I strike across towards him with all speed. I am certain now it is no other than Porchon. And he also has seen me and is approaching me. He is the first to utter the very question on my own tongue:
"Do you know where the Captain is?"
"No! Are you also looking for him?"
"And you! Then let us march together, old fellow."
We range our men in skirmishing formation and set off. All the while the bullets are whistling and spattering about us. Chancing to turn my head to one side, I suddenly detect an officer, sitting, the sodden ground notwithstanding, in the middle of a field. As he catches my eye, he waves his arm. I have an idea that he is shouting to us, but the infernal noise prevents me hearing what he says. I take a few steps in his direction, unexpectedly to find it is the Colonel. Turning to Porchon I shout the news aloud:
"It is the Colo! I am going to see what he wants … look after my men, will you? … you understand?… Take my men…. Can you hear me?…"
He nods swiftly, turns and continues steadily on his way towards the rising, beyond which one can hear the noise of hard fighting.
Saluting, I present myself to the Colonel.
"Second-Lieutenant of Reserve."
He nods, smiling, and glances towards a puddle metamorphosed temporarily into a muddy fountain by a bullet.