" He turned and left the room, leaving the unfortunates in a state of
despair. Toward 11 o'clock he returned, ordering the prisoners to descend
the stairs and fall in line in the court yard. All crawled from their
rooms, 80 in number, and stood at attention before the colonel, who was a
very handsome and strong man, six foot tall, with expressive and benevolent
features. The youth of Schehl made an impression on him, and he asked in
German: "My little fellow, are you already a soldier?"
S. At your service, colonel.
C. How old are you?
S. Fifteen years, colonel.
C. How is it possible that you at your young age came into service?
S. Only my passion for horses induced me to volunteer my services in the
most beautiful regiment of France, as trumpeter.
C. Can you ride horseback and take care of horses?
S. At your service, colonel!
C. Where are the many prisoners who have been brought here, according to
reports there should be 800.
S. What you see here, colonel, is the sad remainder of those 800 men. The
others have died.
C. Is there an epidemic disease in this house?
S. Pardon me, colonel, but those comrades of mine have all died from
starvation; for during the six days we are here we received no food.
C. What you say, little fellow, cannot be true, for I have ordered to give
you the prescribed rations of bread, meat, and brandy, the same as are
given to the Russian soldiers, and this has been the will of the Czar.
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