We shall not be far from the frontier; and, much as I shall regret to lose you, I will, if you wish it, lead a party to the frontier, and cut a way through the cordon of troops there for you." The boys gladly accepted the offer.

They had had more than enough of insurrectionary warfare, and longed to be back again with their comrades at Sebastopol.
Three days' marching took the band back to the forest, where some 1500 men were assembled, awaiting anxiously the return of the party.
A day was given for rest, and then horses were harnessed to the two batteries of artillery, and moving by little-frequented roads through the forest, the small army marched west.
For ten days the march continued, for the roads were heavy and the horses unable to accomplish such marches as those of which the peasants were capable.

At last they effected a junction with the band which they had come to join, whose numbers amounted to nearly 4000 men.

Their arrival, and especially the advent of the artillery, was greeted with enthusiasm, and it was at once proposed to take the offensive.

Count Stanislas said, however, that his horses were completely knocked up with the fatigue they had undergone, and that a rest of two or three days was necessary in order to recruit.
"Now," he said to the midshipmen, "I will redeem my promise.