The young officer hesitated. He man waved his hand, and blew
the advance.
"It must be for us--answer it." His bugle did so. "Bring the pitch, men
the flax--so now--break the windows, and let the air in--set the house on
fire; and, Sergeant Guido, remain to prevent it being extinguished I shall
fire the village as we pass through."
He gave the word to face about; and, desiring the men to follow at the
same swinging run with which the whole of the infantry had originally
advanced, he spurred his horse against the hill, and soon disappeared.
My host's resolution seemed now taken. Turning to the sergeant, "My good
fellow, the reconnoissance will soon be returning; I shall precede it into
the town."
The man, a fine vieux moustache, hesitated.
My friend saw it, and hit him in a Frenchman's most assailable quarter.
"The ladies, my good man--the ladies!--You would not have them drive in
pell--mell with the troops, exposed most likely to the fire of the
Prussian advanced--guard, would you?"
The man grounded his musket, and touched his cap--"Pass on." Away we
trundled, until, coming to a cross--road, we turned down towards the
river; and at the angle we could see thick wreaths of smoke curling up
into theair, showing that the barbarous order had been but too effectually
fulfilled.
"What is that?" said-----.
A horse, with his rider entangled and dragged by the stirrup, passed us at
full speed, leaving a long track of blood on the road.
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