w close he could come.

On October 2d, strictest regulations were passed prohibiting entry
within the fortifications of Antwerp without permit from the military
governor, General de Guise. Three weeks earlier entry had been
possible but difficult, and the feat was again easier after the German
occupation. But during the city's days of trial the military lid was
clamped and riveted. Except for those coming direct from England,
the highest civil recommendations were valueless.

I had one of these,--a laissez-passer from Prince d'Eline, Secretary of
the Belgian Legation at The Hague,--issued because of the fact that I
was carrying a large packet of mail from the American Legation at The
Hague to Henry W. Diederick, United States Consul-General at Antwerp. I
had also been entrusted with three hundred marks to be delivered to a
German prisoner, Lieutenant Ulrici, known to have been wounded and
captured in the fighting around Termonde, and believed to be lying in a
hospital ship in the river or in Antwerp itself. The fact of carrying
such money was of course against me as indicating German sympathy.

Because a large part of the railroad line between Eschen, Cappelen,
and Antwerp had been torn up, because there would be many
hold-ups, and because I couldn't speak a word of Flemish, I decided
against the overland route. Hearing, however, that L. Braakman &
Company, a grain and freight shipping concern, were running down
barges from Rotterdam, I got a Belgian friend to call them up on my
behalf. The result was a flat throw-down: without General de Guise's
sanction I might not even cross the gangplank.

Nevertheless, I went to Rotterdam, crossed the river basin to the
island from which the Braakman boats ran, and there saw a director
of the company, who, fortunately, could speak both English and
Flemish. He took me to the captain of the river barge, a low craft that
looked a cross between a tugboat and a Hudson River scow. In less
than three minutes my case was disposed of. Verdict: "C'est
absolument defendu." It was time for a little "bluff." An hour later I
returned with a new proposition, having in the mean time telegraphed
Mr. Diederick either to meet me at the pier at Antwerp or to send a
military permit. Displaying a copy of this telegram I suggested that I
be allowed to board. If there was any one at Antwerp to meet and
vouch for me, well and good; if not, they were at liberty to ship me
back. That was my p