"How？Itisnotverydifficult！Justasifwehadnotdoneathingortwowithinthelastsixmonths，andgotoutofwoodsthatwereguardedbyverydifferentmenfromtheSwiss.ThedaythatyouwishtocrossoverintoFrance，Iwillundertaketogetyouthere."
"Thatmaybe;butwhatshallwedoinFrancewithoutanyarms？"
"Withoutarms？Wewillgetthemoveryonder，byJove！"
"Youareforgettingthetreaty，"anothersoldiersaid;"weshallruntheriskofdoingtheSwissaninjury，ifManteuffellearnsthattheyhaveallowedprisonerstoreturntoFrance."
"Come，"saidthecaptain，"thoseareallbadreasons.ImeantogoandkillsomePrussians;thatisallIcareabout.IfyoudonotwishtodoasIdo，wellandgood;onlysaysoatonce.Icanquitewellgobymyself;Idonotrequireanybody’scompany."
Naturallyweallprotested，and，asitwasquiteimpossibletomakethecaptainalterhismind，wefeltobligedtopromisetogowithhim.Welikedhimtoomuchtoleavehiminthelurch，asheneverfailedusinanyextremity;andsotheexpeditionwasdecidedon.
II
Thecaptainhadaplanofhisown，thathehadbeencogitatingoverforsometime.Amaninthatpartofthecountrywhomheknewwasgoingtolendhimacartandsixsuitsofpeasants’clothes.Wecouldhideundersomestrawatthebottomofthewagon，whichwouldbeloadedwithGruyerecheese，whichhewassupposedtobegoingtosellinFrance.Thecaptaintoldthesentinelsthathewastakingtwofriendswithhimtoprotecthisgoods，incaseanyoneshouldtrytorobhim，whichdidnotseemanextraordinaryprecaution.ASwissofficerseemedtolookatthewagoninaknowingmanner，butthatwasinordertoimpresshissoldiers.Inaword，neitherofficersnormencouldmakeitout.
"Getup，"thecaptainsaidtothehorses，ashecrackedhiswhip，whileourthreemenquietlysmokedtheirpipes.Iwashalfsuffocatedinmybox，whichonlyadmittedtheairthroughthoseholesinfront，andatthesametimeIwasnearlyfrozen，foritwasterriblycold.
"Getup，"thecaptainsaidagain，andthewagonloadedwithGruyerecheeseenteredFrance.
ThePrussianlineswereverybadlyguarded，astheenemytrustedtothewatchfulnessoftheSwiss.ThesergeantspokeNorthGerman，whileourcaptainspokethebadGermanoftheFourCantons，andsotheycouldnotunderstandeachother.Thesergeant，however，pretendedtobeveryintelligent;and，inordertomakeusbelievethatheunderstoodus，theyallowedustocontinueourjourney;and，aftertravellingforsevenhours，beingcontinuallystoppedinthesamemanner，wearrivedatasmallvillageoftheJurainruins，atnightfall.
Whatwerewegoingtodo？Ouronlyarmswerethecaptain’swhip，ouruniformsourpeasants’blouses，andourfoodtheGruyerecheese.Oursolewealthconsistedinourammunition，packagesofcartridgeswhichwehadstowedawayinsidesomeofthelargecheeses.Wehadaboutathousandofthem，justtwohundredeach，butweneededrifles，andtheymustbechassepots.Luckily，however，thecaptainwasaboldmanofaninventivemind，andthiswastheplanthathehitupon：
Whilethreeofusremainedhiddeninacellarintheabandonedvillage，hecontinuedhisjourneyasfarasBesanconwiththeemptywagonandoneman.Thetownwasinvested，butonecanalwaysmakeone’swayintoatownamongthehillsbycrossingthetablelandtillwithinabouttenmilesofthewalls，andthenfollowingpathsandravinesonfoot.TheylefttheirwagonatOmans，amongtheGermans，andescapedoutofitatnightonfoot;soastogaintheheightswhichbordertheRiverDoubs;
thenextdaytheyenteredBesancon，wheretherewereplentyofchassepots.Therewerenearlyfortythousandofthemleftinthearsenal，andGeneralRoland，abravemarine，laughedatthecaptain’sdaringproject，butlethimhavesixriflesandwishedhim"goodluck."
Therehehadalsofoundhiswife，whohadbeenthroughallthewarwithusbeforethecampaignintheEast，andwhohadbeenonlypreventedbyillnessfromcontinuingwithBourbaki’sarmy.Shehadrecovered，however，inspiteofthecold，whichwasgrowingmoreandmoreintense，andinspiteofthenumberlessprivationsthatawaitedher，shepersistedinaccompanyingherhusband.Hewasobligedtogivewaytoher，andtheyallthree，thecaptain，hiswife，andourcomrade，startedontheirexpedition.
Goingwasnothingincomparisontoreturning.Theywereobligedtotravelbynight，soastoavoidmeetinganybody，asthepossessionofsixrifleswouldhavemadethemliabletosuspicion.But，inspiteofeverything，aweekafterleavingus，thecaptainandhistwomenwerebackwithusagain.Thecampaignwasabouttobegin.
III
Thefirstnightofhisarrivalhebeganithimself，and，underpretextofexaminingthesurroundingcountry，hewentalongthehighroad.
Imusttellyouthatthelittlevillagewhichservedasourfortresswasasmallcollectionofpoor，badlybuilthouses，whichhadbeendesertedlongbefore.Itlayonasteepslope，whichterminatedinawoodedplain.Thecountrypeoplesellthewood;theysenditdowntheslopes，whicharecalledcoulees，locally，andwhichleaddowntotheplain，andtheretheystackitintopiles，whichtheysellthriceayeartothewoodmerchants.Thespotwherethismarketisheldinindicatedbytwosmallhousesbythesideofthehighroad，whichserveforpublichouses.Thecaptainhadgonedowntherebywayofoneofthesecoulees.
Hehadbeengoneabouthalfanhour，andwewereonthelookoutatthetopoftheravine，whenweheardashot.Thecaptainhadorderedusnottostir，andonlytocometohimwhenweheardhimblowhistrumpet.Itwasmadeofagoat’shorn，andcouldbeheardaleagueoff;butitgavenosound，and，inspiteofourcruelanxiety，wewereobligedtowaitinsilence，withourriflesbyourside.
Itisnothingtogodownthesecoulees;onejustletsone’sselfslidedown;butitismoredifficulttogetupagain;onehastoscrambleupbycatchingholdofthehangingbranchesofthetrees，andsometimesonallfours，bysheerstrength.Awholemortalhourpassed，andhedidnotcome;nothingmovedinthebrushwood.Thecaptain’swifebegantogrowimpatient.Whatcouldhebedoing？Whydidhenotcallus？Didtheshotthatwehadheardproceedfromanenemy，andhadhekilledorwoundedourleader，herhusband？Theydidnotknowwhattothink，butI
myselffanciedeitherthathewasdeadorthathisenterprisewassuccessful;andIwasmerelyanxiousandcurioustoknowwhathehaddone.
Suddenlyweheardthesoundofhistrumpet，andweweremuchsurprisedthatinsteadofcomingfrombelow，aswehadexpected，itcamefromthevillagebehindus.Whatdidthatmean？Itwasamysterytous，butthesameideastruckusall，thathehadbeenkilled，andthatthePrussianswereblowingthetrumpettodrawusintoanambush.Wethereforereturnedtothecottage，keepingacarefullookoutwithourfingersonthetrigger，andhidingunderthebranches;buthiswife，inspiteofourentreaties，rushedon，leapinglikeatigress.Shethoughtthatshehadtoavengeherhusband，andhadfixedthebayonettoherrifle，andwelostsightofheratthemomentthatweheardthetrumpetagain;and，afewmomentslater，weheardhercallingouttous：
"Comeon！comeon！Heisalive！Itishe！"
Wehastenedon，andsawthecaptainsmokinghispipeattheentranceofthevillage，butstrangelyenough，hewasonhorseback.
