"'I do not understand what you mean, my son,' answered the child's mother. "'I mean I wish to go to war; I wish to help my beloved France. Believe me, mother, though I am but a lad I can do much, oh, so much. And Jean shall be so very careful that he may come back to his home, and who knows but that he may some day come back a big, big general or something like that.' "'Please my child, do not think of such a thing,' begged the mother. 'You know you might be killed.' "'Should not a Frenchman be happy to die for his country, my mother?' "The argument was a good one, and Jean saw at once that his mother was weakening in her opposition. "'The monsieur lieutenant says I may go if you will let me. Please, my mother.' "'Yes, go, my son, if you will, and God be with you,' agreed the mother finally, clasping the little fellow in her arms and kissing him again and again. 'Go before I forget my duty to France.' "Jean ran. He did not stop running until he had reached the camp of the detachment, where preparations for marching were in active progress. But Jean hung about at a distance. When the detachment started away, he, like Remi, fell in behind and followed. Perhaps the lieutenant--Lieutenant Andre--saw him, but if so the officer thought best not to let this be known, either to the boy or to the men. "That night Jean joined the company of Lieutenant Andre. A soldier shared his blanket with the child. The next morning Jean made himself useful by carrying water, by helping the cooks and by performing other acts that relieved the soldiers. "The march was resumed soon after daylight. The lad had a further idea and this he worked out all during the day. Providing himself with canteens, which he took from the soldiers of his company, he stopped every little while at farmhouses and filled the canteens. These he restored to their owners, and then, taking other canteens, filled these as well, running to catch up with his company to give his comrades water. That day and following days found the child the hardest worked person in the company. "Now and then a soldier would stagger from weariness. Jean was at his side in a moment relieving the soldier of some of his burden which the boy would carry until someone took it away from him. "One day the colonel of the regiment discovered him and ordered him sent home. Jean begged, all to no purpose, then ran to his friend, the lieutenant, for help. The lieutenant took Jean back to the colonel and explained the situation. "'This boy,' said the lieutenant, 'is one of the most useful civilians with this outfit. We shall miss him if he is sent back. And further, it would not be safe for him to return home alone. In all probability he would not reach there alive.' "'Do I understand that you are willing to charge yourself with the care of this child?' demanded the colonel. "'I do, most certainly, my Colonel.' "'Very good, then; the boy may remain. Watch over him. He is a patriot, indeed.'