"
Uncle Sam's eyes twinkled. "That'll do all right," he said; only
of course he said it in French.
The regiment was massed before the reviewing-stand as the little
company came forward to meet their host, and when at last Pierre
and Pierrette stood before the Commandant, with the beautiful
flag of France floating over them, though they had been fearless
under shell-fire, their knees knocked together with fright, and
it was in a very small voice that they said, together, "Bonjour,
Monsieur le Commandant, accept these flowers and our best wishes
for many happy returns of your birthday."
The Commandant took the flowers and smiled down at them. "It is
not my birthday, my little ones," he said gently, "it is the
birthday of our glorious France and of two of her brave soldiers,
Pierre and Pierrette Meraut, as well, and the Foreign Legion is
here to celebrate it! Come up here beside me." He drew them up
beside him on the reviewing-stand and turned their astonished
faces toward the regiment.
"Men of the Foreign Legion," he said, "these are the children who
discovered two spies, and by reporting them saved our camp from
probable destruction." Then, turning again to the children, he
said: "By your prompt and intelligent action you have prevented a
terrible catastrophe. In recognition of your services the Foreign
Legion desires to make you honorary members of the regiment, and
France is proud to claim you as her children!" Then he pinned
upon their breasts a cockade of blue, white, and red, the colors
of France, and kissed them on both cheeks, the regiment meanwhile
standing at attention.
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