"Ah！ah！"hesaidtous，"youseethatthereissomethingtobedonehere.HereIamonhorsebackalready;Iknockedoveranuhlanyonder，andtookhishorse;Isupposetheywereguardingthewood，butitwasbydrinkingandswillinginclover.Oneofthem，thesentryatthedoor，hadnottimetoseemebeforeIgavehimasugarpluminhisstomach，andthen，beforetheotherscouldcomeout，Ijumpedonthehorseandwasofflikeashot.Eightortenofthemfollowedme，Ithink;butItookthecrossroadsthroughthewoods.Ihavegotscratchedandtornabit，buthereIam，andnow，mygoodfellows，attention，andtakecare！Thosebrigandswillnotrestuntiltheyhavecaughtus，andwemustreceivethemwithriflebullets.Comealong;letustakeupourposts！"
Wesetout.Oneofustookuphispositionagoodwayfromthevillageonthecrossroads;Iwaspostedattheentranceofthemainstreet，wheretheroadfromthelevelcountryentersthevillage，whilethetwoothers，thecaptainandhiswife，wereinthemiddleofthevillage，nearthechurch，whosetower—servedforanobservatoryandcitadel.
Wehadnotbeeninourplaceslongbeforeweheardashot，followedbyanother，andthentwo，thenthree.Thefirstwasevidentlyachassepot——onerecognizeditbythesharpreport，whichsoundslikethecrackofawhip——whiletheotherthreecamefromthelancers’carbines.
Thecaptainwasfurious.Hehadgivenorderstotheoutposttolettheenemypassandmerelytofollowthematadistanceiftheymarchedtowardthevillage，andtojoinmewhentheyhadgonewellbetweenthehouses.
Thentheyweretoappearsuddenly，takethepatrolbetweentwofires，andnotallowasinglemantoescape;for，postedaswewere，thesixofuscouldhavehemmedintenPrussians，ifneedful.
"ThatconfoundedPiedelothasrousedthem，"thecaptainsaid，"andtheywillnotventuretocomeonblindfoldedanylonger.AndthenIamquitesurethathehasmanagedtogetashotintohimselfsomewhereorother，forwehearnothingofhim.Itserveshimright;whydidhenotobeyorders？"Andthen，afteramoment，hegrumbledinhisbeard："AfterallI
amsorryforthepoorfellow;heissobrave，andshootssowell！"
Thecaptainwasrightinhisconjectures.Wewaiteduntilevening，withoutseeingtheuhlans;theyhadretreatedafterthefirstattack;butunfortunatelywehadnotseenPiedelot，either.Washedeadoraprisoner？Whennightcame，thecaptainproposedthatweshouldgooutandlookforhim，andsothethreeofusstarted.Atthecrossroadswefoundabrokenrifleandsomeblood，whilethegroundwastrampleddown;
butwedidnotfindeitherawoundedmanoradeadbody，althoughwesearchedeverythicket，andatmidnightwereturnedwithouthavingdiscoveredanythingofourunfortunatecomrade.
"Itisverystrange，"thecaptaingrowled."Theymusthavekilledhimandthrownhimintothebushessomewhere;theycannotpossiblyhavetakenhimprisoner，ashewouldhavecalledoutforhelp.Icannotunderstanditatall."Justashesaidthat，brightflamesshotupinthedirectionoftheinnonthehighroad，whichilluminatedthesky.
"Scoundrels！cowards！"heshouted."Iwillbetthattheyhavesetfiretothetwohousesonthemarketplace，inordertohavetheirrevenge，andthentheywillscuttleoffwithoutsayingaword.Theywillbesatisfiedwithhavingkilledamanandsetfiretotwohouses.Allright.Itshallnotpassoverlikethat.Wemustgoforthem;theywillnotliketoleavetheirilluminationsinordertofight."
"ItwouldbeagreatstrokeofluckifwecouldsetPiedelotfreeatthesametime，"someonesaid.
Thefiveofussetoff，fullofrageandhope.Intwentyminuteswehadgottothebottomofthecoulee，andhadnotyetseenanyonewhenwewerewithinahundredyardsoftheinn.Thefirewasbehindthehouse，andallwesawofitwasthereflectionabovetheroof.However，wewerewalkingratherslowly，aswewereafraidofanambush，whensuddenlyweheardPiedelot’swell—knownvoice.Ithadastrangesound，however;foritwasatthesametime——dullandvibrating，stifledandclear，asifhewerecallingoutasloudashecouldwithabitofragstuffedintohismouth.Heseemedtobehoarseandgasping，andtheunluckyfellowkeptexclaiming："Help！Help！"
Wesentallthoughtsofprudencetothedevil，andintwoboundswewereatthebackoftheinn，whereaterriblesightmetoureyes.
IV
Piedelotwasbeingburnedalive.Hewaswrithinginthemidstofaheapoffagots，tiedtoastake，andtheflameswerelickinghimwiththeirburningtongues.Whenhesawus，histongueseemedtostickinhisthroat;hedroopedhishead，andseemedasifheweregoingtodie.Itwasonlytheaffairofamomenttoupsettheburningpile，toscattertheembers，andtocuttheropesthatfastenedhim.
Poorfellow！Inwhataterriblestatewefoundhim.Theeveningbeforehehadhadhisleftarmbroken，anditseemedasifhehadbeenbadlybeatensincethen，forhiswholebodywascoveredwithwounds，bruisesandblood.Theflameshadalsobeguntheirworkonhim，andhehadtwolargeburns，oneonhisloinsandtheotheronhisrightthigh，andhisbeardandhairwerescorched.PoorPiedelot！
Nooneknowstheterribleragewefeltatthissight！WewouldhaverushedheadlongatahundredthousandPrussians;ourthirstforvengeancewasintense.Butthecowardshadrunaway，leavingtheircrimebehindthem.Wherecouldwefindthemnow？Meanwhile，however，thecaptain’swifewaslookingafterPiedelot，anddressinghiswoundsasbestshecould，whilethecaptainhimselfshookhandswithhimexcitedly，andinafewminuteshecametohimself.
"Good—morning，captain;good—morning，allofyou，"besaid."Ah！thescoundrels，thewretches！Why，twentyofthemcametosurpriseus."
"Twenty，doyousay？"
"Yes;therewasawholebandofthem，andthatiswhyIdisobeyedorders，captain，andfiredonthem，fortheywouldhavekilledyouall，andI
preferredtostopthem.Thatfrightenedthem，andtheydidnotventuretogofartherthanthecrossroads.Theyweresuchcowards.Fourofthemshotatmeattwentyyards，asifIhadbeenatarget，andthentheyslashedmewiththeirswords.Myarmwasbroken，sothatIcouldonlyusemybayonetwithonehand."
"Butwhydidyounotcallforhelp？"
"Itookgoodcarenottodothat，foryouwouldallhavecome;andyouwouldneitherhavebeenabletodefendmenoryourselves，beingonlyfiveagainsttwenty."
"Youknowthatweshouldnothaveallowedyoutohavebeentaken，pooroldfellow."
"Ipreferredtodiebymyself，don’tyousee！Ididnotwanttobringyouhere，foritwouldhavebeenamereambush."
"Well，wewillnottalkaboutitanymore.Doyoufeelrathereasier？"
"No，Iamsuffocating.IknowthatIcannotlivemuchlonger.Thebrutes！Theytiedmetoatree，andbeatmetillIwashalfdead，andthentheyshookmybrokenarm;butIdidnotmakeasound.Iwouldratherhavebittenmytongueoutthanhavecalledoutbeforethem.NowI
cantellwhatIamsufferingandshedtears;itdoesonegood.Thankyou，mykindfriends."
