A company on our right, the 23rd, was starting. Bouguet, who was watching it, exclaimed:
"Lawks. They're going down like ninepins!"
Guillaumin gave me a short lecture. All the theories they had taught us at the "Peloton" were out of date, all the supposed lessons of the Russo-Japanese war! The movements now must be carried out in established formations, sections for preference. The advantage of it was that the men felt they had support. Yes, but what a target they offered for the machine-guns in ambush.
Whom should I see appearing at my side but De Valpic, who crawled up.
"I wanted to come and wish you good luck," he said simply.
"Very nice of you!"
Lifting up my water-bottle, I said:
"Have a drink?"
"No thanks, Frémont gave me some water."