Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1941-08-08
CHAPTER II

horizon, and examining the country
side carefully to right and left. He
was undoubtedly the head of search
ing party, and it was not difficult for
Hutch to guess that he and his COM
rades were the object of the search.
They were marching inland, but there
would be other parties on the lookout.
So he returned to his friends, and
warned them that they must be doub-
ly careful. They waited, scarcely dar-
ing to breathe, concealed in the tall
reeds, until darkness was complete.
Then they hurried across the road and
down to the beach, and as they arriv-
ed sea gull was calling-once, twice,
three times.
"The signal" Hutch said. "Come
on!"
Life aboard the Refine Anne was
not "all beer and skittles," as Rusty
put it, but their jubilation at being
free and on their way to England
made all the hardships OF cold, rough
weather, meagre food, and hard work
seem negligible. Yves had only his
two sons as crew, not wishing any
one else in the secret and the four SOL
diers insisted on doing their part, es-
pecially with the fishing.
There was no reason why the old
man should not troll with all his
lines and make a profitable trip. It
didn't slow them up any, and Pierre
said that by helping they at least
paid their way in part. They made
quite a sport of it, betting drinks, to
be paid at the Savoy Bar in London,
when and if they met there, on who
could catch the most funny.
1t was late afternoon of the fifth
day when Rusty spotted something
odd cutting through the water and
called Old Yves. "Hey, Skipper,
what's that?"
The sailor looked at it for an in
slant with his experienced eyes before
replying. "Periscope," he said. "You
four get below. Might be coming to
the surface and might be German.
Better go into the ice hold with the
fish, just in case they want to search.
"Allez, vite!"
It was terribly cold down below,
and the smell of fish was nauseating,
but the four men stuck it out for
what seemed to them a very long
time. Voices above, cultural voices,
speaking bad French, could be heard,
telling the fugitives that the subma-
rine had indeed come up and that it's
officers were questioning the Breton
sailors. Finally there was silence
and Old Yves stuck his head through
the hatch.
"The swine have gone back to their
ipigsty," he announced. "And I hope
that they all go to the bottom of the
sea and stay there. IT'S the best
place for them. But 1 must turn
back. The officer said it was queer
place for funny ship to be sailing.
Tonight you'll have to cut away with
the small boat. There are two pairs
Of oars, water and rations. Twenty
four to thirty-six hours should see
you on the coast of England"
: Lucky there's a moon shining"
Hutch said, after they had thanked
the aged fisherman and his sons, and
watched them glide gracefully and 81
lently across it's silvery path, then out
of sight into the gulf of night.
Pierre handled the tiller, while Rus
ty and Henri, took first turn at row.
ing. There was little wind, and what
there was helped them. The sea, al
so, behaved we'll and they made good
time heading straight in the direction
of the north star. Yves had told them
on parting to keep it directly over the
bow and they couldn't miss the. south
ern coast of England.
And the old salt was right. The
afternoon of the following day they
sighted shore and knew that tney
were saved. Like horse that smells
the stable, the rowers quickened their
pace, and before darkness fell pushed
the nose of their tiny craft onto a
pebble beach, and were Immediately
surrounded with English Tommies,
their bayonets fixed and faces stern.
1--WE do get the warmest welcomes"
Rusty remarked. First by the Jer-
ries, then by the British"
Hutch addressed the sergeant who
seemed to be in command of the de-
tachment. "Where is your officer,
please? am Lef'tenant David Hutch
inson, pursuit squadron Hornets, R.
A. F."
"And I'm Winston Churchill Of No.