tidings that came to him in such quick succession and not relishing
the prospect of being involved in the confusion of the retreating
troops, plucked up courage and started on a run for Balan, whence he
regained Sedan without much difficulty.

The _estafette_ tore through Bazeilles on a gallop, disseminating the
news, hunting up the commanders to give them their instructions, and
as he sped swiftly on the intelligence spread among the troops:
Marshal MacMahon wounded, General Ducrot in command, the army falling
back on Illy!

"What is that they are saying?" cried Weiss, whose face by this time
was grimy with powder. "Retreat on Mezieres at this late hour! but it
is absurd, they will never get through!"

And his conscience pricked him, he repented bitterly having given that
counsel the day before to that very general who was now invested with
the supreme command. Yes, certainly, that was yesterday the best,
the only plan, to retreat, without loss of a minute's time, by the
Saint-Albert pass, but now the way could be no longer open to them,
the black swarms of Prussians had certainly anticipated them and were
on the plain of Donchery. There were two courses left for them to
pursue, both desperate; and the most promising, as well as the
bravest, of them was to drive the Bavarians into the Meuse, and cut
their way through and regain possession of the Carignan road.

Weiss, whose spectacles were constantly slipping down upon his nose,
adjusted them nervously and proceeded to explain matters to the
lieutenant, who was still seated against the wall with his two stumps
of legs, very pale and slowly bleeding to death.