Another shell burst just by. Something struck my cheek. I put my hand up. There was blood on it. But it was only a fir-cone which had been flung down. I turned towards Henriot again. Our men were scattered in the distance. It was impossible to call any one back, and equally impossible to carry him without help. He and I were alone, face to face. What was it he had wished to confide in me? This incomplete scene was becoming tragically mysterious. "Good-bye, good-bye," I murmured, perhaps to a dead man. I took the letter case with me, and stumbling beneath the weight of my pack, plunged into the thicket in pursuit of my companions. * * * * * I did not catch them up until I got to the other side of the wood. Guillaumin was looking out for me! "What's become of Henriot?" "Gone west, I think. A 'Jack Johnson.'" "Poor fellow!" And then: "You'll take command of the platoon?" I hesitated: "Why not you?" "You're the senior." As a matter of fact, I had come out a few places above him at the end of our time at the "Peloton." There was an agitated fusillade behind us, increasing in intensity--Delafosse's platoon at work. I shouldered my rifle, and went to report the lieutenant's death to the captain. He said, curtly: "You've got your platoon commander's certificate. You're senior to Guillaumin." (How on earth did he know?) He continued: "You will immediately become acting sub-lieutenant. If we both get through safely, I'll see that you get your commission." He got back on to his horse, which his orderly brought up, and leaning across the animal's neck, said: "In case the matter interests you, we are retiring because we chose to. Our line has not been forced. It's the enemy who can't hold out any longer. Only there's a detachment of Landwehr trying to turn us southwards." I thanked him with a beam. As I drew near to the platoon, Guillaumin raised his voice: "Your new subaltern, lads!" "Good luck to him!" Bouillon exclaimed. There was a subdued murmur of satisfaction and approval. I must be forgiven for having noticed it. It was one of the great moments of my life. I signed to them to be silent. Guillaumin shook my hand. "You deserve it, Michel." I only answered by a shake of the head. We started off again, and I was thankful that my cap threw my face into shadow. Nobody guessed that my eyes were wet. Oh, how extraordinarily buoyant, how strong I felt, both physically and morally! The last barrier had fallen between these men's caste and mine. No more domination imposed by chance or force. I was the leader they would have chosen, just as I was the leader imposed upon them. This was the only legitimate, the only true authority. We were again traversing the same boundless plain, which yesterday had seen us braving the Teuton artillery, but this time in a slightly oblique line. No shells escorted us, for a change! How good it seemed.