One of these strangers particularly attracted my attention. He might be about fifty years of age, of no great stature, but wiry and strongly built. He had a noble head, and his weather-beaten face was lit by the glance of an eagle. Had not the scar of a sabre wound sufficiently indicated his profession, I could have told he was a soldier from the unmistakable way in which he wore his civilian’s suit. His companion, younger and stouter, was likewise a soldier; but evidently not of the same standing. These two men halted a moment near me, less to look at the landscape than to continue an animated conversation, in which the elder sustained the principal part. “Yes, my dear Thévenot,” he said; “I will never give in on this point. If ever France is invaded by Montmedy and Verdun, it is here that we must meet the enemy; with 20,000 soldiers I’ll engage to stop a foe 80,000 strong. The Forest of Argonne is the Thermopylæ of France.” “That is to say. General,” replied the other, who looked like his aide-de-camp, “if the two or three roads through the forest could be defended as easily as this one; for it is quite evident that a couple of batteries with six guns each would make this defile impracticable.” “There are only two roads,” returned the General; “the one we are now pursuing, leading to Islettes; and the other, the Grand Prés road. Both these routes conjoin at Verdun.” “I thought there was a third—namely, the Chéne-Populeux road.” “I don’t think that road leads through the forest at all; but I will ask our driver.” The General did so. The bumpkin only shook his head. “I only know,” he said, “the road I’m accustomed to travel, and that’s not it. Beyond that, I can’t tell you anything; but,” he added, nodding towards me, “if you want to know all about this part of the country, why, there’s the nephew of Father Descharmes, who knows it all blindfold. Hilloa, boy! come and speak to these gentlemen!” I approached, cap in hand, for the look of the elder traveller inspired me with respect. “Friend,” said the General, seeing that I waited till he spoke to me; “we want to know where the Chéne-Populeux road leads from, and if it takes you through the forest, or round by the outskirts?” “It leads from Stenay, monsieur, takes round by the forest, and opens upon Voneg, at the River Aisne.” “Ah, now we have it, Thévenot; but as, so far as I can remember, the Chéne-Populeux road is only a narrow defile, I still hold my original opinion.” “Will you get in now, gentlemen?” asked the postilion. “My horses are well breathed by this time.” “Thank you, my young friend,” said the General, waving his hand towards me. But just as he had his foot on the step the distant sound of an alarm-bell, violently rung, came through the stillness. “What is that?” cried the General. “A fire at the village of Islettes,” said I. “Look! you can see the smoke above the trees!”