avel in
pairs, so that in case one be killed the other may take the message
and hasten on with it to its destination. Henri, however, traveled
alone.

"The Germans, at some distance from the principal battle line and at
one end of it, had advanced several miles into French territory, and,
spreading out, had covered considerable ground. They were making
themselves a nuisance, as they usually did, and a French force was
sent in to drive them back. The French, too, had spread out and the
officer in command, after becoming a little more familiar with
conditions, had made his plans.

"'Now,' said the French colonel, 'what I wish is a man of undoubted
courage, familiar with all this surrounding country, to carry letters
to the commanders of our various units.'

"'I fear you will not find such a man,' answered one of his
lieutenants. 'All the men of this section, of course, are fighting.'

"'Young Henri can do it,' suggested another officer.

"'A civilian who has been attached to the army unofficially for some
few weeks.' Henri had made himself so useful that his presence with
the army was not only permitted, but welcomed. While he was but
thirteen years of age, he was very strong, alert and active. The
colonel told his aide to summon the boy so the commander might look
him over.

"'Why do you follow the army?' demanded the colonel, after observing
the boy critically.

"'Our home has been destroyed by the Germans, my father has been taken
prisoner by them and my sisters have fled to other provinces,' he
answered simply. 'That is why I am trying to serve my country in every
way I can.'

"The colonel nodded approvingly.

"'It is a most important mission and a very dangerous one on which I
must send a man. Do you think you can go through with it?'

"'Yes, sir.'

"'You may fall into the hands of the Prussians. In that event what
would you do with the letters I shall entrust to your care?'

"'Swallow them, sir,' was the reply.

"'Good! You will do. You are a real Frenchman and while you are a mere
child, I have full confidence that you will somehow manage to carry
out my orders.'

"'I shall do my best, sir.'

"'That is all that any man can do. Give careful heed to what I tell
you.' The colonel gave Henri careful instructions, after which he
handed the letters to the lad and bade him God-speed.

"Henri set out quietly, slouching along with a carelessness not in
keeping with his all-important mission. He was so