"Mattia's uncle did not take enough interest in his nephew's disappearance to have a search made for him. For days after that the lad continued his journey on foot, stopping at farmhouses and doing little odd jobs that were the means of providing meals for him. One day, to his great happiness, he came up with the rear of one of the armies of his beloved country.
"The boy plodded in among the troops, for this was a rest camp that he had stumbled upon, some miles distant from the front. An officer, observing that he was a civilian, halted him in the street of the village where the rest camp was situated.
"'Where are you going, boy?' the officer demanded.
"'To the war with you,' answered Mattia promptly.
"'What! To war, at your age? It is impossible. Where is your home?'
"Mattia told him.
"'My mother is dead, as is my father, and my brothers are fighting at Verdun. Mattia has only his country left to love now. Where is Verdun?'
"'You poor little patriot,' answered the officer sympathetically. 'Verdun is yonder where you see the smoke and where the big guns are in action. You can hear them now.'
"The boy nodded.