“Bucharest, September, 1916.

“The Roumanians really expected a Zeppelin attack at once.  So far it has not occurred, and they begin to feel more at ease, and say that it is too far for the Zeppelins to come all the way from Germany.  They seem not to be aware that Mackensen has Zeppelins in Bulgaria.  But who can tell whether they really will come?

“Bucharest, September, 1916.

“Last night a Zeppelin did come.  About three o’clock we were roused by the shrill police whistles giving the alarm.  The telephone notified us that a Zeppelin had crossed the Danube, and all the church bells began to peal.  Suddenly darkness and silence reigned, and the whole town, like some great angry animal, sullen and morose, prepared for the enemy attack.  Nowhere was there light or sound.  The town, with a wonderful starry firmament overhead, waited in expectation.  Fifteen, twenty minutes went by, when suddenly a shot was fired and, as though it were a signal, firing broke out in every direction.  The anti-aircraft guns fired incessantly, and the police, too, did their best, firing in the air.  But what were they firing at?  There was absolutely nothing to be seen.  The searchlights then came into play.  Sweeping the heavens from east to west, from north to south, they searched the firmament, but could not find the Zeppelin.  Was it really there, or was the whole thing due to excited Roumanian nerves?

“Suddenly a sound was heard:  the noise of the propeller overhead.  It sounded so near in the clear, starry night, we felt we must be able to see it.  But the noise died away in the direction of Colbroceni.  Then we heard the first bomb.  Like a gust of wind it whistled through the air, followed by a crash and an explosion.  A second and third came quickly after.  The firing became fiercer, but they can see nothing and seem to aim at where the sound comes from.  The searchlights sway backwards and forwards.  Now one of them has caught the airship, which looks like a small golden cigar.  Both the gondolas can be seen quite distinctly, and the searchlight keeps it well in view, and now a second one has caught it.  It looks as though this air cruiser is hanging motionless in the sky, brilliantly lit up by the searchlights right and left.  Then the guns begin in good earnest.  Shrapnel bursts all around, a wonderful display of fireworks, but it is impossible to say if the aim is good and if the monster is in danger.  Smaller and smaller grows the Zeppelin, climbing rapidly higher and higher, until suddenly the miniature cigar disappears.  Still the searchlights sweep the skies, hoping to find their prey again.