"PoorPiedelot！Butwewillavengeyou，youmaybesure！"
"Yes，yes;Iwantyoutodothat.Thereis，inparticular，awomanamongthemwhopassesasthewifeofthelancerwhomthecaptainkilledyesterday.Sheisdressedlikealancer，andshetorturedmethemostyesterday，andsuggestedburningme;anditwasshewhosetfiretothewood.Oh！thewretch，thebrute！Ah！howIamsuffering！Myloins，myarms！"andhefellbackgaspingandexhausted，writhinginhisterribleagony，whilethecaptain’swifewipedtheperspirationfromhisforehead，andweallshedtearsofgriefandrage，asifwehadbeenchildren.
Iwillnotdescribetheendtoyou;hediedhalfanhourlater，previouslytellingusinwhatdirectiontheenemyhadgone.Whenhewasdeadwegaveourselvestimetoburyhim，andthenwesetoutinpursuitofthem，withourheartsfulloffuryandhatred.
"WewillthrowourselvesonthewholePrussianarmy，ifitbenecessary，"
thecaptainsaid;"butwewillavengePiedelot.Wemustcatchthosescoundrels.Letussweartodie，ratherthannottofindthem;andifI
amkilledfirst，thesearemyorders：Alltheprisonersthatyoutakearetobeshotimmediately，andasforthelancer’swife，sheistobetorturedbeforesheisputtodeath."
"Shemustnotbeshot，becausesheisawoman，"thecaptain’swifesaid.
"Ifyousurvive，Iamsurethatyouwouldnotshootawoman.Torturingherwillbequitesufficient;butifyouarekilledinthispursuit，I
wantonething，andthatistofightwithher;Iwillkillherwithmyownhands，andtheotherscandowhattheylikewithherifshekillsme."
"Wewilloutrageher！Wewillburnher！Wewilltearhertopieces！
Piedelotshallbeavenged！
Aneyeforaneye，atoothforatooth！"
V
Thenextmorningweunexpectedlyfellonanoutpostofuhlansfourleaguesaway.Surprisedbyoursuddenattack，theywerenotabletomounttheirhorses，noreventodefendthemselves;andinafewmomentswehadfiveprisoner，correspondingtoourownnumber.Thecaptainquestionedthem，andfromtheiranswerswefeltcertainthattheywerethesamewhomwehadencounteredthepreviousday.Thenaverycuriousoperationtookplace.Oneofuswastoldofftoascertaintheirsex，andnothingcandescribeourjoywhenwediscoveredwhatwewereseekingamongthem，thefemaleexecutionerwhohadtorturedourfriend.
Thefourotherswereshotonthespot，withtheirbackstousandclosetothemuzzlesofourrifles;andthenweturnedourattentiontothewoman.Whatwerewegoingtodowithher？Imustacknowledgethatwewereallofusinfavorofshootingher.Hatred，andthewishtoavengePiedelot，hadextinguishedallpityinus，andwehadforgottenthatweweregoingtoshootawoman，butawomanremindedusofit，thecaptain’swife;atherentreaties，therefore，wedeterminedtokeepheraprisoner.
Thecaptain’spoorwifewastobeseverelypunishedforthisactofclemency.
ThenextdayweheardthatthearmisticehadbeenextendedtotheeasternpartofFrance，andwehadtoputanendtoourlittlecampaign.Twoofus，whobelongedtotheneighborhood，returnedhome，sotherewereonlyfourofus，alltold：thecaptain，hiswife，andtwomen.WebelongedtoBesancon，whichwasstillbeingbesiegedinspiteofthearmistice.
"Letusstophere，"saidthecaptain."Icannotbelievethatthewarisgoingtoendlikethis.Thedeviltakeit！SurelytherearemenstillleftinFrance;andnowisthetimetoprovewhattheyaremadeof.Thespringiscomingon，andthearmisticeisonlyatraplaidforthePrussians.Duringthetimethatitlasts，anewarmywillberaised，andsomefinemorningweshallfalluponthemagain.Weshallbeready，andwehaveahostage——letusremainhere."
Wefixedourquartersthere.Itwasterriblycold，andwedidnotgooutmuch，andsomebodyhadalwaystokeepthefemaleprisonerinsight.
Shewassullen，andneversaidanything，orelsespokeofherhusband，whomthecaptainhadkilled.Shelookedathimcontinuallywithfierceeyes，andwefeltthatshewastorturedbyawildlongingforrevenge.
ThatseemedtoustobethemostsuitablepunishmentfortheterribletormentsthatshehadmadePiedelotsuffer，forimpotentvengeanceissuchintensepain！
Alas！wewhoknewhowtoavengeourcomradeoughttohavethoughtthatthiswomanwouldknowhowtoavengeherhusband，andhavebeenonourguard.Itistruethatoneofuskeptwatcheverynight，andthatatfirstwetiedherbyalongropetothegreatoakbenchthatwasfastenedtothewall.But，byandby，asshehadnevertriedtoescape，inspiteofherhatredforus，werelaxedourextremeprudence，andallowedhertosleepsomewhereelseexceptonthebench，andwithoutbeingtied.Whathadwetofear？Shewasattheendoftheroom，amanwasonguardatthedoor，andbetweenherandthesentinelthecaptain’swifeandtwoothermenusedtolie.Shewasaloneandunarmedagainstfour，sotherecouldbenodanger.
Onenightwhenwewereasleep，andthecaptainwasonguard，thelancer’swifewaslyingmorequietlyinhercornerthanusual，andshehadevensmiledforthefirsttimesinceshehadbeenourprisonerduringtheevening.Suddenly，however，inthemiddleofthenight，wewereallawakenedbyaterriblecry.Wegotup，gropingabout，andatoncestumbledoverafuriouscouplewhowererollingaboutandfightingontheground.Itwasthecaptainandthelancer’swife.Wethrewourselvesonthem，andseparatedtheminamoment.Shewasshoutingandlaughing，andheseemedtohavethedeathrattle.Allthistookplaceinthedark.
Twoofusheldher，andwhenalightwasstruckaterriblesightmetoureyes.Thecaptainwaslyingonthefloorinapoolofblood，withanenormousgashinhisthroat，andhisswordbayonet，thathadbeentakenfromhisrifle，wasstickinginthered，gapingwound.Afewminutesafterwardhedied，withouthavingbeenabletoutteraword.
Hiswifedidnotshedatear.Hereyesweredry，herthroatwascontracted，andshelookedatthelancer’swifesteadfastly，andwithacalmferocitythatinspiredfear.
"Thiswomanbelongstome，"shesaidtoussuddenly."YousworetomenotaweekagotoletmekillherasIchose，ifshekilledmyhusband;
andyoumustkeepyouroath.Youmustfastenhersecurelytothefireplace，uprightagainstthebackofit，andthenyoucangowhereyoulike，butfarfromhere.Iwilltakemyrevengeonhermyself.Leavethecaptain’sbody，andwethree，he，sheandI，willremainhere."
Weobeyed，andwentaway.ShepromisedtowritetoustoGeneva，aswewerereturningthither.
VI
TwodayslaterIreceivedthefollowingletter，datedthedayafterwehadleft，thathadbeenwrittenataninnonthehighroad：
"MYFRIEND：Iamwritingtoyou，accordingtomypromise.ForthemomentIamattheinn，whereIhavejusthandedmyprisonerovertoaPrussianofficer.
"Imusttellyou，myfriend，thatthispoorwomanhaslefttwochildreninGermany.Shehadfollowedherhusband，whomsheadored，asshedidnotwishhimtobeexposedtotherisksofwarbyhimself，andasherchildrenwerewiththeirgrandparents.Ihavelearnedallthissinceyesterday，andithasturnedmyideasofvengeanceintomorehumanefeelings.AttheverymomentwhenIfeltpleasureininsultingthiswoman，andinthreateningherwiththemostfearfultorments，inrecallingPiedelot，whohadbeenburnedalive，andinthreateningherwithasimilardeath，shelookedatmecoldly，andsaid：
"’Whathaveyougottoreproachmewith，Frenchwoman？Youthinkthatyouwilldorightinavengingyourhusband’sdeath，isnotthatso？’
"’Yes，’Ireplied.
