Stewart, musing over the situation with eyes half-closed, recalled dim memories of daring escapes from Indians and outlaws, described in detail in the blood-and-thunder reading of his youth. There was always one ruse which never failed--just as the pursuers were about to fire, the fugitive would fling himself flat on his face, and the bullets would fly harmlessly over him; then he would spring to his feet and go safely on his way. Stewart smiled to remember how religiously he had believed in that stratagem, and how he had determined to practice it, if ever need arose! He had never contemplated the possibility of having to flee from a squad of men armed with magazine rifles, capable of firing twenty-five shots a minute! Then he shook these thoughts away; there was no time to be lost. He must warn his companion, for they must make the dash at the same instant. He glanced toward where she lay in the shadow of the cliff, and saw that she was turning restlessly from side to side, as though fevered. With real anxiety, he hastened to her, knelt beside her, and placed his hand gently on her forehead. At the touch, she opened her eyes and stared dazedly up at him. "Ask for some water," she said, weakly; and then, in the same tone, "we must flee at the moment they salute their officer." Stewart turned to the soldiers, who were listening with inquiring faces. "My brother is feverish," he explained. "He asks for a drink of water." One of the men was instantly on his feet, unscrewing his canteen and holding it to the eager lips while Stewart supported his comrade's head. She drank eagerly and then dropped back with a sigh of satisfaction, and closed her eyes. "He will go to sleep now," said Stewart. "Thank you," and he himself took a drink from the proffered flask. He was surprised to find how cool and fresh the water tasted, and when he looked at the flask more closely, he saw that it was made like a Thermos bottle, with outer and inner shells. He handed it back to its owner with a nod of admiration. "That is very clever," he said. "Everything seems to have been thought of." "Yes, everything," agreed the other. "No army is equipped like ours. I am told that the French are in rags." "I don't know," said Stewart, cautiously, "I have never seen them." "And their army is not organized; we shall be in Paris before they can mobilize. It will be 1870 over again. The war will be ended in two or three months. It has been promised us that we shall be home again for Christmas without fail." "I hope you will," Stewart agreed; and there was a moment's silence. "How much longer shall we have to wait?" he asked, at last. "Our officer should be here at any moment." "It is absolutely necessary that we wait for him?" "Yes, absolutely." "We are very hungry," Stewart explained. The soldier pondered for a moment, and then rose to his feet.