Detroit evening times., 1942-10-16

The natives carried us a mile
or more until we arrived at the
commissioners residence on the
leeward side. The house stood or
the highest point on the island
about 40 feet above sea level.
/ learned that we were on one
of the tiny atolls that dot the
South Seas. The particular grouI
TO which This one belonged is one
of the most isolated in all the
South Pacific.
Yesterday. In choosing one oi
the two visible islands as our
objective, we had the fortune tc
pick the only inhabited one within
many hundreds Of miles.
In all. we covered approximately
1000 miles in the raft, but &C.
tually. from the point at which
we landed our plane TO this island
the distance was about $50 miles
We learned, when we were able
to check our reckoning later. that
we had completely circled the en-.
tire small group of islets before
sighting our first land on the
thirty-fourth day.
Warm Welcome
We received warm welcome
from the commissioners wife. She
put US to bed at once in a large
room at one end of the beautiful
wide tropical-style building. and
tset about preparing US for oui
first real meal since we left the
ship.
This was the kind of house they
try 10 duplicate in the South Seas
movies. II was built Of native
hardwoods, SO hard, the commits
sioner told us when we were able
TO talk more, that the terrnite:
wouldn't attempt 10 bite into it
taking any other kind OF wood ir
preference.
There were windows in tht
places where one would expec
windows to be, but these had M
panels, screens, or glass, JUS
frames through which the trade
winds waited the delightful frag
rance of tropical flowers.
There were lots Of mosquitoes
of course. but over our three bed,
there was huge net that kept
out the buzzing pests. Each eve.
ming servants would come in and
lower the nets for us. then with
fanlike brushes would drive out al
the mosquitoes that had collected
In the room.
Kitchens Going
The meals were prepared in two
huts in the yard, one for cooking
and the other for baking. Our
Igfacious hostess had her kitchen;
Igoing like beehives few minutes
after our arrival.
The commissioners wife hac
just enough coffee left In her sup
lply TO make us eHe pot, which she
gave us Immediately. When
tasted my first sip OF coffee
was able TO believe. at last, that
L II was all true and not one oi
those Nightmares I used 10 have
when I dozed in the raft. We were
really safe-it seemed impossible
10 believe. but that welcome cur
of coffee was the convincer.
Lying there In civilized beds we
realized for the first time what
an ordeal we had come through
as evidenced by the physical con.
ditions and reactions which now
pressed themselves upon our con.
sciousness.
Our skinned backs and cooked
hips kept US in constant torment
for many days. and we found our
selves still unable to sleep at first
Now that we were relieved oi
the spiritual compulsion, the over
lpowering drive from inward. thai
rnakes q man fight for his lif,
against any odds. the Ills anc
ravages of the body asserted them.
selves at once with a violence thai
stripped our nerves and left III
helpless.
We were dizzy for several DAYS
and When We dropped to sleeT
briefly we had Nightmares that
surpassed in horror even those We
had experienced in the raft.
Legs Double Up
Our legs had been so Ions
doubled up In the raft. with littlt
room TO stand and none TO walk
that as we abandoned our tired
bodies to complete relaxation now
they froze into the sitting position
We were able to straighten then
after week. but until then I las
tmost OF the time on my back with
my knees In the air, as L had seen
my friend lie in sick bay aboarc
the ship, the day had the pre-
sentiment that I would sornetim,
be In the same position.
\ TASN sssSSalAr~ &c..