The Son Of Monte Cristo Part 8 (2/2)
”We are ready!” shouted twenty voices
”Father, erly
”Yes,” said Sio, and take some brandy with you”
The woodcutters took also shovels, sticks and ropes
”When they coood meal ready Carry straw into the school-rooes, and send to Wisembach for the doctor”
”But the child--what am I to do with her?” asked Francoise, timidly
”Oh! I will look out for her,” cried the soldier ”I had a little girl of my own, but since I have been away, both mother and child have died!”
Siirl still sat on the soldier's knee, gravely enlarging one of the holes in his uniforers
”Then the invaders are in France?” said Si--be sure of that!”
”What ar in this direction?” asked Si's, with Russians, Prussians and Austrians”
”How far off are they?”
”Not ues We were nearly overtaken by theot thus far had we not been betrayed by everybody Those dogs of Royalists have felt no shame to be seen with these enemies of France!”
Simon started
”Do you res have dared----”
”Yes, they have dared to do just that!” and Michel swore a frightful oath ”I believe that there are Frenches on, to roast and kill their own mothers!”
Simon had become deadly pale
”Yes,” continued the soldier ”Let me tell you about this wound” And he tore off the handkerchief around his head His eyes at that , which he had not before seen ”Ah! you are one of us, then?” exclaimed Michel
Simon nodded ”Go on with your story, my friend,” he said
”Well, we had just crossed the Rhine, and were getting on famouslythe detachment that had attacked us I knew by their caps that they were Russians We sheltered ourselves behind a wall, and then we let fly I tell you, that was a fight! In front of ht like the very devil I pricked hiood Lord! I hear that yell now--'I am killed! Here! help for Talizac!' He shot at me the same moment Now, friend, was not that a French name? But what is the matter with you?”
Simon had dropped into a chair He was as white as a sheet, and his eyes were fixed on vacancy
The soldier looked at hilass, and ill drink to our country!”
At this moment Francoise came in hurriedly
”Si here from every direction