The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-05-16
THE INVASION:
YEGOF THE FOOL.

fContinued. ]

lContnneu.1
CHAPTER xxIL
At the bottom of the valley of Bouieaux,
two musk et-shots from the village of Charmes,
the little troop began slowly to ascend the
path leading to the ancient burg. Huliin, re-
membering how he had taken the Same path
when he had gone to buy powder Of Marc.
Dives, could not repress his grief. Then, not
withdrawing his visit to Phalsbourg, the
sight of the wounded from Hanan and Leipsic,
the story of the old sergeant, he despaired not !;
he kept all his energy alive, and never doubted
the success of the defence. But now all was
Lost the enemy were descending upon Lor-
raine, and the mountaineers flying. Marc
Dives rode along the wall in the snow; his
great horse, accustomed to the journey, neigh
ing. lifting his head and then dropping it be-
meath his chest. The smuggler turned from
time to time to throw glance at the opposite
field of Bois- de- Chenes. Suddenly he cried:
ala! The Cossacks are showing themselves ."
At this exclamation the entire party halted
to look around. They were already high above
the village, and even the farm. The gray win
ter dawn was scattering the morning vapors,
and in the holows of the mountain side they
saw a number of those wild hSrsemen, pistol in
hand, slowly approaching the old house. They
were separated like skirmisbers, and seemed to
fear surprise. few moments after Others
followed from the vallew Of Houx, then others,
and still others, all alike standing up in their
stirrups to see further. The first passing the
farmhouse and seeing nothing to fear, -four
ished their lances aud turned half. way round.
The rest came up at gallop, like rocks fol-
lowing one of their nunber that Uses in the
air as if perceiving some prey. In a few acc
onds the farm was surrounded, and the door
pushed open Another minute and the windows
flew out, shattered to pieces; furniture, mat
tresses, linen followed from every side of the
house at once. Catherine, with lips pressed
tightly together gazed calmly at all this de-
struction. For long while she said nothing;
but suddenly seeing Yegof strike Dnchene
with the shaft of his lance, and drive him from
the house, she could not restrain cry of in
dignatiop.
THE wretch! coward to strike poor old
man who can no longer defend himself. All
villain if had thee here"
"Come, Catherine" said Jean-Claude; I" we
have seen enough, aud the sight does Us no
good"
"You are right" she replied; "let US go. 1
Gannot bear it."
AS they ascended, the air grew keener.
Louise, the child of the gypsies, with d little
basket of provisions on her arm, clambered at
the head of the troops The blue sky, the
plains of Alsace and Lorraine, and at the verge
of the horizon those of Champagne, the bound
less immensity of space wherein sight was lost,
inspired an enthusissm in all. They seemed to
have wings, to pierce the blue air like those
great birds that gided from the tree-tops over
the abysses, utteriug their free and fearless
cries. All the wretchedness of the world be-
meath, it's injustice ard it's suffering, were for
gotten. Louise saw herself q child on the
back of her mother-that poor wandering
gypsy-and thought, "T have never since been
happier never had less of care; never laughed
SO much, sang 30 gayiy, and yet we often
packed bread. Ah those dear days gone"
Ard the words of old Songs rang in her ears.
As they neared the great red rock, crusted
with its white aud black stones, and hanging
over the precipice like the tower of come grand
cathedral, Louise and Catherine paused in
ecstasy. Above, the sky seemed yet deeper;
the path cut in the rock yet narrower. The
valleys stretching on till lost in distance, the
bouudless woods, the far-oG lakes Of Lorraine,
the blue ribbon of the Rhine-all the glorious
scene filed them with emotion, and the old
woman said tbOughtfully:
Jean Claude, He who lifted this rock to
heaven, whose hand followed these valleys,
who scattered these forests, those thickets,
and even these little moses upon this earth,