“Henri’s return journey was made without disaster, though several times he narrowly missed being captured.  Late on the following morning the plucky boy reached his regiment and made his report to his colonel, who warmly commended the child for his patriotism and courage.”

CHAPTER IX

GENE AND THE BAVARIAN DRAGOONS

“The story of Gene and the Bavarian dragoons, is one of the best, to my mind, that has developed in this war,” said Captain Favor, beginning a new story.  “Such quick thinking as hers in the face of an emergency, is very rare in a child, which makes Gene’s achievement stand out so prominently.

“Gene’s mother had been ill for months.  She had been bedridden all that time, leaving to the little girl the heavy work of the home, for the father, too, was in poor health.  Gene, though only ten years of age, was a resolute and capable child, as you will see when I tell you the story of how she won two little battles of her own.

“After the battle of the Marne the Prussians were pressing northward, venting their rage on the defenseless inhabitants, killing many such and carrying others away with them.  It was desperate business that these brutal Prussians were engaged in.  Finding themselves unable to whip the Allied soldiers, they sought to terrorize old men, women and children.

“Gene’s home was situated at the edge of a village, and though they knew the Germans were headed in their direction, they thought the soldiers would take pity on their sad condition and leave them alone.

“One day, however, a company of Bavarian dragoons entered the outskirts of the village and halted before the child’s home.  Tying their horses, they entered the house and began a systematic search of it.  They ripped up carpets and tore beds to pieces, helped themselves to all the food in the house, then turned their attention to the husband, who had stood helplessly by.  Not Gene.  She stood trembling with anger, scarcely able to restrain herself.

“‘We want your money!’ demanded the captain of the dragoons, turning to Gene’s father.  ‘Quick, or you shall suffer.’

“‘I have none.  I have spent it all on my poor wife,’ replied the father.

“’Bah!  The French always have money.  We shall find it.  Throw the old woman out of the bed.  She is but pretending to be sick.  She is in bed to hide the money of the household,’ raged the captain.

“Obeying his orders, his men dragged the sick woman from the bed and dropped her on the floor, where Gene, with tears of anger in her eyes, bent over and clasped her parent’s hand.  The husband protested against their treatment of the wife and Gene pleaded with them to go away and leave her family in peace.

“‘You would resist us, would you!’ demanded the captain, drawing back a fist to strike the child’s father.  ’Ah!  He shall be taken away for that.  You shall see that it is not for cowardly French to thwart the will of the Bavarian dragoons.  He directed his men to remove the father.  Several soldiers grabbed Gene’s father and dragged him from the house.