“It was late in the afternoon, darkness was just falling, when Gene heard some one approaching.  By the clanking sound she knew it was one of the chasseurs, and her heart sank within her.

“The captain of the French detachment entered and halted at the door.  She searched his face and what she saw there caused Gene to utter a little cry of joy.

“‘Here,’ said the officer, ’is what you have been waiting for.  Here is the father whose life you have saved.  What I have done for you was only my duty; what you have done for France is immeasurable.  I salute you, daughter of France!’

“With that the captain thrust Gene’s father into the room, saluted and strode out to join his company, who were guarding the captured Bavarians.”

CHAPTER X

A LITTLE SOLDIER OF MERCY

“Jean is the name of the hero of whom I shall tell you today.  He was only twelve, and he joined the army, unofficially, something after the fashion that little Remi did.  Remi, of course, ran away to follow the army, which, perhaps, was not wrong in view of the fact that he had no relatives at home.  With Jean it was different, for he had a mother,” said Captain Favor, resuming his story telling.

“A detachment of French soldiers had been stationed in this boy’s home town, and the lad, by many little acts, had endeared himself to them very much.

“One day the detachment received orders to leave.  Jean begged that they might take him along, but the soldiers advised him to remain at home because he was too young to go to war.  ‘Go ask your mother,’ said a young lieutenant, ’and if she says “yes” I shall not see you if you should follow us.’

“Jean, most grateful for the suggestion, ran home and burst, in upon his mother excitedly.

“’The lieutenant says I may go if you say “yes.”  Say “yes,” mother.  I want to be a soldier.’

“‘I do not understand what you mean, my son,’ answered the child’s mother.

“’I mean I wish to go to war; I wish to help my beloved France.  Believe me, mother, though I am but a lad I can do much, oh, so much.  And Jean shall be so very careful that he may come back to his home, and who knows but that he may some day come back a big, big general or something like that.’

“‘Please my child, do not think of such a thing,’ begged the mother.  ‘You know you might be killed.’

“‘Should not a Frenchman be happy to die for his country, my mother?’

“The argument was a good one, and Jean saw at once that his mother was weakening in her opposition.

“’The monsieur lieutenant says I may go if you will let me.  Please, my mother.’

“‘Yes, go, my son, if you will, and God be with you,’ agreed the mother finally, clasping the little fellow in her arms and kissing him again and again.  ‘Go before I forget my duty to France.’

“Jean ran.  He did not stop running until he had reached the camp of the detachment, where preparations for marching were in active progress.  But Jean hung about at a distance.  When the detachment started away, he, like Remi, fell in behind and followed.  Perhaps the lieutenant—­Lieutenant Andre—­saw him, but if so the officer thought best not to let this be known, either to the boy or to the men.