Page:Ninety-three.djvu/269

 The crier went on reading the list,—

"Grand-Francœur, brigand."

The crowd murmured,—

"He is a priest."

"Yes, monsieur the Abbé Turmeau."

"Yes, he is a curé somewhere near the wood of la Chapelle."

"And a brigand," said a man in a cap.

The crier read,—

"Boisnouveau, brigand. The two brothers Pique-en-Bois, brigands. Houzard, brigand——"

"That is Monsieur de Quélen," said a peasant.

"Panier, brigand——"

"That is Monsieur Sepher."

"Place-Nette, brigand——"

"That is Monsieur Jamois."

The crier continued his reading without paying attention to these comments.

"Guinoiseau, brigand. Chatenay, called Robi, brigand——"

A peasant whispered: "Guinoiseau is the same as le Blond, Chatenay is Saint-Ouen."

"Hoisnard, brigand," added the crier.

And in the crowd was heard,—

"He is from Ruillé."

"Yes, that is Branche d'Or."

"He had his brother killed at the attack at Pontorson."

"Yes, Hoisnard-Malonnière."

"A fine young man, nineteen years old."

"Attention," said the crier, "Here is the end of the list,—"

"Belle-Vigne, brigand. La Mussette, brigand. Sabretout, brigand. Brin-d'Amour, brigand——"

A boy nudged a girl's elbow. The girl smiled.

The crier went on,—

"Chante-en-hiver, brigand. Le Chat, brigand——"

A peasant said: "That is Moulard."

"Tabouze, brigand——"

A peasant said: "That is Gauffre."

"There are two of the Gauffres," added a woman.

"Both good fellows," growled a rustic.

The crier shook the placard and the drum beat a ban.