Henty George Alfred
The Young Franc Tireurs, and Their Adventures in the Franco-Prussian War
"No pigeon has come in, for ten days," the commander said. "You will indeed be welcome."
At this moment, a sailor came down to say that they were passing the Louvre and, in another two minutes, the gunboat lay alongside the wharf.
"You do not know, I suppose, where Trochu is to be found?" the commander of the Farcey asked.
"No, indeed," Ralph said.
"I will go with you, myself," the officer said. "If the general has gone to bed, we must knock him up. He won't mind, when he hears the reason."
It was but a short distance to walk, but the boys had great difficulty in getting there; for their limbs were stiff and aching, and they felt a burning sensation all over them, as if they had been dipped in boiling water. General Trochu had not yet gone to bed and–upon the message being delivered by the orderly, "The commander of the Farcey, with officers bearing dispatches, from Tours,"–he ordered them to be instantly admitted.
"These are the Lieutenants Barclay, general," the commander of the Farcey said. "A heavy firing broke out, suddenly, from the water side at Lower Meudon. It was answered from our side and–thinking that it might be someone trying to swim across–I fired a round of grape into the Germans, and ordered a sharp lookout to be kept. I had scarcely spoken the words before we were hailed for a rope; and in another minute these officers–both insensible from cold–were pulled on board. Thinking they might have dispatches, I at once started up the river; and when they were brought round, by the surgeon, they stated that they were the Lieutenants Barclay, bearers of dispatches from Tours."
"Gallantly done, gentlemen! Bravely done!" the general said warmly, shaking both boys by the hand.
The burning heat of Percy's hand struck him, at once.
"Where are your dispatches, gentlemen? You have preserved them, I hope?"
Ralph produced the two quills.
"They are duplicate, general," he said. "We each carried one, in case any accident might befall one of us."
"Thank you," the general said. "I need now detain you no longer. I have work here for all night, and you had better go instantly to bed. Your brother is in a high state of fever."
He touched a bell, and an officer in waiting came in.
"Captain Bar, will you kindly take these gentlemen to a hotel, at once. The horses are, as usual, in the carriage I suppose; and,"–he dropped his voice–"send a message from me to request Doctor Marcey to see them, at once. The younger one is in a state of high fever."
In another quarter of an hour the boys were in comfortable beds, in rooms adjoining each other. Ralph–who was heavy and stupid, with the effects of the cold–was asleep almost the instant his head touched the pillow. He was roused a short time afterwards by being shaken and, opening his eyes, he saw someone leaning over him.
"Drink this," the gentleman said, holding a glass to his lips.
Ralph mechanically did as he was told; and fell off again into a heavy sleep, from which he did not awake until late the next afternoon.
His first impulse was to look at his watch. It had stopped at eleven o'clock, the night before–the hour at which he had entered the Seine. Then he rang the bell.
"What o'clock is it?" he asked, when the servant entered.
"Just struck five, sir."
"What, five in the afternoon?" Ralph exclaimed.
"Yes, sir."
"I have slept," Ralph said, with a laugh. "However, I feel all right again, now.
"Is my brother up?"
"No, sir," the man said.
"Percy!" Ralph shouted, "It is five o'clock in the afternoon. Get up."
"The other gentleman is not in the next room, sir," the servant said.
"Is he not?" Ralph said, puzzled. "I was desperately sleepy last night, certainly; but not too sleepy, I should have thought, to have made a mistake about that. I feel sure he was in the next room."
"He was, sir," the servant said, "but Doctor Marcey, when he came to see you–just after you got into bed–ordered him to be carried at once into another room, in order that he might not disturb you. He said it was essential that you should have your sleep out, undisturbed."
"But why should my brother disturb me?" Ralph asked, anxiously. "Is he not well?"
"No, sir, he has got fever. He has been calling out, a great deal. He has got two sisters with him, and the doctor has been every hour."
By this time Ralph was out of bed.
"Here are some clothes, sir," the man said, handing them to him. "The landlord thought you would want some at once, when you woke; and ordered three or four suits for you to try."
Ralph seized the first that came to hand, and threw them on.
"All Paris was talking about your getting through the enemy, last night, sir. There have been hundreds of people here to call."
Ralph did not even hear what was said.
