第4章

Thisvineisplantedonthespotwheretheirfatherhadbeenshot.

Itwasduringthewarof1870.ThePrussianswereoccupyingthewholecountry.GeneralFaidherbe，withtheNorthernDivisionofthearmy，wasopposingthem.

ThePrussianshadestablishedtheirheadquartersatthisfarm.Theoldfarmertowhomitbelonged，FatherPierreMilon，hadreceivedandquarteredthemtothebestofhisability.

ForamonththeGermanvanguardhadbeeninthisvillage.TheFrenchremainedmotionless，tenleaguesaway;andyet，everynight，someoftheUhlansdisappeared.

Ofalltheisolatedscouts，ofallthosewhoweresenttotheoutposts，ingroupsofnotmorethanthree，notoneeverreturned.

Theywerepickedupthenextmorninginafieldorinaditch.Eventheirhorseswerefoundalongtheroadswiththeirthroatscut.

Thesemurdersseemedtobedonebythesamemen，whocouldneverbefound.

Thecountrywasterrorized.Farmerswereshotonsuspicion，womenwereimprisoned;childrenwerefrightenedinordertotryandobtaininformation.Nothingcouldbeascertained.

But，onemorning，FatherMilonwasfoundstretchedoutinthebarn，withaswordgashacrosshisface.

TwoUhlanswerefounddeadaboutamileandahalffromthefarm.Oneofthemwasstillholdinghisbloodyswordinhishand.Hehadfought，triedtodefendhimself.Acourt—martialwasimmediatelyheldintheopenair，infrontofthefarm.Theoldmanwasbroughtbeforeit.

Hewassixty—eightyearsold，small，thin，bent，withtwobighandsresemblingtheclawsofacrab.Hiscolorlesshairwassparseandthin，likethedownofayoungduck，allowingpatchesofhisscalptobeseen.

Thebrownandwrinkledskinofhisneckshowedbigveinswhichdisappearedbehindhisjawsandcameoutagainatthetemples.Hehadthereputationofbeingmiserlyandhardtodealwith.

Theystoodhimupbetweenfoursoldiers，infrontofthekitchentable，whichhadbeendraggedoutside.Fiveofficersandthecolonelseatedthemselvesoppositehim.

ThecolonelspokeinFrench：

"FatherMilon，sincewehavebeenherewehaveonlyhadpraiseforyou.

Youhavealwaysbeenobligingandevenattentivetous.Butto—dayaterribleaccusationishangingoveryou，andyoumustclearthematterup.Howdidyoureceivethatwoundonyourface？"

Thepeasantanswerednothing.

Thecolonelcontinued：

"Yoursilenceaccusesyou，FatherMilon.ButIwantyoutoanswerme！

Doyouunderstand？DoyouknowwhokilledthetwoUhlanswhowerefoundthismorningnearCalvaire？"

Theoldmanansweredclearly"Idid."

Thecolonel，surprised，wassilentforaminute，lookingstraightattheprisoner.FatherMilonstoodimpassive，withthestupidlookofthepeasant，hiseyesloweredasthoughheweretalkingtothepriest.Justonethingbetrayedanuneasymind;hewascontinuallyswallowinghissaliva，withavisibleeffort，asthoughhisthroatwereterriblycontracted.

Theman’sfamily，hissonJean，hisdaughter—in—lawandhistwograndchildrenwerestandingafewfeetbehindhim，bewilderedandaffrighted.

Thecolonelwenton：

"Doyoualsoknowwhokilledallthescoutswhohavebeenfounddead，foramonth，throughoutthecountry，everymorning？"

Theoldmanansweredwiththesamestupidlook：

"Idid."

"Youkilledthemall？"

"Uhhuh！Idid."

"Youalone？Allalone？"

"Uhhuh！"

"Tellmehowyoudidit."

Thistimethemanseemedmoved;thenecessityfortalkinganylengthoftimeannoyedhimvisibly.Hestammered：

"Idunno！Isimplydidit."

Thecolonelcontinued：

"Iwarnyouthatyouwillhavetotellmeeverything.Youmightaswellmakeupyourmindrightaway.Howdidyoubegin？"

Themancastatroubledlooktowardhisfamily，standingclosebehindhim.Hehesitatedaminutelonger，andthensuddenlymadeuphismindtoobeytheorder.

"Iwascominghomeonenightataboutteno’clock，thenightafteryougothere.Youandyoursoldiershadtakenmorethanfiftyecusworthofforagefromme，aswellasacowandtwosheep.Isaidtomyself：’Asmuchastheytakefromyou;justsomuchwillyoumakethempayback.’

AndthenIhadotherthingsonmymindwhichIwilltellyou.JustthenInoticedoneofyoursoldierswhowassmokinghispipebytheditchbehindthebarn.Iwentandgotmyscytheandcreptupslowlybehindhim，sothathecouldn’thearme.AndIcuthisheadoffwithonesingleblow，justasIwouldabladeofgrass，beforehecouldsay’Booh！’Ifyoushouldlookatthebottomofthepond，youwillfindhimtiedupinapotato—sack，withastonefastenedtoit.

"Igotanidea.Itookallhisclothes，fromhisbootstohiscap，andhidthemawayinthelittlewoodbehindtheyard."

Theoldmanstopped.Theofficersremainedspeechless，lookingateachother.Thequestioningbeganagain，andthisiswhattheylearned.

Oncethismurdercommitted，themanhadlivedwiththisonethought：

"KillthePrussians！"Hehatedthemwiththeblind，fiercehateofthegreedyyetpatrioticpeasant.Hehadhisidea，ashesaid.Hewaitedseveraldays.

Hewasallowedtogoandcomeashepleased，becausehehadshownhimselfsohumble，submissiveandobligingtotheinvaders.Eachnighthesawtheoutpostsleave.Onenighthefollowedthem，havingheardthenameofthevillagetowhichthemenweregoing，andhavinglearnedthefewwordsofGermanwhichheneededforhisplanthroughassociatingwiththesoldiers.

Heleftthroughthebackyard，slippedintothewoods，foundthedeadman’sclothesandputthemon.Thenhebegantocrawlthroughthefields，followingalongthehedgesinordertokeepoutofsight，listeningtotheslightestnoises，aswaryasapoacher.

Assoonashethoughtthetimeripe，heapproachedtheroadandhidbehindabush.Hewaitedforawhile.Finally，towardmidnight，heheardthesoundofagallopinghorse.Themanputhiseartothegroundinordertomakesurethatonlyonehorsemanwasapproaching，thenhegotready.

AnUhlancamegallopingalong，carryingdespatches.Ashewent，hewasalleyesandears.Whenhewasonlyafewfeetaway，FatherMilondraggedhimselfacrosstheroad，moaning："Hilfe！Hilfe！"（Help！Help！）Thehorsemanstopped，andrecognizingaGerman，hethoughthewaswoundedanddismounted，comingnearerwithoutanysuspicion，andjustashewasleaningovertheunknownman，hereceived，inthepitofhisstomach，aheavythrustfromthelongcurvedbladeofthesabre.Hedroppedwithoutsufferingpain，quiveringonlyinthefinalthroes.Thenthefarmer，radiantwiththesilentjoyofanoldpeasant，gotupagain，and，forhisownpleasure，cutthedeadman’sthroat.Hethendraggedthebodytotheditchandthrewitin.

Thehorsequietlyawaiteditsmaster.FatherMilonmountedhimandstartedgallopingacrosstheplains.

