At this moment a German officer arrived, when Paul advancing told their situation in French.

Taking the transportation card from Paul's hand he showed it to the sentinel, and after many harsh sounding remarks in German he struck him with his open hand across the face.

The soldier, still presenting arms to his superior officer showed no sign of resentment; not even a flush mounted to his cheek.

The officer passed them in and Paul remarked to him: "No French soldier would have stood that treatment." "Possibly not," answered the officer, "but German soldiers know what discipline is." On arriving in Havre, Paul found many volunteers placed in the same position as himself.

All were waiting a chance to return to America; most of them looking to the French government to assist them home.