The Children of France

in this war," said Captain Favor, beginning a new story. "Such quick thinking as hers in the face

eavy work of the home, for the father, too, was in poor health. Gené, though only ten years o￡ age, was a reso

s, killing many such and carrying others away with them. It was desperate business that these brutal Prussians were en

knew the Germans were headed in their direction, they thought the

ntered the house and began a systematic search of it. They ripped up carpets and tore beds to pieces, helped themselves to all the food in the house,

ptain of the dragoons, turning to Gené

ent it all on my poor wi

old woman out of the bed. She is but pretending to be sick. She

ené, with tears of anger in her eyes, bent over and clasped her parent's hand. The husband protested a

all be taken away for that. You shall see that it is not for cowardly French to thwart the will of the Bavarian drago

e, for the French always have wine in their cellars. Perhaps you will tell u

ile. 'You will find the jugs in the front part of the cellar.' Gené lowered her eyes,

raising the trapdoor in the kitchen floor and descending a ladder, thi

rmans could be faintly heard. At last Gené laid her mother down and tripped lightly to the kitchen. Listening a moment she cautiously lowered the trapdoor in the floor an

that she had captured the captain of dragoons and several of his men. By this time there was a great uproar in the cellar. The dragoons were shifting and beating on the kitchen floor, raging and threatening. They had discovered that they were in a tr

illagers set up a great shout, and, running out, the child recognized the soldiers of h

iers. They are in the cellar. Some of their party have taken my father

he commander. 'Co

barricaded trapdoor. 'Hear them rage.

hen, and, after the trap had been uncovered and thrown o

you Bavarian hounds!' he sh

ief hesitation they came out one by one, being disarmed

way,' command

in the house, but they have, as you saw, abused my sick mother and have taken away my poor father. They have misused us.

our best, my

. Can you not exchange one of your prisoner

ed. 'How long have the

short t

ick woman and carried away her husband. A fine business for those who call themselves men. You deserve to be shot, you and all your hounds. However, I will spare your life on o

capt

will ride and rejo

rjected the comman

RAGOON DRA

ing to one of the Bavarians, 'and listen well to what I shall say to you. You wil

sieur le C

the French commander sends warning to him that unless the father of this child, taken as a hostage, is returned to this village before eigh

sieur le C

go sp

stern-faced Frenchman, at whose hands he knew he could expect small

ced in her bed by the tender-hearted French captain. The

es safely home,' said Gené. Yet the brave little French girl herself was full of anxiety; she c

Gené heard some one approaching. By the clanking sound she kn

lted at the door. She searched his face and what she

ther whose life you have saved. What I have done for you was only my duty; wh

the room, saluted and strode out to join his co