He glanced at Des Rosiers, and noticed that his face was grim and set.
"But, my officier, it is not fair," began the French-Canadian; "it——"
"Not fair?" There was a rasping sound in the major's voice.
"For me, mais oui, but for you, non. Please—I do my bes'—I go alone."
Without a word, the second-in-command put out his hand and grasped that of the deserter; and Des Rosiers felt that death for the other would be easy. Truly, as Campbell had said, war is a great big game, and men are like children.
Three minutes later two figures were crawling like panthers towards the German lines.
IX
The colonel of the battalion took the message from the runner's hand. It contained seven words:
"As an example to the battalion.
"Campbell."