A Blue Devil of France

CHAPTER ONE

A SMALL CITY IN SWITZERLAND.
August 2, 1914.

War is declared!

I feel I must leave all, family, home, position.

I clasp my wife and three little ones in my arms.... The iron gate closes behind me and I almost break into tears—the happiest moments of my life are ended and I go toward the UNKNOWN——

One must heed Destiny!

MY ENLISTMENT, ANTWERP.
August 6, 1914.

Already I curse war. I have journeyed seventy-two hours on the railroad to enlist as a soldier.

The recruiting officer in charge said to me when I faced him: