第 4 页

perfect rush of young men to the Prefecture, to obtain places in

the clothing, medical, arming, and equipping departments; in any

sort of service, in fact, which will exempt its holder from taking

up arms.

"At the same time, there is a great deal of true, earnest

patriotism. Many married men, with families, have volunteered; and

those belonging to the categories called out do go, as you say,

cheerfully, if not willingly and, once enrolled, appear determined

to do their duty.

"France will need all the patriotism, and all the devotion of her

people to get through the present crisis. There is no saying how it

will end. I have no hope, whatever, that MacMahon's new army can

arrest the march of the enemy; and his true course is to fall back

upon Paris. Our chance, here, of remaining free from a visit of the

enemy depends entirely upon the length of time which Strasburg and

Metz hold out. Bazaine may be able to cut his way out but, at any

rate, he is likely to remain where he is, for some little time,

under the walls of Metz; for he occupies the attention of a

considerably larger force than that which he commands.

"The vital point, at present, is to cut the roads behind the

Germans. If it were not for this cork leg of mine, Melanie, I would

try and raise a small guerrilla corps, and set out on my own

account. I have lived here for seventeen years, now, and the French

fought by our side, in the Crimea. Could I do so, I should

certainly fight for France, now. It is clearly the duty of anyone

who can carry a musket to go out."

Just at this moment the door opened, and Ralph and Percy entered

hastily. They both looked excited, but serious.

"What is it, boys?"

"Papa," Ralph said, "there is a notice up, signed by your friend

Captain Tempe. He calls for a hundred volunteers, to join a corps

of franc tireurs--a sort of guerrillas, I believe--to go out to

harass the Germans, and cut their communication. Those who can are

to provide their own arms and equipments. A meeting is to be held,

tonight, for subscribing the money for those who cannot afford to

do so.

"We have come to ask you to let us join, papa. Louis and Philippe

have just gone to ask uncle's leave."

Captain Barclay listened in silence, with a very grave face. Their

mother sat down in a chair, with a white face.

"Oh, my boys, you are too young," she gasped out.

"We are stronger, mamma, than a great many of the men who have been

called out; and taller and stouter, in every way. We can walk

better than the greater portion of them. We are accustomed to

exercise and fatigue. We are far more fit to be soldiers than many

young men who have gone from here. You said yourself, mamma, that

everyone who could carry a gun ought to go out."

"But you are not French, boys," Mrs. Barclay said, piteously.

"We are half French, mamma. Not legally, but it has been home to

us, since we were born and, even if you had not been French, we

ought to fight for her."

Mrs. Barclay looked at her husband for assistance, but Captain

Barclay had leaned his face in his hands, and said nothing.

"Ah, Ralph; but Percy at least, he is only fifteen."

"I am nearly as big, nearly as strong as Ralph, mamma. Besides,

would it not be better to have two of us? If one is ill or--or

wounded--the other could look after him, you know.

"Mamma, dearest, we have talked it over, and we think we ought to

go. We are very strong for our ages; and it is strength, not years,

which matters. Mamma, you said a Frenchwoman should not grudge

those she loves to France; and that if France was invaded all, even

the women, should go out."

Mrs. Barclay was silent. She could not speak. She was so deadly

pale, and her face had such an expression of misery, that the boys

felt their resolution wavering.

Captain Barclay looked up.

"Boys," he said, very gravely, "I have one question to ask; which

you will answer me truly, upon your faith and honor Do you wish to

go merely--or principally--from a desire to see the excitement and

the adventure of a guerrilla war; or do you go out because you

desire earnestly to do your best, to defend the country in which

you were born, and lived? Are you prepared to suffer any hardship

and, if it is the will of God, to die for her?"

"We are, papa," both boys said.

And Ralph went on:

"When we first talked over the possibility of everyone being called

out--and of our going, too--we did look upon it as a case of fun

and excitement; but when the chance really came, we saw how serious

it was. We knew how much it would cost you, and dear mamma; and we

would not have asked you, had we not felt that we ought to go, even

if we knew we should be killed."

"In that case, boys," Captain Barclay said, solemnly, rising and

laying one hand on the shoulder of each of his sons, "in that case,

I say no more. You are a soldier's sons, and your example may do

good. It is your duty, and that of everyone, to fight for his

country. I give you my full consent to go. I should not have

advised it. At your age, there was no absolute duty. Still, if you

feel it so, I will not stand in your way.

"Go then, my boys, and may God watch over you, and keep you, and

send you safe home again."

So saying, he kissed them both on the forehead, and walked from the

room without saying another word.

Then the boys turned to their mother, who was crying silently and,

falling upon her neck, they kissed her and cried with her. It was

understood that her consent was given, with their father's.

Milly, coming in and hearing what was the matter, sat down in

sudden grief and astonishment on the nearest chair, and cried

bitterly. It was a sad half hour, and the boys were almost inclined

to regret that they had asked for leave to go. However, there was

no drawing back now and, when they left their mother, they went on

to tell their cousins that they were going.

They found Louis and Philippe in a state of great disappointment,

because their father had altogether refused to listen to their

entreaties. Upon hearing, however, that Ralph and Percy were going,

they gained fresh hope; for they said, if English boys could go and

fight for France, it was shameful that French boys should stay at

home, in idleness.

Captain Barclay, after giving permission to his sons to go as franc

tireurs, first went for a walk by himself, to think over the

consequences of his decision. He then went down into Dijon, and

called upon Captain Tempe. The commander of the proposed corps had

served for many years in the Zouaves, and was known to be an able

and energetic officer. He had left the service, five or six years

previously, upon his marriage. He lived a short distance, only,

from Captain Barclay; and a warm friendship had sprung up between

them.

