The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-09-16

to be seen, but in an hours time we
were awakened 10y the rumble OF wds-
ons of the German commissariat. and
the landlord came and searched US
for arms. On finding We had none
he allowed us to remain. In the morn
ing we found the place had been
peacefully occupied by German
troops. We left that place and struck
norsh to 5teenocken en- the road 70
Nalines.
Here on the cross roads we met a
party CT German officers who resus-
ed to allow US TO go further north.
We then turned back on the road to-
wards Louva:n AS we approached
Cortenberg we heard firing, and at
the station We were challenged by
German sentries who searched us.
Luckily for us we had taken the pre-
caution to destroy our English pass
ports. our check-books AMI every
thing that might disclose the fart
lthat we were Englishmen.
LAS we were being searched some
German officers came over and took
us on with them through the village
In the main street firing was going on
and we heard that four or five Uhlans
had been shot as they passed. through
and these troops had been dispatch
ed to destroy the village as a punish
ment.
For their terrible purpose the
Germans had brought with them cart
lloads of straw, and with these they
set fire 10 the houses. We We're made
to walk up the main street holding
our hands, while two German sold
iers were tcld off TO cover US with
their revolvers. This was IN the af-
ternoon, and from three to six o'clock
we had to stand at the end Of the
street while tine firing went on. 1t
was a terrible speotacle, and our first
glimpse.of the horrors OF war, for we
saw five civilians as they left their
burning houses ruthlessly shot down
10y German soldiers.
There we were made TO stand and
look on while the houses were being
set on fire, and soon the whole street
was in flames. The German soldiers
however, spared women and children
and marched them on one side Rafore
they fired the village.
/ I'VE made the best of a bad job
and / produced flask of brandy
y whioh / had with me while the Ger
f mans booted cafe and brought ouf
i Cognac. Then they allowed us to gC
$ on towards Louvain. By this time
I 1t was dark and we were in dangel
not only of being shot by sentries
n but also by the inhabitants, wht
i might take us for Germans. w
. walked on through a wood and strucl
5 a small village called Veltham. al
h though we went to several cafes w
: could not obtain anything to eat an
n NO one would give us shelter, SO w,
5 went to the village priest. Poor man
he could do nothing for US; his plac
was already full of refugees, and b
advised us ITO go into the woods
n However, we contrived to get littl
! chocolate and with a loaf of hrea
i which we had brought with us W.
Il managed to make a scratch meal, af
| ter which we lay down in a barn.
ii 'fSleep was quite out of the cues
II ton The place was overrun wit
II rats and we did not enjoy their pres
III ence. In the morning We continue
III on our way through the village an
II two little Belgian girls came out an
II gave MS some bread and butter 70
/ which we were very grateful.
Il 1--WE got Back on the road to Lou
II vain and stumbled upon a Germa-
4 encampment We picked up pac
/ -of playing cards AMI a cap from
i dead body of a Belgian soldier. Their
. were many dead horses and 2 feV
II dead soldiers fhereabouts. They wer
H German horses.
H Just outside of Louvain we met
i troop of Germans and they allo%e
II US to go on, although they told u
II there were considerable danger as tn
h inha bitants were "still firing" Nei
II Their of US will ever forget tn
HI spectacle ,Louvain presented as W
II iwaaked up the principal street. TIL
H whole town had apparently capftulat
II ed TO the Germans, although occasion
u ally I'VE heard the sound of firms
Il But 1T was desultory firing and tn
HI greater part of the town was i
II frames.
H Houses were failing, telegrap
Ii telephone poles were tuE3bi.ng int
III the streets, and the picture of desc
II Iation was complete, while the Gel
III man soldiers were looting among tn
III ruins. Dead soldiers Uttered tn