which they had rushed so imprudently. All, officers and men, felt that
they would be the stronger for the retrograde movement, that under the
walls of Paris they would be invincible, and that there it was that
the Prussians would sustain their inevitable defeat. But Vouziers must
be evacuated before daybreak, and they must be well on the road to
Chene before the enemy should learn of the movement, and forthwith the
camp presented a scene of the greatest animation: trumpets sounding,
officers hastening to and fro with orders, while the baggage and
quartermaster's trains, in order not to encumber the rear-guard, were
sent forward in advance.

Maurice was delighted. As he was endeavoring to explain to Jean the
rationale of the impending movement, however, a cry of pain escaped
him; his excitement had subsided, and he was again conscious of his
foot, aching and burning as if it had been a ball of red-hot metal.

"What's the matter? is it hurting you again?" the corporal asked
sympathizingly. And with his calm and sensible resourcefulness he
said: "See here, little one, you told me yesterday that you have
acquaintances in the town, yonder. You ought to get permission from
the major and find some one to drive you over to Chene, where you
could have a good night's rest in a comfortable bed. We can pick you
up as we go by to-morrow if you are fit to march. What do you say to
that, _hein_?"

In Falaise, the village near which the camp was pitched, Maurice had
come across a small farmer, an old friend of his father's, who was
about to drive his daughter over to Chene to visit an aunt in that
town, and the horse was even then standing waiting, hitched to a light
carriole. The prospect was far from encouraging, however, when he