t we started out about 9 P.M., and after a short walk we came
to a large river. By consulting our map, we found it was the River
Lippe, and we scouted along its banks in search of something to take us
across. Unfortunately there was no boat in sight, and just when we had
made up our minds to swim it I discovered an old bridge. It had been
condemned and was no longer in use, but we were only too glad to try
it; crawling carefully across in case there should be a guard at the
other end. Just as we reached the centre we encountered a barbed wire
entanglement. This made us feel quite at home, and we fancied we were
back in the trenches. By the time we got through the wire, our clothes
were in rags, but nothing could dampen our spirits, not even the rain
that was falling, now that we were really getting away. We reached the
end of the bridge in safety and found that it was not guarded, so we
kept right on. The first thing we knew we came in sight of a village,
and as it lay right in our way we decided to risk going through it. It
was 2 A.M., and we marched through the main street of the town and not
even a dog barked. We continued marching as long as it was dark, and
just at daybreak we were fortunate enough to come to a small forest.
It had been planted, and there were roads on every side; and although
it was only three miles from a large military training camp, we decided
to risk the day there.

We were very tired and two of us slept while the other kept watch.
About 10 A.M. we were awakened by the sound of music, and on
investigation found that a German battalion was coming our way. My
heart was in my mouth as they came nearer and nearer, and I dreaded
lest they might stop for a rest. They came within fifty yards of our
hiding-place, and we could hear the officer's commands:
"Right--left--right--left," but to our intense relief they passed us
by. Just as they passed we heard the order given, "Alle singen," for
the German troops do not sing because they feel like it but because
they are commanded to. I had found this out from a German civilian who
worked beside me in the mines.

All that day people passed up and down the roads, and we had some
narrow escapes. One man came swinging along through the bush, and he
passed within ten yards of us. We thought that day would never end,
and longed for night and the friendly darkness. It was 10 P.M. before
it was safe for us to leave our cover, but at last we were