"Now," he said, "take me to him, at once."
The servant led Ralph along a passage and stopped at a door, at which he knocked. A Sister of Mercy opened the door.
"This is the other gentleman."
The sister opened the door for Ralph to enter.
"He is quiet now," she said, in a soft, compassionate tone.
Ralph went into the room. Percy lay in the bed, with his head surrounded with ice. His face was flushed, and his eyes wild. He was moving uneasily about, talking to himself.
"It is that schoolmaster who is at the bottom of it," he muttered. "He was a traitor, and I thought we hung him, but I suppose we didn't. Perhaps he got down, after we had gone off. If not, how could he have betrayed us again?
"I have heard of liquid fire, but that was liquid ice. It got into my veins, somehow, instead of blood. I tell you, Ralph, it's no good. I can't stand it any longer; but I will pay off that schoolmaster, first. Let me get at him," and he made an effort to rise.
The sister tried to restrain him, but so violent were his efforts to rise that Ralph–who was looking on, with tears streaming down his cheeks–was obliged to assist to hold him down. When he became quiet, the sister forced some medicine between his lips–Ralph holding up his head.
"Shall I speak to him?" Ralph asked. "He may know my voice."
"Better not, sir," the nurse said, "it would probably only set him off again."
"What does the doctor say about him?" Ralph asked.
"He says it is brain fever," the nurse said. "He only said it might be some days, before the crisis came; and that he could not give any decided opinion, at present. But he seemed to have hope."
"Thank God, at least, for that!" Ralph said, earnestly.
Percy, turning his head round again, caught sight of Ralph.
"Ah, there is that schoolmaster again! If no one else will hang him, I will do it, myself. Let me get at him!"
And he again made desperate efforts to get out of bed.
"You had better go, sir," one of the sisters said, urgently. "The sight of you makes him worse, and you can do him no good."
Seeing that it was so, Ralph reluctantly left the room; his only comfort being that Percy was as carefully tended, and looked after, as it was possible for him to be. He had scarcely returned to his room, when an officer was shown in.
"I daresay you hardly remember me," he said. "I came here with you, last night."
"I am very glad to see you again, and to thank you for the trouble you took," Ralph said. "I was too sleepy to do so, last night."
"Not at all," the officer answered. "However, I am here with a message from the general, now. He would have asked you to dine with him but, hearing of the state of your brother, he could not ask you to leave him for so long a time; but he would be glad if you would come to see him, for an hour, this evening. He wishes to know how you managed to pass through the German lines; and he also desires to be informed, as far as you can give such information, of the number and position of the enemy.
"What surprises us all, more than anything, is that the dispatches are dated the morning of the thirteenth instant; and you were picked up, by the Farcey, upon the evening of the sixteenth. It seems incredible that you should have done the distance, and managed to get through the German lines, in the time. Only one other messenger has got through; and his dispatches were more than ten days old, when they reached us, and had been forestalled by some pigeons. Your news is six days later than any we have received."
"We slept, on the night of the thirteenth, at Montargis," Ralph said; "on the fourteenth at Melun, on the fifteenth at Versailles; and last night–as you know–here."
"I must not get the information before the general," the officer said, with a laugh. "It is half-past six, now. The general dines at seven. At what time will you be with him? Shall we say nine?"
"I will be there at nine," Ralph said, "but the general will, I hope, excuse my coming either in uniform, or full dress of any kind. I have, of course, nothing with me."
"General Trochu will of course understand that," the officer said. "Goodbye."
Ralph now went back to Percy's room. The doctor had just come. He was accompanied by another medical man. Ralph stood by, in silent attention, while the doctor felt Percy's pulse, and asked a few questions of the nurse. They then gave some orders, and said that fresh medicine should be sent in, in a quarter of an hour; and that they would come in again, at ten o'clock, to see how he was going on.
"What do you think of him, sir?" Ralph asked, as the doctor came out.
"He has a sharp attack of brain fever," the doctor said, "but he is young, with an excellent constitution. I trust we shall pull him through. I cannot say anything for certain, at present–till the fever takes a turn, one way or the other–but I have strong hopes."
