Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-01-25
CHAPTER 26,

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one side, Claire can help on the
other"
Rene insisted still that they leave
him, but when Claire and Cameron
fatty refused, he reluctantly went
along. Bill had gathered up the COL
lapsed parachute and carried it un-
der his arm.
There was heavily wooded terri
tory about mile to the south-they
could see it now that the sun was
beginning to dispel the morning
mists-and Cameron and Claire had
decided it offered their best chance
of refuge.
We'll head for the creek" Bill de-
cided. 1T seems to flow through
the woods, and the trees will shield
us from any one who might be out
this early in the morning."
When they reached the fringe of
trees they turned southwark to fol-
low the stream. 1t was slow, pain
ful work, and they had to stop fire.
quently and ease Rene down to the
ground for short rest.
| 'AAuc l SdAA Y OuU, TIC Sdiu,
after the second of these stops, "is
how happen to be here at all I
heard the Nazis shooting at us, I
felt a sharp pain, and then I guess
l passed out. How did get DOWN."
Bill Tells of Jump.
Il climbed over into your cockpit,
Strengthened out the ship and got
you over the side and jumped" Bill
explained. II figured I was taking
a chance with two of us on one
chute, but it was the only chance
we had. I'd already signaled Claire
to Jump, and I hoped that we might
all land within mile or two of
each other. Luckily there was no
wind, so we didn't drift"
You should have left me in the
ship" Rene said. But thanks, any,
way, old man, for saving my life. If
we get out of this I'll try to repay
you some way"
Repay me? Claire and owe YOU
more than we ever can pay" Cam
eron protested. But for you we'd
be prisoners in Berlin, facing a fir
ing squad. Now we've at least got
. chance. Where do you think we
are, Renee"
About half way between Berlin
and Paris. We had flown a little
more than an hour when they
caught u.s."
Are we near any cities, do you
think?" Cameron inquired.
| "If INV O1yocc jc norraof
somewhere northeast of Frankfort,
which would put us pretty close to
the second defensive line of the
West Wall"
Then it might be possible" Cam
eron said, more to himself than to
Rene or Claire. He spoke as though
ne were answering question he
had put to himself.
Possible? What do you mean?"
Claire asked.
There's only one way I can see
Tor us to get out of here" Bill ex-
planned. II hadn't meant to men,
ton it until later, but we might
as well discuss it now. We've got
to get hold of plane, somehow"
"A plane?" Claire exclaimed, in
astonishment. But how?"
That's what we've got to figure
out"
Rene Pleased Over Plan.
Rene's eyes cleaned apprecia-
lively as he nibbled on a small piece
OF chocolate Claire had salvaged
from her pockets. It was left from
the food Frau Weber had given
them when they left her fiat.
You know, Bill, you're a man
after my own heart. If you can
pull of a stunt like that you'll get
enough decorations from the French
government to cover the whole left
side of your coat"
AT Camerons suggestion, Rene
drew a small map of the district
where he thought they were, with
surrounding towns. Claire had
found a pencil in her purse and
the inside of the chocolate wrapper
served for paper.
There must be several airfields
in this district-emergency places"
Cameron said as he looked over the
map.
II wouldn't be surprised" Rene
answered, although we've spotted
very few from the air. The Ger
mans are masters of camoufage."
Cameron decided it would be fool
ish for them to go farther then.
as they were safely screened from
the air, and the spot where they
were seemed to be a dense wilder
ness into which no one was likely
to come.
With Claire's help, Bill used the
silk of the parachute to make
shelter against the wind near an
overhanging rock, and then they
gathered pine bows for a bed.
Await Rene's Recovery.
Rene must get stronger before
we can do anything" he told Claire.
"You stay here with him while
60 scouting. We've got to have
food, some good, nourishing food for
him, more than anything else"
The girl made Rene as comforta-
BILE as she could and was alarmed
when she felt his forehead. It
seemed hot and dry to her-an in
dication that he had some fever.
He was asleep in few minutes,
however, and she went to the nearby
mountain stream and busted her.
self by piling up some rocks to
make a makeshift stove.
Within two hours Bill Cameron
was back, proudly bearing a dead
partridge as a result of his foraging
expedition.
"Stalked 1t for an hour and
knocked it over with q rock. Not
very sporting, but you can't stand
on ethics when you're hungry"
It developed that Bill was an
experienced woodsman. In short
order he had the fowl plucked and
dreGaAd He had HtartAd n IRA In