Part 50 (1/2)

”I thoroughly agree with you both. We have had quite enough of it.

We shall always have the satisfaction that we did our duty to France, and our rank; and these ribbons,”--and he touched the rosette of the legion of honor, in his b.u.t.tonhole--”will prove that we have distinguished ourselves. We have had great good fortune, hitherto; it might turn, next time.”

And so it was settled that the boys should remain at home, for the next two months; by which time they agreed, with their father, the resistance would be fairly worn out. Ralph wrote to General Chanzy, relating the whole circ.u.mstances of his absence. General Chanzy wrote in reply--in spite of the demands upon his time--saying how pleased he was that Ralph had escaped, as he had quite given him up. He ended his note by saying that he had already mentioned his name, in dispatches, and should now make a fresh report.

Colonel Tempe--or rather General Tempe, for he now commanded a brigade--wrote also to congratulate him. One portion of his letter contained bad news; for he mentioned that Tim had lost an arm, at the battle of the 8th December, but that he was now doing well.

Those were exciting days at Dijon. The news of the victory at Villers.e.xel, followed by the fighting which ended in the capture of Montbeliard; and then the obstinate contests near Belfort, when Bourbaki in vain endeavored to drive back the Germans, and to relieve the besieged town--all this kept the excitement up, at fever heat.

It was not fated that the war should end without the boys seeing service once more for, upon the 21st, heavy firing was heard upon the northwest of Dijon. The Barclays' house was on the southwest of the town. Upon the northwest the ground rises in two steep hills--or rather one steep hill, with two summits about a mile apart. One of these summits is called Talant, the other Fontaine les Dijon. Behind the latter, and upon even higher ground--at a distance of two and three miles, respectively--lay the villages of Daix and Hauteville.

It was about ten o'clock in the morning that the boys heard the faint boom of a cannon.

”Listen, papa,” Percy shouted; ”there are cannon. The Prussians are attacking the heights, on the other side.”

Captain Barclay came out into the garden, and listened for a while with them. The enemy had taken up positions upon some of the numerous heights surrounding, and were playing upon the batteries at Talant, Fontaine les Dijon, Daix, and Hauteville. The French replied vigorously; and it was evident that they were stronger, in artillery, than were the enemy.

”I fancy,” Captain Barclay said, ”that it is no attack. It is merely, I think, a fire opened to occupy our attention; in order that a body of troops may pa.s.s along to the northward of Dijon, to fall upon Bourbaki's rear. However, my place is with my company of national guards. There is no fear of an attack, at present; but they will get under arms no doubt.”

”We will go down into the town with you, papa.”

The firing continued until five o'clock, when it gradually died away, the Germans retiring. An hour later, the greater portion of the troops marched back to the town. The enemy, they reported, were not over 15,000 strong while, in all, the Garibaldians and mobilized national guards in the town were 30,000 to 40,000 strong.

The French were also much stronger in artillery.

Captain Barclay returned home with the boys. They sat up late, talking over the affair, and it was nearly midnight when they went up to their rooms. Suddenly, they were startled by a fresh outburst of fire upon the heights. In a minute or two, all the household were in the garden.

”It is a night attack,” Captain Barclay said; ”and judging by the sound, they are in earnest. I can hear musketry, as well as artillery.”

As they listened, it came nearer.

”They have taken Daix and Hauteville,” Ralph said. ”What shall we do, papa? We can't stay here, quiet. It is our plain duty to go down, and report ourselves to General Pelissier.”

”I think you ought to do so,” Captain Barclay answered, gravely.

The boys went off to put on their uniforms--for Ralph had replaced the one he had left behind, in the cottage near Orleans.

”I do not think you need be uneasy, Melanie,” Captain Barclay said to his wife. ”It is our duty to go; but I hardly think that they can have been reinforced in sufficient strength to attack the town.”

The boys were soon down.

”Goodbye, mamma; goodbye, Milly. Don't be alarmed about us. We have no horses, and there can be no risk of our being sent on any perilous service, tonight.”

Two silent kisses, and then father and sons hurried away towards the town.

”They have taken Fontaine les Dijon,” Ralph said. ”We shall soon see if they are in earnest.”