Others, no worse than I, fell by the roadside, but still I toiled on; when near Folde, we learned that fifty thousand Bavarians were posted in the forests through which we were to pass, for the purpose of cutting off our retreat. This was my finishing stroke, for I knew I could no longer load, fire, or defend myself with the bayonet. I felt that all my sufferings to get so far toward home were useless. Nevertheless, I made an effort, when we were ordered to march, and tried to rise.
"Come, come, Joseph!" said Zébédé; "courage!"
But I could not move, and lay sobbing like a child.
"Come, stand up!" he said.
"I cannot. O God! I cannot!"
I clutched his arm. Tears streamed down his face. He tried to lift me, but he was too weak; I held fast to him, crying:
"Zébédé, do not abandon me!"
Captain Tidal approached, and gazed sadly on me.
"Cheer up, my lad," said he; "the ambulances will be along in half an hour."
But I knew what that meant, and I drew Zébédé closer to me. He embraced me, and I whispered in his ear: