As the train was already made up the Frenchman led them to a first-class coach, a train guard throwing open the door.

They entered and seated themselves.
"You will see that none others are shown into this compartment," said Captain Ribaut to the guard in French.

The door was closed.
"After we leave the station there will be something to see," explained their guide.

"Yet France is not very attractive in such weather.
Up at the front, though, there is nothing at all of France left.
There is nothing but bare ground, full of shell-holes.

The whole face of nature has been denuded and blackened by the atrocious enemy." When the train had been under way a couple of minutes Captain Ribaut leaned forward.
"Look over there," he said, "and you will see where your regiment will he housed for the next two or three days.