150 files changed, 13243 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6833f05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitattributes
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+* text=auto
+*.txt text
+*.md text
diff --git a/26623-8.txt b/26623-8.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7cfda40
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-8.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,4368 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Brass Bell, by Eugène Sue
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Brass Bell
+       or, The Chariot of Death
+
+Author: Eugène Sue
+
+Release Date: August 15, 2008 [EBook #26623]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BRASS BELL ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was
+produced from scanned images of public domain material
+from the Google Print project.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+THE BRASS BELL
+
+OR
+
+THE CHARIOT OF DEATH
+
+A Tale of Caesar's Gallic Invasion
+
+By EUGENE SUE
+
+TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL FRENCH BY
+
+SOLON DE LEON
+
+NEW YORK LABOR NEWS COMPANY, 1907
+
+NEW EDITION 1916
+
+COPYRIGHT, 1907, BY THE
+
+NEW YORK LABOR NEWS CO.
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE TO THE TRANSLATION
+
+
+_The Brass Bell_; or, _The Chariot of Death_ is the second of Eugene
+Sue's monumental serial known under the collective title of _The
+Mysteries of the People; or History of a Proletarian Family Across the
+Ages_.
+
+The first story--_The Gold Sickle; or, Hena, the Virgin of the Isle of
+Sen_--fittingly preludes the grand drama conceived by the author. There
+the Gallic people are introduced upon the stage of history in the
+simplicity of their customs, their industrious habits, their bravery,
+lofty yet childlike--such as they were at the time of the Roman invasion
+by Caesar, 58 B. C. The present story is the thrilling introduction to
+the class struggle, that starts with the conquest of Gaul, and, in the
+subsequent seventeen stories, is pathetically and instructively carried
+across the ages, down to the French Revolution of 1848.
+
+D. D. L.
+
+
+
+
+TABLE OF CONTENTS.
+
+
+Preface to the Translation
+
+Chapter 1. The Conflagration                1
+
+Chapter 2. In the Lion's Den                8
+
+Chapter 3. Gallic Virtue                   24
+
+Chapter 4. The Trial                       35
+
+Chapter 5. Into the Shallows               41
+
+Chapter 6. The Eve of Battle               52
+
+Chapter 7. The Battle of Vannes            59
+
+Chapter 8. After the Battle                80
+
+Chapter 9. Master and Slave                88
+
+Chapter 10. The Last Call to Arms         102
+
+Chapter 11. The Slaves' Toilet            107
+
+Chapter 12. Sold into Bondage             115
+
+Chapter 13. The Booth across the Way      126
+
+FOOTNOTES
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE CONFLAGRATION.
+
+
+The call to arms, sounded by the druids of the forest of Karnak and by
+the Chief of the Hundred Valleys against the invading forces of the
+first Caesar, had well been hearkened to.
+
+The sacrifice of Hena, the Virgin of the Isle of Sen, seemed pleasing to
+Hesus. All the peoples of Brittany, from North to South, from East to
+West, rose to combat the Romans. The tribes of the territory of Vannes
+and Auray, those of the Mountains of Ares, and many others, assembled
+before the town of Vannes, on the left bank, close to the mouth of the
+river which empties into the great bay of Morbihan. This redoubtable
+position where all the Gallic forces were to meet, was situated ten
+leagues from Karnak, and had been chosen by the Chief of the Hundred
+Valleys, who had been elected Commander-in-Chief of the army.
+
+Leaving behind them their fields, their herds, and their dwellings, the
+tribes were here assembled, men and women, young and old, and were
+encamped round about the town of Vannes. Here also were Joel, his
+family, and his tribe.
+
+Albinik the mariner, together with his wife Meroë left the camp towards
+sunset, bent on an errand of many days' march. Since her marriage with
+Albinik, Meroë; was the constant, companion of his voyages and dangers
+at sea, and like him, she wore the seaman's costume. Like him she knew
+at a pinch how to put her hand to the rudder, to ply the oar or the axe,
+for stout was her heart, and strong her arm.
+
+In the evening, before leaving the Gallic army, Meroë dressed herself in
+her sailor's garments--a short blouse of brown wool, drawn tight with a
+leather belt, large broad breeches of white cloth, which fell below her
+knees, and shoes of sealskin. She carried on her left shoulder her
+short, hooded cloak, and on her flowing hair was a leathern bonnet. By
+her resolute air, the agility of her step, the perfection of her sweet
+and virile countenance, one might have taken Meroë for one of those
+young men whose good looks make maidens dream of marriage. Albinik also
+was dressed as a mariner. He had flung over his back a sack with
+provisions for the way. The large sleeves of his blouse revealed his
+left arm, wrapped to the elbow in a bloody bandage.
+
+Husband and wife had left Vannes for some minutes, when Albinik,
+stopping, sad and deeply moved, said to Meroë:
+
+"There is still time--consider. We are going to beard the lion in his
+den. He is tricky, distrustful and savage. It may mean for us slavery,
+torture, or death. Meroë, let me finish alone this trip and this
+enterprise, beside which a desperate fight would be but a trifle. Return
+to my father and mother, whose daughter you are also!"
+
+"Albinik, you had to wait for the darkness of night to say that to me.
+You would not see me blush with shame at the thought of your thinking
+me a coward;" and the young woman, while making this answer, instead of
+turning back, only hastened her step.
+
+"Let it be as your courage and your love for me bid," replied her
+husband. "May Hena, my holy sister, who is gone, protect us at the side
+of Hesus."
+
+The two continued their way along the crests of a chain of lofty hills.
+They had thus at their feet and before their eyes a succession of deep
+and fertile valleys. As far as eye could reach, they saw here villages,
+yonder small hamlets, elsewhere isolated farms; further off rose a
+flourishing town crossed by an arm of the river, in which were moored,
+from distance to distance, large boats loaded with sheaves of wheat,
+casks of wine, and fodder.
+
+But, strange to say, although the evening was clear, not a single one of
+those large herds of cattle and of sheep was to be seen, which
+ordinarily grazed there till nightfall. No more was there a single
+laborer in sight on the fields, although it was the hour when, by every
+road, the country-folk ordinarily began to return to their homes; for
+the sun was fast sinking. This country, so populous the preceding
+evening, now seemed deserted.
+
+The couple halted, pensive, contemplating the fertile lands, the
+bountifulness of nature, the opulent city, the hamlets, and the houses.
+Then, recollecting what they knew was to happen in a few moments, soon
+as the sun was set and the moon risen, Albinik and Meroë; shivered with
+grief and fear. Tears fell from their eyes, they sank to their knees,
+their eyes fixed with anguish on the depths of the valleys, which the
+thickening evening shade was gradually invading. The sun had
+disappeared, but the moon, then in her decline, was not yet up. There
+was thus, between sunset and the rising of the moon, a rather long
+interval. It was a bitter one for husband and wife; bitter, like the
+certain expectation of some great woe.
+
+"Look, Albinik," murmured the young woman to her spouse, although they
+were alone--for it was one of those awful moments when one speaks low in
+the middle of a desert--"just look, not a light: not one in these
+houses, hamlets, or the town. Night is come, and all within these
+dwellings is gloomy as the night without."
+
+"The inhabitants of this valley are going to show themselves worthy of
+their brothers," answered Albinik reverently. "They also wish to respond
+to the voice of our venerable druids, and to that of the Chief of the
+Hundred Valleys."
+
+"Yes; by the terror which is now come upon me, I feel we are about to
+see a thing no one has seen before, and perhaps none will see again."
+
+"Meroë, do you catch down there, away down there, behind the crest of
+the forest, a faint white glimmer!"
+
+"I do. It is the moon, which will soon be up. The moment approaches. I
+feel terror-stricken. Poor women! Poor children!"
+
+"Poor laborers; they lived so long, happy on this land of their fathers:
+on this land made fertile by the labor of so many generations! Poor
+workmen; they found plenty in their rude trades! Oh, the unfortunates!
+the unfortunates! But one thing equals their great misfortune, and that
+is their great heroism. Meroë! Meroë!" exclaimed Albinik, "the moon is
+rising. That sacred orb of Gaul is about to give the signal for the
+sacrifice."
+
+"Hesus! Hesus!" cried the young woman, her cheeks bathed in tears, "your
+wrath will never be appeased if this last sacrifice does not calm you."
+
+The moon had risen radiant among the stars. She flooded space with so
+brilliant a light that Albinik and his wife could see as in full day,
+and as far as the most distant horizon, the country that stretched at
+their feet.
+
+Suddenly, a light cloud of smoke, at first whitish, then black,
+presently colored with the red tints of a kindling fire, rose above one
+of the hamlets scattered in the plain.
+
+"Hesus! Hesus!" exclaimed Meroë. Then, hiding her face in the bosom of
+her husband who was kneeling near her, "You spoke truly. The sacred orb
+of Gaul has given the signal for the sacrifice. It is fulfilled."
+
+"Oh, liberty!" cried Albinik, "Holy liberty!----"
+
+He could not finish. His voice was smothered in tears, and he drew his
+weeping wife close in his arms.
+
+Meroë did not leave her face hidden in her husband's breast any longer
+than it would take a mother to kiss the forehead, mouth, and eyes, of
+her new born babe, but when she again raised her head and dared to look
+abroad, it was no longer only one house, one village, one hamlet, one
+town in that long succession of valleys at their feet that was
+disappearing in billows of black smoke, streaked with red gleams. It was
+all the houses, all the villages, all the hamlets, all the towns in the
+laps of all those valleys, that the conflagration was devouring. From
+North to South, from East to West, all was afire. The rivers themselves
+seemed to roll in flame under their grain and forage-laden barges, which
+in turn took fire, and sank in the waters.
+
+The heavens were alternately obscured by immense clouds of smoke, or
+reddened with innumerable columns of fire. From one end to the other,
+the panorama was soon nothing but a furnace, an ocean of flame.
+
+Nor were the houses, hamlets, and towns of only these valleys given over
+to the flames. It was the same in all the regions which Albinik and
+Meroë had traversed in one night and day of travel, on their way from
+Vannes to the mouth of the Loire, where was pitched the camp of
+Caesar.[1]
+
+All this territory had been burned by its inhabitants, and they
+abandoned the smoking ruins to join the Gallic army, assembled in the
+environs of Vannes. Thus the voice of the Chief of the Hundred Valleys
+had been obeyed--the command repeated from place to place, from village
+to village, from city to city:
+
+"In three nights, at the hour when the moon, the sacred orb of Gaul
+shall rise, let all the countryside, from Vannes to the Loire, be set on
+fire. Let Caesar and his army find in their passage neither men nor
+houses, nor provisions, nor forage, but everywhere, everywhere cinders,
+famine, desolation, and death."
+
+It was done as the druids and the Chief of the Hundred Valleys had
+ordered.[2]
+
+The two travelers, who witnessed this heroic devotion of each and all to
+the safety of the fatherland, had thus seen a sight no one had ever seen
+in the past; a sight which perhaps none will ever see in the future.
+
+Thus were expiated those fatal dissensions, those rivalries between
+province and province, which for too long a time, and to the triumph of
+their enemies, had divided the people of Gaul.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+IN THE LION'S DEN.
+
+
+The night passed. When the next day drew to its close Albinik and Meroë
+had traversed all the burnt country, from Vannes to the mouth of the
+Loire, which they were now approaching. At sunset they came to a fork in
+the road.
+
+"Of these two ways, which shall we take?" mused Albinik. "One ought to
+take us toward the camp of Caesar, the other away from it."
+
+Reflecting an instant, the young woman answered:
+
+"Climb yonder oak. The camp fires will show us our route."
+
+"True," said the mariner, and confident in his agility he was about to
+clamber up the tree. But stopping, he added: "I forgot that I have but
+one hand left. I cannot climb."
+
+The face of the young woman saddened as she replied:
+
+"You are suffering, Albinik? Alas, you, thus mutilated!"
+
+"Is the sea-wolf[3] caught without a lure?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Let the fishing be good," answered Albinik, "and I shall not regret
+having given my hand for bait."
+
+The young woman sighed, and after looking at the tree a minute, said to
+her husband:
+
+"Come, then, put your back to the trunk. I'll step in the hollow of your
+hand, then onto your shoulder, and from your shoulder I can reach that
+large branch overhead."
+
+"Fearless and devoted! You are always the dear wife of my heart, true as
+my sister Hena is a saint," tenderly answered Albinik, and steadying
+himself against the tree, he took in his hand the little foot of his
+companion. With his good arm he supported his wife while she placed her
+foot on his shoulder. Thence she reached the first large bough. Then,
+mounting from branch to branch, she gained the top of the oak. Arrived
+there, Meroë cast her eyes abroad, and saw towards the south, under a
+group of seven stars, the gleam of several fires. She descended, nimble
+as a bird, and at last, putting her feet on the mariner's shoulder, was
+on the ground with one bound, saying:
+
+"We must go towards the south, in the direction of those seven stars.
+That way lie the fires of Caesar's camp."
+
+"Let us take that road, then," returned the sailor, indicating the
+narrower of the two ways, and the two travelers pursued their journey.
+After a few steps, the young woman halted. She seemed to be searching in
+her garments.
+
+"What is the matter, Meroë?"
+
+"In climbing the tree, I've let my poniard drop. It must have worked out
+of the belt I was carrying it in, under my blouse."
+
+"By Hesus; we must get that poniard back," said Albinik, retracing his
+steps toward the tree. "You have need of a weapon, and this one my
+brother Mikael forged and tempered himself. It will pierce a sheet of
+copper."
+
+"Oh; I shall find it, Albinik. In that well-tempered little blade of
+steel one has an answer for all, and in all languages."
+
+After some search up the foot of the oak, Meroë found her poniard. It
+was cased in a sheath hardly as long as a hen's feather, and not much
+thicker. Meroë fastened it anew under her blouse, and started again on
+the road with her husband. After some little travel along deserted
+paths, the two arrived at a plain. They heard far in the distance the
+great roar of the sea. On a hill they saw the lights of many fires.
+
+"There, at last, is the camp of Caesar," said Albinik, stopping short,
+"the den of the lion."
+
+"The den of the scourge of Gaul. Come, come, the evening is slipping
+away."
+
+"Meroë, the moment has come."
+
+"Do you hesitate now?"
+
+"It is too late. But I would prefer a fair fight under the open heavens,
+vessel to vessel, soldier to soldier, sword to sword. Ah, Meroë, for us,
+Gauls, who despise ambuscade or cowardice, and hang brass bells on the
+iron of our lances to warn the enemy of our approach, to come
+here--traitorously!"
+
+"Traitorously!" exclaimed the young woman. "And to oppress a free
+people--is that loyalty? To reduce the inhabitants to slavery, to exile
+them by herds with iron collars on their necks--is that loyalty? To
+massacre old men and children, to deliver the women and virgins to the
+lust of soldiers--is that loyalty? And now, you would hesitate, after
+having marched a whole day and night by the lights of the conflagration,
+through the midst of those smoking ruins which were caused by the horror
+of Roman oppression? No! No! to exterminate savage beasts, all means are
+good, the trap as well as the boar-spear. Hesitate? Hesitate? Answer,
+Albinik. Without mentioning your voluntary mutilation, without
+mentioning the dangers which we brave in entering this camp--shall we
+not be, if Hesus aids our project, the first victims of that great
+sacrifice which we are going to make to the Gods? Come, believe me; he
+who gives his life has nothing to blush for. By the love which I bear
+you, by the virgin blood of your sister Hena, I have at this moment, I
+swear to you, the consciousness of fulfilling a holy duty. Come, come,
+the evening is passing."
+
+"What Meroë, the just and valiant, finds to be just and valiant, must be
+so," said Albinik, pressing his companion to his breast.
+
+"Yes, yes, to exterminate savage beasts all means are good, the trap as
+well as the spear. Who gives his life has no cause to blush. Come!"
+
+The couple hastened their pace toward the lights of the camp of Caesar.
+After a few moments, they heard close at hand, resounding on the earth,
+the measured tread of several soldiers, and the clashing of their swords
+on their iron armor. Presently they distinguished the invaders' red
+crested helmets glittering in the moonlight.
+
+"They are the soldiers of the guard, who keep vigil around the camp,"
+said Albinik. "Let us go to them."
+
+Soon the travelers reached the Roman soldiers, by whom they were
+immediately surrounded. Albinik, who had learned in the Roman tongue
+these only words: "We are Breton Gauls; we would speak with Caesar,"
+addressed them to his captors; but these, learning from Albinik's own
+admission that he and his companion were of the provinces that had risen
+in arms, forthwith took them prisoners, and treated them as such. They
+bound them, and conducted them to the camp.
+
+Albinik and Meroë were first taken to one of the gates of the
+entrenchment. Beside the gate, they saw, a cruel warning, five large
+wooden crosses. On each one of these a Gallic seaman was crucified, his
+clothes stained with blood. The light of the moon illuminated the
+corpses.
+
+"They have not deceived us," said Albinik in a low voice to his
+companion. "The pilots have been crucified after having undergone
+frightful tortures, rather than pilot the fleet of Caesar along the
+coast of Brittany."
+
+"To make them undergo torture, and death on the cross," flashed back
+Meroë, "is that loyalty! Would you still hesitate? Will you still speak
+of 'treachery'?"
+
+Albinik answered not a word, but in the dark he pressed his companion's
+hand. Brought before the officer who commanded the post, the mariner
+repeated the only words which he knew in the Roman tongue:
+
+"We are Breton Gauls; we would speak with Caesar." In these times of
+war, the Romans would often seize or detain travelers, for the purpose
+of learning from them what was passing in the revolted provinces. Caesar
+had given orders for all prisoners and fugitives who could throw light
+on the movements of the Gauls to be brought before him.
+
+The husband and wife were accordingly not surprised to see themselves,
+in fulfillment of their secret hope, conducted across the camp to
+Caesar's tent, which was guarded by the flower of his Spanish veterans,
+charged with watching over his person.
+
+Arrived within the tent of Caesar, the scourge of Gaul, Albinik and
+Meroë were freed of their bonds. Despite their souls' being stirred with
+hatred for the invader of their country, they looked about them with a
+somber curiosity.
+
+The tent of the Roman general, covered on the outside with thick pelts,
+like all the other tents of the camp, was decorated within with a
+purple-colored material embroidered with gold and white silk. The beaten
+earth was buried from sight under a carpet of tiger skins. Caesar was
+finishing supper, reclining on a camp bed which was concealed under a
+great lion-skin, decorated with gold claws and eyes of carbuncles.
+Within his reach, on a low table, the couple saw large vases of gold and
+silver, richly chased, and cups ornamented with precious stones. Humbly
+seated at the foot of Caesar's couch, Meroë saw a young and beautiful
+female slave, an African without doubt, for her white garments threw out
+all the stronger the copper colored hue of her face. Slowly she raised
+her large, shining back eyes to the two strangers, all the while petting
+a large greyhound which was stretched out at her side. She seemed to be
+as timid as the dog.
+
+The generals, the officers, the secretaries, the handsome looking young
+freedmen of Caesar's suite, were standing about his camp bed, while
+black Abyssinian slaves, wearing coral ornaments at their necks, wrists
+and ankles, and motionless as statues, held in their hands torches of
+scented wax, whose gleam caused the splendid armor of the Romans to
+glitter.
+
+Caesar, before whom Albinik and Meroë cast down their eyes for fear of
+betraying their hatred, had exchanged his armor for a long robe of
+richly broidered silk. His head was bare, nothing covered his large bald
+forehead, on each side of which his brown hair was closely trimmed. The
+warmth of the Gallic wine which it was his habit to drink to excess at
+night, caused his eyes to shine, and colored his pale cheeks. His face
+was imperious, his laugh mocking and cruel. He was leaning on one elbow,
+holding in one hand, thinned with debauchery, a wide gold cup, enriched
+with pearls. He looked at it leisurely and fitfully, still fixing his
+piercing gaze on the two prisoners, who were placed in such a manner
+that Albinik almost entirely hid Meroë.
+
+Caesar said a few words in Latin to his officers, who had been preparing
+to retire. One of them went up to the couple, brusquely shoved Albinik
+back, and took Meroë by the hand. Thus he forced her to advance a few
+steps, clearly for the purpose of permitting Caesar to look at her with
+greater ease. He did so, while at the same time and without turning
+around, reaching his empty cup to one of his young cup-bearers.
+
+Albinik knew how to control himself. He remained quiet while he saw his
+chaste wife blush under the bold looks of Caesar. After gazing at her
+for a moment, the Roman general beckoned to one of his interpreters. The
+two exchanged a few words, whereupon the interpreter drew close to
+Meroë, and said to her in the Gallic tongue:
+
+"Caesar asks whether you are a youth or a maiden!"
+
+"My companion and I have fled the Gallic camp," responded Meroë
+ingenuously. "Whether I am a youth or a maiden matters little to
+Caesar."
+
+At these words, translated by the interpreter to Caesar, the Roman
+laughed cynically, while his officers partook of the gaiety of their
+general. Caesar continued to empty cup after cup, fixing his eyes more
+and more ardently on Albinik's wife. He said a few words to the
+interpreter, who commenced to question the two prisoners, conveying as
+he proceeded, their answers to the general, who would then prompt new
+questions.
+
+"Who are you!" said the interpreter, "Whence come you!"
+
+"We are Bretons," answered Albinik. "We come from the Gallic camp, which
+is established under the walls of Vannes, two days' march from here."
+
+"Why have you deserted the Gallic camp!"
+
+Albinik answered not a word, but unwrapped the bloody bandage in which
+his arm was swathed. The Romans then saw that his left hand was cut off.
+The interpreter resumed:
+
+"Who has thus mutilated you?"
+
+"The Gauls."
+
+"But you are a Gaul yourself?"
+
+"Little does that matter to the Chief of the Hundred Valleys."
+
+At the name of the Chief of the Hundred Valleys, Caesar knit his brows,
+and his face was filled with envy and hatred.
+
+The interpreter resumed, addressing Albinik: "Explain yourself."
+
+"I am a sailor, and command a merchant vessel. Several other captains
+and I received the order to transport some armed men by sea, and to
+disembark them in the harbor of Vannes, by the bay of Morbihan. I
+obeyed. A gust of wind carried away one of my masts; my vessel arrived
+the last of all. Then--the Chief of the Hundred Valleys inflicted upon
+me the penalty for laggards. But he was generous. He let me off with my
+life, and gave me the choice between, the loss of my nose, my ears, or
+one hand. I have been mutilated, but not for having lacked courage or
+willingness. That would have been just, I would have undergone it
+according to the laws of my country, without complaint."
+
+"But this wrongful torture," joined in Meroë, "Albinik underwent because
+the sea wind came up against him. As well punish with death him who
+cannot see clear in the pitchy night--him who cannot darken the light of
+the sun."
+
+"And this mutilation covers me for ever with shame!" exclaimed Albinik.
+"Everywhere it is said: 'That fellow's a coward!' I have never known
+hatred; now my heart is filled with it. Perish that Fatherland where I
+cannot live but in dishonor! Perish its liberty! Perish the liberty of
+my people, provided only that I be avenged upon the Chief of the Hundred
+Valleys! For that I would gladly give the other hand which he has left
+me. That is why I have come here with my companion. Sharing my shame,
+she shares my hatred. That hatred we offer to Caesar; let him use it as
+he wills; let him try us. Our lives answer for our sincerity. As to
+recompense, we want none."
+
+"Vengeance--that is what we must have," interjected Meroë.
+
+"In what can you serve Caesar against the Chief of the Hundred Valleys?"
+queried the interpreter.
+
+"I offer Caesar my service as a mariner, as a soldier, as a guide, as a
+spy even, if he wishes it."
+
+"Why did you not seek to kill the Chief of the Hundred Valleys, being
+able to approach him in the Gallic camp?" suggested the interpreter.
+"You would have been revenged."
+
+"Immediately after the mutilation of my husband," answered Meroë, "we
+were driven from the camp. We could not return."
+
+The interpreter again conversed with the Roman general, who, while
+listening, did not cease to empty his cup and to follow Meroë with
+brazen looks.
+
+"You are a mariner, you say!" resumed the interpreter. "You used to
+command a merchantman?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"And--are you a good seaman?"
+
+"I am five and twenty years old. From the age of twelve I have traveled
+on the sea; for four years I have commanded a vessel."
+
+"Do you know well the coast between Vannes and the channel which
+separates Great Britain from Gaul?"
+
+"I am from the port of Vannes, near the forest of Karnak. For more than
+sixteen years I have sailed these coasts continuously."
+
+"Would you make a good pilot?"
+
+"May I lose all the limbs which the Chief of the Hundred Valleys has
+left me, if there is a bay, a cape, an islet, a rock, a sand-bank, or a
+breaker, which I do not know from the Gulf of Aquitaine to Dunkirk."
+
+"You are vaunting your skill as a pilot. How can you prove it?"
+
+"We are near the shore. For him who is not a good and fearless sailor,
+nothing is more dangerous than the navigation of the mouth of the Loire,
+going up towards the north."
+
+"That is true," answered the interpreter. "Even yesterday a Roman galley
+ran aground on a sand-bank and was lost."
+
+"Who pilots a boat well," observed Albinik, "pilots well a galley, I
+think."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"To-morrow conduct us to the shore. I know the fisher boats of the
+country; my wife and I will suffice to handle one. From the top of the
+bank Caesar will see us skim around the rocks and breakers, and play
+with them as the sea raven plays with the wave it skims. Then Caesar
+will believe me capable of safely piloting a galley on the coasts of
+Brittany."
+
+Albinik's offer having been translated to Caesar by the interpreter, the
+latter proceeded:
+
+"We accept your test. It shall be done to-morrow morning. If it proves
+your skill as a pilot--and we shall take all precautions against
+treachery, lest you should wish to trick us--perhaps you will be charged
+with a mission which will serve your hatred, all the more seeing that
+you can have no idea of what that mission is. But for that it will be
+necessary to gain the entire confidence of Caesar."
+
+"What must I do!"
+
+"You must know the forces and plans of the Gallic army. Beware of
+telling an untruth; we already have reports on that subject. We shall
+see if you are sincere; if not, the chamber of torture is not far off."
+
+"Arrived at Vannes in the morning, arrested, judged, and punished almost
+immediately, and then driven from the Gallic camp, I could not learn the
+decisions of the council which was held the previous evening," promptly
+answered Albinik. "But the situation was grave, for the women were
+called to the council; it lasted from sun-down to dawn. The current
+rumor was that heavy re-enforcements to the Gallic army were on the
+way."
+
+"Who were those re-enforcements?"
+
+"The tribes of Finisterre and of the north coasts, those of Lisieux, of
+Amiens, and of Perche. They said, even, that the warriors of Brabant
+were coming by sea."
+
+After translating to Caesar Albinik's answer, the interpreter resumed:
+
+"You speak true. Your words agree with the reports which have been made
+to us. But some scouts returned this evening and have brought the news
+that, two or three leagues from here, they saw in the north the glare of
+a conflagration. You come from the north. Do you know anything about
+that?"
+
+"From the outskirts of Vannes up to three leagues from here," answered
+Albinik, "there remains not a town, not a borough, not a village, not a
+house, not a sack of wheat, not a skin of wine, not a cow, not a sheep,
+not a rick of fodder, not a man, woman, or child. Provisions, cattle,
+stores, everything that could not be carried away, have been given up to
+the flames by the inhabitants. At the hour that I speak to you, all the
+tribes of the burned regions are rallied to the support of the Gallic
+army, leaving behind them nothing but a desert of smouldering ruins."
+
+As Albinik progressed with his account, the amazement of the interpreter
+deepened, his terror increased. In his fright he seemed not to dare
+believe what he heard. He hesitated to make Caesar aware of the awful
+news. At last he resigned himself to the requirements of his office.
+
+Albinik did not take his eyes from Caesar, for he wished to read in his
+face what impression the words of the interpreter would make. Well
+skilled in dissimulation, they say, was the Roman general. Nevertheless,
+as the interpreter spoke, stupefaction, fear, frenzy and doubt betrayed
+themselves in the face of Gaul's oppressor. His officers and
+councillors looked at one another in consternation, exchanging under
+their breaths words which seemed full of anguish. Then Caesar, sitting
+bolt upright on his couch, addressed several short and violent words to
+the interpreter, who immediately turned to the mariner:
+
+"Caesar says you lie. Such a disaster is impossible. No nation is
+capable of such a sacrifice. If you have lied, you shall expiate your
+crime on the rack."
+
+Great was the joy of Albinik and Meroë on seeing the consternation and
+fury of the Roman, who could not make up his mind to believe the heroic
+resolution, so fatal to his army. But the couple concealed their
+emotions, and Albinik answered:
+
+"Caesar has in his camp Numidian horsemen, with tireless horses. Let him
+send out scouts instantly. Let them scour not only the country which we
+have just crossed in one night and day of travel, but let them extend
+their course into the east, to the boundary of Touraine. Let them go
+still further, as far as Berri; and so much further as their horses can
+carry them; they will traverse regions ravaged by fire, and deserted."
+
+Hardly had Albinik pronounced these words, when the Roman general shot
+some orders at several of his officers. They rushed from the tent in
+haste, while he, relapsing into his habitual dissimulation, and no doubt
+regretful of having betrayed his fears in the presence of the Gallic
+fugitives, affected to smile, and stretched himself again on his lion
+skin. He held out his cup to one of his cup-bearers, and emptied it
+after saying to the interpreter some words which he translated thus:
+
+"Caesar empties his cup to the honor of the Gauls--and, by Jupiter, he
+gives them thanks for having done just what he wished to do himself. For
+old Gaul shall humble herself vanquished and repentant, before Rome,
+like the most humble slave--or not one of her towns shall remain
+standing, not one of her warriors living, not one of her people free."
+
+"May the gods hear Caesar," answered Albinik. "Let Gaul be enslaved or
+devastated, and I shall be avenged on the Chief of the Hundred
+Valleys--for he will suffer a thousand deaths in seeing subdued or
+destroyed that fatherland which I now curse."
+
+While the interpreter was translating these words, the general, either
+to hide all the more his fears, or to drown them in wine, emptied his
+cup several times, and began to cast at Meroë more and more ardent
+looks. Then, a thought seeming to strike him, he smiled with a singular
+air, made a sign to one of the freedmen, and spoke to him in a low
+voice. He also whispered a few hurried words to the Moorish slave-girl,
+until then seated at his feet, whereupon she and the freedman left the
+tent.
+
+The interpreter thereupon returned to Albinik: "So far your answers have
+proved your sincerity. If the news you have just given is confirmed, if
+to-morrow you show yourself a capable and courageous pilot, you will be
+able to serve your revenge. If you satisfy Caesar, he will be generous.
+If you play us false your punishment will be terrible. Did you see, at
+the entrance to the camp, five men crucified!"
+
+"I saw them."
+
+"They are pilots who refused to serve us. They had to be carried to the
+crosses, because their legs, crushed by the torture, could not sustain
+them. Such will be your lot and that of your companion, upon the least
+suspicion."
+
+"I fear these threats no more than I expect a gift from the magnificence
+of Caesar," haughtily returned Albinik. "Let him try me first, then
+judge me."
+
+"You and your companion will be taken to a nearby tent; you will be
+guarded there like prisoners."
+
+At a sign from the Roman, the two Gauls were led away and conducted
+through a winding passage covered with cloth, into an adjacent tent,
+where they were left alone.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+GALLIC VIRTUE.
+
+
+So great was the distrust in which Albinik and his wife held everything
+Roman, that before passing the night in the tent to which they had been
+taken, they examined it carefully. The tent, round of form, was
+decorated inside with woolen cloth, striped in strongly contrasting
+colors. It was fixed on taut cords which were fastened to stakes driven
+into the earth. The cloth of the tent did not come down close to the
+ground, and Albinik remarked that between the coarsely tanned hides
+which served as a carpet, and the lower edge of the tent, there remained
+a space three times the width of his palm. There was no other visible
+entrance to the tent but the one the couple had just crossed, which was
+closed by two flaps of cloth overlapping each other. An iron bed
+furnished with cushions was half enveloped in draperies, with which one
+could shut himself in by pulling a cord hanging over the head of the
+bed. A brass lamp, raised on a long shaft stuck into the ground, feebly
+lighted the interior of the tent.
+
+After examining silently and carefully the place where he was to pass
+the night with his wife, Albinik said to her in a whisper:
+
+"Caesar will have us spied upon to-night. They will listen to our
+conversation. But no matter how softly they come, or how cunningly they
+hide themselves, no one can approach the cloth from the outside to
+listen to us, without our seeing, through that gap, the feet of the
+spy," and he pointed out to his wife the circular space left between the
+earth and the lower rim of the tent cloth.
+
+"Do you think, then, Albinik, that Caesar has any suspicions? Could he
+suppose that a man would have the courage to mutilate himself in order
+to induce confidence in his feelings of revenge?"
+
+"And our brothers, the inhabitants of the regions which we have just
+traversed, have they not shown a courage a thousand times greater than
+mine, in giving up their country to the flames? My one hope is in the
+absolute need our enemy has of Gallic pilots to conduct his ships along
+the Breton coasts. Now especially, when the land offers not a single
+resource to his army, the way by sea is perhaps his only means of
+safety. You saw, when he learned of that heroic devastation, that he
+could not, even he, always so dissembling, they say, hide his
+consternation and fury, which he then tried to forget in the fumes of
+wine. And that is not the only debauchery to which he gives himself up.
+I saw you blush under the obstinate looks of the infamous debauchee."
+
+"Oh, Albinik! while my forehead reddened with shame and anger under the
+eyes of Caesar, twice my hand sought and clasped under my garments the
+weapon with which I am provided. Once I measured the distance which
+separated me from him--it was too great."
+
+"At the first movement, before reaching him, you would have been pierced
+with a thousand sword thrusts. Our project is worth more. If it
+thrives," added Albinik, throwing a meaning glance at his companion, and
+instead of speaking low as he had been doing up till now, raising his
+voice little by little, "if our project thrives, if Caesar has faith in
+my word, we will be able at last to avenge ourselves on my tormentor.
+Oh, I tell you, I feel now for Gaul the hatred with which the Romans
+once inspired me!"
+
+Surprised by Albinik's words, Meroë stared at him in amazement. But by a
+sign he showed her, through the empty space left between the ground and
+the cloth, of the tent, the toes of the sandals of the interpreter, who
+had approached and now listened without. At once the young woman
+replied:
+
+"I share your hate, as I have shared your heart's love, and the peril of
+your mariner's life. May Hesus cause Caesar to understand what services
+you can render him, and I shall be the witness of your revenge as I was
+the witness of your torture."
+
+These words, and many others, exchanged by the couple to the end of
+deceiving the interpreter, apparently reassured the spy of the honesty
+of the two prisoners, for presently they saw him move away.
+
+Shortly thereafter, at the moment that Albinik and Meroë, fatigued with
+their long journey, were about to throw themselves into bed in their
+clothes, the interpreter appeared at the entry. The uplifted cloth
+disclosed several Spanish soldiers.
+
+"Caesar wishes to converse with you immediately," said the interpreter
+to the mariner. "Follow me."
+
+Albinik felt certain that the suspicions of the Roman general, if he had
+any, had just been allayed by the interpreter's report, and that the
+moment had come when he was to learn the mission with which they wished
+to charge him. Accordingly, he prepared to leave the tent, and Meroë
+with him, when the interpreter said to the young woman, stopping her
+with a gesture:
+
+"You may not accompany us. Caesar wishes to speak with your companion
+alone."
+
+"And I," answered the seaman, taking his wife by the hand, "I shall not
+leave Meroë."
+
+"Do you really refuse my order?" cried the interpreter. "Beware,
+beware!"
+
+"We go together to Caesar," began Meroë, "or we go not at all."
+
+"Poor fools! Are you not prisoners at our mercy?" said the interpreter
+to them, pointing to the soldiers, motionless at the door of the tent.
+"Willingly or unwillingly, I will be obeyed."
+
+Albinik reflected that resistance was impossible. Death he was not
+afraid of; but to die was to renounce his plans at the moment when they
+seemed to be prospering. Nevertheless, the thought of leaving Meroë
+alone in the tent disturbed him. The young woman divined the fears of
+her husband, and feeling, like him, that they must resign themselves,
+said:
+
+"Go alone. I shall wait for you without fear, true as your brother is an
+able armorer."
+
+Reassured by his wife's significant words, Albinik followed the
+interpreter. The door flaps of the tent, for the moment raised, fell
+back into place. Immediately, from behind them, she heard a heavy thud.
