THE HEROIC POILUS, CHAMPAGNE. _April_ 17, 1917.
Nothing withstood the attack of the 8th Zouaves; we reached our objective at the given time. We are elated over our success.[33]
The noise of the battle is dying out. The enemy surrenders to us in little groups. I find myself, cane in hand, standing before a dugout, from which crawl a dozen or so Saxons with their captain----
Pointing at our _poilus_, covered with mud and magnificent, he said to me:
THE CHIVALROUS POILUS, CHAMPAGNE. _April_, 1917.
We are at the retaken positions on Mont-sans-nom. Colonel Lagarde occupies a sumptuous shelter in which he has extended the hospitality of inviting me to dinner. A bouquet of flowers, sent directly to me from Châlons, has been placed on the table in a shell-made vase.
The Zouaves, who saunter in and out of the colonel's P.C., are visibly astonished----
[Illustration: Convoy of ammunition in Champagne.]
They are convinced that it is General Pétain himself who has sent the flowers to their colonel, in recognition of their success the day before----
One after the other the roses disappear, the last ones vanishing petal by petal----
The same day and the next, the 8th Zouaves repelled the enemy counter-attack with rose petals in their button-holes!
THE JESTING POILUS, CHAMPAGNE. _May_, 1917.
General J. B. Dumas is passing his troops in review to-day. Our stalwart _poilus_ have fought admirably, and, before leaving for the rear, _au repos_, must be honored----
General Dumas, who is popular with his men, stops in front of a good-looking boy, sturdy, vigorous and superbly healthy!
The _poilu_ stares astonished and does not reply.
"_Voyons_, you know, all the same, who I am?----"
The poilu said to himself, "If I don't tell him that I remember him, he'll murder me----"
"Yes, I remember you, general, I remember you perfectly----"
"You are the former station master at Bécon-les-Bruyères!"
"I have a favor to ask of you, captain, pardon me----"
"Which, mademoiselle, I will be very pleased to grant you----"
"Here is a little kerchief--I give it to you and ask that you wear it around your wrist, the next time you go into battle."
"It will bring you good luck and I am certain you will do great things that day!"