"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.