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twg_000012930500 | the whole machinery of organization--appears little short of insanity. At the same time, it is possible that it may arouse such a burst of national enthusiasm that the resistance which, as far as the civil population is concerned, has as yet been contemptible--in fact, has not been attempted at all--may become of so obstinate and desperate a character that the | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930501 | Prussians may be fairly wearied out. "There is scarcely any hope of future victories in the field. Raw levies, however plucky, can be no match for such troops as the Prussians, in the open. The only hope is in masses of franc tireurs upon the rear and flanks of the enemy. Every bridge, every wood, every village should be defended | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930502 | to the death. In this way the Prussians would only hold the ground they stand on; and it would be absolutely impossible for them to feed their immense armies, or to bring up their siege materiel against Paris. "The spirit to do this may possibly be excited by the revolution; otherwise, France is lost. Success alone can excuse it; for | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930503 | a more senseless, more unjustifiable, more shameful revolution was, in my mind, never made. It has been effected purely by the Radicals and roughs of Paris--the men who have, for years, been advocating a war with Prussia; and who, a month ago, were screaming 'To Berlin.' For these men to turn round upon the Emperor in his misfortune and, without | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930504 | consulting the rest of France, to effect a revolution, is in my mind simply infamous. "Even regarded as a matter of policy, it is bad in the extreme. Austria, Italy, and Russia--to say nothing of England--would, sooner or later, have interfered in favor of an established empire; but their sympathies will be chilled by this revolution. The democratic party in | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930505 | all these countries may exult, but the extreme democratic party do not hold the reins of power anywhere; and their monarchs will certainly not feel called upon to assist to establish a republic. "Prussia herself--intensely aristocratic in her institutions--will probably refuse to treat, altogether, with the schemers who have seized the power; for the King of Prussia is perhaps the | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930506 | greatest hater of democracy in Europe. "Still, boys, these changes make no difference in your duty. You are fighting for France, not for an empire or a republic and, as long as France resists, it is your duty to continue. In fact, it is now more than ever the duty of you, and of every Frenchman, to fight. Her army | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930507 | is entirely gone; and it is simply upon the pluck and energy of her population that she has to trust." "Do you think Paris will hold out, papa?" "She is sure to do so, boys. She has made the revolution, and she is bound to defend it. I know Paris well. The fortifications are far too strong to be taken | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930508 | by a sudden attack, and it will be a long time before the Prussians can bring up a siege train. Paris will only be starved out and, if her people are only half as brave as they are turbulent, they ought to render it impossible for the Prussians to blockade such an immense circle. At any rate, France has two | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930509 | months; perhaps much longer, but two months ought to be quite enough, if her people have but spirit to surround the enemy, to cut off his supplies, and to force him to retreat." The next morning, when the corps assembled for drill, Captain Tempe addressed them on the subject of the events in Paris. He told them that, whether they | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930510 | approved or disapproved of what had taken place there, their duty as Frenchmen was plain. For the present they were not politicians, but patriots; and he hoped that not a word of politics would be spoken in the corps, but that everyone would give his whole thought, his whole strength and, if must be, his life in the cause of | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930511 | France. His address was greatly applauded, and gave immense satisfaction to the men; for already differences of opinion were becoming manifest among them. Some had exulted loudly at the downfall of Napoleon; others had said little, but their gloomy looks had testified sufficiently what were their opinions; while many among the gentlemen in the corps, especially those belonging to old | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930512 | families, were well known to be attached either to a Legitimist or Orleanist Prince. The proposal, therefore, that no politics should be discussed during the war, but that all should remember only that they were fighting for France, gave great satisfaction; and promised a continuance of the good fellowship which had hitherto reigned in the corps. It was a great | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930513 | day when, a fortnight from its first organization, the corps turned out for the first time in their uniforms. The band of the national guard headed them, as they marched down the high street of Dijon to the parade ground; and--as the spectators cheered, the ladies waved their handkerchiefs, and the whole corps joined in cheers, to