had been an Avocat in Paris, and who told him many things of the French
Army. He spoke of its dauntless patriotism, its passionate longing for
revenge, fostered for many long years of national subservience; the
determination to avenge the humiliations of Delcassé, of Agadir, of the
Coronation at Versailles. As vivacious and eloquent as only one of his
nation and calling can be, he praised the confidence of the French Army
and its "Généralissime." He repeated the great names of the army--De
Castlenau, Percin, Sarrail, and many more unknown to the Subaltern. He
spoke with deep feeling. A spark of the fire that, in her hours of need,
never fails his country, had descended upon him, and, in the eyes of the
stolid British soldiers around, transformed him.




CHAPTER VIII

ST. QUENTIN AND LA FÈRE


In the afternoon a large town was reached, probably St. Quentin, through
which long trains of Motor Transport were rumbling. A halt was made some
miles to the south of this town. While they were taking their evening
meal the ever-pursuing sound of artillery fire was heard from over the
ridge. Two of the companies were hastily fallen in, and marched away to
this scene of activities, to undergo probably yet another rear-guard
action. The remaining companies were then set to dig themselves in,
astride the road.

As you have seen from these rough descriptions of the first three days