Evening star., 1942-02-21

approaching the mouth OF the river
up which we worked until late after
noon. No one was quite certain
where we were except somewhere
in Sumatra.
Late that afternoon we got big
thrill when, rounding a bend we
saw a white ensign (the white Brit
ish naval flag with the Union Jack
in one corner) over warships an
chored at a wharf. Ashore we
found members of the Malayan COM
mand staff whom we'd last seen
in Singapore three days before
They left ahead of us and got
through unscathed.
400-Mile Drive Begun.
Early the next morning. Febru-
ary 16, we resumed our slow jour-
ney up-river. BY noon we had
reached the motor road head, hun
CRY and cramped, but We were soon
cheered by the warm hospitality
of the Dutch military and civilians
who fed us and provided us with
a truck for the 400-mile drive across
Sumatra.
sat beside the driver all night,
talking and giving him cigarettes
to keep him awake, while the rest
of our party slept. Every few miles
local guards halted us but quickly
and courteouSly waved us on. They
were taking no chances on the sur
prise approach Of an enemy patrol.
Dawn found us on top of a VOL
canic range which forms the back
bone of Sumatra. Monkeys in near
by trees howled their morning hymn
to the sun. One official en- route
tried to halt us for fear we'd break
down and fall prey to tigers, but
only one black panther and one
civet cat crossed the road and we
didn't break down.
AT midafternoon we reached
Northwest Sumatra. The hotels were
full Of refugees from Malaga and
Southern Sumatra, but good
Dutch lady took us in and gave as
wholesome food.
Oficials held little hope of our
getting out, but the next morning
the indefatigable public relations
officer rushed in with the news that
there was slim chance of getting
away by warship If we Immediately
pushed on.
No taxi was available so we hired
pony carts and drove to the railway
station during beating of tomtoms
which are used to sound sir raid
alarms.
Half an hour later we disentrained
at the port. The effects Of an earlier
bombing were visible everywhere.
Twice during the day on alert was
sounded but no planes appeared
Later in the afternoon we saw the
most beautiful sight I ever expect
to sea British destroyer hull down
on the horizon steaming full speed
toward the harbor.
Half an hour later the destroyer was
alongside, officers quickly and effi-
ciently Shepherded us aboard. there
were allotted spaces for 178 men,
women and children-British SOL
diers and sailors, American and
Dutch men from Sumatran oil fields,
rubber planters and six weary mem
bers of the last party from Singa-
pore.
Escaped With Few Clothes.
The officers and men quickly made
us at home and as comfortable as
the cramped cabin and deck space
on the destroyer would allow.
When I congratulated one officer
on the efficiency of the embarka-
ton he laughingly said it was an old
story for them for they had been
"rescuing the army from Norway to
Tobruk."
The steel decks were no softer
than wet sand. but I was too ex-
hausted and too thankful to care
so long as we were speeding toward
Java, and speed we did for this
morning, just seven and q half days
since we left the flaming Singapore
waterfront. we disembarked at
friendly Batavia.
My pictures are probably spoiled,
my camera is ruined and I have
nothing but a filthy pair OF pants,
battered shoes and borrowed shirt,
but am glad to be alive and look
Ing forward to sleeping in q bed for
the first time in II days.