the stirring notes | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930514 | of the Marseillaise--the young Barclays felt their cheeks flush, their hands tighten upon their rifles, and their hearts beat with a fierce longing to be face to face with the hated Prussians. A day or two after this, the Snider rifles ordered from England by Captain Barclay arrived; and although the men at first preferred the chassepots, with which they | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930515 | were familiar, they were soon accustomed to the new weapons; and readily acknowledged the advantage which--as their commander pointed out to them--the dark-brown barrels possessed, for skirmishers, over the bright barrels of the chassepots which, with the sun shining upon them, would betray them to an enemy miles away. A day or two afterwards, as Ralph and Percy were returning | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930516 | in the evening from drill, they heard a great tumult in the streets. They hurried forward to see what was the matter, and found an excited crowd shouting and gesticulating. "Death to the spy!" "Death to the spy!" "Hang him!" "Kill the dog!" were the shouts, and two gendarmes in the center of the crowd were vainly trying to protect | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930517 | a man who was walking between them. He was a tall, powerful-looking man; but it was impossible to see what he was like, for the blood was streaming down his forehead, from a blow he had just received. Just as the boys came up, another blow from a stick fell on his head; and this served to rouse him to | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930518 | desperation, for he turned round, with one blow knocked down the fellow who had struck him, and then commenced a furious attack upon his persecutors. For a moment they drew back, and then closed upon him again. Blows from sticks and hands rained upon him, but he struggled desperately. At last, overwhelmed by numbers, he fell; and as he did | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930519 | so he raised a wild shout, "Hurroo for ould Ireland." "He is an Englishman, Percy," Ralph exclaimed; "he is not a Prussian, at all. Come on! "Here, Louis, Philippe, help; they are killing an Englishman." Followed by their cousins--who had just arrived at the spot--the boys made a rush through the crowd; and arrived in another moment by the prostrate | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930520 | man, whom his assailants were kicking savagely. The rush of the four boys--aided by the butt-end of their rifles, which they used freely on the ribs of those who stood in their way--cleared off the assailants for an instant; and the two gendarmes--who had been hustled away--drawing their swords, again took their place by the side of their insensible prisoner. | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930521 | The mob had only recoiled for a moment; and now, furious at being baulked of their expected prey, prepared to rush upon his defenders; shouting, as they did so: "Death to the spy!" The moment's delay had, however, given time to the boys to fix bayonets. Illustration: Rescue of a Supposed Spy. "Keep off," Ralph shouted, "or we run you | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930522 | through! The man is not a spy, I tell you. He is an Englishman." The noise was too great for the words to be heard and, with cries of "Death to the spy!" the men in front prepared for a rush. The leveled bayonets and drawn swords, however, for a moment checked their ardor; but those behind kept up the | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930523 | cry, and a serious conflict would have ensued, had not a party of five or six of the franc tireurs come along at the moment. These--seeing their comrades standing with leveled bayonets, keeping the mob at bay--without asking any questions, at once burst their way through to their side; distributing blows right and left, heartily, with the butt-end of their | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930524 | rifles. This reinforcement put an end to the threatened conflict; and the gendarmes, aided by two of the franc tireurs, lifted the insensible man and carried him to the Maine; the rest of the franc tireurs marching on either side as a guard, and the yelling crowd following them. Once inside the Maine the gates were shut and--the supposed spy | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930525 | being laid down on the bench--cold water was dashed in his face; and in a few minutes he opened his eyes. "The murdering villains!" he muttered to himself. "They've kilt me entirely, bad luck to them! A hundred to one, the cowardly blackguards! "Where am I?" and he made an effort to rise. "You're all right," Ralph said. "You're with | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930526 | friends. Don't be afraid, you're safe now." "Jabers!" exclaimed the Irishman in astonishment, sitting up and looking round him, "here's a little French soldier, speaking as illegant English as I do, meself." "I'm English," laughed Ralph, "and lucky it was for you that we came along. We heard you call out, just as you fell; and got in in time, | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930527 | with the help of our friends, to save your life. Another minute or two, and we should have been too late." "God bless your honor!" the man--who had now thoroughly recovered himself--said earnestly. "And it was a tight shave, entirely. You've saved Tim Doyle's life; and your honor shall see that he's not ungrateful. Whenever