“Credit was given to little Jeanne for placing the lancers in the hands of the French soldiers, for had she not done this the French would have attacked the Prussians in the open and might have lost many men in the fight that would have followed.

“For her part in this fine capture little Jeanne in time received a letter from the President of the French Republic, thanking her in the name of France for her quick wit and for her heroism.”

CHAPTER VIII

THE CHILD DESPATCH BEARER

“You already have heard of some of the heroic little despatch bearers of France,” said Captain Favor.  “I shall now tell you of little Henri, one of the bravest and most resourceful of them all.

“Despatch carrying is a desperate business, all of it exposing the bearers to enemy fire at least part of the time, for most of the work of these brave men is in the open where the enemy can see them.  Some go on foot, others on fast motorcycles.  Ordinarily they travel 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?’