"There should be some of my emergency rations left," he said faintly.

Lucia found some dried beef and offered it to him, but he shook his
head and asked for a drink of water. She gave it to him, but his eyes
closed and his head fell back as he drank. She ate all the beef and a
cake of chocolate that she found; and then went to the door to look out.

Cellino was enveloped in smoke and she could not see the gate. The
guns were barking, and little spurts of white smoke seemed to punctuate
each separate fire. Away to the east the enemy's guns were still
booming.

Lucia realized that a hard battle was under way, and that it would be
useless to try to get help until there was a lull. She returned to the
room and looked down at the soldier. He was moaning softly, and his
eyes looked up at her beseechingly.




CHAPTER XI

THE AMERICAN

"Are you suffering very much?" she asked softly.

The man nodded, his eyes closed, and a queer pallor came over his face.
Lucia was suddenly terrified. She felt very helpless in this battle
with death, but her determination never left her.