Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1898-10-01

| each side.
sour money and watches were not
disturbed, but our passports and other
valuable papers he seized eagerly, and
| glanced over them by the fire light {,
Then, before 1 could comprehend his
motive he dropped them in the flames,
and they were speedily reduced to
ashes.
"'You are two spies he said, rough
| ly. You can't impose on me. Your
papers were counterfeit. l will give
you five minutes to live. Make the
most of your allowance
"I was undeniably scared, and so
was Carol. The scoundrel undoubt-
edly meant just what he said. 1 saw
the situation clearly. Having de-
| stroyed our passports to secure his
own safety, Stcinmetz was determined
to shoot us both in cold blood, and thus
crafty his personal spite against me.
"a savage murmur of gratificati tion
from his companions showed that they
were fully in accord with this PROPOSE
lion. For moment was too astound-
ed to make any reply. While under
standing the German language per
| fectly l could speak it with difficulty,
| So also was the case with Carol.
"'Those papers were all right and
you know it, 1 replied as calmly and
huently as possible. We are both
Americans, serving on the staff OF
Marshal Cauvilliers, and were In
search of the marshars army corps
when we lost our way and blundered
into your lines. You can hold US as
prisoners of war, but beyond that you
dare not CO.
''Steinmetz laughed derisively.
"'Your nationality matters nothing
to me- he said; as spies in the French
service you have incurred the penalty
of death
"He turned to mutter some order
10 his men, and with an inward shiver
saw a dozen rifles being critically in.
spected by their owners.
"'See here, Capt. Steinmetz,' 1 said
loudly, resolved on last appeal, you
grossly insulted me Mt Berlin a few
weeks ago, and because 1 resented
your conduct you take this oppor-
tunity, like a contemplate coward, tG
satisfy your malice. The sacrifice OF
our lives will cost you dearly, bear
that in mind. If you give up your mad
idea of vengeance, and send us to head
quarters as prisoners of war, l will
pledge myself to say nothing of this
occurrence and of the destruction OF
our passports
For moment the Prussian strug.
Glad 10 Nd 10
comrades overheard my words, and
the fact had a restraining effect.
"Snatching a burning brand from
the fire he pretended to peer into our
faces.
mo, 1 don't know you,' he said
loud enough for his companions to
hear, I never saw either of you before.
You mistake me for some one else
You cannot save your lives by such
pretext. have allowed you TOO much
time already. You must die at once
"Hc made signal to his men, who
at once bound our arms securely in
spite of our struggles, and led us to the
foot of big tree that stood near the
campfire. Steinmetz quickly gave
some command, and squad of Uhlans,
a dozen in number, fell into line 20
PAGES from where we stood.
81 glanced toward Carol, and noted
that, though deadly pale, his bearing
was firm and heroic.
az give you just two minutes to
live said Steinmetz, coming forward
and pulling out his watch. If you
want to pray, this is your last chance.
Il knew then that hope was at an
end. My brain seemed to be whirlina
round and round, and although strove
TO pray, my lips refused to utter a
sound. The artillery on the neighbor>
ing hilltops were still pounding away,
and from the direction of the German
lines came the tramp of many feet and
the rumble of ammunition wagons.
"A strange magnetism kept my gaze
on Steinmetz. He was visibly uneasy
as he faced the firing squad with the
open watch in his hand-probably fear,
ing some unpleasant interruption.
With sudden shiver realized that
the allotted time must be up. 1t was
Steinmetz lifted his right hand, and In.
stantly 12 deadly weapons were raised
six being trained upon Carol and
six upon myself. l have a vague re.
membrance of hearing Carol whisper
'good-by,' but my attention was all /
given to Steinmetz. The command to
fire was trembling on his lips.
II closed my eyes involuntarily and
waited. Instead of the expected vol.
ley heard loud clatter of hoofs, and |
glancing up saw middle-aged officer
gallop to the spot. He drew up his
horse with jerk in front of Steinmet t7 |
and harshly demanded: What does
this mean? Who are these men?'
'SteinInetz began to stammer out an
explanation, but the officer cut him
rudely short.
"What right have you to Judge
them?' he cried harshly. Send them
to the rear atDnce, and then fall back
yourself. The battle is about to com.
mence and the army is on the ad.
vance,
"steinmetz turned pale with NORTH.