"I'm not in such a hurry to get to Paris, but it seems that we'll soon be there if we keep on at the rate we're going."
"You could be in a worse place than Paris, It's had quite a reputation in its time. Full of life, gayety, color. I'll be glad to see Paris."
"So will the Germans, and if we don't do better than we've been doing they'll see it just about as soon as we do."
Carstairs refused to be discouraged, and John hoped anew that the armies would be able to turn. But he hoped against what he knew to be the facts. They were driven on mile after mile by the vast German force.
Another night came, after a day of the desperate retreat and powerful pursuit. John and his comrades by some miracle had escaped all wounds, but they were almost dead from anxiety and exhaustion. Their hearts too were sinking lower and lower. They saw the beautiful country trampled under foot, villages destroyed, everything given to ruin and the peasants in despair fleeing before the resistless rush of the enemy.
"John," said Carstairs, "you know Unter den Linden, don't you?"
"Yes, it's a fine street."
"So I've heard. Broad enough for the return of a triumphal army, isn't it?"
"Just suited to the purpose."
"Well, I don't know whether the Germans will go back to the old Roman customs, but I want to tell you right here that I won't be a captive adorning their triumphal procession."