We've found out now that it won't
do to beat them in detail; it's too slow. The Generals have a plan now,
one great comprehensive plan, for finishing the war in a stroke, and
they're only waiting until they reach Laval."
"It's a great pity they didn't hit on that plan before," said Michael
Stein.
The two men laid themselves down on the ground before the fire, and
attempted to sleep; but they had hardly composed themselves when they
were interrupted by a loud rumour, that there was a vast fire, close
down on the opposite side of the river. They both jumped up and went
out, and saw that the whole heavens were alight with the conflagration
of St. Florent--the blues had burnt the town. The northern bank of the
river was covered with the crowd of men and women, gazing at the flames,
which were consuming their own houses; and yet, so rejoiced were they
to have escaped themselves from destruction, that they hardly remembered
to bewail the loss of their property. The town of St. Florent was
between three or four miles from the place where they were congregated,
and yet they could plainly see the huge sparks as they flew upwards, and
they fancied they felt the heat of the flames on their upturned faces.
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