¶ That night, Bismarck bivouacked on the battlefield, amidst serried ranks of the dead. Says one who saw the terrifying scene: "Anon, the watchfires of the Prussians blazed round about; and worn out by incredible exertions at last Bismarck fell asleep, among the living and the dead. He was now to have evidence of the result of his life-long ambition; he had plunged his country into three great wars, with all their dreadful toll of human life; but he slept that night the sleep of the just--because he saw, in the complex blending of his ideas, no inconsistency in paying any price for the glory of his country." * * * * * ¶ The whole bloody day at Gravelotte Bismarck had nothing to eat. Finally, he found a hen's nest with five eggs; giving three to half-starving soldiers near by, Bismarck with his sword broke the shells of the two remaining and sucked the eggs. Next morning he had some sausage soup, the first warm food that had passed his lips for 36 hours. ¶ While he was standing dismounted, a concealed French battery began a tremendous cannonade; the shells dropping all around, exploded, and plowed up the ground. ¶ Night again. Nothing to eat. A sutler had some miserable rum and wine. Bismarck took that, at once, but there was not a morsel to eat. In the village, a few cutlets were found after a hard search, just enough for the King. His Majesty decided not to bivouac among the dead again, but took shelter at a little public house. ¶ Bismarck with General Sheridan set off to find a sleeping place. House after house was filled with the wounded. Finally they found three empty beds with straw mattresses. Here Bismarck and General Sheridan took up their quarters and slept capitally. Sheridan was present as official observer for the United States Army. In his life, he had seen many great battles, including Gettysburg and Sedan. ¶ Bismarck talked to Sheridan in English; and at dinner they drank champagne and porter, Bismarck's favorite beverage. * * * * * ¶ With tens of thousands of Cuirassiers as companions the King and Bismarck rode down the broad highways, toward Paris; Bismarck wore his famous big top-boots. What a picture the King, Bismarck and von Moltke marching down the highways of France, at their back their almighty army, up to 1914 the greatest in all history, its fighting strength 600,000 men, perfectly drilled and armed with deadly needle-guns. In puffs of smoke the reign of Napoleon the Little was ending; and it is now curious to recall that, 50 years before, as a young lieutenant, the present King of Prussia had traversed almost the identical route with the Allies, to help defeat Napoleon the Great! * * * * * ¶ The iron heel of war was grinding men's lives into the dust, setting fire to the country, and leaving a trail of destruction. France looked along the German route as though a cyclone had devastated the face of nature.