The village women who gathered around us had most apathetic, indifferent, sodden faces; I don't believe they knew what it was all about. They were no more interested in what was going on than the black-and-white Holstein cows that grazed in the meadow near by.
Map made by Private Simmons of the First Attempt
I spoke of this afterwards to Bromley.
"But you must remember," he said, "they knew enough to go and tell on us. That wasn't so slow."
We could see that the soldiers were greatly pleased with their catch, by the way they talked and gesticulated. Every one was pleased but us! Then the commander, addressing his men in what we took to be a congratulatory speech, called for volunteers. We knew the word.
I looked at Bromley, and saw the same thought in his face, but his sense of humor never failed him.
"Cheer up, Sim!" he said. "They are just calling for volunteers to shoot us. The boys must have something to practise on."
We laughed about it afterwards, but I must say I did not see much fun in it that minute. But it was only volunteers to take us into Aschaffenburg. The commander wished to spread the joy and gladness as far as it would go, and I think it was fully a dozen who escorted us to Aschaffenburg, about a mile and a half away.