"Well, after six weeks we come to a place--I forget the name--something
like sago I think it was."
"Sahagun," said Colonel George.
"Ay, that was it; and there we was told we women must bide while the
men went vor against the French. And then I began to think that the
bad luck of which the old Betsy had a-spoke was come at last. It was
two days before Christmas, I mind well, and we wondered what ever
Christmas Day would bring. But the very next day the news come that
the French was stronger than we, and that we must go back; and many
ridgments turned back that very day. But we waited, for Jan's ridgment
was gone farther on, expecting mun all through the night, and in the
morning sure enough they came; and out we ran through the snow, for the
snow was on the ground, and there was Jan alive and well, but a bit
tired. But there wasn't no time for rest; and we had to go on to once.
The rain came down, the snow began to thaw, and the roads was so slushy
and heavy that it was miserable travelling. The men was angry too at
turning away from the French, and they kept asking if the time wasn't
never coming to halt: but on they had to go.
"My boy soon began to tire, for the way was terrible soggy, and Jan
carried mun for a bit: but he hadn't had but little to ate and had
marched a long ways already. So before very long Jan was obliged to
give mun to me, and I carried mun along as best I could.
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