Cathelineau had expected that this would be the case, and though he had
been one of the first within the camp, he was prepared to leave it again
as soon as he could make the men, who were with him, understand that it
was necessary they should do so. It was now dusk, and the uncertain
light favoured his intention.
"'Where is your master?" said he to Jacques, whom he chanced to find
close to him; "tell him to lead his men down the trenches again, back
to the road, at once, at once; beg him to be the first to leap down
himself; they will not go unless he leads them."
Jacques did as he was bid, and Larochejaquelin led the men back to the
trenches.
"Come, my friends," said he, "we have given them enough for tonight--we
have broken their sleep; come, we will visit them again tomorrow." And
he dashed through a body of republicans who were now firing from the
trenches, and about one hundred of his own men followed him.
The republicans had stuck huge pine-wood torches into the green sods
a-top of the trenches, which gave a ghastly glaring light immediately
in their own vicinity, though they did not relieve the darkness at a few
paces distant.
Pages:
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260