During the retreat of the French army, chance flung the lieutenant of artillery and the colonel of the 23d together.

One was eighteen years old, the other not quite twenty-four.

The distance between their ranks was easily bridged over by common danger.

All men are equal before hunger, cold, and fatigue.

One morning, Leblanc, at the head of ten men, rescued Fougas from the hands of the Cossacks; then Fougas sabred a half dozen stragglers who were trying to steal Leblanc's cloak.