+She ran towards the place, and saw that a thick wicker screen had been
+fastened outside, closing the door. The young woman was at first
+surprised with this precaution, but she presently thought that it would
+be better to remain thus secured while awaiting Albinik, and that
+perhaps he himself had asked that the tent be closed till his return.
+
+Meroë accordingly seated herself thoughtfully on the bed, full of hope
+in the interview which undoubtedly her husband was then having with
+Caesar. Suddenly her revery was broken by a singular noise. It came from
+the part directly in front of the bed. Almost immediately, the cloth
+parted its whole length. The young woman sprang to her feet. Her first
+movement was to seize the poniard which she carried under her blouse.
+Then, trusting in herself and in the weapon which she held, she waited,
+calling to mind the Gallic proverb, "He who takes his own life in his
+hands has nothing to fear but the gods!"
+
+Against the background of dense shadows on which the tent cloth parted,
+Meroë saw the young Moorish slave approach, wrapped in her white
+garments. As soon as the slave had put her foot in the tent, she fell
+upon her knees, and stretched out her clasped hands to Albinik's
+companion. Touched by the suppliant gesture and the grief imprinted on
+the face of the slave, Meroë felt neither suspicion nor fear, but
+compassion mingled with curiosity, and she laid her poniard at the head
+of the bed. The Moorish girl advanced, creeping on her knees, her two
+hands still extended towards Meroë, who, full of pity, leaned towards
+the suppliant, meaning to raise her up. But when the slave had
+sufficiently approached the bed where the poniard was, she raised
+herself with a bound, and leaped to the weapon. Evidently she had not
+lost sight of it since entering the tent, and before Albinik's stupefied
+companion could oppose her, the poniard was flung into the outer
+darkness.
+
+By the peal of savage laughter which burst from the Moorish girl when
+she had thus disarmed Meroë, the latter saw that she had been betrayed.
+She ran toward the dark passage to recover her poniard, or to flee. But
+out of those shadows, she saw coming--Caesar.
+
+Stricken with fear, the Gallic woman recoiled several steps, Caesar
+advanced likewise, and the slave disappeared by the opening, which was
+immediately closed again. By the uncertain step of the Roman, by the
+fire in his looks, the excitement which impurpled his cheeks, Meroë saw
+that he was inebriate. Her terror subsided. He carried under his arm a
+casket of precious wood. After silently gazing at the young woman with
+such effrontery that the blush of shame again mounted to her forehead,
+the Roman drew from the casket a rich necklace of chased gold. He went
+closer to the lamp-light in order to improve its glitter in the eyes of
+the woman whom he wished to tempt. Then, simulating an ironical
+reverence, he stooped and placed the necklace at the feet of the Gaul.
+Rising, he questioned her with an audacious look.
+
+Meroë, standing with arms crossed on her breast, heaving with
+indignation and scorn, looked haughtily at Caesar, and spurned the
+collar with her foot.
+
+The Roman made an insulting gesture of surprise; he laughed with an air
+of disdainful confidence; and then drew from the casket a magnificent
+gold net-work for the hair, all encrusted with carbuncles. After making
+it sparkle in the lamp-light, he deposited the second trinket also at
+the feet of Meroë. Redoubling his ironical respect, he rose, and seemed
+to say:
+
+"This time I am sure of my triumph!"
+
+Meroë, pale with anger, smiled disdainfully.
+
+Then Caesar emptied at the young woman's feet all the contents of the
+casket. It was like a flood of gold, pearls, and precious stones, of
+necklaces, zones, earrings, bracelets, jewels of all sorts.
+
+This time Meroë did not push away the gewgaws with her foot. She ground
+under the heel of her boot as many of the trinkets as she could rapidly
+stamp upon, and drove back the infamous debauchee, who was advancing
+toward her with confidently open arms.
+
+Confused for a moment, the Roman put his hand to his heart, as if to
+protest his adoration. The woman of Gaul answered the mute language with
+a burst of laughter so scornful that Caesar, intoxicated with lust, wine
+and anger, seemed to say:
+
+"I have offered riches, I have offered prayers. All in vain; I shall use
+force."
+
+Albinik's wife was alone and disarmed. She knew that her cries would
+bring her no help. Her resolve was soon taken. The chaste, brave woman
+leaped upon the bed, seized the long cord which served to lower the
+draperies, and knotted it around her neck. Then she quickly climbed upon
+the head of the bed-stead, ready to launch herself into the air, and
+strangle herself by the weight of her own body at Caesar's first step
+towards her. So desperate was the resolution depicted on Meroë's face
+that the Roman general for an instant remained motionless. Then, urged
+either by compunction for his violence; or by the certainty that, if he
+attempted force, he would have but a corpse in his possession; or, as
+the unscrupulous libertine later pretended, by a generous impulse that
+had guided him throughout;--whatever his motive, Caesar stepped back
+several paces, and raised his hand to heaven as if to call the gods to
+witness that he would respect his prisoner. Still suspicious, the Gallic
+woman kept herself in readiness to give up her life. The Roman turned
+towards the secret opening of the tent, disappeared into the shadows for
+a moment, and gave an order in a loud voice. Immediately he returned,
+but kept himself at a wide distance from the bed, his arms crossed on
+his toga. Not knowing whether the danger she ran was not still to be
+increased, Meroë remained standing on the bed-stead with the cord about
+her neck. After a few minutes she saw the interpreter enter, accompanied
+by Albinik; with one bound she sprang to her husband.
+
+"Your wife is a woman of manful virtue," said the interpreter to
+Albinik. "Behold those treasures at her feet; she has spurned them.
+Great Caesar's love she has scorned. He pretended to resort to
+violence. Your companion, disarmed by a trick, was prepared to take her
+own life. Thus gloriously has she come out of the test."
+
+"The test?" answered Albinik, with an air of sinister doubt. "The test?
+Who, here, has the right to test the virtue of my wife?"
+
+"The thought of vengeance, which have brought you into the Roman camp,
+are the thoughts of a haughty soul, roused by injustice and barbarity.
+The mutilation which you have suffered seemed above all to prove the
+truth of your words," resumed the interpreter. "But fugitives always
+arouse a secret suspicion. The wife often is a test of the husband.
+Yours is a valiant wife. To inspire such fidelity, you must be a man of
+courage and of truth. That is what we wished to make sure of."
+
+"I don't know," began the mariner doubtfully, "the licentiousness of
+your general is well known----"
+
+"The gods have sent us in you a precious aid; you can become fatal to
+the Gauls. Do you believe Caesar is foolish enough to wish to make an
+enemy of you by outraging your wife, at the very moment, perhaps, when
+he is about to charge you with a mission of trust? No, I repeat: he
+wished to try you both, and so far the trials are favorable to you."
+
+Caesar interrupted the interpreter, saying a few words to him. Then
+bowing respectfully to Meroë, and saluting Albinik with a friendly
+gesture, he slowly and majestically left the tent.
+
+"You and your wife," said the interpreter, "are henceforth assured of
+the general's protection. He gives you his word for it. You shall no
+more be separated or disturbed. The wife of the courageous mariner has
+scorned these rich ornaments," added the interpreter, collecting the
+jewels and replacing them in the casket. "Caesar wishes to keep as a
+reminder of Gallic virtue the poniard which she wore, and which he took
+from her by ruse. Reassure yourself, she shall not remain unarmed."
+
+Almost at the same instant, two young freedmen entered the tent. They
+carried on a large silver tray a little oriental dagger of rich
+workmanship, and a Spanish saber, short and slightly curved, hung from a
+baldric of red leather, magnificently embroidered in gold. The
+interpreter presented the dagger to Meroë and the saber to Albinik,
+saying to them as he did so:
+
+"Sleep in peace, and guard these gifts of the grandeur of Caesar."
+
+"And do you assure him," returned Albinik, "that your words and his
+generosity dissipate my suspicions. Henceforth he will have no more
+devoted allies than my wife and myself, until our vengeance be
+satisfied."
+
+The interpreter left, taking with him the two freedmen. Albinik then
+told his wife that when he had been taken into the Roman general's tent,
+he had waited for Caesar, in company with the interpreter, up to the
+moment when they both returned to the tent, under the conduct of a
+slave. Meroë told in turn what had occurred to her. The couple concluded
+that Caesar, half drunk, had at first yielded to a foul thought, but
+that Meroë's desperate resolve, backed up by the reflection that he was
+running the risk of estranging a fugitive from whom he might reap good
+service, had curbed the Roman's passion. With his habitual trickery and
+address, he had given, under the pretext of a "trial," an almost
+generous appearance to the odious attempt.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+THE TRIAL.
+
+
+The next morning Caesar, accompanied by his generals, set out for the
+bank which commanded the mouth of the Loire, where a tent had been set
+up for him. From this place the sea and its dangerous shores, strewn
+with sand-bars and rocks level with the water, could be seen in the
+distance. The wind was blowing a gale. Moored to the bank was a
+fisherman's boat, at once solid and light, rigged Gallic fashion, with
+one square sail with flaps cut in its lower edge. To this craft Albinik
+and Meroë were forthwith conducted.
+
+"It is stormy, the sea is menacing," said the interpreter to them. "Will
+you dare to venture it alone with your wife? There are some fishermen
+here who have been taken prisoners--do you want their help?"
+
+"My wife and I have before now braved tempests alone in our boat, when
+we made for my ship, anchored far out from shore on account of bad
+weather."
+
+"But now you are maimed," answered the interpreter. "How will you be
+able to manage!"
+
+"One hand is enough for the tiller. My companion will raise the
+sail--the woman's business, since it is a sort of cloth," gaily added
+the mariner to give the Romans faith in him.
+
+"Go ahead then," said the interpreter. "May the gods direct you."
+
+The bark, pushed into the waves by several soldiers, rocked a minute
+under the flappings of the sail, which had not yet caught the wind. But
+soon, held by Meroë, while her husband managed the tiller, the sail
+filled, and bellied out to the blast. The boat leaned gently, and seemed
+to fly over the crests of the waves like a sea-bird. Meroë, dressed in
+her mariner's costume, stayed at the prow, her black hair streaming in
+the wind. Occasionally the white foam of the ocean, bursting from the
+prow of the boat, flung its stinging froth in the young woman's noble
+face. Albinik knew these coasts as the ferryman of the solitary moors of
+Brittany knows their least detours. The bark seemed to play with the
+high waves. From time to time the couple saw in the distance the tent of
+Caesar, recognizable by its purple flaps, and saw gleaming in the sun
+the gold and silver which decked the armor of his generals.
+
+"Oh, Caesar!--scourge of Gaul--the most cruel, the most debauched of
+men!" exclaimed Meroë. "You do not know that this frail bark, which at
+this moment you are following in the distance with your eyes, bears two
+of your most desperate enemies. You do not know that they have
+beforehand given over their lives to Hesus in the hope of making to
+Teutates, god of journeys by land and by sea, an offering worthy of
+him--an offering of several thousand Romans, sinking in the depths of
+the sea. It is with hands raised to you, thankful and happy, O, Hesus,
+that we shall disappear in the bottom of the deep, with the enemies of
+our sacred Gaul!"
+
+The bark of Albinik and Meroë, almost grazing the rocks and glancing
+over the surges along the dangerous ashore, sometimes drew away from,
+sometimes approached the bank. The mariner's companion, seeing him sad
+and thoughtful, said:
+
+"Still brooding, Albinik! Everything favors our projects. The Roman
+general is no longer suspicious; your skill this morning will decide him
+to accept your services; and to-morrow, mayhap, you will pilot the
+galleys of our enemies----"
+
+"Yes, I will pilot them to the bottom, where they will be swallowed up,
+and we with them."
+
+"What a magnificent offering to the gods! Ten thousand Romans, perhaps!"
+
+"Meroë," answered Albinik with a sigh, "then, after ending our lives
+here, even as the soldiers, brave warriors after all, we shall be
+resurrected elsewhere with them. They will say to me: 'It was not
+through bravery, with the lance and the sword, that you overcame us. No,
+you slew us without a combat, by treason. You watched at the rudder, we
+slept in peace and confidence. You steered us on the rocks--in an
+instant the sea swallowed us. You are like a cowardly poisoner, who
+would send us to our death by putting poison in our food. Is that an act
+of valor? No, no longer do you know the open boldness of your fathers,
+those proud Gauls who fought us half naked, who railed at us in our iron
+armor, asking why we fought if we were afraid of wounds or death.'"
+
+"Ah!" exclaimed Meroë, sadly and bitterly, "Why did the druidesses teach
+me that a woman ought to escape the last outrage by death! Why did your
+mother Margarid tell us so often, as a noble example to follow, the
+deed of your grandmother Syomara, who cut off the head of the Roman who
+ravished her, and carrying the head under the skirt of her robe to her
+husband, said to him these proud and chaste words: 'No two men living
+can boast of having possessed me!' Why did I not yield to Caesar?"
+
+"Meroë!"
+
+"Perhaps you would then have been avenged! faint heart! weak spirit!
+Must then the outrage be completed, the ignominy swallowed, before your
+anger is kindled?"
+
+"Meroë, Meroë!"
+
+"It is not enough for you, then, that the Roman has proposed to your
+wife to sell herself, to deliver herself to him for gifts? It is to your
+wife--do you hear!--to your wife, that Caesar made that offer of shame!"
+
+"You speak true," answered the mariner, feeling anger fire his heart at
+the memory of these outrages, "I was a spiritless fellow----"
+
+But his companion went on with redoubled bitterness:
+
+"No, I see it now. This is not enough. I should have died. Then perhaps
+you would have sworn vengeance over my body. Oh, they arouse pity in
+you, these Romans, of whom we wish to make an offering to the gods! They
+are not accomplices to the crime which Caesar attempted, say you?
+Answer! Would they have come to my aid, these soldiers, these brave
+warriors, if, instead of relying on my own courage and drawing my
+strength from my love for you, I had cried, implored, supplicated,
+'Romans, in the name of your mothers, defend me from the lust of your
+general'? Answer! Would they have come at my call? Would they have
+forgotten that I was a Gaul--that Caesar was Caesar? Would the 'generous
+hearts' of these brave fellows have revolted? After rape, do not they
+themselves drown the infants in the blood of their mothers?----"
+
+Albinik did not allow his companion to finish. He blushed at his lack of
+heart. He blushed at having an instant forgotten the horrible deeds
+perpetrated by the Romans in their impious war. He blushed at having
+forgotten that the sacrifice of the enemies of Gaul was above all else
+pleasing to Hesus. In his anger, he rang out, for answer, the war song
+of the Breton seamen, as if the wind could carry his words of defiance
+and death to Caesar where he stood on the bank:
+
+    Tor-e-benn!   Tor-e-benn![4]
+    As I was lying in my vessel I heard
+    The sea-eagle calling, in the dead of night.
+    He called his eaglets and all the birds of the shore.
+    He said to them as he called:
+    'Arise ye, all--come--come.
+    It is no longer the putrid flesh of the dog or sheep we must have--
+    It is Roman flesh.'
+
+    "Tor-e-benn!   Tor-e-benn!
+    Old sea-raven, tell me, what have you there?
+    The head of the Roman leader I clutch;
+    I want his eyes--his two red eyes!'
+    And you, sea-wolf, what have you there?
+
+    'The heart of the Roman leader I hold--
+    I am devouring it.'
+    And you, sea-serpent, what are you doing there,
+    Coiled 'round that neck, your flat head so close
+    To that mouth, already cold and blue?
+    'To hear the soul of the Roman leader
+    Take its departure am I here!'
+    Tor-e-benn!    Tor-e-benn!"
+
+Stirred up, like her husband, by the song of war, Meroë repeated with
+him, seeming to defy Caesar, whose tent they discerned in the distance:
+
+    "Tor-e-benn!     Tor-e-benn!      Tor-e-benn!"
+
+Still the bark of Albinik and Meroë played with the rocks and surges of
+those dangerous roads, sometimes drawing off shore, sometimes in.
+
+"You are the best and most courageous pilot I have ever met with, I, who
+have in my life traveled so much on the sea," said Caesar to Albinik
+when he had regained dry land, and, with Meroë, had left the boat.
+"To-morrow, if the weather is fair, you will guide an expedition, the
+destination of which you will know at the moment of setting sail."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+INTO THE SHALLOWS.
+
+
+The following day, at sunrise, the wind being favorable and the sea
+smooth, the Roman galleys were to sail. Caesar wished to be present at
+the embarkment. He had Albinik brought to him. Beside the general was a
+soldier of great height and savage mien. A flexible armor, made of
+interwoven iron links, covered him from head to foot. He stood
+motionless, a statue of iron, one might say. In his hand he held a
+short, heavy, two-edged axe. Pointing out this man, the interpreter said
+to Albinik:
+
+"You see that soldier. During the sail he will stick to you like your
+shadow. If through your fault or by treason, a single one of the galleys
+grates her keel, he has orders to kill you and your companion on the
+instant. If, on the contrary, you carry the fleet to harbor safely, the
+general will overwhelm you with gifts. You will then give the most happy
+mortals cause for envy."
+
+"Caesar shall be satisfied," answered Albinik.
+
+Followed by the soldier with the axe, he and Meroë went up into the
+galley Pretoria which was to lead the fleet. She was distinguished from
+the other ships by three gilded torches placed on the poop.
+
+Each galley carried seventy rowers, ten sailors to handle the sails,
+fifty light-armed archers and slingers, and one hundred and fifty
+soldiers cased in iron from top to toe.
+
+When the galleys had pulled out from shore, the praetor, military
+commandant of the fleet, told Albinik, through an interpreter, to steer
+for the lower part of the bay of Morbihan, in the neighborhood of the
+town of Vannes, where the Gallic army was assembled. Albinik with his
+hand at the tiller was to convey to the interpreter his orders to the
+master of the rowers. The latter beat time for the rowers, according to
+the pilot's orders, with an iron hammer with which he rapped on a gong
+of brass. As the speed of the Pretoria, whose lead the rest of the Roman
+fleet followed, needed quickening or slackening, he indicated it by
+quickening or slowing the strokes of the hammer.
+
+The galleys, driven by a fair wind, sailed northward. As the interpreter
+had done before, so now the oldest sailors admired the bold manoeuvre
+and quick sight of the Gallic pilot. After a sail of some length, the
+fleet found itself near the southern point of the bay of Morbihan, and
+knew that now it was to enter into those channels, the most dangerous on
+all the coast of Brittany because of the great number of small islands,
+rocks and sand banks, and above all, because of the undercurrents, which
+ran with irresistible violence.
+
+A little island situated in the mouth of the bay, which was still more
+constricted by two points of land, divided the inlet into two narrow
+lanes. Nothing in the surface of the sea, neither breakers nor foam nor
+change in the color of the waters gave token of the slightest difference
+between the two passes. Nevertheless, in one lay not a rock, while the
+other was strewn with danger. In the latter channel, after a hundred
+strokes of the oars, the ships in single file, led by the Pretoria,
+would have been dragged by a submarine current toward a reef of rocks
+which was visible in the distance, and over which the sea, calm
+everywhere else, broke tumultuously. The commanders of the several
+galleys could perceive their peril only one by one; each would be made
+aware of it only by the rapid drifting of the galley ahead of him. Then
+it would be too late. The violence of the current would drag and hurl
+vessel upon vessel. Whirling in the abyss, fouling the bottom, and
+crashing into one another, their timbers would part and they would sink
+into the watery depths with all on board, or else dash themselves on the
+rocky reef. A hundred more strokes of the oar, and the fleet would be
+annihilated in this channel of ruin.
+
+The sea was so calm and beautiful that not one of the Romans had any
+suspicion of danger. The rowers accompanied with songs the measured fall
+of their oars. Of the soldiers some were cleaning their arms; some were
+stretched out in the bow asleep; others were playing at huckle-bones. A
+short distance from Albinik, who was still at the helm, a white haired
+veteran with battle-scarred face was seated on one of the benches in the
+poop, between his two sons, fine young archers of eighteen or twenty
+years. They were conversing with their father, each with one arm
+familiarly laid on a shoulder of the old warrior, whom they thus held
+tight in their embrace; all three seemed to be talking in pleasant
+confidence, and to love one another tenderly. In spite of the hatred he
+entertained for the Romans, Albinik could not help sighing with pity
+when he thought of the fate of these three soldiers, who did not imagine
+they were so near the jaws of death.
+
+Just then one of those light boats used by the Irish seamen shot out
+from the bay of Morbihan by the safe channel. Albinik had, on his
+journeys, made frequent voyages to the coast of Ireland, an island that
+is inhabited by people of Gallic stock. They speak a language almost the
+same as that of the Gauls, yet difficult to understand for one who had
+not been as often on their coast as Albinik had.
+
+The Irishman, either because he feared that he would be pursued and
+caught by one of the men-of-war which he saw approaching, and wished to
+avoid that danger by coming up to the fleet of his own accord, or else
+because he had useful information to give, steered straight toward the
+Pretoria. Albinik shuddered. Perhaps the interpreter would question the
+Irishman, and he might point out the danger which the fleet ran in
+taking one of the passages. Albinik therefore gave orders to bend to the
+oars, in order to get inside the channel of destruction before the
+Irishman could join the galleys. But after a few words exchanged between
+the military commandant and the interpreter, the latter ordered them to
+wait for the boat which was drawing near, so as to ask for tidings of
+the Gallic fleet. Albinik obeyed; he did not dare to oppose the
+commandant for fear of arousing suspicion. Before long the little Irish
+shallop was within hailing distance of the Pretoria. The interpreter,
+stepping forward, hailed the Irishman in Gallic:
+
+"Where do you come from, and where are you bound to? Have you met any
+vessels at sea?"
+
+At these questions the Irishman motioned that he did not understand.
+Then he began in his own half-Gallic tongue:
+
+"I am coming to the fleet to give you news."
+
+"What language does the man speak?" said the interpreter to Albinik. "I
+do not catch his meaning, although his language does not seem entirely
+strange."
+
+"He speaks half Irish, half Gallic," answered Albinik. "I have often
+trafficked on the coasts of his country. I understand the tongue. The
+fellow says he has steered up to us to give us important news."
+
+"Ask him what his news is."
+
+"What information have you to give?" called Albinik to the Irishman.
+
+"The Gallic vessels," answered he, "coming from various ports of
+Brittany, joined forces yesterday evening in the bay I have just left.
+They are in great number, well armed, well manned, and cleared for
+action. They have chosen their anchorage at the foot of the bay, near
+the harbor of Vannes. You will not be able to see them till after
+doubling the promontory of A'elkern."
+
+"The Irishman carries us favorable tidings," cried Albinik to the
+interpreter. "The Gallic fleet is scattered on all sides; part of the
+ships are in the river Auray; the others, still more distant, towards
+the bay of Audiern, and Ouessant. At the foot of this bay, for the
+defense of Vannes, are but five or six poor merchantmen, barely armed in
+their haste."
+
+"By Jupiter!" exclaimed the interpreter, "the gods, as always, are
+favorable to Caesar!"
+
+The praetor and the officers, to whom the interpreter repeated the false
+news given by the pilot, seemed also overjoyed at the dispersion of the
+fleet of Gaul. Vannes was thus delivered into the hands of the Romans
+almost without defenses on the sea side.
+
+Then Albinik said to the interpreter, indicating the soldier with the
+axe:
+
+"Caesar has suspected me. The gods have been kind to allow me to prove
+the injustice of his suspicions. Do you see that islet, about a hundred
+oar-lengths ahead?"
+
+"I see it."
+
+"In order to enter the bay, we must take one of two passages, one to the
+right of the islet, the other to the left. The fate of the Roman fleet
+is in my hands. I could pilot you by one of these passages, which to the
+eye is exactly like the other, and an undercurrent would tow your
+galleys onto a sunken reef. Not one would escape."
+
+"What say you?" exclaimed the interpreter. As for Meroë, she gazed at
+her husband in pained surprise, for, by his words, he seemed finally to
+have renounced his vengeance.
+
+"I speak the truth," answered Albinik. "I'll prove it to you. That
+Irishman knows as well as I the dangers attendant upon entering the bay
+he has just left. I shall ask him to go before us, as pilot, and in
+advance I shall trace for you the route he will take. First he will
+take the channel to the right of the islet; then he will advance till he
+almost touches that point of land which you see furthest off; then he
+will make a wide turn to the right until he is just off those black
+rocks which tower over yonder; that pass behind us, those rocks shunned,
+we shall be safely in the bay. If the Irishman executes this manoeuvre
+from point to point, will you still suspect me?"
+
+"No, by Jupiter!" answered the interpreter. "It would then be absurd to
+entertain the least doubt of your good faith."
+
+"Judge me then," said Albinik, and he addressed a few words to the
+Irishman, who consented to pilot the ships. His manoeuvring tallied
+exactly with what Albinik had foretold. The latter, having given to the
+Romans this testimony of his truthfulness, deployed the fleet in three
+files, and for some time he guided them among the little islands with
+which the bay was dotted. Then he ordered the rowers to rest on their
+oars. From this place they could not see the Gallic fleet, anchored at
+the furthest part of the bay at almost two leagues' distance, and
+screened from all eyes by a lofty promontory.
+
+"Now," said Albinik to the interpreter, "We now run only one danger; it
+is a great one. Before us are shifting sandbanks, occasionally displaced
+by the high tides; the galleys might ground there. It is necessary,
+then, that I reconnoitre the passage plummet in hand, before bringing
+the fleet into it. Let them rest as they are on their oars. Order the
+smallest boat your galley has to be launched, with two rowers. My wife
+will take the tiller. If you have any suspicion, you and the soldier
+with the axe may accompany us in the boat. Then, the passage
+reconnoitred, I shall return on board to pilot the fleet even to the
+mouth of the harbor of Vannes."
+
+"I no longer suspect," answered the interpreter. "But according to
+Caesar's order, neither the soldier nor I may leave you a single
+instant."
+
+"Let it be as you wish," assented Albinik.
+
+A small boat was lowered from the galley. Two rowers descended into it,
+with the soldier and the interpreter; Albinik and Meroë embarked in
+their turn; and the boat drew away from the Roman fleet, which was
+disposed in a crescent, waiting on its oars, for the pilot's return.
+Meroë, seated at the helm, steered the boat according to the directions
+of her husband. He, kneeling and hanging over the prow, sounded the
+passage by means of a ponderous lead fastened to a long stout cord.
+Behind the little islet which the boat was then skirting stretched a
+long sand-bar which the tide, then ebbing, was beginning to uncover.
+Beyond the sand-bar were several rocks fringing the bank. Albinik was
+just about to heave the lead anew; while seeming to be examining on the
+cord the traces of the water's depth, he exchanged a rapid look with his
+wife, indicating with a glance the soldier and the interpreter. Meroë
+understood. The interpreter was seated near her on the poop; then came
+the two rowers on their bench; and at the farther end stood the man with
+the axe, behind Albinik, who was leaning at the bow, his lead in his
+hand. Rising suddenly he made of the plummet a terrible weapon. He
+imparted to it the rapid motion that a slinger imparts to his sling. The
+heavy lead attached to the cord struck the soldier's helmet so violently
+that the man sank to the bottom of the boat stunned with the blow. The
+interpreter rushed forward to the aid of his companion, but Meroë seized
+him by the hair and pulled him back; loosing his balance he toppled into
+the sea. One of the two rowers, who had raised his oar at Albinik,
+immediately rolled headlong overboard. The movement given to the rudder
+by Meroë made the boat approach so close to the rocky islet that she and
+her husband both leaped on it. Rapidly they climbed the steep rocks.
+There was now but one obstacle to their reaching shore. That was the
+sand-bar, one part of which, already uncovered by the sea, was in
+motion, as could be seen from the air bubbles which continually rose to
+the surface. To take that way to reach the rocks of the shore was to die
+in the abyss hidden under the treacherous surface. Already the couple
+heard, from the other side of the island, which hid them from view, the
+cries and threats of the soldier, who had recovered from his daze, and
+the voice of the interpreter, whom the rowers had doubtlessly pulled out
+of the water. Thoroughly familiar with these coasts, Albinik discovered,
+by the size of the gravel and the clearness of the water that covered
+it, that the sand-bar some paces off was firm. At that point, he and
+Meroë crossed, wading up to their waists. They reached the rocks on the
+shore, clambered up nimbly, and then stopped a moment to see if they
+were pursued.
+
+The man with the axe, hampered by his heavy armor and being, no more
+than the interpreter, accustomed to move upon slippery rocks covered
+with seaweed, such as were those of the islet which they had to cross in
+order to reach the fugitives, arrived after many efforts opposite the
+quicksands, which were now left high and dry by the tide. Furious at the
+sight of Albinik and his companion, from whom he saw himself separated
+by only a narrow and level sand-bar, the soldier thought the passage
+easy, and dashed on. At the first step he sank in the quicksand up to
+his knees. He made a violent effort to clear himself but sank deeper
+yet, up to his waist. He called his companions to his aid, but hardly
+had he called when only his head was above the abyss. Then the head also
+disappeared. The soldier raised his hands to heaven as he sank. A moment
+later only one of his iron gauntlets was to be seen convulsively
+quivering above the sand. Presently nothing was to be seen--nothing
+except some bubbles of air on the surface of the quagmire.
+
+The rowers and the interpreter, seized with fear, remained motionless,
+not daring to risk certain death in the capture of the fugitives.
+Feeling safe at last, Albinik addressed these words to the interpreter:
+
+"Say thou to Caesar that I maimed myself to inspire him with confidence
+in the sincerity of my offers of service. My design was to conduct the
+Roman fleet to certain perdition, sacrificing my companion and myself.
+Accident changed my plan. Just as I was piloting you into the channel of
+destruction, whence not a galley would have come back, we met the
+Irishman who informed me that the Gallic ships, since yesterday
+assembled in great numbers and trimmed for fight, are anchored at the
+foot of the bay, two leagues off. Learning that, I changed my plan. I no
+longer wished to cast away the galleys. They will be annihilated just
+the same, but not by a snare or by treachery; it will come about in
+valorous combat, ship to ship, Gaul to Roman. Now, for the sake of the
+fight to-morrow, listen well to this: I have purposely led your galleys
+into the shallows, where in a few minutes they will be left high and dry
+on the sands. They will stay there grounded, for the tide is falling. To
+attempt to disembark is to commit suicide; you are surrounded on all
+sides by moving quicksands like the one in which your soldier and his
+axe have just been swallowed up. Remain on board of your ships.
+To-morrow they will be floated again by the rising tide. And to-morrow,
+battle--battle to the finish. The Gaul will have once more showed that
+NEVER DID BRETON COMMIT TREASON, and that if he glories in the death of
+his enemy, it is because he has killed his enemy fairly."
+
+Then Albinik and Meroë, leaving the interpreter terrified by their
+words, turned in haste to the town of Vannes to give the alarm, and to
+warn the crews of the Gallic fleet to prepare for combat on the morrow.
+
+On the way, Albinik's wife said to him:
+
+"The heart of my beloved husband is more noble than mine. I wished to
+see the Roman fleet destroyed by the sea-rocks. My husband wishes to
+destroy it by the valor of the Gauls. May I forever be proud that I am
+wife to such a man!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+THE EVE OF BATTLE.
+
+
+It was the eve of the battle of Vannes; the battle of Vannes which,
+waged on land and sea, was to decide the fate of Brittany, and,
+consequently, of all Gaul, whether for liberty or enslavement. On this
+memorable evening, in the presence of all the members of our family
+united in the Gallic camp, except my brother Albinik, who had joined the
+Gallic fleet in the bay of Morbihan, my father Joel, the brenn of the
+tribe of Karnak, addressed me, his eldest born, Guilhern the laborer,
+who now writes this account. He said to me:
+
+"To-morrow, my son, is the day of battle. We shall fight hard. I am
+old--you are young. The angel of death will doubtless carry me hence
+first; perhaps to-morrow I shall meet in the other life my sainted
+daughter Hena. Here, now, is what I ask of you, in the face of the
+misfortunes which menace our country, for to-morrow the fortunes of war
+may go with the Romans. My desire is that as long as our stock shall
+last, the love of old Gaul and sacred memories of our fathers shall be
+ever kept fresh in our family. If our children should remain free men,
+the love of country, the reverence for the memory of their ancestors,
+will all the more endear their liberty to them. If they must live and
+die slaves, these holy memories will remind them, from generation to
+generation, that there was a time when, faithful to their gods, valiant
+in war, independent and happy, masters of the soil which they had won
+from nature by severe toil, careless of death, whose secret they held,
+the Gallic race lived, feared by the whole world, yet withal hospitable
+to peoples who extended to them a friendly hand. These memories, kept
+alive from age to age, will make slavery more horrible to our children,
+and some day give them the strength to overthrow it. In order that these
+memories may be thus transmitted from century to century, you must
+promise by Hesus, my son, to be faithful to our old Gallic custom. You
+must tenderly guard this collection of relics which I am going to
+entrust you with; you must add to it; you must make your son Sylvest
+swear to increase it in his turn, so that the children of your
+grandchildren may imitate their fore-fathers, and may themselves be
+imitated by their posterity. Here is the collection. The first roll
+contains the story of all that has chanced to our family up to the
+anniversary of my dear Hena's birthday, that day which also saw her die.
+This other roll I received this evening about sunset from my son Albinik
+the mariner. It contains the story of his journey across the burnt
+territory, to the camp of Caesar. This account throws honor on the
+courage of the Gaul, it throws honor on your brother and his wife,
+faithful as they were, almost excessively so, to that maxim of our
+fathers: 'Never did Breton commit treason.' These writings I confide to
+you. You will return them to me after to-morrow's conflict if I survive.
+If not, do you preserve them, or in lack of you, your brothers. Do you
+inscribe the principal events of your life and your family's; hand the
+account over to your son, that he may do as you, and thus on,
+forever--generation after generation. Do you swear to me, by Hesus, to
+respect my wishes?"
+
+I, Guilhern the laborer, answered: "I swear to my father Joel, the brenn
+of the tribe of Karnak, that I will faithfully carry out his desires."
+
+The orders then given to me by my father, I have carried out to-day,
+long after the battle of Vannes, and after innumerable misfortunes. I
+make the recital or these misfortunes for you, my son Sylvest. It is not
+with blood that I should write this narrative. No blood would run dry. I
+write with tears of rage, hatred and anguish,--their source never runs
+dry!
+
+After my poor and well-beloved brother Albinik piloted the Roman fleet
+into the bay of Morbihan, the following was the course of events on the
+day of the battle of Vannes. It all took place under my own eyes--I saw
+it all. Were I to have lived all the days I am to live in the next world
+and into all infinity, yet will the remembrance of that frightful day,
+and of the days; that followed it, be ever vivid before me, as vivid as
+it is now, as it was, and as it ever will be.
+
+Joel my father, Margarid my mother, Henory my wife, my two children
+Sylvest and Syomara, as well as my brother Mikael the armorer, his wife
+Martha, and their children, to mention only our nearest relatives, had,
+like all the rest of our tribe, gathered in the Gallic camp. Our war
+chariots, covered with cloth, had served us for tents until the day of
+the battle at Vannes. During the night, the council, called together by
+the Chief of the Hundred Valleys, and Tallyessin, the oldest of the
+druids, had met. Several mountaineers of Ares, mounted on their tireless
+little horses, were sent out in the evening to scout the area of the
+conflagration. At dawn they hastened back to report that at six leagues'
+distance from Vannes they saw the fires of the Roman army, encamped that
+night in the midst of the ruins of the town of Morh'ek. The Chief of the
+Hundred Valleys concluded that Caesar, to escape from the circle of
+devastation and famine that was drawing in closer and closer upon his
+army, had left the wasted country behind him by forced marches, and
+intended to offer battle to the Gauls. The council resolved to advance
+to meet Caesar, and to await him on the heights which overlooked the
+river Elrik. At break of day, after the druids had invoked the blessings
+of the gods, our tribe took up its march for its post in the battle.
+
+Joel, mounted on his high-mettled stallion Tom-Bras, commanded the
+_Mahrek-Ha-Droad_,[5] of which myself and my brother Mikael were
+members, I as a horseman, Mikael as a foot-soldier. According to the
+custom of the army, it was our duty to fight side by side, I on
+horse-back, he afoot, and mutually support each other. The war chariots,
+armed with scythes at the hubs, were placed in the center of the army,
+with the reserve. In one of them were my mother and wife, the wife of
+Mikael, and our children. Some young lads, lightly armed, surrounded the
+chariots and were with difficulty holding back the great war-dogs,
+which, after the example of Deber-Trud, the man-eater, were howling and
+tugging at their leashes, already scenting battle and blood. Among the
+young men of the tribe who were in the array, were two who had taken the
+bond of friendship, like Julyan and Armel. Moreover, to make it more
+certain that they would share the same fate, a stout iron chain was
+riveted to their collars of brass, and fastened them together. The chain
+as the symbol of their pledge of solidarity held them inseparable,
+scathless, wounded, or dead.