"’Verywell，then;inkillinghim，Ididwhatyouaregoingtodoinburningme.Iavengedmyhusband，foryourhusbandkilledhim.’
"’Well，’Ireplied，’asyouapproveofthisvengeance，preparetoendureit.’
"’Idonotfearit.’
"Andinfactshedidnotseemtohavelostcourage.Herfacewascalm，andshelookedatmewithouttrembling，whileIbroughtwoodanddriedleavestogether，andfeverishlythrewontothemthepowderfromsomecartridges，whichwastomakeherfuneralpilethemorecruel.
"Ihesitatedinmythoughtsofpersecutionforamoment.Butthecaptainwasthere，paleandcoveredwithblood，andheseemedtobelookingatmewithhislarge，glassyeyes，andIappliedmyselftomyworkagainafterkissinghispalelips.Suddenly，however，onraisingmyhead，Isawthatshewascrying，andIfeltrathersurprised.
"’Soyouarefrightened？’Isaidtoher.
"’No，butwhenIsawyoukissyourhusband，Ithoughtofmine，ofallwhomIlove.’
"Shecontinuedtosob，butstoppingsuddenly，shesaidtomeinbrokenwordsandinalowvoice：
"’Haveyouanychildren？’
"Ashiverrareoverme，forIguessedthatthispoorwomanhadsome.Sheaskedmetolookinapocketbookwhichwasinherbosom，andinitIsawtwophotographsofquiteyoungchildren，aboyandagirl，withthosekind，gentle，chubbyfacesthatGermanchildrenhave.Inittherewerealsotwolocksoflighthairandaletterinalarge，childishhand，andbeginningwithGermanwordswhichmeant：
’Mydearlittlemother.’
"Icouldnotrestrainmytears，mydearfriend，andsoIuntiedher，andwithoutventuringtolookatthefaceofmypoordeadhusband，whowasnottobeavenged，Iwentwithherasfarastheinn.Sheisfree;Ihavejustlefther，andshekissedmewithtears.Iamgoingupstairstomyhusband;comeassoonaspossible，mydearfriend，tolookforourtwobodies."
Isetoffwithallspeed，andwhenIarrivedtherewasaPrussianpatrolatthecottage;andwhenIaskedwhatitallmeant，Iwastoldthattherewasacaptainoffrancs—tireursandhiswifeinside，bothdead.Igavetheirnames;theysawthatIknewthem，andIbeggedtobeallowedtoarrangetheirfuneral.
"Somebodyhasalreadyundertakenit，"wasthereply."Goinifyouwishto，asyouknowthem.Youcansettleabouttheirfuneralwiththeirfriend."
Iwentin.Thecaptainandhiswifewerelyingsidebysideonabed，andwerecoveredbyasheet.Iraisedit，andsawthatthewomanhadinflictedasimilarwoundinherthroattothatfromwhichherhusbandhaddied.
Atthesideofthebedtheresat，watchingandweeping，thewomanwhohadbeenmentionedtomeastheirbestfriend.Itwasthelancer’swife.
THEPRISONERS
Therewasnotasoundintheforestsavetheindistinct，flutteringsoundofthesnowfallingonthetrees.Ithadbeensnowingsincenoon;alittlefinesnow，thatcoveredthebranchesaswithfrozenmoss，andspreadasilverycoveringoverthedeadleavesintheditches，andcoveredtheroadswithawhite，yieldingcarpet，andmadestillmoreintensetheboundlesssilenceofthisoceanoftrees.
Beforethedooroftheforester’sdwellingayoungwoman，herarmsbaretotheelbow，waschoppingwoodwithahatchetonablockofstone.Shewastall，slender，strong—atruegirlofthewoods，daughterandwifeofaforester.
Avoicecalledfromwithinthehouse：
"Wearealoneto—night，Berthine;youmustcomein.Itisgettingdark，andtheremaybePrussiansorwolvesabout."
"I’vejustfinished，mother，"repliedtheyoungwoman，splittingasshespokeanimmenselogofwoodwithstrong，deftblows，whichexpandedherchesteachtimesheraisedherarmstostrike."HereIam;there’snoneedtobeafraid;it’squitelightstill."
Thenshegathereduphersticksandlogs，piledtheminthechimneycorner，wentbacktoclosethegreatoakenshutters，andfinallycamein，drawingbehindhertheheavyboltsofthedoor.
Hermother，awrinkledoldwomanwhomagehadrenderedtimid，wasspinningbythefireside.
"Iamuneasy，"shesaid，"whenyourfather’snothere.Twowomenarenotmuchgood."
"Oh，"saidtheyoungerwoman，"I’dcheerfullykillawolforaPrussianifitcametothat."
Andsheglancedataheavyrevolverhangingabovethehearth.
HerhusbandhadbeencalledupontoserveinthearmyatthebeginningofthePrussianinvasion，andthetwowomenhadremainedalonewiththeoldfather，akeepernamedNicolasPichon，sometimescalledLong—legs，whorefusedobstinatelytoleavehishomeandtakerefugeinthetown.
ThistownwasRethel，anancientstrongholdbuiltonarock.Itsinhabitantswerepatriotic，andhadmadeuptheirmindstoresisttheinvaders，tofortifytheirnativeplace，and，ifneedbe，tostandasiegeasinthegoodolddays.Twicealready，underHenriIVandunderLouisXIV，thepeopleofRethelhaddistinguishedthemselvesbytheirheroicdefenceoftheirtown.Theywoulddoasmuchnow，bygad！orelsebeslaughteredwithintheirownwalls.
Theyhad，therefore，boughtcannonandrifles，organizedamilitia，andformedthemselvesintobattalionsandcompanies，andnowspenttheirtimedrillingalldaylonginthesquare.All—bakers，grocers，butchers，lawyers，carpenters，booksellers，chemists—tooktheirturnatmilitarytrainingatregularhoursoftheday，undertheauspicesofMonsieurLavigne，aformernoncommissionedofficerinthedragoons，nowadraper，havingmarriedthedaughterandinheritedthebusinessofMonsieurRavaudan，Senior.
HehadtakentherankofcommandingofficerinRethel，and，seeingthatalltheyoungmenhadgoneofftothewar，hehadenlistedalltheotherswhowereinfavorofresistinganattack.Fatmennowinvariablywalkedthestreetsatarapidpace，toreducetheirweightandimprovetheirbreathing，andweakmencarriedweightstostrengthentheirmuscles.
AndtheyawaitedthePrussians.ButthePrussiansdidnotappear.Theywerenotfaroff，however，fortwicealreadytheirscoutshadpenetratedasfarastheforestdwellingofNicolasPichon，calledLong—legs.
Theoldkeeper，whocouldrunlikeafox，hadcomeandwarnedthetown.
Thegunshadbeengotready，buttheenemyhadnotshownthemselves.
Long—legs’dwellingservedasanoutpostintheAvelineforest.Twiceaweektheoldmanwenttothetownforprovisionsandbroughtthecitizensnewsoftheoutlyingdistrict.
OnthisparticulardayhehadgonetoannouncethefactthatasmalldetachmentofGermaninfantryhadhaltedathishousethedaybefore，abouttwoo’clockintheafternoon，andhadleftagainalmostimmediately.ThenoncommissionedofficerinchargespokeFrench.
Whentheoldmansetoutlikethishetookwithhimhisdogs——twopowerfulanimalswiththejawsoflions—asasafeguardagainstthewolves，whichwerebeginningtogetfierce，andheleftdirectionswiththetwowomentobarricadethemselvessecurelywithintheirdwellingassoonasnightfell.
Theyoungerfearednothing，buthermotherwasalwaysapprehensive，andrepeatedcontinually：
"We’llcometogriefoneofthesedays.Youseeifwedon’t！"
Thiseveningshewas，ifpossible，morenervousthanever.
"Doyouknowwhattimeyourfatherwillbeback？"sheasked.
"Oh，notbeforeeleven，forcertain.Whenhedineswiththecommandanthe’salwayslate."