you want a lad with | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930528 | a strong arm and a thick stick, Tim's the boy." "Thank you, Tim," Ralph said, heartily. "Now you had better let the surgeon look at your head. You have got some nasty cuts." "Sure, and my head's all right, your honor It isn't a tap from a Frenchman that would break the skull of Tim Doyle." The gendarmes now intimated | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930529 | that, as the prisoner was restored, he must go in at once before the Maire. The young Barclays accompanied him, and acted as interpreters at the examination. The story was a simple one, and the passport and other papers upon the Irishman proved its truth conclusively. Tim was an Irishman, who had come out as groom with an English gentleman. | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930530 | His master had fallen ill at Lyons, had parted with his horses and carriage, and returned to England. Tim had accepted the offer of the horse dealer who had purchased the horses to remain in his service, and had been with him six months when the war broke out. He had picked up a little French, but had been several | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930531 | times arrested in Lyons, as a spy; and his master had at last told him that it was not safe for him to remain, and that he had better return to England. He had reached Dijon on that morning; but the train, instead of going on, had been stopped, as large numbers of Mobiles were leaving for Paris, and the | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930532 | ordinary traffic was suspended. Tim had therefore passed the day strolling about Dijon. The hour had approached at which he had been told that a train might leave, and Tim had asked a passer by the way to the station. His broken French at once aroused suspicion. A crowd collected in a few minutes; and Tim was, in the first | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930533 | place, saved from being attacked by the arrival of two gendarmes upon the scene. He had at once told them that he was English, and had produced his passport; and they had decided upon taking him to the Maire, for the examination of his papers--but on the way the crowd, increased by fresh arrivals, had determined to take the law | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930534 | into their own hands; and only the arrival of the young Barclays, and their cousins, had saved his life. The Maire saw at once, upon examination of the papers, that the story was correct; and pronounced that Tim was at liberty to go where he pleased. The poor fellow, however--though he made light of his wounds and bruises--was much shaken; | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930535 | and it would, moreover, have been dangerous for him to venture again into the streets of Dijon. Ralph therefore at once offered to take him out, and to give him a night's shelter; an offer which the Irishman accepted, with many thanks. It was now getting dark and, accompanied by their cousins, the Barclays were let out with Tim Doyle | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930536 | from a back entrance to the Maine; and made their way unnoticed through the town; and arrived, half an hour later, at home. Captain and Mrs. Barclay, upon hearing the story, cordially approved of what the boys had done; and Captain Barclay having--in spite of Tim's earnest remonstrance that it was of no consequence in the world--put some wet rags | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930537 | upon the most serious of the wounds, bandaged up his head, and sent him at once to bed. In the morning, when the lads started for drill, the Irishman was still in bed; but when they returned to dinner, they found him working in the garden, as vigorously as if the events of the previous day had been a mere | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930538 | dream. When he saw them coming, he stuck his spade into the ground and went forward to meet them. "God bless your honors, but I'm glad to see you again; and to thank you for saving my life, which them bastes had made up their minds they were going to have. I ain't good at talking, your honors; but if | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930539 | it's the last drop of my blood that would be of any use to you, you'd be heartily welcome to it." "I am very glad we arrived in time, Tim," Ralph said. "And it's lucky for you that you shouted 'Hurrah for old Ireland!' as you went down; for of course we had no idea you were a countryman and, | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930540 | although we were disgusted at the brutality of that cowardly mob, we could hardly have interfered between them and a German spy. "What are you thinking of doing now? It will hardly be safe for you to travel through France while this madness about spies lasts for, with your broken French, you would be getting taken up continually." "I'm not | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930541 | thinking of it at all, your honor," the Irishman said. "The master has been telling me that your honors are starting for the war, and so I've made up my mind that I shall go along wid ye." The boys laughed. "You are not in earnest, Tim?" "As sure as the Gospels, your honor I've served five years in the | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930542 | Cork Militia, and wore the badge as a marksman; and so I mean to 'list, and go as your honors' sarvint." "But you can't do that, Tim, even if we would let you," Ralph laughed. "There won't be any servants