The officer who was to take my place presented himself smartly, as if on the parade-ground.
"Lieutenant X."
I gave my name.
"My dear fellow," he said, "I am delighted to shake hands with you. Allow me to say how much we all admire your regiment. Your General has just told us how your Chasseurs have behaved. Accept my congratulations. We could not have done better ourselves. The cavalry is certainly taking first place as a fighting force. Your regiment is to be mentioned in despatches, and you deserve it. Good-night. Good luck!"
"Thank you! Good luck!"
Once more we passed through the wood to take up our position in reserve. Our men were beginning to feel the fatigue of those two days without sleep and almost without rest.
But joy, stronger than bodily fatigue, predominated. It hovered over our harassed troops. Above all, they were proud of having been appreciated and congratulated by their brothers-in-arms of the crack corps which is the admiration of the whole army.
Each man forgot his tortured nerves, his aching head, his weary legs, repeating to himself the magic words:
"Your regiment is to be mentioned in despatches!"