Page:The Works of Honoré de Balzac Volume 29.djvu/53

Rh beginning to ask himself, "Am I deceived?" His rage concentrated itself already upon Marche-à-Terre and his stolid tranquillity; it flashed in his eyes like lightning as he looked at him: but he discerned a savage irony in the Chouan's sullen gaze that convinced him that it would be better not to discontinue his precautionary measures. His captain, Merle, came up to him just then, after having executed Hulot's orders. The mute actors in this scene, which was like so many another that was to make this war one of the most dramatic ever known, were looking out impatiently for new sensations, curious to see any fresh manœuvres that should throw a light on obscure points of the military position, for their benefit.

"Captain," said the commandant, "we did well to put the small number of patriots that we can depend upon among the requisitionaries at the rear of the detachment. Take another dozen of stout fellows and put Sub-lieutenant Lebrun at the head of them; take them down quickly yourself to the rear of the detachment; they will support the patriots down there, and they will make the whole troop of rascals move on, and quickly too, and bring them up to the level of our own men in no time. I am waiting for you."

The captain disappeared among the troop. The commandant looked out four resolute men, whom he knew to be alert and active, and called them by a gesture only; he tapped his nose with his forefinger, and then pointed to each in turn by way of a friendly sign. The four approached him. "You served with me under Hoche," said he, "when we gave these scoundrels who call themselves Chasseurs du Roi a lesson, and you know their ways of hiding themselves so as to pepper the Blues!"

All four soldiers held up their heads and pressed their lips together significantly at this praise of their quick-wittedness. There was a reckless acquiescence in the soldierly heroic faces which showed that since the beginning of the struggle between France and Europe, their thoughts had scarcely strayed beyond the limits of the cartridge pouch at