Part 41 (1/2)
”You will help rescue them, will you not?”
Bougainville smiled slightly.
”An army can't turn aside for the rescue of women,” he replied, ”but it happens that this brigade, under General Vaugirard is marching forward now to find, if possible, an opening between the German armies, and you're the very man to lead it.”
John's heart bounded with joy. He would be again with the general whom he admired and trusted, and he would certainly guide the brigade straight to the chateau.
”Is General Vaugirard near?” he asked.
”Just over the brow of this hill, down there where the dim light is visible among the trees.”
”Then take me to him at once.”
CHAPTER XV
THE RESCUE
Escorted by Bougainville, John went down a little slope to a point where several officers stood talking earnestly. The central figure was that of a huge man who puffed out his cheeks as he spoke, and whose words and movements were alive with energy. Even had he seen but a dim outline, John would have recognized him with no difficulty as General Vaugirard, and beside him stood de Rougemont.
Bougainville saluted and said;
”The American, John Scott, sir. He has just escaped from the enemy and he brings important information.”
Vaugirard puffed out his great cheeks and whistled with satisfaction.
”Ah, my young Yankee!” he said. ”They cannot hold you!”
”No, my general,” replied John, ”I've come back again to fight for France.”
General Vaugirard looked at him keenly.
”You're exhausted,” he said. ”You've been under tremendous pressure.”
”But I can guide you. I want neither sleep nor rest.”
”You need both, as I can see with these two old eyes of mine. Sleep you can't have now, but rest is yours. You go with me in my automobile, which this war has trained to climb mountains, jump rivers, and crash through forests. The motor has become a wonderful weapon of battle.”
”May I ask one question, General?” said John.
”A dozen.”
”Do you know where the aviator, Philip Lannes, is? His sister is held a prisoner by a German general in a chateau toward which we will march, and doubtless he would wish to go at once to her rescue.”
”He is not here, but his friend, Caumartin, is only a half-mile away.
I'll send a man at once with a message to him to find Lannes, who will surely follow us, if he can be found. And now, my brave young Yankee, here is my machine. Into it, and we'll lead the way.”
John sprang into the automobile, and sank down upon the cus.h.i.+ons. He had a vast sense of ease and luxury. He had not known until then, the extent of his mental and physical overstrain, but de Rougemont, who was also in the machine, observed it and gave him a drink from a flask, which revived him greatly.