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114 WITH THE GERMAN ARMIES IN THE WEST
Immediately outside Dun, on the north side of the road
to Romagne, Hes a solitary grave, covered with wreaths round
its cross. In it reposes a captain, who held out with his little
band in the thick of the fire when the French were shelling
their own town, and who fell at last at his post. His memory
lives among the Geniian soldiers at Dun, fresh as the flowers
which are constantly renewed on his grave. And he is only
one among millions. Life is the least they can give to the
fatherland. The virtue of bravery is not a rare one ; history
has often borne witness to its existence ; but the inflexible
fulfilment of duty, which distinguishes the Germans in their
hour of destiny, has few parallels. Such a nation cannot be
conquered.
Dinner had been going on for some time when Professor
Widenmann, the body physician, came in and took his place.
He had been at a hospital, looking after our friend. Baron von
Maltzahn, who had been the victim of a motor accident in
the course of the day. The car, while going at a terrific pace,
had skidded at a corner of the wet road and turned over.
Von Maltzahn lay underneath and had the whole weight of
the car on his chest. He had a couple of ribs broken, a broken
leg, concussion of the brain and general shock. His condition
was rather alarming, but the professor had good hopes of his
recovery.
That professor is a man one would never forget. We took
to each other, more especially as he had travelled all over the
world. He had seen a great deal of Africa, and had been very
near the summit of Kilima Njaro when he was forced to turn
back by wind and weather. We had mutual friends far and
near, and long after the others had gone to their rooms we
sat up chatting—on that evening, which was my last with
the German Crown Prince, the Crown Prince of Prussia.
On the following day, September 24, we made a very early
breakfast, after which the cars of the Chief Command of the
Army again drove up to the chateau. I thanked his Imperial
and Royal Highness the Crown Prince with all my heart for
the great hospitality which had been shown me and for all
the memorable things I had had the opportunity of seeing
while with his proud army. After a vigorous shake of the
hand and a friendly Auf Wiedersehen ! the energetic young
Imperial Prince got into his car and went off to his duty.
As for myself, I was not to leave till twelve o’clock, as there
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