Chapter XVI

The capture of Gorizia—Up betimes—My lucky star in the ascendant—I
am put in a car with Barzini—Prepared for the good news of the
capture—Though not so soon—A slice of good fortune—Our chauffeur—We
get off without undue delay—The news of the crossing of the
Isonzo—Enemy in full retreat—We reach Lucinico—The barricade—View
of Gorizia—The Austrian trenches—“No man’s land”—Battlefield
_débris_—Austrian dead—An unearthly region—Austrian General’s
Headquarters—Extraordinary place—Spoils of Victory—Gruesome
spectacle—Human packages—General Marazzi—Podgora—Grafenberg—Dead
everywhere—The destroyed bridges—Terrifying Explosions—Lieutenant
Ugo Oyetti—A remarkable feat—The heroes of Podgora—“Ecco
Barzini”—A curtain of shell fire—Marvellous escape of a
gun-team—In the faubourgs of Gorizia—“Kroner” millionaires—The
Via Leoni—The dead officer—The Corso Francesco Guiseppe—The
“Grosses” café—Animated scene—A café in name only—Empty cellar
and larder—Water supply cut off—A curious incident—Fifteen months
a voluntary prisoner—A walk in Gorizia—Wilful bombardment—The
inhabitants—The “danger Zone”—Exciting incident—Under fire—The
abandoned dog—The Italian flags—The arrival of troops—An army
of gentlemen—Strange incidents—The young Italian girl—No
looting—At the Town Hall—The good-looking Austrian woman—A
hint—The _Carabinieri_—“Suspects”—Our return journey to Udine—My
trophies—The sunken pathway—Back at Lucinico—The most impressive
spectacle of the day 219