Transcription Page

Henry Masterman Mist Diaries and Prisoners Pie Magazine

Diaries of Heny Masterman Mist and a copy of Prisoners’ Pie, the Ruhleben Camp magazine. Learn more.

*All transcriptions are provided by volunteers, and the accuracy of the transcriptions is not guaranteed. Please be sure to verify the information by viewing the image record, or visiting the BC Archives in person. 

BC Archives MS-2570

Current Page Transcription [edit] [history]

Spies. (A true fable.)

It was Christmas time once again and, just as many, many years ago, angels came from heaven to bring peace on earth to mankind. But there were no shepherds as in former times to welcome them and to spread the happy message. When the angels approached the earth, they were discovered by searchlights and soon shell after shell was hurled against them. Naturally the angels were not injured at all, not even wounded thereby, for man with all his cunning has not yet invented effective armaments against angels. So they landed safely on the hump-backed crust of our old planet. As soon as they touched the ground, half a dozen searchlights were concentrated upon them and the angels had to hold the palm-branches before their eyes, so dazzled were they by the extraordinary strong light, which streamed on them from all sides. The good angels were so much astonished by this strange reception and by the thunder of the cannon, that they became quite bewildered. But before they could make out just what was happening all around, men ran up and quickly surrounded them shouting loudly the while: "Down arms!" As the angels of peace carried nothing but their palm branches with them, they could only deliver these to the soldiers. Then the armed men wished to know who the "Leader of the squadron" was. The angels looked at each other for some moments rather perplexedly, for they did not quite grasp what the soldiers meant; but gradually it dawned upon them and one of the angels stepped forward. Likewise one of the soldiers advanced and asked the angels' leader: "Where do you come from?" When the angel answered "From heaven", a hoarse laugh was heard from the soldiers' circle. "What nationality?" went on the speaker. "We have no nationality," replied the angel, whereupon the soldiers roared with laughter. "Then apparently you are neutral spies and the matter is much more serious than if you were honest enemies." "We are neither enemies nor spies, but angels from heaven, who wished to announce peace on earth to all mankind." The warriors burst out laughing again and cries were heard from among the gathering and well informed crowd: "Nonsense! It's all lies! A mere stratagem to gain a mean advantage! Off with them!" But the sergeant, who was one of the quietest and most prudent of men, replied to the angel: "Whatever our personal feelings may be, we must take you all prisoners." "Pray why, gallant sir?" the angel meekly asked. "We have our orders and must obey," was the curt but not impolite reply. The prisoners had to fall in and were marched off, accompanied by soldiers with fixed bayonets, who also carried the angels' arms in their hands.

After a short march the prisoners' troop arrived before the walls of a town. They went through the gateway. The town seemed to be fast asleep. No lamps were burning in the streets. No windows were illuminated; only here and there very faint streaks of light peeped

BC Archives, MS-2570 Box 1 File 6 MIST, Henry Masterman Ruhleben magazine, Prisoners’ Pie, 1916

Current Page Discussion [edit] [history]

Image 132 of 179