Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-05-03
CHAPTER XVII.

a small trembling hand.
"WhO gave you this letter."
"a man of about sixty, with a gray
moustache, and a military air.
Candles gave the man a louis, and
iSmissed him, then read-"You are
going to be attacked; if you are no
longer worthy of me, at least prove
worthy of your own fame" 1t was
not signed, but Candles pressed it fer
vently to his lips. Then he went on
the battlements, whence he could dis
tinguish the course of the Garonne
and the surrounding country, but saw
nothing.
''They will not come till evening""
thought he. Turning around he saw
his lieutenant
"Well, NJ Vibrac?" said he.
''nhey say, sir, that tomorrow the
flag of Condo will wave over this
fortress"
"Who says SOP
"SOme of our couriers who have
seen the preparations making against
us. They are preparing a surprise"
"Oh a surprise, and this is the sec
ond intimation 1 have had of it. Who
commands the assailants?"
IN. Larochefoucault the land troops,
and M. Espagnet the sea forces; and
he has joined with him the regiment
of Navailles"
'My old regimentr'
Eyes; it has passed over to the
princess"
who commands it?"
THE Baron Ravailly"
'Ah, an old friend and a good fell
low. In that case we shall have hotter
work than [ expected Let the guard
be doubled this evening and let the
soldiers sleep dressed, with their guns
loaded. One-half must watch while
the other sleep, but let them keep
themselves concealed. Let the enemy
approach, land, and place their lad
derS."
And When are we to fire."
when | order If a single shot is
dred before, the man who does so
shall de-
All, diable!' said the lieutenant, as
he walked away.
:, When CANDLES came in to supper, he
found Nan0n reading letters. "You
will not be long without help, dear
Candles" she said; M de Meillerays
brings an army, and NJ. d'Epernon
comes also with fifteen thousand
men,"
'Yes, but they will not be here for
a week at last, and meanwhile ST.
George is not impregnable."
ooh; while you command here
Eyes, but / may be killed. Have
you thought of that?"
yes
well, have all your treasures ready.
A boatman shall be always at a fixed
place, with four men, good swimmers,
in case it were necessary to jump into
the water"
"Al these precautions are useless,
CANDLES. If you are killed [ shall
want no more treasures"
Candles rose, went to the window,
and at last prepared to go. Nanon
wished to follow, but he said: ma
non, promise me not to come out If
| knew that you We're exposed to dan
ger, [ cannot answer for myself, Ma
non, my honor rs concerned"
Il obey you, Canolles,' said she. 'I
wish both friends and enemies to ap-
preciate the man | love"
Candles placed himself at the end
of the eSplanade which overlooked the
river. There was no moon, and it was
impossible to see, or be seen. About
three o'clock Candles who had for
some time faniced that he had seen
huge shadows on the stream, became
convinced of their approach. He or
dered Vibrac to awaken the sleeping
men, and place them behind the wall;
renewing his orders that they were
not to fire. At the first dawn of day
they could see ships filled with men,
and hear them talking in low voices;
and ont he plain they saw battery of
SIX pieces of cannon, which Nj. de
Larochefoucault had established dur
ing the night. In one of the first ships
Candles recognized the uniform of his
old regiment; and on the poop the lieu
tenant, well known among his COM
rades for his jokes and good humor.
you will see," he was saying, that
NJ. de Larochefoucault will have to
wake them with his guns. Peste! how
they sleep at St George. When 1 am
Ill I will come here"
'sThis, good Candles" replied Ra-
vailly, ''is like the father of a family;
he fears to give his soldiers cold, by
exposing them to the night air"
Indeed said another, there is not
even a sentinel"
''Oh," cried the lieutenant, springing
to land, wake up, and give us a hand
to mount by At this last joke they
all laughed aloud.
Il understand" said Ravailly. Ca
nolles wishes to seem to be surprised.
to keep in with the Court Let us re
turn his politeness, and kill no one;
once in, mercy for all. Now men, to
your work"
Then CaRolles advanced, and leaning
over the parapet cried, "Ah, good
morning, Ravailly; good morning
RemoneuQ."