Ralph ordered some dinner to be sent up to his room, for he began to be keenly awake to the fact that he had eaten nothing, for more than twenty-four hours. After he had taken the meal, he sat in Percy's room, until it was time to go to General Trochu's; keeping himself, however, in a position so as to be hidden by the curtain–for the sight of him evidently excited the patient. Percy was, as far as his brother could see, in just the same state as before: sometimes talking to himself, in disconnected sentences; sometimes raving wildly, and imagining himself repeating the scenes through which he had passed, since he left home.
At nine o'clock, exactly, Ralph sent in his name to the governor; and was at once shown in. The general had already left the table, and was smoking in a small study. With him were Generals Ducrot and Vinoy. General Trochu rose, and shook him cordially by the hand; presented him to the other generals, and asked him to take a cigar, and sit down.
"Generals Ducrot and Vinoy are surprised, I see, at your appearance, Captain Barclay," General Trochu began.
"By the way," he interrupted himself, "you are in the Gazette, this morning, as captain."
Ralph bowed, and expressed his thanks.
"No thanks are due at all, Captain Barclay," the old veteran said. "You have well earned your promotion; and Gambetta–who speaks of you, I may say, in the highest terms–tells me that he promised you the step, if you got in. I need not say that, whether he had done so or not, I should have given it to you.
"But I was saying, I see Generals Vinoy and Ducrot are surprised–as I am, myself–at your appearance. Gambetta, in his letter, twice uses the expression young officers. Once he said, 'these young officers have greatly distinguished themselves, and have gained the cross of the legion of honor;' and again he says, 'these young officers have volunteered to carry dispatches.'
"Naturally, my friends were looking for a younger man; and having only seen you for an instant last night, and not having observed your features, specially, I confess that I was expecting a younger man.
"You see," he said, with a smile, "we can quite understand Gambetta's calling your brother a young officer, for he is a mere lad; but one would hardly have applied the same term to yourself."
Ralph had flushed crimson, at the commencement of this speech.
"I must apologize very greatly, general," he said, when the Governor of Paris stopped; "for the mistake is certainly due to my own forgetfulness."
His hearers looked surprised.
"I slept until five o'clock this afternoon," Ralph continued; "owing, I believe, to a powerful opiate that the doctor you kindly sent us gave me. Since I woke, my thoughts have been entirely given to my brother; and the thought of my singular appearance never entered my mind. I have become so accustomed–in the few days since I left Tours–to this beard, mustache, and hair, that I never thought of them, for a moment. Had I thought of it, I could not have presented myself before you, this evening; for I should not have presumed to do so, in my present state; and it will take me some hours of hard work, and not a little pain, before I get rid of them–for they are fastened on with shoemaker's wax and, I fear, will not come off, without taking a considerable portion of skin with them."
The three generals laughed heartily at Ralph's apology, and their own mistake; and General Trochu then asked him to give them a full account of what had happened to him, what he had seen, and what information he had gained since he left Tours. Ralph told the story unaffectedly, from beginning to end, and received warm commendation from his listeners.
"Your story began at Tours," General Trochu said; "where had you last been, before that?"
"We had only arrived, ten days before, from a German prison," Ralph answered.
The generals all laughed.
"You are adventurous fellows, you and your brother," General Vinoy said. "How did you get taken, and how did you get out?"
Ralph again told his story.
"You are cool hands, you Barclays," General Ducrot said. "How did you get commissions first? Were you at the Polytechnic, or Saint Cyr?"
"No, general," Ralph said, modestly, "we had no such advantages. We won our commissions–and the cross of the Legion–in the Vosges, as franc tireurs."
"In which corps?" General Trochu asked, a little sharply. "They have not done any very great things, the franc tireurs."
"We were in the franc tireurs of Dijon," Ralph said, a little proudly. "We several times beat superior forces. We blew up the bridge of the Vesouze; and should have blown up the tunnel of Saverne, had it not been for treachery."
"Yes, yes," General Trochu said; "I remember Gambetta has once or twice mentioned your corps, especially. You see, we don't hear much from outside.
"Let us hear of the affairs you have mentioned. Your account will give us a better idea of the state of things, in the Vosges, than fifty dispatches would do."
Thus asked, Ralph gave an account of the doings of the corps; from the day they arrived in the Vosges, to the day he had left them–reduced to a fourth of their original strength. The three generals sat and smoked their cigars while he spoke, asking questions occasionally.