AboutanhourlaterhenoticedtwomoreUhlanswhowerereturninghome，sidebyside.Herodestraightforthem，oncemorecrying"Hilfe！

Hilfe！"

ThePrussians，recognizingtheuniform，lethimapproachwithoutdistrust.Theoldmanpassedbetweenthemlikeacannon—ball，fellingthemboth，onewithhissabreandtheotherwitharevolver.

Thenhekilledthehorses，Germanhorses！Afterthathequicklyreturnedtothewoodsandhidoneofthehorses.Helefthisuniformthereandagainputonhisoldclothes;thengoingbackintobed，hesleptuntilmorning.

Forfourdayshedidnotgoout，waitingfortheinquesttobeterminated;butonthefifthdayhewentoutagainandkilledtwomoresoldiersbythesamestratagem.Fromthattimeonhedidnotstop.

Eachnighthewanderedaboutinsearchofadventure，killingPrussians，sometimeshereandsometimesthere，gallopingthroughdesertedfields，inthemoonlight，alostUhlan，ahunterofmen.Then，histaskaccomplished，leavingbehindhimthebodieslyingalongtheroads，theoldfarmerwouldreturnandhidehishorseanduniform.

Hewent，towardnoon，tocarryoatsandwaterquietlytohismount，andhefeditwellasherequiredfromitagreatamountofwork.

Butoneofthosewhomhehadattackedthenightbefore，indefendinghimselfslashedtheoldpeasantacrossthefacewithhissabre.

However，hehadkilledthemboth.Hehadcomebackandhiddenthehorseandputonhisordinaryclothesagain;butashereachedhomehebegantofeelfaint，andhaddraggedhimselfasfarasthestable，beingunabletoreachthehouse.

Theyhadfoundhimthere，bleeding，onthestraw.

Whenhehadfinishedhistale，hesuddenlylifteduphisheadandlookedproudlyatthePrussianofficers.

Thecolonel，whowasgnawingathismustache，asked：

"Youhavenothingelsetosay？"

"Nothingmore;Ihavefinishedmytask;Ikilledsixteen，notonemoreorless."

"Doyouknowthatyouaregoingtodie？"

"Ihaven’taskedformercy."

"Haveyoubeenasoldier？"

"Yes，Iservedmytime.Andthen，youhadkilledmyfather，whowasasoldierofthefirstEmperor.Andlastmonthyoukilledmyyoungestson，Francois，nearEvreux.Iowedyouoneforthat;Ipaid.Wearequits."

Theofficerswerelookingateachother.

Theoldmancontinued：

"Eightformyfather，eightfortheboy——wearequits.Ididnotseekanyquarrelwithyou.Idon’tknowyou.Idon’tevenknowwhereyoucomefrom.Andhereyouare，orderingmeaboutinmyhomeasthoughitwereyourown.Itookmyrevengeupontheothers.I’mnotsorry."

And，straighteninguphisbentback，theoldmanfoldedhisarmsintheattitudeofamodesthero.

ThePrussianstalkedinalowtoneforalongtime.Oneofthem，acaptain，whohadalsolosthissonthepreviousmonth，wasdefendingthepoorwretch.Thenthecolonelaroseand，approachingFatherMilon，saidinalowvoice：

"Listen，oldman，thereisperhapsawayofsavingyourlife，itisto——"

Butthemanwasnotlistening，and，hiseyesfixedonthehatedofficer，whilethewindplayedwiththedownyhaironhishead，hedistortedhisslashedface，givingitatrulyterribleexpression，and，swellingouthischest，hespat，ashardashecould，rightinthePrussian’sface.

Thecolonel，furious，raisedhishand，andforthesecondtimethemanspatinhisface.

Alltheofficershadjumpedupandwereshriekingordersatthesametime.

Inlessthanaminutetheoldman，stillimpassive，waspushedupagainstthewallandshot，lookingsmilinglythewhiletowardJean，hiseldestson，hisdaughter—in—lawandhistwograndchildren，whowitnessedthissceneindumbterror.

ACOUPD’ETAT

ParishadjustheardofthedisasteratSedan.Arepublichadbeendeclared.AllFrancewaswaveringonthebrinkofthismadnesswhichlasteduntilaftertheCommune.Fromoneendofthecountrytotheothereverybodywasplayingsoldier.

Cap—makersbecamecolonels，fulfillingthedutiesofgenerals;revolversandswordsweredisplayedaroundbig，peacefulstomachswrappedinflamingredbelts;littletradesmenbecamewarriorscommandingbattalionsofbrawlingvolunteers，andswearinglikepiratesinordertogivethemselvessomeprestige.

Thesolefactofhandlingfirearmscrazedthesepeople，whouptothattimehadonlyhandledscales，andmadethem，withoutanyreason，dangeroustoall.Innocentpeoplewereshottoprovethattheyknewhowtokill;inforestswhichhadneverseenaPrussian，straydogs，grazingcowsandbrowsinghorseswerekilled.

Eachonethoughthimselfcalledupontoplayagreatpartinmilitaryaffairs.Thecafesofthesmallestvillages，fullofuniformedtradesmen，lookedlikebarracksorhospitals.

ThetownofCannevillewasstillinignoranceofthemaddeningnewsfromthearmyandthecapital;nevertheless，greatexcitementhadprevailedforthelastmonth，theopposingpartiesfindingthemselvesfacetoface.

Themayor，ViscountdeVarnetot，athin，littleoldman，aconservative，whohadrecently，fromambition，goneovertotheEmpire，hadseenadeterminedopponentariseinDr.Massarel，abig，full—bloodedman，leaderoftheRepublicanpartyoftheneighborhood，ahighofficialinthelocalmasoniclodge，presidentoftheAgriculturalSocietyandofthefiremen’sbanquetandtheorganizeroftheruralmilitiawhichwastosavethecountry.

Intwoweeks，hehadmanagedtogathertogethersixty—threevolunteers，fathersoffamilies，prudentfarmersandtownmerchants，andeverymorninghewoulddrilltheminthesquareinfrontofthetown—hall.

When，perchance，themayorwouldcometothemunicipalbuilding，CommanderMassarel，girtwithpistols，wouldpassproudlyinfrontofhistroop，hisswordinhishand，andmakeallofthemcry："LonglivetheFatherland！"Andithadbeennoticedthatthiscryexcitedthelittleviscount，whoprobablysawinitamenace，athreat，aswellastheodiousmemoryofthegreatRevolution.

OnthemorningofthefifthofSeptember，thedoctor，infulluniform，hisrevolveronthetable，wasgivingaconsultationtoanoldcouple，afarmerwhohadbeensufferingfromvaricoseveinsforthelastsevenyearsandhadwaiteduntilhiswifehadthemalso，beforehewouldconsultthedoctor，whenthepostmanbroughtinthepaper.

M.Massarelopenedit，grewpale，suddenlyrose，andliftinghishandstoheaveninagestureofexaltation，begantoshoutatthetopofhisvoicebeforethetwofrightenedcountryfolks：

"LonglivetheRepublic！longlivetheRepublic！longlivetheRepublic！"

Thenhefellbackinhischair，weakfromemotion.