Upon Captain Barclay telling him why he had come to see him,

Captain Tempe expressed his satisfaction at the decision of the

young Barclays.

"I have already the names of one or two lads little, if any, older

than your eldest boy," he said; "and although the other is

certainly very young yet, as he is very stout and strong for his

age, I have no doubt he will bear the fatigue as well as many of

the men."

"I wish I could go with you," Captain Barclay said.

"I wish you could, indeed," Captain Tempe replied, warmly; "but

with your leg you never could keep up, on foot; and a horse would

be out of the question, among the forests of the Vosges mountains.

"You might, however--if you will--be of great use in assisting me

to drill and discipline my recruits, before starting."

"That I will do, with pleasure," Captain Barclay said. "I had been

thinking of offering my services, in that way, to the municipality;

as very few of the officers of the Mobiles, still less of the

national guard, know their duty. As it is, I will devote myself to

your corps, till they march.

"In the first place, how strong do you mean them to be?"

"One strong company, say one hundred and twenty men," Captain Tempe

answered. "More than that would be too unwieldy for guerrilla work.

I would rather have twenty less, than more; indeed, I should be

quite satisfied with a hundred. If I find that volunteers come in,

in greater numbers than I can accept, I shall advise them to get up

other, similar corps. There ought to be scores of small parties,

hanging upon the rear and flank of the enemy, and interrupting his

communication."

"How do you think of arming them?"

"Either with chassepots, or with your English rifles. It is of no

use applying to Government. They will not be able to arm the

Mobiles, for months; to say nothing of the national guard. We must

buy the rifles in England, or Belgium. It will be difficult to get

chassepots; so I think the best plan will be to decide, at once,

upon your Sniders."

"I know a gentleman who is connected with these matters, in

England; and will, if you like, send out an order at once for, say,

eleven dozen Sniders; to be forwarded via Rouen, and thence by

rail."

"I should be very glad if you would do so," Captain Tempe said. "I

have no doubt about getting that number of recruits, easily enough.

I have had a good many calls already, this morning; and several

thousand francs of subscription have been promised. In another

three or four days, the money will be ready; so if you write to

your friends, to make an agreement with a manufacturer, I can give

you the money by the time his answer arrives. When the guns arrive,

those who can pay for them will do so, and the rest will be paid

for by the subscriptions.

"Of course, we shall want them complete with bayonets. If, at the

same time, you can order ammunition--say, two hundred rounds for

each rifle--it would be, perhaps, a saving of time; as the

Government may not be able to supply any, at first. However, after

the meeting, this evening, I shall see how the subscriptions come

in; and we can settle on these points, tomorrow. The municipality

will help, I have no doubt."

"What is your idea as to equipment, Tempe?"

"As light as possible. Nothing destroys the go of men more than to

be obliged to carry heavy weights on their shoulders. We shall be

essentially guerrillas Our attacks, to be successful, must be

surprises. Speed, therefore, and the power to march long distances,

are the first of essentials.

"I do not propose to carry knapsacks--mere haversacks, bags capable

of containing a spare shirt, a couple of pairs of socks, and three

days' biscuits. Each man must also carry a spare pair of boots,

strapped to his belt, behind. A thick blanket--with a hole cut for

the head, so as to make a cloak by day, a cover by night--will be

carried, rolled up over one shoulder like a scarf; and each man

should carry a light, waterproof coat.

"I do not propose to take even tents d'abri. They add considerably

to the weight and, unless when we are actually engaged in

expeditions, we shall make our headquarters at some village; when

the men can be dispersed among the cottages, or sleep in stables,

or barns. When on expeditions, they must sleep in the open air."

"I quite approve of your plan," Captain Barclay said. "Exclusive of

his rifle and ammunition, the weight need not be above fifteen

pounds a man and, with this, they ought to be able to march, and

fight, with comfort. The way your soldiers march out, laden like

beasts of burden, is absurd. It is impossible for men either to

march, or fight, with a heavy load upon their backs.

"Have you thought about uniform?"

"No, I have not settled at all. I thought of letting the men fix

upon one of their own choice."

"Do nothing of the sort," Captain Barclay said. "The men will only

think of what is most becoming, or picturesque. You cannot do

better than fix upon some good, serviceable uniform of a

dark-grayish color; something similar to that of some of our

English Volunteer Corps. I will give you a drawing of it.

"Let the tunics be made of a thick and good cloth. Let the men have

short trousers--or, as we call them, knickerbockers--with leather

gaiters and lace boots. The shoes of your soldier are altogether a

mistake. I will bring you a sketch, tomorrow; and you will see that

it is neat, as well as serviceable."

"Thank you.

"By the way, I suppose that you have no objection to my mentioning,

at the meeting this evening, that your sons have joined? If there

should be any inclination to hang back--which I hope there will not

be--the fact that your boys have joined may decide many who would

otherwise hesitate."

"Certainly.

"I will not detain you longer, at present. I shall see you in a day

or two, and any assistance which I can give is at your service."

"Thanks very much. I only wish that you could go with us.

"Goodbye. Tell the boys that their names are down, and that we

shall begin drill in a day or two."

Chapter 3: Death To The Spy!

The next morning Madame Duburg arrived, at ten o'clock; an hour at

which she had never, as far as Mrs. Barclay knew, turned out of her

house since her marriage. She was actually walking fast, too. It

was evident that something serious was the matter.

Mrs. Barclay was in the garden, and her visitor came straight out

from the house to her.

"Is anything the matter?" was Mrs. Barclay's first question.

"Yes, a great deal is the matter," Madame Duburg began, vehemently.

"You and your English husband are mad. Your wretched boys are mad.

They have made my sons mad, also; and--my faith--I believe that my

husband will catch it. It is enough to make me, also, mad."

Notwithstanding the trouble in which Mrs. Barclay was, at the