ld, making himself useful in many ways and
fighting when he had the opportunity, which was more than seldom. For
valiant service he had been made a corporal, so you may know he
was brave and courageous, for the French do not encourage children
to join their army, much less do they give them men's work and
responsibilities.

"At the time to which I refer, the colonel of Rene's regiment had need
of a man of courage and resource to carry certain important orders to
the commanders in front-line trenches. This was early in the war when
communication had not been worked out as scientifically as it has been
since. For this duty the child offered his services.

"'This mission, I need not tell you, will prove a most perilous one,'
warned the colonel.

"'I know it, my colonel. I am ready. I have but one life and that
belongs to France.'

"'Bravely spoken. Now take careful heed to what I have to say to you
so that you forget not the slightest detail of it.' Rene was then
given final and detailed orders added to which was an urgent request
to be careful of himself, for his own sake as well as for that of his
country.

"After repeating his orders, showing that he had them well in mind,
the lad left headquarters, his face radiant with joy at being
entrusted with a mission such as this, a mission that would take him
where he knew death would face him at every step. He had not far to go
before reaching the zone of fire. Shells soon were bursting about him
and machine-gun fire was sweeping the field with a perfect rain of
steel.

"'Bang away all you like,' jeered the little fellow. 'Your voices I
have heard before, but the French have stronger and more deadly voices
than have you.'

"He finally arrived safely at the first trench. You understand he had
been above ground all the time, while the fighters were in the
trenches, where they had more protection. It was the over-fire that he
was obliged to plod through, and you who have never seen a battle do
not realize what a fierce thing this over-fire is. His orders having
been safely delivered, Rene proceeded on his troubled way to the
trench where he was to deliver the second orders.

"The first part of this leg of the journey was more or less screened
from the view of the enemy, but now a wide barren space, swept by
shell fire, lay before him. It was almost certain death to venture
into that open field. Rene knew it, but did not hesitate. It was not
that he feared for his own