hough we were compelled to gather the hay, remake the bale, and
reload it upon the vehicle we were so satisfied with our complete
revenge as to perform the task with a light heart.

Whenever we visited Paderborn, or the village of Sennelager, we never
omitted to load ourselves up with whatever food we could purchase. Those
who did not accompany us invariably gave us the wherewithal to secure
victuals for them.

[*large gap]

At first the shop-keepers were not disposed to deal with us, no doubt
fearing that they would be charged with complicity in these
transactions. [*gap]

As our visits became more frequent all hesitation upon the part of the
tradesmen vanished, and they accepted our money without the slightest
demur. We speedily discovered that the most rabid anti-British and
wildly patriotic German shopkeeper always succumbs to business. When
patriotism is pitted against pounds, shillings and pence, patriotism can
go hang.

[*large gap]

One of Major Bach's most diabolical acts of savagery was the closing of
the canteens in the camp to prisoners. This was the last straw, because
now we were compelled to subsist upon the slender and disgusting fare
served from the official cook-house. This doubtless was the express
reason which influenced the Commandant in his action. But we were not
disposed to allow him to have things all his own way. He promulgated the
order but it had to be enforced by his myrmidons. We found that the
canteen was still available to the guards, so forthwith we resorted to
corruption to evade Major Bach's decree. The guards having us in their
mercy, bled us unmercifully, the most trivial articles being procurable
only at an extravagant price. I paid a shilling for a loaf which I could
always obtain before the closing order came into force for twopence!
Other articles were in proportion.

But closing the canteens drew the cordon round our stomachs immeasurably
tighter. It was not long before the fiendish decree betrayed its fruits.
Gaunt figures with pinched faces and staring wolfish eyes slunk about
the camp ready to seize anything in the form of food. Our physique fell
away, and those already reduced to weakness suffered still further
debilitation. Many failed to muster the strength necessary to fulfil the
tasks allotted to them. Gradual, systematic and deliberate starvation of
the prisoners was prosecuted in grim earnest.

Yet the British prisoners accepted the inevitable with a far more