The post-mistress told everybody in the Glen
it had come, and everybody came up to hear the news.
"Jem was badly wounded in the thigh--and he was picked up and taken to
prison, so delirious with fever that he didn't know what was happening
to him or where he was. It was weeks before he came to his senses and
was able to write. Then he did write--but it never came. He wasn't
treated at all badly at his camp--only the food was poor. He had nothing
to eat but a little black bread and boiled turnips and now and then a
little soup with black peas in it. And we sat down every one of those
days to three good square luxurious meals! He wrote us as often as he
could but he was afraid we were not getting his letters because no reply
came. As soon as he was strong enough he tried to escape, but was caught
and brought back; a month later he and a comrade made another attempt
and succeeded in reaching Holland.
"Jem can't come home right away. He isn't quite so well as his cable
said, for his wound has not healed properly and he has to go into a
hospital in England for further treatment. But he says he will be all
right eventually, and we know he is safe and will be back home sometime,
and oh, the difference it makes in everything!
"I had a letter from Jim Anderson today, too. He has married an English
girl, got his discharge, and is coming right home to Canada with his
bride.
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