The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1900-10-25
! AN UNWELCOME GUEST. !
A STORY OF WAR
IN LA VENDEE.


9#o*oxoxO*oxo*e*o*o*e%@*e*S
After the town was taken NJ. Henri
made our house his headquarters. Those
who had escaped were chased to the
gates of Mort. The Marseillais threw
down their arms in the streets and sur
rendered. The night advanced, still
they dragged the prisoners into our low
RATED room. M Henri cried with vic
torlous clemency, Lower your arms
and you shall not be hurt" The repub-
licans were disarmed and let go free. I
pointed out to the young chief the dan
ger of letting hundreds of rebels wan
der about the outskirts, just when his
men were thinking Of nothing but VIC
tory and of going each his own way.
''You have some merciless enemies"
l said "a Marseillais lieutenant nam
ed Ripard has sworn that he would
kill you In the combat or murder you
afterward on the first opportunity"
On the young chiefs handsome face
there was a look of childlike astonish-
ment at Ripard's hatred. His brow
clouded at my words, but he dismissed
the thought with a shake of the Shout
ders and gave the order to release the
rest of the prisoners.
1--WE must show them that we have
more humanity than they" he said.
He had scarce finished speaking
when there was a tumult outside and
three Vendean soldiers dragged a rough
haired man into the room. He had
cruel, bloodshot eyes; his face was con-
vulsed with rage and hatred.
This rebel has been arrested, pistol
In hand" said one of the Vendeans
His life and liberty were given him.
his liberators. We dragged his pistol
from him. Here 1t is" And the man
placed the weapon upon the table.
ITO the prison." ordered NJ. Henri
and, turning to the man. he said, Your
name?'
The prisoner grinned savagely. Take
care. My name will alarm you. | am
Ripard."
trembled. M. Henri looked at the
Marseillais and said quietly: We'll,
Ripard, you are free. Col"
Nor replied the man sullenly. Il
know that trick. | am unarmed. AS
soon as | am outside | shall he shot
down by your soldiers"
"My word Is my oath. You shall not
go unarmed. Take your pistol" NJ
Henri pointed to the pistol on the ia
BILE.
The man jeered. do you know that
1t Is loaded?"
For answer NJ. Henri took the pistol
and held 1t out to Ripard. The prison
in his belt and, looking at the young
chief with an evil eye, said sullenly;
Where do you expect me to go? The
houses are full; there is no straw. The
country is unsafe. If you are afraid
to keep me, kill me, for am worn out.
cannot drag another step"
"Soltw said NJ. Henri. I'VE are no
longer fighting. There is capitula-
ton. If you do not know where to go,
you may stop here"
trembled at the thought of harbor-
ing so dangerous a guest and raised a
hundred objections. We had not even
a chair to spare.
AT least" said NJ. Henri, "he shall
share my room. The bed is big enough
for two"
was dumb with horror. There was
a painful silence, broken by NJ. Henri
begging me to take the torch and show
Ripard to his room. The man watched
us narrowly. A drop of blood hanging
from the corner of his eyelid rolled
down his cheek leaving a CHASTITY stain
upon 1t. l walked first. showing the
way up the steps, but my heart beat
fast, and the torch trembled In my
hand, throwing weird shadows as we
went. Inside the corridor | opened the
sleeping room door and placed the light
upon the chimney. The grin on the
Marseillais' face froze my blood with
horror. l fingered, hoping to find a
chance Of whispering to M. Henri to
disarm Ripard or, at any rate, to let
one of the men sleep in his room, but
he had forgotten about the pistol or
was obstinate In his idea, for he cut
me short, saying:
Good night! A domain. / am worn
out with fatigue"
And to hasten my departure, he com.
menced to unfasten his coat.
l went away In despair, leaving the
door ajar behind me, but l heard NJ
Henri bid Ripard close 1t, saying that