Again the waggon turned round the corner of a street.
“Here we are--this is Horonewos,” I heard the doctor say, and he ordered the driver to stop.
“What are we to do with the lady?” said Frau Simon complainingly. “She will be rather a hindrance than any help.”
I collected myself. “No, no,” I said, “I am better now; I will do all I can to help you.”
We found ourselves in the middle of the village at the gate of a château.
“We will first do here what there is to do,” said the doctor. “The château, which is deserted by its owners, must be filled from cellar to roof with wounded.”
We got out. I could hardly keep on my feet, but stiffened myself with all my force, so as not to give in.
“Forward,” said Frau Simon. “Have we all our luggage? What I am bringing with me will give the people some refreshment.”
“There are restoratives and bandages in my box too,” said I.
“And my hand-bag contains instruments and medicines,” added Bresser. Then we gave the needful orders to the soldiers who accompanied us; two were to wait with the horses and the others come with us.
We passed under the gate of the château. Stifled sounds of woe proceeded from various sides. All was dark.
“Light! the first thing is to strike a light!” called out Frau Simon.
Alas! we had brought all possible things with us--chocolate, meat essence, cigars, strips of linen, but no one had thought of a candle. There was no means of illuminating the darkness which surrounded us and the poor fellows. Only a box of lucifers, which the doctor had in his pocket, enabled us for a few seconds to see the terrible pictures which filled this abode of the wretched. The foot slipped on the floor, slippery with blood, if one tried to go on. What was to be done? To the hundred despairing men who were groaning and sighing here a few more people had come to despair and sigh. “What is to be done? What is to be done?”
“I will find out the clergyman’s house,” said Frau Simon, “or get some assistance somewhere else in the village. Come, doctor, you conduct me with your lucifer-matches to the egress, and you, Frau Martha, remain here meanwhile.”
Here, alone, in the dark, amongst all these wailing people, in this stifling odour? What a situation! I shuddered to the marrow of my bones. But I said nothing against it.