Andasthepeasantresumed："Itstartedwiththeants，whichbegantorunupanddownmylegs———"Dr.Massarelexclaimed：

"Shutup！Ihaven’tgottimetobotherwithyournonsense.TheRepublichasbeenproclaimed，theemperorhasbeentakenprisoner，Franceissaved！LonglivetheRepublic！"

Runningtothedoor，hehowled：

Celeste，quick，Celeste！"

Theservant，affrighted，hastenedin;hewastryingtotalksorapidly，thathecouldonlystammer：

"Myboots，mysword，mycartridge—boxandtheSpanishdaggerwhichisonmynight—table！Hasten！"

Asthepersistentpeasant，takingadvantageofamoment’ssilence，continued，"IseemedtogetbiglumpswhichhurtmewhenIwalk，"thephysician，exasperated，roared：

"Shutupandgetout！Ifyouhadwashedyourfeetitwouldnothavehappened！"

Then，grabbinghimbythecollar，heyelledathim：

"Can’tyouunderstandthatwearearepublic，youbrass—platedidiot！"

Butprofessionalsentimentsooncalmedhim，andhepushedthebewilderedcoupleout，saying：

"Comebackto—morrow，comebackto—morrow，myfriends.Ihaven’tanytimeto—day."

Asheequippedhimselffromheadtofoot，hegaveaseriesofimportantorderstohisservant：

"RunovertoLieutenantPicartandtoSecondLieutenantPommel，andtellthemthatIamexpectingthemhereimmediately.AlsosendmeTorchebeufwithhisdrum.Quick！quick！"

WhenCelestehadgoneout，hesatdownandthoughtoverthesituationandthedifficultieswhichhewouldhavetosurmount.

Thethreemenarrivedtogetherintheirworkingclothes.Thecommandant，whoexpectedtoseetheminuniform，feltalittleshocked.

"Don’tyoupeopleknowanything？Theemperorhasbeentakenprisoner，theRepublichasbeenproclaimed.Wemustact.Mypositionisdelicate，Imightevensaydangerous."

Hereflectedforafewmomentsbeforehisbewilderedsubordinates，thenhecontinued：

"Wemustactandnothesitate;minutescountashoursintimeslikethese.Alldependsonthepromptnessofourdecision.You，Picart，gotothecureandorderhimtoringthealarm—bell，inordertogettogetherthepeople，towhomIamgoingtoannouncethenews.You，TorchebeufbeatthetattoothroughoutthewholeneighborhoodasfarasthehamletsofGerisaieandSalmare，inordertoassemblethemilitiainthepublicsquare.You，Pommel，getyouruniformonquickly，justthecoatandcap.Wearegoingtothetown—halltodemandMonsieurdeVarnetottosurrenderhispowerstome.Doyouunderstand？

Yes."

"Nowcarryoutthoseordersquickly.Iwillgoovertoyourhousewithyou，Pommel，sinceweshallacttogether."

Fiveminuteslater，thecommandantandhissubordinates，armedtotheteeth，appearedonthesquare，justasthelittleViscountdeVarnetot，hislegsencasedingaitersasforahuntingparty，hisgunonhisshoulder，wascomingdowntheotherstreetatdouble—quicktime，followedbyhisthreegreen—coatedguards，theirswordsattheirsidesandtheirgunsswungovertheirshoulders.

Whilethedoctorstopped，bewildered，thefourmenenteredthetown—hallandclosedthedoorbehindthem.

"Theyhaveoutstrippedus，"mutteredthephysician，"wemustnowwaitforreenforcements.Thereisnothingtodoforthepresent."

LieutenantPicartnowappearedonthescene.

"Thepriestrefusestoobey，"hesaid."Hehasevenlockedhimselfinthechurchwiththesextonandbeadle."

Ontheothersideofthesquare，oppositethewhite，tightlyclosedtown—

hall，stoodthechurch，silentanddark，withitsmassiveoakdoorstuddedwithiron.

Butjustastheperplexedinhabitantswerestickingtheirheadsoutofthewindowsorcomingoutontheirdoorsteps，thedrumsuddenlybegantobeheard，andTorchebeufappeared，furiouslybeatingthetattoo.Hecrossedthesquarerunning，anddisappearedalongtheroadleadingtothefields.

Thecommandantdrewhissword，andadvancedalonetohalfwaybetweenthetwobuildingsbehindwhichtheenemyhadintrencheditself，and，wavinghisswordoverhishead，heroaredwithallhismight：

"LonglivetheRepublic！Deathtotraitors！"

Thenhereturnedtohisofficers.

Thebutcher，thebakerandthedruggist，muchdisturbed，wereanxiouslypullingdowntheirshadesandclosingtheirshops.Thegroceralonekeptopen.

However，themilitiawerearrivingbydegrees，eachmaninadifferentuniform，butallwearingablackcapwithgoldbraid，thecapbeingtheprincipalpartoftheoutfit.Theywerearmedwitholdrustyguns，theoldgunswhichhadhungforthirtyyearsonthekitchenwall;andtheylookedagooddeallikeanarmyoftramps.

Whenhehadaboutthirtymenabouthim，thecommandant，inafewwords，outlinedthesituationtothem.Then，turningtohisstaff："Letusact，"hesaid.

Thevillagersweregatheringtogetherandtalkingthematterover.

Thedoctorquicklydecidedonaplanofcampaign.

"LieutenantPicart，youwilladvanceunderthewindowsofthistown—hallandsummonMonsieurdeVarnetot，inthenameoftheRepublic，tohandthekeysovertome."

Butthelieutenant，amastermason，refused：

"You’resmart，youare.Idon’tcaretogetkilled，thankyou.Thosepeopleinthereshootstraight，don’tyouforgetit.Doyourerrandsyourself."

Thecommandantgrewveryred.

"Icommandyoutogointhenameofdiscipline！"

Thelieutenantrebelled：

"I’mnotgoingtohavemybeautyspoiledwithoutknowingwhy."

Allthenotables，gatheredinagroupnearby，begantolaugh.Oneofthemcried：

"Youareright，Picart，thisisn’ttherighttime."

Thedoctorthenmuttered：

"Cowards！"

And，leavinghisswordandhisrevolverinthehandsofasoldier，headvancedslowly，hiseyefastenedonthewindows，expectinganyminutetoseeaguntrainedonhim.

Whenhewaswithinafewfeetofthebuilding，thedoorsatbothends，leadingintothetwoschools，openedandafloodofchildrenranout，.

boysfromoneside，girlsfromtheether，andbegantoplayaroundthedoctor，inthebigemptysquare，screechingandscreaming，andmakingsomuchnoisethathecouldnotmakehimselfheard.

Assoonasthelastchildwasoutofthebuilding，thetwodoorsclosedagain.

Mostoftheyoungstersfinallydispersed，andthecommandantcalledinaloudvoice：

"MonsieurdeVarnetot！"

AwindowonthefirstflooropenedandM.deVarnetotappeared.

Thecommandantcontinued：

"Monsieur，youknowthatgreateventshavejusttakenplacewhichhavechangedtheentireaspectofthegovernment.Theonewhichyourepresentednolongerexists.TheonewhichIrepresentistakingcontrol.Underthesepainful，butdecisivecircumstances，Icome，inthenameofthenewRepublic，toaskyoutoturnovertometheofficewhichyouheldundertheformergovernment."

M.deVarnetotanswered：

"Doctor，IamthemayorofCanneville，dulyappointed，andIshallremainmayorofCannevilleuntilIhavebeendismissedbyadecreefrommysuperiors.Asmayor，Iaminmyplaceinthetownhall，andhereIstay.

Anyhow，justtrytogetmeout."

Heclosedthewindow.

Thecommandantreturnedtohistroop.Butbeforegivinganyinformation，eyeingLieutenantPicartfromheadtofoot，heexclaimed：

"You’reagreatone，youare！You’reafinespecimenofmanhood！You’readisgracetothearmy！Idegradeyou."

"Idon’tgivea————！"

Heturnedawayandmingledwithagroupoftownspeople.

