"They tied him to a tree while engaged in their cruel work of shooting the accused old men, where the sergeant hung weak from loss of blood, for, under their rough handling his wounds had reopened.
"Little Pierre, his eyes large and troubled, had followed his friend to the square and stood sympathetically beside him.
"'What, can I do? Tell me quickly,' urged the boy.
"'Fetch me a cup of water. I am burning with the fever again. One drink of water and I shall have the strength to die bravely. Those Prussian dogs shall not see so much as the quiver of an eyelid,' said the sergeant.
"Pierre slipped into a house and brought a cup of water which he placed at the lips of his friend. The sergeant had taken one swallow when a captain dashed the cup to the ground. He swung and struck Pierre a cruel blow across the cheek with the flat of his saber, laying the lad prostrate. Pierre staggered to his feet, eyes blazing, an angry red welt showing where he had been struck.
"'To give aid or comfort to the friends of France is to die!' hissed the German captain. 'For this you too shall die! But first you shall see how it goes with the others.'
"'I fear you not,' retorted the child, pluckily. 'I too can die for France with a brave heart, and so you shall die one day at the hands of my dear countrymen, but with a coward's heart.'
"'Ah! You are brave,' jeered the captain.
"'I am a Frenchman,' answered Pierre, stoutly. 'A Frenchman does not fear to die.'
"'Good! For that I shall give you a chance to live and you shall come with us and fight for the Fatherland," declared the captain.