AndBerthinewashangingherpotoverthefiretowarmthesoupwhenshesuddenlystoodstill，listeningattentivelytoasoundthathadreachedherthroughthechimney.
"Therearepeoplewalkinginthewood，"shesaid;"sevenoreightmenatleast."
Theterrifiedoldwomanstoppedherspinningwheel，andgasped：
"Oh，myGod！Andyourfathernothere！"
Shehadscarcelyfinishedspeakingwhenasuccessionofviolentblowsshookthedoor.
Asthewomanmadenoreply，aloud，gutturalvoiceshouted：
"Openthedoor！"
Afterabriefsilencethesamevoicerepeated：
"OpenthedoororI’llbreakitdown！"
Berthinetooktheheavyrevolverfromitshook，slippeditintothepocketofherskirt，and，puttinghereartothedoor，asked：
"Whoareyou？"demandedtheyoungwoman."Whatdoyouwant？".
"Thedetachmentthatcameheretheotherday，"repliedthevoice.
"MymenandIhavelostourwayintheforestsincemorning.OpenthedoororI’llbreakitdown！"
Theforester’sdaughterhadnochoice;sheshotbacktheheavybolts，threwopentheponderousshutter，andperceivedinthewanlightofthesnowsixmen，sixPrussiansoldiers，thesamewhohadvisitedthehousethedaybefore.
"Whatareyoudoinghereatthistimeofnight？"sheaskeddauntlessly.
"Ilostmybearings，"repliedtheofficer;"lostthemcompletely.ThenI
recognizedthishouse.I’veeatennothingsincemorning，normymeneither."
"ButI’mquitealonewithmymotherthisevening，"saidBerthine.
"Nevermind，"repliedthesoldier，whoseemedadecentsortoffellow.
"Wewon’tdoyouanyharm，butyoumustgiveussomethingtoeat.Wearenearlydeadwithhungerandfatigue."
Thenthegirlmovedaside.
"Comein;"shesaid.
Thenentered，coveredwithsnow，theirhelmetssprinkledwithacreamy—
lookingfroth，whichgavethemtheappearanceofmeringues.Theyseemedutterlywornout.
Theyoungwomanpointedtothewoodenbenchesoneithersideofthelargetable.
"Sitdown，"shesaid，"andI’llmakeyousomesoup.Youcertainlylooktiredout，andnomistake."
Thensheboltedthedoorafresh.
Sheputmorewaterinthepot，addedbutterandpotatoes;then，takingdownapieceofbaconfromahookinthechimneyearner，cutitintwoandslippedhalfofitintothepot.
Thesixmenwatchedhermovementswithhungryeyes.Theyhadplacedtheirriflesandhelmetsinacornerandwaitedforsupper，aswellbehavedaschildrenonaschoolbench.
Theoldmotherhadresumedherspinning，castingfromtimetotimeafurtiveanduneasyglanceatthesoldiers.Nothingwastobeheardsavethehummingofthewheel，thecracklingofthefire，andthesingingofthewaterinthepot.
Butsuddenlyastrangenoise——asoundliketheharshbreathingofsomewildanimalsniffingunderthedoor—startledtheoccupantsoftheroom.
TheGermanofficersprangtowardtherifles.Berthinestoppedhimwithagesture，andsaid，smilingly：
"It’sonlythewolves.Theyarelikeyou——prowlinghungrythroughtheforest."
Theincredulousmanwantedtoseewithhisowneyes，andassoonasthedoorwasopenedheperceivedtwolargegrayishanimalsdisappearingwithlong，swingingtrotintothedarkness.
Hereturnedtohisseat，muttering：
"Iwouldn’thavebelievedit！"
Andhewaitedquietlytillsupperwasready.
Themendevouredtheirmealvoraciously，withmouthsstretchedtotheirearsthattheymightswallowthemore.Theirroundeyesopenedatthesametimeastheirjaws，andasthesoupcourseddowntheirthroatsitmadeanoiselikethegurglingofwaterinarainpipe.
Thetwowomenwatchedinsilencethemovementsofthebigredbeards.
Thepotatoesseemedtobeengulfedinthesemovingfleeces.
But，astheywerethirsty，theforester’sdaughterwentdowntothecellartodrawthemsomecider.Shewasgonesometime.Thecellarwassmall，withanarchedceiling，andhadserved，sopeoplesaid，bothasprisonandashiding—placeduringtheRevolution.Itwasapproachedbymeansofanarrow，windingstaircase，closedbyatrap—dooratthefartherendofthekitchen.
WhenBerthinereturnedshewassmilingmysteriouslytoherself.ShegavetheGermansherjugofcider.
Thensheandhermothersuppedapart，attheotherendofthekitchen.
Thesoldiershadfinishedeating，andwereallsixfallingasleepastheysatroundthetable.Everynowandthenaforeheadfellwithathudontheboard，andtheman，awakenedsuddenly，satuprightagain.
Berthinesaidtotheofficer：
"Goandliedown，allofyou，roundthefire.There’slotsofroomforsix.I’mgoinguptomyroomwithmymother."
Andthetwowomenwentupstairs.Theycouldbeheardlockingthedoorandwalkingaboutoverheadforatime;thentheyweresilent.
ThePrussianslaydownonthefloor，withtheirfeettothefireandtheirheadsrestingontheirrolled—upcloaks.Soonallsixsnoredloudlyanduninterruptedlyinsixdifferentkeys.
Theyhadbeensleepingforsometimewhenashotrangoutsoloudlythatitseemeddirectedagainsttheverywall’softhehouse.Thesoldiersrosehastily.Two—thenthree—moreshotswerefired.
Thedooropenedhastily，andBerthineappeared，barefootedandonlyhalfdressed，withhercandleinherhandandascaredlookonherface.
"TherearetheFrench，"shestammered;"atleasttwohundredofthem.Iftheyfindyouherethey’llburnthehousedown.ForGod’ssake，hurrydownintothecellar，anddon’tmakea’sound，whateveryoudo.Ifyoumakeanynoisewearelost."
"We’llgo，we’llgo，"repliedtheterrifiedofficer."Whichistheway？"
Theyoungwomanhurriedlyraisedthesmall，squaretrap—door，andthesixmendisappearedoneafteranotherdownthenarrow，windingstaircase，feelingtheirwayastheywent.
ButassoonasthespikeoftheoutofthelasthelmetwasoutofsightBerthineloweredtheheavyoakenlid——thickasawall，hardassteel，furnishedwiththehingesandboltsofaprisoncell——shotthetwoheavybolts，andbegantolaughlongandsilently，possessedwithamadlongingtodanceabovetheheadsofherprisoners.
Theymadenosound，inclosedinthecellarasinastrong—box，obtainingaironlyfromasmall，iron—barredvent—hole.
Berthinelightedherfireagain，hungthepotoverit，andpreparedmoresoup，sayingtoherself：
"Fatherwillbetiredto—night."
Thenshesatandwaited.Theheavypendulumoftheclockswungtoandfrowithamonotonoustick.
Everynowandthentheyoungwomancastanimpatientglanceatthedial—aglancewhichseemedtosay：
"Iwishhe’dbequick！"
Butsoontherewasasoundofvoicesbeneathherfeet.Low，confusedwordsreachedherthroughthemasonrywhichroofedthecellar.ThePrussianswerebeginningtosuspectthetrickshehadplayedthem，andpresentlytheofficercameupthenarrowstaircase，andknockedatthetrap—door.
"Openthedoor！"hecried.
"Whatdoyouwant？"shesaid，risingfromherseatandapproachingthecellarway.
"Openthedoor！"
"Iwon’tdoanysuchthing！"
"OpenitorI’llbreakitdown！"shoutedthemanangrily.
Shelaughed.
"Hammeraway，mygoodman！Hammeraway！"
Hestruckwiththebutt—endofhisgunattheclosedoakendoor.Butitwouldhaveresistedabattering—ram.
