Vosges, behind Sarrebourg and Saverne, and were then to divide into companies and scatter themselves among the villages between Lorquin and Marmontier, so as to act together or separately, as it might seem expedient.

CHAPTER VI.

THE TUNNEL OF SAVERNE.

T is needless to follow the corps step by step through their marches, for the names of the little villages through which they passed would

not be found in any maps published in England, and would therefore possess little interest for English readers. After two days' long marches the main body of the corps reached a village situated in a wood, at about four miles from the great rock tunnel of Saverne. The fourth company had been left at a village five miles to the left, while the third company were next day to march forward to a place at about the same distance to the right. Their orders were to keep a sharp look out, to collect news of the movements and strength of the enemy, but not to undertake any expedition, or to do any thing whatever to lead the enemy to guess at their presence in the neighbourhood, as it was of vital importance that they should not be put upon their guard until the great blow was struck.

As soon as they had marched into the village, the principal inhabitants came forward, and a consultation was held as to providing lodgings. After some conversation it was agreed that the officers should have quarters in the village, and that the schoolrooms, two in number, should be placed at the disposal of the men. They were good-sized rooms, and would hold thirty men each without difficulty. The company who were to march forward in the morning were provided with quarters in the village.

Ralph and Percy Barclay, as usual, acted as interpreters between Major Tempé and the inhabitants, for neither the Major nor any of his officers spoke German. That lauguage, indeed, was spoken only by a few men in the whole corps, and these the Commandant had divided among the other companies, in order that each company might be able to shift for itself when separated from the main body.

"Have you seen this proclamation?" one of the vlllagers asked. "You see that we are running no little risk in taking you in."

Ralph read it, and as he did so his face flushed with indignation, and he exclaimed: "This is infamous ! infamous!"

"What is it?" Major Tempé asked.

"It is a proclamation from the Prussian General commanding the district, Major, giving notice that he will shoot every franc-tireur he may catch; and also giving notice to the inhabitants that if any Prussian soldier be killed, or even shot at, by a franc-tireur, if a rail be pulled up or a road cut, that he will hold the village

An Infamous Edict.

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near the spot accountable; will burn the houses, and treat the male inhabitants according to martial law, and that the same penalties will be exacted for sheltering or hiding franc-tireurs."

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Impossible!" Major Tempé said, astounded. "No officer of a civilized army could issue such an edict. Besides, during an invasion of Germany the people were summoned by the King of Prussia to take up arms, to cut roads, destroy bridges, and shoot down the enemy, just as we are going to do now. It is too atrocious to be true."

"There it is in black and white," Ralph said; "there can be no mistake as to the wording."

Major Tempé looked grieved as well as indignant. "This will be a terrible business," he said, "if the war is to be carried on in this way. Of course, if they give us no quarter we shall give them none. That is, we must make as many prisoners as we can, in order that if any of our men are taken prisoners we may carry out reprisals if they shoot them. It will, besides this, do us great harm. Naturally, the villagers, instead of looking upon us as defenders, will regard us as the most dangerous of guests. They will argue, 'If we make no resistance the Prussians may plunder us, but at least our houses and our lives are safe; whereas if these franc-tireurs are found to have been with us, or if they make any attack in our neighbourhood, we are not only plundered, but burnt out and shot!' Of course we are always liable to treachery. There are scoundrels always to be found who would sell their own mothers, but now even the most patriotic cannot but feel that they are running an immense risk in

sheltering us. Never before, I believe, in the annals of civilized nations, did a man in authority dare to proclaim that persons should suffer for a crime with which they had nothing whatever to do. If we arrive at a little village how are the people to say to us 'We will not allow you to pull up a rail!' and yet if they do not prevent us they are to be punished with fire and sword. And these people call themselves a civilized nation! One of the evil consequences of this proclamation is that we shall never dare trust to the inhabitants to make inquiries for us. They will be so alarmed in case we should attempt any thing in their neighbourhood that they would be sure to do and say every thing they could to dissuade us from it; and if inclined to treachery, might even try to buy their own safety by betraying us.”

Major Tempé was speaking to the other officers, who thoroughly agreed with his opinion. Ralph and Percy had remained in the room, in case any further questions might be asked in reference to the proclamation. They now asked if any thing else were required, and upon a negative answer being given, saluted and took their leave.

It was dusk when they went out, and as they walked towards the schoolroom they heard a great tumult of voices raised in anger, among which they recognized that of Tim Doyle.

"Howld yer jaw, you jabbering apes,” he exclaimed, in great wrath; "give me a lantern or a candle and let me begone, the boys are all waiting for me to begin."

Hurrying up they found Tim surrounded by a few of the principal inhabitants of the village, and soon learned the cause of the dispute. Supper was served, but it was