"
CHAPTER XIV
THE THRILL OF THE FIRE TRENCH
Passing the two sentries at the front door the officers found
themselves in a small ante-room.
Excusing himself, Captain Ribaut left the Americans briefly, but
was speedily back.
"General Bazain is most eager to meet you, and has the leisure
at this moment," the Frenchman announced.
He led his guests through the adjoining room, where half a dozen
younger French officers rose hastily, standing at salute. Then
on into a third room, just over the sill of which Captain Ribaut
halted, bringing his heels quickly together as he called out:
"General Bazain, I have the honor to present to you four American
officers, Major-----"
And so on, through the list of names. The French divisional commander
bowed courteously four separate times, taking each American officer
by the hand with both his own, and finding something wholly courteous
to say. He spoke in French, a tongue that only Major Wells and
Captain Prescott understood well.
"My division is greatly honored, _Messieurs les Officers_," General
Bazain continued when he had seen to the seating of his callers
and had resumed his own chair behind a desk on which were spread
many maps and documents.
Pages:
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153