The distribution of the mails was a time of thrills.  One of the Sergeants called it out, while every one crowded eagerly around.

Poor Clarke, one of the brightest, merriest-hearted boys we had, seldom got a letter, but he was right on hand every time, and when there was no letter for him, would tear his hair dramatically and cry,—­

“Gott strafe England.”

Clarke had the good gift of making everybody laugh.  I remember once seeing him patching his trousers with a Union Jack, and singing, “We’ll never let the Old Flag fall!”

* * *

The German respect for the military caste was well shown in the punishment of a Russian officer who had offended them by something he had done or had not done.  He was sent to our hut—­as a punishment.  He had a room to himself, a batman, the privilege of sending out to buy food, as much as he liked.  His punishment consisted in having to live under the same roof and breathe the same air as common soldiers.  He was a very good fellow, and told us many things about his country.  Incidentally we found out that his wages as a Lieutenant in the Russian Army were one hundred and fifty dollars a year!

* * *

Bromley and I had not worked at all since coming out of Strafe-Barrack.  Being ring-men gave us immunity from labor.  They would not let us outside of the compound.  Even if we volunteered for a parcel party, the guard would cry “Weg!”—­which is to say, “Go back.”

This made all our time leisure time, and I put in many hours making maps, being as careful as possible not to let the guards see me.  I got the maps in a variety of ways.  Some of them had been smuggled in in parcels, and some of the prisoners had brought them in when they came.

A Canadian soldier, who was a clever artist, and had a room to himself where he painted pictures for some of the Germans, gave me the best one, and from these I got to know quite a lot about the country.  From my last experience I knew how necessary it was to have detailed knowledge of the country over which we must travel to reach the border.

My interest in maps caused the boys to suspect that I was determined to escape, and several broached the subject to me.  However, I did not wish to form an alliance with any one but Bromley.  We considered two was enough, and we were determined to go together.

* * *

One day, in the late fall, when the weather was getting cold, an American, evidently connected with the Embassy, came to see us, and asked us about our overcoats.  The German officers in charge of the camp treated him with scant courtesy, and evidently resented his interference.  But as a result of his visit every person who did not already have a Red Cross or khaki coat got a German coat.

* * *

Just before Christmas Day we got overcoats from the Red Cross, dark blue cloth, full length and well lined.  They had previously sent each of us a blanket.