TWO YOUNG NATURALISTS. 165 



well-known cocked hat, had just attained the some- 

 what fabulous position of non-commissioned officer, 

 when the war between France and Germany was 

 declared in 1870. 



Slightly wounded at Wissemburg, he had been able, 

 thanks to his thorough knowledge of the district, to 

 escape the clutches of the Prussians, and after a multi- 

 tude of wanderings, a veritable Odysseus, he had suc- 

 ceeded in reaching Paris a few days before the siege, 

 just in time to be enlisted as non-commissioned officer 

 in a company of pioneers. 



This hazardous and adventurous life was exactly to 

 his taste. Frequently at night-fall with his men he 

 quitted the besieged city, and came into contact with 

 the advanced guard of the Germans, harassing them, 

 and letting them see, as he said, some of the dodges of 

 a gendarme. As hardy as a real Corsican, and cun- 

 ning as a fox, he invariably brought these nocturnal 

 expeditions to a satisfactory conclusion, and when he 

 returned at daybreak within the line of the fortifications, 

 he contrived to bring with him one or more prisoners, 

 as he did not wish " to get rid of a good habit." 



But, as says an old proverb, " The pitcher goes 

 often to the well." As the result of taking so many 

 others by surprise, he had one night been taken by 

 surprise himself. In the skirmish he had received a 

 formidable slash across the face, and at the same mo- 

 ment a huge demon of a Uhlan pierced his shoulder by 



