The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-05-09

through tne Germans, WDo trleu 10 cut Oh OuE
retreat. Happily the night was dark, other
wise not one of MS would lave escaped. We
| are here, and all is lost. Falkenstein alone
remains, and we are reduced to three hundred.
Now we must try who will dare the bitter end.
I tell you that my burden presses heavily upon
me. While the Donon road was to be defended
our duty was clear; every mans life belonged
to his country. But that road is lost ten
thousand men would now be needed to regain
it, and even now the enemy are entering Lor-
raine. What is to be doner
resist to the last!" replied Jerome.
ITO the last !" repeated the others.
as this your counsel, Catherine Z" asked
HulIn.
GAY !" cried the old woman, with glance of
uncopquerable determination.
Then Hullin, in frmer tones, laid his plan
before them.
"Falkenstein is our point of retreat. There
is our arsenal; there are our munitions; the
enemy knows this, and will attempt to storm
it. We must all be there to defend it; the
eyes of all our countrymen must see us; they
will say that Catherine Lefevre, Jerome, Ma
terne and his sons, Hullin, DR.. Lorquin, are
there; that they will not lay down their arms.
4ulb Will IoNlNo tu0 oroOptUR courage OIL all
who have hearts to feel for their country.
Pivrette will remain in the woods, his force
increasing day by day. The land will be COW
cred with Cossacks, with robbers of every kind !;
and when the enemy's army has entered Lor-
raine, at my signal Pivrette will fling himself
between Donon and the road, and the laggsrds
scattered through the mountains will be caught
as in net. We can also watch our chance to
carry off their wagons, harass their reserves !;
and if fortune favors, as we hope, when those
Ksiserliks are beaten by our troops in Lor-
rsine, we can cut off their retreat"
All rose, and Hpllin, entering the kitchen
made this simple speech to the mountaineers /:
"My friends, we have determined to resist to
the last. Nevertheless each one is free to do
as he pleases, to lay down his arms and return
to his village; but those who seek vengeance
will join us! They will share our last morsel
of bread and divide our last cartridge"
The old wood cutter, Colon, rose and re-
piled:
"Hullin, we are all with you; we began the
fight together, and together we will end it,"
Gay, ay!" cried every voice.
"This is your resolution Then listen! Je-
rome's brother will take command"
"My brother is Dead" interrupted Jerome .
che lies on the side of Grossmann."
There was q moments silence, and then Hull
lin continued:
"Colon, you will take command of all who
remain, except those who formed the escort of
Catherine Lefevre. retain them with me.
You will rejoin Pivrette in the valley of
Blaurn."
"And our munitions 7" cried NJ arc Dives.
al have brought my wagon with me-" said
Jerome. "Colon can supply himself from it,
LET them take the sledge too," cried Cathe
riue. The Cossacks are coming, and they
will steal everything Our people must not g.
away empty handed; let them take with them
oxen, cows and goats-everything; for what
ever they take is 80 much won from th,
enemy"
| Five minutes after, the farmhouse was .
scene of pillage. The sledge was loaded will
| hams, smoked meats, and bread the catti
| driven from the stables the horses harneset
to the great wagon, and soon the train began
its march, Robin at the head, blowing hi
horn, and the partisans behind at the wheels
When they had disappeared in the woods, an
silence suddenly succeeded the tumult Cathe
rine, turning round, saw Hullin behind her q
pale as corpse.
"Well, Catherine" he said; call is finished
We will begin the ascent"
Frantz, Kasper, and the men of the escort
MarcDives and Materne. awaited them in tn
kitchen, resting on their arms.
"Duchene,' said the good old woman, " g
down to the village; they must not ill-tres
you on my account"
The old servant, shaking his white head, rt
piled with eyes full of tears:
81 might as we'll die here, Madame Lefevr.
1t is fifty years since came to this house. d
not force me away; that would kill me-"
GAS you will, my poor Duchene," answere
Catherine, much affected. "Here are the key
of the house."
The old man seated himself on stool by til
hearth, with eyes fixed and lips parted lik
one in some sad dream.
The others started for Falkenstein. Mar,
Dives, on horseback, his long blade hangin
| frnuo his vriht kho