stly as it was, was bringing a thousand noble
qualities to light, and it was certainly bringing the French and the
English more closely together. There was a bond of sympathy, of
brotherhood, existing, which was never felt before.

When they left the town, they were followed by shouts of thanks and
good fellowship. Laughter and merry words were heard too. France was
being baptized with molten iron and blood, but she was still light of
heart. She was still true to her characteristics.

"Here, Nancarrow," said Captain Pringle, as they watched the men board
a train. "You can talk this blessed lingo like a native. I can't get
my tongue around the words, and they talk so fast that I can't
understand them. Here's an old chap wants to say something," and he
turned towards an old military-looking man, who saluted Bob, and then
bowed profoundly.

"Monsieur," said the old man, "I only wanted to bid you God speed.
Yes, yes, you English have saved us. But for you they, the German
pigs, bah! would have been in Paris before now. They would have
repeated 1870. I was in that _debacle_, monsieur, and I know what I
felt. If we had been willing to violate our treaty and had fallen back
on Belgian territory, we might have saved ourselves. But no, a treaty
was a treaty, and our word was given. Death rather than dishonour,
monsieur! But they haven't had another Sedan this time. And why? It
was because you English turned the scales. Ah, but you English can
fight, and you are good comrades. Monsieur, I salute you! We shall
win, _mon capitaine_."

"We'll give them a run for their money, anyhow," said Bob, dropping
into colloquial French.

"Good, monsieur; that's it. And you are doing it for honour's sake.
We lost in 1870, because we would not violate what those German pigs
called a 'scrap of paper,' and now you are going to save us for the
same thing. All for 'a scrap of paper.' They do not know what honour
is! They cannot understand. But we shall win. We are driving them
back. They are nearly at Mezieres now. They will soon be over the
border. And then!"

"And then---- Yes, then we shall see what we shall see. But thank you
for your good wishes, monsieur."

Train after train moved slowly out, while old women waved their
handkerchiefs and young girls threw kisses, and all poured out their
blessings. The thing that seemed to impress them was that England, who
had nothing to gain, and who needed not have ta