“The French bluejacket is a fine fellow but in every way presents a big
contrast alongside his present war mates of the British navy,” says a
correspondent.
“To begin with, he must dramatize all his emotions. I saw a ship from
foreign parts coming to Boulogne. One man, evidently expected, for there
was a large crowd, stepped ashore. There was tremendous earnestness in
his face. Courage, patriotism, duty--all these shone out, transfiguring
a somewhat slovenly figure. Several women embraced him as he stepped
ashore. This he accepted as a tribute due to him. When he had taken
enough he waved the rest aside and pointed in the direction of the
Marine Department Office.
“I go!” he called out. He made a brief speech, fiery, religious,
earnest. Then he kissed his mother, said good-by to everyone, and
crossed the quay to the Marine Department of War. His shipmates looked
on admiringly. The customs authorities did not search him for
contraband. He was the brave patriot going to serve his country afloat.