The nearest town where provisions can be obtained lies six
miles below, at the mouth of the river, and it is very little one
can carry on one's back."
"Is there no way to get help from the soldiers' camp?" asked
Father Meraut. "They must get supplies."
"Yes, but they cannot of themselves at this time take care of the
civilian population," said Grandpere. "There are many villages in
the same condition, and the soldiers' business is to fight for
France."
"True," said Father Meraut. Then he exclaimed: "I have it! The
Ark! It will indeed be our salvation as it was Father Noah's."
Grandpere looked anxiously at Mother Meraut and touched his
forehead. "He is not mad?" he asked.
She laughed. "The name of our boat is the Ark," she explained.
"We can use it to go down the river to buy provisions if there
are any to be had."
Grand'mere, who had been listening, looked cautiously about, then
felt under the straw of her bed and brought out a stocking.
"See!" she said. "I have money. The others have money too, but of
what use is money when there is nothing to buy and no place to
buy it?"
"We must find a place to buy things," said Mother Meraut with
decision. "Grandpere and Jacques can take the Ark and go down the
river on a voyage of discovery, and bring back the supplies that
we most need."
After supper the whole village gathered about the stable door to
hear all the news which the Meraut family had brought from the
outside world.
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