MARC DIVES'S MISSION
On the rock of the Falkenstein, high up in the clouds, stands a tower,
somewhat sunken at its base. This tower, overgrown with brambles,
hawthorn, and bilberries, is as old as the mountain; neither the
French, Germans, nor Swedes have destroyed it. The stone and cement
are so solidly combined that not even a fragment can be detached from
it. It looks gloomy and mysterious, carrying one back to ancient
times, beyond the memory of man.
At that time of the year when the wild-geese migrated in flocks, Marc
Dives, when he had nothing better to do, used to await them hidden in
the tower, and sometimes at nightfall, when the flocks came through the
fogs flying in large circles before resting, he would bring down two or
three, much to the satisfaction of Hexe-Baizel, who was always very
willing to put them on a spit. Often, too, in the autumn, Marc laid
traps in the bushes, where he caught thrushes. The old tower also
served him as a wood-house.
Dives, perceiving that his wood, covered with snow and soaked by rain,
gave more smoke than light, had covered in the old tower with a roof of
planks. With reference to this occasion, the smuggler related a
curious story. He pretended that, on laying the rafters, he had
discovered, at the bottom of a fissure, a snow-white owl, blind and
feeble: but supplied with quantities of bats and field-mice. He
therefore called it the "grandmother of the country," as he supposed
that all the birds came to feed it on account of its extreme old age.
Toward the close of the day, the partisans posted round the rock saw
the white uniforms appearing in the neighboring gorges. They poured in
on all sides in large numbers, thereby clearly showing their
determination to blockade the Falkenstein. Perceiving this, Marc Dives
became more thoughtful. "If they surround us," said he, "we shall not
be able to procure food, and shall have to surrender or die of hunger."
The enemy's staff on horseback could be clearly distinguished, halting
round the fountain of the village of Charmes. There also stood a tall
chief with a large paunch, who was contemplating the rock through a
telescope. Behind him was Yegof, whom from time to time he turned
round to question. The women and children formed a circle beyond them,
apparently highly delighted, and five or six Cossacks pranced about.
The smuggler could not contain himself any longer, and, taking Hullin
aside, "Look," said he, "at that long line of shakos gliding along the
Sarre, and at the others who are scaling the valley on this side like
hares; they are 'kaiserlichs,' aren't they? Well, what are they going
to do, Jean-Claude?"
"They are going to surround the mountain, that is clear. How many are
there, dost thou think?"
"From three to four thousand men, without counting those who are
walking over the country. Well, what can Piorette do against this pack
of vagabonds with three hundred men? I ask thee frankly, Hullin."
"He can do nothing," replied the worthy man, simply. "The Germans know
that our ammunition is on the Falkenstein; they dread an insurrection
after they enter Lorraine, and wish to insure their rear. The enemy's
general knows that we cannot be taken by mere force, he is deciding to
reduce us by hunger. All that is true, Marc; but we are men: we will
do our duty--we will die here!"
There was a short silence; Marc Dives frowned, and did not seem at all
convinced.
"We will die!" he replied, scratching his head. "I do not see why we
should die at all; it is not our intention to die: too many people
would be gratified by it."
"What wouldst thou do?" said Hullin, dryly. "Wouldst thou surrender?"
"Surrender!" exclaimed the smuggler. "Dost thou take me for a coward?"
"Then explain thyself."
"This evening I start for Phalsbourg. I risk my skin in crossing the
enemy's lines; but I like that better than folding my arms here, and
perishing with hunger. I will enter the town on the first 'sortie,' or
I will endeavor to climb one of the gates. The commandant, Meunier,
knows me. I have sold him tobacco for three years. Like thyself, he
has gone through the campaigns of Italy and Egypt. Well, I will
explain everything to him. I shall see Gaspard Lefevre. I will so
arrange that they will give us, perhaps, a company. Dost thou see,
Jean-Claude, that the uniform alone would save us? All the brave men
who remain will join Piorette; and in any case we shall be delivered,
That is my idea. What dost thou think of it?"
He looked at Hullin, whose gloomy, fixed expression made him uneasy.
"Dost thou not think that a chance?"
"It is an idea," said Jean-Claude at last. "I do not oppose it." And,
looking full in the smuggler's face, "Swear to me to do thy best to
enter the town."
"I will swear nothing," replied Marc, whose brown cheeks were covered
with a flush. "I leave all my possessions here, my wife, my comrades,
Catherine Lefevre, and thee, my oldest friend! If I do not return, I
shall be a traitor; but if I return, Jean-Claude, thou shalt explain
what thou meanest by thy demand: we will settle this little affair
between us."
"Marc," said Hullin, "forgive me! I have suffered much these last
days. I was wrong. Misfortune makes one distrustful. Give me thy
hand. Go! Save us, save Catherine, save my child! I say so now: our
only resource is in thee."
Hullin's voice faltered. Dives relented; but he rejoined: "All the
same, Hullin, thou shouldst not have said that to me at such a time.
Never let us speak of it again. I will leave my skin on the way, or
return to deliver you. This evening, when darkness sets in, I will
leave. The 'kaiserlichs' surround the mountain already; but no matter,
I have a good horse, and, besides, I have always been lucky."
By six o'clock the highest peaks were hid in darkness. Hundreds of
fires, sparkling in the depths of the gorges, announced that the
Germans were preparing their repasts.
Marc Dives felt his way down the narrow path. Hullin listened for a
few seconds to the retreating steps of his comrade, then walked
anxiously toward the old tower, where their head-quarters were
established. He lifted the thick woollen covering which closed the
owl's-nest, and perceived Catherine, Louise, and the others crouching
round a small fire. The old farm-mistress sat on an oak log, her hands
clasped round her knees, watching the flames fixedly, with compressed
lips. Louise leant dreamily against the wall. Jerome stood behind
Catherine, his hands crossed on his stick, his otter-skin cap touching
the mouldy roof. All were sad and discouraged. Hexe-Baizel, who was
lifting the lid of a kettle, and Doctor Lorquin, who was scratching the
softer parts of the old wall with the point of his sabre, alone
preserved their usual expression.
"Here we are," said the doctor, "returned to the days of the Triboques.
These walls are more than two thousand years old. A great deal of
water must have flowed from the heights of the Falkenstein and Grosmann
to the Sarre and Rhine since a fire was last kindled in this tower."
"Yes," replied Catherine, as though awaking from a dream; "and many
besides ourselves have suffered cold, hunger, and misery here. Who
knew of it? No one. And one, or two, or three hundred years hence,
others, perhaps, will again come for shelter to this place. They will
find, as we have, the wall cold, and the earth damp; they will make a
fire; they will look as we look; and they will say, like us, 'Who
suffered here before ourselves? Why did they suffer? They must have
been pursued and hunted, like ourselves, to be obliged to come and hide
in this wretched hole.' And they will think of past times; and no one
will reply."
Jean-Claude came up to them. The old dame, raising her head, and
looking at him, said, "Well! we are blockaded; the enemy wants to
subdue us by famine."
"True, Catherine," replied Hullin; "but I did not expect that. I felt
certain of a sudden attack; but the 'kaiserlichs' have not gained all
yet. Dives has just left for Phalsbourg. He knows the commandant of
the place; and if they will only send a few hundred men to our help----"
"Do not count on that," interrupted the old woman. "Marc may be taken
or killed by the Germans: and, if not, and suppose he manages to cross
their lines, how will he be able to enter Phalsbourg? You well know
that the town is besieged by the Russians."
Then everybody relapsed into silence. Hexe-Baizel brought up the soup,
and they sat in a circle round the smoking bowl.