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.

"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