Max hid behind a pair of empty barrels in a stinking alley, ravenously wolfing down his prize. He’d managed to grab nearly a third of a loaf in the fight. The mob had fought over the broken supply cart, killing the soldiers who pulled it. He grabbed the rolling loaf just before ducking into the alley. More soldiers had arrived, wielding gun butts and bayonets, only slightly less crazed than the mob. He would have had a whole loaf if that crone hadn’t spotted him and grabbed at it, but he was grateful to have gotten something.

A dark shape loomed at the top of the alley, then the crunch of gravel behind him. He should have hidden in one of the barrels, he thought. There was no escape, so he tried to eat faster. Faster until he started hiccupping.

He saw the soldier’s feet as he curled around his bread. The soldier had worn shoes and stained white spats.

“It’s a kid,” the soldier said to his companion, who was still walking toward them down the alley.

“What did he steal?”

“Just piece of bread.”

“Just a piece of bread? That’s my ration!”

“He looks like he hasn’t eaten in a week. Here lad, drink this. If you’re going to eat, you should at least keep it down.”

“You’re giving him water too?”

The soldier was holding a canteen out to Max, who looked back at it suspiciously. He knew they could take his bread any time they wanted to, but hunger had driven him a little crazy and he wasn’t sure what he was thinking. Finally, he took the canteen and slurped water greedily, then started in on the bread again. They could change their mind.

The first soldier shook his head as he looked at Max. “This can’t last much longer,” he said.

“Maybe, maybe not. Bazaine will never give up.”

“Even Bazaine has to eat.”

“Last I saw, he still had his horse.”

The first soldier snorted. “So very, very, true.”

Max swallowed his last bite, took another swig of water, and then held the canteen up for the soldier to take.

The soldier took it with nod, then looked up at his friend. “We better get back.”

“Look, they’re pulling the cart apart!”

“Hell!” Then they took off at a run.

Max watched them as they ran back down the alley in their dirty torn blue. The sound of the cannon had picked up. They were hitting the hill forts. He found a crumb in the dirt and ate it, before falling asleep.