“While the shells screamed and exploded with a deafening roar, tearing buildings and leaving wreck and ruin in their wake, this old Governor was calm throughout,” said Miss La France.

“It was his bravery that enabled us to bear up under the terrible strain, although it was impossible to flee the city, as shells were exploding all about.

“I was sitting on the veranda of the hotel, having a lovely holiday.  Every one was happy and contented.  The sunshine was lovely and warm and the natives were busy at their work.  I noticed two dark ships steaming up the little river, but was too lazy and ‘comfy’ to take any interest in them.

“Suddenly, without any warning, shots began exploding around us.  Two of the houses near the hotel fell with a crash, and the natives began screaming and running in every direction.  For a minute I didn’t realize what was happening.  But when another volley of shells burst dangerously near and some of the pieces just missed my head, I was flying, too.

“Every one was shouting, ‘To the hills, to the hills!’ My manager could not obtain a wagon or any means of conveyance to take me there.  I felt as if I had on a pair of magic boots that would carry me to the hills in three steps.  But I didn’t.  It was a good six miles, over bad roads, and we had to run.

“The shells from the German battleships kept breaking, and the explosions were terrible.  I am sure that I made a record in sprinting that six miles.  The cries of the people were terrible.  I was simply terror-stricken and could not cry for fear.  I seemed to realize that I must keep my strength in order to reach the hills.

“We hid in the hills and the natives gave up their homes to the white people, and were especially kind to the women.”

“The native population probably hasn’t come back from the hills yet, and when we left, two days after the bombardment, the European population was still dazed,” said E.P.  Titchener, a Wellington, New Zealand, merchant, who went through the bombardment.

“From 8 o’clock until 10 the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau circled in the harbor, firing broadsides of eight-inch guns at the little gunboat Zelie and the warehouses beyond.

“Only the American flag, which the American Consul hoisted, and an American sailing vessel also ran up, the two being in line before the main European residence section, saved that part of the town, for the German cruisers were careful not to fire in that direction.”

According to all accounts, the cruisers directed their fire solely toward the Zelie, but their marksmanship was said to be poor.  Many shots fell short and many went wide, so that the whole business district, the general market, and the warehouses along the water front were peppered and riddled.

The French replied from some old guns on the hills as well as three shots from the Zelie, but ineffectively.

“It was plucky of the French to fire at all,” said Mr. Titchener.  “At 7 o’clock we could see two war vessels approaching, and soon made out they were cruisers.  They came on without a flag, and the Zelie, lying in the harbor, fired a blank shot.