d and German border is looked after by a
wonderful system of patrols. This patrol system begins on a road two
miles back from the border and running parallel with it. On this road
there are three different kinds of patrols--men on horseback, on
bicycles, and on foot--and instead of going singly, they were in
parties of from three to ten. This is typical of the German at war and
at home; he is much too cowardly to attempt anything single-handed.
That's why their officers continue to send them over in massed
formation; though sometimes it almost made our gunners sick the way
they had to mow them down. Well, as I said, they patrolled their beats
in parties; and this outside beat is well looked after. Crossing this
first patrol, and leading into the border, there is a road every
half-mile, and of course each road has its own special patrol--also
another patrol has his beat in between these roads; while close to the
border are two more lines of guards: one of these is stationary and the
men are placed two hundred yards apart, and right in front of these
guards, on each quarter-mile beat, walked a man, having two immense
bloodhounds on leash.

Now, all this elaborate guard system was not put there for the sole
purpose of catching a few escaping prisoners. But at this time the
German soldiers were deserting in such large numbers, and getting over
into Holland, that the Government took this method of stopping them.
Now, this was what Mac and I were up against in attempting to cross the
Holland border, and we realized the difficulties only too well, for Mac
had learned it all by bitter experience. One stormy night, some weeks
previous, he had crossed the border into Holland, only to lose his way,
and stray back into Germany. He was captured by the guards and sent
back to the mines. This was his third attempt as well as mine, and we
knew it would go hard with us if we were caught again. So, after our
brush with one of these game wardens who also acted as police patrol,
we were doubly careful. We kept in the shadow of the trees and watched
every step. When suddenly, right before us, shone out the whiteness of
a graded road and we knew that we were in the line of the outside
patrol. We crouched in the darkness at the edge of the wood and
listened, but not a sound came to our ears, and in a moment or two Mac
whispered "Now, Jack," and we made a dash across, when to our utter
amazement three figures sprang up right in fr