Cape Breton's Magazine

Anyvay, we were there about two months, I guess--not two months. And two fellows es? caped one night. You see, we were right on the edge of the harbour. And there was a sewerage system that you could get into, and get out into the harbour. You had to crawl through all the filth and everything, and out into the harbour. Then you'd have to swim from there wherever you were going. Two fellows decided they'd try it, anylway. So, they escaped. The siren went about] 10 o'clock, and they had everybody out, stand? ing to attention. They brought them in at daylight, anyway, the two fellows. And ev? ery fellow was counting his men despeif- ately, then, to see if you had all your men. They got up again and gave a big speech. It was translated--they'd always tell you what they were saying. Then -'hey took the other two sports and shot them. See, they weren't worried about the Geneva Conference, because they figured Germany was running all over Europe, and they were taking all of Asia. They figured they were going to win the war and it didn't matter what the hell they did. You were just there on their good will. If they wanted to kill you, they figured they could kill you, and that would be the end of it. They didn't have to worry about it at all. All they Enterprise Cape Breton In partnership with the people of Cape Breton, in touch with businesses around the world. Enterprise Cape Breton will work with you to maximize the potential of our region and its people. Big or small, we're interested in your plans for new business and employment here at home. There is no better place. There is no better time. Call our toll-free number or visit. Enterprise Cape Breton P.O. Box 2001 Commerce Tower - Fourth Floor 15 Dorchester Street Sydney, Mova Scotia BIP 6K7 Call toll free 1-800-565-9460 In Sydney area, call 564-3614 Enterprise Cape Breton Enterprise Cape Breton. Fart of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. wanted was the work. 'Cause they were short of workers, and that's what they wanted, was the work. But as time went on, we got to be able to talk a little bit, and we got used to the rations then. Your system gets used to rice after a time. You haye no meat or vegeta? bles or anything like that, but your system adjusts to it. We could do our share of the work and all that. It got a bit easier on us, all through. In fact, I think we were there about two years--and the main boss came along one day, and he was telling us, out of the goodness of their hearts, they were going to give us some tobacco. (You hadn't seen that for two years?) No. And it wasn't tobacco like we know it. We figured it was straw treated with nicotine. They gave you a little small pipe, about as big as the end of your finger, the bowl of it. You just could put enough in for about 3 or 4 puffs, you know. But even at that, it used to be a great luxury to have that. They'd give us a little pack of that, now, once in awhile. They'd break us off some? times and let us have a smoke, if we were working. You know, it sort of got to a stage where it was a bit more relaxed. Then they start? ed to lose (the war.) (Did you think life was just going to go on like that? What did you think your future was going to be?) I'll tell you what you used to think. We used to say--we'd go from spring to fall. We'd all say, "Well, fall comes, we'll be out of here by fall." Well, when the fall would come, you'd go to Christmas then. "We'll be out by Christ? mas." Once you gave up hope, you just went. I used to often think most of us were just too stupid to think too much. We simply went from day to day to day to day to day. • We got the day in, and went home. In the morning, the bugle would blow for reveille. You got up. And the bugle would blow for the fellows to go up to the kitch? en and bring the rice back. And then the bugle would blow for you to get ready for work. And then the bugle would blow for you to fall out--line up, go to work. That was CO-OP' Burner Service Contracts Available Automatip Delivery Budget Plan Available Lube-Oil-Greases 562-3163 503 PRINCE ST. - SYDNEY, N. S. CO-OP FUELS Stove and Furnace Oil Furnace Maintenance Contracts Available