first German rifle he had handled, examined the mechanism of the lock,
then raised his eyes to the motionless figure of the French sergeant.

"Pierre smiled and a new light sprang into his eyes.

"'Well?' demanded the captain impatiently. 'Do you shoot or do you
die?'

"'I shoot!' cried the little French boy, his voice high pitched and
shrill.

"Pierre turned like a flash and, raising the weapon, pointed it
straight at the German captain and pulled the trigger.

"No report followed. The rifle had missed fire. And ere Pierre could
make another try the weapon was snatched from his hands and a blow
from the captain's fist again laid him low.

"'Dog!' raged the Prussian officer. 'Now you _shall_ die, and yonder
French sergeant shall be a witness to your punishment. Strip the
blinder from that man's eyes! Bind this boy!'

"'There is no need to bind me. I shall not run away. I am not afraid
to die for France. I am sorry only that I did not kill you,' answered
the lad stoutly. 'I am young--I can better be spared than others.'

"There was no reply to this, but the soldiers were ordered to lead the
child out into the center of the square.

"'If you run you will be shot just the same,' warned the captain.