Part 27 (1/2)

On the first fall of snow, our Landwehr had built on the hill, in the rear of their guns, huts of considerable size, covered with earth, open to the south and closed against the north wind. Under these they lighted great fires, and every hour relieved guard.

They had also received from home immense packages of warm clothing, blankets, cloaks, s.h.i.+rts, and woollen stockings; they called these love-gifts. Captain Floegel distributed these to his men, at his discretion.

Now, it happened that one night, when the Landwehr lodging with us were on guard, that I, knowing they would not return before day, had gone down to shut the back door which opens upon the fields. The moon had set, but the snow was s.h.i.+ning white, streaked with the dark shadows of the trees; and just as I was going to lock up, what do I see in my orchard behind the large pear-tree on the left? A Turco with his little red cap over his ear, his blue jacket corded and braided all over, his belt and his gaiters. There he was, leaning in the att.i.tude of attention, the b.u.t.t-end of his rifle resting on the ground, his eyes glowing like those of a cat.

[Ill.u.s.tration: THERE HE WAS, LEANING FORWARD TO LISTEN.]

He heard the door open, and turned abruptly round.

Then, glad to see one of our own men again, I felt my heart beat, and gazing stealthily round for fear of the neighbors, I signed to him to draw near.

All were asleep in the village; no lights were s.h.i.+ning at the windows.

He came down in four or five paces, clearing the fences at a bound, and entered the mill.

Immediately I closed the door again, and said: ”Good Frenchman?”

He pressed my hand in the dark, and followed me into the back room, where my wife and Gredel were still sitting up.

Imagine their astonishment!

”Here is a man from the town,” I said: ”he's a real Turco. We shall hear news.”

At the same moment we observed that the Turco's bayonet was red, even to the shank, and that the blood had even run down the barrel of his rifle; but we said nothing.

This Turco was a fine man, dark brown, with a little curly beard, black eyes, and white teeth, just as the apostles are painted. I have never seen a finer man.

He was not sorry to feel the warmth of a good fire. Gredel having made room for him, he took a seat, thanking her with a nod of his head, and repeating: ”Good Frenchman!”

I asked him if he was hungry; he said yes; and my wife immediately went to fetch him a large basin of soup, which he enjoyed greatly. She gave him also a good slice of bread and of beef; but instead of eating it he dropped it into his bag, asking us for salt and tobacco.

He spoke as these people all do--thou-ing us. He even wanted to kiss Gredel's hand. She blushed, and asked him, without any ceremony, before our faces, if he knew Jean Baptiste Werner?

”Jean Baptiste!” said he. ”Bastion No. 3--formerly African gunner.

Yes, I know him. Good man! brave Frenchman!”

”He is not wounded?”

”No.”

”Not ill?”

”No.”

Then Gredel began to cry in her ap.r.o.n; and mother asked the Turco if he knew Jacob Weber, of the 3d company of Mobiles; but the Turco did not know our Jacob; he could only tell us that the Mobiles had lost very few men, which comforted my wife and me. Then he told us that a captain in the Garde Mobile, a Jew named Cerfber, sent as a flag of truce to Lutzelbourg, had taken the opportunity to desert, and that the German general, being disgusted at his baseness, had refused to receive him, upon which the wretch had gone into Germany. I was nowise surprised at this. I knew Cerfber; he was mayor of Niederwillen, at four leagues from us, and more Bonapartist than Bonaparte himself.

Unable to surrender the rest, as his master had done at Sedan, he had surrendered himself.

Gredel had gone out while the Turco was telling us these news; she returned presently with a large quant.i.ty of provisions. She had taken all my tobacco, and begged the Turco to take it to Jean Baptiste and Jacob. She had not quite the face to say before me that it was for Jean Baptiste alone; that would have been going a little too far; but she said, ”It is for the two.” The Turco promised to perform this commission; then Gredel gave him several things for himself; but he wanted especially salt, and fortunately we possessed enough to fill his bag. My wife stood sentinel in the pa.s.sage. Thank G.o.d there was no stir for a whole hour; during which this Turco answered, as well as he was able, all the questions we asked him.