+
+On the way to our post in the battle, we beheld the Chief of the Hundred
+Valleys passing at the head of the _Trimarkisia_.[6] He rode a superb
+black horse, in scarlet housings; his armor was of steel; his helmet of
+plated copper, which shone like the sun, was capped by the emblem of
+Gaul, a gilded cock with half spread wings. At either side of the Chief
+rode a bard and a druid, clad in long white robes striped with purple.
+They carried no arms, but when the troops closed in to battle, then,
+disdainful of danger, they stood in the front ranks of the combatants,
+encouraging these with their words and their songs of war. Thus chanted
+the bard at the moment when the Chief of the Hundred Valleys passed by
+Joel's column:
+
+    "Caesar has come against us.
+    In a loud voice he asks:
+    'Do you want to be slaves?
+    Are ye ready?'
+
+    "No, we do not want to be slaves.
+    No, we are not ready.
+    Gauls!
+    Children of the same race,
+    Let us raise our standards on the mountains and pour down upon the plains.
+    March on!
+    March on against Caesar,
+    Joining in the same slaughter him and his army!
+    To the Romans!
+    To the Romans!"
+
+As the bard sang this song, every heart beat with the ardor of
+battle.[7]
+
+As the Chief of the Hundred Valleys passed the troop at the head of
+which was my father Joel, he reined in his horse and cried:
+
+"Friend Joel, when I was your guest, you asked my name. I answered that
+I was called _Soldier_ so long as our old Gaul should be under the
+oppressor's scourge. The hour has come when we must show ourselves
+faithful to the motto of our fathers: 'In all war, there is but one of
+two outcomes for the man of courage: to conquer or to die.'[8] O, that
+my love for our common country be not barren! O, that Hesus keep our
+arms! Perhaps then the Chief of the Hundred Valleys will have washed off
+the stain which covers a name he no longer dares to bear.[9] Courage,
+friend Joel, the sons of your tribe are brave of the brave. What blows
+will they not deal on this day which makes for the welfare of Gaul!"
+
+"My tribe will strike its best, and with all its might," answered my
+father. "We have not forgotten that song of the bards who accompanied
+you, when the first war-cry burst from them in the forest of Karnak:
+'Strike the Roman hard--strike for the head--still harder--strike!--The
+Romans, strike!'"
+
+With one voice the whole tribe of Joel took up the cry:
+
+"Strike!--The Romans, strike!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+THE BATTLE OF VANNES.
+
+
+The Chief of the Hundred Valleys took his departure, in order to address
+a few words of exhortation to each tribe. Before proceeding to our post
+of battle, far from the war chariots which held our wives, daughters and
+children, my father, brother and myself wished to make sure by a last
+look that nothing was lacking for the defense of that car which held our
+dear ones. My mother, Margarid, as calm as when she held the distaff in
+the corner of her own fireplace, was leaning against the oak panel which
+formed the body of the chariot. She had set Henory and Martha to work,
+giving more play to the straps which, fastened to pegs driven in the
+edge of the chariot, secured the handles of the scythes, which were used
+for defense in the same manner as oars fastened to the gunwhale of a
+boat.
+
+Several young girls and women of our kindred were occupied with other
+cares. Some were preparing behind the chariots, with thick skins
+stretched on cords, a retreat where the children would be under cover
+from the arrows and stones thrown by the slingers and archers of the
+enemy. Already the children were laughing and frolicking with joyous
+cries around the half finished den. As an additional protection, my
+mother Margarid, watchful in everything, had some sacks filled with
+grain placed in front of the hut. Other young girls were placing, along
+the interior walls of the car, knives, swords and axes, to be used in
+case of need, and weighing no more on their strong white arms than did
+the distaff. Two of their companions, kneeling near my mother, were
+opening chests of linen, and preparing oil, balm, salt and witch-hazel,
+to dress the wounds, following the example of the druidesses, near whom
+the car was stationed.
+
+At our approach the children ran gaily from the depths of their retreat
+into the fore-part of the wagon, whence they stretched out their little
+hands to us. Mikael, being on foot, took in his arms his son and his
+daughter, while Henory, to spare me the trouble of dismounting from my
+horse, reached out, one at a time, my little Syomara and Sylvest into my
+arms. I seated them both before me on the saddle, and at the moment of
+starting for the fight, I had the pleasure of kissing their yellow
+heads. My father, Joel, then said to my mother:
+
+"Margarid, if fortune turns against us, and the car is attacked by the
+Romans, do not free the dogs until the moment of attack. The brave
+animals will be only the more furious for their long wait, and will not
+then stray away from where you are."
+
+"Your advice will be followed, Joel," answered my mother. "Look and see
+if these straps give the scythes enough play."
+
+"Yes, they are free enough," answered my father, looking at some of the
+straps. Then, examining the array of scythes which defended the other
+side of the chariot, he broke out:
+
+"Wife, wife! What were those girls thinking of! Look here! Oh, the
+rattle heads! On this side the scythe-blades are turned towards the
+shaft of the chariot, and over there they are pointed backwards!"
+
+"It was I who had the weapons placed so," said she.
+
+"And why are not all the blades turned the same way, Margarid?"
+
+"Because a car is almost always attacked before and behind at once. In
+that case the two rows of scythes, placed in opposite directions, are
+the best defense. My mother taught me that, and I am showing the method
+to these dear girls."
+
+"Your mother saw further than I, Margarid. A good harvest time is thus
+made certain. Let the Romans come and assault the car! Heads and limbs
+will fall, mown down like ripe ears at the reaping! Let Hesus make it a
+good one, this human harvest!"
+
+Then, listening intently, my father said to Mikael and myself:
+
+"Sons, I hear the cymbals of the bards and the clarions of the
+_Trimarkisia_. Let us rejoin our friends. Well, Margarid, well, my
+daughters,--till we meet again, here--or above!"
+
+"Here or above, our fathers and husbands will find us pure and
+unstained," answered Henory, more proud, more beautiful than ever.
+
+"Victorious or dead you will see us again," added Madalen, a young
+maiden of sixteen. "But enslaved or dishonored, no. By the glorious
+blood of our Hena---- no---- never!"
+
+"No!" said Martha, the wife of Mikael, pressing to her bosom her two
+children, whom their father had just replaced in the chariot.
+
+"These dear girls are of our race--rest easy, Joel," continued my
+mother, even now calm and grave. "They will do their duty."
+
+"Even as we will do ours. And thus will Gaul be delivered," answered my
+father. "You also will do your duty, old man-eater, old Deber-Trud!"
+added the brenn, stroking the enormous head of the war-dog, who in spite
+of his chain, was standing up with his paws on the horse's shoulder.
+"Soon will come the hour of the quarry, fine bloody quarry, Deber-Trud!
+Her! Her! To the Romans!"
+
+The mastiff and the rest of the war pack responded to these words with
+furious bayings. The brenn, my brother and myself cast one last look
+upon our families. My father turned his spirited stallion's head towards
+the ranks of the army, and speedily came up with them. I followed my
+father, while Mikael, robust and agile, holding tightly with his left
+hand to the long mane of my galloping horse, ran along beside me.
+Sometimes falling in with the sway of the horse, Mikael leaped with it,
+and was thus raised off the ground for several steps. We two, like many
+others of our tribe, had in time of peace familiarized ourselves with
+the manly military exercise of the _Mahrek-Ha-Droad_. Thus the brenn, my
+brother and myself rejoined our tribe and took our stand in the ranks of
+battle.
+
+The Gallic army occupied the summit of a hill about one league's
+distance from Vannes. To the east their line of battle was covered by
+the forest of Merek, which was filled with their best archers. To the
+west they were defended by the lofty cliffs which rose from the bay of
+Morbihan. At the lower end of the bay was the fleet, already weighing
+anchor to proceed to the attack of the Roman galleys, which, motionless
+as a flock of sea-swans, lay at rest on the waves. No longer piloted by
+Albinik, the fleet of Caesar, although floated by the rising tide, still
+held its position of the previous evening, for fear of running upon the
+invisible rocks.
+
+Before the army flowed the River Roswallan. The Romans would have to
+ford it in order to attack us. Skillfully had the Chief of the Hundred
+Valleys chosen his position. He had before him a river; behind him the
+town of Vannes; on the west the sea; on the east the forest of Merek:
+its border chopped down, offered insurmountable obstacles to the Roman
+cavalry; and with an eye to the Roman infantry, the best of Gaul's
+archers were scattered among the mighty trees.
+
+The ground before us, on the opposite side of the river, rose in a
+gentle slope. Its crest hid from us the road by which the Roman army
+would arrive. Suddenly, on the summit of the slope there dashed into
+view several Ares mountaineers, who had been sent out as scouts to
+signal to us the approach of the enemy. They dashed down the hill at
+full speed, forded the river, joined us, and breathlessly announced the
+advance of the Roman army.
+
+"Friends!" the Chief of the Hundred Valleys called out to each tribe as
+he passed on horse-back before the army in battle array; "rest on your
+arms until the Romans, drawn up on the other bank of the river, begin
+to cross it. At that moment let the slingers and archers shower their
+stones and arrows upon the enemy. Then, when the Romans are forming
+their cohorts on this side, after crossing, let our whole line fall
+back, leaving the reserve with the war-chariots. Then, the foot soldiers
+in the center, the cavalry on the wings, let us pour down in a torrent
+from the top of this rapid decline. The enemy, driven back again to the
+river, will not withstand the impetuosity of our first charge!"
+
+Immediately the hill-top opposite the army was covered by the numberless
+troops of Caesar. In the vanguard marched the "Harassers," marked by the
+lion's skin which covered their heads and shoulders. The old legions,
+named from their experience and daring, as the "Thunderer," the "Iron
+Legion," and many others whom the Chief of the Hundred Valleys pointed
+out to his men, formed the reserve. We saw glittering in the sun the
+arms and the distinctive emblems of the legions, an eagle, a wolf, a
+dragon, a minotaur, and other figures of gilded bronze, decorated with
+leaves. The wind bore to us the piercing notes of the long Roman
+clarions, and our hearts leaped at the martial music. A horde of
+Numidian horsemen, wrapped in long white robes, preceded the army. The
+column halted a moment, and several of the Numidians went down at full
+tilt to the brink of the river. In order to ascertain whether it was
+fordable, they entered it on horse-back, and approached the nearer side,
+notwithstanding the hail of stones and arrows which the Gallic slingers
+and archers poured down upon them. More than one white robe was seen to
+float upon the river current, and more than one riderless horse
+returned to the bank and the Romans. Nevertheless, several Numidians, in
+spite of the stones and darts which were hurled upon them, crossed the
+entire breadth of the river several times. Such a display of bravery
+caused the Gallic archers and slingers to hold their fire by common
+accord, and do honor to such supreme valor. Courage in our enemies
+pleases us; it proves them more worthy of our steel. The Numidians,
+certain of having found a ford, ran to convey the news to the Roman
+army. Then the legions formed in several deep columns. The passage of
+the river commenced. According to the orders of the Chief of the Hundred
+Valleys, the archers and slingers resumed their shooting, while Cretan
+archers and slingers from the Balearic Islands, spreading over the
+opposite bank, answered our people.
+
+"My sons," said Joel to us, looking towards the bay of Morbihan, "your
+brother Albinik advances to the fight on the water as we begin the fight
+on land. See--our fleet has met the Roman galleys."
+
+Mikael and I looked in the direction the brenn was pointing, and saw our
+ships with their heavy leathern sails, bent on iron chains, grappling
+with the galleys. The brenn spoke true. The battle was joined on land
+and sea simultaneously. On that double combat depended the freedom or
+slavery of Gaul. But as I turned my attention from the two fleets back
+to our own army, I was struck to the heart with a sinister omen. The
+Gallic troops, ordinarily such chatterers, so gay in the hour of battle
+that from their ranks rise continually playful provocations to the
+enemy, or jests upon the dangers of war, were now sober and silent,
+resolved to win or die.
+
+The signal for battle was given. The cymbals of the bards spoke back to
+the Roman clarions. The Chief of the Hundred Valleys, dismounting from
+his horse, put himself some paces ahead of the line of battle. Several
+druids and bards took up their station on either side of him. He
+brandished his sword and started on a run down the steep hill-side. The
+druids and bards kept even pace with him, striking as they went upon
+their golden harps. At that signal, our whole army precipitated itself
+upon the enemy, who, now across the river, were re-forming their
+cohorts.
+
+The _Mahrek-Ha-Droad_, cavalry and footmen, of the tribes near that of
+Karnak, which my father commanded, darted down the slope with the rest
+of the army. Mikael, holding his axe in his right hand, was, during this
+impetuous descent, almost continually suspended from the mane of my
+horse, which he had seized with his left. At the foot of the slope, that
+troop of the Romans called the Iron Legion, because of their heavy
+armor, formed in a wedge. Immovable as a wall of steel, bristling with
+spears, it made ready to receive our charge on the points of its lances.
+I carried, in common with all the Gallic horsemen, a saber at my left
+side, an axe at my right, and in my hand a heavy staff capped with iron.
+For helmet I had a bonnet of fur, for breastplate a jacket of boar-hide,
+and strips of leather were wrapped around my legs where the breeches did
+not cover them. Mikael was armed with a tipped staff and a saber, and
+carried a light shield on his left arm.
+
+"Leap on the crupper!" I cried to my brother at the moment when the
+horses, now no longer under control, arrived at full gallop on the
+lances of the Iron Legion. Immediately we arrived within range we hurled
+our iron capped staffs full at the heads of the Romans with all our
+might. My staff struck hard and square on the helmet of a legionary,
+who, falling backward, dragged down with him the soldier behind. Through
+this gap my horse plunged into the thickest of the legion. Others
+followed me. In the melee the fight grew sharp. Mikael, always at my
+side, leaped sometimes, in order to deliver a blow from a greater
+height, to my horse's crupper, other times he made of the animal a
+rampart. He fought valorously. Once I was half unhorsed. Mikael
+protected me with his weapon till I regained my seat. The other
+foot-soldiers of the _Mahrek-Ha-Droad_ fought in the same manner, each
+one beside his own horseman.
+
+"Brother, you are wounded," I said to Mikael. "See, your blouse is red."
+
+"You too, brother," he responded. "Look at your bloody breeches."
+
+And, in truth, in the heat of combat, we do not feel these wounds.
+
+My father, chief of the _Mahrek-Ha-Droad_, was not accompanied by a
+foot-soldier. Twice we joined him in the midst of the fight. His arm,
+strong for all his age, struck incessantly. His heavy axe resounded on
+the iron armors like a hammer on the anvil. His stallion Tom-Bras bit
+furiously all the Romans within reach. One of them he almost lifted off
+the ground in his rearing. He held the man by the nape of the neck, and
+the blood was spurting. When the tide of the combat again carried Mikael
+and myself near our father, he was wounded. I overcame one of the
+brenn's assailants by trampling him under my horse's feet; then we were
+again separated from my father. Mikael and myself knew nothing of the
+other movements of the battle. Engaged in the conflict before us, we had
+no other thought than to tumble the Iron Legion into the river. To that
+end we struggled hard. Already our horses were stumbling over corpses as
+if in a quagmire. We heard, not far off, the piercing voices of the
+bards; their voices were heard over the tumult.
+
+"Victory to Gaul!--Liberty! Liberty! Another blow with the axe! Another
+effort! Strike, strike, ye Gauls.--And the Roman is vanquished.--And
+Gaul delivered. Liberty! Liberty! Strike the Roman hard! Strike
+harder!--Strike, ye Gauls!"
+
+The song of the bards, the hope of victory with which they inspired
+their countrymen, caused us to redouble our efforts. The remains of the
+Iron Legion, almost annihilated, recrossed the river in disorder. At
+that moment we saw running in our direction a Roman cohort,
+panic-stricken and in full rout. Our men had driven them back from the
+top of the hill, at the foot of which was the tribe of Karnak. The
+cohort, thus taken between two enemies, was destroyed. Slaughter was
+beginning to tire Mikael's arm and my own when I noticed a Roman warrior
+of medium height, whose magnificent armor announced his lofty rank. He
+was on foot, and had lost his helmet in the fight. His large bald
+forehead, his pale face and his terrible look gave him a terrifying
+appearance. Armed with a sword, he was furiously beating his own
+soldiers, all unable to arrest their flight. I called my brother's
+attention to him.
+
+"Guilhern," said he, "if they have fought everywhere as we have here, we
+are victorious. That soldier, by his gold and steel armor, must be a
+Roman general. Let us take him prisoner; he will be a good hostage. Help
+me and we'll have him."
+
+Mikael immediately hurled himself on the warrior of the golden armor,
+while the latter was still trying to halt the fugitives. With a few
+bounds of my horse, I rejoined my brother. After a brief struggle,
+Mikael threw the Roman. Wishing not to kill, but to take him prisoner,
+Mikael held him under his knees, with his axe uplifted, to signify to
+the Roman that he would have to give himself up. The Roman understood;
+no longer struggled to free himself; and raised to heaven the one hand
+he had free that the gods might witness he yielded himself a prisoner.
+
+"Off with him," said Mikael to me.
+
+Mikael, who like myself, was stalwart and stout, while our prisoner was
+slim and not above middle height, took the Roman in his arms and lifted
+him from the ground. I grasped him by the collar of buffalo-hide which
+he had on over his breastplate, drew him towards me, pulled him up, and
+threw him across my horse, in front of the saddle. Then, taking the
+reins in my teeth so as to have one hand to hold the prisoner, and the
+other to threaten him with my axe, I pressed the flanks of my horse, and
+set out in this fashion towards the reserve of our army, both for the
+purpose of putting the prisoner in safe keeping, and to have my wounds
+dressed. I had hardly started, when one of the horsemen of the
+_Mahrek-Ha-Droad_, happening that way in his pursuit of the fleeing
+Romans, cried out, as he recognized the man I was carrying:
+
+"IT IS CAESAR--STRIKE--KILL HIM!"
+
+Thus I became aware that I had on my horse the direst of Gaul's foes. So
+far from entertaining any thought of killing him, and seized with
+stupor, my axe slipped from my hand, and I leaned back in order the
+better to contemplate that terrible Caesar whom I had in my power.
+
+Unhappy me! Alas for Gaul! Caesar profited by my stupid astonishment,
+jumped down from my horse, called to his aid a troop of Numidian
+horsemen who were riding in search of him, and when I regained
+consciousness from my stupid amazement, the blunder was irreparable.[10]
+Caesar had leaped upon one of the Numidian riders' horse, while the
+others surrounded me. Furious at having allowed Caesar to escape, I now
+defended myself with frenzy. I received several fresh wounds and saw my
+brother Mikael die at my side. That misfortune was only the signal for
+others. Victory, so long hovering over our standards, went to the
+Romans. Caesar rallied his wavering legions; a considerable
+re-enforcement of fresh troops came to his aid; and our whole army was
+driven back in disorder upon the reserve, where were also our
+war-chariots, our wounded, our women and our children. Carried by the
+press of retreating combatants, I arrived in the proximity of the
+chariots, happy in the midst of defeat at having at least come near my
+mother and family, and at being able to defend them--if indeed the
+strength were spared me, for my wounds were weakening me more and more.
+Alas! The gods had condemned me to a horrible trial. I can now repeat
+the words of Albinik and his wife, both killed in the attack on the
+Roman galleys, and battling on the water as we did on the land for the
+freedom of our beloved country: "None ever saw, nor will ever see the
+frightful scene that I witnessed."
+
+Thrown back towards the chariots, still fighting, attacked at once by
+the Numidian cavalry, by the legionaries and by the Cretan archers, we
+yielded ground step by step. Already we could hear the bellowing of the
+oxen, the shrill sound of the numerous brass bells which trimmed their
+yokes, and the barking of the war dogs, still chained about the cars.
+Husbanding my ebbing strength, I no longer sought to fight, I strove
+only to reach the place where my family was in danger. Suddenly my
+horse, which had already sustained several wounds, received on the flank
+his death blow. The animal stumbled and rolled upon me. My leg and
+thigh, pierced with two lance thrusts, were caught as in a vise between
+the ground and the dead weight of my fallen steed. In vain I struggled
+to disengage myself. One of my comrades who, at the time of my fall, was
+following me, ran against the fallen horse. Steed and rider tumbled over
+the obstacle, and were instantly despatched by the blows of the
+legionaries. Our resistance became desperate. Corpse upon corpse piled
+up, both on top of and around me. More and more enfeebled by the loss of
+blood, overcome by the pains in my limbs, bruised under that heap of
+dead and dying, unable to make a motion, all sense left me; my eyes
+closed. Recalled to myself a moment later by the violent throbbing of my
+wounds, I opened my eyes again. The sight which met them at first made
+me believe I was seized with one of those frightful nightmares from
+which escape is vain. It was the horrible reality.
+
+Twenty paces from me I saw the car in which my mother, Henory my wife,
+Martha the wife of Mikael, their children, and several young women and
+girls of the family had taken refuge. Several men of our kindred and
+tribe, who had run like myself to the cars, were defending them against
+the Romans. Among the defenders I saw the two _saldunes_, fastened to
+each other by the iron chain, the symbol of their pledge of brotherhood.
+Both were young, beautiful and valiant. Their clothes were in tatters,
+their heads and chests naked and bloody. But their eyes flashed fire,
+and a scornful smile played on their lips, as, armed only with their
+staffs, they fearlessly fought the Roman legionaries sheathed in iron,
+and the Cretans clad in jackets and thigh-pieces of leather. The large
+dogs of war, shortly unchained, leaped at the throats of their
+assailants, often bearing them over backwards with their furious dashes.
+Their terrible jaws not being able to pierce either helmet or
+breastplate, they devoured the faces of their victims, killing without
+once letting go their grips. The Cretan archers, almost without
+defensive armor, were snatched by the legs, arms, shoulders, anywhere.
+Each bite of these savage dogs carried away a chunk of bleeding flesh.
+
+Several steps from where I lay, I saw an archer of gigantic stature,
+calm in the midst of the tumult, choose from his quiver his sharpest
+arrow, lay it on the string of his bow, pull it with a sinewy arm, and
+take long aim at one of the two chained _saldunes_, who, dragged down by
+the fall of his comrade, now dead by his side, could only fight on one
+knee. But so much the more valiantly did he ply his iron-capped staff.
+He swung it before him with such tireless dexterity that for some time
+none dared to brave its blows, for each stroke carried death. The Cretan
+archer, waiting for the proper moment, was again aiming at the
+_saldune_, when old Deber-Trud bounded forth. Held tight where I lay
+under the heap of dead which was crushing me, unable to move without
+causing intense pain in my wounded thigh, I summoned all my remaining
+strength to cry out:
+
+"Hou! Hou! Deber-Trud--at the Roman."
+
+The dog, increasingly excited by my voice, which he recognized, dashed
+with one bound upon the Cretan, at the moment when the arrow hissed from
+the string, and buried itself, still quivering, in the stalwart breast
+of the _saldune_. With this new wound his eyes closed, his heavy arms
+let fall the staff, his other knee gave way, his body sank to the
+ground; but by a last effort, the _saldune_ rose on both knees, snatched
+the arrow from the wound, and threw it back at the Roman legionaries,
+calling in a voice still strong, and with a smile of supreme contempt:
+
+"For you, cowards, who shelter your fear and your bodies under plates of
+iron. The breastplate of the Gaul is his naked bosom."[11]
+
+And the _saldune_ fell dead upon the body of his brother-in-arms.
+
+Both of them were avenged by Deber-Trud. The terrible dog had hurled
+down and was holding under his enormous paws the Cretan archer, who was
+uttering frightful cries. With one bite of his fangs, as dangerous as
+those of a lion, the dog tore his victim's throat so deeply that two
+jets of warm blood poured out on the archer's chest. Though still alive,
+the man could utter no sound. Deber-Trud, seeing that his prey still
+lived, fell upon him, roaring furiously, swallowing or throwing aside
+shreds of severed flesh. I heard the sides of the Cretan crack and grind
+under the teeth of Deber-Trud, who dug and dug, burying his bloody
+muzzle up to the eyes in the man's chest. Then a legionary ran up and
+transfixed Deber-Trud with one thrust of his lance. The dog gave not a
+groan. He died like a good war-dog, his monstrous head plunged in the
+Roman's entrails.[12]
+
+After the death of the two _saldunes_, the defenders of the chariots
+fell one by one. My mother Margarid, Martha, Henory, and the young girls
+of the family, with burning eyes and cheeks, their hair flying, their
+clothes disordered from the struggle, their arms and bosoms half
+uncovered, were running fearlessly from one end of the chariot to the
+other, encouraging the combatants by voice and gesture, and casting at
+the Romans with no feeble or untrained hands short pikes, knives, and
+spiked clubs. At last the critical moment came. All the men were killed,
+the chariot, surrounded by bodies piled half way up its sides, was
+defended only by the women. There they were, with my mother Margarid,
+five young women and six maidens, almost all of superb beauty,
+heightened by the ardor of battle.
+
+The Romans, sure of this prize of their obscene revels, and wishing to
+take it alive, consulted a moment on a plan of attack. I understood not
+their words, but from their coarse laugh, and the licentious looks which
+they threw upon the Gallic women, there could be no doubt as to the
+fate which awaited them. I lay there, broken, pinned fast; breathless,
+full of despair, horror, and impotent rage I lay there, seeing a few
+steps from me the chariot in which were my mother, my wife, my
+children.--Oh, wrathful heavens!--like one unable to awake from a
+horrible dream, I lay there condemned to see all, hear all, and yet to
+remain motionless.
+
+An officer of savage and insolent mien advanced alone towards the
+chariot and addressed to the women some words in the Latin tongue which
+the soldiers received with roars of revolting laughter. My mother, calm,
+pale, and terrible, exhorted the young women around her to maintain
+their self-control. Then the Roman, adding a word or two, closed with an
+obscene gesture. Margarid happened at that moment to have in her hand a
+heavy axe. So straight at the officer's head she hurled it, that he
+reeled and fell. His fall was the signal for the attack. The legionaries
+pressed forward to the capture of the chariot. Then the women rushed to
+the scythes, which on each side defended the cart, and plied them with
+such vigor and harmony, that the Romans, seeing a great number of their
+men killed or disabled, conceived a wholesome fear for such terrible
+arms, so intrepidly plied. They suspended the attack, and, applying
+their long lances after the fashion of crow-bars, succeeded, without
+approaching too near, in shattering the handles of the scythes. This
+safeguard demolished, a new attack commenced. The issue was not
+doubtful. While the scythes were falling under the blows of the
+soldiers, my mother hurriedly said a few words to Martha and Henory. The
+two, with a look of pride and determination on their faces, ran towards
+the cover which sheltered the children. Margarid also spoke to the young
+childless women, and they, as well as the young girls, took and piously
+kissed her hands.
+
+At that moment, the last scythes fell. Margarid seized a sword in one
+hand and a white cloth in the other. She stepped to the front of the
+chariot, waved the white cloth, and threw away the sword, as if to
+announce to the enemy that all the women wished to give themselves up.
+The soldiers, at first astonished at the proposed surrender, answered
+with laughs of ironical consent. Margarid seemed to be awaiting a
+signal. Twice she impatiently cast her eyes toward the shelter, where
+the two women had gone. Evidently, as the signal she seemed to wait for
+was not given, she was trying to distract the enemy's attention, and
+again waved her cloth, pointing alternately to the town of Vannes and to
+the sea.
+
+The soldiers, unable to take in the meaning of these gestures, looked at
+one another questioningly. Then Margarid, after another hasty glance at
+the redoubt, exchanged a few words with the girls round about her,
+seized a dagger, and, in quick succession struck three of the maidens,
+who had nobly bared their chaste bosoms to the knife. Meanwhile the
+other young women dispatched one another with steady hands. They had
+just fallen when Martha reappeared from the enclosure where the children
+had been hidden during the battle. Proud and serene, she held her two
+little daughters in her arms. A spare wagon-pole stood in front of her,
+the upper extremity of which was at a considerable elevation from the
+ground. She leaped on the edge of the car; a cord was around her neck.
+She passed the end of the cord through the ring at the extremity of the
+pole. Margarid steadied it in both hands. Martha leaped into the air
+with outspread arms, and hung there, strangled. Her two little children,
+instead of falling to the ground, remained suspended on either side of
+her breast, for she had passed the noose around their necks also.
+
+All this occurred so rapidly, that the Romans, at first struck dumb with
+astonishment and fear, had no time to prevent the heroic deaths. They
+had barely recovered from their amazement when Margarid, seeing all her
+family either dying or dead at her feet, raised to heaven her
+blood-stained knife, and exclaimed in a calm and steady voice:
+
+"Our daughters shall not be outraged; our children shall not be
+enslaved; all of us, of the family of Joel the brenn of the tribe of
+Karnak, dead, like our husbands and brothers, for the liberty of Gaul,
+are on our way to rejoin them above. Perhaps, O Hesus, all this spilled
+blood will appease you;" and with a hand which did not waver, she
+plunged the dagger into her own heart.
+
+All these terrible events which happened around the Chariot of Death I
+was compelled to behold, as I lay nearby, pinned to the ground. My wife
+Henory not having emerged from the enclosure, I concluded that she had
+put an end to herself there, first putting to death my little ones
+Sylvest and Syomara. My brain began to reel, my eyes closed; I felt
+that I was dying, and thanked Hesus for not leaving me behind alone when
+all my dear ones were to enter together upon the other life in the
+unknown world.
+
+But, no, it was here below, on earth, that I was to return to life--to
+face new torments after those I had just undergone.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+AFTER THE BATTLE.
+
+
+After I had beheld my mother and all the other women of the tribe die to
+escape the shame and outrages of slavery, the blood which I had lost
+caused me to swoon away. A long time passed in which I was bereft of
+reason. When my senses returned, I found myself lying on straw, along
+with a great number of other men, in a vast shed. At my first motion I
+found myself chained by the leg to a stake driven into the ground. I was
+half clad; they had left me my shirt and breeches, in a secret pocket of
+which I had hidden the writings of my father and of my brother Albinik,
+together with the little gold sickle, the gift of my sister Hena. A
+dressing had been put on my wounds, which no longer occasioned me much
+pain. I experienced only a great weakness and dizziness which made my
+last memories a confused mass. I looked about me. I was one of perhaps
+fifty wounded prisoners, all chained to their litters. At the further
+end of the shed were several armed men, who did not bear the appearance
+of regular Roman troops. They were seated round a table, drinking and
+singing. Some among them, who carried short-handled scourges twisted of
+several thongs and terminating in bits of lead, detached themselves
+from time to time from the group, and walked here and there with the
+uncertain gait of drunken men, casting jeering looks on the prisoners.
+Next to me lay an aged man with white hair and beard, very pale and
+thin. A bloody band half hid his forehead. He was sitting up, his elbows
+on his knees, and his face between his hands. Seeing him wounded and a
+prisoner, I concluded he was a Gaul. I did not err.
+
+"Good father," I said to him, laying my hand lightly upon the old man's
+arm, "where are we?"
+
+Slowly raising his sad and mournful visage, the old prisoner answered
+compassionately:
+
+"Those are the first words you have spoken for two days."
+
+"For two days?" I repeated, greatly astonished. I was unable to believe
+so much time had passed since the battle of Vannes. I sought to recall
+my wandering memory. "Is it possible? What, I have been here two days?"
+
+"Yes, and you have been unconscious, in a delirium. The physician who
+dressed your wounds made you take several potions."
+
+"Now I recall it confusedly. And also--a ride in a chariot?"
+
+"Yes, to come here from the battle-ground. I was with you in the
+chariot, whither they carried you wounded and dying."
+
+"And here we are--?"
+
+"At Vannes."
+
+"Our army?"
+
+"Destroyed."
+
+"Our fleet?"
+
+"Annihilated."[13]
+
+"O, my brother, and your courageous wife Meroë, both dead also!" flashed
+through my mind. "And Vannes, where we are," I added aloud to my
+companion, "Vannes is in the power of the Romans?"
+
+"Even as the whole of Brittany, they say."
+
+"And the Chief of the Hundred Valleys?"
+
+"He has fled into the mountains of Ares with a handful of cavalry. The
+Romans are in pursuit of him." Then raising his eyes to heaven, he
+continued, "May Hesus and Teutates protect that last defender of the
+Gauls!"
+
+I had put these questions while my thoughts were still disordered. But
+when I recalled the struggle at the chariot of war, the death of my
+mother, my father, my brother Mikael, my brother's wife and his two
+children, and finally, the almost certain death of my own wife with her
+son and daughter--for up to the moment when I lost consciousness I had
+not seen Henory leave the shelter behind the chariot--when I recalled
+all that, I heaved, in spite of myself, a great sigh of despair at
+finding myself alone in the world. I buried my face in the straw to shut
+out the light of day.
+
+One of the tipsy keepers became irritated at hearing my moans, and
+showered several cruel blows of the scourge, accompanied with oaths,
+upon my shoulders. Forgetting the pain in the shame that I felt at the
+thought of me, the son of Joel, being struck with the lash, I leaped to
+my feet notwithstanding my weakness, intending to throw myself upon the
+keeper. But my chain, sharply tightened by the jerk, checked me, and
+made me trip and fall upon my knees. The keeper, enabled by the length
+of his scourge to keep out of the prisoners' reach, thereupon redoubled
+his blows, lashing me across the face, chest, and back. Other keepers
+ran up, fell upon me, and slipped manacles of iron upon my wrists.
+
+Oh, my son, my son! You, for whose eyes I write all this down, obedient
+to the wishes of my father, never do yourself forget, and let also your
+sons preserve the memory of this outrage, the first that our stock ever
+underwent. Live, that you may avenge the outrage in due time. And if you
+cannot, let your sons wreak vengeance upon the Romans therefore.
+
+With my feet chained and my hands in irons, unable to move, I did not
+wish to afford my tormentors the spectacle of impotent rage. I closed my
+eyes and lay still, betraying neither anger nor grief, while the
+keepers, provoked by my calmness, beat me furiously. Presently, however,
+a strange voice having interposed and spoken a few angry words in the
+Latin tongue, the blows ceased. I opened my eyes and three new
+personages stood before me. One of them was speaking rapidly to the
+keepers, gesticulating angrily, and pointing at me from time to time.
+This man was short and stout; he had a very red face, white hair and
+pointed grey beard. He wore a short robe of brown wool, buck-skin
+stocks, and low leather boots; he was not dressed in the Roman fashion.
+Of the two men who accompanied him, one, dressed in a long black robe,
+had a grave and sinister mien. The other held a casket under his arm.
+While I was gazing at these persons, my aged neighbor called my
+attention with a rapid glance to the fat little man with the red face
+and the white hair, who was conversing with the keepers, and said to me
+with a look of anger and disgust:
+
+"The horse-dealer; the horse-dealer!"
+
+"What are you talking about?" I answered him, unable to understand what
+he meant. "A horse-dealer?"
+
+"That is what the Romans call the slave merchants."[14]
+
+"How! They traffic in wounded men?" I asked the old man in surprise.
+"Are there men who buy the dying?"
+
+"Do you not know," he answered with a somber smile, "that after the
+battle of Vannes there were more dead than living, and not an unwounded
+Gaul? Upon these wounded men, in default of more able-bodied prey, the
+slave-dealers who follow the Roman army fell like so many ravens upon
+corpses."
+
+There was no more room for doubt. I realized that I was a slave. I had
+been bought. I would be sold again. The "horse-dealer," having finished
+speaking to the keepers, approached the old man, and said to him in
+Gallic, but with an accent that proved his foreign origin:
+
+"My old Pierce-Skin--how has your neighbor come on? Has he at last
+recovered from his stupor? Is he at last able to speak?"
+
+"Ask him," snapped the old man, turning over on the straw. "He'll answer
+you himself."
+
+The "horse-dealer" thereupon walked over to my side. He seemed no longer
+angry. His countenance, naturally jovial, was beaming. Putting his two
+hands on his knees, he stooped down to me; grinned at me; and spoke to
+me hurriedly, often putting questions which he answered himself, not
+seeming to care whether I heard him or not.
