The Allies seemed well represented: An English Tommy with a guitar sang a comic song; a Russian soldier with a three-cornered string instrument, sang a folk-song of his native land; a Belgian soldier played the violin; and Saniez sang for France.
The applause that greeted the finish of each song was of a mixed kind; for those whose arms were maimed would shout, and those who could not shout would bang a chair or clap their hands. It was a patriotic and inspiring scene, and even the German orderly, coming in to see what was going on, was tempted to stop and listen.
We felt we were no longer prisoners; the spirit of the Allies was unconquerable.
Enthusiasm reached its highest pitch when Saniez brought it to a dramatic conclusion. Saniez had just finished a soul-inspiring song of his homeland. His audience could not withhold their applause until he finished, and Saniez could not restrain his spirit until the end of the applause. He suddenly threw up his arms, and at the top of his voice burst forth into the "Marseillaise," and the German orderly bolted out of the door.
Then the concert party ran to their dormitories; the lights were turned out, and we sought safety in sleep.
Captain Nobbs after his release from the German prison.[ToList]
We used to ask Saniez about his home; and he seemed to grow quiet and confident. His home, he said, was about three miles behind the German line.
Some one suggested that it was in a dangerous place, as the British were advancing, and no house near the line could escape untouched; but Saniez was confident.