Thenthedoctorhesitated.Whatcouldhedo？Attack？Butwouldhismenobeyorders？Andthen，didhehavetherighttodoso？

Anideastruckhim.Herantothetelegraphoffice，oppositethetown—

hall，andsentoffthreetelegrams：

TothenewrepublicangovernmentinParis.

TothenewprefectoftheSeine—Inferieure，atRouen.

Tothenewrepublicansub—prefectatDieppe.

Heexplainedthesituation，pointedoutthedangerwhichthetownwouldrunifitshouldremaininthehandsoftheroyalistmayor;offeredhisfaithfulservices，askedforordersandsigned，puttingallhistitlesafterhisname.

Thenhereturnedtohisbattalion，and，drawingtenfrancsfromhispocket，hecried："Here，myfriends，goeatanddrink;onlyleavemeadetachmentoftenmentoguardagainstanybody’sleavingthetown—hall."

Butex—LieutenantPicart，whohadbeentalkingwiththewatchmaker，heardhim;hebegantolaugh，andexclaimed："ByJove，iftheycomeout，it’llgiveyouachancetogetin.OtherwiseIcanseeyoustandingouttherefortherestofyourlife！"

Thedoctordidnotreply，andhewenttoluncheon.

Intheafternoon，hedisposedhismenaboutthetownasthoughtheywereinimmediatedangerofanambush.

Severaltimeshepassedinfrontofthetown—hallandofthechurchwithoutnoticinganythingsuspicious;thetwobuildingslookedasthoughempty.

Thebutcher，thebakerandthedruggistoncemoreopeneduptheirstores.

Everybodywastalkingabouttheaffair.Iftheemperorwereaprisoner，theremusthavebeensomekindoftreason.Theydidnotknowexactlywhichoftherepublicshadreturnedtopower.

Nightfell.

Towardnineo’clock，thedoctor，alone，noiselesslyapproachedtheentranceofthepublicbuilding，persuadedthattheenemymusthavegonetobed;and，ashewaspreparingtobatterdownthedoorwithapick—axe，thedeepvoiceofasentrysuddenlycalled：

"Whogoesthere？"

AndM.Massarelretreatedasfastashislegscouldcarryhim.

Daybrokewithoutanychangeinthesituation.

Armedmilitiaoccupiedthesquare.Allthecitizenshadgatheredaroundthistroopawaitingdevelopments.Evenneighboringvillagershadcometolookon.

Thenthedoctor，seeingthathisreputationwasatstake，resolvedtoputanendtothematterinonewayoranother;andhewasabouttotakesomemeasures，undoubtedlyenergeticones，whenthedoorofthetelegraphstationopenedandthelittleservantofthepostmistressappeared，holdinginherhandstwopapers.

Firstshewenttothecommandantandgavehimoneofthedespatches;thenshecrossedtheemptysquare，confusedatseeingtheeyesofeveryoneonher，andloweringherheadandrunningalongwithlittlequicksteps，shewentandknockedsoftlyatthedoorofthebarricadedhouse，asthoughignorantofthefactthatthosebehinditwerearmed.

Thedooropenedwideenoughtoletaman’shandreachoutandreceivethemessage;andtheyounggirlreturnedblushing，readytocryatbeingthusstaredatbythewholecountryside.

Inaclearvoice，thedoctorcried：

"Silence，ifyouplease."

Whenthepopulacehadquieteddown，hecontinuedproudly：

"HereisthecommunicationwhichIhavereceivedfromthegovernment."

Andliftingthetelegramheread：

Formermayordismissed.Informhimimmediately，Moreordersfollowing.

Forthesub—prefect：

SAPIN，Councillor.

Hewas—triumphant;hisheartwasthrobbingwithjoyandhishandsweretrembling;butPicart，hisformersubordinate，criedtohimfromaneighboringgroup：

"That’sallright;butsupposingtheothersdon’tcomeout，whatgoodisthetelegramgoingtodoyou？"

M.Massarelgrewpale.Hehadnotthoughtofthat;iftheothersdidnotcomeout，hewouldnowhavetotakesomedecisivestep.Itwasnotonlyhisright，buthisduty.

Helookedanxiouslyatthetown—hall，hopingtoseethedooropenandhisadversarygivein.

Thedoorremainedclosed.Whatcouldhedo？Thecrowdwasgrowingandclosingaroundthemilitia.Theywerelaughing.

Onethoughtespeciallytorturedthedoctor.Ifheattacked，hewouldhavetomarchattheheadofhismen;andas，withhimdead，allstrifewouldcease，itwasathimandhimonlythatM.deVarnetotandhisthreeguardswouldaim.Andtheyweregoodshots，verygoodshots，asPicarthadjustsaid.Butanideastruckhimand，turningtoPommel，heordered：

"Runquicklytothedruggistandaskhimtolendmeatowelandastick."

Thelieutenanthastened.

Hewouldmakeaflagoftruce，awhiteflag，atthesightofwhichtheroyalistheartofthemayorwouldperhapsrejoice.

Pommelreturnedwiththeclothandabroom—stick.Withsometwinetheycompletedtheflag，andM.Massarel，graspingitinbothhandsandholdingitinfrontofhim，againadvancedinthedirectionofthetown—

hall.Whenhewasoppositethedoor，heoncemorecalled："MonsieurdeVarnetot！"ThedoorsuddenlyopenedandM.deVarnetotandhisthreeguardsappearedonthethreshold.

Instinctivelythedoctorsteppedback;thenhebowedcourteouslytohisenemy，and，chokingwithemotion，heannounced："Ihavecome，monsieur，tomakeyouacquaintedwiththeorderswhichIhavereceived."

Thenobleman，withoutreturningthebow，answered："Iresign，monsieur，butunderstandthatitisneitherthroughfearof，norobedienceto，theodiousgovernmentwhichhasusurpedthepower."And，emphasizingeveryword，hedeclared："Idonotwishtoappear，forasingleday，toservetheRepublic.That’sall."

Massarel，stunned，answerednothing;andM.deVarnetot，walkingquickly，disappearedaroundthecornerofthesquare，stillfollowedbyhisescort.

Thedoctor，puffedupwithpride，returnedtothecrowd.Assoonashewasnearenoughtomakehimselfheard，hecried："Hurrah！hurrah！

VictorycrownstheRepubliceverywhere."

Therewasnooutburstofjoy.

Thedoctorcontinued："Wearefree，youarefree，independent！Beproud！"

Themotionlessvillagerswerelookingathimwithoutanysignsoftriumphshiningintheireyes.

Helookedatthem，indignantattheirindifference，thinkingofwhathecouldsayordoinordertomakeanimpressiontoelectrifythiscalmpeasantry，tofulfillhismissionasaleader.

Hehadaninspirationand，turningtoPommel，heordered："Lieutenant，gogetmethebustoftheex—emperorwhichisinthemeetingroomofthemunicipalcouncil，andbringitherewithachair."

Themanpresentlyreappeared，carryingonhisrightshouldertheplasterBonaparte，andholdinginhislefthandacane—seatedchair.

M.Massarelwenttowardshim，tookthechair，placedthewhitebustonit，thensteppingbackafewsteps，headdresseditinaloudvoice：

"Tyrant，tyrant，youhavefallendowninthemud.Thedyingfatherlandwasinitsdeaththroesunderyouroppression.VengefulDestinyhasstruckyou.Defeatandshamehavepursuedyou;youfallconquered，aprisonerofthePrussians;andfromtheruinsofyourcrumblingempire，theyoungandgloriousRepublicarises，liftingfromthegroundyourbrokensword————"

Hewaitedforapplause.Notasoundgreetedhislisteningear.Thepeasants，nonplussed，keptsilent;andthewhite，placid，well—groomedstatueseemedtolookatM.Massarelwithitsplastersmile，ineffaceableandsarcastic.

