Interned in Germany

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1918 Excerpt: ...From the morning after he arrived, he indulged every day in his round of physical exercises or Swedish drill. The wretched food did not succeed in quenching his enthusiasm or determination, and even the weather failed to dissuade him. One of his exercises provided the camp with infinite amusement, and suggested his nickname. It was a kangaroo-like jump or hop on both feet with hands on hips, which we construed into a cat dance on hot bricks. We used to banter him unmercifully, gathering around and mimicking the barking of dogs, but he was not in the least put out by it, and accepted the sallies good-naturedly carrying his exercise through to the end. That man earned and maintained the admiration of the entire camp, for despite our short commons he kept himself in excellent health. When the communal government was established he offered to teach physical culture, a course that seemed sadly out of harmony with the conditions. His offer met with ready and wide acceptance, and he succeeded in producing one of the finest bodies of men in the camp, trained to a high pitch of efficiency, who went through their evolutions with the precision of a chronometer. The displays of his class constituted one of the most widely appreciated diversions of the community, and incidentally, it may be stated, the Cat succeeded in forming the largest individual class in the camp, consisting of eighty men. It was interesting to notice how at the first opportunity, the prisoners enthusiastically embraced what might be termed the Britisher's first and foremost sport--boxing. We had many first class exponents of the noble art among us, and as soon as the necessary materials could be obtained, a boxing craze set in. The cracks readily secured pupils and bouts wer...