Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-02-16
.vlcE.eovERNoR OF METZ.
copyright, 1911, by Associated Llter-
airy Press.)
BY Michael Porter.

Copyright, 1911. by Associated Liter.
airy Press.)
"Excellency, they are tunnellng! :,
The taller at Metz was an old sol
der, sergeant of tried bravery, YET
his face was gray and his huge ring
OF KEYS clinked family with his trem-
bling as he delivered the message.
The governor of Metz was q vet
eran, too; a man of iron upon Whom
this terrible siege by the Germans
had so far made no.impression. NOW
the corded brown hand on his 'esk
closed convulsively. But ne asked
quietly enough:
"How do you know, sergeant ?"
We can hear them, excellency. IL
was past midnight when Jean of the
dungeon guard came running anu
said he could hear the tap-tap-tap or
their picks. went with MS 10 q
distant corridor where the poht1cal
pri- ners are confined. There list
ened. The blows came distinctly, put
the exact direction l could not deter
mine. This much know. They are
but a, short distance outside our
wallis"
"The prisoners?"
"They know nothing Of the tunnel
ers, and are wild with fear
The governor of Metz rose from MS
chair. II will go with you" he said
They were deep in the heart OF the
ponderous Notifications which sui
held Metz for the French despite the
save attacks of the host OF enclr-
cling Germans. Overhead, the heavy
guns doomed; their reports made dull
rumbles here in the rocks where Tor
years men had been burrowing AS
for the answering German cannons'
they could not be heard at all.
The sergeant led the way with ms
lantern through low passages when
branched continually into the dark
ness. Occasionally they passed a
sentry. who drew himself up and
saluted when he saw the grim face
of the governor. The ruddy glow
of fires bathed the walls OF rock
rooms where whole companies were
cua-..c:cd. They had glimpses OF men
ouarreling. or joking, or playing cards,
or sleeping.
At last .aev reached a damp, dark
allev beneath the very lip Of the Tor
,ifications. Awaiting them was the
yice-goyerncr. Gen. Moran, fair
haired. handsome young man, sur
rounded by group OF white.faced
soldiers. They saluted In grave
silence. 81
The governor did not need to ask
why they strained their ears TO llsten.
When his footsteps and those OF the
jailer ceased to echo he heard
the sounds that fell like death
knell on their hearts-the steady,
irregular blows Of excavating TOOLS,
80 marked by the echoing corridors
that he could not tell whether they
came from in front or behind, or,
indeed from beneath their very feet.
Discipline within the fortress crum-
MED ike an old coat. The news OF
the tap-taping spread like wildfire.
Mer rushed from the boom-Droofs to
be cut down miserably in the open
by the storm of shells from the Ger
man guns. Throughout the miles OF
tunnel ran a thrill Of terror, for the
exact location where the blow would
be struck could not be determined.
Sentries were driven into the cor
ridors with the fat of the sword,
since no one had a taste to be blown
to atoms by the explosion of thou
sands of pounds Of powder. The
purpose Of the Germans was TO
breach the walls with huge charge
of explos4 les and then capture Metz
|by rushi g brigades through the
Opening. .
The governor fought bravely to
overcome the plans Of the enemy and
restore confidence among his men.
lie started q score of counter-tunnels
within sound Of the mysterious tap