"What's your name?" "Eugène Escloupié." "Age?" "Fourteen." "Have you had your dinner?" "No, sir." "Well, come with me. I dare say there's a drop of soup left, and if there is any meat you shall have it." I followed the good-hearted sergeant to the kitchen where, for the first time, I ate out of a French soldier's _gamelle_. When I had finished the non. com. said to me: "You shall remain with us. Go sit outside a bit and then get off to bed. But it's on straw, not on feathers you'll sleep, my boy. However, since you want to go to battle, you must accustom yourself to our life, and if we leave, you shall come with us." "_Oui, mon sergent._" "Good! I'm pleased to see that you're beginning to accustom yourself to the military life." And with those words he left me. Acquaintance with the soldiers was quickly made, but there was one in particular with whom I became friendly. When the sergeant had gone he took me aside and said: "Have you eaten?" "Yes; the sergeant saw to that." "Well, if you're still hungry, don't hesitate to say so. I've got some bread and meat I was unable to finish. Come now, will you have some?" "No, thanks, I'm no longer hungry." "Then you must be thirsty, and you won't refuse a drop of wine. One moment, whilst I fetch my canteen." He was back in two minutes with his canteen and poured me out a good quartern. Then we sat on the edge of the pavement and began to talk about one thing and another. As a fine rain began to fall about half-past eight, everybody went inside to go to bed. Unlacing my boots, I stretched myself out in the straw by the side of my new comrade. At the door of our quarters stood a sentinel, and although we slept with the door open and without blankets we were not in the least cold, for there were thirty-six in our room, which measured but twelve metres by nine. A terrible storm raged outside. About one o'clock in the morning a deafening noise awakened us. Everybody asked what had happened. One said it was thunder, another the cannon. The sentry declared he had seen the flash and the smoke; he was certain it was the cannon. But no one was sure. It was not until daylight came that we learnt through an officer that it was indeed the guns. Thus, for the first time, I heard the roar of cannon. IV--"MY FIRST DAY IN THE ARMY" On waking up at about half-past six the storm had abated a little; it was still raining, but in an ordinary manner. The distribution of "juice" (coffee) began. A milkman happened to be passing down the street and my chamber-fellow called to him and made me drink two quarterns of milk, for which he paid the modest sum of one penny.