Theforester’sdaughterheardhimgodownthestairsagain.Thenthesoldierscameoneafteranotherandtriedtheirstrengthagainstthetrapdoor.But，findingtheireffortsuseless，theyallreturnedtothecellarandbegantotalkamongthemselves.
Theyoungwomanheardthemforashorttime，thensherose，openedthedoorofthehouse;lookedoutintothenight，andlistened.
Asoundofdistantbarkingreachedherear.Shewhistledjustasahuntsmanwould，andalmostimmediatelytwogreatdogsemergedfromthedarkness，andboundedtoherside.Sheheldthemtight，andshoutedatthetopofhervoice：
"Hullo，father！"
Afar—offvoicereplied：
"Hullo，Berthine！"
Shewaitedafewseconds，thenrepeated：
"Hullo，father！"
Thevoice，nearernow，replied：
"Hullo，Berthine！"
"Don’tgoinfrontofthevent—hole！"shoutedhisdaughter."TherearePrussiansinthecellar！"
Suddenlytheman’stallfigurecouldbeseentotheleft，standingbetweentwotreetrunks.
"Prussiansinthecellar？"heaskedanxiously."Whataretheydoing？"
Theyoungwomanlaughed.
"Theyarethesameaswerehereyesterday.Theylosttheirway，andI’vegiventhemfreelodgingsinthecellar."
Shetoldthestoryofhowshehadalarmedthembyfiringtherevolver，andhadshutthemupinthecellar.
Theman，stillserious，asked：
"ButwhatamItodowiththematthistimeofnight？"
"GoandfetchMonsieurLavignewithhismen，"shereplied."He’lltakethemprisoners.He’llbedelighted."
Herfathersmiled.
"Sohewill—delighted."
"Here’ssomesoupforyou，"saidhisdaughter."Eatitquick，andthenbeoff."
Theoldkeepersatdownatthetable，andbegantoeathissoup，havingfirstfilledtwoplatesandputthemonthefloorforthedogs.
ThePrussians，hearingvoices，weresilent.
Long—legssetoffaquarterofanhourlater，andBerthine，withherheadbetweenherhands，waited.
Theprisonersbegantomakethemselvesheardagain.Theyshouted，called，andbeatfuriouslywiththebuttsoftheirmusketsagainsttherigidtrap—doorofthecellar.
Thentheyfiredshotsthroughthevent—hole，hoping，nodoubt，tobeheardbyanyGermandetachmentwhichchancedtobepassingthatway.
Theforester’sdaughterdidnotstir，butthenoiseirritatedandunnervedher.Blindangerroseinherheartagainsttheprisoners;shewouldhavebeenonlytoogladtokillthemall，andsosilencethem.
Then，asherimpatiencegrew，shewatchedtheclock，countingtheminutesastheypassed.
Herfatherhadbeengoneanhourandahalf.Hemusthavereachedthetownbynow.SheconjuredupavisionofhimtellingthestorytoMonsieurLavigne，whogrewpalewithemotion，andrangforhisservanttobringhimhisarmsanduniform.Shefanciedshecouldbearthedrumasitsoundedthecalltoarms.Frightenedfacesappearedatthewindows.
Thecitizen—soldiersemergedfromtheirhouseshalfdressed，outofbreath，bucklingontheirbelts，andhurryingtothecommandant’shouse.
Thenthetroopofsoldiers，withLong—legsatitshead，setforththroughthenightandthesnowtowardtheforest.
Shelookedattheclock."Theymaybehereinanhour."
Anervousimpatiencepossessedher.Theminutesseemedinterminable.
Wouldthetimenevercome？
Atlasttheclockmarkedthemomentshehadfixedonfortheirarrival.
Andsheopenedthedoortolistenfortheirapproach.Sheperceivedashadowyformcreepingtowardthehouse.Shewasafraid，andcriedout.
Butitwasherfather.
"Theyhavesentme，"hesaid，"toseeifthereisanychangeinthestateofaffairs."
"No—none."
Thenhegaveashrillwhistle.Soonadarkmassloomedupunderthetrees;theadvanceguard，composedoftenmen.
"Don’tgoinfrontofthevent—hole！"repeatedLong—legsatintervals.
Andthefirstarrivalspointedoutthemuch—dreadedvent—holetothosewhocameafter.
Atlastthemainbodyofthetrooparrived，inalltwohundredmen，eachcarryingtwohundredcartridges.
MonsieurLavigne，inastateofintenseexcitement，postedtheminsuchafashionastosurroundthewholehouse，saveforalargespaceleftvacantinfrontofthelittleholeonalevelwiththeground，throughwhichthecellarderiveditssupplyofair.
MonsieurLavignestruckthetrap—doorablowwithhisfoot，andcalled：
"IwishtospeaktothePrussianofficer！"
TheGermandidnotreply.
"ThePrussianofficer！"againshoutedthecommandant.
Stillnoresponse.ForthespaceoftwentyminutesMonsieurLavignecalledonthissilentofficertosurrenderwithbagandbaggage，promisinghimthatalllivesshouldbespared，andthatheandhismenshouldbeaccordedmilitaryhonors.Buthecouldextortnosign，eitherofconsentorofdefiance.Thesituationbecameapuzzlingone.
Thecitizen—soldierskickedtheirheelsinthesnow，slappingtheirarmsacrosstheirchest，ascabdriversdo，towarmthemselves，andgazingatthevent—holewithagrowingandchildishdesiretopassinfrontofit.
Atlastoneofthemtooktherisk—amannamedPotdevin，whowasfleet.
oflimb.Heranlikeadeeracrossthezoneofdanger.Theexperimentsucceeded.Theprisonersgavenosignoflife.
Avoicecried：
"There’snoonethere！"
Andanothersoldiercrossedtheopenspacebeforethedangerousvent—
hole.Thenthishazardoussportdevelopedintoagame.Everyminuteamanranswiftlyfromonesidetotheother，likeaboyplayingbaseball，kickingupthesnowbehindhimasheran.Theyhadlightedbigfiresofdeadwoodatwhichtowarmthemselves，andthe，figuresoftherunnerswereilluminedbytheflamesastheypassedrapidlyfromthecampontherighttothatontheleft.
Someoneshouted：
"It’syourturnnow，Maloison."
Maloisonwasafatbaker，whosecorpulentpersonservedtopointmanyajokeamonghiscomrades.
Hehesitated.Theychaffedhim.Then，nervinghimselftotheeffort，hesetoffatalittle，waddlinggait，whichshookhisfatpaunchandmadethewholedetachmentlaughtilltheycried.
"Bravo，bravo，Maloison！"theyshoutedforhisencouragement.
Hehadaccomplishedabouttwo—thirdsofhisjourneywhenalong，crimsonflameshotforthfromthevent—hole.Aloudreportfollowed，andthefatbakerfell.faceforwardtotheground，utteringafrightfulscream.
Noonewenttohisassistance.Thenhewasseentodraghimself，groaning，onall—foursthroughthesnowuntilhewasbeyonddanger，whenhefainted.
Hewasshotintheupperpartofthethigh.
Afterthefirstsurpriseandfrightwereovertheylaughedathimagain.
ButMonsieurLavigneappearedonthethresholdoftheforester’sdwelling.Hehadformedhisplanofattack.Hecalledinaloudvoice"IwantPlanchut，theplumber，andhisworkmen."
Threemenapproached.
"Taketheeavestroughsfromtheroof."
Inaquarterofanhourtheybroughtthecommandantthirtyyardsofpipes.
Next，withinfiniteprecaution，hehadasmallroundholedrilledinthetrap—door;then，makingaconduitwiththetroughsfromthepumptothisopening，hesaid，withanairofextremesatisfaction"Nowwe’llgivetheseGermangentlemensomethingtodrink."
