Evening star., 1917-12-23

their families to safety.
But at the eleventh hour Da1roy
heard that British Red Cross hospital
party. which had extricated itself from
the clutch Of the mailed fist, was even
then en- route from Bruges to Ostend
by way Of Zeebrugge. knowing they
would be in dire need of help. he re-
solved to stay. though his action was
ouixottc. since no mercy would be
shown him II he fell into tho hands OF
the Germans. He took ono precaution,
therefore. Some service rendered to q
tradesman had enabled him to buy q
reliable and speedy motor bicycle. on
which. as last resource, no might
baggage was reposing in . small hotel
near the harbor. For all he can tell.
1t is reposing there yet: he never saw
II again after he leaped into the saddle
bled streets which led to the north
road along the coast. The hour was
then about 6 o'clock on the evening of
October 13.
A Belgian stan oficer had assured
him that the Germans could not possi-
bly, occupy Ostend until late next day.
The Belgian army, though hopelessly
outnumbered, had never been either
dfsorganized nor outmaneuvered. The
retreat to the User. II swift, was or
trusted to follow its time table.
Hence. before II was dark, Dalroy
determined to cover the sixteen miles
to Zeebrugge. Tho hospital. which
wounded. would travel thence by the
quaint steam tramway which links up
the towns on the littoral. It might ex-
perfence almost insuperable difficulties
at zeebrugge or Ostend, and he was
one of the few aware of the actual
time limit at disposal, while . field
hospital bereft of transport Is pecu-
liarly tmpotent organization.
Road and rail ran almost parallel
among the sand dunes. At various
or not any train had passed recently in
the direction of Ostend, thus making
assurance doubly sure. though tho sta
tfon master at the town terminus was
positive that the next tram would not
arrive until half-past Z. Dalroy meant
intercepting that tram at Blanken-
berge.
Naturally. the train was late in reach
ing the latter place, but the only prac-
ticab BILE course was to wait there, rather
fed people gathered around the calm
eyed, quiet-mannered Briton, and ap-
pealed for advice. Poor creatures. they
imposed cruel dilemma. On the one
community flying for their lives along
the Ostend road; on the other, he had
witnessed the fate OF Wise and Huy.
Yet. by remaining in their homes, they
had some prospect of life and ultimate
liberty. while their lot would be far
into the panic and miserfes OF Ostend.
SO he comforted the unhappy folk as
best he might, though his heart was
wrung with pity at sight of the COM
mon faith in the Red Cross brassard.
Men. women and children wore the
badge Unfortunately. They regarded
1t as a shield against the uhlan's lance,
Most fortunately for that strip of Bel
gium. the policy Of "frightfulness" was
moderated once the country was over
run. So far as local occurrences have
been permitted to become known, the
coast towns have been spared the fate
of those in the interior.
To Dalroy's great relief, the incom-
ing tram from Zeebru8ge brought the
British hospital. There were four doc
tors. eight nurses and ffty-three
wounded men, including q sergeant
and ten privates of the Gordon High
landers. who, like Bates, Smithie and
the rest. had scrambled across Belgium
after Mons.
The train offered an extra ordinary
spectacle. Soldiers and civilians were
packed In 1t and on 1T. Men and wom-
en- sat precar.ously on the roofs of the
ramshackle carriages. stood on the
buffers and couplings. or c1ung to door
handles. Not even foothold was to be
had for love or money on that train at
Blankenberge.
Dalroy. who dared not let go his ma
chine. contrived to get a word with
the medical officer in charge.
AS ever. the Briton made light oil
past troubles.
We've had the time of our livesi'
was the CHEEKY comment. After Mons
we were left in a field hospital with a
mixed crowd Of British, French and
Germans. OF course, We looked after
all alike, and that saved our bacon,
because even a German general had to
thousand of his own men in our care.
conduct. and from Brussels we were
leg it. though. the last twenty miles to
the Belgian outposts. Then we refit-
ted and started for Bruges. where we've
been at work in a convent for Ave
weeks. The remnant of the Belgian
army passed through Bruges yester-
day and the day before, so we cleared
ont all possible cases and started away
with the crooks early this morning At
the last minute we were hustled a bit
by Taube dropping bombs on the sta
ton One bomb took from us a van
load of kit We haven't thing ex-
cept the stretchers and what were
wearing"
''Fll ride on now, and meet you at
Ostend." said Dalroy. He had not the
heart to damp the spirits of the party
by telling of the chaos awaiting them
Sufficient for the next hour would be
the evil thereof
II say. it's awfully good of YOU to