"Very good," General Trochu said, when he finished; and the other generals cordially assented.
"But how come you to speak German so well?" General Trochu asked; "and how was it you understood the English in which the officer spoke, at Saverne?"
"We are English," Ralph said; and his hearers gave a simultaneous start of surprise. "That is to say, our nationality is English, though we are half French. Our father–an officer in the English army–was wounded, left the service, married a French lady, and settled in France for a time. We have been educated partly in England, Germany, and France; so that we speak the three languages nearly equally well."
"Well, Captain Barclay," General Trochu said, "I am almost sorry that you are not French; for you would be a credit to any country.
"And now, I think it is time to be going to bed," and he drew out his watch. "Bless me, it is one o'clock! I had no idea it was so late. Good night.
"I will not ask you to call again, for a day or two; as your brother will naturally occupy your attention, and care. I trust that I shall soon hear good news of him."
"Good night, Captain Barclay," the other generals said, cordially, each giving him their hands; and Ralph made his way across the dark streets–for there was no gas–back to his hotel.
He went at once up to Percy's room; and found that, if not decidedly better, he was at least no worse; and the Sisters of Charity, who were nursing him, said that the doctors had spoken hopefully at their last visit. Ralph had intended to sit up all night, but the nurses assured him that he could be of no use, whatever; and indeed, that he would be worse than useless, as his presence excited Percy. They themselves were keeping watch, by turns.
Accordingly Ralph–who still felt the effects of the cold immersion–went off to bed and–in spite of the late hour at which he had risen–was in a few minutes sound asleep.
Chapter 17: A Balloon Voyage
For eight-and-forty hours, Percy's fever and delirium continued unabated. At the end of that time, he fell into a long sleep; and the doctor, as he felt his hand and heard his breathing, told his brother that he thought the crisis was over, and that he would awaken, conscious. His prognostication turned out well founded and, to Ralph's intense delight, Percy knew him when he opened his eyes. He was weak–weaker than Ralph could have supposed anyone could possibly have become, after only two days' illness. But he was fairly convalescent.
Ralph had scarcely left him, during these two days; and had only been out once from the hotel. He had sent for a newspaper; to read for himself, in the Gazette, the promotion which General Trochu had notified to him and, after doing so, he turned to another portion; and there, among the lists of decorations given, were the names of Percy and himself, as promoted to be commanders of the Legion for having, with extreme gallantry, conveyed dispatches from Tours to Paris, through the German lines.
It was after reading this newspaper that Ralph went out. His walk was not a long one. He went first to a tailor, and ordered two captain's uniforms; for Percy was so nearly his own size that–except that his shoulders were an inch less in width–Ralph's clothes fitted him exactly. He then went to the Palais Royal, where there are several shops which sell nothing but medals, and decorations; and bought two ribbons of the commander's rank, in the legion of honor.
One terrible morning Ralph spent in a hairdresser's hands and, at the cost of no little pain, got rid of all that mass of hair which had so transformed him. The stain was now nearly worn off the skin; and Ralph was quite surprised, when he again looked at himself in the glass.
"I was about beginning to forget," he said, with a laugh, "that I was a boy, after all."
The first day of Percy's convalescence, he dozed a good deal; but the next day he woke, much brighter and better.
"Look here, Percy," Ralph said, laying the ribbon before him; "that's better than medicine for you. There is the ribbon of a commander of the legion of honor. You can safely boast that you are the youngest who ever wore it; and earned it well, too, old man. Won't they be pleased, at home? And we are both gazetted as captains."
Percy smiled with pleasure. His attack had been a very sharp one; but so short an illness, however severe, is speedily got over. The doctor had, that morning, said that all he wanted now was building up; and that, in a very few days, he would be about. Indeed, Percy wanted to get up that day; insisting that he was quite strong. When he once stood up, however, he found he was much weaker than he had imagined; but sat up in an armchair, all the evening. The next day he remained up all day and, three days after, he felt strong enough to go to the governor with Ralph, to ask for their promised places in the next balloon.
It was now the twenty-third of November. A carriage was sent for and, after some difficulty, procured; for carriages were already becoming scarce, in Paris. They drove up to the entrance, and went in; but were told by an orderly–who could scarcely conceal his surprise at these lads, in the uniform of captains of the staff, and with decorations scarcely ever seen, except upon the breasts of superior officers–that the general was out. They turned and went out but, as they reached the steps, a number of officers rode up.