+
+"You have, then, recovered your spirits, my fine Bull? Yes? Ah, so much
+the better! By Jupiter, it's a good sign. Now your appetite will return,
+and it is returning, isn't it? Still better! Before eight days you will
+be in fine feather. Those brutes of keepers, always in their cups,
+scourged you, did they? Yes? I'm not a bit surprised--they never do
+anything else. The wine of Gaul makes them stupid. To strike you! To
+strike you! And that when you can hardly stand up; besides the fact that
+in men of the Gallic race, choler is likely to produce bad results. But
+you are no longer angry, are you? No! So much the better! It is I who
+should be provoked at those tipsters. Suppose the fury raging in your
+blood had stifled you! But, bah! those brutes care little for making me
+lose twenty-five or thirty gold sous,[15] which you will presently be
+worth to me, my fine Bull. But for greater safety I'll have you taken to
+a shelter where you will be alone and better off than here. It was
+occupied by a wounded fellow who died last night--a superb fellow.
+That was a loss! Ah, commerce is not all gain. Come, follow me."
+
+He set to work to unfasten my chain by a secret spring. I asked him why
+he always called me "Bull." I would have preferred by far the keeper's
+lash to the jovial loquacity of this trafficker in human flesh. Certain
+now that I was not dreaming, still I could hardly accept the reality of
+what I saw. Unable to resist, I followed the man. At least I would no
+longer be under the eyes of the keepers who beat me, and the sight of
+whom made my blood boil. I made an effort to raise myself, but my
+weakness was still excessive. The "horse-dealer" unhooked the chain, and
+held one end. As my hands were still shackled, the man with the long
+black robe and the one who carried the casket took me under the arms,
+and led me to the extremity of the shed. They made me mount several
+stairs and enter a small room that was lighted through an iron-barred
+opening. I looked through the opening and recognized the great square of
+the town of Vannes, and, in the distance, the house where I had often
+gone to see my brother Albinik and his wife. In the room were a stool, a
+table, and a long box of fresh straw, in place of the one in which the
+other slave had died. I was made to sit on the stool. The black-robed
+man, a Roman physician, examined my two wounds, constantly conversing in
+his own language with the "horse-dealer." He took various salves from
+the casket which his companion was carrying, dressed my hurts, and went
+to render his services to the other slaves, not, however, before helping
+the "horse-dealer" to fasten my chain to the wooden box which served
+as my bed. The physician then took his departure, and left me alone with
+my master.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+MASTER AND SLAVE.
+
+
+"By Jupiter," began my master immediately after the departure of the
+physician. "By Jupiter," he repeated in his satisfied and hilarious
+manner, so revolting to me: "Your injuries are healing so fast that you
+can see them heal, a proof of the purity of your blood; and with pure
+blood there are no such things as wounds, says the son of Aesculapius.
+But here you are back in your senses, my brave Bull. You are going to
+answer my questions, aren't you? Yes? Then, listen to me."
+
+Drawing from his pocket a stylus and a tablet, covered with wax, the
+"horse-dealer" continued:
+
+"I do not ask your name. You have no longer any name but that which I
+have given you, until your new owner shall name you differently. As for
+me, I have named you Bull[16]--a proud name, isn't it? You are worthy to
+bear it. It becomes you. So much the better."
+
+"Why have you named me Bull?"
+
+"Why did I name that old fellow, your late neighbor, Pierce-Skin?
+Because his bones stick out through his skin. But you, apart from your
+two wounds, what a strong constitution you have! What broad shoulders!
+What a chest! What a back! What powerful limbs!" While pouring out these
+praises, the "horse-dealer" rubbed his hands and gazed at me with
+satisfaction and covetousness, already figuring in advance the price I
+would fetch. "And your height! It exceeds by a palm that of the next
+tallest captive in my lot. So, seeing you so robust, I have named you
+Bull. Under that name you are entered in my inventory, at your number;
+and under that name will you be cried at the auction!"
+
+I knew that the Romans sold their slaves to the slave merchants. I knew
+that slavery was horrible, and I approved of a mother's killing her
+children sooner than have them live a captive's life. I knew that a
+slave became a beast of burden. While the "horse-dealer" was speaking, I
+drew my hand across my forehead to make sure that it was really I,
+Guilhern, the son of Joel the brenn of the tribe of Karnak, a son of
+that free and haughty race, whom they were treating like a beef for the
+mart. The shame of a life of slavery seemed to me insupportable, and I
+took heart at the resolve to flee at the first opportunity, or to kill
+myself and thus rejoin my relatives. That thought calmed me. I had
+neither the hope nor the desire to learn whether my wife and children
+had escaped death; but remembering that I had seen neither Henory,
+Sylvest nor Syomara come from the enclosure behind the war-chariot, I
+said to the "horse-dealer":
+
+"Where did you purchase me?"
+
+"In the place where we make all our purchases, my fine Bull. On the
+field of battle, after the combat."
+
+"So it was on the battlefield of Vannes you bought me?"
+
+"The same."
+
+"You doubtlessly picked me up at the place where I fell?"
+
+"Yes, there was a great pile of you Gauls there, in which there were
+only you and three others worth taking, among them that great booby,
+your neighbor--you know, Pierce-Skin. The Cretan archers gave him to me
+for good measure[17] after the sale. That is the way with you Gauls. You
+fight so desperately that after a battle live captives are exceedingly
+rare, and consequently priceless. I simply can't put out much money, so
+I must come down to the wounded ones. My partner, the son of
+Aesculapius, goes with me to the battlefield to examine the wounded men
+and guard the ones I choose. Thus, in spite of your two wounds and your
+unconsciousness, the young doctor said to me, after examining you and
+sounding your hurts, 'Buy, my pal, buy. Nothing but the flesh is cut,
+and that is in good condition; that will lower the value of your
+merchandise but little, and will prevent any breach of contract.'[18]
+Then you see, I, a real 'horse-dealer' who knows the trade, I said to
+the archers, poking you with my foot, 'As to that great corpse there,
+who has no more than his breath, I don't want him in my lot at all.'"
+
+"When I used to buy cattle in the market," I said to the "horse-dealer,"
+mockingly, "when I used to buy cattle in the market, I was less skilful
+than you."
+
+"Oh, that is because I am an old hand, and know my trade. So the Cretans
+answered me, seeing that I didn't think much of you, 'But this thrust of
+the lance and this saber-cut are mere scratches.' 'Scratches, my
+masters!' said I in my turn, 'but it's no use poking or turning him,'
+and I kicked you and turned you over, 'See, he gives no sign of life. He
+is dying, my noble sons of Mars. He is already cold.' In short, my fine
+Bull, I had you for two sous of gold."
+
+"I see I cost but little; but to whom will you sell me?"
+
+"To the traffickers from Italy and the southern part of Gaul. They buy
+their slaves second-hand. Several of them have already arrived here, and
+have commenced making their purchases."
+
+"And they will take me far away?"
+
+"Yes, unless you are bought by one of those old Roman officers, who, too
+much disabled to follow a life of war, wish to found military colonies
+here, in accordance with the orders of Caesar."
+
+"And thus rob us of our lands!"
+
+"Of course. I hope to get out of you twenty-five or thirty gold sous, at
+least, and more if you are of an occupation easy to dispose of, such as
+a blacksmith, carpenter, mason, goldsmith, or some other good trade.
+It is in order to find that out that I am questioning you, so as to
+write it in my bill of sale. So, let us see:" (and the "horse-dealer"
+took up his tablet and began writing with his stylus) "Your name? Bull.
+Race, Breton Gaul. I can see that at a glance. I am a connoisseur. I
+would not take a Breton for a Bourgignon, nor a Poitevin for an
+Auvergnat. I sold lots of Auvergnats last year, after the battle of Puy.
+Your age?"
+
+"Twenty-nine."
+
+"Age, twenty-nine," he wrote on his tablet. "Your occupation?"
+
+"Laborer."
+
+"Laborer," repeated the "horse-dealer" in a surprised and injured tone,
+scratching his ear with his stylus. "You are nothing but a laborer? You
+have no other profession?"
+
+"I am a soldier also."
+
+"Oh, a soldier. He who wears the iron collar has no more to do with
+lance or sword. So then," added the "horse-dealer," reading from his
+tablet with a sigh:
+
+"No. 7. Bull; race, Breton Gaul; of great strength and very great
+height; aged twenty-nine years; excellent laborer." Then he said:
+
+"Your character?"
+
+"My character?"
+
+"Yes, what is it? rebellious or docile? open or sly? violent or
+peaceable? gay or moody? The buyers always inquire as to the character
+of the slave they are buying, and although one may not be compelled to
+answer them, it is a bad business to deceive them. Let us see, friend
+Bull, what is your character? In your own interest, be truthful. The
+master who buys you will sooner or later know the truth, and will make
+you pay more dearly for your lie than I would."
+
+"Then write upon your tablet: 'The draft-bull loves servitude, cherishes
+slavery, and licks the hand that strikes him.'"
+
+"You are joking. The Gallic race love service? As well say that the
+eagle or the falcon loves his cage."
+
+"Then write that when his strength has come back, the Bull at the first
+chance will break his yoke, gore his master, and fly to the woods to
+live in freedom."
+
+"There is more truth in that. Those brutes of keepers who beat you told
+me that at the first touch of the lash you gave a terrible jump the
+length of your chain. But, you see, friend Bull, if I offer you to the
+purchasers with the dangerous account which you give, I shall find few
+customers. An honest merchant should not boast his merchandise too much,
+no more should he underestimate it. So I shall announce your character
+as follows." And he wrote:
+
+"Of a violent character, sulky, because of his not being accustomed to
+slavery, for he is still green; but he can be broken in by using at
+different times gentleness, severity and chastisement."
+
+"Go over it again."
+
+"Over what?"
+
+"The description I am to be sold under."
+
+"You are right, my son. We must make sure that the description sounds
+well to the ear. Imagine that I am the auctioneer, thus:
+
+"No. 7. Bull; race, Breton Gaul; of great strength and very great
+height; aged twenty-nine years; excellent laborer; of a violent
+character, sulky, because of his not being accustomed to slavery, for he
+is still green; but he can be broken in by application of gentleness,
+severity, and chastisement."
+
+"That is what is left of a free and proud man whose only crime is having
+defended his country against Caesar!" I cried bitterly. "And yet I did
+not kill that same Caesar, who has reduced our people to slavery and is
+now about to divide among his soldiers the lands of our fathers, I did
+not kill him when I was making off with him on my horse!"
+
+"You, my fine Bull, you took great Caesar prisoner?" asked the
+"horse-dealer" mockingly. "It's too bad I can't proclaim that at the
+auction. It would make a rare slave of you."
+
+I reproached myself for having uttered before that trafficker in human
+flesh words which resembled a regret or a complaint. Coming back to my
+first thought, which made me endure patiently the loquacity of the man,
+I said to him:
+
+"When you picked me up where I fell on the battlefield, did you see hard
+by a war chariot harnessed to four black bulls, with a woman and two
+children hanging from the pole?"
+
+"Did I see them? Did I see them!" exclaimed the "horse-dealer" with a
+mournful sigh. "Ah, what excellent goods lost! We counted in that
+chariot eleven young women and girls, all beautiful--oh,
+beautiful!--worth at least forty or fifty gold sous apiece--but dead.
+They had all killed themselves. They were no good to anyone."
+
+"And in the chariot were there no women nor children still alive?"
+
+"Women? No,--alas, no. Not one, to the great loss of the Roman soldiers
+and myself. But of children, there were, I believe, two or three who had
+survived the death which those fierce Gallic women, furious as
+lionesses, wished to inflict upon them."
+
+"And where are they?" I exclaimed, thinking of my son and daughter, who
+were, perhaps, among them, "where are those children? Answer! Answer!"
+
+"I told you, my Bull, that I buy only wounded persons; one of my fellows
+bought the lot of children, and also some other little ones, for they
+picked up some alive from the other chariots. But what does it matter to
+you whether or not there are children to sell?"
+
+"Because I had a son and a daughter in that chariot," I answered, my
+heart bursting.
+
+"And how old were they?"
+
+"The girl was eight, the boy nine."
+
+"And your wife?"
+
+"If none of those eleven women found in the chariot were living, my wife
+is dead."
+
+"Isn't that too bad--too bad! Your wife had already borne you two
+children; you four would have made a fine deal. Ah, what a lost
+treasure!"
+
+I repressed a gesture of impotent anger at the scoundrel, and answered:
+
+"Yes, they would have billed us as the Bull and the Heifer!"
+
+"Surely! And since Caesar is going to distribute much of your
+depopulated country among his veterans, those who have no reserve
+prisoners will be under the necessity of buying slaves to cultivate and
+re-people their parcels of land. You are of that strong rustic race, and
+consequently I have hopes of getting a good price for you from some new
+colonist."
+
+"Listen to me. I would rather know that my son and daughter were dead,
+like their mother, than have them saved to be slaves. Nevertheless,
+since there were found near the chariot some children who had
+survived--a thing that astonishes me, since the women of Gaul always
+strike with a firm and sure hand when it is a case of snatching their
+race from shame--it is possible that my children may be among those
+found. How can I find out?"
+
+"What good will finding out do you?"
+
+"I will at least have with me my two children."
+
+The "horse-dealer" began to laugh, shrugged his shoulders, and answered:
+
+"Then you didn't hear me? By Jupiter, I advise you not to be deaf--you
+would be returned to me. I told you that I neither bought nor sold
+children."
+
+"What does that matter to me?"
+
+"Among a hundred purchasers of slaves for farm-hands, there would not be
+ten so foolish as to buy a man and his two children, without their
+mother. So that to offer you for sale with two brats, if they are still
+living, would make me lose half your value by burdening your purchaser
+with two useless mouths. Do you catch on; thick-head? No, for you look
+at me with a ferocious and stupefied air. I repeat that if I had been
+obliged to buy the two children in one lot with you, or even if they had
+been given to me to boot, in the market, like old Pierce-Skin, my first
+care would have been to have put you up for sale without them. Do you
+understand at last, double and triple block that you are?"
+
+At last I did understand; heretofore I had not dreamed of such
+refinement of torture in slavery. To think that my two children, if
+alive, might be sold, I know not where, or to whom, and taken far from
+me! I had not thought it possible. My heart swelled with grief. So great
+was my suffering that I almost supplicated the "horse-dealer." I said to
+him:
+
+"You are deceiving me. What can my children do? Who would wish to buy
+such poor little things, so young? useless mouths--as you said
+yourself?"
+
+"Oh, those who carry on the trade in children have a separate and
+assured patronage, especially if the children are favored with pretty
+features. Are your young ones good-looking?"
+
+"Yes," I answered in spite of myself. Before me was the vision of the
+charming fair faces of my little Sylvest and Syomara, who looked as much
+alike as twins and whom I had embraced a moment before the battle of
+Vannes. "Oh yes, they were good-looking. They were like their mother,
+who was so beautiful--!"
+
+"If they had good looks, be easy, my fine Bull. They will be easy to
+dispose of. The dealers in children have for their especial patrons the
+decrepit and surfeited Roman Senators, who love fresh fruits. By the
+way, they have announced the near arrival of the patrician Trymalcion,
+a very rich and very noble man, an old and very capricious expert. He is
+traveling through the Roman colonies of southern Gaul, and is expected
+here, they say, on his galley which is as splendid as a palace. No doubt
+he would like to take back to Italy some graceful specimens of Gallic
+brats. If your children are pretty, their fate is assured, for the
+patrician Trymalcion is one of my partner's patrician customers."[19]
+
+At first I listened to the "horse-dealer," without catching his meaning.
+But I was presently seized with a vertigo of horror at the idea that my
+children, who might unfortunately have escaped the death which their
+far-sighted mother had intended for them, might be carried to Italy to
+fulfill such a monstrous destiny. I felt neither anger nor fury, but a
+grief so great, and a fear so terrible, that I kneeled on the straw, and
+in spite of my manacles, stretched my pleading hands toward the
+"horse-dealer." Not finding words to utter my feelings, I wept,
+kneeling.
+
+The "horse-dealer" looked at me in great surprise, and said:
+
+"Well, well! What is it, my fine Bull? What ails you?"
+
+"My children!" was all I could say, for sobs choked me. "My children! if
+they are living!"
+
+"Your children?"
+
+"What you said--the fate that awaits them--if they are sold to those
+men--"
+
+"How? Their fate causes you alarm?"
+
+"Hesus! Hesus!" I exclaimed, calling on the god in my lamentation. "It
+is horrible!"
+
+"Are you going crazy?" demanded the "horse-dealer." "And what is there
+so horrible in the fate which awaits your children? Ah, what barbarians
+you are in Gaul, indeed. But, know: there is no life easier nor more
+flowery than that of these little flute-players and dancers with which
+these rich old fellows amuse themselves. If you could see them, the
+little rogues, their foreheads crowned with roses, their flowery robes
+spangled with gold, their rich earrings adorning their heads. And the
+little girls, if you could see them with their tunics and--"
+
+I could contain myself no longer. A bloody mist passed before my eyes.
+Furiously and desperately I leapt on the vile fellow. But my chain again
+tightening sharply, I stumbled and fell back on the straw. I looked
+around me--not a stick nor a stone. Then, crazed with rage, I doubled
+upon my chain, and gnawed at it like a wild animal.
+
+"What a brute of a Gaul!" exclaimed the "horse-dealer," shrugging his
+shoulders, and keeping well out of reach. "There he is, roaring and
+jumping and grinding at his chain like a staked wolf, and all because he
+has been told that his children, if they are pretty, are to live in the
+midst of wealth, ease and pleasure! What would it have been, then, fool
+that you are, if they were ugly or deformed? Do you know to whom they
+would have been sold? They would have been sold to those rich lords, who
+are so curious to read the future in the palpitating entrails of
+children freshly slaughtered for divination."[20]
+
+"Oh, Hesus!" I cried, filled with hope at the thought, "let it be so
+with mine, despite their beauty! Oh, death for them! Only let them enter
+the other world in their innocence, and live near their chaste mother."
+I could no longer hold back my tears.
+
+"Friend Bull," began the "horse-dealer" in a dissatisfied tone, "I was
+not a bit mistaken in putting you down in my tablet as violent and
+hot-headed. But I fear lest you have a fault worse than these--I mean a
+tendency towards tears. I have seen sullen slaves melt away like the
+snows of winter under a spring sun, dry up like parchment, and cause
+great loss to their owners by their pitiful appearance. So, look out for
+yourself. There remain but fifteen days before the auction at which you
+are to be sold. It is a short while to restore you to your natural
+fleshiness, to give you a fresh and rested complexion, a sleek and
+supple skin, in short, all those signs of vigor and health which allure
+the experts, jealous of possessing a sound and robust slave. To obtain
+this result, I wish to spare nothing, neither good food, nor care, nor
+any of those little artifices known to us to make our merchandise show
+off to advantage. On your part you must second my efforts. But if, on
+the contrary, you do not get over your fits of anger, if you begin to
+weep, if you begin to make yourself miserable, to waste away, so to
+speak, vainly dreaming of your children, instead of affording me honor
+and profit by your good figure, as a good slave should who is jealous
+of his master's interests,--beware, friend Bull, beware! I am not a
+novice in my business. I have carried it on for many years and in many
+lands. I have subdued more intractable fellows than you. I have made
+Sardinians docile, and Sarmatians as gentle as lambs, so you can judge
+of my skill.[21] Therefore, believe me, do not expect yourself to cause
+me harm by pining away. I am very mild, very gentle. I am not at all
+fond of chastisements; often they leave marks which lower a slave's
+value. Nevertheless, if you oblige me to, you will make the acquaintance
+of the jail for recalcitrants. Consider that, friend Bull. It will soon
+be meal-time; the physician says that you can now be put upon a
+substantial diet. You will be brought boiled chicken, oatmeal wet with
+gravy of roast sheep, good bread, and some good wine and water. I shall
+know whether you have eaten with a good appetite and in a manner to
+recuperate your strength, instead of losing it in weeping. So then, eat;
+it is the only way of gaining my favor. Eat plenty, eat often--I'll see
+that you have it. You will never eat too much to please me, for you are
+far from being well-fed, and that's what you must be, well-fed, before
+fifteen days, the time of the auction. I leave you to these reflections;
+pray the gods that they improve you. If not--oh, if not, I weep for you,
+friend Bull."
+
+So saying the "horse-dealer" shut the heavy door of the room behind him,
+leaving me chained within.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+THE LAST CALL TO ARMS.
+
+
+But for my uncertainty concerning the fate of my children, immediately
+upon the "horse-dealer's" departure I would have killed myself by
+butting my head against the wall of my prison, or by refusing all
+nourishment. Many Gauls had thus escaped the doom of slavery. But I felt
+that I should not die before doing what I could to snatch them from the
+destiny which menaced them.
+
+I examined my room to see whether, my strength once restored, there was
+any chance for escape. Three sides of the room were solid wall, the
+other was a thick partition re-enforced with beams, between two of which
+opened the door which was always carefully bolted without. A bar of iron
+crossed the window, leaving an opening too narrow to give me passage. I
+examined my chain, and the rings, one of which was riveted to my leg,
+the other to one of the cross-bars of the bed. It was impossible for me
+to unchain myself, even at my greatest strength. I then thought of a
+plan, a trick, to put myself in the good graces of the "horse-dealer,"
+so as to obtain from him information of my little Sylvest and Syomara.
+With that end in view, it would not do to repine, to appear sad or
+afraid of the lot reserved for the children. I feared I might not be
+able to carry out the role, for I came of a race unaccustomed to deceit
+and lying. The Gauls either triumphed or died.
+
+On the evening of that same day when, regaining consciousness, I had
+become aware of my slavery, I witnessed a spectacle of terrible
+grandeur. It raised my courage. I could no longer despair for the safety
+and liberty of Gaul. The night was about to fall, when I heard the
+tramping of several troops of cavalry arriving at a walk in the great
+public square of Vannes, which I could see from the narrow window of my
+prison. I looked out, and beheld the following scene.
+
+Two cohorts of Roman infantry, and one of cavalry, both in battle array,
+surrounded a vacant space, in the middle of which rose a large scaffold
+of timber. On the platform was a heavy block, such as is used for
+chopping meat on. Beside the block stood a Moor of gigantic stature and
+bronzed of color. His arms and legs were bare, his hair was bound with a
+scarlet band; he wore a coat and a pair of short trousers of tanned
+skin, splashed here and there with dark red; in his hand was an axe.
+
+In the distance sounded the long clarions of the Romans, playing a
+funeral march. The sound drew nearer. One of the cohorts that were drawn
+up on the square opened its ranks, forming a double row. Through this
+lane the clarioneers entered. They preceded a troop of steel-clad
+legionaries. After the troop came the prisoners taken in the Gallic
+army, tied two and two. Then came the women and children, also in
+bonds. More than two stone's throws separated me from these captives. At
+such a distance I could not distinguish their features, try as I might.
+Nevertheless, my little son and daughter might be among them. The
+prisoners, of all ages and sexes, closed in by the two rows of soldiers,
+were stationed at the foot of the platform. Still more troops marched
+into the square; after them, five and twenty captives were led in, in
+single file, but not chained. I recognized them by their free and
+haughty pace. They were the chiefs and elders of the town and tribe of
+Vannes, all white-haired fathers.[22] Among them, marching last, I
+distinguished two druids and a bard of the college of the forest of
+Karnak, marked, the first by their long white robes, the second by his
+tunic striped with purple. Then appeared more Roman infantry; finally,
+between two escorts of white-robed Numidian cavalry, Caesar, on
+horse-back, in the midst of his officers. I recognized the scourge of
+Gaul by his armor, which was the same he wore when, aided by my brother
+Mikael the armorer, I was carrying him off in full panoply on my horse.
+Oh, how at the sight of the man I cursed anew my stupid astonishment,
+that so unfortunately proved the safety of my country's butcher.
+
+Caesar drew rein a short distance from the platform, and made a sign
+with his hand. Immediately the twenty-five prisoners, the bard and
+druids passing last, mounted with calm tread the steps of the scaffold.
+One by one they placed their white heads on the block, and each one of
+the venerable heads, stricken off by the axe of the Moor, rolled at the
+feet of the bound captives.
+
+The bard and the two druids were the only ones left. The three rushed
+together in a final embrace, they raised their faces and their hands
+towards heaven, and intoned in a loud voice the song of Hena, the virgin
+of the isle of Sen, uttered at the hour of her voluntary sacrifice on
+the rocks of Karnak, that song which had been the signal for the rising
+of Brittany against the Romans:
+
+"Hesus, Hesus! By the blood which is about to flow, clemency for Gaul!"
+
+"Gauls, by the blood which is about to flow, victory to our arms!"
+
+And the bard added:
+
+"The Chief of the Hundred Valleys is safe. There is hope for our arms!"
+
+Thereupon all the Gallic captives, men, women, and children present at
+the execution, all together repeated the last words of the druids,
+acclaiming them with so powerful a voice that the air shook even in my
+prison. After that supreme chant, the three placed their sacred heads in
+turn upon the block, and went the same way as the elders of Vannes. As
+the bard's and the druids' heads rolled upon the scaffold, all the
+captives took up the war-cry of the druids--"Strike the Roman! Strike at
+the head!"--in a voice so fierce and menacing that the legionaries,
+lowering their lances, hurriedly surrounded the unarmed and chained
+prisoners in a circle of iron, bristling with lance heads. But that
+mighty voice of their brothers and sisters had reached the wounded men
+shut up in the slave-shed, and all, myself included, answered the
+refrain:
+
+"Strike the Roman! Strike! Strike at the head! Strike the Roman hard!"
+
+Thus ended the war in Brittany. Thus ended the call to arms made by the
+druids from the heights of the sacred rocks of the forest of Karnak,
+after the sacrifice of Hena--the call to arms that led to the battle of
+Vannes. But in my lonely cell I did not yet lose hope. Our native Gaul,
+although invaded on all sides, would still resist. The Chief of the
+Hundred Valleys, forced to leave Brittany, had gone to arouse the
+regions still unvanquished.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+THE SLAVES' TOILET.
+
+
+Night fell, and with it my spirits, in my lonely prison.
+
+Hesus! Hesus! I was left to the torture, not alone of my thoughts about
+my sacred and beloved country, but also of my reflections concerning the
+misfortunes of my family. Alas, at every wound inflicted upon our
+country our families bleed.
+
+Forcibly resigned to my lot, I little by little regained my natural
+strength, encouraged each day by the hope of obtaining from the
+"horse-dealer" some intelligence of my children. I described them to him
+as accurately as possible. Every day his report was that among the
+captives seen there were none answering to my description, but that
+several merchants made a practice of hiding their choice slaves from all
+eyes until the day of the public sale. The dealer also informed me that
+the patrician Trymalcion, whose very name now made me shudder with
+horror, had arrived at Vannes in his galley.
+
+The evening before the sale, the dealer entered my room. It was, almost
+dark. He brought in the meal himself, and waited on me. He brought as an
+extra a flagon of old Gallic wine.
+
+"Friend Bull," said he, with his habitual joviality, "I am satisfied
+with you. Your skin is almost filled up. You have no more crazy spells
+of anger, and if you don't appear exceedingly joyous, at least I no
+longer find you sad and tearful. We will drink this flagon together, to
+your happy placing with a good master, and to the gain which I shall get
+by you."
+
+"No," I answered, "I shall not drink."
+
+"And why not?"
+
+"Servitude sours wine, especially the wine of the country where one was
+born."
+
+"You respond ill to my kindness. You do not wish to drink? Suit
+yourself. I would have liked to empty one cup to your happy placing, and
+a second to your reunion with your children. I have my reasons for the
+latter."
+
+"What say you!" I cried aloud, filled with hope and anguish. "You know
+something about them?"
+
+"I know nothing about them," he answered curtly, rising to go out. "You
+refuse my friendly advance. You have supped well--now sleep well."
+
+"But what do you know of my children? Speak, I beg you, speak!"
+
+"Wine alone loosens my tongue, friend Bull, and I am not one of those
+men who loves to drink by himself. You are too proud to empty a cup with
+your master. Sleep well till to-morrow, the day of the auction."
+
+He took another step toward the door. I feared that by refusing to yield
+to the man's fancy I would anger him, and above all lose the chance of
+obtaining news of my beloved children.
+
+"Do you really wish it?" I said. "Then I shall drink, and especially
+shall I drink to the hope of soon meeting my son and daughter."
+
+"You pray well," answered the "horse-dealer" approaching his chattel,
+but keeping the chain's length away; then he poured me a full cup of
+wine, and another for himself. I later recollected that the man had held
+the cup a long time to his lips, but without my being able to see
+whether he drank or not. "Come," he added. "Come, let us drink to the
+good gain I shall make on you!"
+
+"Yes, let us drink to the hope of meeting my children."
+
+I emptied my cup. The wine seemed excellent.
+
+"I made you a promise," began the dealer, "I shall keep my promise. You
+told me that the chariot which held your family on the day of the battle
+of Vannes was harnessed to four black oxen?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Four black oxen, with a little white mark in the middle of their
+foreheads?"
+
+"Yes, all four were brothers, and alike," I answered, unable to repress
+a sigh at the thought of that fine yoke, raised on our own meadows,
+which my father and mother had always admired.
+
+"Those oxen carried on their necks leathern collars trimmed with little
+brass bells like this one?" continued the "horse-dealer," fumbling in
+his pocket, out of which he drew a little brass bell that he held up
+before me.
+
+I recognized it. It had been made by my brother Mikael, the armorer,
+and bore the mark with which he stamped all the articles of his
+fashioning.
+
+"This bell comes from our oxen," I answered. "Will you give it to me? It
+has no value."
+
+"What," asked the dealer, laughing, "do you want to hang bells at your
+neck too, friend Bull? It is your right. Here, take it. I brought it
+only to know from you if the yoke it came from was of your family's
+chariot."
+
+"Yes," I replied, putting the bell into my breeches pocket, as, perhaps,
+the only reminder of the past which might be left to me. "Yes, that yoke
+was ours. But it seems to me that I saw two of the oxen fall wounded in
+the fight."
+
+"You are not mistaken. Two of the oxen were killed in the battle. The
+other two, though slightly wounded, are alive, and were bought by one of
+my companions, who also bought three children left in the chariot. Two
+of them, a little boy and a little girl of about eight or nine, still
+had the cord around their necks. But my companion who found them was
+luckily able to bring them back to life."
+
+"Where is that merchant?" I asked, in a tremble.
+
+"Here, at Vannes. You will see him to-morrow. We drew lots for our
+places at the auction, our stands are opposite to each other. If the
+children he is to sell are yours, you will be near them."
+
+"Shall I be really close?"
+
+"You will be as close to them as twice the length of your room. But why
+do you press your hands to your forehead?"
+
+"I don't know. It is a long time since I have drunk wine. The glow of
+what you poured out to me has gone to my head--a few seconds ago--I feel
+giddy."
+
+"That proves, friend Bull, that my wine is generous," answered the
+"horse-dealer" with a strange smile, and stepping out, he called to one
+of the keepers. Presently he returned with a chest under his arm. He
+carefully shut the door, and hung a piece of curtain before the window,
+to prevent anyone looking from without into the room, which was now
+lighted by a lamp. That done, he again passed his eyes very attentively
+over me, without saying a word, all the while opening his chest, from
+which he took several flasks, sponges, a little silver vase with a long
+curved tube, and also several instruments, one of which seemed very
+keen. I watched my master closely, feeling an inexplicable numbness
+gradually creeping over me. My heavy eye-lids fell once or twice in
+spite of myself. I had been seated on my bed of straw, to which I was
+still chained; but now I was compelled to lean my head against the wall,
+so heavy had it grown. Noticing the effect of the wine upon me, the
+"horse-dealer" said:
+
+"Friend Bull, do not be disturbed at what is happening to you."
+
+"What--" I answered, trying to shake off my stupor, "What is happening
+to me?"
+
+"You feel a sort of half-drowse creeping over you in spite of your
+resistance."
+
+"True."
+
+"You hear me, you see me, but as if your ears and eyes were covered with
+a veil."
+
+"It is true," I murmured, for my voice also was growing weak, and
+without experiencing any pain, my whole life seemed to be little by
+little ebbing out. Nevertheless, I made an effort, and said to the man:
+
+"Why am I in this condition!"
+
+"Because I have prepared you for the slaves' toilet."
+
+"A toilet?"
+
+"I possess, friend Bull, certain magic philters to increase the
+attractiveness of my merchandise. Although you are now quite well filled
+out, the deprivation of exercise and the open air, the fever which your
+wounds caused, the sadness which captivity always occasions, and many
+other things, have dried and dulled your skin, and turned you yellow.
+But thanks to my philters, to-morrow morning you will have a skin as
+fresh and sleek, and a color as ruddy as if you were coming in from the
+fields some lovely spring morning, my fine rustic. That appearance will
+last barely a day or two, but I expect, by Jupiter, to have you sold by
+to-morrow evening, free to turn yellow and waste away under your new
+master. So I am going to commence by stripping you, and anointing you
+with this preparation of oil." The "horse-dealer" unlocked one of his
+flasks.[23]
+
+The performance affected me as so deep a disgrace put upon my dignity,
+that in spite of the numbness which was more and more depressing me, I
+sprang to my feet, and shaking my hands and arms, then unshackled, cried
+out:
+
+"To-day I have no manacles on. If you come near I will strangle you!"
+
+"I foresaw all that, friend Bull," chuckled the "horse-dealer," calmly
+pouring the oil of his flask into a vase and soaking a sponge in it. "I
+knew you would get hot and resist. I might have had you bound by the
+keepers, but in your violence you would have bruised your limbs, a
+detestable sign for the sale. These bruises always denote a stubborn
+slave. And all the time, what cries you would have let out! What a
+rebellion, when your head had to be shaved, in token of your slavery!"
+
+At this last insulting threat, I called up all my remaining strength. I
+arose, and threateningly cried out at the dealer:
+
+"By Ritha-Gaur, the saint of the Gauls, who made himself a shirt of the
+beards of the kings he had shaved, if you dare to touch a single hair of
+my head, I'll kill you!"[24]
+
+"Oh, oh! Reassure yourself, friend Bull," answered the "horse-dealer,"
+pointing to his little sharp instrument. "Reassure yourself. I shall not
+cut a single one of your hairs--but all."
+
+I could retain my standing position no longer. Swaying on my legs like a
+drunken man, I fell back on the straw, and heard the "horse-dealer"
+burst out laughing, and, while still pointing at his steel instrument,
+say:
+
+"Thanks to this, your forehead will soon be as bald as that of the great
+Caesar, whom, you say, you carried on your horse in full armor. And the
+magic philter which you drank in that Gallic wine will put you at my
+mercy, quiet as a corpse."
+
+The "horse-dealer" spoke true. These words were the last I remember. A
+leaden torpor fell upon me, and I lost all knowledge of what was done
+with me.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+SOLD INTO BONDAGE.
+
+
+The experience of that evening was only the prelude for a horrid day, a
+day doubly horrid due to the mystery that surrounded it.
+
+Aye, to this hour, when I write this for you, O my son Sylvest, to the
+end that from this truthful and detailed account, in which I recite to
+you one by one the torments and the indignities heaped upon our country
+and our race, you may contract a hate implacable for the Romans, while
+awaiting the day of vengeance and deliverance;--aye, to this hour the
+mysteries of that horrid day of sale are still impenetrable to me,
+unless they be explained by the sorceries of the "horse-dealer," many of
+his people being given to magic. But our venerable druids affirm that
+magic does not exist.
+
+The day of the auction I was roused from my stupor by my master. I had
+slept profoundly. I remembered what had occurred the previous evening.
+My first movement was to carry my hands to my head. It was shaved, and
+my beard also! A thrill of anguish shot through me at the discovery; but
+instead of flying into a rage, as I would have done the evening before,
+I only shed a few tears, fearfully regarding the "horse-dealer." Aye, I
+cried before that man--aye, I looked at him with fear.
+
+What could have come over me during the night? Was I still under the
+influence of the philter poured into the wine? No, my torpor had gone. I
+found myself active of body, and in sound mind, but in character and
+heart I found myself softened, enervated, timid,--and, why not say the
+word?--cowardly! Aye, cowardly! I, Guilhern, son of Joel, the brenn of
+the tribe of Karnak. I looked timidly around me. Every minute my heart
+seemed to sink, and tears came to my eyes, as formerly the flush of
+anger and pride had mantled my forehead. Of this inexplicable
+transformation, due, perhaps, to sorcery, I was dimly conscious and
+wondered thereat. Down to this day, when I recall the incident, I
+wonder, and none of the details of the horrid day has escaped from my
+memory.
