camp than we turn tail and make off, never even stopping to taste our
soup."

The derisive laughter became louder, and Maurice, who was next to
Chouteau in the ranks, took sides with him. Why could they not have
been allowed to cook their soup and eat it in peace, since they had
done nothing for the last two hours but stand there in the road like
so many sticks? Their hunger was making itself felt again; they had a
resentful recollection of the savory contents of the kettle dumped out
prematurely upon the ground, and they could see no necessity for this
headlong retrograde movement, which appeared to them idiotic and
cowardly. What chicken-livers they must be, those generals!

But Lieutenant Rochas came along and blew up Sergeant Sapin for not
keeping his men in better order, and Captain Beaudoin, very prim and
starchy, attracted by the disturbance, appeared upon the scene.

"Silence in the ranks!"

Jean, an old soldier of the army of Italy who knew what discipline
was, looked in silent amazement at Maurice, who appeared to be amused
by Chouteau's angry sneers; and he wondered how it was that a
_monsieur_, a young man of his acquirements, could listen approvingly
to things--they might be true, all the same--but that should not be
blurted out in public. The army would never accomplish much, that was
certain, if the privates were to take to criticizing the generals and
giving their opinions.

At last, after another hour's waiting, the order was given for the
106th to advance, but the bridge was still so encumbered by the rear