“’And then—­do you know what it feels like to be wounded?  I rose just a little too high on my elbow.  A sting that pierces my arm like a hot wire—­too sharp almost to be sore.  I felt my arm go away from me—­it seemed like that—­and then my rifle fell.  I believe I was a little dazed.  I looked at my friend presently.  He was dead.’

THE GRIM STORY OF SENLIS

“So, on these green river banks and across these fair wooded plains the Germans make their great stand—­the stand that if they are defeated will be their last in France.  And meanwhile behind them lie the wasted fields and the broken villages.  It is impossible adequately to describe the scenes which I have witnessed on the line of the great retreat, but here and there events have had place, which, in truth, cry to high heaven for report.  Of such is the grim story of Senlis.

“I spent many hours in Senlis and I will recount that story as I saw it and as I heard it from those who lived through the dreadful procession of days.  On Saturday, September 5, the Germans reached this beautiful old cathedral town and entered into occupation.  They issued a proclamation to the inhabitants calling upon them to submit and to offer no sort of resistance on pain of severe reprisals.

“But the inhabitants of Senlis had already tasted the bitter draft of war making.  The people had become bitter to the point of losing care of their own safety.  They were reckless, driven to distraction.

“Bitter was the price exacted for the recklessness!  The trouble began when, exasperated beyond measure by their insolence, a brave tobacconist declared to a couple of the Prussians:  ‘I serve men, not bullies.’  He followed his words with a blow delivered fiercely from the shoulder.

“The infuriated soldiers dragged him from his shop and hurled him on his knees in front of the door.  His wife rushed out shrieking for mercy.  Mercy!  As well ask it of a stone!  A shot rang out...Another...Man and wife lay dead.

“Immediately the news of this murderous act flew through the town.  Outraged and furious, the conquerors marched instantly to the house of the mayor—­their hostage—­and arrested him.  They conveyed him without a moment’s delay to the military headquarters, where he was imprisoned for the night.  On Wednesday morning a court-martial sat to decide his fate.  A few minutes later this brave man paid for the indiscretion of his people with his life, dying splendidly.

“And then guns were turned on this town of living men and women and children.  Shells crashed into the houses, into the shops, into the station.  At Chantilly, seven kilometers away, the amazed inhabitants saw a great column of black smoke curl up into the air; they guessed the horrible truth.  Senlis was burning.

“The work, however, was interrupted.  At midday the glad tidings were heard, ‘The Turcos are here.’  Within the hour broken and blazing Senlis was re-relieved and rescued.  The Turcos pursued and severely punished the enemy.