"While a small force was left to guard the fort the others of the
garrison went down and surrounded the village. They surprised and
captured the sentries without firing a shot. These prisoners were
taken to the fort and locked up, after which the French in the village
fired a volley into the air. As they expected, the Prussians guarding
the houses rushed out and began shooting, but coming from the lighted
houses into the darkness of the early morning, their eyes were not
keen and only one volley from the French was necessary to fill the
Germans with fear. The Germans very soon laid down their arms and
surrendered. While some of the invaders were wounded, no one was
killed. The entire German force was captured and marched, humiliated,
to the fort on the hill.

"Next day, when the villagers came to a realization of what Mathilde
had done, a purse was made up, everyone giving of his little savings.
This purse was presented to the child by the captain, in the presence
of all his officers and many of his soldiers.

"Mathilde's eyes were bright. She held the bag of money in her arms
for a moment, then, kissing it, placed it in the hands of the captain.

"'And I, monsieur le Capitaine, give it to our beloved France. She
needs it more than does the Little Mathilde, and with it Mathilde
sends her love to the brave poilus of her beautiful France.'"




CHAPTER IV