at all." "Sure, your honor is mistaken, entirely," Tim said, gravely. "In the sarvice, a soldier is always told off | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930543 | as a sarvint for each officer." "But we are not going as officers, Tim," Percy said. "We are going as simple soldiers." "What! Going as privates?" Tim Doyle said, in astonishment. "Does your honor mane to say that you are going to shoulder a firelock, and just go as privates?" "That's it, Tim. You see, this is not a regular | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930544 | regiment; it is a corps of irregulars, and more than half the privates are gentlemen." "Holy Mother!" ejaculated Tim, in astonishment, "did one ever hear of the like?" Then, after a pause: "Then your honor will want a sarvint more than iver. Who is to clean your boots, and to pipeclay your belts; to wash your linen, to clean your | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930545 | firelock, and cook your dinners, and pitch your tent, if you don't have a sarvint? The thing's against nature, entirely." "We shall do it all ourselves, Tim--that is to say, as far as cleaning the rifles, washing our linen, and cooking the dinner. As for the other things, I don't suppose we shall ever have our boots cleaned; we have | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930546 | no white belts to pipeclay, for they are made of buff leather; and we shall not have to pitch tents, for we don't take them with us, but shall, when necessary, sleep in the open air." Tim was too surprised to speak, for a time. At last, he said doggedly: "Sarvint or no sarvint, your honor, it is evident that | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930547 | it's rough times you're going to have; and Tim Doyle will be there with you, as sure as the piper." "We should like you with us very much, Tim, if you make up your mind to go," Ralph said; "but the corps is quite full. We have refused dozens of recruits." Tim looked downcast. At last he said: "Well, your | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930548 | honor, it may be that they won't have me as a soldier; but I'll go sure enough, if I die for it. There's no law to punish a man for walking after a regiment of soldiers and, wherever your regiment goes, sure enough I'll tramp after ye. There's many an odd way I might make myself useful, and they'll soon | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930549 | get used to see me about, and let me come and go into the camp." No persuasion could alter Tim's determination and, as they felt that having so attached a fellow near them might be of real utility, and comfort, when the boys went down in the afternoon they spoke to Captain Tempe about it. At first he said that | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930550 | it was impossible, as he had already refused so many offers of service; but upon hearing all the story, and thinking the matter over, he said suddenly: "By the bye, there is a way by which he might go with us. You know I have ordered a light two-wheel cart, built very strong for the mountains, to carry our spare | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930551 | ammunition, powder for blowing up bridges, cooking pots, and stores. I have not engaged a driver as yet. If your Irishman--who you say understands horses--likes to go as a driver, to begin with, I will promise him the first vacant rifle. I fear that he will not have long to wait, after we once get near the enemy; and as | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930552 | he has already served, you say, he will be better than a new recruit, and we can get a countryman to take his place with the cart." Upon their return in the evening with the news, Tim Doyle's joy knew no bound; and he whooped and shouted, till Milly laughed so that she had to beg of him to stop. | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930553 | The next day, Tim went down with Captain Barclay and signed the engagement. He remained with the captain during the time that the latter was giving his instructions in musketry--entering upon his duties in connection with the corps by going down to the butts, and acting as marker--and then returned with him to the cottage; as it was agreed that | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930554 | he had better remain there, quietly, until the corps was ready to march--as, if he were to venture alone in the town, he might at any time be subject to a repetition of the attack upon the day of his arrival. At the cottage he soon became a general favorite His desire to make himself useful in any way, his | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930555 | fund of fun and good temper, pleased everyone. Even Marie and Jeannette--the two servants, who could not understand a word of what he said--were in a constant broad grin, at the pantomime by which he endeavored to eke out his few words of French. Milly became quite attached to him; and Captain and Mrs. Barclay both felt cheered, and comforted, | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930556 | at the thought that this devoted fellow would be at hand to look after and assist the boys, in time of danger, suffering, or sickness. : Starting For The Vosges. The day for the departure of the corps was near at hand. The party at the Barclays were all filled with sadness, at the thoughts of separation; but all strove | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930557 | to hide their feelings, for the sake of the others. Captain and Mrs. Barclay were anxious that the boys should leave in good spirits, and