They were each allowed a single toy on this very last outing. Inexplicably, three of the four chose their Cher Ami dolls, remembering fondly the story of the famed homing pigeon which had been trained by American pigeoneers and who helped save the Lost Battalion of the 77th Division in the battle of the Argonne, October 1918. Unlike the others, Little Brandolin hated birds, and any mention of C. Ami cause him to break out in hives. He chose his simple yet buoyant model sailboat. Together with Padre Firebrand and Captain Beaulardon they formed an unlikely family, who with little emotion, watched the final moonrise.
