"Commander Jeanniot, who had been in reserve that night, and who,
roused by the firing like Dr. Duguet and Abbé Le Helloco, had gone
into the street to call his sector to arms, had not even taken his
revolver in his hand. Mistaking the identity and the intentions of
the groups he saw advancing, he ran towards them to reassure them and
bring them back to the trenches. This little stout, grizzled officer,
rough and simple in manner, was adored by the sailors. He was known
to be the bravest of the brave, and he himself was conscious of his
power over his men. When he recognized his mistake it was too late.
The Germans seized him, disarmed him, and carried him off with loud
'_Hochs!_' of satisfaction. The band continued to push on towards the
Yser, driving a few fugitives before them, and a part of them succeeded
in crossing the river under cover of the general confusion. Happily
this did not last long. Captain Marcotte de Sainte-Marie, who was in
command of the guard on the bridge, identified the assailants with the
help of a searchlight, and at once opened fire upon them. The majority
of the Germans within range of our machine-guns were mown down; the
rest scattered along the streets and ran to cellars and ruins to
hide themselves. But the head of the column had got across with its
prisoners, whom they drove before them with the butt-ends of their
rifles.[13] For four hours they wandered about, seeking an issue which
would enable them to rejoin their lines. It was raining the whole time.
Weary of wading through the mud, the officers stopped behind a hedge to
hold a council. A pale light began to pierce the mist; day was dawning,
and they could no longer hope to regain the German lines in a body.
Prudence dictated that they should disperse until nightfall. But what
was to be done with the prisoners? The majority voted that they should
be put to death. The Belgian doctors protested. Commander Jeanniot,
who took no part in the debate, was talking calmly to Quartermaster
Bonnet. At a sign from their leader the Boches knelt and opened fire
upon the prisoners. The Commander fell, and as he was still breathing,
they finished him off with their bayonets. The only survivors were the
Belgian doctors, who had been spared, and Quartermaster Bonnet, who had
only been hit in the shoulder. It was at this moment that the marauders
were discovered. One section charged them forthwith; another fell back
to cut off their retreat. What happened afterwards? Some accounts
declare that the German officers learned what it costs to murder
prisoners, and that our men despatched the dogs there and then; but
the truth is, that, in spite of the general desire to avenge Commander
Jeannoit, the whole band was taken prisoners and brought before the
Admiral, who had only the three most prominent rascals of the gang
executed."