Flora Annie Steel

“ It was cold with one's face to the north wind, but it would be more sheltered in the valley. And it was. By the light of the rising moon he could see a mist-shroud lying thick over the plain. Now that he was in it, all things were hidden as by a veil, save the sparse grass at his feet, dotted by the bits of quartz that had once been bread. The good God had not turned them again this night, anyhow; but the blackbirds would not be hungry, for all that.
He had taken out his loaves, and was about to break them in bits, when out of the grey mist something showed, dim, mysterious, silent. ”

“ Then with his strong hands he broke the loaves in pieces, and gave a portion to each kneeling trooper with the words: "Take, eat, and live for King and country."
So he strained the wondering child to his breast, and kissed and blessed him.
"It is such as thou that make us invincible, child," he said briefly, as, mounting his horse, he gave the word of command. There was a jingling through the mist, and little Marko was alone.
He did not understand, altogether, but his hero—his name-hero—had bidden him give the blackbirds bread, and he had obeyed. ”

“ See, the bread-bag be thy portion. Nay, not all the loaves, wife—that were too heavy a burden—six are enough. So! Shoulder that, my boy, and no more about the feeding of blackbirds!"
Marko Obilic stood for a moment irresolute, despite his determination. Then a sudden smile irradiated his face, making it shine like a seraph's.
"Yea, father, I will carry the bread for king and country!"
So the little cortège set out, the women weeping and wailing, the men morose and glum. It is no light thing for the Serbian peasant, soldier by birth and feeling, to run before his enemy ”