+
+The "horse-dealer" observed me in silence with an air of triumph. He had
+left me my breeches only. I was stripped to the waist. I was seated on
+my bed of straw. The dealer addressed me:
+
+"Get up!" said he.
+
+I hastened to obey. My master drew from his pocket a steel mirror,
+handed it to me, and resumed:
+
+"Look at yourself!"
+
+I looked at myself. Thanks to the witch-craft of my master, my cheeks
+were red, my face clear, as if awful misfortune had not settled upon me
+and my family. Nevertheless, on seeing for the first time in the mirror
+my face and head completely shaved, as the badge of my bondage, I shed
+fresh tears, but tried to hide them from the "horse-dealer," for fear
+of annoying him. He replaced the mirror in his pocket, took from the
+table a braided wreath of beech leaves,[25] and said:
+
+"Put your head down."
+
+I obeyed. The dealer put the wreath on my head. Then he took a parchment
+on which were written several lines in large Roman characters, and hung
+the inscription on my chest by means of two strings which he tied behind
+my neck. Over my shoulders he threw a woolen covering. Then he opened
+the secret spring which held my chain to the end of the bed, and
+fastened it to another iron ring which had been riveted on my other
+ankle during my heavy sleep. This way, although chained by both legs, I
+could still walk with short steps. Finally, my hands were bound behind
+me.
+
+Obedient to the "horse-dealer's" orders, whom I followed as quiet and
+submissive as a dog does his master, I descended the stairs which led
+from my cell to the shed. The descent was affected not without pain to
+my limbs owing to the shortness of the chain. In the shed I found
+several captives, among whom I had passed my first night, lying upon
+straw. No doubt their recovery was far enough advanced to admit of their
+being put up for sale. Other slaves whose heads had likewise been
+shaved, either by trick or by force, also wore wreaths on their
+foreheads, inscriptions on their breasts, handcuffs on their hands and
+heavy shackles on their feet. They had started, under the supervision of
+armed keepers, to defile by a door which opened on the town square. It
+was there the auction sale was to be held. Nearly all the captives
+seemed to me to be mournful, depressed and submissive like myself. They
+lowered their eyes like men ashamed to look at one another. Among the
+last, I recognized two or three men of my own tribe. One of them passed
+close to me, and said in a low voice:
+
+"Guilhern, we are shaven; but hair will grow again, and nails also."
+
+I comprehended that the Gaul wished to give me to understand that some
+day would come the hour of vengeance. But in the great cowardice which
+paralyzed me since my awakening, such was my fear of the "horse-dealer"
+that I pretended not to understand my countryman.[26]
+
+The space engaged by the "horse-dealer" for the auction was not a great
+way from the shed where we had been kept prisoners. We speedily arrived
+at a sort of booth or stall, surrounded on three sides by planks,
+covered with canvas, and with the floor strewn with straw. Other booths,
+similar to it, were arranged to the right and left of a long space like
+a street. In this space Roman officers and soldiery walked in crowds,
+together with the buyers and sellers of slaves and various other men who
+follow in the wake of armies. They looked at the captives chained in the
+booths with a jeering and insulting curiosity. My master had informed
+me that his stall in the market was directly opposite that of his
+companion in whose possession were the two children. A cloth was lowered
+over the opening. I only heard, a few moments later, imprecations and
+piercing shrieks, mingled with mournful moans, from women, who were
+crying in Gallic:
+
+"Death, death, but not disgrace!"
+
+"Those timorous fools are playing the vestals, because they are stripped
+naked to be shown to the customers," said the "horse-dealer," who had
+kept near me. Presently he took me to the rear of the booth. On the way
+I counted nine captives, some in their youth, others middle-aged, and
+only two were past their prime. Some were seated on the straw, their
+faces turned down to escape the looks of the curious, others were lying
+prone, their faces to the ground; a few stood erect casting fierce
+glances around them. The keepers, their scourges in their hands, their
+swords at their sides, kept watch. The "horse-dealer" pointed to a
+wooden cage, a sort of large box at the back of the booth, and said to
+me:
+
+"Friend Bull, you are the pearl, the carbuncle of my assortment. Enter
+this cage. The comparisons which would be made between you and my other
+slaves would lower their value too much. As a thrifty merchant, I will
+try to sell first what is of least value. One sells the small fry before
+the big fish."[27]
+
+I obeyed. I went into the cage, and the door was closed upon me. I
+found that I could stand up. An opening through the top permitted me to
+breathe without being seen from the outside. Just then a bell sounded.
+It was the signal for the sale. On all sides arose the squeaky voices of
+the auctioneers announcing the bids of the purchasers of human flesh.
+The merchants bragged their slaves in the Roman tongue, and invited the
+purchaser into their booths. Several customers entered to inspect the
+"horse-dealer's" stock. Without understanding the words that he spoke, I
+guessed by the inflections of his voice that he strove to capture them,
+while the auctioneer all the while called out the bids. From time to
+time a loud tumult arose in the booth, mingled with the sound of the
+keepers' lashes, and the curses of the dealer. Evidently they were
+scourging some of my companions in slavery who refused to follow the new
+master to whom they had been "knocked down." But speedily the clamor
+ceased, choked off by the gag. Other times I heard the trampings of a
+confused struggle, desperate, though muffled. These struggles also came
+to an end under the efforts of the keepers. I was frightened at the
+courage displayed by the captives. I no longer understood resistance or
+boldness. I was plunged into my cowardly sluggishness. All at once the
+door of my cage opened, and the "horse-dealer" cried out in great glee:
+
+"All sold, save you, my pearl, my carbuncle. And by Mercury, to whom I
+promise an offering in recognition of my day's profits, I believe I have
+found for you a purchaser by private contract."
+
+My master made me step out of my cage; I traversed the booth, in which I
+saw not a single slave left. I found myself face to face with a gray
+haired man, of a cold, hard countenance. He wore the military dress,
+limped very badly, and supported himself on a vine-wood cane, which was
+the mark of the centurion rank in the Roman army. The dealer lifted from
+my shoulders the woolen covering in which I was wrapped, and left me
+stripped to the waist; he then made me get out of my breeches also. My
+master, with the air of a man proud of his merchandise, thus exposed my
+nakedness to the customer. Several of the curious, assembled outside of
+the stall, looked in and contemplated me. I dropped my eyes in shame and
+sorrow, not in anger.
+
+After the prospective purchaser read the writing which hung from my
+neck, he looked me over carefully, answering with affirmative nods of
+the head to what the merchant, with his usual volubility, was saying to
+him in Latin. Often he stopped to measure, with his spread out fingers,
+the size of my chest, the thickness of my arms, or the width of my
+shoulders.
+
+His first examination must have pleased the centurion, for my master
+said to me: "Be proud for your master, friend Bull, your build is found
+faultless. 'See'--I just said to the customer--'would not the Grecian
+sculptors have taken this superb slave as a model for a Hercules?' My
+customer agreed with me. Now you must show him that your strength and
+agility are not inferior to your appearance."
+
+My master pointed to a lead weight in readiness for the trial, and said
+to me while loosening my arms:
+
+"Now put on your breeches again, then take this weight in your two
+hands, lift it over your head, and hold it there as long as you can."
+
+I was about, in my stupid docility, to do as I was bid, when the
+centurion stooped towards the weight, and attempted to lift it from the
+ground, which he did, with much difficulty, while my master said to me:
+
+"This mischievous cripple is as foxy as myself. He knows that many
+dealers use hollow weights which appear to weigh two or three times as
+much as they actually do. Come, friend Bull, show this suspicious fellow
+that you are as powerful as you are well built."
+
+My strength was not yet entirely returned. Nevertheless, I took the
+heavy weight in my hands, throwing it over my head, and balanced it
+there a moment. A vague idea flitted at that instant across my mind to
+let the weight fall on my master's skull, and thus crush him at my feet.
+But that gleam of my bygone courage died out, and I dropped the weight
+on the ground. The lame Roman seemed satisfied.
+
+"Better and better, friend Bull," said my master to me, "by Hercules,
+your patron god, never did a slave do more honor to his owner. Your
+strength is demonstrated. Now let us witness your agility. Two keepers
+will hold this wooden bar about half a yard from the ground. Although
+your feet are in chains, you will jump over the bar several times.
+Nothing will better prove the strength and nimbleness of your muscles."
+
+In spite of my recent wounds, and the weight of my chain, I leaped
+several times with my joined feet over the bar, to the increasing
+satisfaction of the centurion.[28]
+
+"Better and better," repeated my master. "You are proven as strong as
+you are powerfully built, and as limber as both. It now remains to
+exhibit the inoffensive gentleness of your nature. As to this last
+proof, I am, in advance, certain of your success," saying which he again
+bound my hands behind my back.
+
+At first I did not understand what the dealer meant. But he took a
+scourge from the hand of a keeper, and pointing with its handle to me,
+spoke to the purchaser in a low voice. The latter made a gesture of
+assent, and my master passed the scourge over to the centurion.
+
+"The old fox, still suspicious, fears that I would not strike you hard
+enough, friend Bull," my master explained to me. "Come, do not make a
+slip. Do me this last honor, and gain me this last profit, by showing
+that you endure chastisement patiently."
+
+Hardly had he pronounced the words, when the cripple rained a shower of
+blows on my shoulders and chest. I felt neither shame nor indignation,
+only pain. I fell down on my knees in tears and begged for mercy.
+Outside, the curious crowd, gathered at the door, roared with laughter.
+
+The centurion, surprised at so much resignation in a Gaul, dropped the
+whip, and looked at my master who by his gesture seemed to say:
+
+"Did I deceive you?"
+
+Thereupon, patting me with the flat of his hand on my lacerated back,
+the same as one would pat an animal that pleased him, my master said to
+me:
+
+"If you are a bull for strength, you are a lamb for meekness. I expected
+so. Now some questions as to your laborer's trade, and the sale is
+concluded. The customer wishes to know in what place you were employed."
+
+"In the tribe of Karnak," I answered, with a cowardly sigh, "there my
+family and I cultivated the lands of our fathers."
+
+The "horse-dealer" reported my answer to the cripple, who seemed both
+surprised and pleased. He exchanged a few words with the dealer, who
+continued:
+
+"The customer asks where the lands and house of your fathers were
+situated."
+
+"Not far to the east of the rocks of Karnak, on the heights of Craig'h."
+
+At this answer the Roman was so pleased that he seemed hardly to believe
+what he heard, and the "horse-dealer" turned to me:
+
+"That cripple beats all for distrustfulness. To be certain that I do not
+deceive him, and that I have translated your words faithfully to him, he
+demands that you trace before him on the sand, the position of the lands
+and house of your family with reference to the rocks of Karnak and the
+sea-shore. Unfortunately I don't know his reasons, for if it were a
+convenience to him, I would make him pay for it. But do as he bids
+you."
+
+My hands were once more loosed. I took the handle of a lash from one of
+the keepers, and traced with it on the sand, followed by the eager eyes
+of the centurion, the location of the rocks of Karnak and the coast of
+Craig'h, and then the place of our dwelling to the east of Karnak.
+
+The cripple clapped his hands for joy. He drew from his pocket a long
+purse, took out a certain number of gold pieces, and offered them to the
+"horse-dealer." After a long chaffer, seller and buyer finally reached
+an agreement.
+
+"By Mercury," said the dealer to me; "I have sold you for thirty-eight
+sous of gold, one-half cash as a deposit, the other half at the close of
+the market, when the lame fellow will come to fetch you. Was I wrong
+when I called you the carbuncle of my stock?" After exchanging a few
+words with the centurion, he turned to me:
+
+"Your new master--and I can understand it, seeing he has paid so good a
+price for you--your new master is of the opinion that you are not
+chained securely enough. He wants clogs fastened to your chain. He will
+come for you in a chariot."
+
+In addition to my chain, I was loaded down with two heavy clogs of iron,
+which would have prevented me from moving except by leaping with both
+feet; even if I could lift so heavy a weight. My manacles were carefully
+inspected and locked on my wrists, and I sat down in a corner of the
+stall while the dealer counted and recounted his gold.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+THE BOOTH ACROSS THE WAY.
+
+
+While I sat in my former master's stall awaiting the arrival of my new
+purchaser to take me away, the cloth that covered the entrance of the
+opposite stall was raised.
+
+On one side were three beautiful young women, the same, I doubted not,
+who a little before had filled the air with groans and supplications
+while their clothes were being torn off them, in order to exhibit their
+charms to purchasers. They were still half nude, their feet bare,
+plastered with chalk[29] and fastened by rings to a long iron bar.
+Huddled close together, these three held one another in such close
+embrace that two of them, still crushed down with shame, hid their faces
+in the bosom of the third. The latter, pale and somber, hung her head,
+letting her disheveled black hair fall before her bruised and naked
+breast--bruised no doubt in the vain struggle against the keepers who
+disrobed her. A short distance from them, two little children, three or
+four years old, bound around their waists merely by a light cord
+fastened to a stake, laughed and played in the straw with the
+heedlessness common to their age. The children evidently did not belong
+to either of the three women.
+
+At the other side of the stall I saw a matron of the noble carriage of
+my mother Margarid. Manacles were on her wrists, shackles on her ankles.
+She was standing, leaning against a beam to which she was chained by the
+waist. She stood still as a statue; her grey hair disordered, her eyes
+fixed, her face livid and fearful. Time and again she gave vent to a
+burst of threatening and crazy laughter. Finally, at the rear of the
+stall, was a cage resembling the one which I myself had occupied. In
+that cage, if what the "horse-dealer" said was true, would be my two
+children. Tears filled my eyes. In spite of my weakness, the thought of
+my children, so close to me, caused a flush of warmth to rise to my
+face--a symptom of my returning powers.
+
+And now, Sylvest, my son, you for whom I write this report, read slowly
+what is now about to follow. Aye, read slowly, to the end that every
+word may imbue your soul with its indelible hatred for the Romans--a
+hatred that I feel certain must some day, the day of vengeance, break
+out with terrific force. Read, my son, and you will understand how your
+mother, after having given life to you and your sister, after having
+heaped all her tenderness upon you, could in the end give you no
+stronger proof of her maternal love than by endeavoring to kill you, to
+the end that she might carry you hence, to return to life in the other
+world at her side and in the circle of our family. Alas! You survived
+her foresight!
+
+This, my son, is what happened!
+
+I had my eyes fixed on the cage in which I surmised you and your sister
+were imprisoned, when I saw an old man, richly dressed, enter the stall.
+It was the rich patrician Trymalcion, worn out as much by debauchery as
+by years. His dull, cold, corpse-like eyes seemed to look into vacancy.
+His hideously wrinkled visage was half hidden under a coat of thick
+paint. He wore a frizzled yellow wig, earrings blazing with precious
+stones, and in the girdle of his robe a large bouquet, of which his red
+plush mantle off and on allowed a glimpse.[30] He painfully dragged his
+limbs after him, leaning on the shoulders of two young slaves fifteen or
+sixteen years of age, who were luxuriously dressed, but in such a style,
+and so effeminately, that it was impossible to tell whether they were
+young men or girls. Two other and older slaves followed. One carried
+under his arm his master's thick cloak, the other a golden
+night-vessel.[31]
+
+The proprietor of the stall hastened to receive his patrician customer
+with tokens of reverence, exchanged a few words with him, and then moved
+forward a stool on which the old man let himself down. As the seat had
+no back, one of the young slaves immediately stationed himself
+motionless behind his master, to serve him as a support, while the other
+slave lay down on the ground at a sign from the patrician, lifted his
+feet, which were encased in rich sandals, and wrapping them in a fold of
+his own robe, held them to his breast to warm them.[32]
+
+Thus supported with his back and feet on the bodies of his slaves, the
+old man spoke some words to the merchant. The latter first pointed
+toward the three half-naked women. At sight of them, Trymalcion turned
+half way round and spat at them, as if to evince the most sovereign
+disdain.
+
+At this indignity, the old man's slaves and the Romans, assembled in the
+vicinity of the stall, broke into coarse laughter. Then the merchant
+pointed out to lord Trymalcion the two children playing on the straw.
+The senile debauchee shrugged his shoulders, while he uttered some
+horrible words. His words must have been horrible, because the laughter
+redoubled.
+
+The merchant, hoping at last to please so fastidious a customer, went up
+to the cage, opened it, and brought out three children, draped in long
+white veils which hid their faces. Two of the children corresponded in
+height to my son and daughter; the other was smaller. The smallest one
+was the first to be unveiled to the eyes of the old man. I recognized
+her as the daughter of one of my relatives, whose husband was killed in
+the defense of the chariot; the mother had killed herself with the other
+women of the family, forgetting in that supreme moment, to kill the
+little one. The girl was sickly and without beauty. Patrician Trymalcion
+looked her over rapidly and made an impatient gesture with his hand, as
+if annoyed that they should dare to offer to his sight so unattractive
+an object. She was, accordingly, taken back to the cage by a keeper. The
+other two children remained, still veiled.
+
+I was eagerly watching these events from the corner of the
+"horse-dealer's" stall, my arms pinioned behind my back with double iron
+manacles, my legs chained and my feet fastened by fetters of enormous
+weight. I still felt under the influence of the sorcery that had been
+practiced upon me. Nevertheless, my blood, so long frozen in my veins,
+began to circulate more and more freely. A slight tremor occasionally
+went through my limbs. The spell was breaking. I was not the only one to
+tremble. The young Gallic women and the matron, forgetting their own
+shame and despair, experienced in their hearts of maid, of wife, or
+mother, a frightful horror at the fate of the children offered to that
+detestable old man.
+
+Although half nude, they no longer thought of withdrawing themselves
+from the licentious looks of the spectators who were crowding at the
+entrance to the booth. Their eyes brooded with motherly terror upon the
+two veiled children, while the matron, bound to the post, her eyes
+glittering and her teeth set in impotent fury, raised her chained arms
+to heaven as if to call down the punishments of the gods upon such
+monstrosities.
+
+At a sign from lord Trymalcion, the veils dropped--I recognized you
+both--you, my son Sylvest and your sister Syomara. You were both pale
+and wan; you were shivering with fear. Anguish was depicted in your
+tear-bathed faces. The long blonde hair of my little girl fell upon her
+shoulders. She dared not raise her eyes, neither did you; you held each
+other by the hand, closely clasped. Despite the terror that disfigured
+her face, I beheld my daughter in her singular and infantine
+beauty--accursed beauty! At sight of her Trymalcion's dead eyes lighted
+up and glistened like glowing coals in the middle of his wrinkled,
+paint-covered visage. He stood up, stretched out his emaciated arms
+towards my daughter as if to seize his prey, while a shocking smile
+disclosed his yellow teeth. Terror-stricken, Syomara threw herself back
+and clung to your neck. The merchant quickly tore you from each other
+and brought Syomara to the old man. The latter impatiently pushed away
+with his foot the slave that crouched on the ground before him, and
+grabbing my little girl, took her between his knees. He easily subdued
+the efforts she made to escape, while she uttered piercing cries; he
+violently snapped the strings that fastened my little girl's robe, and
+stripped her half naked in order to examine her chest and shoulders.
+While this was going on, the merchant was holding you back, my son, and
+I--the father of the two victims--I, loaded with chains, beheld the
+spectacle. At the sight of this crime of the patrician Trymalcion,
+outraging the chastity of a child, the three fettered Gallic women and
+the matron made a desperate but vain effort to break from their irons,
+and began to pour out a torrent of imprecations and groans.
+
+Trymalcion finished complacently his disgusting examination, and said a
+few words to the merchant. Immediately a keeper replaced the robe on my
+girl, who was more dead than alive, wrapped her up in her long white
+veil, which he tied around her, and taking the slender burden under his
+arm, held himself in readiness to follow the old man, who was taking
+some gold from his purse to pay the merchant. At that moment of supreme
+despair--you and your sister, poor little ones bewildered with terror,
+cried out as if you believed you would be heard and succored:
+
+"Mother! Father!"
+
+Up to that moment I had witnessed the scene panting, almost crazy with
+grief and rage. Slowly my heart, struggling against the sorcery of the
+"horse-dealer," was gaining the upper hand. But at that cry, uttered by
+you and your sister, the charm broke with a clap. All my intelligence,
+all my courage rushed back to me. The sight of you two gave me such a
+shock, it threw me into such a transport of rage that, unable to break
+my irons, I rose upon my feet, and, with my hands still pinioned behind
+me, my legs still loaded with heavy chains, I bounded out of my stall
+with two leaps, and fell like a thunderbolt upon the old patrician. The
+shock caused the old man to roll under me. In default of the liberty of
+my hands to strangle him, I bit him in the face, near the neck. The
+"horse-dealers" and their keepers threw themselves upon me; but bearing
+with all my weight upon the hideous old debauchee, who was howling at
+the top of his voice, I kept my teeth in his flesh. The monster's blood
+filled my mouth--a shower of whip lashes and blows from sticks and
+stones rained upon me--yet I budged not. No more than our old war dog
+Deber-Trud the man-eater did I drop my prey.--No!--Like the dog, when I
+did let go, it was only to carry away between my teeth--a strip of
+flesh, a bleeding mouthful that I spat back into Trymalcion's hideous,
+tortured face, as he had spat at the Gallic women.
+
+"Father! Father!" you cried out to me through the tumult. Wishing then
+to approach you two, my children, I stood up, an object of terror--aye,
+terror. For a moment a circle of fear surrounded the Gallic slave, with
+his load of irons.
+
+"Father! Father!" you cried again, stretching out your little arms, in
+spite of the keepers who held you back. I made a bound toward you, but
+the merchant, from the top of the cage where you had been confined,
+suddenly threw a large piece of cloth over my head. At the same time I
+was seized by the legs, thrown down, and tied with a thousand bonds. The
+cloth, which covered my head and shoulders, was tied down around my
+neck, and through it they made a gap, which unfortunately permitted me
+to breathe--I had hoped to smother.
+
+I felt myself being carried across to my own booth, where I was thrown
+on the straw, incapable of making the slightest motion. Quite a while
+later I heard the centurion, my new master, in a sharp altercation with
+the "horse-dealer" and the merchant who had sold Syomara to Trymalcion.
+Presently they all went out. Silence reigned around me. Some time later,
+the dealer returned; he approached me; he kicked me angrily; he tore off
+the cover from my face, and said to me in a voice trembling with rage:
+
+"Scoundrel! Do you know what it has cost me, that mouthful of flesh you
+tore out of the face of the noble Trymalcion? Do you know, ferocious
+beast? That mouthful of flesh cost me twenty sous of gold! More than
+half of what I sold you for, for I am responsible for your misdeeds,
+wretch! while you are in my stall, double villain! So that it is I who
+have made a present of your daughter to the old man. She was sold to him
+for twenty gold sous, which I paid in his stead. He insisted upon it.
+And even so I got off cheaply. He demanded that indemnity."[33]
+
+"That monster is not dead! Hena! he is not dead!" I cried in despair.
+"And my daughter is not dead either! Hesus, Teutates, take pity on my
+daughter!"
+
+"Your daughter, gallows bird! Your daughter is in Trymalcion's hands,
+and it is upon her he will wreak his revenge on you. He rejoices over
+the circumstance in advance. He sometimes is taken with savage caprices,
+and is rich enough to indulge them."
+
+I was unable to make answer to these words, save with long drawn out
+moans.
+
+"And that is not all, infamous scoundrel! I have lost the confidence of
+the centurion to whom I sold you. He reproached me with having
+outrageously deceived him; with having sold him, instead of a lamb, a
+tiger who exercised his teeth upon rich patricians. He wanted to sell
+you right back. To sell you back, as if anyone would consent to
+buy--after such an exhibition! As well buy a wild beast. Luckily for me,
+I received the deposit before witnesses. The fierceness of your nature
+will not set aside the contract; the centurion has no choice but to keep
+you. He'll keep you, I warrant, but he'll make you pay dear for your
+criminal instincts. Oh, you don't know the life that awaits you in the
+_ergastula_! You don't know--"
+
+"But my son," I asked, interrupting the "horse-dealer," well knowing
+that he would answer out of cruelty. "Is my son also sold? To whom?"
+
+"Sold? And who do you think would still want him? Sold? Better say given
+away. You bring bad luck to everybody, double traitor. Did not your
+ragings and the shrieks of that mis-born limb teach everyone that he is
+of your beastly blood? No one offered even an obole for him! Who would
+buy a wolf's whelp? Anyway, I was going to speak to you about that son
+of yours, to delight your father's heart. Know that he was given to boot
+by my partner at the end of the sale, to the same purchaser to whom he
+sold the grey-haired matron, who will be good to turn a mill-wheel."
+
+"And that purchaser," I enquired, "who is he? What is he going to do
+with my son?"
+
+"That purchaser is the centurion--your master!"
+
+"Hesus!" I exclaimed, hardly able to believe what I heard. "Hesus, you
+are kind and merciful. At least I shall have my son near me."
+
+"Your son near you! Then you are as stupid as you are scoundrelly. Ah,
+do you imagine that it is for your paternal contentment that your master
+has burdened himself with that wolf-cub? Do you know what your master
+said to me? 'I have only one means of subduing that savage beast you
+sold me, you egregious cheat.--The chances are, that madman loves his
+little one. I'll keep the wolf-whelp in a cage, and the son will answer
+to me for the father's docility.--At the father's first, and least
+offence, he will see the tortures which he will make his cub suffer,
+under my very eyes.'"
+
+I paid no further attention to what the "horse-dealer" said--I was at
+least sure of seeing you, or of knowing that you were near me, my child.
+That will help me to bear the awful grief caused to me by the fate of my
+little daughter Syomara, who, two days later, was carried into Italy on
+board the galley of the patrician Trymalcion.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+My father Guilhern was not granted time to finish his narrative.
+
+Death--oh, what a death!--death overtook him the very day after he
+traced the above last lines. I preserve them together with the little
+brass bell that my father got from the "horse-dealer."
+
+The narrative of the sufferings of our race, I, Sylvest, shall continue
+in obedience to my father Guilhern, the same as he obeyed the behest of
+his father Joel the brenn of the tribe of Karnak.
+
+Hesus was merciful to you, O, my father.--You died ignorant of the life
+of your daughter Syomara--
+
+It is left to me to narrate my sister's fate.
+
+
+THE END.
+
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[1] A short distance from the town of St. Nazaire, which is still in
+existence.
+
+[2] The patriotism of the Russians in burning Moscow in order to starve
+and drive out Napoleon's army is justly admired. But how much more
+admirable was the heroic patriotism of these old Gauls! Not only
+Brittany, but almost a third of Gaul was delivered to the flames. See
+Caesar, _De Bello Gallico_, lib. VII, ch. XIV. Also Amedée Thierry,
+_History of the Gauls_, vol. III, p. 103: "The Chief of the Hundred
+Valleys was heard with calm and resignation. Not a murmur interrupted
+him, not an objection was raised against the heavy sacrifice which he
+demanded. It was with one voice that the heads of the tribes voted the
+ruin of their fortunes and the scattering of their families. This
+terrible remedy was at once applied to the country which they feared
+would be occupied by the enemy ... On every hand one perceived nothing
+but the fire and smoke of burning habitations. In the light of these
+flames, across the ruins and the ashes of their homes, an innumerable
+population wended their way towards the frontier, where shelter and food
+awaited them. Their sorrow and suffering was not without consolation,
+since it would lead to the safety of their country."
+
+[3] The shark.
+
+[4] A Gallic war cry, signifying "Strike at the head--down with them."
+
+[5] A troop composed of cavalry (_mahrek_) and footmen (_droad_).
+
+"A certain number of Gallic cavalrymen chose among the foot-soldiers an
+equal number of the most agile and courageous. Each of the latter
+attended a horseman, and followed him in battle. The cavalry fell back
+upon them if it was in danger, and the footmen ran up; if a wounded
+horseman fell from his charger, the foot-soldier succored and defended
+him. When it became necessary to make a rapid advance or retreat,
+exercise had made these foot-soldiers so agile that, hanging on by the
+manes of the horses, they kept up with the cavalry in its rapid
+movement."--Caesar, _De Bello Gallico_, book I, ch. XLVIII.
+
+[6] In this body of cavalry each horseman was followed by two equerries,
+mounted and equipped, who remained behind in the body of the army. When
+the battle was on, should the horseman be dismounted, the equerries gave
+him one of their horses. If then the horseman's horse was killed, or the
+horseman himself dangerously wounded, he was carried from the field by
+one of the equerries, while the other took his place in the ranks. This
+body of cavalry was called the _trimarkisia_, from two words which in
+the Gallic tongue signify "three horses."--Amedée Thierry, _History of
+the Gauls_, vol. I, p. 130. See also Pausanius, book X.
+
+[7] "The Gauls had also their Pindars and their Tyrteuses, bards
+exercising their talent to sing in heroic verse the deeds of great men,
+and to inculcate in the people the love of glory."--Latour d'Auvergne,
+_Gallic Origins_, p. 158.
+
+[8] "The Gauls hold that it is a disgrace to live subjugated, and that
+in all war there are but two outcomes for the man of courage--to conquer
+or to die."--Nicolas Damasc; see also Strabo, serm. XII.
+
+[9] "Caesar in his Commentaries, and after him the later historians,
+took the title of command held by this hero of Gaul for his proper name,
+and, by corruption, wrote _Vercingetorix_ in place of
+Ver-cinn-cedo-righ, Chief of the Hundred Valleys," observes Amedée
+Thierry (_History of the Gauls_, vol. III, p. 86). "Vercingetorix, a
+native of Auvergne, was the son of Celtil, who, guilty of conspiring
+against the freedom of his city, expiated on the pyre his ambition and
+his crime. The young Gaul thus became heir to the goods of his father,
+whose name he nevertheless blushed to bear. Having become the idol of
+his people, he traveled to Rome and saw Caesar, who attempted to win his
+good graces. But the Gaul rejected the friendship of his country's
+enemy. Returned to his native land he labored secretly to reawaken among
+his people the spirit of independence, and to raise up enemies against
+the Romans. When the hour to call the people to arms was come, he showed
+himself openly, in druid ceremonies, in political meetings; everywhere,
+in short, he was seen employing his eloquence, his fortune, his credit,
+in a word all his means of action upon the chiefs and on the multitude,
+to spur them on to reconquer the rights of old Gaul."--Thierry.
+
+[10] Here are Caesar's own words on this extraordinary event, taken from
+his _Ephemerides_, or diary, wherein with his own hand he was accustomed
+to enter day by day what of interest had occurred to him. These words
+are transmitted to us by Servius:
+
+"Caius Julius Caesar, cum dimicaret in Gallia, et ab hoste raptus, equo
+ejus portaretur armatus, occurrit quidam ex hostibus qui cum nosset et
+insultans ait: Ceco Caesar! quod in lingua Gallorum dimitte significat.
+Et ita factum est ut dimitteretur.
+
+"Hoc autem dicit ipse Caesar in Ephemeride sua ubi propriam commemorat
+felicitatem."--Ex Servio LXI. Aeneid, edit. Amstelod, type Elsevir,
+1650, ex antiquo Vatic. Extemp. cap. VIII.
+
+"One can see by this passage," adds d'Auvergne, "that Caesar, having
+been released by the Gaul who had made him prisoner and who was carrying
+him off on his horse fully armed from the field of battle, believed the
+saving of his life to be due to the very word which was intended to be
+his death sentence: to the word _sko_, which Caesar wrote _ceco_, and
+which he falsely interpreted to mean _release_ when the word in Gallic
+in reality means _kill_, _strike_, _beat down_. Everything points to the
+conclusion that fear or stupefaction having seized the Gauls, in whose
+power Caesar completely was, at the mere mention of his name, he owed
+his safety to the sheer astonishment of his captor."
+
+[11] "During the fight, which lasted from the seventh hour until the
+evening, not a Gaul was seen turning his back (aversum hostem nemo
+videre potuit)."--Caesar, _De Bello Gallico_, ch. XXXVII.
+
+[12] "When the Romans drew near the chariots they came face to face with
+a new enemy, the war dogs. These were with difficulty exterminated by
+the archers."--Pliny, book LXXII, chap. C.
+
+[13] The total destruction of the Gallic fleet was the result of an
+extremely dangerous invention by the Romans, who, by means of scythes
+fastened to long poles, cut the stays which held the masts. These fell,
+and the Gallic vessels, deprived of sails and motion, were reduced to
+impotence. See Caesar, _De Bello Gallico_, book III, ch. XIV, XV.
+
+[14] See Pliny, Quintilian, Seneca, etc. Cited by Wallon in his _History
+of Slavery in Antiquity_, vol. II, p. 329.
+
+[15] About $100 or $120 in modern money. This was at the time the market
+price of a slave. (Wallon, _History of Slavery in Antiquity_, vol. II,
+p. 329.)
+
+[16] Slaves had no name of their own. They were given indiscriminately
+all sorts of soubriquets, even to the names of animals. (Givin, p. 339.)
+
+[17] It was the custom to throw in "for good measure," upon the purchase
+of a lot of slaves for labor or for pleasure, a few old men who were
+nothing but skin and bones. See Plautus, _Bachid._ IV, _Prospera_ IV;
+and _Terence_, _Eun._ Cited by Wallon, _History of Slavery in
+Antiquity_, vol. II. p. 56.
+
+[18] There were in the selling of slaves, as in the vending of animals
+established grounds entitling the purchaser to recover in full or in
+part his purchase price. Six months were allowed for causes of the first
+class to manifest themselves, a year for the latter.
+
+Deafness, dumbness, short-sightedness, tertiary or quaternary ague,
+gout, epilepsy, polyp, varicose veins, a breath indicating an internal
+malady, sterility among the women--such were the grounds accepted for
+complete abrogation of the contract. As to moral defects, nothing was
+said. Nevertheless, the merchant was not allowed to ascribe to a slave
+qualities he did not possess. One was bound above all to make known
+whether a slave possessed a tendency toward suicide. (Wallon, _History
+of Slavery in Antiquity_, vol. II, p. 63.)
+
+[19] We do not dare to expatiate on these monstrosities. We shall only
+cite the words of the lawyer Heterus: "Shamelessness is a crime in a
+free man--a duty in a freedman--and a necessity in a slave." For further
+details of the abominable and precocious depravity into which slaves and
+their children were dragged, see Wallon, _History of Slavery in
+Antiquity_, p. 266, following.
+
+[20] "Masters disemboweled their slaves, to search for prognostications
+in their entrails."--Wallon, vol. II, p. 251.
+
+[21] The characteristics of different nationalities of slaves had passed
+into bywords with the dealers. Thus they said "timid as a Phrygian,"
+"vain as a Moor," "deceitful as a Cretan," "intractable as a Sardinian,"
+"fierce as a Dalmatian," "gentle as an Ionian," etc., etc. (Wallon, vol.
+II, p. 65.)
+
+[22] Caesar wished to make a severe example. So "He put the Senate to
+death, and sold the rest at auction."--Caesar, _De Bello Gallico_, book
+III, ch. XVI.
+
+[23] See Wallon, vol. II, ch. III, for the singular means employed by
+the "horse-dealers" to rejuvenate their slaves.
+
+[24] The Gauls in the north and west of France attached so much
+importance and dignity to the length of their hair that the provinces
+they inhabited were called "Long-haired Gaul." (Latour d'Auvergne,
+Gallic Origins.)
+
+[25] When prisoners of war were sold as slaves, they were made to wear
+wreaths of the leaves of trees as a distinctive sign. (Wallon.)
+
+[26] "The magic philters of Media and Circe of old were nothing but
+pharmaceutical brews of an action as diversified as powerful. Several of
+these narcotic or exhilarators, which threw a man into an incredible
+moral prostration, or else into a fit of frenzy, were long employed
+among the Romans. The slave merchants used them to overcome and enervate
+their more unconquerable captives."--_Philosophic Dictionary_, p. 345.
+
+[27] "The higher priced slaves were kept in a sort of cage, which drew,
+by its air of mystery, the attention of the connoisseurs."--Wallon, vol.
+II, p. 54.
+
+[28] The slave was obliged to lift weights, to march, to leap, to prove
+his vigor and agility. (Wallon, vol. II, p. 59.)
+
+[29] The feet of women and children were daubed with white clay.
+(Wallon.)
