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A FINAL DAY ON THE WESTERN FRONT 377
Some shouted no, others shrugged their shoulders and one
repHed :
" Even if there have been social democrats among us,
all that rot has been washed away by now. It is real and serious
business we are dealing with now, and none of that kids’
game !
"
Presently the men were ordered to form up and the circle
melted away, leaving me alone with the divisional pastor and
three young officers with whom I chatted for a few moments.
Then I went back to my friends and travelling companions
from Metz. The day’s work was over. The result of the
achievements of the day had been reported to the General in
Command, but they had to wait at Barbas until fresh orders
arrived, which might not be until midnight. For my part I
could return to Metz whenever I wanted to.
The sun had long since set when Captain Kaufmann came
up and offered me a seat in his car. He was a fine fellow and
had moreover many memorable and interesting things to tell
me from his experiences in the war. So I said good-bye to
my charming host for the day, General von Tettenborn, and
the other officers, jumped up beside Kaufmann and a lieu-
tenant and in a second we were on the way, eating up the
ninety kilometres separating us from our destination in the
north-west. We had our head-lamps lighted. At least twenty
times we were stopped by the patrols guarding the road, who
swung their lanterns across the road and shouted " halt !
"
I consider we were very fortunate to get through with a whole
skin, for if one overlooks a single sentry, it is all up and one
gets a bullet through the back. There were numerous cavalry
patrols about, evidently on their way home after their scouting
in the gloaming. They, too, were stopped by the pickets, for
otherwise French patrols in German uniforms might easily
infest the roads and villages held by the Germans. We were
also stopped on entering and leaving every village.
However, at last we got safely back to Metz, and thus ended
my last day at the front.
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