"Then you must improve the occasion, and make the best of it, for certainly there will be universal peace after the present war, and you men will be for ever out of your element."
No one answered, and our silence called up a picture of dead and wounded stretched upon a plain where a battle had taken place. And again we talked of Belgian courage, of that heroic Liége which had to face such fearful odds, and did not yield to brute strength. We likened the storming party to the turbulent waters which beat furiously against a dyke. But we knew the dyke was strong, and would not give way.
The Germans were not highly appreciated by Captain Vinchamps.
"They are not intelligent," he declared.
"But——"
"They are not. I do not deny their qualities. They are fine imitators, but no creators. They make good use of others' inventions, and derive benefit from discoveries they would be unable to make themselves. Their talents—quite practical—are not what is called intelligence. Cuvier, Pasteur, Lamarck have no rivals on the other side of the Rhine, and their work no equal. Besides, consider that for fifty years our neighbours have thought of but one goal: a victorious war."
"But that is very important just now."
"Never mind. Intelligence will get the better of brute strength and crush it."
The mere thought of victory sent a thrill of rapturous joy through our hearts.
On going out through the yard, lit up by the moon's rays, the Captain listened to the whistle of the trains, and said with a smile: