“I return to my aeroplane within two hours,” said Lannes.  “I hold a commission from our government which allows me to operate somewhat as a free lance, but, of course, I shall conform for the present to the wishes of the man who commands the flying corps of this army.  Meanwhile, I leave with you my young Yankee friend here, John Scott.  For some strange reason I’ve conceived for him a strong brotherly affection.  Kindly see that he doesn’t get killed unless it’s necessary for our country, and this, I think, is a long enough speech for me to make now.”

“I’ll do my best for him,” said de Rougemont earnestly.  “I’ve come for you, Scott.”

“Good-bye, Philip,” said John, extending his hand.

“Good-bye, John,” said Lannes, “and do as I tell you.  Don’t get yourself killed unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

Usually so stoical, his voice showed emotion, and he turned away after the strong pressure of the two hands.  John and de Rougemont walked down the valley, where they joined General Vaugirard and the rest of his staff.

As soon as John saw the general he knew what Lannes meant by his phrase “a noticeable figure.”  General Vaugirard was a man of about sixty, so enormously fat that he must have weighed three hundred pounds.  His face was covered with thick white beard, out of which looked small, sharp red eyes.  He reminded John of a great white bear.  The little red eyes bored him through for an instant, and then their owner said briefly: 

“De Rougemont has vouched for you.  Stay with him.  An orderly has your horse.”

A French soldier held for him a horse bearing all the proper equipment, and John, saluting the general, sprang into the saddle.  He was a good horseman, and now he felt thoroughly sure of himself.  If it came to the worst, and he was unseated, the earth was not far away, but if he were thrown out of the Arrow he would have a long and terrible time in falling.

General Vaugirard had not yet mounted, but stood beside a huge black horse, fit to carry such a weight.  He was listening and looking with the deepest attention and his staff was silent around him.  John saw from their manner that these men liked and respected their immense general.

More trumpets sounded, much nearer now, and a messenger galloped up, handing a note to General Vaugirard, who glanced at it hastily, uttered a deep Ah! of relief and joy and thrust it into his pocket.

Then saying to his staff, “Gentlemen, we march at once,” he put one hand on his horse’s shoulder, and, to John’s immense surprise, leaped as lightly into the saddle as if he had been a riding master.  He settled himself easily into his seat, spoke a word to his staff, and then he rode with his regiments toward that great mass of men on the horizon who were steadily marching forward.

John kept by the side of de Rougemont.  There were brief introductions to some of the young officers nearest him, and he felt an air of friendliness about him.  As de Rougemont told them he had already given ample proof of his devotion to the cause, and he was accepted promptly as one of them.