disappeared for a short time into a back courtyard, and after some
fresh scuffling, reappeared, driving in front of him three men in torn
clothing and with dishevelled hair, who had been hiding all the while,
and were trembling like aspen leaves now that they had been caught. My
men, without undue explanations, told them that they had to drive, one
to each cart, and that if one tried to escape all would be shot down.
With protestations, the captives swore that they would obey; only let
them escape with their lives; they were innocent.... Then in a body we
sallied forth, this time a fully-equipped and well-mounted body of
marauders. It was a fate from which it was impossible to escape--my
men had such decision left when every person in authority was already
drifting....

Fitted out in this wise, we now rattled along the streets with faster
speed, and the clanking cart-wheels, awaking louder and louder echoes
which sounded curiously indiscreet in these deserted streets, made
heads bob from doorways and windows with greater and greater
frequency. Down in the side alleys, now that we were a mile or two
away from our lines, people might be even seen standing in frightened
groups, as if debating what was going to happen; these melted silently
away as soon as we were spied. But finding that they were disregarded,
and that no rifles cracked off at them as they half expected,
forthwith the groups formed again, and men even came out into the main
street and followed us a little way, calling half-heartedly to the
drivers to know if there was any news.... The terrible quiet which had
spread over the city after the Allies had burst in from two or three
quarters seemed indeed inexplicable; such troops as had passed had
gone hurriedly westwards towards the Palace. This quarter could
scarcely have been touched....