+
+[30] See Petronius for details of Roman patrician "fashions."
+
+[31] For these shameful manners, which respect for humanity renders
+unpicturable, see Tacitus, Martial, Juvenal, and above all Petronius.
+
+[32] See above authors.
+
+[33] The master was civilly responsible for the acts of his slave, the
+same as for those of his dog. (Wallon, vol. II, p. 183.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Brass Bell, by Eugène Sue
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BRASS BELL ***
+
+***** This file should be named 26623-8.txt or 26623-8.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        http://www.gutenberg.org/2/6/6/2/26623/
+
+Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was
+produced from scanned images of public domain material
+from the Google Print project.)
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+http://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+http://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     http://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
diff --git a/26623-8.zip b/26623-8.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..43bb129
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-8.zip
diff --git a/26623-h.zip b/26623-h.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..aaa4858
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-h.zip
diff --git a/26623-h/26623-h.htm b/26623-h/26623-h.htm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1accc3e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-h/26623-h.htm
@@ -0,0 +1,4491 @@
+<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN"
+    "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd">
+
+<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
+  <head>
+    <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" />
+    <title>
+      The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Brass Bell, by Eugene Sue.
+    </title>
+    <style type="text/css">
+/*<![CDATA[  XML blockout */
+<!--
+    p {  margin-top: .75em;
+         text-align: justify;
+         margin-bottom: .75em;
+         text-indent: 2%;
+         }
+    .head {text-align: center;
+           text-indent: 0%;
+           font-size:105%;
+           font-weight:700;
+          }
+    .r {text-align: right;
+        margin-right:25%;
+         }
+    h1,h2 {text-align: center;
+         clear: both;
+          text-indent: 0%;
+         }
+    h3 {margin-top:20%;
+         text-align: center;
+         clear: both;
+          text-indent: 0%;
+         }
+    .top15 {margin-top: 15%;}
+    hr { width: 90%;
+	 margin-top: 2em;
+	 margin-bottom: 2em;
+         margin-left: auto;
+         margin-right: auto;
+         clear: both;
+         color:black;
+       }
+    hr.full { width: 100%;
+              margin-top: 5%;
+              margin-bottom: 5%;
+              border: solid black;
+              height: 5px; }
+    table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;}
+    body{margin-left: 10%;
+         margin-right: 10%;
+         background:#fdfdfd;
+         color:black;
+         font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;
+         font-size: large;
+        }
+   a:link {background-color: #ffffff; color: blue; text-decoration: none; }
+     link {background-color: #ffffff; color: blue; text-decoration: none; }
+   a:visited {background-color: #ffffff; color: blue; text-decoration: none; }
+   a:hover {background-color: #ffffff; color: red; text-decoration:underline; }
+    .smcap    {font-variant: small-caps;
+               font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;
+               font-size: large;
+               }
+    .box     {border: solid 3px black;padding:2%;max-width:550px;
+              margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;margin-top:15%;
+              max-height:800px;
+               }
+    .box2     {border: solid 3px black;padding:2%;
+               }    .c {text-align: center;
+        text-indent: 0%;
+          }
+    .poem {margin-left:25%;
+           white-space:nowrap;
+           text-indent: 0%;
+          }
+    .footnotes        {border: dashed 1px;margin-top:15%;}
+    .footnote         {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;}
+    .footnote .label  {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right; font-size: 0.7em;}
+    .fnanchor         {vertical-align: super; font-size: .6em; text-decoration: none;}
+    // -->
+    /* XML end  ]]>*/
+    </style>
+  </head>
+<body>
+
+
+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Brass Bell, by Eugène Sue
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Brass Bell
+       or, The Chariot of Death
+
+Author: Eugène Sue
+
+Release Date: August 15, 2008 [EBook #26623]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BRASS BELL ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was
+produced from scanned images of public domain material
+from the Google Print project.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+
+
+<div class="box">
+<div class="box2">
+<h1>THE BRASS BELL</h1>
+
+<p class="c">" " OR " "</p>
+
+<h2>THE CHARIOT OF DEATH</h2>
+
+<p class="c top15"><b>A Tale of Caesar's Gallic Invasion</b></p>
+
+<table summary="name" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
+style="border-top:4px double black;
+border-bottom:6px double black;
+letter-spacing:8px;font-size:125%;">
+<tr><td><b>By EUGENE SUE</b></td></tr>
+</table>
+
+
+<table summary="name" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
+style="border-bottom:6px double black;
+letter-spacing:8px;font-size:125%;">
+<tr><td>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
+&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
+&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
+&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</td></tr>
+</table>
+
+<p class="c smcap"><b>translated from the original french by</b></p>
+
+<p class="c"><b>SOLON DE LEON</b></p>
+
+<p class="c smcap"><b>new york labor news company, 1907</b></p>
+
+<p class="c smcap"><b>new edition 1916</b></p>
+</div>
+</div>
+
+
+<h3>PREFACE TO THE TRANSLATION</h3>
+
+<p class="c"><b>&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;</b></p>
+
+<p><i>The Brass Bell</i>; or, <i>The Chariot of Death</i> is the second of Eugene
+Sue's monumental serial known under the collective title of <i>The
+Mysteries of the People; or History of a Proletarian Family Across the
+Ages</i>.</p>
+
+<p>The first story&mdash;<i>The Gold Sickle; or, Hena, the Virgin of the Isle of
+Sen</i>&mdash;fittingly preludes the grand drama conceived by the author. There
+the Gallic people are introduced upon the stage of history in the
+simplicity of their customs, their industrious habits, their bravery,
+lofty yet childlike&mdash;such as they were at the time of the Roman invasion
+by Caesar, 58 B. C. The present story is the thrilling introduction to
+the class struggle, that starts with the conquest of Gaul, and, in the
+subsequent seventeen stories, is pathetically and instructively carried
+across the ages, down to the French Revolution of 1848.</p>
+
+<p class="r">
+D. D. L.<br />
+</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h3>TABLE OF CONTENTS.</h3>
+
+<p class="c"><b>&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;</b></p>
+
+<table summary="toc" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2">
+<tr><td colspan="3" align="left">Preface to the Translation</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Chapter</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">1.</a></td><td> The Conflagration</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Chapter</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">2.</a></td><td> In the Lion's Den</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Chapter</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">3.</a></td><td> Gallic Virtue</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Chapter</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">4.</a></td><td> The Trial</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Chapter</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">5.</a></td><td> Into the Shallows</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Chapter</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">6.</a></td><td> The Eve of Battle</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Chapter</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">7.</a></td><td> The Battle of Vannes</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Chapter</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">8.</a></td><td> After the Battle</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Chapter</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">9.</a></td><td> Master and Slave</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Chapter</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">10.</a></td><td> The Last Call to Arms</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Chapter</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">11.</a></td><td> The Slaves' Toilet</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Chapter</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">12.</a></td><td> Sold into Bondage</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Chapter</td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">13.</a></td><td> The Booth across the Way</td></tr>
+</table>
+
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h3>
+
+<p class="head">THE CONFLAGRATION.</p>
+
+
+<p>The call to arms, sounded by the druids of the forest of Karnak and by
+the Chief of the Hundred Valleys against the invading forces of the
+first Caesar, had well been hearkened to.</p>
+
+<p>The sacrifice of Hena, the Virgin of the Isle of Sen, seemed pleasing to
+Hesus. All the peoples of Brittany, from North to South, from East to
+West, rose to combat the Romans. The tribes of the territory of Vannes
+and Auray, those of the Mountains of Ares, and many others, assembled
+before the town of Vannes, on the left bank, close to the mouth of the
+river which empties into the great bay of Morbihan. This redoubtable
+position where all the Gallic forces were to meet, was situated ten
+leagues from Karnak, and had been chosen by the Chief of the Hundred
+Valleys, who had been elected Commander-in-Chief of the army.</p>
+
+<p>Leaving behind them their fields, their herds, and their dwellings, the
+tribes were here assembled, men and women, young and old, and were
+encamped round about the town of Vannes. Here also were Joel, his
+family, and his tribe.</p>
+
+<p>Albinik the mariner, together with his wife Mero&euml; left the camp towards
+sunset, bent on an errand of many days' march. Since her marriage with
+Albinik, Mero&euml;; was the constant, companion of his voyages and dangers
+at sea, and like him, she wore the seaman's costume. Like him she knew
+at a pinch how to put her hand to the rudder, to ply the oar or the axe,
+for stout was her heart, and strong her arm.</p>
+
+<p>In the evening, before leaving the Gallic army, Mero&euml; dressed herself in
+her sailor's garments&mdash;a short blouse of brown wool, drawn tight with a
+leather belt, large broad breeches of white cloth, which fell below her
+knees, and shoes of sealskin. She carried on her left shoulder her
+short, hooded cloak, and on her flowing hair was a leathern bonnet. By
+her resolute air, the agility of her step, the perfection of her sweet
+and virile countenance, one might have taken Mero&euml; for one of those
+young men whose good looks make maidens dream of marriage. Albinik also
+was dressed as a mariner. He had flung over his back a sack with
+provisions for the way. The large sleeves of his blouse revealed his
+left arm, wrapped to the elbow in a bloody bandage.</p>
+
+<p>Husband and wife had left Vannes for some minutes, when Albinik,
+stopping, sad and deeply moved, said to Mero&euml;:</p>
+
+<p>"There is still time&mdash;consider. We are going to beard the lion in his
+den. He is tricky, distrustful and savage. It may mean for us slavery,
+torture, or death. Mero&euml;, let me finish alone this trip and this
+enterprise, beside which a desperate fight would be but a trifle. Return
+to my father and mother, whose daughter you are also!"</p>
+
+<p>"Albinik, you had to wait for the darkness of night to say that to me.
+You would not see me blush with shame at the thought of your thinking
+me a coward;" and the young woman, while making this answer, instead of
+turning back, only hastened her step.</p>
+
+<p>"Let it be as your courage and your love for me bid," replied her
+husband. "May Hena, my holy sister, who is gone, protect us at the side
+of Hesus."</p>
+
+<p>The two continued their way along the crests of a chain of lofty hills.
+They had thus at their feet and before their eyes a succession of deep
+and fertile valleys. As far as eye could reach, they saw here villages,
+yonder small hamlets, elsewhere isolated farms; further off rose a
+flourishing town crossed by an arm of the river, in which were moored,
+from distance to distance, large boats loaded with sheaves of wheat,
+casks of wine, and fodder.</p>
+
+<p>But, strange to say, although the evening was clear, not a single one of
+those large herds of cattle and of sheep was to be seen, which
+ordinarily grazed there till nightfall. No more was there a single
+laborer in sight on the fields, although it was the hour when, by every
+road, the country-folk ordinarily began to return to their homes; for
+the sun was fast sinking. This country, so populous the preceding
+evening, now seemed deserted.</p>
+
+<p>The couple halted, pensive, contemplating the fertile lands, the
+bountifulness of nature, the opulent city, the hamlets, and the houses.
+Then, recollecting what they knew was to happen in a few moments, soon
+as the sun was set and the moon risen, Albinik and Mero&euml;; shivered with
+grief and fear. Tears fell from their eyes, they sank to their knees,
+their eyes fixed with anguish on the depths of the valleys, which the
+thickening evening shade was gradually invading. The sun had
+disappeared, but the moon, then in her decline, was not yet up. There
+was thus, between sunset and the rising of the moon, a rather long
+interval. It was a bitter one for husband and wife; bitter, like the
+certain expectation of some great woe.</p>
+
+<p>"Look, Albinik," murmured the young woman to her spouse, although they
+were alone&mdash;for it was one of those awful moments when one speaks low in
+the middle of a desert&mdash;"just look, not a light: not one in these
+houses, hamlets, or the town. Night is come, and all within these
+dwellings is gloomy as the night without."</p>
+
+<p>"The inhabitants of this valley are going to show themselves worthy of
+their brothers," answered Albinik reverently. "They also wish to respond
+to the voice of our venerable druids, and to that of the Chief of the
+Hundred Valleys."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; by the terror which is now come upon me, I feel we are about to
+see a thing no one has seen before, and perhaps none will see again."</p>
+
+<p>"Mero&euml;, do you catch down there, away down there, behind the crest of
+the forest, a faint white glimmer!"</p>
+
+<p>"I do. It is the moon, which will soon be up. The moment approaches. I
+feel terror-stricken. Poor women! Poor children!"</p>
+
+<p>"Poor laborers; they lived so long, happy on this land of their fathers:
+on this land made fertile by the labor of so many generations! Poor
+workmen; they found plenty in their rude trades! Oh, the unfortunates!
+the unfortunates! But one thing equals their great misfortune, and that
+is their great heroism. Mero&euml;! Mero&euml;!" exclaimed Albinik, "the moon is
+rising. That sacred orb of Gaul is about to give the signal for the
+sacrifice."</p>
+
+<p>"Hesus! Hesus!" cried the young woman, her cheeks bathed in tears, "your
+wrath will never be appeased if this last sacrifice does not calm you."</p>
+
+<p>The moon had risen radiant among the stars. She flooded space with so
+brilliant a light that Albinik and his wife could see as in full day,
+and as far as the most distant horizon, the country that stretched at
+their feet.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly, a light cloud of smoke, at first whitish, then black,
+presently colored with the red tints of a kindling fire, rose above one
+of the hamlets scattered in the plain.</p>
+
+<p>"Hesus! Hesus!" exclaimed Mero&euml;. Then, hiding her face in the bosom of
+her husband who was kneeling near her, "You spoke truly. The sacred orb
+of Gaul has given the signal for the sacrifice. It is fulfilled."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, liberty!" cried Albinik, "Holy liberty!&mdash;--"</p>
+
+<p>He could not finish. His voice was smothered in tears, and he drew his
+weeping wife close in his arms.</p>
+
+<p>Mero&euml; did not leave her face hidden in her husband's breast any longer
+than it would take a mother to kiss the forehead, mouth, and eyes, of
+her new born babe, but when she again raised her head and dared to look
+abroad, it was no longer only one house, one village, one hamlet, one
+town in that long succession of valleys at their feet that was
+disappearing in billows of black smoke, streaked with red gleams. It was
+all the houses, all the villages, all the hamlets, all the towns in the
+laps of all those valleys, that the conflagration was devouring. From
+North to South, from East to West, all was afire. The rivers themselves
+seemed to roll in flame under their grain and forage-laden barges, which
+in turn took fire, and sank in the waters.</p>
+
+<p>The heavens were alternately obscured by immense clouds of smoke, or
+reddened with innumerable columns of fire. From one end to the other,
+the panorama was soon nothing but a furnace, an ocean of flame.</p>
+
+<p>Nor were the houses, hamlets, and towns of only these valleys given over
+to the flames. It was the same in all the regions which Albinik and
+Mero&euml; had traversed in one night and day of travel, on their way from
+Vannes to the mouth of the Loire, where was pitched the camp of
+Caesar.<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a></p>
+
+<p>All this territory had been burned by its inhabitants, and they
+abandoned the smoking ruins to join the Gallic army, assembled in the
+environs of Vannes. Thus the voice of the Chief of the Hundred Valleys
+had been obeyed&mdash;the command repeated from place to place, from village
+to village, from city to city:</p>
+
+<p>"In three nights, at the hour when the moon, the sacred orb of Gaul
+shall rise, let all the countryside, from Vannes to the Loire, be set on
+fire. Let Caesar and his army find in their passage neither men nor
+houses, nor provisions, nor forage, but everywhere, everywhere cinders,
+famine, desolation, and death."</p>
+
+<p>It was done as the druids and the Chief of the Hundred Valleys had
+ordered.<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a></p>
+
+<p>The two travelers, who witnessed this heroic devotion of each and all to
+the safety of the fatherland, had thus seen a sight no one had ever seen
+in the past; a sight which perhaps none will ever see in the future.</p>
+
+<p>Thus were expiated those fatal dissensions, those rivalries between
+province and province, which for too long a time, and to the triumph of
+their enemies, had divided the people of Gaul.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h3>
+
+<p class="head">IN THE LION'S DEN.</p>
+
+
+<p>The night passed. When the next day drew to its close Albinik and Mero&euml;
+had traversed all the burnt country, from Vannes to the mouth of the
+Loire, which they were now approaching. At sunset they came to a fork in
+the road.</p>
+
+<p>"Of these two ways, which shall we take?" mused Albinik. "One ought to
+take us toward the camp of Caesar, the other away from it."</p>
+
+<p>Reflecting an instant, the young woman answered:</p>
+
+<p>"Climb yonder oak. The camp fires will show us our route."</p>
+
+<p>"True," said the mariner, and confident in his agility he was about to
+clamber up the tree. But stopping, he added: "I forgot that I have but
+one hand left. I cannot climb."</p>
+
+<p>The face of the young woman saddened as she replied:</p>
+
+<p>"You are suffering, Albinik? Alas, you, thus mutilated!"</p>
+
+<p>"Is the sea-wolf<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> caught without a lure?"</p>
+
+<p>"No."</p>
+
+<p>"Let the fishing be good," answered Albinik, "and I shall not regret
+having given my hand for bait."</p>
+
+<p>The young woman sighed, and after looking at the tree a minute, said to
+her husband:</p>
+
+<p>"Come, then, put your back to the trunk. I'll step in the hollow of your
+hand, then onto your shoulder, and from your shoulder I can reach that
+large branch overhead."</p>
+
+<p>"Fearless and devoted! You are always the dear wife of my heart, true as
+my sister Hena is a saint," tenderly answered Albinik, and steadying
+himself against the tree, he took in his hand the little foot of his
+companion. With his good arm he supported his wife while she placed her
+foot on his shoulder. Thence she reached the first large bough. Then,
+mounting from branch to branch, she gained the top of the oak. Arrived
+there, Mero&euml; cast her eyes abroad, and saw towards the south, under a
+group of seven stars, the gleam of several fires. She descended, nimble
+as a bird, and at last, putting her feet on the mariner's shoulder, was
+on the ground with one bound, saying:</p>
+
+<p>"We must go towards the south, in the direction of those seven stars.
+That way lie the fires of Caesar's camp."</p>
+
+<p>"Let us take that road, then," returned the sailor, indicating the
+narrower of the two ways, and the two travelers pursued their journey.
+After a few steps, the young woman halted. She seemed to be searching in
+her garments.</p>
+
+<p>"What is the matter, Mero&euml;?"</p>
+
+<p>"In climbing the tree, I've let my poniard drop. It must have worked out
+of the belt I was carrying it in, under my blouse."</p>
+
+<p>"By Hesus; we must get that poniard back," said Albinik, retracing his
+steps toward the tree. "You have need of a weapon, and this one my
+brother Mikael forged and tempered himself. It will pierce a sheet of
+copper."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh; I shall find it, Albinik. In that well-tempered little blade of
+steel one has an answer for all, and in all languages."</p>
+
+<p>After some search up the foot of the oak, Mero&euml; found her poniard. It
+was cased in a sheath hardly as long as a hen's feather, and not much
+thicker. Mero&euml; fastened it anew under her blouse, and started again on
+the road with her husband. After some little travel along deserted
+paths, the two arrived at a plain. They heard far in the distance the
+great roar of the sea. On a hill they saw the lights of many fires.</p>
+
+<p>"There, at last, is the camp of Caesar," said Albinik, stopping short,
+"the den of the lion."</p>
+
+<p>"The den of the scourge of Gaul. Come, come, the evening is slipping
+away."</p>
+
+<p>"Mero&euml;, the moment has come."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you hesitate now?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is too late. But I would prefer a fair fight under the open heavens,
+vessel to vessel, soldier to soldier, sword to sword. Ah, Mero&euml;, for us,
+Gauls, who despise ambuscade or cowardice, and hang brass bells on the
+iron of our lances to warn the enemy of our approach, to come
+here&mdash;traitorously!"</p>
+
+<p>"Traitorously!" exclaimed the young woman. "And to oppress a free
+people&mdash;is that loyalty? To reduce the inhabitants to slavery, to exile
+them by herds with iron collars on their necks&mdash;is that loyalty? To
+massacre old men and children, to deliver the women and virgins to the
+lust of soldiers&mdash;is that loyalty? And now, you would hesitate, after
+having marched a whole day and night by the lights of the conflagration,
+through the midst of those smoking ruins which were caused by the horror
+of Roman oppression? No! No! to exterminate savage beasts, all means are
+good, the trap as well as the boar-spear. Hesitate? Hesitate? Answer,
+Albinik. Without mentioning your voluntary mutilation, without
+mentioning the dangers which we brave in entering this camp&mdash;shall we
+not be, if Hesus aids our project, the first victims of that great
+sacrifice which we are going to make to the Gods? Come, believe me; he
+who gives his life has nothing to blush for. By the love which I bear
+you, by the virgin blood of your sister Hena, I have at this moment, I
+swear to you, the consciousness of fulfilling a holy duty. Come, come,
+the evening is passing."</p>
+
+<p>"What Mero&euml;, the just and valiant, finds to be just and valiant, must be
+so," said Albinik, pressing his companion to his breast.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, yes, to exterminate savage beasts all means are good, the trap as
+well as the spear. Who gives his life has no cause to blush. Come!"</p>
+
+<p>The couple hastened their pace toward the lights of the camp of Caesar.
+After a few moments, they heard close at hand, resounding on the earth,
+the measured tread of several soldiers, and the clashing of their swords
+on their iron armor. Presently they distinguished the invaders' red
+crested helmets glittering in the moonlight.</p>
+
+<p>"They are the soldiers of the guard, who keep vigil around the camp,"
+said Albinik. "Let us go to them."</p>
+
+<p>Soon the travelers reached the Roman soldiers, by whom they were
+immediately surrounded. Albinik, who had learned in the Roman tongue
+these only words: "We are Breton Gauls; we would speak with Caesar,"
+addressed them to his captors; but these, learning from Albinik's own
+admission that he and his companion were of the provinces that had risen
+in arms, forthwith took them prisoners, and treated them as such. They
+bound them, and conducted them to the camp.</p>
+
+<p>Albinik and Mero&euml; were first taken to one of the gates of the
+entrenchment. Beside the gate, they saw, a cruel warning, five large
+wooden crosses. On each one of these a Gallic seaman was crucified, his
+clothes stained with blood. The light of the moon illuminated the
+corpses.</p>
+
+<p>"They have not deceived us," said Albinik in a low voice to his
+companion. "The pilots have been crucified after having undergone
+frightful tortures, rather than pilot the fleet of Caesar along the
+coast of Brittany."</p>
+
+<p>"To make them undergo torture, and death on the cross," flashed back
+Mero&euml;, "is that loyalty! Would you still hesitate? Will you still speak
+of 'treachery'?"</p>
+
+<p>Albinik answered not a word, but in the dark he pressed his companion's
+hand. Brought before the officer who commanded the post, the mariner
+repeated the only words which he knew in the Roman tongue:</p>
+
+<p>"We are Breton Gauls; we would speak with Caesar." In these times of
+war, the Romans would often seize or detain travelers, for the purpose
+of learning from them what was passing in the revolted provinces. Caesar
+had given orders for all prisoners and fugitives who could throw light
+on the movements of the Gauls to be brought before him.</p>
+
+<p>The husband and wife were accordingly not surprised to see themselves,
+in fulfillment of their secret hope, conducted across the camp to
+Caesar's tent, which was guarded by the flower of his Spanish veterans,
+charged with watching over his person.</p>
+
+<p>Arrived within the tent of Caesar, the scourge of Gaul, Albinik and
+Mero&euml; were freed of their bonds. Despite their souls' being stirred with
+hatred for the invader of their country, they looked about them with a
+somber curiosity.</p>
+
+<p>The tent of the Roman general, covered on the outside with thick pelts,
+like all the other tents of the camp, was decorated within with a
+purple-colored material embroidered with gold and white silk. The beaten
+earth was buried from sight under a carpet of tiger skins. Caesar was
+finishing supper, reclining on a camp bed which was concealed under a
+great lion-skin, decorated with gold claws and eyes of carbuncles.
+Within his reach, on a low table, the couple saw large vases of gold and
+silver, richly chased, and cups ornamented with precious stones. Humbly
+seated at the foot of Caesar's couch, Mero&euml; saw a young and beautiful
+female slave, an African without doubt, for her white garments threw out
+all the stronger the copper colored hue of her face. Slowly she raised
+her large, shining back eyes to the two strangers, all the while petting
+a large greyhound which was stretched out at her side. She seemed to be
+as timid as the dog.</p>
+
+<p>The generals, the officers, the secretaries, the handsome looking young
+freedmen of Caesar's suite, were standing about his camp bed, while
+black Abyssinian slaves, wearing coral ornaments at their necks, wrists
+and ankles, and motionless as statues, held in their hands torches of
+scented wax, whose gleam caused the splendid armor of the Romans to
+glitter.</p>
+
+<p>Caesar, before whom Albinik and Mero&euml; cast down their eyes for fear of
+betraying their hatred, had exchanged his armor for a long robe of
+richly broidered silk. His head was bare, nothing covered his large bald
+forehead, on each side of which his brown hair was closely trimmed. The
+warmth of the Gallic wine which it was his habit to drink to excess at
+night, caused his eyes to shine, and colored his pale cheeks. His face
+was imperious, his laugh mocking and cruel. He was leaning on one elbow,
+holding in one hand, thinned with debauchery, a wide gold cup, enriched
+with pearls. He looked at it leisurely and fitfully, still fixing his
+piercing gaze on the two prisoners, who were placed in such a manner
+that Albinik almost entirely hid Mero&euml;.</p>
+
+<p>Caesar said a few words in Latin to his officers, who had been preparing
+to retire. One of them went up to the couple, brusquely shoved Albinik
+back, and took Mero&euml; by the hand. Thus he forced her to advance a few
+steps, clearly for the purpose of permitting Caesar to look at her with
+greater ease. He did so, while at the same time and without turning
+around, reaching his empty cup to one of his young cup-bearers.</p>
+
+<p>Albinik knew how to control himself. He remained quiet while he saw his
+chaste wife blush under the bold looks of Caesar. After gazing at her
+for a moment, the Roman general beckoned to one of his interpreters. The
+two exchanged a few words, whereupon the interpreter drew close to
+Mero&euml;, and said to her in the Gallic tongue:</p>
+
+<p>"Caesar asks whether you are a youth or a maiden!"</p>
+
+<p>"My companion and I have fled the Gallic camp," responded Mero&euml;
+ingenuously. "Whether I am a youth or a maiden matters little to
+Caesar."</p>
+
+<p>At these words, translated by the interpreter to Caesar, the Roman
+laughed cynically, while his officers partook of the gaiety of their
+general. Caesar continued to empty cup after cup, fixing his eyes more
+and more ardently on Albinik's wife. He said a few words to the
+interpreter, who commenced to question the two prisoners, conveying as
+he proceeded, their answers to the general, who would then prompt new
+questions.</p>
+
+<p>"Who are you!" said the interpreter, "Whence come you!"</p>
+
+<p>"We are Bretons," answered Albinik. "We come from the Gallic camp, which
+is established under the walls of Vannes, two days' march from here."</p>
+
+<p>"Why have you deserted the Gallic camp!"</p>
+
+<p>Albinik answered not a word, but unwrapped the bloody bandage in which
+his arm was swathed. The Romans then saw that his left hand was cut off.
+The interpreter resumed:</p>
+
+<p>"Who has thus mutilated you?"</p>
+
+<p>"The Gauls."</p>
+
+<p>"But you are a Gaul yourself?"</p>
+
+<p>"Little does that matter to the Chief of the Hundred Valleys."</p>
+
+<p>At the name of the Chief of the Hundred Valleys, Caesar knit his brows,
+and his face was filled with envy and hatred.</p>
+
+<p>The interpreter resumed, addressing Albinik: "Explain yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"I am a sailor, and command a merchant vessel. Several other captains
+and I received the order to transport some armed men by sea, and to
+disembark them in the harbor of Vannes, by the bay of Morbihan. I
+obeyed. A gust of wind carried away one of my masts; my vessel arrived
+the last of all. Then&mdash;the Chief of the Hundred Valleys inflicted upon
+me the penalty for laggards. But he was generous. He let me off with my
+life, and gave me the choice between, the loss of my nose, my ears, or
+one hand. I have been mutilated, but not for having lacked courage or
+willingness. That would have been just, I would have undergone it
+according to the laws of my country, without complaint."</p>
+
+<p>"But this wrongful torture," joined in Mero&euml;, "Albinik underwent because
+the sea wind came up against him. As well punish with death him who
+cannot see clear in the pitchy night&mdash;him who cannot darken the light of
+the sun."</p>
+
+<p>"And this mutilation covers me for ever with shame!" exclaimed Albinik.
+"Everywhere it is said: 'That fellow's a coward!' I have never known
+hatred; now my heart is filled with it. Perish that Fatherland where I
+cannot live but in dishonor! Perish its liberty! Perish the liberty of
+my people, provided only that I be avenged upon the Chief of the Hundred
+Valleys! For that I would gladly give the other hand which he has left
+me. That is why I have come here with my companion. Sharing my shame,
+she shares my hatred. That hatred we offer to Caesar; let him use it as
+he wills; let him try us. Our lives answer for our sincerity. As to
+recompense, we want none."</p>
+
+<p>"Vengeance&mdash;that is what we must have," interjected Mero&euml;.</p>
+
+<p>"In what can you serve Caesar against the Chief of the Hundred Valleys?"
+queried the interpreter.</p>
+
+<p>"I offer Caesar my service as a mariner, as a soldier, as a guide, as a
+spy even, if he wishes it."</p>
+
+<p>"Why did you not seek to kill the Chief of the Hundred Valleys, being
+able to approach him in the Gallic camp?" suggested the interpreter.
+"You would have been revenged."</p>
+
+<p>"Immediately after the mutilation of my husband," answered Mero&euml;, "we
+were driven from the camp. We could not return."</p>
+
+<p>The interpreter again conversed with the Roman general, who, while
+listening, did not cease to empty his cup and to follow Mero&euml; with
+brazen looks.</p>
+
+<p>"You are a mariner, you say!" resumed the interpreter. "You used to
+command a merchantman?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"And&mdash;are you a good seaman?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am five and twenty years old. From the age of twelve I have traveled
+on the sea; for four years I have commanded a vessel."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know well the coast between Vannes and the channel which
+separates Great Britain from Gaul?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am from the port of Vannes, near the forest of Karnak. For more than
+sixteen years I have sailed these coasts continuously."</p>
+
+<p>"Would you make a good pilot?"</p>
+
+<p>"May I lose all the limbs which the Chief of the Hundred Valleys has
+left me, if there is a bay, a cape, an islet, a rock, a sand-bank, or a
+breaker, which I do not know from the Gulf of Aquitaine to Dunkirk."</p>
+
+<p>"You are vaunting your skill as a pilot. How can you prove it?"</p>
+
+<p>"We are near the shore. For him who is not a good and fearless sailor,
+nothing is more dangerous than the navigation of the mouth of the Loire,
+going up towards the north."</p>
+
+<p>"That is true," answered the interpreter. "Even yesterday a Roman galley
+ran aground on a sand-bank and was lost."</p>
+
+<p>"Who pilots a boat well," observed Albinik, "pilots well a galley, I
+think."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"To-morrow conduct us to the shore. I know the fisher boats of the
+country; my wife and I will suffice to handle one. From the top of the
+bank Caesar will see us skim around the rocks and breakers, and play
+with them as the sea raven plays with the wave it skims. Then Caesar
+will believe me capable of safely piloting a galley on the coasts of
+Brittany."</p>
+
+<p>Albinik's offer having been translated to Caesar by the interpreter, the
+latter proceeded:</p>
+
+<p>"We accept your test. It shall be done to-morrow morning. If it proves
+your skill as a pilot&mdash;and we shall take all precautions against
+treachery, lest you should wish to trick us&mdash;perhaps you will be charged
+with a mission which will serve your hatred, all the more seeing that
+you can have no idea of what that mission is. But for that it will be
+necessary to gain the entire confidence of Caesar."</p>
+
+<p>"What must I do!"</p>
+
+<p>"You must know the forces and plans of the Gallic army. Beware of
+telling an untruth; we already have reports on that subject. We shall
+see if you are sincere; if not, the chamber of torture is not far off."</p>
+
+<p>"Arrived at Vannes in the morning, arrested, judged, and punished almost
+immediately, and then driven from the Gallic camp, I could not learn the
+decisions of the council which was held the previous evening," promptly
+answered Albinik. "But the situation was grave, for the women were
+called to the council; it lasted from sun-down to dawn. The current
+rumor was that heavy re-enforcements to the Gallic army were on the
+way."</p>
+
+<p>"Who were those re-enforcements?"</p>
+
+<p>"The tribes of Finisterre and of the north coasts, those of Lisieux, of
+Amiens, and of Perche. They said, even, that the warriors of Brabant
+were coming by sea."</p>
+
+<p>After translating to Caesar Albinik's answer, the interpreter resumed:</p>
+
+<p>"You speak true. Your words agree with the reports which have been made
+to us. But some scouts returned this evening and have brought the news
+that, two or three leagues from here, they saw in the north the glare of
+a conflagration. You come from the north. Do you know anything about
+that?"</p>
+
+<p>"From the outskirts of Vannes up to three leagues from here," answered
+Albinik, "there remains not a town, not a borough, not a village, not a
+house, not a sack of wheat, not a skin of wine, not a cow, not a sheep,
+not a rick of fodder, not a man, woman, or child. Provisions, cattle,
+stores, everything that could not be carried away, have been given up to
+the flames by the inhabitants. At the hour that I speak to you, all the
+tribes of the burned regions are rallied to the support of the Gallic
+army, leaving behind them nothing but a desert of smouldering ruins."</p>
+
+<p>As Albinik progressed with his account, the amazement of the interpreter
+deepened, his terror increased. In his fright he seemed not to dare
+believe what he heard. He hesitated to make Caesar aware of the awful
+news. At last he resigned himself to the requirements of his office.</p>
+
+<p>Albinik did not take his eyes from Caesar, for he wished to read in his
+face what impression the words of the interpreter would make. Well
+skilled in dissimulation, they say, was the Roman general. Nevertheless,
+as the interpreter spoke, stupefaction, fear, frenzy and doubt betrayed
+themselves in the face of Gaul's oppressor. His officers and
+councillors looked at one another in consternation, exchanging under
+their breaths words which seemed full of anguish. Then Caesar, sitting
+bolt upright on his couch, addressed several short and violent words to
+the interpreter, who immediately turned to the mariner:</p>
+
+<p>"Caesar says you lie. Such a disaster is impossible. No nation is
+capable of such a sacrifice. If you have lied, you shall expiate your
+crime on the rack."</p>
+
+<p>Great was the joy of Albinik and Mero&euml; on seeing the consternation and
+fury of the Roman, who could not make up his mind to believe the heroic
+resolution, so fatal to his army. But the couple concealed their
+emotions, and Albinik answered:</p>
+
+<p>"Caesar has in his camp Numidian horsemen, with tireless horses. Let him
+send out scouts instantly. Let them scour not only the country which we
+have just crossed in one night and day of travel, but let them extend
+their course into the east, to the boundary of Touraine. Let them go
+still further, as far as Berri; and so much further as their horses can
+carry them; they will traverse regions ravaged by fire, and deserted."</p>
+
+<p>Hardly had Albinik pronounced these words, when the Roman general shot
+some orders at several of his officers. They rushed from the tent in
+haste, while he, relapsing into his habitual dissimulation, and no doubt
+regretful of having betrayed his fears in the presence of the Gallic
+fugitives, affected to smile, and stretched himself again on his lion
+skin. He held out his cup to one of his cup-bearers, and emptied it
+after saying to the interpreter some words which he translated thus:</p>
+
+<p>"Caesar empties his cup to the honor of the Gauls&mdash;and, by Jupiter, he
+gives them thanks for having done just what he wished to do himself. For
+old Gaul shall humble herself vanquished and repentant, before Rome,
+like the most humble slave&mdash;or not one of her towns shall remain
+standing, not one of her warriors living, not one of her people free."</p>
+
+<p>"May the gods hear Caesar," answered Albinik. "Let Gaul be enslaved or
+devastated, and I shall be avenged on the Chief of the Hundred
+Valleys&mdash;for he will suffer a thousand deaths in seeing subdued or
+destroyed that fatherland which I now curse."</p>
+
+<p>While the interpreter was translating these words, the general, either
+to hide all the more his fears, or to drown them in wine, emptied his
+cup several times, and began to cast at Mero&euml; more and more ardent
+looks. Then, a thought seeming to strike him, he smiled with a singular
+air, made a sign to one of the freedmen, and spoke to him in a low
+voice. He also whispered a few hurried words to the Moorish slave-girl,
+until then seated at his feet, whereupon she and the freedman left the
+tent.</p>
+
+<p>The interpreter thereupon returned to Albinik: "So far your answers have
+proved your sincerity. If the news you have just given is confirmed, if
+to-morrow you show yourself a capable and courageous pilot, you will be
+able to serve your revenge. If you satisfy Caesar, he will be generous.