Thustheystood，facetoface，Napoleononhischair，thephysicianstandingthreefeetaway.Angerseizedthecommandant.Whatcouldhedotomovethiscrowdanddefinitelytowinoverpublicopinion？

Hehappenedtocarryhishandtohisstomach，andhefelt，underhisredbelt，thebuttofhisrevolver.

Notanotherinspiration，notanotherwordcanetohismind.Then，hedrewhisweapon，steppedbackafewstepsandshottheformermonarch.

Thebulletmadealittleblackhole：，likeaspot，inhisforehead.Nosensationwascreated.M.Massarelshotasecondtimeandmadeasecondhole，thenathirdtime，then，withoutstopping，heshotoffthethreeremainingshots.Napoleon’sforeheadwasblownawayinawhitepowder，buthiseyes，noseandpointedmustacheremainedintact.

Theninexasperation，thedoctorkickedthechairover，andplacingonefootonwhatremainedofthebustinthepositionofaconqueror，heturnedtotheamazedpublicandyelled："Thusmayalltraitorsdie！"

Asnoenthusiasmwas，asyet，visible，thespectatorsappearingtobedumbwithastonishment，thecommandantcriedtothemilitia："Youmaygohomenow."Andhehimselfwalkedrapidly，almostran，towardshishouse.

Assoonasheappeared，theservanttoldhimthatsomepatientshadbeenwaitinginhisofficeforoverthreehours.Hehastenedin.Theywerethesametwopeasantsasafewdaysbefore，whohadreturnedatdaybreak，obstinateandpatient.

Theoldmanimmediatelybeganhisexplanation：

"Itbeganwithants，whichseemedtobecrawlingupanddownmylegs————"

LIEUTENANTLARE’SMARRIAGE

SincethebeginningofthecampaignLieutenantLarehadtakentwocannonfromthePrussians.Hisgeneralhadsaid："Thankyou，lieutenant，"andhadgivenhimthecrossofhonor.

Ashewasascautiousashewasbrave，wary，inventive，wilyandresourceful，hewasentrustedwithahundredsoldiersandheorganizedacompanyofscoutswhosavedthearmyonseveraloccasionsduringaretreat.

Buttheinvadingarmyenteredbyeveryfrontierlikeasurgingsea.

Greatwavesofmenarrivedoneaftertheother，scatteringallaroundthemascumoffreebooters.GeneralCarrel’sbrigade，separatedfromitsdivision，retreatedcontinually，fightingeachday，butremainingalmostintact，thankstothevigilanceandagilityofLieutenantLare，whoseemedtobeeverywhereatthesamemoment，bafflingalltheenemy’scunning，frustratingtheirplans，misleadingtheirUhlansandkillingtheirvanguards.

Onemorningthegeneralsentforhim.

"Lieutenant，"saidhe，"hereisadispatchfromGeneraldeLacere，whowillbedestroyedifwedonotgotohisaidbysunriseto—morrow.HeisatBlainville，eightleaguesfromhere.Youwillstartatnightfallwiththreehundredmen，whomyouwillechelonalongtheroad.Iwillfollowyoutwohourslater.Studytheroadcarefully;Ifearwemaymeetadivisionoftheenemy."

Ithadbeenfreezinghardforaweek.Attwoo’clockitbegantosnow，andbynightthegroundwascoveredandheavywhiteswirlsconcealedobjectshardby.

Atsixo’clockthedetachmentsetout.

Twomenwalkedaloneasscoutsaboutthreeyardsahead.Thencameaplatoonoftenmencommandedbythelieutenanthimself.Therestfollowedthemintwolongcolumns.Totherightandleftofthelittleband，atadistanceofaboutthreehundredfeetoneitherside，somesoldiersmarchedinpairs.

Thesnow，，whichwasstillfalling，coveredthemwithawhitepowderinthedarkness，andasitdidnotmeltontheiruniforms，theywerehardlydistinguishableinthenightamidthedeadwhitenessofthelandscape.

Fromtimetotimetheyhalted.Oneheardnothingbutthatindescribable，namelessflutteroffallingsnow——asensationratherthanasound，avague，ominousmurmur.Acommandwasgiveninalowtoneandwhenthetroopresumeditsmarchitleftinitswakeasortofwhitephantomstandinginthesnow.Itgraduallygrewfainterandfinallydisappeared.

Itwastheechelonswhoweretoleadthearmy.

Thescoutsslackenedtheirpace.Somethingwasaheadofthem.

"Turntotheright，"saidthelieutenant;"itistheRonfiwood;thechateauismoretotheleft."

Presentlythecommand"Halt"waspassedalong.Thedetachmentstoppedandwaitedforthelieutenant，who，accompaniedbyonlytenmen，hadundertakenareconnoiteringexpeditiontothechateau.

Theyadvanced，creepingunderthetrees.Suddenlytheyallremainedmotionless.Aroundthemwasadeadsilence.Then，quitenearthem，alittleclear，musicalyoungvoicewasheardamidthestillnessofthewood.

"Father，weshallgetlostinthesnow.WeshallneverreachBlainville."

Adeepervoicereplied：

"Neverfear，littledaughter;IknowthecountryaswellasIknowmypocket."

Thelieutenantsaidafewwordsandfourmenmovedawaysilently，likeshadows.

Allatonceawoman’sshrillcrywasheardthroughthedarkness.Twoprisonerswerebroughtback，anoldmanandayounggirl.Thelieutenantquestionedthem，stillinalowtone：

"Yourname？"

"PierreBernard."

"Yourprofession？"

"ButlertoComtedeRonfi."

"Isthisyourdaughter？"

’Yes！’

"Whatdoesshedo？"

"Sheislaundressatthechateau."

"Whereareyougoing？"

"Wearemakingourescape."

"Why？"

"TwelveUhlanspassedbythisevening.Theyshotthreekeepersandhangedthegardener.Iwasalarmedonaccountofthelittleone."

"Whitherareyoubound？"

"ToBlainville."

"Why？"

"BecausethereisaFrencharmythere."

"Doyouknowtheway？"

"Perfectly."

"Wellthen，followus."

Theyrejoinedthecolumnandresumedtheirmarchacrosscountry.Theoldmanwalkedinsilencebesidethelieutenant，hisdaughterwalkingathisside.Allatonceshestopped.

"Father，"shesaid，"IamsotiredIcannotgoanyfarther."

Andshesatdown.Shewasshakingwithcoldandseemedabouttoloseconsciousness.Herfatherwantedtocarryher，buthewastoooldandtooweak.

"Lieutenant，"saidhe，sobbing，"weshallonlyimpedeyourmarch.Francebeforeall.Leaveushere."

Theofficerhadgivenacommand.Somemenhadstartedoff.Theycamebackwithbranchestheyhadcut，andinaminutealitterwasready.Thewholedetachmenthadjoinedthembythistime.

"Hereisawomandyingofcold，"saidthelieutenant."Whowillgivehiscapetocoverher？"

Twohundredcapesweretakenoff.Theyounggirlwaswrappedupinthesewarmsoldiers’capes，gentlylaidinthelitter，andthenfour’hardyshouldersliftedherup，andlikeanEasternqueenbornebyherslavesshewasplacedinthecenterofthedetachmentofsoldiers，whoresumedtheirmarchwithmoreenergy，morecourage，morecheerfulness，animatedbythepresenceofawoman，thatsovereigninspirationthathasstirredtheoldFrenchbloodtosomanydeedsofvalor.

