front? Woe to that one among the nations which halted in its onward
march! the victory is to those who are with the advance-guard, to
those who are clear of head and strong of body, to the most powerful.

But just then there came from the smoke-blackened kitchen, where the
walls were bright with the colored prints of Epinal, a sound of voices
and the squalling of a girl who submits, not unwillingly, to be
tousled. It was Lieutenant Rochas, availing himself of his privilege
as a conquering hero, to catch and kiss the pretty waitress. He came
out into the arbor, where he ordered a cup of coffee to be served him,
and as he had heard the concluding words of Picot's narrative,
proceeded to take a hand in the conversation:

"Bah! my children, those things that you are speaking of don't amount
to anything. It is only the beginning of the dance; you will see the
fun commence in earnest presently. _Pardi_! up to the present time
they have been five to our one, but things are going to take a change
now; just put that in your pipe and smoke it. We are three hundred
thousand strong here, and every move we make, which nobody can see
through, is made with the intention of bringing the Prussians down on
us, while Bazaine, who has got his eye on them, will take them in
their rear. And then we'll smash 'em, _crac_! just as I smash this
fly!"

Bringing his hands together with a sounding clap he caught and crushed
a fly on the wing, and he laughed loud and cheerily, believing with
all his simple soul in the feasibility of a plan that seemed so
simple, steadfast in his faith in the invincibility of French courage.
He good-naturedly informed the two soldiers of the exact position of
their regiments, then lit a cigar and seated himself contentedly