+If you play us false your punishment will be terrible. Did you see, at
+the entrance to the camp, five men crucified!"</p>
+
+<p>"I saw them."</p>
+
+<p>"They are pilots who refused to serve us. They had to be carried to the
+crosses, because their legs, crushed by the torture, could not sustain
+them. Such will be your lot and that of your companion, upon the least
+suspicion."</p>
+
+<p>"I fear these threats no more than I expect a gift from the magnificence
+of Caesar," haughtily returned Albinik. "Let him try me first, then
+judge me."</p>
+
+<p>"You and your companion will be taken to a nearby tent; you will be
+guarded there like prisoners."</p>
+
+<p>At a sign from the Roman, the two Gauls were led away and conducted
+through a winding passage covered with cloth, into an adjacent tent,
+where they were left alone.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h3>
+
+<p class="head">GALLIC VIRTUE.</p>
+
+
+<p>So great was the distrust in which Albinik and his wife held everything
+Roman, that before passing the night in the tent to which they had been
+taken, they examined it carefully. The tent, round of form, was
+decorated inside with woolen cloth, striped in strongly contrasting
+colors. It was fixed on taut cords which were fastened to stakes driven
+into the earth. The cloth of the tent did not come down close to the
+ground, and Albinik remarked that between the coarsely tanned hides
+which served as a carpet, and the lower edge of the tent, there remained
+a space three times the width of his palm. There was no other visible
+entrance to the tent but the one the couple had just crossed, which was
+closed by two flaps of cloth overlapping each other. An iron bed
+furnished with cushions was half enveloped in draperies, with which one
+could shut himself in by pulling a cord hanging over the head of the
+bed. A brass lamp, raised on a long shaft stuck into the ground, feebly
+lighted the interior of the tent.</p>
+
+<p>After examining silently and carefully the place where he was to pass
+the night with his wife, Albinik said to her in a whisper:</p>
+
+<p>"Caesar will have us spied upon to-night. They will listen to our
+conversation. But no matter how softly they come, or how cunningly they
+hide themselves, no one can approach the cloth from the outside to
+listen to us, without our seeing, through that gap, the feet of the
+spy," and he pointed out to his wife the circular space left between the
+earth and the lower rim of the tent cloth.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think, then, Albinik, that Caesar has any suspicions? Could he
+suppose that a man would have the courage to mutilate himself in order
+to induce confidence in his feelings of revenge?"</p>
+
+<p>"And our brothers, the inhabitants of the regions which we have just
+traversed, have they not shown a courage a thousand times greater than
+mine, in giving up their country to the flames? My one hope is in the
+absolute need our enemy has of Gallic pilots to conduct his ships along
+the Breton coasts. Now especially, when the land offers not a single
+resource to his army, the way by sea is perhaps his only means of
+safety. You saw, when he learned of that heroic devastation, that he
+could not, even he, always so dissembling, they say, hide his
+consternation and fury, which he then tried to forget in the fumes of
+wine. And that is not the only debauchery to which he gives himself up.
+I saw you blush under the obstinate looks of the infamous debauchee."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Albinik! while my forehead reddened with shame and anger under the
+eyes of Caesar, twice my hand sought and clasped under my garments the
+weapon with which I am provided. Once I measured the distance which
+separated me from him&mdash;it was too great."</p>
+
+<p>"At the first movement, before reaching him, you would have been pierced
+with a thousand sword thrusts. Our project is worth more. If it
+thrives," added Albinik, throwing a meaning glance at his companion, and
+instead of speaking low as he had been doing up till now, raising his
+voice little by little, "if our project thrives, if Caesar has faith in
+my word, we will be able at last to avenge ourselves on my tormentor.
+Oh, I tell you, I feel now for Gaul the hatred with which the Romans
+once inspired me!"</p>
+
+<p>Surprised by Albinik's words, Mero&euml; stared at him in amazement. But by a
+sign he showed her, through the empty space left between the ground and
+the cloth, of the tent, the toes of the sandals of the interpreter, who
+had approached and now listened without. At once the young woman
+replied:</p>
+
+<p>"I share your hate, as I have shared your heart's love, and the peril of
+your mariner's life. May Hesus cause Caesar to understand what services
+you can render him, and I shall be the witness of your revenge as I was
+the witness of your torture."</p>
+
+<p>These words, and many others, exchanged by the couple to the end of
+deceiving the interpreter, apparently reassured the spy of the honesty
+of the two prisoners, for presently they saw him move away.</p>
+
+<p>Shortly thereafter, at the moment that Albinik and Mero&euml;, fatigued with
+their long journey, were about to throw themselves into bed in their
+clothes, the interpreter appeared at the entry. The uplifted cloth
+disclosed several Spanish soldiers.</p>
+
+<p>"Caesar wishes to converse with you immediately," said the interpreter
+to the mariner. "Follow me."</p>
+
+<p>Albinik felt certain that the suspicions of the Roman general, if he had
+any, had just been allayed by the interpreter's report, and that the
+moment had come when he was to learn the mission with which they wished
+to charge him. Accordingly, he prepared to leave the tent, and Mero&euml;
+with him, when the interpreter said to the young woman, stopping her
+with a gesture:</p>
+
+<p>"You may not accompany us. Caesar wishes to speak with your companion
+alone."</p>
+
+<p>"And I," answered the seaman, taking his wife by the hand, "I shall not
+leave Mero&euml;."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you really refuse my order?" cried the interpreter. "Beware,
+beware!"</p>
+
+<p>"We go together to Caesar," began Mero&euml;, "or we go not at all."</p>
+
+<p>"Poor fools! Are you not prisoners at our mercy?" said the interpreter
+to them, pointing to the soldiers, motionless at the door of the tent.
+"Willingly or unwillingly, I will be obeyed."</p>
+
+<p>Albinik reflected that resistance was impossible. Death he was not
+afraid of; but to die was to renounce his plans at the moment when they
+seemed to be prospering. Nevertheless, the thought of leaving Mero&euml;
+alone in the tent disturbed him. The young woman divined the fears of
+her husband, and feeling, like him, that they must resign themselves,
+said:</p>
+
+<p>"Go alone. I shall wait for you without fear, true as your brother is an
+able armorer."</p>
+
+<p>Reassured by his wife's significant words, Albinik followed the
+interpreter. The door flaps of the tent, for the moment raised, fell
+back into place. Immediately, from behind them, she heard a heavy thud.
+She ran towards the place, and saw that a thick wicker screen had been
+fastened outside, closing the door. The young woman was at first
+surprised with this precaution, but she presently thought that it would
+be better to remain thus secured while awaiting Albinik, and that
+perhaps he himself had asked that the tent be closed till his return.</p>
+
+<p>Mero&euml; accordingly seated herself thoughtfully on the bed, full of hope
+in the interview which undoubtedly her husband was then having with
+Caesar. Suddenly her revery was broken by a singular noise. It came from
+the part directly in front of the bed. Almost immediately, the cloth
+parted its whole length. The young woman sprang to her feet. Her first
+movement was to seize the poniard which she carried under her blouse.
+Then, trusting in herself and in the weapon which she held, she waited,
+calling to mind the Gallic proverb, "He who takes his own life in his
+hands has nothing to fear but the gods!"</p>
+
+<p>Against the background of dense shadows on which the tent cloth parted,
+Mero&euml; saw the young Moorish slave approach, wrapped in her white
+garments. As soon as the slave had put her foot in the tent, she fell
+upon her knees, and stretched out her clasped hands to Albinik's
+companion. Touched by the suppliant gesture and the grief imprinted on
+the face of the slave, Mero&euml; felt neither suspicion nor fear, but
+compassion mingled with curiosity, and she laid her poniard at the head
+of the bed. The Moorish girl advanced, creeping on her knees, her two
+hands still extended towards Mero&euml;, who, full of pity, leaned towards
+the suppliant, meaning to raise her up. But when the slave had
+sufficiently approached the bed where the poniard was, she raised
+herself with a bound, and leaped to the weapon. Evidently she had not
+lost sight of it since entering the tent, and before Albinik's stupefied
+companion could oppose her, the poniard was flung into the outer
+darkness.</p>
+
+<p>By the peal of savage laughter which burst from the Moorish girl when
+she had thus disarmed Mero&euml;, the latter saw that she had been betrayed.
+She ran toward the dark passage to recover her poniard, or to flee. But
+out of those shadows, she saw coming&mdash;Caesar.</p>
+
+<p>Stricken with fear, the Gallic woman recoiled several steps, Caesar
+advanced likewise, and the slave disappeared by the opening, which was
+immediately closed again. By the uncertain step of the Roman, by the
+fire in his looks, the excitement which impurpled his cheeks, Mero&euml; saw
+that he was inebriate. Her terror subsided. He carried under his arm a
+casket of precious wood. After silently gazing at the young woman with
+such effrontery that the blush of shame again mounted to her forehead,
+the Roman drew from the casket a rich necklace of chased gold. He went
+closer to the lamp-light in order to improve its glitter in the eyes of
+the woman whom he wished to tempt. Then, simulating an ironical
+reverence, he stooped and placed the necklace at the feet of the Gaul.
+Rising, he questioned her with an audacious look.</p>
+
+<p>Mero&euml;, standing with arms crossed on her breast, heaving with
+indignation and scorn, looked haughtily at Caesar, and spurned the
+collar with her foot.</p>
+
+<p>The Roman made an insulting gesture of surprise; he laughed with an air
+of disdainful confidence; and then drew from the casket a magnificent
+gold net-work for the hair, all encrusted with carbuncles. After making
+it sparkle in the lamp-light, he deposited the second trinket also at
+the feet of Mero&euml;. Redoubling his ironical respect, he rose, and seemed
+to say:</p>
+
+<p>"This time I am sure of my triumph!"</p>
+
+<p>Mero&euml;, pale with anger, smiled disdainfully.</p>
+
+<p>Then Caesar emptied at the young woman's feet all the contents of the
+casket. It was like a flood of gold, pearls, and precious stones, of
+necklaces, zones, earrings, bracelets, jewels of all sorts.</p>
+
+<p>This time Mero&euml; did not push away the gewgaws with her foot. She ground
+under the heel of her boot as many of the trinkets as she could rapidly
+stamp upon, and drove back the infamous debauchee, who was advancing
+toward her with confidently open arms.</p>
+
+<p>Confused for a moment, the Roman put his hand to his heart, as if to
+protest his adoration. The woman of Gaul answered the mute language with
+a burst of laughter so scornful that Caesar, intoxicated with lust, wine
+and anger, seemed to say:</p>
+
+<p>"I have offered riches, I have offered prayers. All in vain; I shall use
+force."</p>
+
+<p>Albinik's wife was alone and disarmed. She knew that her cries would
+bring her no help. Her resolve was soon taken. The chaste, brave woman
+leaped upon the bed, seized the long cord which served to lower the
+draperies, and knotted it around her neck. Then she quickly climbed upon
+the head of the bed-stead, ready to launch herself into the air, and
+strangle herself by the weight of her own body at Caesar's first step
+towards her. So desperate was the resolution depicted on Mero&euml;'s face
+that the Roman general for an instant remained motionless. Then, urged
+either by compunction for his violence; or by the certainty that, if he
+attempted force, he would have but a corpse in his possession; or, as
+the unscrupulous libertine later pretended, by a generous impulse that
+had guided him throughout;&mdash;whatever his motive, Caesar stepped back
+several paces, and raised his hand to heaven as if to call the gods to
+witness that he would respect his prisoner. Still suspicious, the Gallic
+woman kept herself in readiness to give up her life. The Roman turned
+towards the secret opening of the tent, disappeared into the shadows for
+a moment, and gave an order in a loud voice. Immediately he returned,
+but kept himself at a wide distance from the bed, his arms crossed on
+his toga. Not knowing whether the danger she ran was not still to be
+increased, Mero&euml; remained standing on the bed-stead with the cord about
+her neck. After a few minutes she saw the interpreter enter, accompanied
+by Albinik; with one bound she sprang to her husband.</p>
+
+<p>"Your wife is a woman of manful virtue," said the interpreter to
+Albinik. "Behold those treasures at her feet; she has spurned them.
+Great Caesar's love she has scorned. He pretended to resort to
+violence. Your companion, disarmed by a trick, was prepared to take her
+own life. Thus gloriously has she come out of the test."</p>
+
+<p>"The test?" answered Albinik, with an air of sinister doubt. "The test?
+Who, here, has the right to test the virtue of my wife?"</p>
+
+<p>"The thought of vengeance, which have brought you into the Roman camp,
+are the thoughts of a haughty soul, roused by injustice and barbarity.
+The mutilation which you have suffered seemed above all to prove the
+truth of your words," resumed the interpreter. "But fugitives always
+arouse a secret suspicion. The wife often is a test of the husband.
+Yours is a valiant wife. To inspire such fidelity, you must be a man of
+courage and of truth. That is what we wished to make sure of."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know," began the mariner doubtfully, "the licentiousness of
+your general is well known&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"The gods have sent us in you a precious aid; you can become fatal to
+the Gauls. Do you believe Caesar is foolish enough to wish to make an
+enemy of you by outraging your wife, at the very moment, perhaps, when
+he is about to charge you with a mission of trust? No, I repeat: he
+wished to try you both, and so far the trials are favorable to you."</p>
+
+<p>Caesar interrupted the interpreter, saying a few words to him. Then
+bowing respectfully to Mero&euml;, and saluting Albinik with a friendly
+gesture, he slowly and majestically left the tent.</p>
+
+<p>"You and your wife," said the interpreter, "are henceforth assured of
+the general's protection. He gives you his word for it. You shall no
+more be separated or disturbed. The wife of the courageous mariner has
+scorned these rich ornaments," added the interpreter, collecting the
+jewels and replacing them in the casket. "Caesar wishes to keep as a
+reminder of Gallic virtue the poniard which she wore, and which he took
+from her by ruse. Reassure yourself, she shall not remain unarmed."</p>
+
+<p>Almost at the same instant, two young freedmen entered the tent. They
+carried on a large silver tray a little oriental dagger of rich
+workmanship, and a Spanish saber, short and slightly curved, hung from a
+baldric of red leather, magnificently embroidered in gold. The
+interpreter presented the dagger to Mero&euml; and the saber to Albinik,
+saying to them as he did so:</p>
+
+<p>"Sleep in peace, and guard these gifts of the grandeur of Caesar."</p>
+
+<p>"And do you assure him," returned Albinik, "that your words and his
+generosity dissipate my suspicions. Henceforth he will have no more
+devoted allies than my wife and myself, until our vengeance be
+satisfied."</p>
+
+<p>The interpreter left, taking with him the two freedmen. Albinik then
+told his wife that when he had been taken into the Roman general's tent,
+he had waited for Caesar, in company with the interpreter, up to the
+moment when they both returned to the tent, under the conduct of a
+slave. Mero&euml; told in turn what had occurred to her. The couple concluded
+that Caesar, half drunk, had at first yielded to a foul thought, but
+that Mero&euml;'s desperate resolve, backed up by the reflection that he was
+running the risk of estranging a fugitive from whom he might reap good
+service, had curbed the Roman's passion. With his habitual trickery and
+address, he had given, under the pretext of a "trial," an almost
+generous appearance to the odious attempt.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h3>
+
+<p class="head">THE TRIAL.</p>
+
+
+<p>The next morning Caesar, accompanied by his generals, set out for the
+bank which commanded the mouth of the Loire, where a tent had been set
+up for him. From this place the sea and its dangerous shores, strewn
+with sand-bars and rocks level with the water, could be seen in the
+distance. The wind was blowing a gale. Moored to the bank was a
+fisherman's boat, at once solid and light, rigged Gallic fashion, with
+one square sail with flaps cut in its lower edge. To this craft Albinik
+and Mero&euml; were forthwith conducted.</p>
+
+<p>"It is stormy, the sea is menacing," said the interpreter to them. "Will
+you dare to venture it alone with your wife? There are some fishermen
+here who have been taken prisoners&mdash;do you want their help?"</p>
+
+<p>"My wife and I have before now braved tempests alone in our boat, when
+we made for my ship, anchored far out from shore on account of bad
+weather."</p>
+
+<p>"But now you are maimed," answered the interpreter. "How will you be
+able to manage!"</p>
+
+<p>"One hand is enough for the tiller. My companion will raise the
+sail&mdash;the woman's business, since it is a sort of cloth," gaily added
+the mariner to give the Romans faith in him.</p>
+
+<p>"Go ahead then," said the interpreter. "May the gods direct you."</p>
+
+<p>The bark, pushed into the waves by several soldiers, rocked a minute
+under the flappings of the sail, which had not yet caught the wind. But
+soon, held by Mero&euml;, while her husband managed the tiller, the sail
+filled, and bellied out to the blast. The boat leaned gently, and seemed
+to fly over the crests of the waves like a sea-bird. Mero&euml;, dressed in
+her mariner's costume, stayed at the prow, her black hair streaming in
+the wind. Occasionally the white foam of the ocean, bursting from the
+prow of the boat, flung its stinging froth in the young woman's noble
+face. Albinik knew these coasts as the ferryman of the solitary moors of
+Brittany knows their least detours. The bark seemed to play with the
+high waves. From time to time the couple saw in the distance the tent of
+Caesar, recognizable by its purple flaps, and saw gleaming in the sun
+the gold and silver which decked the armor of his generals.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Caesar!&mdash;scourge of Gaul&mdash;the most cruel, the most debauched of
+men!" exclaimed Mero&euml;. "You do not know that this frail bark, which at
+this moment you are following in the distance with your eyes, bears two
+of your most desperate enemies. You do not know that they have
+beforehand given over their lives to Hesus in the hope of making to
+Teutates, god of journeys by land and by sea, an offering worthy of
+him&mdash;an offering of several thousand Romans, sinking in the depths of
+the sea. It is with hands raised to you, thankful and happy, O, Hesus,
+that we shall disappear in the bottom of the deep, with the enemies of
+our sacred Gaul!"</p>
+
+<p>The bark of Albinik and Mero&euml;, almost grazing the rocks and glancing
+over the surges along the dangerous ashore, sometimes drew away from,
+sometimes approached the bank. The mariner's companion, seeing him sad
+and thoughtful, said:</p>
+
+<p>"Still brooding, Albinik! Everything favors our projects. The Roman
+general is no longer suspicious; your skill this morning will decide him
+to accept your services; and to-morrow, mayhap, you will pilot the
+galleys of our enemies&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I will pilot them to the bottom, where they will be swallowed up,
+and we with them."</p>
+
+<p>"What a magnificent offering to the gods! Ten thousand Romans, perhaps!"</p>
+
+<p>"Mero&euml;," answered Albinik with a sigh, "then, after ending our lives
+here, even as the soldiers, brave warriors after all, we shall be
+resurrected elsewhere with them. They will say to me: 'It was not
+through bravery, with the lance and the sword, that you overcame us. No,
+you slew us without a combat, by treason. You watched at the rudder, we
+slept in peace and confidence. You steered us on the rocks&mdash;in an
+instant the sea swallowed us. You are like a cowardly poisoner, who
+would send us to our death by putting poison in our food. Is that an act
+of valor? No, no longer do you know the open boldness of your fathers,
+those proud Gauls who fought us half naked, who railed at us in our iron
+armor, asking why we fought if we were afraid of wounds or death.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Ah!" exclaimed Mero&euml;, sadly and bitterly, "Why did the druidesses teach
+me that a woman ought to escape the last outrage by death! Why did your
+mother Margarid tell us so often, as a noble example to follow, the
+deed of your grandmother Syomara, who cut off the head of the Roman who
+ravished her, and carrying the head under the skirt of her robe to her
+husband, said to him these proud and chaste words: 'No two men living
+can boast of having possessed me!' Why did I not yield to Caesar?"</p>
+
+<p>"Mero&euml;!"</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps you would then have been avenged! faint heart! weak spirit!
+Must then the outrage be completed, the ignominy swallowed, before your
+anger is kindled?"</p>
+
+<p>"Mero&euml;, Mero&euml;!"</p>
+
+<p>"It is not enough for you, then, that the Roman has proposed to your
+wife to sell herself, to deliver herself to him for gifts? It is to your
+wife&mdash;do you hear!&mdash;to your wife, that Caesar made that offer of shame!"</p>
+
+<p>"You speak true," answered the mariner, feeling anger fire his heart at
+the memory of these outrages, "I was a spiritless fellow&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>But his companion went on with redoubled bitterness:</p>
+
+<p>"No, I see it now. This is not enough. I should have died. Then perhaps
+you would have sworn vengeance over my body. Oh, they arouse pity in
+you, these Romans, of whom we wish to make an offering to the gods! They
+are not accomplices to the crime which Caesar attempted, say you?
+Answer! Would they have come to my aid, these soldiers, these brave
+warriors, if, instead of relying on my own courage and drawing my
+strength from my love for you, I had cried, implored, supplicated,
+'Romans, in the name of your mothers, defend me from the lust of your
+general'? Answer! Would they have come at my call? Would they have
+forgotten that I was a Gaul&mdash;that Caesar was Caesar? Would the 'generous
+hearts' of these brave fellows have revolted? After rape, do not they
+themselves drown the infants in the blood of their mothers?&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Albinik did not allow his companion to finish. He blushed at his lack of
+heart. He blushed at having an instant forgotten the horrible deeds
+perpetrated by the Romans in their impious war. He blushed at having
+forgotten that the sacrifice of the enemies of Gaul was above all else
+pleasing to Hesus. In his anger, he rang out, for answer, the war song
+of the Breton seamen, as if the wind could carry his words of defiance
+and death to Caesar where he stood on the bank:</p>
+
+<p class="poem">
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Tor-e-benn!&nbsp;  Tor-e-benn!<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a></span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">As I was lying in my vessel I heard</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">The sea-eagle calling, in the dead of night.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">He called his eaglets and all the birds of the shore.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">He said to them as he called:</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">'Arise ye, all&mdash;come&mdash;come.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">It is no longer the putrid flesh of the dog or sheep we must have&mdash;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">It is Roman flesh.'</span><br />
+<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">"Tor-e-benn!&nbsp;  Tor-e-benn!</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Old sea-raven, tell me, what have you there?</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">The head of the Roman leader I clutch;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">I want his eyes&mdash;his two red eyes!'</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">And you, sea-wolf, what have you there?</span><br />
+<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">'The heart of the Roman leader I hold&mdash;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">I am devouring it.'</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">And you, sea-serpent, what are you doing there,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Coiled 'round that neck, your flat head so close</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">To that mouth, already cold and blue?</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">'To hear the soul of the Roman leader</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Take its departure am I here!'</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Tor-e-benn!&nbsp; &nbsp; Tor-e-benn!"</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>Stirred up, like her husband, by the song of war, Mero&euml; repeated with
+him, seeming to defy Caesar, whose tent they discerned in the distance:</p>
+
+<p class="poem">
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">"Tor-e-benn!&nbsp; &nbsp;  Tor-e-benn!&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Tor-e-benn!"</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>Still the bark of Albinik and Mero&euml; played with the rocks and surges of
+those dangerous roads, sometimes drawing off shore, sometimes in.</p>
+
+<p>"You are the best and most courageous pilot I have ever met with, I, who
+have in my life traveled so much on the sea," said Caesar to Albinik
+when he had regained dry land, and, with Mero&euml;, had left the boat.
+"To-morrow, if the weather is fair, you will guide an expedition, the
+destination of which you will know at the moment of setting sail."</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h3>
+
+<p class="head">INTO THE SHALLOWS.</p>
+
+
+<p>The following day, at sunrise, the wind being favorable and the sea
+smooth, the Roman galleys were to sail. Caesar wished to be present at
+the embarkment. He had Albinik brought to him. Beside the general was a
+soldier of great height and savage mien. A flexible armor, made of
+interwoven iron links, covered him from head to foot. He stood
+motionless, a statue of iron, one might say. In his hand he held a
+short, heavy, two-edged axe. Pointing out this man, the interpreter said
+to Albinik:</p>
+
+<p>"You see that soldier. During the sail he will stick to you like your
+shadow. If through your fault or by treason, a single one of the galleys
+grates her keel, he has orders to kill you and your companion on the
+instant. If, on the contrary, you carry the fleet to harbor safely, the
+general will overwhelm you with gifts. You will then give the most happy
+mortals cause for envy."</p>
+
+<p>"Caesar shall be satisfied," answered Albinik.</p>
+
+<p>Followed by the soldier with the axe, he and Mero&euml; went up into the
+galley Pretoria which was to lead the fleet. She was distinguished from
+the other ships by three gilded torches placed on the poop.</p>
+
+<p>Each galley carried seventy rowers, ten sailors to handle the sails,
+fifty light-armed archers and slingers, and one hundred and fifty
+soldiers cased in iron from top to toe.</p>
+
+<p>When the galleys had pulled out from shore, the praetor, military
+commandant of the fleet, told Albinik, through an interpreter, to steer
+for the lower part of the bay of Morbihan, in the neighborhood of the
+town of Vannes, where the Gallic army was assembled. Albinik with his
+hand at the tiller was to convey to the interpreter his orders to the
+master of the rowers. The latter beat time for the rowers, according to
+the pilot's orders, with an iron hammer with which he rapped on a gong
+of brass. As the speed of the Pretoria, whose lead the rest of the Roman
+fleet followed, needed quickening or slackening, he indicated it by
+quickening or slowing the strokes of the hammer.</p>
+
+<p>The galleys, driven by a fair wind, sailed northward. As the interpreter
+had done before, so now the oldest sailors admired the bold manoeuvre
+and quick sight of the Gallic pilot. After a sail of some length, the
+fleet found itself near the southern point of the bay of Morbihan, and
+knew that now it was to enter into those channels, the most dangerous on
+all the coast of Brittany because of the great number of small islands,
+rocks and sand banks, and above all, because of the undercurrents, which
+ran with irresistible violence.</p>
+
+<p>A little island situated in the mouth of the bay, which was still more
+constricted by two points of land, divided the inlet into two narrow
+lanes. Nothing in the surface of the sea, neither breakers nor foam nor
+change in the color of the waters gave token of the slightest difference
+between the two passes. Nevertheless, in one lay not a rock, while the
+other was strewn with danger. In the latter channel, after a hundred
+strokes of the oars, the ships in single file, led by the Pretoria,
+would have been dragged by a submarine current toward a reef of rocks
+which was visible in the distance, and over which the sea, calm
+everywhere else, broke tumultuously. The commanders of the several
+galleys could perceive their peril only one by one; each would be made
+aware of it only by the rapid drifting of the galley ahead of him. Then
+it would be too late. The violence of the current would drag and hurl
+vessel upon vessel. Whirling in the abyss, fouling the bottom, and
+crashing into one another, their timbers would part and they would sink
+into the watery depths with all on board, or else dash themselves on the
+rocky reef. A hundred more strokes of the oar, and the fleet would be
+annihilated in this channel of ruin.</p>
+
+<p>The sea was so calm and beautiful that not one of the Romans had any
+suspicion of danger. The rowers accompanied with songs the measured fall
+of their oars. Of the soldiers some were cleaning their arms; some were
+stretched out in the bow asleep; others were playing at huckle-bones. A
+short distance from Albinik, who was still at the helm, a white haired
+veteran with battle-scarred face was seated on one of the benches in the
+poop, between his two sons, fine young archers of eighteen or twenty
+years. They were conversing with their father, each with one arm
+familiarly laid on a shoulder of the old warrior, whom they thus held
+tight in their embrace; all three seemed to be talking in pleasant
+confidence, and to love one another tenderly. In spite of the hatred he
+entertained for the Romans, Albinik could not help sighing with pity
+when he thought of the fate of these three soldiers, who did not imagine
+they were so near the jaws of death.</p>
+
+<p>Just then one of those light boats used by the Irish seamen shot out
+from the bay of Morbihan by the safe channel. Albinik had, on his
+journeys, made frequent voyages to the coast of Ireland, an island that
+is inhabited by people of Gallic stock. They speak a language almost the
+same as that of the Gauls, yet difficult to understand for one who had
+not been as often on their coast as Albinik had.</p>
+
+<p>The Irishman, either because he feared that he would be pursued and
+caught by one of the men-of-war which he saw approaching, and wished to
+avoid that danger by coming up to the fleet of his own accord, or else
+because he had useful information to give, steered straight toward the
+Pretoria. Albinik shuddered. Perhaps the interpreter would question the
+Irishman, and he might point out the danger which the fleet ran in
+taking one of the passages. Albinik therefore gave orders to bend to the
+oars, in order to get inside the channel of destruction before the
+Irishman could join the galleys. But after a few words exchanged between
+the military commandant and the interpreter, the latter ordered them to
+wait for the boat which was drawing near, so as to ask for tidings of
+the Gallic fleet. Albinik obeyed; he did not dare to oppose the
+commandant for fear of arousing suspicion. Before long the little Irish
+shallop was within hailing distance of the Pretoria. The interpreter,
+stepping forward, hailed the Irishman in Gallic:</p>
+
+<p>"Where do you come from, and where are you bound to? Have you met any
+vessels at sea?"</p>
+
+<p>At these questions the Irishman motioned that he did not understand.
+Then he began in his own half-Gallic tongue:</p>
+
+<p>"I am coming to the fleet to give you news."</p>
+
+<p>"What language does the man speak?" said the interpreter to Albinik. "I
+do not catch his meaning, although his language does not seem entirely
+strange."</p>
+
+<p>"He speaks half Irish, half Gallic," answered Albinik. "I have often
+trafficked on the coasts of his country. I understand the tongue. The
+fellow says he has steered up to us to give us important news."</p>
+
+<p>"Ask him what his news is."</p>
+
+<p>"What information have you to give?" called Albinik to the Irishman.</p>
+
+<p>"The Gallic vessels," answered he, "coming from various ports of
+Brittany, joined forces yesterday evening in the bay I have just left.
+They are in great number, well armed, well manned, and cleared for
+action. They have chosen their anchorage at the foot of the bay, near
+the harbor of Vannes. You will not be able to see them till after
+doubling the promontory of A'elkern."</p>
+
+<p>"The Irishman carries us favorable tidings," cried Albinik to the
+interpreter. "The Gallic fleet is scattered on all sides; part of the
+ships are in the river Auray; the others, still more distant, towards
+the bay of Audiern, and Ouessant. At the foot of this bay, for the
+defense of Vannes, are but five or six poor merchantmen, barely armed in
+their haste."</p>
+
+<p>"By Jupiter!" exclaimed the interpreter, "the gods, as always, are
+favorable to Caesar!"</p>
+
+<p>The praetor and the officers, to whom the interpreter repeated the false
+news given by the pilot, seemed also overjoyed at the dispersion of the
+fleet of Gaul. Vannes was thus delivered into the hands of the Romans
+almost without defenses on the sea side.</p>
+
+<p>Then Albinik said to the interpreter, indicating the soldier with the
+axe:</p>
+
+<p>"Caesar has suspected me. The gods have been kind to allow me to prove
+the injustice of his suspicions. Do you see that islet, about a hundred
+oar-lengths ahead?"</p>
+
+<p>"I see it."</p>
+
+<p>"In order to enter the bay, we must take one of two passages, one to the
+right of the islet, the other to the left. The fate of the Roman fleet
+is in my hands. I could pilot you by one of these passages, which to the
+eye is exactly like the other, and an undercurrent would tow your
+galleys onto a sunken reef. Not one would escape."</p>
+
+<p>"What say you?" exclaimed the interpreter. As for Mero&euml;, she gazed at
+her husband in pained surprise, for, by his words, he seemed finally to
+have renounced his vengeance.</p>
+
+<p>"I speak the truth," answered Albinik. "I'll prove it to you. That
+Irishman knows as well as I the dangers attendant upon entering the bay
+he has just left. I shall ask him to go before us, as pilot, and in
+advance I shall trace for you the route he will take. First he will
+take the channel to the right of the islet; then he will advance till he
+almost touches that point of land which you see furthest off; then he
+will make a wide turn to the right until he is just off those black
+rocks which tower over yonder; that pass behind us, those rocks shunned,
+we shall be safely in the bay. If the Irishman executes this manoeuvre
+from point to point, will you still suspect me?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, by Jupiter!" answered the interpreter. "It would then be absurd to
+entertain the least doubt of your good faith."</p>
+
+<p>"Judge me then," said Albinik, and he addressed a few words to the
+Irishman, who consented to pilot the ships. His manoeuvring tallied
+exactly with what Albinik had foretold. The latter, having given to the
+Romans this testimony of his truthfulness, deployed the fleet in three
+files, and for some time he guided them among the little islands with
+which the bay was dotted. Then he ordered the rowers to rest on their
+oars. From this place they could not see the Gallic fleet, anchored at
+the furthest part of the bay at almost two leagues' distance, and
+screened from all eyes by a lofty promontory.</p>
+
+<p>"Now," said Albinik to the interpreter, "We now run only one danger; it
+is a great one. Before us are shifting sandbanks, occasionally displaced
+by the high tides; the galleys might ground there. It is necessary,
+then, that I reconnoitre the passage plummet in hand, before bringing
+the fleet into it. Let them rest as they are on their oars. Order the
+smallest boat your galley has to be launched, with two rowers. My wife
+will take the tiller. If you have any suspicion, you and the soldier
+with the axe may accompany us in the boat. Then, the passage
+reconnoitred, I shall return on board to pilot the fleet even to the
+mouth of the harbor of Vannes."</p>
+
+<p>"I no longer suspect," answered the interpreter. "But according to
+Caesar's order, neither the soldier nor I may leave you a single
+instant."</p>
+
+<p>"Let it be as you wish," assented Albinik.</p>
+
+<p>A small boat was lowered from the galley. Two rowers descended into it,
+with the soldier and the interpreter; Albinik and Mero&euml; embarked in
+their turn; and the boat drew away from the Roman fleet, which was
+disposed in a crescent, waiting on its oars, for the pilot's return.
+Mero&euml;, seated at the helm, steered the boat according to the directions
+of her husband. He, kneeling and hanging over the prow, sounded the
+passage by means of a ponderous lead fastened to a long stout cord.
+Behind the little islet which the boat was then skirting stretched a
+long sand-bar which the tide, then ebbing, was beginning to uncover.
+Beyond the sand-bar were several rocks fringing the bank. Albinik was
+just about to heave the lead anew; while seeming to be examining on the
+cord the traces of the water's depth, he exchanged a rapid look with his
+wife, indicating with a glance the soldier and the interpreter. Mero&euml;
+understood. The interpreter was seated near her on the poop; then came
+the two rowers on their bench; and at the farther end stood the man with
+the axe, behind Albinik, who was leaning at the bow, his lead in his
+hand. Rising suddenly he made of the plummet a terrible weapon. He
+imparted to it the rapid motion that a slinger imparts to his sling. The
+heavy lead attached to the cord struck the soldier's helmet so violently
+that the man sank to the bottom of the boat stunned with the blow. The
+interpreter rushed forward to the aid of his companion, but Mero&euml; seized
+him by the hair and pulled him back; loosing his balance he toppled into
+the sea. One of the two rowers, who had raised his oar at Albinik,
+immediately rolled headlong overboard. The movement given to the rudder
+by Mero&euml; made the boat approach so close to the rocky islet that she and
+her husband both leaped on it. Rapidly they climbed the steep rocks.