"There is General Trochu himself, with Vinoy and Ducrot," Ralph said.
The generals dismounted, and came up the steps. As they did so their eyes fell upon the boys, who both saluted. They paused, in surprise.
"What masquerade is this, young gentlemen?" General Trochu asked, sternly. "Allow me to ask how you venture to dress up as captains, on the staff; and still more how you dare to put on the ribbons of commanders of the legion of honor?
"It is no laughing matter," he said, angrily, as Ralph could not resist a smile. "It is a punishable offence; and your impudence in showing yourselves off, at my door, makes the matter the more unpardonable."
"I see, general, that you do not remember us."
"I do not, sir," General Trochu said, looking at him sternly. "To the best of my belief, I never set eyes upon you before."
The numerous staff of officers–who had accompanied the generals, and who were scattered thickly around them– gave an angry murmur; for scarce one among them wore the coveted decoration.
"I am Ralph Barclay, and this is my brother Percy," Ralph said, respectfully.
"Impossible!" the three generals exclaimed, simultaneously; while there was a general exclamation of surprise, from the officers round–for the courageous deed of the Barclays, in making their way through the enemy's lines, had been a general topic of conversation, and all Paris was familiar with their names.
"It is so, general," Ralph said, respectfully. "I explained to you, at the interview that I had the honor of having with you, in the presence of Generals Ducrot and Vinoy, that it was the false hair which made all the difference; and that I was but little older than my brother."
The generals no longer doubted. They all shook both boys by the hand.
"I am astounded," General Trochu said; "astounded that two such mere boys, as I now see you are, should have accomplished what you have done. However, courage is of no age; and I do not think that there are any here,"–and he turned to the officers round him–"who will not agree with me that these ribbons are worthily placed."
"No, indeed," was the general reply; and the officers all pressed round, to shake hands with the boys, as they accompanied the governor back into the house.
General Trochu went at once into his private study, and told the boys to sit down.
"Now, what can I do for you, boys?"
"Monsieur Gambetta promised us that he would write, to ask for us to have places in the first balloon which came out, after we arrived," Ralph said. "Owing to my brother's illness, I have not been able to ask, before; but I am now anxious to leave as soon as possible, especially as the doctor says that change is desirable for my brother, and that he ought to have at least a month's nursing, at home, before he gets on horseback again."
"A balloon will start tomorrow morning," General Trochu said, "but if you choose to stay here, I will promise you both places upon my own staff; or upon those of Generals Ducrot or Vinoy–either of whom would, I am sure, be very glad to receive you."
"You are very kind, indeed, sir–very kind; and we feel greatly honored by your offer," Ralph said, gratefully. "Had we any intention, whatever, of remaining in the army, we should accept it, with many thanks; but it is not so. We are English; and at the end of the war we leave France, and go back to live at home. We entered the ranks with no thought of winning promotion, or favor; but simply from a sense of duty to the country to which our mother belonged, and in which we were born.
"There will, I suppose, be a great battle fought near Orleans, shortly; and I should like to be present, if possible–and Percy wants rest. Therefore, general, while thanking you most warmly for your kindness, we would rather go out."
"Very well," the general said, "it shall be as you wish. There is certainly more chance of your seeing stirring service, in the field, than in here. I do not blame you for your choice. I will send a note at once to Monsieur Teclier–who has charge of the balloon–to say that you will accompany him.
"Goodbye, lads, goodbye; you are fine young fellows, and your father has every right to be proud of you. Tell him so, from me."
The boys rose, and bowed; but the general held out his hand, and shook theirs warmly.
Upon leaving the room, they found several of the officers of the staff waiting outside; who begged them to stay, and have a chat with them. Ralph at once accepted the invitation; upon the condition that Percy should have a sofa upon which to lie down, for his brother was looking pale, and faint. They were most warmly received, in a large drawing room, in which were over a dozen officers of different ranks. Some bottles of champagne were opened, cigars were lit and, while Percy lay quietly upon the sofa, Ralph chatted with the officers; relating, at their earnest request, several of their adventures in the Vosges, as well as the story of their entering into Paris.
