And he went across his little garden quickly, without listening to my thanks.  I handed the bottle to Wattrelot, who stuffed it into his wallet with a smile of satisfaction.

But a second “coal-box” soon followed the first.  It was certainly not the place to stay in, so I decided to be off and postpone my luncheon until I could find a rather more sheltered dining-room.  As I left the village I saw one of our batteries moving briskly away.  It was the one that had been in action close to the village, and had probably been the target of the German gunners.  It went rapidly down the slope.  The drivers brandished their whips and brought them down upon the haunches of their jaded animals.  They had to make haste, for the position had become untenable.  The German guns were concentrating their fire on the hapless village and the neighbouring ridge.  The formidable shells burst in threes.  The ground shook.  It was evident that very soon nothing would be left there but ruins.

I resumed my wanderings.  I saw then that what the captain had told me was true.  The retreating movement was beginning to be obvious.  Whilst the firing grew more intense along the whole line small parties of infantry marched across the fields in an opposite direction to the one they had taken two hours previously.

So we were beating a retreat.  However, I had seen it with my own eyes; not only had we held our ground along the whole line, but at several points our soldiers were making headway.  And then suddenly, and without any apparent reason, we had to withdraw.  It was enough to make one mad.  We had to retreat over the soil of our France and give it up, little by little, to the hordes which followed on our heels....  I had slackened rein, and was allowing my horse to go as he liked over the country strewn with troops.  He seemed to understand what was happening, and with his head lowered, as though he did it reluctantly, he slowly followed the direction the immense army was taking.  I was seized with a deep feeling of hopelessness.  I doubted everything; our men, of whose bravery and tenacity I had just seen proof; and our leaders, whose courage I knew.  My head seemed to be on fire.

But I heard a ringing voice behind me, calling me by my name.  I turned, and my sadness gave way to joy as I recognised two light-blue tunics with red collars.  I had found the uniform of my regiment! and my hope revived.  I felt I was no longer alone, and that we might yet accomplish great things.

In front of a score of our Chasseurs rode two good friends of mine, Lieutenant B. and Lieutenant of Reserve de C. What a pleasure it was to shake their hands, and to see their bronzed faces and dusty garments.

We now went on together, chatting merrily.  C. knew the village where the regiment was to be billeted.  We went straight for it at a trot.  It was there that, at nightfall, I was going to find my chiefs again, my comrades and my men; and I should at last take my part in the fighting.  I could not know what the days to follow had in store for me, but I did know that none could be so cruel for me as the day when I went to the Front.  I was now in the bosom of my military family, and I looked forward to taking my share of danger at the head of the brave Chasseurs I knew so well.  Doubtless I should now know where we were going; why we had to advance, and why to retire.