Attheendofanhourtheyhaltedagainandeveryonelaydowninthesnow.Overyonderonthelevelcountryabig，darkshadowwasmoving.

Itlookedlikesomeweirdmonsterstretchingitselfoutlikeaserpent，thensuddenlycoilingitselfintoamass，dartingforthagain，thenback，andthenforwardagainwithoutceasing.Somewhisperedorderswerepassedaroundamongthesoldiers，andanoccasionallittle，dry，metallicclickwasheard.Themovingobjectsuddenlycamenearer，andtwelveUhlanswereseenapproachingatagallop，onebehindtheother，havinglosttheirwayinthedarkness.Abrilliantflashsuddenlyrevealedtothemtwohundredmetelyingonthegroundbeforethem.Arapidfirewasheard，whichdiedawayinthesnowysilence，andallthetwelvefelltotheground，theirhorseswiththem.

Afteralongrestthemarchwasresumed.Theoldmanwhomtheyhadcapturedactedasguide.

Presentlyavoicefaroffinthedistancecriedout："Whogoesthere？"

Anothervoicenearerbygavethecountersign.

Theymadeanotherhalt;someconferencestookplace.Ithadstoppedsnowing.Acoldwindwasdrivingtheclouds，andinnumerablestarsweresparklingintheskybehindthem，graduallypalingintherosylightofdawn.

Astaffofficercameforwardtoreceivethedetachment.Butwhenheaskedwhowasbeingcarriedinthelitter，theformstirred;twolittlehandsmovedasidethebigbluearmycapesand，rosyasthedawn，withtwoeyesthatwerebrighterthanthestarsthathadjustfadedfromsight，andasmileasradiantasthemorn，adaintyfaceappeared.

"ItisI，monsieur."

Thesoldiers，wildwithdelight，clappedtheirhandsandboretheyounggirlintriumphintothemidstofthecamp，thatwasjustgettingtoarms.PresentlyGeneralCarrelarrivedonthescene.Atnineo’clockthePrussiansmadeanattack.Theybeataretreatatnoon.

Thatevening，asLieutenantLare，overcomebyfatigue，wassleepingonabundleofstraw，hewassentforbythegeneral.Hefoundthecommandingofficerinhistent，chattingwiththeoldmanwhomtheyhadcomeacrossduringthenight.Assoonasheenteredthetentthegeneraltookhishand，andaddressingthestranger，said：

"Mydearcomte，thisistheyoungmanofwhomyouweretellingmejustnow;heisoneofmybestofficers."

Hesmiled，loweredhistone，andadded：

"Thebest."

Then，turningtotheastonishedlieutenant，hepresented"ComtedeRonfi—

Quedissac."

Theoldmantookbothhishands，saying：

"Mydearlieutenant，youhavesavedmydaughter’slife.Ihaveonlyonewayofthankingyou.Youmaycomeinafewmonthstotellme——ifyoulikeher."

Oneyearlater，ontheverysameday，CaptainLareandMissLouise—

Hortense—GenevievedeRonfi—QuedissacweremarriedinthechurchofSt.

ThomasAquinas.

Shebroughtadowryofsixthousandfrancs，andwassaidtobetheprettiestbridethathadbeenseenthatyear.

THEHORRIBLE

Theshadowsofabalmynightwereslowlyfalling.Thewomenremainedinthedrawing—roomofthevilla.Themen，seated，orastrideofgardenchairs，weresmokingoutsidethedoorofthehouse，aroundatableladenwithcupsandliqueurglasses.

Theirlightedcigarsshonelikeeyesinthedarkness，whichwasgraduallybecomingmoredense.Theyhadbeentalkingaboutafrightfulaccidentwhichhadoccurredthenightbefore——twomenandthreewomendrownedintheriverbeforetheeyesoftheguests.

GeneraldeG————remarked：

"Yes，thesethingsareaffecting，buttheyarenothorrible.

"Horrible，thatwell—knownword，meansmuchmorethanterrible.

Afrightfulaccidentlikethisaffects，upsets，terrifies;itdoesnothorrify.Inorderthatweshouldexperiencehorror，somethingmoreisneededthanemotion，somethingmorethanthespectacleofadreadfuldeath;theremustbeashudderingsenseofmystery，orasensationofabnormalterror，morethannatural.Amanwhodies，evenunderthemosttragiccircumstances，doesnotexcitehorror;afieldofbattleisnothorrible;bloodisnothorrible;thevilestcrimesarerarelyhorrible.

"Herearetwopersonalexampleswhichhaveshownmewhatisthemeaningofhorror.

"Itwasduringthewarof1870.WewereretreatingtowardPont—Audemer，afterhavingpassedthroughRouen.Thearmy，consistingofabouttwentythousandmen，twentythousandroutedmen，disbanded，demoralized，exhausted，weregoingtodisbandatHavre.

"Theearthwascoveredwithsnow.Thenightwasfalling.Theyhadnoteatenanythingsincethedaybefore.Theywerefleeingrapidly，thePrussiansnotbeingfaroff.

"AlltheNormancountry，sombre，dottedwiththeshadowsofthetreessurroundingthefarms，stretchedoutbeneathablack，heavy，threateningsky.

"Nothingelsecouldbeheardinthewantwilightbuttheconfusedsound，undefinedthoughrapid，ofamarchingthrong，anendlesstramping，mingledwiththevagueclinkoftinbowlsorswords.Themen，bent，round—shouldered，dirty，inmanycaseseveninrags，draggedthemselvesalong，hurriedthroughthesnow，withalong，broken—backedstride.

"Theskinoftheirhandsfrozetothebuttendsoftheirmuskets，foritwasfreezinghardthatnight.Ifrequentlysawalittlesoldiertakeoffhisshoesinordertowalkbarefoot，ashisshoeshurthiswearyfeet;

andateverystepheleftatrackofblood.Then，aftersometime，hewouldsitdowninafieldforafewminutes’rest，andhenevergotupagain.Everymanwhosatdownwasadeadman.

"Shouldwehaveleftbehindusthosepoor，exhaustedsoldiers，whofondlycountedonbeingabletostartafreshassoonastheyhadsomewhatrefreshedtheirstiffenedlegs？Butscarcelyhadtheyceasedtomove，andtomaketheiralmostfrozenbloodcirculateintheirveins，thananunconquerabletorporcongealedthem，nailedthemtotheground，closedtheireyes，andparalyzedinonesecondthisoverworkedhumanmechanism.

Andtheygraduallysankdown，theirforeheadsontheirknees，without，however，fallingover，fortheirloinsandtheirlimbsbecameashardandimmovableaswood，impossibletobendortostandupright.

’Andtherestofus，morerobust，keptstragglingon，chilledtothemarrow，advancingbyakindofinertiathroughthenight，throughthesnow，throughthatcoldanddeadlycountry，crushedbypain，bydefeat，bydespair，aboveallovercomebytheabominablesensationofabandonment，oftheend，ofdeath，ofnothingness.

"Isawtwogendarmesholdingbythearmacurious—lookinglittleman，old，beardless，oftrulysurprisingaspect.

"Theywerelookingforanofficer，believingthattheyhadcaughtaspy.

Theword’spy’atoncespreadthroughthemidstofthestragglers，andtheygatheredinagrouproundtheprisoner.Avoiceexclaimed：’Hemustbeshot！’Andallthesesoldierswhowerefallingfromutterprostration，onlyholdingthemselvesontheirfeetbyleaningontheirguns，feltallofasuddenthatthrilloffuriousandbestialangerwhichurgesonamobtomassacre.