high hope; while the boys wished to keep up an appearance of merely going upon an ordinary excursion, in order to cheer their parents. The day before starting, the whole corps marched to the cathedral; | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930558 | where mass was celebrated, a sermon preached, and a blessing solemnly prayed for for them. The boys had asked their father if he had any objections to their taking part in this ceremonial, in a Roman Catholic Church; but Captain Barclay had at once said that, upon the contrary, he should wish them to do so. Protestants might not approve | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930559 | of many things in the Catholic Church; but that could be no reason, whatever, against a Protestant taking part in a solemn prayer to God, wherever that prayer might be offered up. The young Duburgs were unaffectedly glad that the time for their departure had come, for the month that had passed had been a most unpleasant one to them. | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930560 | Their mother had in vain tried to persuade them to stay; first by entreaty, and then by anger and, finding these means fail, she had passed her time either in sullen silence, or in remaining in bed; declaring that her nerves were utterly shattered, and that she should never survive it. She had refused to see Mrs. Barclay when the | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930561 | latter called, a day or two after their visit to the cottage, and she had not been near her since. Julie and Justine were forbidden to go in to see Milly and, altogether, there was quite an estrangement between the two families. The boys however were, of course, constantly together; and Monsieur Duburg came in as usual, every day or | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930562 | two, for a chat with Captain Barclay. September the fifteenth--the day of separation--arrived. They were to march at eight in the morning; and left home, therefore, at seven. This was so far fortunate that it left less time for the painful adieus. Captain Barclay had a long talk with the boys the night before, repeating all the hints and instructions | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930563 | which he had before given them. It is not necessary to describe the parting. Every one of my readers can imagine for themselves how sad was the scene. How Milly sobbed aloud, in spite of her efforts; how Mrs. Barclay kissed her boys, and then ran up to her own room to cry alone; how their father wrung their hands | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930564 | and, after giving them his blessing, turned hastily away, that they might not see the tears which he could not keep back; and how the boys, in spite of their uniform and their dignity as soldiers, cried, too. Tim Doyle had gone on an hour before, taking their blankets; so they had nothing to do but to snatch up their | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930565 | guns and hasten away, half blinded with tears, towards the town. They reached it just as the bugle sounded the assembly. By this time they had steadied themselves and, in the work of preparing for the start, soon lost all feeling of despondency. It would be difficult to find a more workmanlike little corps than the franc tireurs of Dijon | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930566 | as, with the band of the national guard at their head, playing the Marseillaise, they marched through the old city. Their uniform was a brownish gray Their blankets--rolled up tight and carried, like a scarf, over one shoulder and under the other arm--were brown, also. Their belts and gaiters were of buff leather. Their caps had flat peaks, to shade | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930567 | their eyes; but round the cap was rolled a flap lined with fur, which let down over the ears and back of the neck, tying under the chin. On the outer side of the fur was thin India-rubber, to throw the rain off down over the light waterproof cloaks; which each man carried in a small case, slung to his | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930568 | belt. The waterproof on the caps, when rolled up, did not show; the caps then looking like fur caps, with a peak. Slung over the shoulder, on the opposite side to the blanket, was a haversack--or stout canvas bag--brown like the rest of the equipments. Each bag was divided into two compartments; the larger one holding a spare shirt, a | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930569 | few pairs of socks and handkerchiefs, a comb, and other small necessaries. In the other, bread, biscuits or other provisions could be carried. Each man had also a water bottle, slung over his shoulder. On either side of the ammunition pouch, behind, was strapped a new boot; so placed that it in no way interfered with the bearer getting at | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930570 | the pouch. Next was fastened the tin box; the lid of which forms a plate, the bottom a saucepan or frying pan. On one side hung the bayonet; upon the other a hatchet, a pick, or a short-handled shovel--each company having ten of each implement. It will be judged that this was a heavy load, but the articles were all | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930571 | necessaries; and the weight over and above the rifle and ammunition was not--even including the pick or shovel--more than half that ordinarily carried by a French soldier. At the head of the corps marched its commandant. The French term commandant answers to an English major, and