The writer has also drawn on the treasures of the older English poetry with which some modern children are not too well acquainted. It is her experience that children instinctively respond to the best in literature, and also that lines which to their elders may seem hackneyed keep all their old power to thrill and uplift the young imagination. Moreover, Belgium and France are rich in historic and literary associations, and the writer has ventured to refer to books such as _Tristram Shandy_, _Vanity Fair_, and _Villette_, which children ought to know about now, and to read when they are older. As to the sources from which the deeds of valour and of chivalry recounted are taken, they range from the brilliant, highly literate accounts written by war correspondents to extracts taken from the wonderfully vivid and picturesque narratives contained in letters written home to mothers and wives by soldiers and sailors just after the actions described. To all these unknown helpers to whom the best part of her book is due, the writer tenders her grateful thanks. TOLD IN GALLANT DEEDS CHAPTER I BELGIUM “Now tell us what ’twas all about,” Young Peterkin, he cries. And little Wilhelmine looks up With wonder-waiting eyes; “Now tell us all about the war, And what they fought each other for?” Like the children in Mr. Southey’s poem, you will want to know first of all why we joined in with France and Russia in the great war against Germany and Austria. Well, the answer in a word is—Belgium. Supposing you had solemnly promised to protect a little kitten and afterwards a big dog came and attacked the kitten, would you not keep your promise, and do all you could to help the kitten? Of course you would. Belgium was the kitten, and Germany was the big dog. We had faithfully promised to protect the little country of Belgium, and the terrible thing is that Germany had promised too, but she broke her promise. Germany wanted to get into France. If you look at the map, you will see that the Germans might have tried to go straight in without touching Belgium. Only then they would have had to break through a very strong line of forts which the French had built to defend their country. The Germans did not feel sure of doing this, and they said to themselves, “The longest way round is the shortest way in.” That meant going through Belgium.