“Not exactly like the Waldorf-Astoria in New York or the Parker House in Boston, but it’s plenty good enough for a hungry fellow like me, and I’m mighty thankful that I’ve found such food,” was what he told himself, as he proceeded to make himself at home.
With nothing to do, Dave took his time over the meal, and after he had finished he put away what was left of the food with great care.
“It may have to last me for several days,” he thought.
By the time the young lieutenant had finished the repast the sun had come up full and clear and it was growing much warmer. This being so, he disrobed and hung his clothing on the nearby bushes to dry, in the meantime covering himself with the raincoat.
By the middle of the afternoon Dave had become pretty well rested and his clothing was thoroughly dry. Dressing himself once more, he put on the raincoat and the hat he had found and took up one of the rifles and also the package of food. As he did not wish to burden himself with the second firearm, he unloaded this, placing the extra shells in his pocket.
“Now I’m pretty well fixed,” he thought. “I’ve got on a German raincoat and hat and I’ve got a loaded rifle with some extra ammunition, and also some food. If I can’t manage to get along on that I’m no good.”
But though the young lieutenant told himself these things, he realized that he was in a precarious position. He was in the enemy’s country, and should they discover him they would most likely shoot him down on sight.
“Having been captured once, I’ll be worse off than ever,” he mused. “I’ve certainly got to watch things closely.”
He had already made up his mind in what direction he intended to travel. That was away from the river and up to the top of the hill which lay to the westward.
“The fighting front must be in that direction,” he told himself. “But I guess it is a long way off, otherwise I’d hear the booming of the artillery.”