New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-09-26

ed position. The last explanation be-
lieve TO be the most probable one, for
the German officers make no secret OF
the army's policy of killing citizens
found in houses where sniping has oeen
done.
We found 2 quaint Belgian barnyard,
where we left the horse and bicycles
while we continued into the town IN
search of food The town was dead
All the shops were closed. A few peo-
pie were seen, and these looked upon
US with wonder, for they thought we
were English. We could hear the word
"Anglais" as we passed. They could
no. understand why any English people
should still be coming into the place.
In the little square which marks the
centre of the town we found group Of
men and women and told them who and
what we were. When we asked for
food they told us there was none to be
had No one wished to be too friendly
to US.
At first the people insisted that not
even a piece of bread could be had, but
finally a woman said she would give US
some bread. We went to her house-a
little stor? behind which she lived-and
she led the way into one of the living
rooms, where we found her two little
children. One of the little girls looked
like Flemish painting of Frans Halls.
She regarded US with open-eyed won
derment.
We could have bread, but there was
no coffee. Also, there were twenty-slX
eggs, fifteen of which she would make
into an omelet and eleven she would
boil so that we could take them with
us. She assured US that she had more
food and in letting us have. some she
would not be denying herself or her
family. She was very nice ard friend
ly, and while she cooked she pointed
out where the bullets had entered the
room while the fight was in progress
two nights before.
Luncheon a Great Success.
Our luncheon was a great success,
memorable because it was to be the
last real meal we were to have tor
many days. We had a fine omelet,
some delicious bread and butter, some
hot milk and some strawberry ore
serves. With our boiled eggs and
few sandwiches we started back to get
our horse and wheels, first having paid
the Belgian woman much more than
she asked.
The old Belgian couple in whose
barnyard we had quartercd Bulotte and
the wheels fatty refused TO accept my
money, but finally were persuaded 20
do so.
The bridge across the Sambrc at this
point was destroyed, and we were
HI 20 In
couple of miles away, where a little
outpost Of Germans was guarding the
bridge at Bussiere. If we could cross
the Sqmbre we could then swing back
through Maubcuge, although the people
in Merbes -le- Chateau told Us that the
great body of German troops had gone
eastward toward Beaumont.
We feared that we might have trouble
in crossing the bridge and thought /.
possible that the Germans, if present
only in small force, might fire on us
if we approached on bicycles We had
heard that men on wheels were in par
ticular danger, but we hoped that the
peaceful aspect OF our horse ard cart
would disarm any hostile intention of
the sentrIes.
Our caravan proceeded on. through
the edge of Merbes- le-Chateau and
struck the little village OF Rawartc,
where number of houses had been
smashed by shell! fire. One shell had
entered a window and exploded ins dc
room. 1t is to be hoped that the
room was not occupied at the time, for
ii it we're the occupant must have had
an anxious moment or two.
Villages Strangely Silent.
Across the river a range of bluffs
rose 5eyenty-fye or hundred feet
above the town of Busserc and the
valley of the Sambre. As we drove
along we passed a number of men car
rylnZ water with which TO soften the
ground in order to dig graves. A huge
stack OF oats was burning and the
country and villages seemed strangely
silent and empty, Sunday feeling, with
everybody away. AS yet we had seen
no Germans.
When couple of hundred yards
from the outskirts Of Bussiere We
heard two rife shots across the river
put neither Their nor later did We
learn the cause. We heard no bullets
and are certain the shots were not d.
rected our way. Possibly they may
have been signals of an approach.
In few minutes we saw four Ger
man soldiers come around street cor
ner ahead of US and walk IN our dirac-
ton. They had their arms full of bot
ties of wine, and one of the soldiers
was slightly intoxicated. Each car
ried a lance, although the soldiers were
not mounted.
While We stopped to talk with them
Lewis rode on ahead toward the cor
ner and disappeared in the direction
Of the bridge, where we found him a
little later in conversation with 4
group OF soldiers.
An officer was called and our passes
examined, found sufficient, and we were
allowed 10 cross the bridge. II was a
drawbridge over a millrace, and few
yards farther on was wider bridge
over the Sambre
The French occupied strong breast