At this intelligence a fearful hubbub broke out.  The women and children who were to be separated from their husbands, fathers, and relatives gave way to lamentation and hysterical raving.  While the men packed their trunks under official supervision their wives and children clung to them desperately.  But the men realising that war is war, accepted the situation philosophically, even cheerfully.  They were buoyed up by the official assurance that their detention was merely a matter of form, and that they would soon be released and free to proceed to their homes.

I may say that this is a favourite ruse followed by the Germans in all the camps in which I was interned, and I discovered that it was general throughout the country.  It is always expressed whenever the Teutons see trouble brewing.  Undoubtedly it is practised to keep the prisoners keyed up to a feverish pitch of hopefulness.  Certainly it succeeded for a time, although such announcements at a later date, when we had seen through the subterfuge, were received with ironical cheering and jeers.

At such a sudden and summary cleavage between families many distressing and pathetic scenes were witnessed.  On board there happened to be a wealthy young member of the Russian nobility—­Prince L——.  He was travelling with his sister and friends and was far from well.

The sister approached the officer and pleaded hard for her brother’s release.  It was refused.  Grief-stricken the Princess fell on her knees and with tears streaming down her cheeks, kissed the officer’s boots and offered all her jewels—­they must have been worth a considerable amount of money—­which she hastily tore off and held in her outstretched hands.

For the moment even the officer was somewhat moved.  Then in a quiet, determined voice he remarked,

“I am exceedingly sorry, but I cannot grant your request.  I am merely acting on my orders.  But I can assure you that your brother in common with all the others here, will be looked after.  Not a hair of their heads shall be injured.  They will all be treated according to the best and noblest traditions of German honour,[4] and the regulations which have been drawn up among the Powers concerning the treatment of prisoners of war.”  With these words the Prince was cast aside with the others.

    [Footnote 4:  The traditions of German honour were dinned into
    our ears at every turn.—­H.C.M.]

In another instance the wife and child of an Englishman, Mr. C——­, refused to be parted.  The wife clung round her husband’s neck while the child held to his coat.  She expressed her determination to go with her husband, no matter what might happen, and was on the verge of hysterics.  Every one was moved and strove to coax her into quietness, while an officer even accompanied her off the boat with her husband.  On the quay efforts were repeated to placate her and to induce her to allow her husband to proceed.  But all in vain.  At last, drawing the lady forcibly away, though with no greater force than was necessary, the officer himself attempted to console her.