"Iwantedtospeak.Iwasatthattimeincommandofabattalion;buttheynolongerrecognizedtheauthorityoftheircommandingofficers;

theywouldevenhaveshotme.

"Oneofthegendarmessaid：’Hehasbeenfollowingusforthethreelastdays.Hehasbeenaskinginformationfromeveryoneabouttheartillery.’

Itookitonmyselftoquestionthisperson.

"Whatareyoudoing？Whatdoyouwant？Whyareyouaccompanyingthearmy？"

"Hestammeredoutsomewordsinsomeunintelligibledialect.Hewas，indeed，astrangebeing，withnarrowshoulders，aslylook，andsuchanagitatedairinmypresencethatIreallynolongerdoubtedthathewasaspy.Heseemedveryagedandfeeble.Hekeptlookingatmefromunderhiseyeswithahumble，stupid，craftyair.

"Themenallroundusexclaimed.

"’Tothewall！Tothewall！’

"Isaidtothegendarmes：

"’Willyouberesponsiblefortheprisoner？’

"Ihadnotceasedspeakingwhenaterribleshovethrewmeonmyback，andinasecondIsawthemanseizedbythefurioussoldiers，throwndown，struck，draggedalongthesideoftheroad，andflungagainstatree.Hefellinthesnow，nearlydeadalready.

"Andimmediatelytheyshothim.Thesoldiersfiredathim，reloadedtheirguns，firedagainwiththedesperateenergyofbrutes.Theyfoughtwitheachothertohaveashotathim，filedoffinfrontofthecorpse，andkeptonfiringathim，aspeopleatafuneralkeepsprinklingholywaterinfrontofacoffin.

"Butsuddenlyacryaroseof’ThePrussians！thePrussians！’

"AndallalongthehorizonIheardthegreatnoiseofthispanic—strickenarmyinfullflight.

"Apanic，theresultoftheseshotsfiredatthisvagabond，hadfilledhisveryexecutionerswithterror;and，withoutrealizingthattheywerethemselvestheoriginatorsofthescare，theyfledanddisappearedinthedarkness.

"Iremainedalonewiththecorpse，exceptforthetwogendarmeswhosedutycompelledthemtostaywithme.

"Theylifteduptheriddledmassofbruisedandbleedingflesh.

"’Hemustbesearched，’Isaid.AndIhandedthemaboxoftapermatcheswhichIhadinmypocket.Oneofthesoldiershadanotherbox.Iwasstandingbetweenthetwo.

"Thegendarmewhowasexaminingthebodyannounced：

"’Clothedinablueblouse，awhiteshirt，trousers，andapairofshoes.’

"Thefirstmatchwentout;welightedasecond.Themancontinued，asheturnedouthispockets：

"’Ahorn—handledpocketknife，checkhandkerchief，asnuffbox，abitofpackthread，apieceofbread.’

"Thesecondmatchwentout;welightedathird.Thegendarme，afterhavingfeltthecorpseforalongtime，said：

"’Thatisall.’

"Isaid：

"’Striphim.Weshallperhapsfindsomethingnexthisskin."

"Andinorderthatthetwosoldiersmighthelpeachotherinthistask，I

stoodbetweenthemtoholdthelightedmatch.Bytherapidandspeedilyextinguishedflameofthematch，Isawthemtakeoffthegarmentsonebyone，andexposetoviewthatbleedingbundleofflesh，stillwarm，thoughlifeless.

"Andsuddenlyoneofthemexclaimed：

"’GoodGod，general，itisawoman！’

"Icannotdescribetoyouthestrangeandpoignantsensationofpainthatmovedmyheart.Icouldnotbelieveit，andIkneltdowninthesnowbeforethisshapelesspulpoffleshtoseeformyself：itwasawoman.

"Thetwogendarmes，speechlessandstunned，waitedformetogivemyopiniononthematter.ButIdidnotknowwhattothink，whattheorytoadopt.

"Thenthebrigadierslowlydrawledout：

"’Perhapsshecametolookforasonofhersintheartillery，whomshehadnotheardfrom.’

"Andtheotherchimedin：

"’Perhaps，indeed，thatisso.’

"AndI，whohadseensomeveryterriblethingsinmytime，begantocry.

AndIfelt，inthepresenceofthiscorpse，onthaticycoldnight，inthemidstofthatgloomyplain;atthesightofthismystery，atthesightofthismurderedstranger，themeaningofthatword’horror.’

"Ihadthesamesensationlastyear，whileinterrogatingoneofthesurvivorsoftheFlattersMission，anAlgeriansharpshooter.

"Youknowthedetailsofthatatrociousdrama.Itispossible，however，thatyouareunacquaintedwithoneofthem.

"ThecoloneltravelledthroughthedesertintotheSoudan，andpassedthroughtheimmenseterritoryoftheTouaregs，who，inthatgreatoceanofsandwhichstretchesfromtheAtlantictoEgyptandfromtheSoudantoAlgeria，areakindofpirates，resemblingthosewhoravagedtheseasinformerdays.

"TheguideswhoaccompaniedthecolumnbelongedtothetribeoftheChambaa，ofOuargla.

"Now，onedayweencampedinthemiddleofthedesert，andtheArabsdeclaredthat，asthespringwasstillsomedistanceaway，theywouldgowithalltheircamelstolookforwater.

"Onemanalonewarnedthecolonelthathehadbeenbetrayed.Flattersdidnotbelievethis，andaccompaniedtheconvoywiththeengineers，thedoctors，andnearlyallhisofficers.

"Theyweremassacredroundthespring，andallthecamelswerecaptured.

"ThecaptainoftheArabIntelligenceDepartmentatOuargla，whohadremainedinthecamp，tookcommandofthesurvivors，spahisandsharpshooters，andtheybegantoretreat，leavingbehindthemthebaggageandprovisions，forwantofcamelstocarrythem.

"Thentheystartedontheirjourneythroughthissolitudewithoutshadeandboundless，beneaththedevouringsun，whichburnedthemfrommorningtillnight.

"Onetribecametotenderitssubmissionandbroughtdatesasatribute.

Thedateswerepoisoned.NearlyalltheFrenchmendied，and，amongthem，thelastofficer.

"Therenowonlyremainedafewspahiswiththeirquartermaster，Pobeguin，andsomenativesharpshootersoftheChambaatribe.Theyhadstilltwocamelsleft.Theydisappearedonenight，alongwithtwo，Arabs.

"Thenthesurvivorsunderstoodthattheywouldbeobligedtoeateachother，andassoonastheydiscoveredtheflightofthetwomenwiththetwocamels，thosewhoremainedseparated，andproceededtomarch，onebyone，throughthesoftsand，undertheglareofascorchingsun，atadistanceofmorethanagunshotfromeachother.

"Sotheywentonallday，andwhentheyreachedaspringeachofthemcametodrinkatitinturn，assoonaseachsolitarymarcherhadmovedforwardthenumberofyardsarrangedupon.Andthustheycontinuedmarchingthewholeday，raisingeverywheretheypassed，inthatlevel，burntupexpanse，thoselittlecolumnsofdustwhich，fromadistance，indicatethosewhoaretrudgingthroughthedesert.

"Butonemorningoneofthetravellerssuddenlyturnedroundandapproachedthemanbehindhim.Andtheyallstoppedtolook.

"Themantowardwhomthefamishedsoldierdrewneardidnotflee，butlayflatontheground，andtookaimattheonewhowascomingtowardhim.

