that had the semblance of a bed and was seated at
table with a roasted chicken and an omelette before him; consequently
he was in the best of humors, and as Colonel de Vineuil happened in just
then on regimental business, had invited him to dine. They were enjoying
their repast, therefore, waited on by a tall, light-haired individual
who had been in the farmer's service only three days and claimed to be
an Alsatian, one of those who had been forced to leave their country
after the disaster of Froeschwiller. The general did not seem to think
it necessary to use any restraint in presence of the man, commenting
freely on the movements of the army, and finally, forgetful of the fact
that he was not an inhabitant of the country, began to question him
about localities and distances. His questions displayed such utter
ignorance of the country that the colonel, who had once lived at
Mezieres, was astounded; he gave such information as he had at command,
which elicited from the chief the exclamation:

"It is just like our idiotic government! How can they expect us to fight
in a country of which we know nothing?"

The colonel's face assumed a look of vague consternation. He knew
that immediately upon the declaration of war maps of Germany had been
distributed among the officers, while it was quite certain that not one
of them had a map of France. He was amazed and confounded by what he
had seen and heard since the opening of the campaign. His unquestioned
bravery was his distinctive trait; he was a somewhat weak and not very
brilliant commander, which caused him to be more loved than respected in
his regiment.

"It's too bad that a man can't eat his dinner in peace!" the general
suddenly blurted out. "What does all that uproar mean? Go and see what
the matter is, you Alsatian fellow!"

But the farmer anticipated him by appearing at the door, sobbing and
gesticulating like a crazy man. They were robbing him, the zouaves
and chasseurs were plundering his house. As he was the only one in the
village who had anything to sell he had foolishly allowed himself to be
persuaded to open shop. At first he had sold his eggs and chickens,
his rabbits, and potatoes, without exacting an extortionate profit,
pocketing his money and delivering the merchandise; then the customers
had streamed in in a constantly increasing throng, jostling and worrying
the old man, finally crowding him aside and taking all he had without
pretense of payment. A