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Updated: May 2, 2025
"Jean-Victor I have just entered this company I am just out of the ambulance I was wounded at Châtillon oh! but it was good in the ambulance, and in the infirmary they gave me horse bouillon. But I had only a scratch, and the major signed my dismissal. So much the worse for me!
In an instant every man was on his feet, and each with his hand on the chamber of his gun, stepped cautiously out, looking earnestly along the road, lying white in the moonlight. "What time is it?" asked the duke. "I was to go on duty to-night." "Jean-Victor went in your place." At that moment a soldier was seen running toward them along the road.
"Jean-Victor," said he, ceasing in his turn, by a delicate tact, to speak familiarly to the foundling, "if we survive this dreadful war, we will meet again, and I hope that I may be useful to you. But, in the meantime, as there is no bakery but the commissary, and as my ration of bread is twice too large for my delicate appetite, it is understood, is it not? we will share it like good comrades."
"What is it?" they cried as he stopped, out of breath. "The Prussians have attacked us, let us fall back to the redoubt." "And your comrades?" "They are coming all but poor Jean-Victor." "Where is he?" cried the duke. "Shot through the head with a bullet died without a word! ough!"
It was strong and hearty, the hand-clasp which followed: then, harassed and worn by their frequent watches and alarms, as night fell, they returned to the tavern, where twelve soldiers were sleeping on the straw; and throwing themselves down side by side, they were soon sleeping soundly. Toward midnight Jean-Victor awoke, being hungry probably.
Still touched by the kindness of his comrade, Jean-Victor was gazing at him with admiration, when the sergeant of the platoon opened the door and called the five men who were to relieve the sentinels of the out-posts. The duke was of the number, but he did not waken when his name was called. "Hardimont, stand up!" repeated the non-commissioned officer.
"If you are willing, sergeant," said Jean-Victor rising, "I will take his duty, he is sleeping so soundly and he is my comrade." "As you please." The five men left, and the snoring recommenced. But half an hour later the noise of near and rapid firing burst upon the night.
The soldier smiled sadly, showing his hungry, wolf-like teeth, as white as his sickly face, and, as if understanding that the other expected something further in the way of explanation or confidence: "Come," said he, suddenly ceasing his familiar way of speaking, doubtless divining that his companion belonged to the rich and happy; "let us walk along the road to warm our feet, and I will tell you things, which probably you have never heard of I am called Jean-Victor, that is all, for I am a foundling, and my only happy remembrance is of my earliest childhood, at the Asylum.
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