MR. WILDING'S HOST

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 153, 26 December 1914, Page 9

MR. WILDING'S HOST

GERMAN BARON'S EXPERIENCE. CAPTURED BY AN AIRMAN. (rROU OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) LONDON, 11th November. Mr. A. F. Wilding, the lawn tennis champion, who ought now to be known as Lieutenant Wilding, is still serving_ in Belgium with bis motor, and in Dunkirk the other day lie heard an interesting story of the capture of a German officer by a British airman. Only a few months ago, in the spring, Mr. Wilding spent five weeks in Frankfurt as the guest of the German Baron yon . It seems that one day Lieutenant Marix, the British airman who dropped bombs on the Zeppelin sheds at Dusseldorf, was reconnoitring over the enemy's lines at Ypres when he developed engine trouble and had come to earth. Landing within reach of the British lines, he had to go for help, and soon came back with four British marines. But when they returned they found the machine in charge of four Uhlans and tin officer, who were examining the details with great interest. Lieutenant Marix posted his men advantageously, and then gave tho signal to open fire. The Uhlans at once mounted and rode off, but the officer's horse was wounded in two legs and ho could not get away. He ran off on foot with Lieutenant Marix in chase, revolver in hand, Presently the German turned, fired his revolver, and made off again. Tho Englishman returned the shot and continued the chase. This was repeated several Virnes, until the German, bankrupt of wind and ammunition, stopped and surrendered. " I am your prisoner," remarked the German, "bowing courteously. Lieutenant Marix bowed, and wondered what to do next. Then the German lit j a cigarette and offered one to his captor "It seems odd," said the German after they had talked for a while, " that you and I, who have just emptied oui revolvers at each other, should now be chatting amicably." Marix agreed. Then there was an av.kward pause. He did not know exactly vhat to do. "Suppose we put that horse of yours out of its pain?" he suggested. They walked back over tho fields Marix reloading his revolver, which ha handed to his prisoner, remarking " Perhaps you would prefer to do it yourself." "The German shot his horse, handed back the revolver to his captor, and then they walked back to the British lines.