"I should like to see a step given to the three officers serving under me," the major said. "They have all served in the regular army, and all have equally well done their duty."
"It shall be done; and two of them shall be posted to other corps, while one takes the command of your own," the general said. "Do you wish commissions for any of the men?"
Major Tempe named three of the men, and then added:
"The two members of the corps who have most distinguished themselves I have not mentioned, general, because they are too young to place over the heads of the others; at the same time, their services certainly deserve recognition. I mentioned them, in the dispatches I sent to you, as having done immense service by going down, in disguise, into the midst of the Germans. In fact, at Saverne they saved the corps from destruction. They are two young English lads, named Barclay."
"I remember distinctly," General Cambriels said. "They speak French fluently, I suppose, as well as German?"
"Both languages like natives," the major answered.
"And can they ride?"
"Yes, admirably," Major Tempe said. "I knew them before the war, and they are excellent horsemen."
"Then they are the very fellows for me," General Cambriels said. "I will give them commissions in the provisional army, at once; and put them upon my own staff. They would be of great value to me.
"You will spare them, I hope?"