heir work. I noticed two dark ships steaming
up the little river, but was too lazy and 'comfy' to take any interest
in them.

"Suddenly, without any warning, shots began exploding around us. Two of
the houses near the hotel fell with a crash, and the natives began
screaming and running in every direction. For a minute I didn't realize
what was happening. But when another volley of shells burst dangerously
near and some of the pieces just missed my head, I was flying, too.

"Every one was shouting, 'To the hills, to the hills!' My manager could
not obtain a wagon or any means of conveyance to take me there. I felt
as if I had on a pair of magic boots that would carry me to the hills in
three steps. But I didn't. It was a good six miles, over bad roads, and
we had to run.

"The shells from the German battleships kept breaking, and the
explosions were terrible. I am sure that I made a record in sprinting
that six miles. The cries of the people were terrible. I was simply
terror-stricken and could not cry for fear. I seemed to realize that I
must keep my strength in order to reach the hills.

"We hid in the hills and the natives gave up their homes to the white
people, and were especially kind to the women."

"The native population probably hasn't come back from the hills yet, and
when we left, two days after the bombardment, the European population
was still dazed," said E.P. Titchener, a Wellington, New Zealand,
merchant, who went through the bombardment.

"From 8 o'clock until 10 the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau circled in the
harbor, firing broadsides of eight-inch guns at the little gunboat Zelie
and the warehouses beyond.

"Only the American flag, which the American Consul hoisted, and an
American sailing vessel also ran up, the two being in line before the
main European residence section, saved that part of the town, for the
German cruisers were careful not to fire in that direction."

According to all accounts, the cruisers directed their fire solely
toward the Zelie, but their marksmanship was said to be poor. Many shots
fell short and many went wide, so that the whole business district, the
general market, and the warehouses along the water front were peppered
and riddled.

The French replied from some old guns on the hills as well as three
shots from the Zelie, but ineffectively.

"It was plucky of the French to fire at all," said Mr. Titchener. "At 7
o'clock we could see two war vessels approaching, and