he will therefore in future be termed Major Tempe. Each of the four companies | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930572 | was also headed by its officer. Major Tempe had chosen for these posts four men who, like himself, had served--three in the army, and one in the navy. He had written to them as soon as the corps was organized, and they had arrived ten days before the start. One or two only of the franc tireurs--who had entertained a | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930573 | hope of being made officers--were at first a little discontented but, as it was evidently vastly to the advantage of the corps to have experienced officers, the appointments gave great satisfaction to the rest of the men. Fortunately, there were in the ranks several men who had served as privates or non-commissioned officers; and from these Major Tempe selected a | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930574 | sergeant, and a corporal, for each company. Behind the corps followed the cart; loaded with the stores of the corps, a considerable amount of ammunition, two or three cases of gun cotton for blowing up bridges, several small barrels of powder, a large quantity of fine iron wire, three or four crowbars, bags of coffee and rice, and a keg | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930575 | of brandy, four kettles and as many large saucepans, together with all sorts of odds and ends. By the side of the horse walked Tim Doyle; dressed in the uniform of the corps, but without the equipments, and with a long blouse worn over his tunic. He was, in fact, already enrolled as an active member of the corps. This | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930576 | was done, in the first place, at his own earnest request; and upon the plea that thus only could he escape the chance of being seized as a spy, whenever he might for a moment be separated from the corps; and also that, unless he had a uniform like the rest, how could he take any vacancy in the ranks, | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930577 | even when it should occur? Major Tempe, in exceeding the hundred and twenty determined upon, was influenced partly by these arguments; but more by the fact that difficulties would arise about food, cooking, and various other points, if the driver were not upon the same footing as the rest of the corps. The march was not a long one--only to | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930578 | the railway station. A few carriages, with a truck for the cart, and a horse box, were drawn up alongside the platform in readiness; and in ten minutes more all were in their places, the carriages attached to the ordinary train and--amidst great cheering and waving of handkerchiefs and hats, from hundreds of people collected in the station to see | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930579 | them off--they started for the Vosges. Railway traveling, at no time rapid, was extremely slow at this period; and it was evening before they arrived at Epinal, where they were to pass the night. The journey, shortened by innumerable songs and choruses, had scarcely seemed long. The railway ran throughout its whole distance through pretty, undulating country; indeed, towards the | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930580 | end of their journey, when they were fairly among the Vosges, the scenery became wild and savage. At Vesoul, which was about halfway, the train had stopped for two hours; and here wine, bread and cheese, cold sausages, and fruits were distributed to the men by the inhabitants--who were assembled in large numbers at the station, and gave the corps | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930581 | an enthusiastic reception. They were the first band of franc tireurs who had passed through, and the inhabitants regarded them as protectors against the wandering Uhlans; whose fame, although as yet far off, had caused them to be regarded with an almost superstitious fear. At Epinal, a similar and even warmer greeting awaited them; Epinal being so much nearer to | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930582 | the enemy that the fear of Uhlans was more acute. The station was decorated with green boughs; and the Maire, with many of the leading inhabitants, was at the station to receive them. The corps formed upon the platform; and then marched through the little town to the Hotel de Ville, loudly cheered by the people as they passed along. | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930583 | Here they were dismissed, with the order to parade again at half-past four in the morning. There was no trouble as to billets for the night, as the Maire had already made out a list of the inhabitants who had offered accommodation--the number being greatly in excess of the strength of the corps. These persons now came forward, and each | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930584 | took off the number of franc tireurs who had been allotted to them. The sergeant of the first company, knowing the relationship and friendship of the young Barclays and Duburgs, had promised them that--when practicable--he would always quarter them together. Upon the present occasion, the four were handed over to a gentleman whose house was a short distance outside the | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930585 | town. Upon the way, he chatted to them on the proposed course of the corps, upon its organization and discipline; and they asked for the first time the question which was so often, in future, to be upon their lips: "Had he any news of the