Ashoutoffrenziedadmiration，mingledwithuproariouslaughter，burstfromhisfollowers.Andthecommandantorganizedrelaysofmen，whoweretorelieveoneanothereveryfiveminutes.Thenhecommanded：
"Pump！！！
And，thepumphandlehavingbeensetinmotion，astreamofwatertrickledthroughoutthelengthofthepiping，andflowedfromsteptostepdownthecellarstairswithagentle，gurglingsound.
Theywaited.
Anhourpassed，thentwo，thenthree.
Thecommandant，inastateoffeverishagitation，walkedupanddownthekitchen，puttinghiseartothegroundeverynowandthentodiscover，ifpossible，whattheenemyweredoingandwhethertheywouldsooncapitulate.
Theenemywasastirnow.Theycouldbeheardmovingthecasksabout，talking，splashingthroughthewater.
Then，abouteighto’clockinthemorning，avoicecamefromthevent—hole"IwanttospeaktotheFrenchofficer."
Lavignerepliedfromthewindow，takingcarenottoputhisheadouttoofar：
"Doyousurrender？"
"Isurrender."
"Thenputyourriflesoutside."
Arifleimmediatelyprotrudedfromthehole，andfellintothesnow，thenanotherandanother，untilallweredisposedof.Andthevoicewhichhadspokenbeforesaid：
"Ihavenomore.Bequick！Iamdrowned."
"Stoppumping！"orderedthecommandant.
Andthepumphandlehungmotionless.
Then，havingfilledthekitchenwitharmedandwaitingsoldiers，heslowlyraisedtheoakentrapdoor.
Fourheadsappeared，soakingwet，fourfairheadswithlong，sandyhair，andoneafteranotherthesixGermansemerged——scared，shiveringanddrippingfromheadtofoot.
Theywereseizedandbound.Then，astheFrenchfearedasurprise，theysetoffatonceintwoconvoys，oneinchargeoftheprisoners，andtheotherconductingMaloisononamattressborneonpoles.
TheymadeatriumphalentryintoRethel.
MonsieurLavignewasdecoratedasarewardforhavingcapturedaPrussianadvanceguard，andthefatbakerreceivedthemilitarymedalforwoundsreceivedatthehandsoftheenemy.
TWOLITTLESOLDIERS
EverySunday，assoonastheywerefree，thelittlesoldierswouldgoforawalk.Theyturnedtotherightonleavingthebarracks，crossedCourbevoiewithrapidstrides，asthoughonaforcedmarch;then，asthehousesgrewscarcer，theysloweddownandfollowedthedustyroadwhichleadstoBezons.
Theyweresmallandthin，lostintheirill—fittingcapes，toolargeandtoolong，whosesleevescoveredtheirhands;theirampleredtrousersfellinfoldsaroundtheirankles.Underthehigh，stiffshakoonecouldjustbarelyperceivetwothin，hollow—cheekedBretonfaces，withtheircalm，naiveblueeyes.Theyneverspokeduringtheirjourney，goingstraightbeforethem，thesameideaineachone’smindtakingtheplaceofconversation.ForattheentranceofthelittleforestofChampiouxtheyhadfoundaspotwhichremindedthemofhome，andtheydidnotfeelhappyanywhereelse.
AtthecrossingoftheColombesandChatouroads，whentheyarrivedunderthetrees，theywouldtakeofftheirheavy，oppressiveheadgearandwipetheirforeheads.
TheyalwaysstoppedforawhileonthebridgeatBezons，andlookedattheSeine.Theystoodthereseveralminutes，bendingovertherailing，watchingthewhitesails，whichperhapsremindedthemoftheirhome，andofthefishingsmacksleavingfortheopen.
AssoonastheyhadcrossedtheSeine，theywouldpurchaseprovisionsatthedelicatessen，thebaker’s，andthewinemerchant’s.Apieceofbologna，fourcents’worthofbread，andaquartofwine，madeuptheluncheonwhichtheycarriedaway，wrappedupintheirhandkerchiefs.Butassoonastheywereoutofthevillagetheirgaitwouldslackenandtheywouldbegintotalk.
Beforethemwasaplainwithafewclumpsoftrees，whichledtothewoods，alittleforestwhichseemedtoremindthemofthatotherforestatKermarivan.Thewheatandoatfieldsborderedonthenarrowpath，andJeanKerderensaideachtimetoLucLeGanidec：
"It’sjustlikehome，justlikePlounivon."
"Yes，it’sjustlikehome."
Andtheywenton，sidebyside，theirmindsfullofdimmemoriesofhome.
Theysawthefields，thehedges，theforests，andbeaches.
Eachtimetheystoppednearalargestoneontheedgeoftheprivateestate，becauseitremindedthemofthedolmenofLocneuven.
Assoonastheyreachedthefirstclumpoftrees，LucLeGanidecwouldcutoffasmallstick，and，whittlingitslowly，wouldwalkon，thinkingofthefolksathome.
JeanKerderencarriedtheprovisions.
FromtimetotimeLucwouldmentionaname，oralludetosomeboyishprankwhichwouldgivethemfoodforplentyofthought.Andthehomecountry，sodearandsodistant，wouldlittlebylittlegainpossessionoftheirminds，sendingthembackthroughspace，tothewell—knownformsandnoises，tothefamiliarscenery，withthefragranceofitsgreenfieldsandseaair.Theynolongernoticedthesmellsofthecity.Andintheirdreamstheysawtheirfriendsleaving，perhapsforever，forthedangerousfishinggrounds.
Theywerewalkingslowly，LucLeGanidecandJeanKerderen，contentedandsad，hauntedbyasweetsorrow，theslowandpenetratingsorrowofacaptiveanimalwhichremembersthedaysofitsfreedom.
AndwhenLuchadfinishedwhittlinghisstick，theycametoalittlenook，whereeverySundaytheytooktheirmeal.Theyfoundthetwobricks，whichtheyhadhiddeninahedge，andtheymadealittlefireofdrybranchesandroastedtheirsausagesontheendsoftheirknives.
Whentheirlastcrumbofbreadhadbeeneatenandthelastdropofwinehadbeendrunk，theystretchedthemselvesoutonthegrasssidebyside，withoutspeaking，theirhalf—closedeyeslookingawayinthedistance，theirhandsclaspedasinprayer，theirred—trouseredlegsminglingwiththebrightcolorsofthewildflowers.
Towardsnoontheyglanced，fromtimetotime，towardsthevillageofBezons，forthedairymaidwouldsoonbecoming.EverySundayshewouldpassinfrontofthemonthewaytomilkhercow，theonlycowintheneighborhoodwhichwassentouttopasture.
Soontheywouldseethegirl，comingthroughthefields，anditpleasedthemtowatchthesparklingsunbeamsreflectedfromhershiningpail.
Theyneverspokeofher.Theywerejustgladtoseeher，withoutunderstandingwhy.
Shewasatall，strappinggirl，freckledandtannedbytheopenair——agirltypicaloftheParisiansuburbs.
Once，onnoticingthattheywerealwayssittinginthesameplace，shesaidtothem：
"Doyoualwayscomehere？"
LucLeGanidec，moredaringthanhisfriend，stammered：
"Yes，wecomehereforourrest."
Thatwasall.ButthefollowingSunday，onseeingthem，shesmiledwiththekindlysmileofawomanwhounderstoodtheirshyness，andsheasked：
"Whatareyoudoinghere？Areyouwatchingthegrassgrow？"
Luc，cheeredup，smiled："P’raps."
Shecontinued："It’snotgrowingfast，isit？"
Heanswered，stilllaughing："Notexactly."
Shewenton.Butwhenshecamebackwithherpailfullofmilk，shestoppedbeforethemandsaid：
"Wantsome？Itwillremindyouofhome."
Shehad，perhapsinstinctively，guessedandtouchedtherightspot.
Bothweremoved.Thennotwithoutdifficulty，shepouredsomemilkintothebottleinwhichtheyhadbroughttheirwine.Lucstartedtodrink，carefullywatchinglestheshouldtakemorethanhisshare.ThenhepassedthebottletoJean.Shestoodbeforethem，herhandsonherhips，herpailatherfeet，enjoyingthepleasurethatshewasgivingthem.
