Simon drew his child toward him.
"My boy, I meant to take your mother and sister to some place of safety, but I am needed here. You must go in my stead."
"Am I not to remain with you, father?" asked the boy, greatly disappointed.
"No—you are to take care of all that is most precious to me in the world. God bless you all!"
CHAPTER IX.
WHERE THE INVASION PASSES.
Never was there solitude more complete and more magnificent than at five o'clock that January morning among the Vosges mountains. The snow was piled up, softening the rugged outlines of the mountain peaks and through the pale darkness dim shadows were silently moving. These shadows are the brave mountaineers, who have come to defend France at the summons of Simon, who, in spite of his wooden leg, displayed immense activity. Among these there were no youths. The conscription had long since swallowed them up. They were elderly men and boys. Two of them were but fourteen, but they were vigorous and determined.
"We have arrived in time," said Simon, "but you are sure that there is no other road by which they can reach the village?"