enemy?" The answer was that none, as yet, had come south of Luneville; and | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930586 | that indeed, at present they were too much occupied at Metz, and Strasburg, to be able to detach any formidable parties. Small bodies of Uhlans occasionally had made raids, and driven in sheep and cattle; but they had not ventured to trust themselves very far into the mountains. Upon arriving at the residence of their host, they were most kindly | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930587 | received by his wife and daughter; who, however, could not refrain from expressing their surprise at the youthfulness of their guests. "But these are mere boys!" the lady said to her husband, in German; "are all the franc tireurs like these?" "Oh no," her husband said, in the same language, "the greater part are sturdy fellows but, as they marched | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930588 | by, I observed some twelve or fourteen who were scarcely out of their boyhood. "It is cruelty to send such youngsters out as these. What can they do against these Prussians, who have beaten our best soldiers?" "Fortunately," Ralph said in German--which he spoke fluently, as has already been stated--and with a merry laugh--which showed that he was not offended | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930589 | at the remark--"fortunately, fighting now is not an affair of spears and battle axes Age has nothing to do with shooting; and as for fatigue, we shall not be the first in the corps to give up." "I must really apologize very much, but I had no idea that you understood German, or I should not have made any remarks," | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930590 | the lady said, smiling; "but so few French boys, out of Alsace, do understand it that it never struck me that you spoke the language. You will find it an immense advantage for, outside the towns, you will scarcely meet a person understanding French. But I am sure you must be all very hungry, and supper is quite ready." They | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930591 | were soon seated at a well-spread table--waited upon by the daughter of the family--while their host and hostess sat and chatted with them, as to their corps, while the meal went on. "Excuse another remark upon your personal appearance," the lady said, smiling, "but two of you look more like Alsatians than French. You have the fair complexion and brown, | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930592 | wavy hair. You do not look like Frenchmen." "Nor are we," Ralph laughed. "My brother and myself, although French born, are actually English. Our father is an English officer, but our mother is French and, as you see, we take after him rather than her." "But I wonder that, as your father is English, he lets you go out upon | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930593 | this expedition--which is very perilous." "We wished to go--that is, we thought it was our duty," Ralph said; "and although they were very sad at our leaving, they both agreed with us." "I wish all Frenchmen were animated by the same feeling," their host said warmly. "Your gallant example should shame hundreds of thousands of loiterers and skulkers. "You speak | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930594 | French perfectly. I should have had no idea that you were anything but French--or rather, from the way you speak German, that you were Alsatian." "We have lived in France all our lives, except for two years which we passed in Germany; and two years at one time, together with one or two shorter visits, in England." "And do you | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930595 | speak English as well as French?" "Oh yes, we always speak English at home. Our father made a rule that we should always do so; as he said it would be an immense disadvantage to us, when we returned to England, if we had the slightest French accent. Our mother now speaks English as purely and correctly as our father." | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930596 | "Are your friends any relations of yours?" "They are our cousins," Ralph said; "their father is our mother's brother." For some time longer they chatted, and then their host said: "It is half-past nine; and we are early people, here. You will have to be up by five, so I think that it is time you were off to bed. | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930597 | We shall scarcely be up when you start; but you will find a spirit lamp on the table, with coffee--which only requires heating--together with some bread and butter. You will have some miles to march before you breakfast. "And now, you must all promise me that, if you come to this place again, you will come straight up here, and | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930598 | look upon it as your home. If you get ill or wounded--which I hope will not happen--you will, of course, go home; but something may occur not sufficiently important for you to leave the corps, but which could be set straight by a few days' nursing, and rest. In that case, you will come to us, will you not?" The | 60 | gutenberg |
twg_000012930599 | boys all gratefully promised to avail themselves of the invitation, in case of need; and then said good night and goodbye to their host, and went off to the room prepared for them. In the morning they were up in good time, dressed as quietly as they could--so as not to disturb their host--and went downstairs; lit the spirit lamp | 60 | gutenberg |
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