Tempe, and the chief of the staff. They are writing; and
will go on writing all night, I expect. These are the only two
rooms not full of wounded in the whole village.

"You had a narrow escape, today. We have had our share of
casualties. Poor Maillet and Porcet are both killed, and we have
three wounded. Were you hurt at all?"

"No," Ralph said; "but I was tremendously shaken, and feel stiff
all over. I will lie down by the wall, here, and get a few hours'
sleep."

And so ended the 1st of December.

Chapter 19: Down At Last.

At half-past eight o'clock the next morning horsemen came dashing
in, with the news that the Germans were advancing in force.
Stiff--many half frozen, and half starved--it was an absolute
relief, to the men, to have some break to the monotony of cold and
hunger. They were already assembled under arms and, in a few
minutes, the artillery upon both sides was at work.

"I fear you will see that we shall be beaten, today," Colonel Tempe
said to Ralph as they mounted. "The men are worn out with hunger;
disgusted at the wretched mismanagement, which sends them into a
battle without having had food for twenty-four hours, and with no
prospect whatever of it for another twenty-four. Besides, we ought
to have been reinforced.

"Our line is too long, Ralph. There is neither direction nor
management."

For a time the French held their position well, against the
tremendous artillery fire which was maintained upon them.
Gradually, however, the Germans pushed their heavy masses of troops
forwards; and the French reserves had already been brought up.

Several of the mobile regiments showed signs of wavering. General
Chanzy rode backwards and forwards along the front of the position;
exposing himself recklessly, in order to give courage and
confidence to his men. Cigar after cigar he smoked, as tranquilly
as if sitting in an armchair, a hundred miles away from the din of
battle. At last, after exchanging a few words with the generals of
brigade, he called Ralph--who happened to be the only aide-de-camp
unemployed--up to him.

"Captain Barclay," he said, "ride at once to General Sonis. Tell him that
my division--not having received the promised reinforcements--must fall
back. He has already sent, to say he is hard pressed. Ask him to hold his
ground, if possible, for another half hour; by which time I shall have
fallen back towards the position I left yesterday morning--but will draw
rather to