h to be caught sleeping on guard, but he could not refrain
from closing his eyes and was soon in a fretful slumber from which he
was awakened by the crunching of the frozen snow under the feet of the
advancing relief. Quick as lightning he dropped to his post and sang
out the hail: "Halt, who comes?" the answer sounded, "France." On being
questioned by the officer why he did not hail them sooner, according
to orders, he assured him that, "the words had been frozen down his
throat and he could not get them out sooner." The gay Frenchman laughed
at his unique excuse and relieved him; but it was a close call for Paul.
Before the armistice was ended, the news of the peace declared arrived
in camp and soon after orders were given to march for Havre.

The discipline of the regulars was never enjoyed by Paul, neither was
their commissary department. Horse flesh was served out three times a
week. On other days they received pork and beef. Coffee, sugar, rice,
bread and wine were served every second day. The two day's rations of
wine never lasted over fifteen seconds. The trade in tobacco is
monopolized by the French Government. Who ever bore an order
from his commanding officer could receive a certain amount by simply
paying for the tax stamp. On railroad trains the regulars could ride for
one third and gain admission to theatres and amusement halls at about
the same rate, so that the munificent salary they received of six cents
per day enabled them to enjoy themselves in a very limited manner.
Every barracks and military building in Havre was overflowing with
soldiers; and when Paul's company arrived they could find no place to
sleep. So they received a document entitled a "billet de logement" that
entitled them to a bed in the house on which it was drawn. Sometimes
they received an order on the houses in the poorer part of the town and
again in the most aristocratic mansions. As a general rule, when a
billet carried by two war-worn Franc-tireurs was presented at the door
of a chateau, the proprietor would gracefully excuse himself with many
suave and flattering expressions. He would present the soldiers with two
francs each and request them to get a room at the hotel, at the same
time expressing regret at his inability to oblige the gallant
defenders of Le Belle France. His house was just then filled by the
unexpected arrival of some relatives. Feigning sorrow at being deprived
of the su