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.