sure, and when I get this leg, that a German shell nearly blew off, in
working order again, we shall have some real sport and I'll teach you
all how to be soldiers. Just now I cannot do much of anything."

"Yes, you can," interrupted Joe. "You can tell us how you rescued the
soldier when the Germans were shooting at you and--"

"Master Joseph," answered the Captain gravely, "a real soldier never
brags about himself; but what you say does give me an idea. How would
you like to have me tell you about the brave little children of
France?"

"Well, I'd rather hear about how you killed the Germans, lots of 'em;
I want to hear about battles and dead men and--"

"We shall speak of the children first, and I will begin right now. Let
me see. Ah! I have it. Sit down on the grass, all of you, and be
comfortable. Be quiet until I finish the story, then ask what
questions you wish. Now listen!"

CHAPTER II

REMI THE BRAVE

"He was a little French peasant lad, this boy Remi that I shall tell
you about, and had just passed his tenth birthday when the Germans
invaded his beloved country," began the Captain.

"Remi continued on at school in spite of the excitement about him, for
everyone was talking about the war, but his heart was with the
soldiers whom he knew were marching forth in thousands to meet the
enemy. One day his father was called to the colors and the child was
left in the care of an uncle.

"Now, this uncle belonged to a military organization called the
Territorials, something like our National Guard, and a few weeks later
they also were called to march forth and join the French Army. Remi
was to be left in the care of the neighbors. That was the plan made by
the uncle. The little French lad, however, had his own ideas about
that, but kept his plans to himself. He now forgot all about going to
school, and spent his time watching his uncle's comrades
drill--watched until he knew every command, every evolution so well
that he himself could have drilled the company of his uncle.

"As you children perhaps already have surmised, it was Remi's plan to
go to war and fight for his country. The order for the Territorials to
move came suddenly, as such orders most always do. They came while the
lad was having a supper of black bread and cheese with a friendly
housewife of the neighborhood. The Territorials were to march within
an hour.

"Remi's eyes grew bright. He stowed what was left of his meager supper
in