“That night Jean joined the company of Lieutenant Andre.  A soldier shared his blanket with the child.  The next morning Jean made himself useful by carrying water, by helping the cooks and by performing other acts that relieved the soldiers.

“The march was resumed soon after daylight.  The lad had a further idea and this he worked out all during the day.  Providing himself with canteens, which he took from the soldiers of his company, he stopped every little while at farmhouses and filled the canteens.  These he restored to their owners, and then, taking other canteens, filled these as well, running to catch up with his company to give his comrades water.  That day and following days found the child the hardest worked person in the company.

“Now and then a soldier would stagger from weariness.  Jean was at his side in a moment relieving the soldier of some of his burden which the boy would carry until someone took it away from him.

“One day the colonel of the regiment discovered him and ordered him sent home.  Jean begged, all to no purpose, then ran to his friend, the lieutenant, for help.  The lieutenant took Jean back to the colonel and explained the situation.

“‘This boy,’ said the lieutenant, ’is one of the most useful civilians with this outfit.  We shall miss him if he is sent back.  And further, it would not be safe for him to return home alone.  In all probability he would not reach there alive.’

“’Do I understand that you are willing to charge yourself with the care of this child?’ demanded the colonel.

“‘I do, most certainly, my Colonel.’

“’Very good, then; the boy may remain.  Watch over him.  He is a patriot, indeed.’

“Jean’s joy showed in his face only.  He made no fuss, but kissed the hand of his faithful friend the lieutenant and went about his duties.

“There came a day when the regiment met the Prussians—­when the Frenchmen went over the top and the Germans came out to meet them.  Jean was with his beloved companions, but, strange to say, he carried no rifle.  One had been offered to him, but he shook his head.  Instead, he carried several canteens of water and his blouse was stuffed with first-aid bandages.  He knew what he wished to do and what he believed he could do best.

“Soon men began to fall.  The stretcher bearers were too few to give quick attention to all, but Jean was there.  With his bandages he bound as best he could the wounds of his comrades, and quenched their thirst from his canteens.  Many were the suffering poilus who blessed the little soldier of mercy that day.

“Jean’s face was bleeding where a bullet had left a gash across it, but to this he gave not the slightest heed.  Time and time again he ran back for more water; time and time again did he rush for the stretcher bearers to get aid for a particularly badly wounded comrade.  The child seemed to be utterly fearless, or perhaps he did not even realize that the air about him was thick with bullets and exploding shells.  If he knew he did not care.