might have more time for fear to sink into his heart while watching
the execution of the others. The sergeant neither asked for nor
expected mercy. Well did he know what the penalty was for such an act
as his, and he was willing to die for his country as well as for the
sake of the woman who had nursed him through so many dark days of
suffering.

"They tied him to a tree while engaged in their cruel work of shooting
the accused old men, where the sergeant hung weak from loss of blood,
for, under their rough handling his wounds had reopened.

"Little Pierre, his eyes large and troubled, had followed his friend
to the square and stood sympathetically beside him.

"'What, can I do? Tell me quickly,' urged the boy.

"'Fetch me a cup of water. I am burning with the fever again. One
drink of water and I shall have the strength to die bravely. Those
Prussian dogs shall not see so much as the quiver of an eyelid,' said
the sergeant.

"Pierre slipped into a house and brought a cup of water which he
placed at the lips of his friend. The sergeant had taken one swallow
when a captain dashed the cup to the ground. He swung and struck
Pierre a cruel blow across the cheek with the flat of his saber,
laying the lad prostrate. Pierre staggered to his feet, eyes blazing,
an angry red welt showing where he had been struck.

"'To give aid or comfort to the friends of France is to die!' hissed
the German captain. 'For this you too shall die! But first you shall