Thenshewenton，saying："Well，bye—byeuntilnextSunday！"
Foralongtimetheywatchedhertallformasitrecededinthedistance，blendingwiththebackground，andfinallydisappeared.
Thefollowingweekastheyleftthebarracks，JeansaidtoLuc：
"Don’tyouthinkweoughttobuyhersomethinggood？"
Theyweresorelyperplexedbytheproblemofchoosingsomethingtobringtothedairymaid.Lucwasinfavorofbringinghersomechitterlings;
butJean，whohadasweettooth，thoughtthatcandywouldbethebestthing.Hewon，andsotheywenttoagrocerytobuytwosous’worth，ofredandwhitecandies.
Thistimetheyatemorequicklythanusual，excitedbyanticipation.
Jeanwasthefirstonetonoticeher."Theresheis，"hesaid;andLucanswered："Yes，theresheis."
Shesmiledwhenshesawthem，andcried：
"Well，howareyouto—day？"
Theybothansweredtogether：
"Allright！How’severythingwithyou？"
Thenshestartedtotalkofsimplethingswhichmightinterestthem;oftheweather，ofthecrops，ofhermasters.
Theydidn’tdaretooffertheircandies，whichwereslowlymeltinginJean’spocket.FinallyLuc，growingbolder，murmured：
"Wehavebroughtyousomething."
Sheasked："Let’sseeit."
ThenJean，blushingtothetipsofhisears，reachedinhispocket，anddrawingoutthelittlepaperbag，handedittoher.
Shebegantoeatthelittlesweetdainties.Thetwosoldierssatinfrontofher，movedanddelighted.
Atlastshewenttodohermilking，andwhenshecamebacksheagaingavethemsomemilk.
Theythoughtofherallthroughtheweekandoftenspokeofher：ThefollowingSundayshesatbesidethemforalongertime.
Thethreeofthemsatthere，sidebyside，theireyeslookingfarawayinthedistance，theirhandsclaspedovertheirknees，andtheytoldeachotherlittleincidentsandlittledetailsofthevillageswheretheywereborn，whilethecow，waitingtobemilked，stretchedherheavyheadtowardthegirlandmooed.
Soonthegirlconsentedtoeatwiththemandtotakeasipofwine.
Oftenshebroughtthemplumspocketforplumswerenowripe.HerpresenceenlivenedthelittleBretonsoldiers，whochatteredawayliketwobirds.
OneTuesdaysomethingunusualhappenedtoLucLeGanidec;heaskedforleaveanddidnotreturnuntilteno’clockatnight.
Jean，worriedandrackedhisbraintoaccountforhisfriend’shavingobtainedleave.
ThefollowingFriday，Lucborrowedtensonsfromoneofhisfriends，andoncemoreaskedandobtainedleaveforseveralhours.
WhenhestartedoutwithJeanonSundayheseemedqueer，disturbed，changed.Kerderendidnotunderstand;hevaguelysuspectedsomething，buthecouldnotguesswhatitmightbe.
Theywentstraighttotheusualplace，andlunchedslowly.Neitherwashungry.
Soonthegirlappeared.Theywatchedherapproachastheyalwaysdid.
Whenshewasnear，Lucaroseandwenttowardsher.Sheplacedherpailonthegroundandkissedhim.Shekissedhimpassionately，throwingherarmsaroundhisneck，withoutpayingattentiontoJean，withoutevennoticingthathewasthere.
PoorJeanwasdazed，sodazedthathecouldnotunderstand.Hismindwasupsetandhisheartbroken，withouthisevenrealizingwhy.
ThenthegirlsatdownbesideLuc，andtheystartedtochat.
Jeanwasnotlookingatthem.Heunderstoodnowwhyhisfriendhadgoneouttwiceduringtheweek.Hefeltthepainandthestingwhichtreacheryanddeceitleaveintheirwake.
Lucandthegirlwenttogethertoattendtothecow.
Jeanfollowedthemwithhiseyes.Hesawthemdisappearsidebyside，theredtrousersofhisfriendmakingascarletspotagainstthewhiteroad.ItwasLucwhosankthestaketowhichthecowwastethered.Thegirlstoopeddowntomilkthecow，whileheabsent—mindedlystrokedtheanimal’sglossyneck.Thentheyleftthepailinthegrassanddisappearedinthewoods.
Jeancouldnolongerseeanythingbutthewallofleavesthroughwhichtheyhadpassed.Hewasunmannedsothathedidnothavestrengthtostand.Hestayedthere，motionless，bewilderedandgrieving—simple，passionategrief.Hewantedtoweep，torunaway，tohidesomewhere，nevertoseeanyoneagain.
Thenhesawthemcomingbackagain.Theywerewalkingslowly，handinhand，asvillageloversdo.Lucwascarryingthepail.
Afterkissinghimagain，thegirlwenton，noddingcarelesslytoJean.
Shedidnotofferhimanymilkthatday.
Thetwolittlesoldierssatsidebyside，motionlessasalways，silentandquiet，theircalmfacesinnowaybetrayingthetroubleintheirhearts.Thesunshonedownonthem.Fromtimetotimetheycouldheartheplaintivelowingofthecow.Attheusualtimetheyarosetoreturn.
Lucwaswhittlingastick.Jeancarriedtheemptybottle.Heleftitatthewinemerchant’sinBezons.Thentheystoppedonthebridge，astheydideverySunday，andwatchedthewaterflowingby.
Jeanleanedovertherailing，fartherandfarther，asthoughhehadseensomethinginthestreamwhichhypnotizedhim.Lucsaidtohim：
"What’sthematter？Doyouwantadrink？"
HehadhardlysaidthelastwordwhenJean’sheadcarriedawaytherestofhisbody，andthelittleblueandredsoldierfelllikeashotanddisappearedinthewater.
Luc，paralyzedwithhorror，triedvainlytoshoutforhelp.Inthedistancehesawsomethingmove;thenhisfriend’sheadbobbedupoutofthewateronlytodisappearagain.
Fartherdownheagainnoticedahand，justonehand，whichappearedandagainwentoutofsight.Thatwasall.
Theboatmenwhohadrushedtothescenefoundthebodythatday.
Lucranbacktothebarracks，crazed，andwitheyesandvoicefulloftears，herelatedtheaccident："Heleaned——he——hewasleaning——sofarover——thathisheadcarriedhimaway——and——he——fell——hefell————"
Emotionchokedhimsothathecouldsaynomore.Ifhehadonlyknown.
FATHERMILON
Foramonththehotsunhasbeenparchingthefields.Natureisexpandingbeneathitsrays;thefieldsaregreenasfarastheeyecansee.Thebigazuredomeoftheskyisunclouded.ThefarmsofNormandy，scatteredovertheplainsandsurroundedbyabeltoftallbeeches，look，fromadistance，likelittlewoods.Oncloserview，afterloweringtheworm—eatenwoodenbars，youimagineyourselfinanimmensegarden，foralltheancientapple—trees，asgnarledasthepeasantsthemselves，areinbloom.Thesweetscentoftheirblossomsmingleswiththeheavysmelloftheearthandthepenetratingodorofthestables.Itisnoon.Thefamilyiseatingundertheshadeofapeartreeplantedinfrontofthedoor;father，mother，thefourchildren，andthehelp——twowomenandthreemenareallthere.Allaresilent.Thesoupiseatenandthenadishofpotatoesfriedwithbaconisbroughton.
Fromtimetotimeoneofthewomengetsupandtakesapitcherdowntothecellartofetchmorecider.
Theman，abigfellowaboutfortyyearsold，iswatchingagrapevine，stillbare，whichiswindingandtwistinglikeasnakealongthesideofthehouse.
Atlasthesays："Father’svineisbuddingearlythisyear.Perhapswemaygetsomethingfromit."
Thewomanthenturnsroundandlooks，withoutsayingaword.
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