His new friends warmly pressed them to stop and dine with them; but Ralph pleaded that the balloon was to start at five in the morning, and that he wished Percy to lie down, and get a good night's sleep before starting. The carriage had been discharged, hours since; but one of the officers ordered a carriage of General Trochu's to the door and, after a hearty leave taking, the boys returned to their hotel.
"What a curious scene it is, Percy," Ralph said. "Who would think that we were in a besieged city? Everything looks very much as usual: the shops are open; people walk about and chat, and smoke, and drink their coffee or absinthe, just as usual. The only difference is, that everyone is in some sort of uniform or other. One does not see a single able-bodied man altogether in civilian dress; and at night the streets are very dismal, owing to there being no gas."
"How much longer do they seem to expect to hold out, Ralph?"
"Another two months, anyhow; perhaps three, or even more. There seems to be a large stock of everything, and everyone is put on to a regular allowance–just enough to live upon, and no more."
"I seem to have everything I want, Ralph; lots of beef tea, and soup, and jelly, and so on."
"Yes, Percy; but you obtain your food from the hospital. The hotel could not furnish anything of the kind, I can tell you.
"Here we are. Now you lie down at once, and get to sleep. I will wake you in plenty of time."
At ten minutes before the appointed time, the boys arrived at the Northern Railway Station; which presented a very different appearance to that which it ordinarily wore. No whistle of locomotives, or rumble of heavy trains, disturbed the silence of the station. A smell of varnish pervaded the whole place; and several empty balloons hung from the roof, undergoing the process of drying. The official–who had received them at the entrance–conducted them outside the station; and there, in the light of some torches, a great black mass could be seen, swaying heavily to and fro. The aeronaut was standing beside it.
"Here are the gentlemen who accompany you," the officer said to him.
"How are you, gentlemen?" he said, cheerily. "We have a fine night, or rather morning; the wind is northerly. I suppose this is your first ascent?"
"Yes, indeed," Ralph said, "and I own I hope it will be the last. Have the dispatches arrived?"
"No; I have the mail bags, but not the dispatches Hush! There are a horse's hoofs."
A few minutes afterwards a railway official brought a note, which he delivered to Monsieur Teclier.
"Bah!" he said, in an annoyed tone, "why cannot they be punctual?"
"What is it, sir?" Ralph asked.
"A note from the general, to say that the dispatches will not be ready for an hour. That means an hour and a half; and by that time it will be light enough to be seen, and we shall have to run the gauntlet. However, I suppose it cannot be helped.
"The best thing will be to pass the time as cheerfully as we can; and that certainly will not be in waiting out here, in this bitter cold. I have, fortunately, a few bottles of excellent wine in the car; so I propose, gentlemen, that we go in to a fire, have a glass of wine, and smoke a cigar, tranquilly."
Monsieur Teclier gave a few directions concerning the balloon; and they then adjourned to a work shed near, where a good fire was blazing, for the use of the men employed in filling the balloon. Here the hour and a half of waiting passed pleasantly.
At a quarter to seven, the dispatches arrived. They were hastily placed in the car, in which everything else had already been packed. The Barclays took their place, the word was given, "Let go all!" and, in another instant, the earth seemed to sink away from under them, and they were rising over the tops of the houses.
The dawn had already broken, gray and uncertain. Light clouds were floating overhead. For two or three minutes, not a word was spoken. The scene was so wonderful–the effect so extraordinary, to the boys–that they were unable to utter a word. Every instant, the earth seemed to sink away from them; every instant, their view extended farther and farther; and the distant fields, villages, and hills seemed actually to spring into sight.
"It is wonderful!" Ralph said, at last.
"Magnificent!" Percy responded.
"I wonder whether they see us?" Ralph said.
"We shall soon know," Monsieur Teclier said. "We have crossed the river, and over the walls already. In another five minutes, we shall be over their lines."
There were good telescopes in the car, and the boys directed them upon the immense panorama below them.
"What fort is that, immediately beneath us?" Ralph asked.
"That is Vanves. The village you see there is Chatillon. Look out now, we may expect visitors, in a minute."
He had hardly spoken before they heard a faint sound, followed by others similar.
"That is musketry," Monsieur Teclier said. "Listen."
