that each of you will do well always to remember," said Captain Favor
in conclusion. "Tomorrow I shall tell you another story, if the
weather permits of my coming out here. Au revoir, little friends."




CHAPTER VII

SAVED BY A CHILD'S WIT


"This time I will tell you about a quick-witted little French girl,"
said Captain Favor. "She was a stout-hearted little woman, full of
spirit and as fearless as she was keen, as you shall see.

"It is not only the French lads who are quick-witted and brave. The
girls are fully as much so, and all are filled with the same wonderful
spirit of patriotism and love of country, as you already have
learned from the stories I have told you.

"This little woman's name was Jeanne; she had just turned eleven years
when the incidents I am about to relate occurred. For some time the
news had been coming to the village in which she lived of the wicked
deeds of a company of German lancers. These lancers were roving from
village to village, stealing whatever they could lay their hands on,
and mistreating the women and children. It was a terrible thing to do,
but nothing new for the Prussians. As in other towns of which I have
told you, all the able-bodied men of this village had gone to the war.