ent to the experienced eyes of the watchers that a
camp was about to be pitched. The two men stared in keen interest,
with eyes alight with hatred. What they had seen in the country they
had just passed intensified that hatred, and to the natural racial
antagonism, fostered by years of war, were now added bitter personal
resentments.

"That's one of old Marshal Forward's divisions," said the grenadier,
referring to Bluecher by his already accepted name, "but what one?"

"Russians, by the look of them," answered Marteau.

"You say well. I have seen those green caps and green overcoats
before. Umph," answered Bullet-Stopper, making for him an
extraordinarily long speech, "it was colder then than it is now, but we
always beat them. At Friedland, at Eylau, at Borodino, aye, even at
the Beresina. It was the cold and hunger that beat us. What wouldn't
the guard give to be where we are now. Look at them. They are so sure
of themselves that they haven't thrown out a picket or sentries."

In fact, neither Bluecher nor any of his commanders apprehended any
danger whatsoever. That Napoleon would dare to fall on them was
unthinkable. That there could be a single French soldier in their
vicinity save those under Macdonald, being hard pressed by Yorck, never
entered anybody's head.

"What Russians are they, do you think?" asked Marteau of his comrade.

"How should I know?" growled the other. "All Russians are alike to me,
and----"

Marteau, however, had heard discussions during the time he had been on
duty in Napoleon's headquarters.

"That will be Sacken's corps, unless I am very much mistaken," he said.

"And those up yonder toward Epernay, where the firing comes from?"
asked the grenadier.

Marteau shook his head.

"We must find out," was the answer.

"Yes, but how?"

"I don't know."

"There is only one way," continued Bal-Arret.

"And that is?"

"To go over there, and----"

"In these uniforms?" observed the young officer. "We should be shot as
soon as we should appear, and questioned afterward."

"Yes, if there was anything left to question," growled the grenadier.
"The Russians will do some scouting. Perhaps some of them will come
here. If so, we will knock them on the head and take their uniforms,
wait until nightfall, slip through the lines, find out what we can, and
go back and tell the Emperor. It is very simple."

"Quite so," laughed the young officer; "if we can catch two Russians,