Page:A Gentleman From France (1924).djvu/197

 But the captain was not the only man in the beleaguered division who was praying for Pierre that night. The general had told his orderlies of the messenger and how bravely he had crossed the open grounds to the woods, and the news had spread like wild fire. So hundreds of thirst-crazed men were saying over and over, "O God, keep the poor dog safe to-night. Help him to get through."

Four hours after the captain had seen Pierre disappear in the woods at the edge of the gulch his straining eyes beheld a bright streak on the southern horizon. It was a red rocket, and in another second it was followed by a blue one and then a green light flared in the heavens.

"God be praised!" cried the captain, jumping to his feet and running about wildly. "The signal, the signal! The