Page 174 - A Hero of Liége

flame shot up from where one of the cupolas had been; shapeless shreds of
armour plate lay amid jagged masses of masonry and heaps of stones. No

trace of the guns was to be seen.

Far down the slope two German officers were advancing under a white
flag. Coming within hailing distance they called on the garrison to
surrender.

"You have seen what our guns can do," said one of them in French. "You

have been struck by 278 shells; you cannot reply; and we have still more
colossal guns in reserve. Surrender, or you will be annihilated."

The commandant, wounded as he was, half choked by the foul gases that
still clung about the place, stepped forward and gave his answer.

"Honour forbids us to surrender: we shall resist to the end."

The garrison waved their caps and cheered. A nation whose stricken
soldiers showed such a spirit could never be quelled, thought Kenneth. The

Germans laughed and withdrew. In half an hour the bombardment
recommenced, this time from two directions. The men in their galleries
listened helplessly to the destruction of their world.

Darkness fell, and except for an occasional shot the bombardment ceased.

The commandant sent for Pariset.

"It is useless," he said wearily. "Their shells will pierce the galleries

to-morrow. One of my men has already had his hand blown off; others are
seriously wounded. To-night I shall flood the magazines and break all the

rifles and guns; in the morning I must surrender. But you and your friend
are not of my garrison: there is work for you outside; why should you be
carried prisoners to Germany? Slip out in the darkness. There are no

infantry around the fort. I can provide you with civilian dress. It will be
dangerous to attempt to get into Liege. Make for Seraing, cross the river

there, and slip between the Flemalle and Hollogne forts towards Brussels.
And tell General Wonters that we held out until resistance was hopeless."