"Early in the afternoon a battalion of French chasseurs came galloping into town. The villagers set up a great shout, and, running out, the child recognized the soldiers of her own country. To the commander of the chasseurs she quickly made known her situation. "'Monsieur le Capitaine,' she said. 'There are in our house German soldiers. They are in the cellar. Some of their party have taken my father away, but the commander and some of his men I have locked in the cellar.' "'Bravo!' cried the commander. 'Come, we shall see.' "'There,' said Gene, pointing to the barricaded trapdoor. 'Hear them rage. They are furious, as they should be.'" The officer quickly summoned some of his men to the kitchen, and, after the trap had been uncovered and thrown open, he bade them thrust their bayonets into the opening. "'Come out of that cellar, you Bavarian hounds!' he shouted. 'You are prisoners!' "The uproar in the cellar died out instantly. After a brief hesitation they came out one by one, being disarmed and herded in a corner as they emerged into the kitchen. "'Take them away,' commanded the officer. "'Monsieur le Capitaine,' said Gene, tugging at his sleeve. 'These soldiers not only have helped themselves to everything in the house, but they have, as you saw, abused my sick mother and have taken away my poor father. They have misused us. Please do not let them go until they have returned my father to our home. If you do not it will kill my mother, I fear.' "'We shall do our best, my brave child.' "'Ah, monsieur le Capitaine, I have an idea. Can you not exchange one of your prisoners for my father?' questioned the little girl. "The commander reflected. 'How long have they been gone with him?' "'Only a short time, sir.' "'Good. Step forward!' he said sharply to the German officer. The latter obeyed silently. 'Captain,' said the Frenchman, 'you and your men have ransacked this house, abused a sick woman and carried away her husband. A fine business for those who call themselves men. You deserve to be shot, you and all your hounds. However, I will spare your life on one condition. It is that the father of this household shall be set at liberty and returned to his home before nightfall. Your troops will not be far from here. Who in command?' "'A captain.' "'Then one of you will ride and rejoin your detachment--' "'I will go,' interjected the commander of the dragoons." [Illustration: A FRENCH DRAGOON DRAGGED HIM IN.] "'Oh, no, captain; your presence is required here. Come here!' he ordered, beckoning to one of the Bavarians, 'and listen well to what I shall say to you. You will immediately mount your horse and as quickly as possible rejoin your detachment.' "'Oui, monsieur le Capitaine.'