as John saw the general he knew what Lannes meant by his phrase
"a noticeable figure." General Vaugirard was a man of about sixty, so
enormously fat that he must have weighed three hundred pounds. His face
was covered with thick white beard, out of which looked small, sharp red
eyes. He reminded John of a great white bear. The little red eyes bored
him through for an instant, and then their owner said briefly:

"De Rougemont has vouched for you. Stay with him. An orderly has your
horse."

A French soldier held for him a horse bearing all the proper equipment,
and John, saluting the general, sprang into the saddle. He was a good
horseman, and now he felt thoroughly sure of himself. If it came to the
worst, and he was unseated, the earth was not far away, but if he were
thrown out of the _Arrow_ he would have a long and terrible time in
falling.

General Vaugirard had not yet mounted, but stood beside a huge black
horse, fit to carry such a weight. He was listening and looking with the
deepest attention and his staff was silent around him. John saw from
their manner that these men liked and respected their immense general.

More trumpets sounded, much nearer now, and a messenger galloped up,
handing a note to General Vaugirard, who glanced at it hastily, uttered
a deep Ah! of relief and joy and thrust it into his pocket.

Then saying to his staff, "Gentlemen, we march at once," he put one hand
on his horse's shoulder, and, to John's immense surprise, leaped as
lightly into the saddle as if he had been a riding master. He settled
himself easily into his seat, spoke a word to his staff, and then he
rode with his regiments toward that great mass of men on the horizon who
were steadily marching forward.

John kept by the side of de Rougemont. There were brief introductions to
some of the young officers nearest him, and he felt an air of
friendliness about him. As de Rougemont told them he had already given
ample proof of his devotion to the cause, and he was accepted promptly
as one of them.

John was now conscious how strongly he had projected himself into the
life of the French. He was an American for generations back and his
blood by descent was British. He had been among the Germans and he liked
them personally, he had served already with the English, and their point
of view was more nearly like the American than any other. But he was
here with the French and he felt for them the deepest sympathy of all.
He was c