on the tramp
again. About 2 A.M. we came in sight of the big prison camp at Dulmen.
It was only about one and a half miles from us, and we could see the
sentries making their rounds on the outskirts. We had all been there
when we first entered Germany, so it looked quite familiar; but still I
cannot say we had any desire to get back.

Travelling on, we came to a large swamp, and had either to wade through
or go six miles round. We decided on the former plan, and soon were up
to our waists in water. It was early in May and the nights were still
very cold, and the water was like ice; but there was nothing to do but
go through, now that we were wet, and as Blackie said, "It was bad luck
to turn back." For two hours we waded, and at last, chilled to the
bone, we reached the other side. Here we found ourselves in a farming
district, and we looked eagerly for a safe warm place to hide in for
the day. A deserted-looking building off by itself caught our eye, and
it proved to be an implement shed with a small quantity of hay in the
loft. This looked good to us, and taking off our wet clothes we buried
ourselves in the hay. After a good sleep and our daily ration of one
biscuit and a small piece of bully-beef, we felt better but still very
hungry. All round us German farmers were working in their fields, but
fortunately none of them came near us, and that day we had a good rest.

Night came on and we started out once more; this was our fourth night.
About midnight we came to a farmhouse, and Blackie asked us how we
would like a chicken. We said, "It would look good to us," and so we
proceeded to hunt one up. Leaving Sammy on guard, Blackie and I made a
tour of all the outbuildings, but there was no sign or sound of a
chicken. We were about to give up when we noticed a small building at
the end of the house. We went around one side, but failed to find an
entrance; and coming to the end of the building, we turned the corner,
when all at once a terrific howl arose, and our hair stood on end.
Blackie had stepped on a big dog that was chained to the house. We did
not wait to make the acquaintance of our newly found friend, but threw
ourselves over fences, making the best time possible. The dog barked
furiously and we ran half a mile before we felt safe to stop and get
our breath. We kept to the roads for the remainder of the night and
made good time. We struck some bush coming up to morning, and it
looked so quiet