llow, "Mar-r-che!"

This drew forth a smothered laugh from the whole company. The captain
turned fiercely around and demanded to know who it was that mimicked
him. Dead silence prevailed. He gave them a lecture on the respect due
to an officer and stated that the next offender of this kind would
be severely punished; then added: "I can't find out who it was, but on
my soul I believe it was that sacre American."

After this the company took part in many engagements through Normandy,
principally at St. Roumain, Beuzeville, Yvetot, Rouen and Bulbec. The
company suffered severely and in the last battle were a mere handful.
There they lost their brave lieutenant Boulonger, who was shot through
the breast. Paul and a party of his companions were detailed to convey
the body to Havre, his home, where he was well known and respected. Here
Paul saw for the first time in his life the French military burial Mass.
This was the most solemn ceremony he had ever witnessed. The great
cathedral was draped in crape, which added to the already somber
appearance of the surroundings. The coffin of the lieutenant was
carried on the shoulders of four Franc-tireurs and deposited on a bier
near the altar. The soldiers then retired and joined their comrades.
Every gun was polished and every bayonet shone as the Franc-tireurs and
about four hundred of the mobiles and regulars marched with military
precision into the cathedral. No soldier's cap was removed, while the
citizens stood around with bare heads. An officer occupied a position on
the steps of the altar and with unsheathed sword faced the soldiers,
then standing in the body of the church. He gave orders in a loud voice
at intervals during the service and his commands sounded strangely
through the echoing arches of the cathedral. At the order "restez
armes," the iron shod butts of the muskets dropped together on the
stone floor, reminding those present of the stern realities of war and
the sweet consolations of religion.

At the elevation of the sacred host, came the orders "Portez armes,"
"Presenter armes," "a genoux." Every soldier's right knee touched
the floor and remained there while the muskets were held "a presenter."
The solemn tones of the gong floated through the cathedral. When
they ceased, the sharp order of "debout" rang out and all were on their
feet in an instant. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the body was
again carried out; a li