Worn out and exhausted, he was granted leave to recuperate in Ireland, and in less than a fortnight from the moment of his escape, he alighted from the train at Tipperary, and realised that he had accomplished the “Long, long way” which he had so often joined in singing with the Irish soldiers in the camp. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre, with a clasp, and his services were honoured by a _citation à l’armée_--in the following terms: CITATION. Le Général Commandant la Xe Armée cite à l’ordre de l’Armée: Le Sergeant Martin Jean ... “Blessé au début de la campagne en cherchant à ramener dans nos lignes deux pièces de 75 qui avaient été abandonnées. Fait prisonnier, s’est évadé. Traqué par l’ennemi, se cachant le jour, marchant la nuit, a réussi à gagner la frontière hollandaise puis à l’Angleterre, à bout de forces en raison des privations subies et des marches pénibles. le 24 octobre 1915 le Général Commandant la Xe Armée, signé: D’URBAL.” After a brief period of recuperation, M. Martin was able to enter again into the service of his country, where our best wishes go with him. HILDA SANDERS. CHARLEVILLE PARK, CO. CORK, _September 5, 1917_. AUTHOR’S INTRODUCTION The following is an extract from the Author’s Introduction to the French edition of this book:-- With but few exceptions the incidents and scenes described in this book were actually witnessed by the author, although he was not always one of the _dramatis personæ_. As regards the rest they were all reported to him by personal friends whose good faith is beyond question. The authenticity of all--even of the strangest--situations here described, as well as the truth and accuracy of the pictures, may be accepted without hesitation. At the same time the author feels in duty bound to warn his readers to be on their guard against a very common and very human fallacy, which has, in his opinion, given rise to much prejudice in the minds both of prisoners and of their relatives. The world has been too ready to generalise from the complaints or praises of returned prisoners, and to infer from one report--the truth and exactness of which was beyond a doubt--that it was the same at every place throughout Germany. Such a conclusion is most mischievous and injurious to the interests of those most nearly concerned. The inevitable result is either a fresh access of misery and apprehension on the part of the relatives of the prisoners--or a deplorable falling off of the help sent to those in captivity.