiansT
Count" he replied, public opinion
forces It The public has demanded
that within three days of your arrival
in this country sou must reveal where
you sank the Wairuna and why you
sank her without saving single life.
and also where your ship Seeader is
"But know nothing about the
WaIruna," | replied. Il did not sink
her. In every SINGLE capture that we
made. took the crews aboard my
ship. kept them there until we were
overcrowded. and then sent them
home.'
"you say You didn't sink the Wal.
runa?'
No! Nor ever even heard OF her T.
"NNiIl you give me your word Of hon;
or on this7'
Il give II to you now"
Every we'll, count, that Is good"
"But why do you keep my men In
chains7"
I'VE want to know where the See
adler u.s."
Il want to tell you, sir. that my
men will die before they will say any
thing. They hive orders from me not
TO talk. If anyone Is to tell anything
about the Seeader. II Is l. You would
give your men the same command I'm
der the same circumstances, and you
would want them to obey as my men
are obeying."
"You are the one to ask, count,
about information OF the Seeaderf"
Eyes"
Then tell me where she Is"
captain, may sink deep In the
earth If ever hetray my crew. | re
spect you. would not put such a
question TO you If you were my pris-
oner."
Count" he replied. your men have
set an example To our sailors. under
stand and appreciate your attitude.
So long as your men show themselves
10 be disciplined sailors. they will have
excellent treatment. And hope that
you, yourself, will have pleasant
stay with us and find nothing Of which
TO complain. Gentlemen he nd.
dressed the judges, 1.-THE court martial
| Is over"
My four men were taken hack 10
their Island. and kircheiss and tc
| ours.
| At MutuftIi tfTiHgs were not So bnd
| The food was good and discipline was
not too strict. The camp conman
/ der, Turner by name. seemed very
| proud to have couple OF real wa,
/ prisoners In his charge. lie had real
! liz excellent cause TO be pleased Now
that he had enemy naval officers In his
| camp. he was raised 10 the rank O
lieutenant colonel. and his force o
guards was increased to eighty men
1t likewise seemed TO a9d to his dig
/ nifty thai he had among his captives
| some one whom he could call count
| The principal annoyance now was fll'
/ strict watch they felt obliged 10 keel
/ over us TO prevent our escape. Head
quarters at Auckland had 10 be tele
phoned every other hour and told TIM
everything was all right. Colonel Tnr
ner was also provided with fine ney
motor boat, SO that. II anything wen
wrong. with the telephone wire. h
would still have means of swift com
municatIon with the mainland.
"By Joe, what fine motor boat"
exclaimed when | saw 1t.
"Alaybe we could use IT," comment
ed kircheiss
You couldn't blame the authoritle
for being bit nervous. They still di
NOT know where the remainder OF tn
SeeadIer's crew was, and were worrie
about q possible raid to liberate III
Likewise, kircheiss and had tile Idle
of escape huzzine fnrousy In OF
neads In fact, the prisoners q
Motnhi before we arrived had d
ready thought OF jail break The
had formed no definite plan, but ha
+ gathered materials that might be u.s.
full.
One had contriyed to tilch and hid
away q number of tools. Another ha
found a dereeci iloaIing mine an
taken the fuses from II and also
large quantity OF gnncnttun, which |
slowed In his mattress. lie slept {
the guncOttun every night. Annlh
md succeeded In finding" charts
the harbor with the location OF q
mine fields In any plan OF flight,
could. by including the men who hi
collected them, have these maIerln
~ my disposal
The tnutui boat was. OF course, q
center OF all schefnng. Tie itIea W
to sail away ln {, With an able hntli
company OF prison camp comrnd'
rupture d smiling ship. md 70 bucc
| r.n~tY,, ouutp nna ~ tiAxl pri anfts.rQ