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[Illustration: cover--THE CHILDREN'S STORY OF THE WAR
[Illustration: British Soldiers crossing the Aisne. (_See page 244._)]
by SIR EDWARD PARROTT, M.A., LL.D. AUTHOR OF "BRITAIN OVERSEAS," "THE PAGEANT OF ENGLISH LITERATURE," ETC.
From the Battle of Mons to the Fall of Antwerp.
THOMAS NELSON AND SONS LONDON, EDINBURGH, DUBLIN, AND NEW YORK
_Sound, sound the clarion, fill the fife!_ _To all the sensual world proclaim,_ _One crowded hour of glorious life_ _Is worth an age without a name._
V. Soldiers' Stories of the Battle of Mons 33
XIV. Stories of the Retreat from Mons to St. Quentin 106
XV. Valorous Deeds and Victoria Crosses 113
XIX. The Story of Battery L of the R.H.A. 145
XXVI. Stories of the Battle of the Marne 220
XXVII. More Stories of the Battle of the Marne 225
XXXI. Soldiers' Stories of the Battle of the Aisne 257
XXXIV. The First Russian Advance to Cracow 297
[Illustration: THE CHILDREN'S STORY OF THE WAR
In Chapter XXIII. of Volume I. I told you that the French began their raid upon Alsace on August 7, 1914. At this time some of the Liége forts were still holding out, and the great German advance through Belgium had not yet begun. As the French were able to push into the enemy's country thus early in the war, you may imagine that they were quite ready for action before Belgium was overrun. Not, however, until August 22 were their preparations so far advanced that they could begin the business of war in real earnest.
Before I tell you the story of the first real battle of the war, let us learn something of the French army. In Chapters IV. and V. of Volume I. you read an account of the little man, with the pale face and cold blue eyes, who made France the greatest fighting nation of the world. He became, you will remember, master of continental Europe, and his legions marched in triumph through Berlin, Vienna, Naples, Madrid, Lisbon, and Moscow. He taught the art of war to all Europe, and France under his rule rose to the highest pinnacle of military glory.