Whenhebelievedhewaswithingunshot，hefired.Theotherwasnothit，andhecontinuedthentoadvance，andlevellinghisgun，inturn，hekilledhiscomrade.

"Thenfromalldirectionstheothersrushedtoseektheirshare.Andhewhohadkilledthefallenman，cuttingthecorpseintopieces，distributedit.

"Andtheyoncemoreplacedthemselvesatfixeddistances，theseirreconcilableallies，preparingforthenextmurderwhichwouldbringthemtogether.

"Fortwodaystheylivedonthishumanfleshwhichtheydividedbetweenthem.Then，becomingfamishedagain，hewhohadkilledthefirstmanbegankillingafresh.Andagain，likeabutcher，hecutupthecorpseandofferedittohiscomrades，keepingonlyhisownportionofit.

"Andsothisretreatofcannibalscontinued.

"ThelastFrenchman，Pobeguin，wasmassacredatthesideofawell，theverynightbeforethesuppliesarrived.

"DoyouunderstandnowwhatImeanbythehorrible？"

ThiswasthestorytoldusafewnightsagobyGeneraldeG————.

MADAMEPARISSE

IwassittingonthepierofthesmallportofObernon，nearthevillageofSalis，lookingatAntibes，bathedinthesettingsun.Ihadneverbeforeseenanythingsowonderfulandsobeautiful.

Thesmalltown，enclosedbyitsmassiveramparts，builtbyMonsieurdeVauban，extendedintotheopensea，inthemiddleoftheimmenseGulfofNice.Thegreatwaves，cominginfromtheocean，brokeatitsfeet，surroundingitwithawreathoffoam;andbeyondtherampartsthehousesclimbedupthehill，oneaftertheother，asfarasthetwotowers，whichroseupintothesky，likethepeaksofanancienthelmet.AndthesetwotowerswereoutlinedagainstthemilkywhitenessoftheAlps，thatenormousdistantwallofsnowwhichenclosedtheentirehorizon.

Betweenthewhitefoamatthefootofthewallsandthewhitesnowonthesky—linethelittlecity，dazzlingagainstthebluishbackgroundofthenearestmountainranges，presentedtotheraysofthesettingsunapyramidofred—roofedhouses，whosefacadeswerealsowhite，butsodifferentonefromanotherthattheyseemedtobeofalltints.

AndtheskyabovetheAlpswasitselfofabluethatwasalmostwhite，asifthesnowhadtintedit;somesilverycloudswerefloatingjustoverthepalesummits，andontheothersideofthegulfNice，lyingclosetothewater，stretchedlikeawhitethreadbetweentheseaandthemountain.Twogreatsails，drivenbyastrongbreeze，seemedtoskimoverthewaves.Ilookeduponallthis，astounded.

Thisviewwasoneofthosesweet，rare，delightfulthingsthatseemtopermeateyouandareunforgettable，likethememoryofagreathappiness.

Onesees，thinks，suffers，ismovedandloveswiththeeyes.Hewhocanfeelwiththeeyeexperiencesthesamekeen，exquisiteanddeeppleasureinlookingatmenandthingsasthemanwiththedelicateandsensitiveear，whosesoulmusicoverwhelms.

Iturnedtomycompanion，M.Martini，apurebloodedSoutherner.

"Thisiscertainlyoneoftherarestsightswhichithasbeenvouchsafedtometoadmire.

"IhaveseenMontSaint—Michel，thatmonstrousgranitejewel，riseoutofthesandatsunrise.

"Ihaveseen，intheSahara，LakeRaianechergui，fiftykilometerslong，shiningunderamoonasbrilliantasoursunandbreathinguptowarditawhitecloud，likeamistofmilk.

"Ihaveseen，intheLipariIslands，theweirdsulphurcrateroftheVolcanello，agiantflowerwhichsmokesandburns，anenormousyellowflower，openingoutinthemidstofthesea，whosestemisavolcano.

"ButIhaveseennothingmorewonderfulthanAntibes，standingagainsttheAlpsinthesettingsun.

"AndIknownothowitisthatmemoriesofantiquityhauntme;versesofHomercomeintomymind;thisisacityoftheancientEast，acityoftheodyssey;thisisTroy，althoughTroywasveryfarfromthesea."

M.MartinidrewtheSartyguide—bookoutofhispocketandread："ThiscitywasoriginallyacolonyfoundedbythePhociansofMarseilles，about340B.C.TheygaveittheGreeknameofAntipolis，meaningcounter—

city，cityoppositeanother，becauseitisinfactoppositetoNice，anothercolonyfromMarseilles.

"AftertheGaulswereconquered，theRomansturnedAntibesintoamunicipalcity，itsinhabitantsreceivingtherightsofRomancitizenship.

"WeknowbyanepigramofMartialthatatthistime————"

Iinterruptedhim：

"Idon’tcarewhatshewas.ItellyouthatIseedownthereacityoftheOdyssey.ThecoastofAsiaandthecoastofEuroperesembleeachotherintheirshores，andthereisnocityontheothercoastoftheMediterraneanwhichawakensinmethememoriesoftheheroicageasthisonedoes."

Afootstepcausedmetoturnmyhead;awoman，alarge，darkwoman，waswalkingalongtheroadwhichskirtstheseaingoingtothecape.

"ThatisMadameParisse，youknow，"mutteredMonsieurMartini，dwellingonthefinalsyllable.

No，Ididnotknow，butthatname，mentionedcarelessly，thatnameoftheTrojanshepherd，confirmedmeinmydream.

However，Iasked："WhoisthisMadameParisse？"

HeseemedastonishedthatIdidnotknowthestory.

IassuredhimthatIdidnotknowit，andIlookedafterthewoman，whopassedbywithoutseeingus，dreaming，walkingwithsteadyandslowstep，asdoubtlesstheladiesofoldwalked.

Shewasperhapsthirty—fiveyearsoldandstillverybeautiful，thoughatriflestout.

AndMonsieurMartinitoldmethefollowingstory：

MademoiselleCombelombewasmarried，oneyearbeforethewarof1870，toMonsieurParisse，agovernmentofficial.Shewasthenahandsomeyounggirl，asslenderandlivelyasshehasnowbecomestoutandsad.

UnwillinglyshehadacceptedMonsieurParisse，oneofthoselittlefatmenwithshortlegs，whotripalong，withtrousersthatarealwaystoolarge.

AfterthewarAntibeswasgarrisonedbyasinglebattalioncommandedbyMonsieurJeandeCarmelin，ayoungofficerdecoratedduringthewar，andwhohadjustreceivedhisfourstripes.

Ashefoundlifeexceedinglytediousinthisfortressthisstuffymole—

holeenclosedbyitsenormousdoublewalls，heoftenstrolledouttothecape，akindofparkorpinewoodshakenbyallthewindsfromthesea.

TherehemetMadameParisse，whoalsocameoutinthesummereveningstogetthefreshairunderthetrees.Howdidtheycometoloveeachother？

Whoknows？Theymet，theylookedateachother，andwhenoutofsighttheydoubtlessthoughtofeachother.Theimageoftheyoungwomanwiththebrowneyes，theblackhair，thepaleskin，thisfresh，handsomeSoutherner，whodisplayedherteethinsmiling，floatedbeforetheeyesoftheofficerashecontinuedhispromenade，chewinghiscigarinsteadofsmokingit;andtheimageofthecommandingofficer，inhisclose—

fittingcoat，coveredwithgoldlace，andhisredtrousers，andalittleblondmustache，wouldpassbeforetheeyesofMadameParisse，whenherhusband，halfshavenandill—clad，short—leggedandbig—bellied，camehometosupperintheevening.