army."

"Well, I don't think that you will find yourself better off at Hall
than here. They are catching up every ablebodied young fellow and
putting him into the ranks, and as you both look strong and active,
except for your comrade's face, you are both likely to be seized
as soon as you enter Hall, especially if you have no papers to
show."

"We are not thinking of entering Hall, landlord. Our friends live
a few miles away, and they will hide us till the army moves away
from these parts."

"That will be before long, thank the saints! There is news that a
great French army marched from Spires three days ago, and there is
like to be a great fight before long; and if the French are beaten
Merci will chase them back to the Rhine, recapture all the towns
that they have taken, and perhaps enter Alsace."

"Which way do they say that the French are marching?"

"They took the road to Weisloch. Some think that they will come
through Wimpfen, and then by Weinsberg here, unless Merci bars the
way. Others again think that they will make their way down through
Stuttgart. Five hundred men march from here tomorrow to Hall,
whence they go on to Heilbronn to strengthen the garrison there.
All the waggons in the town and country round have been fetched
in to carry their stores and baggage and a convoy of ammunition.
I should say that you could not do better than go on with the
waggons. No one is likely to ask you any questions, for it will be