In 1915 I was on the Atlantic ocean on my way to Europe, and the captain
came to me a number of times on the voyage, saying, "I am afraid you are
going to have trouble if an English boat catches us before we get to
Norway, because you claim to be a Norwegian by birth and a minister. We
think you are a German by birth and a doctor. We had one sailing with us
the last trip from Saint Paul, Minnesota and he spelled his name 'Susage'
and was a German and a doctor. You spell your name 'Susag.' He had a goatee
like you and looked just like you, and we think you two are brothers. We
believe you are an American citizen, and if you acknowledge that you are a
German and a doctor, we believe we can be a help to you. We will guarantee
to the English people that we will take care of you and take you back to
America the next trip."
I thanked him and smiled and said, "But I am still a Norwegian and a
preacher, and I believe I am going to stand the test."
Sure enough a number of us were apprehended by an English war ship, and
they sailed us into Kirkwall, Scotland and put nine of us (me included)
under arrest. The fourth day a high official came from London to examine
our papers, and I was the first one to march in between two rows of
soldiers with bayonets on the guns ready for action. The captain and first
mate were present to see how I was coming out. Finally a soldier called,
"Halt!" and I assure you, I stopped and smiled at them all. I saluted the
officer and handed him my papers After he had examined them thoroughly, he
said to me, "Where were you born, Reverend?" I said, "in Norway." "What
City?" "Stienkjer," I answered. "Will you tell us that in your own tongue?"
I did so; then he folded my papers nicely and handed them, back to me,
smiled and saluted and said, "Pass on; you are ok." I enjoyed the
experience very much.
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