+There was now but one obstacle to their reaching shore. That was the
+sand-bar, one part of which, already uncovered by the sea, was in
+motion, as could be seen from the air bubbles which continually rose to
+the surface. To take that way to reach the rocks of the shore was to die
+in the abyss hidden under the treacherous surface. Already the couple
+heard, from the other side of the island, which hid them from view, the
+cries and threats of the soldier, who had recovered from his daze, and
+the voice of the interpreter, whom the rowers had doubtlessly pulled out
+of the water. Thoroughly familiar with these coasts, Albinik discovered,
+by the size of the gravel and the clearness of the water that covered
+it, that the sand-bar some paces off was firm. At that point, he and
+Mero&euml; crossed, wading up to their waists. They reached the rocks on the
+shore, clambered up nimbly, and then stopped a moment to see if they
+were pursued.</p>
+
+<p>The man with the axe, hampered by his heavy armor and being, no more
+than the interpreter, accustomed to move upon slippery rocks covered
+with seaweed, such as were those of the islet which they had to cross in
+order to reach the fugitives, arrived after many efforts opposite the
+quicksands, which were now left high and dry by the tide. Furious at the
+sight of Albinik and his companion, from whom he saw himself separated
+by only a narrow and level sand-bar, the soldier thought the passage
+easy, and dashed on. At the first step he sank in the quicksand up to
+his knees. He made a violent effort to clear himself but sank deeper
+yet, up to his waist. He called his companions to his aid, but hardly
+had he called when only his head was above the abyss. Then the head also
+disappeared. The soldier raised his hands to heaven as he sank. A moment
+later only one of his iron gauntlets was to be seen convulsively
+quivering above the sand. Presently nothing was to be seen&mdash;nothing
+except some bubbles of air on the surface of the quagmire.</p>
+
+<p>The rowers and the interpreter, seized with fear, remained motionless,
+not daring to risk certain death in the capture of the fugitives.
+Feeling safe at last, Albinik addressed these words to the interpreter:</p>
+
+<p>"Say thou to Caesar that I maimed myself to inspire him with confidence
+in the sincerity of my offers of service. My design was to conduct the
+Roman fleet to certain perdition, sacrificing my companion and myself.
+Accident changed my plan. Just as I was piloting you into the channel of
+destruction, whence not a galley would have come back, we met the
+Irishman who informed me that the Gallic ships, since yesterday
+assembled in great numbers and trimmed for fight, are anchored at the
+foot of the bay, two leagues off. Learning that, I changed my plan. I no
+longer wished to cast away the galleys. They will be annihilated just
+the same, but not by a snare or by treachery; it will come about in
+valorous combat, ship to ship, Gaul to Roman. Now, for the sake of the
+fight to-morrow, listen well to this: I have purposely led your galleys
+into the shallows, where in a few minutes they will be left high and dry
+on the sands. They will stay there grounded, for the tide is falling. To
+attempt to disembark is to commit suicide; you are surrounded on all
+sides by moving quicksands like the one in which your soldier and his
+axe have just been swallowed up. Remain on board of your ships.
+To-morrow they will be floated again by the rising tide. And to-morrow,
+battle&mdash;battle to the finish. The Gaul will have once more showed that
+<span class="smcap">never did breton commit treason</span>, and that if he glories in the death of
+his enemy, it is because he has killed his enemy fairly."</p>
+
+<p>Then Albinik and Mero&euml;, leaving the interpreter terrified by their
+words, turned in haste to the town of Vannes to give the alarm, and to
+warn the crews of the Gallic fleet to prepare for combat on the morrow.</p>
+
+<p>On the way, Albinik's wife said to him:</p>
+
+<p>"The heart of my beloved husband is more noble than mine. I wished to
+see the Roman fleet destroyed by the sea-rocks. My husband wishes to
+destroy it by the valor of the Gauls. May I forever be proud that I am
+wife to such a man!"</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h3>
+
+<p class="head">THE EVE OF BATTLE.</p>
+
+
+<p>It was the eve of the battle of Vannes; the battle of Vannes which,
+waged on land and sea, was to decide the fate of Brittany, and,
+consequently, of all Gaul, whether for liberty or enslavement. On this
+memorable evening, in the presence of all the members of our family
+united in the Gallic camp, except my brother Albinik, who had joined the
+Gallic fleet in the bay of Morbihan, my father Joel, the brenn of the
+tribe of Karnak, addressed me, his eldest born, Guilhern the laborer,
+who now writes this account. He said to me:</p>
+
+<p>"To-morrow, my son, is the day of battle. We shall fight hard. I am
+old&mdash;you are young. The angel of death will doubtless carry me hence
+first; perhaps to-morrow I shall meet in the other life my sainted
+daughter Hena. Here, now, is what I ask of you, in the face of the
+misfortunes which menace our country, for to-morrow the fortunes of war
+may go with the Romans. My desire is that as long as our stock shall
+last, the love of old Gaul and sacred memories of our fathers shall be
+ever kept fresh in our family. If our children should remain free men,
+the love of country, the reverence for the memory of their ancestors,
+will all the more endear their liberty to them. If they must live and
+die slaves, these holy memories will remind them, from generation to
+generation, that there was a time when, faithful to their gods, valiant
+in war, independent and happy, masters of the soil which they had won
+from nature by severe toil, careless of death, whose secret they held,
+the Gallic race lived, feared by the whole world, yet withal hospitable
+to peoples who extended to them a friendly hand. These memories, kept
+alive from age to age, will make slavery more horrible to our children,
+and some day give them the strength to overthrow it. In order that these
+memories may be thus transmitted from century to century, you must
+promise by Hesus, my son, to be faithful to our old Gallic custom. You
+must tenderly guard this collection of relics which I am going to
+entrust you with; you must add to it; you must make your son Sylvest
+swear to increase it in his turn, so that the children of your
+grandchildren may imitate their fore-fathers, and may themselves be
+imitated by their posterity. Here is the collection. The first roll
+contains the story of all that has chanced to our family up to the
+anniversary of my dear Hena's birthday, that day which also saw her die.
+This other roll I received this evening about sunset from my son Albinik
+the mariner. It contains the story of his journey across the burnt
+territory, to the camp of Caesar. This account throws honor on the
+courage of the Gaul, it throws honor on your brother and his wife,
+faithful as they were, almost excessively so, to that maxim of our
+fathers: 'Never did Breton commit treason.' These writings I confide to
+you. You will return them to me after to-morrow's conflict if I survive.
+If not, do you preserve them, or in lack of you, your brothers. Do you
+inscribe the principal events of your life and your family's; hand the
+account over to your son, that he may do as you, and thus on,
+forever&mdash;generation after generation. Do you swear to me, by Hesus, to
+respect my wishes?"</p>
+
+<p>I, Guilhern the laborer, answered: "I swear to my father Joel, the brenn
+of the tribe of Karnak, that I will faithfully carry out his desires."</p>
+
+<p>The orders then given to me by my father, I have carried out to-day,
+long after the battle of Vannes, and after innumerable misfortunes. I
+make the recital or these misfortunes for you, my son Sylvest. It is not
+with blood that I should write this narrative. No blood would run dry. I
+write with tears of rage, hatred and anguish,&mdash;their source never runs
+dry!</p>
+
+<p>After my poor and well-beloved brother Albinik piloted the Roman fleet
+into the bay of Morbihan, the following was the course of events on the
+day of the battle of Vannes. It all took place under my own eyes&mdash;I saw
+it all. Were I to have lived all the days I am to live in the next world
+and into all infinity, yet will the remembrance of that frightful day,
+and of the days; that followed it, be ever vivid before me, as vivid as
+it is now, as it was, and as it ever will be.</p>
+
+<p>Joel my father, Margarid my mother, Henory my wife, my two children
+Sylvest and Syomara, as well as my brother Mikael the armorer, his wife
+Martha, and their children, to mention only our nearest relatives, had,
+like all the rest of our tribe, gathered in the Gallic camp. Our war
+chariots, covered with cloth, had served us for tents until the day of
+the battle at Vannes. During the night, the council, called together by
+the Chief of the Hundred Valleys, and Tallyessin, the oldest of the
+druids, had met. Several mountaineers of Ares, mounted on their tireless
+little horses, were sent out in the evening to scout the area of the
+conflagration. At dawn they hastened back to report that at six leagues'
+distance from Vannes they saw the fires of the Roman army, encamped that
+night in the midst of the ruins of the town of Morh'ek. The Chief of the
+Hundred Valleys concluded that Caesar, to escape from the circle of
+devastation and famine that was drawing in closer and closer upon his
+army, had left the wasted country behind him by forced marches, and
+intended to offer battle to the Gauls. The council resolved to advance
+to meet Caesar, and to await him on the heights which overlooked the
+river Elrik. At break of day, after the druids had invoked the blessings
+of the gods, our tribe took up its march for its post in the battle.</p>
+
+<p>Joel, mounted on his high-mettled stallion Tom-Bras, commanded the
+<i>Mahrek-Ha-Droad</i>,<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> of which myself and my brother Mikael were
+members, I as a horseman, Mikael as a foot-soldier. According to the
+custom of the army, it was our duty to fight side by side, I on
+horse-back, he afoot, and mutually support each other. The war chariots,
+armed with scythes at the hubs, were placed in the center of the army,
+with the reserve. In one of them were my mother and wife, the wife of
+Mikael, and our children. Some young lads, lightly armed, surrounded the
+chariots and were with difficulty holding back the great war-dogs,
+which, after the example of Deber-Trud, the man-eater, were howling and
+tugging at their leashes, already scenting battle and blood. Among the
+young men of the tribe who were in the array, were two who had taken the
+bond of friendship, like Julyan and Armel. Moreover, to make it more
+certain that they would share the same fate, a stout iron chain was
+riveted to their collars of brass, and fastened them together. The chain
+as the symbol of their pledge of solidarity held them inseparable,
+scathless, wounded, or dead.</p>
+
+<p>On the way to our post in the battle, we beheld the Chief of the Hundred
+Valleys passing at the head of the <i>Trimarkisia</i>.<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> He rode a superb
+black horse, in scarlet housings; his armor was of steel; his helmet of
+plated copper, which shone like the sun, was capped by the emblem of
+Gaul, a gilded cock with half spread wings. At either side of the Chief
+rode a bard and a druid, clad in long white robes striped with purple.
+They carried no arms, but when the troops closed in to battle, then,
+disdainful of danger, they stood in the front ranks of the combatants,
+encouraging these with their words and their songs of war. Thus chanted
+the bard at the moment when the Chief of the Hundred Valleys passed by
+Joel's column:</p>
+
+<p class="poem">
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">"Caesar has come against us.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">In a loud voice he asks:</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">'Do you want to be slaves?</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Are ye ready?'</span><br />
+<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">"No, we do not want to be slaves.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">No, we are not ready.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Gauls!</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Children of the same race,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Let us raise our standards on the mountains and pour down upon the plains.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">March on!</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">March on against Caesar,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Joining in the same slaughter him and his army!</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">To the Romans!</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">To the Romans!"</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>As the bard sang this song, every heart beat with the ardor of
+battle.<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a></p>
+
+<p>As the Chief of the Hundred Valleys passed the troop at the head of
+which was my father Joel, he reined in his horse and cried:</p>
+
+<p>"Friend Joel, when I was your guest, you asked my name. I answered that
+I was called <i>Soldier</i> so long as our old Gaul should be under the
+oppressor's scourge. The hour has come when we must show ourselves
+faithful to the motto of our fathers: 'In all war, there is but one of
+two outcomes for the man of courage: to conquer or to die.'<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> O, that
+my love for our common country be not barren! O, that Hesus keep our
+arms! Perhaps then the Chief of the Hundred Valleys will have washed off
+the stain which covers a name he no longer dares to bear.<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> Courage,
+friend Joel, the sons of your tribe are brave of the brave. What blows
+will they not deal on this day which makes for the welfare of Gaul!"</p>
+
+<p>"My tribe will strike its best, and with all its might," answered my
+father. "We have not forgotten that song of the bards who accompanied
+you, when the first war-cry burst from them in the forest of Karnak:
+'Strike the Roman hard&mdash;strike for the head&mdash;still harder&mdash;strike!&mdash;The
+Romans, strike!'"</p>
+
+<p>With one voice the whole tribe of Joel took up the cry:</p>
+
+<p>"Strike!&mdash;The Romans, strike!"</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h3>
+
+<p class="head">THE BATTLE OF VANNES.</p>
+
+
+<p>The Chief of the Hundred Valleys took his departure, in order to address
+a few words of exhortation to each tribe. Before proceeding to our post
+of battle, far from the war chariots which held our wives, daughters and
+children, my father, brother and myself wished to make sure by a last
+look that nothing was lacking for the defense of that car which held our
+dear ones. My mother, Margarid, as calm as when she held the distaff in
+the corner of her own fireplace, was leaning against the oak panel which
+formed the body of the chariot. She had set Henory and Martha to work,
+giving more play to the straps which, fastened to pegs driven in the
+edge of the chariot, secured the handles of the scythes, which were used
+for defense in the same manner as oars fastened to the gunwhale of a
+boat.</p>
+
+<p>Several young girls and women of our kindred were occupied with other
+cares. Some were preparing behind the chariots, with thick skins
+stretched on cords, a retreat where the children would be under cover
+from the arrows and stones thrown by the slingers and archers of the
+enemy. Already the children were laughing and frolicking with joyous
+cries around the half finished den. As an additional protection, my
+mother Margarid, watchful in everything, had some sacks filled with
+grain placed in front of the hut. Other young girls were placing, along
+the interior walls of the car, knives, swords and axes, to be used in
+case of need, and weighing no more on their strong white arms than did
+the distaff. Two of their companions, kneeling near my mother, were
+opening chests of linen, and preparing oil, balm, salt and witch-hazel,
+to dress the wounds, following the example of the druidesses, near whom
+the car was stationed.</p>
+
+<p>At our approach the children ran gaily from the depths of their retreat
+into the fore-part of the wagon, whence they stretched out their little
+hands to us. Mikael, being on foot, took in his arms his son and his
+daughter, while Henory, to spare me the trouble of dismounting from my
+horse, reached out, one at a time, my little Syomara and Sylvest into my
+arms. I seated them both before me on the saddle, and at the moment of
+starting for the fight, I had the pleasure of kissing their yellow
+heads. My father, Joel, then said to my mother:</p>
+
+<p>"Margarid, if fortune turns against us, and the car is attacked by the
+Romans, do not free the dogs until the moment of attack. The brave
+animals will be only the more furious for their long wait, and will not
+then stray away from where you are."</p>
+
+<p>"Your advice will be followed, Joel," answered my mother. "Look and see
+if these straps give the scythes enough play."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, they are free enough," answered my father, looking at some of the
+straps. Then, examining the array of scythes which defended the other
+side of the chariot, he broke out:</p>
+
+<p>"Wife, wife! What were those girls thinking of! Look here! Oh, the
+rattle heads! On this side the scythe-blades are turned towards the
+shaft of the chariot, and over there they are pointed backwards!"</p>
+
+<p>"It was I who had the weapons placed so," said she.</p>
+
+<p>"And why are not all the blades turned the same way, Margarid?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because a car is almost always attacked before and behind at once. In
+that case the two rows of scythes, placed in opposite directions, are
+the best defense. My mother taught me that, and I am showing the method
+to these dear girls."</p>
+
+<p>"Your mother saw further than I, Margarid. A good harvest time is thus
+made certain. Let the Romans come and assault the car! Heads and limbs
+will fall, mown down like ripe ears at the reaping! Let Hesus make it a
+good one, this human harvest!"</p>
+
+<p>Then, listening intently, my father said to Mikael and myself:</p>
+
+<p>"Sons, I hear the cymbals of the bards and the clarions of the
+<i>Trimarkisia</i>. Let us rejoin our friends. Well, Margarid, well, my
+daughters,&mdash;till we meet again, here&mdash;or above!"</p>
+
+<p>"Here or above, our fathers and husbands will find us pure and
+unstained," answered Henory, more proud, more beautiful than ever.</p>
+
+<p>"Victorious or dead you will see us again," added Madalen, a young
+maiden of sixteen. "But enslaved or dishonored, no. By the glorious
+blood of our Hena&mdash;&mdash; no&mdash;&mdash; never!"</p>
+
+<p>"No!" said Martha, the wife of Mikael, pressing to her bosom her two
+children, whom their father had just replaced in the chariot.</p>
+
+<p>"These dear girls are of our race&mdash;rest easy, Joel," continued my
+mother, even now calm and grave. "They will do their duty."</p>
+
+<p>"Even as we will do ours. And thus will Gaul be delivered," answered my
+father. "You also will do your duty, old man-eater, old Deber-Trud!"
+added the brenn, stroking the enormous head of the war-dog, who in spite
+of his chain, was standing up with his paws on the horse's shoulder.
+"Soon will come the hour of the quarry, fine bloody quarry, Deber-Trud!
+Her! Her! To the Romans!"</p>
+
+<p>The mastiff and the rest of the war pack responded to these words with
+furious bayings. The brenn, my brother and myself cast one last look
+upon our families. My father turned his spirited stallion's head towards
+the ranks of the army, and speedily came up with them. I followed my
+father, while Mikael, robust and agile, holding tightly with his left
+hand to the long mane of my galloping horse, ran along beside me.
+Sometimes falling in with the sway of the horse, Mikael leaped with it,
+and was thus raised off the ground for several steps. We two, like many
+others of our tribe, had in time of peace familiarized ourselves with
+the manly military exercise of the <i>Mahrek-Ha-Droad</i>. Thus the brenn, my
+brother and myself rejoined our tribe and took our stand in the ranks of
+battle.</p>
+
+<p>The Gallic army occupied the summit of a hill about one league's
+distance from Vannes. To the east their line of battle was covered by
+the forest of Merek, which was filled with their best archers. To the
+west they were defended by the lofty cliffs which rose from the bay of
+Morbihan. At the lower end of the bay was the fleet, already weighing
+anchor to proceed to the attack of the Roman galleys, which, motionless
+as a flock of sea-swans, lay at rest on the waves. No longer piloted by
+Albinik, the fleet of Caesar, although floated by the rising tide, still
+held its position of the previous evening, for fear of running upon the
+invisible rocks.</p>
+
+<p>Before the army flowed the River Roswallan. The Romans would have to
+ford it in order to attack us. Skillfully had the Chief of the Hundred
+Valleys chosen his position. He had before him a river; behind him the
+town of Vannes; on the west the sea; on the east the forest of Merek:
+its border chopped down, offered insurmountable obstacles to the Roman
+cavalry; and with an eye to the Roman infantry, the best of Gaul's
+archers were scattered among the mighty trees.</p>
+
+<p>The ground before us, on the opposite side of the river, rose in a
+gentle slope. Its crest hid from us the road by which the Roman army
+would arrive. Suddenly, on the summit of the slope there dashed into
+view several Ares mountaineers, who had been sent out as scouts to
+signal to us the approach of the enemy. They dashed down the hill at
+full speed, forded the river, joined us, and breathlessly announced the
+advance of the Roman army.</p>
+
+<p>"Friends!" the Chief of the Hundred Valleys called out to each tribe as
+he passed on horse-back before the army in battle array; "rest on your
+arms until the Romans, drawn up on the other bank of the river, begin
+to cross it. At that moment let the slingers and archers shower their
+stones and arrows upon the enemy. Then, when the Romans are forming
+their cohorts on this side, after crossing, let our whole line fall
+back, leaving the reserve with the war-chariots. Then, the foot soldiers
+in the center, the cavalry on the wings, let us pour down in a torrent
+from the top of this rapid decline. The enemy, driven back again to the
+river, will not withstand the impetuosity of our first charge!"</p>
+
+<p>Immediately the hill-top opposite the army was covered by the numberless
+troops of Caesar. In the vanguard marched the "Harassers," marked by the
+lion's skin which covered their heads and shoulders. The old legions,
+named from their experience and daring, as the "Thunderer," the "Iron
+Legion," and many others whom the Chief of the Hundred Valleys pointed
+out to his men, formed the reserve. We saw glittering in the sun the
+arms and the distinctive emblems of the legions, an eagle, a wolf, a
+dragon, a minotaur, and other figures of gilded bronze, decorated with
+leaves. The wind bore to us the piercing notes of the long Roman
+clarions, and our hearts leaped at the martial music. A horde of
+Numidian horsemen, wrapped in long white robes, preceded the army. The
+column halted a moment, and several of the Numidians went down at full
+tilt to the brink of the river. In order to ascertain whether it was
+fordable, they entered it on horse-back, and approached the nearer side,
+notwithstanding the hail of stones and arrows which the Gallic slingers
+and archers poured down upon them. More than one white robe was seen to
+float upon the river current, and more than one riderless horse
+returned to the bank and the Romans. Nevertheless, several Numidians, in
+spite of the stones and darts which were hurled upon them, crossed the
+entire breadth of the river several times. Such a display of bravery
+caused the Gallic archers and slingers to hold their fire by common
+accord, and do honor to such supreme valor. Courage in our enemies
+pleases us; it proves them more worthy of our steel. The Numidians,
+certain of having found a ford, ran to convey the news to the Roman
+army. Then the legions formed in several deep columns. The passage of
+the river commenced. According to the orders of the Chief of the Hundred
+Valleys, the archers and slingers resumed their shooting, while Cretan
+archers and slingers from the Balearic Islands, spreading over the
+opposite bank, answered our people.</p>
+
+<p>"My sons," said Joel to us, looking towards the bay of Morbihan, "your
+brother Albinik advances to the fight on the water as we begin the fight
+on land. See&mdash;our fleet has met the Roman galleys."</p>
+
+<p>Mikael and I looked in the direction the brenn was pointing, and saw our
+ships with their heavy leathern sails, bent on iron chains, grappling
+with the galleys. The brenn spoke true. The battle was joined on land
+and sea simultaneously. On that double combat depended the freedom or
+slavery of Gaul. But as I turned my attention from the two fleets back
+to our own army, I was struck to the heart with a sinister omen. The
+Gallic troops, ordinarily such chatterers, so gay in the hour of battle
+that from their ranks rise continually playful provocations to the
+enemy, or jests upon the dangers of war, were now sober and silent,
+resolved to win or die.</p>
+
+<p>The signal for battle was given. The cymbals of the bards spoke back to
+the Roman clarions. The Chief of the Hundred Valleys, dismounting from
+his horse, put himself some paces ahead of the line of battle. Several
+druids and bards took up their station on either side of him. He
+brandished his sword and started on a run down the steep hill-side. The
+druids and bards kept even pace with him, striking as they went upon
+their golden harps. At that signal, our whole army precipitated itself
+upon the enemy, who, now across the river, were re-forming their
+cohorts.</p>
+
+<p>The <i>Mahrek-Ha-Droad</i>, cavalry and footmen, of the tribes near that of
+Karnak, which my father commanded, darted down the slope with the rest
+of the army. Mikael, holding his axe in his right hand, was, during this
+impetuous descent, almost continually suspended from the mane of my
+horse, which he had seized with his left. At the foot of the slope, that
+troop of the Romans called the Iron Legion, because of their heavy
+armor, formed in a wedge. Immovable as a wall of steel, bristling with
+spears, it made ready to receive our charge on the points of its lances.
+I carried, in common with all the Gallic horsemen, a saber at my left
+side, an axe at my right, and in my hand a heavy staff capped with iron.
+For helmet I had a bonnet of fur, for breastplate a jacket of boar-hide,
+and strips of leather were wrapped around my legs where the breeches did
+not cover them. Mikael was armed with a tipped staff and a saber, and
+carried a light shield on his left arm.</p>
+
+<p>"Leap on the crupper!" I cried to my brother at the moment when the
+horses, now no longer under control, arrived at full gallop on the
+lances of the Iron Legion. Immediately we arrived within range we hurled
+our iron capped staffs full at the heads of the Romans with all our
+might. My staff struck hard and square on the helmet of a legionary,
+who, falling backward, dragged down with him the soldier behind. Through
+this gap my horse plunged into the thickest of the legion. Others
+followed me. In the melee the fight grew sharp. Mikael, always at my
+side, leaped sometimes, in order to deliver a blow from a greater
+height, to my horse's crupper, other times he made of the animal a
+rampart. He fought valorously. Once I was half unhorsed. Mikael
+protected me with his weapon till I regained my seat. The other
+foot-soldiers of the <i>Mahrek-Ha-Droad</i> fought in the same manner, each
+one beside his own horseman.</p>
+
+<p>"Brother, you are wounded," I said to Mikael. "See, your blouse is red."</p>
+
+<p>"You too, brother," he responded. "Look at your bloody breeches."</p>
+
+<p>And, in truth, in the heat of combat, we do not feel these wounds.</p>
+
+<p>My father, chief of the <i>Mahrek-Ha-Droad</i>, was not accompanied by a
+foot-soldier. Twice we joined him in the midst of the fight. His arm,
+strong for all his age, struck incessantly. His heavy axe resounded on
+the iron armors like a hammer on the anvil. His stallion Tom-Bras bit
+furiously all the Romans within reach. One of them he almost lifted off
+the ground in his rearing. He held the man by the nape of the neck, and
+the blood was spurting. When the tide of the combat again carried Mikael
+and myself near our father, he was wounded. I overcame one of the
+brenn's assailants by trampling him under my horse's feet; then we were
+again separated from my father. Mikael and myself knew nothing of the
+other movements of the battle. Engaged in the conflict before us, we had
+no other thought than to tumble the Iron Legion into the river. To that
+end we struggled hard. Already our horses were stumbling over corpses as
+if in a quagmire. We heard, not far off, the piercing voices of the
+bards; their voices were heard over the tumult.</p>
+
+<p>"Victory to Gaul!&mdash;Liberty! Liberty! Another blow with the axe! Another
+effort! Strike, strike, ye Gauls.&mdash;And the Roman is vanquished.&mdash;And
+Gaul delivered. Liberty! Liberty! Strike the Roman hard! Strike
+harder!&mdash;Strike, ye Gauls!"</p>
+
+<p>The song of the bards, the hope of victory with which they inspired
+their countrymen, caused us to redouble our efforts. The remains of the
+Iron Legion, almost annihilated, recrossed the river in disorder. At
+that moment we saw running in our direction a Roman cohort,
+panic-stricken and in full rout. Our men had driven them back from the
+top of the hill, at the foot of which was the tribe of Karnak. The
+cohort, thus taken between two enemies, was destroyed. Slaughter was
+beginning to tire Mikael's arm and my own when I noticed a Roman warrior
+of medium height, whose magnificent armor announced his lofty rank. He
+was on foot, and had lost his helmet in the fight. His large bald
+forehead, his pale face and his terrible look gave him a terrifying
+appearance. Armed with a sword, he was furiously beating his own
+soldiers, all unable to arrest their flight. I called my brother's
+attention to him.</p>
+
+<p>"Guilhern," said he, "if they have fought everywhere as we have here, we
+are victorious. That soldier, by his gold and steel armor, must be a
+Roman general. Let us take him prisoner; he will be a good hostage. Help
+me and we'll have him."</p>
+
+<p>Mikael immediately hurled himself on the warrior of the golden armor,
+while the latter was still trying to halt the fugitives. With a few
+bounds of my horse, I rejoined my brother. After a brief struggle,
+Mikael threw the Roman. Wishing not to kill, but to take him prisoner,
+Mikael held him under his knees, with his axe uplifted, to signify to
+the Roman that he would have to give himself up. The Roman understood;
+no longer struggled to free himself; and raised to heaven the one hand
+he had free that the gods might witness he yielded himself a prisoner.</p>
+
+<p>"Off with him," said Mikael to me.</p>
+
+<p>Mikael, who like myself, was stalwart and stout, while our prisoner was
+slim and not above middle height, took the Roman in his arms and lifted
+him from the ground. I grasped him by the collar of buffalo-hide which
+he had on over his breastplate, drew him towards me, pulled him up, and
+threw him across my horse, in front of the saddle. Then, taking the
+reins in my teeth so as to have one hand to hold the prisoner, and the
+other to threaten him with my axe, I pressed the flanks of my horse, and
+set out in this fashion towards the reserve of our army, both for the
+purpose of putting the prisoner in safe keeping, and to have my wounds
+dressed. I had hardly started, when one of the horsemen of the
+<i>Mahrek-Ha-Droad</i>, happening that way in his pursuit of the fleeing
+Romans, cried out, as he recognized the man I was carrying:</p>
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">it is caesar&mdash;strike&mdash;kill him</span>!"</p>
+
+<p>Thus I became aware that I had on my horse the direst of Gaul's foes. So
+far from entertaining any thought of killing him, and seized with
+stupor, my axe slipped from my hand, and I leaned back in order the
+better to contemplate that terrible Caesar whom I had in my power.</p>
+
+<p>Unhappy me! Alas for Gaul! Caesar profited by my stupid astonishment,
+jumped down from my horse, called to his aid a troop of Numidian
+horsemen who were riding in search of him, and when I regained
+consciousness from my stupid amazement, the blunder was irreparable.<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a>
+Caesar had leaped upon one of the Numidian riders' horse, while the
+others surrounded me. Furious at having allowed Caesar to escape, I now
+defended myself with frenzy. I received several fresh wounds and saw my
+brother Mikael die at my side. That misfortune was only the signal for
+others. Victory, so long hovering over our standards, went to the
+Romans. Caesar rallied his wavering legions; a considerable
+re-enforcement of fresh troops came to his aid; and our whole army was
+driven back in disorder upon the reserve, where were also our
+war-chariots, our wounded, our women and our children. Carried by the
+press of retreating combatants, I arrived in the proximity of the
+chariots, happy in the midst of defeat at having at least come near my
+mother and family, and at being able to defend them&mdash;if indeed the
+strength were spared me, for my wounds were weakening me more and more.
+Alas! The gods had condemned me to a horrible trial. I can now repeat
+the words of Albinik and his wife, both killed in the attack on the
+Roman galleys, and battling on the water as we did on the land for the
+freedom of our beloved country: "None ever saw, nor will ever see the
+frightful scene that I witnessed."</p>
+
+<p>Thrown back towards the chariots, still fighting, attacked at once by
+the Numidian cavalry, by the legionaries and by the Cretan archers, we
+yielded ground step by step. Already we could hear the bellowing of the
+oxen, the shrill sound of the numerous brass bells which trimmed their
+yokes, and the barking of the war dogs, still chained about the cars.
+Husbanding my ebbing strength, I no longer sought to fight, I strove
+only to reach the place where my family was in danger. Suddenly my
+horse, which had already sustained several wounds, received on the flank
+his death blow. The animal stumbled and rolled upon me. My leg and
+thigh, pierced with two lance thrusts, were caught as in a vise between
+the ground and the dead weight of my fallen steed. In vain I struggled
+to disengage myself. One of my comrades who, at the time of my fall, was
+following me, ran against the fallen horse. Steed and rider tumbled over
+the obstacle, and were instantly despatched by the blows of the
+legionaries. Our resistance became desperate. Corpse upon corpse piled
+up, both on top of and around me. More and more enfeebled by the loss of
+blood, overcome by the pains in my limbs, bruised under that heap of
+dead and dying, unable to make a motion, all sense left me; my eyes
+closed. Recalled to myself a moment later by the violent throbbing of my
+wounds, I opened my eyes again. The sight which met them at first made
+me believe I was seized with one of those frightful nightmares from
+which escape is vain. It was the horrible reality.</p>
+
+<p>Twenty paces from me I saw the car in which my mother, Henory my wife,
+Martha the wife of Mikael, their children, and several young women and
+girls of the family had taken refuge. Several men of our kindred and
+tribe, who had run like myself to the cars, were defending them against
+the Romans. Among the defenders I saw the two <i>saldunes</i>, fastened to
+each other by the iron chain, the symbol of their pledge of brotherhood.
+Both were young, beautiful and valiant. Their clothes were in tatters,
+their heads and chests naked and bloody. But their eyes flashed fire,
+and a scornful smile played on their lips, as, armed only with their
+staffs, they fearlessly fought the Roman legionaries sheathed in iron,
+and the Cretans clad in jackets and thigh-pieces of leather. The large
+dogs of war, shortly unchained, leaped at the throats of their
+assailants, often bearing them over backwards with their furious dashes.
+Their terrible jaws not being able to pierce either helmet or
+breastplate, they devoured the faces of their victims, killing without
+once letting go their grips. The Cretan archers, almost without
+defensive armor, were snatched by the legs, arms, shoulders, anywhere.
+Each bite of these savage dogs carried away a chunk of bleeding flesh.</p>
+
+<p>Several steps from where I lay, I saw an archer of gigantic stature,
+calm in the midst of the tumult, choose from his quiver his sharpest
+arrow, lay it on the string of his bow, pull it with a sinewy arm, and
+take long aim at one of the two chained <i>saldunes</i>, who, dragged down by
+the fall of his comrade, now dead by his side, could only fight on one
+knee. But so much the more valiantly did he ply his iron-capped staff.
+He swung it before him with such tireless dexterity that for some time
+none dared to brave its blows, for each stroke carried death. The Cretan
+archer, waiting for the proper moment, was again aiming at the
+<i>saldune</i>, when old Deber-Trud bounded forth. Held tight where I lay
+under the heap of dead which was crushing me, unable to move without
+causing intense pain in my wounded thigh, I summoned all my remaining
+strength to cry out:</p>
+
+<p>"Hou! Hou! Deber-Trud&mdash;at the Roman."</p>
+
+<p>The dog, increasingly excited by my voice, which he recognized, dashed
+with one bound upon the Cretan, at the moment when the arrow hissed from
+the string, and buried itself, still quivering, in the stalwart breast
+of the <i>saldune</i>. With this new wound his eyes closed, his heavy arms
+let fall the staff, his other knee gave way, his body sank to the
+ground; but by a last effort, the <i>saldune</i> rose on both knees, snatched
+the arrow from the wound, and threw it back at the Roman legionaries,
+calling in a voice still strong, and with a smile of supreme contempt:</p>
+
+<p>"For you, cowards, who shelter your fear and your bodies under plates of
+iron. The breastplate of the Gaul is his naked bosom."<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a></p>
+
+<p>And the <i>saldune</i> fell dead upon the body of his brother-in-arms.</p>
+
+<p>Both of them were avenged by Deber-Trud. The terrible dog had hurled
+down and was holding under his enormous paws the Cretan archer, who was
+uttering frightful cries. With one bite of his fangs, as dangerous as
+those of a lion, the dog tore his victim's throat so deeply that two
+jets of warm blood poured out on the archer's chest. Though still alive,
+the man could utter no sound. Deber-Trud, seeing that his prey still
+lived, fell upon him, roaring furiously, swallowing or throwing aside
+shreds of severed flesh. I heard the sides of the Cretan crack and grind
+under the teeth of Deber-Trud, who dug and dug, burying his bloody
+muzzle up to the eyes in the man's chest. Then a legionary ran up and
+transfixed Deber-Trud with one thrust of his lance. The dog gave not a
+groan. He died like a good war-dog, his monstrous head plunged in the
+Roman's entrails.<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a></p>
+
+<p>After the death of the two <i>saldunes</i>, the defenders of the chariots
+fell one by one. My mother Margarid, Martha, Henory, and the young girls
+of the family, with burning eyes and cheeks, their hair flying, their
+clothes disordered from the struggle, their arms and bosoms half
+uncovered, were running fearlessly from one end of the chariot to the
+other, encouraging the combatants by voice and gesture, and casting at
+the Romans with no feeble or untrained hands short pikes, knives, and
+spiked clubs. At last the critical moment came. All the men were killed,
+the chariot, surrounded by bodies piled half way up its sides, was
+defended only by the women. There they were, with my mother Margarid,
+five young women and six maidens, almost all of superb beauty,
+heightened by the ardor of battle.</p>
+
+<p>The Romans, sure of this prize of their obscene revels, and wishing to
+take it alive, consulted a moment on a plan of attack. I understood not
+their words, but from their coarse laugh, and the licentious looks which
+they threw upon the Gallic women, there could be no doubt as to the
+fate which awaited them. I lay there, broken, pinned fast; breathless,
+full of despair, horror, and impotent rage I lay there, seeing a few
+steps from me the chariot in which were my mother, my wife, my
+children.&mdash;Oh, wrathful heavens!&mdash;like one unable to awake from a
+horrible dream, I lay there condemned to see all, hear all, and yet to
+remain motionless.</p>
+
+<p>An officer of savage and insolent mien advanced alone towards the
+chariot and addressed to the women some words in the Latin tongue which
+the soldiers received with roars of revolting laughter. My mother, calm,
+pale, and terrible, exhorted the young women around her to maintain
+their self-control. Then the Roman, adding a word or two, closed with an
+obscene gesture. Margarid happened at that moment to have in her hand a
+heavy axe. So straight at the officer's head she hurled it, that he
+reeled and fell. His fall was the signal for the attack. The legionaries
+pressed forward to the capture of the chariot. Then the women rushed to
+the scythes, which on each side defended the cart, and plied them with
+such vigor and harmony, that the Romans, seeing a great number of their
+men killed or disabled, conceived a wholesome fear for such terrible
+arms, so intrepidly plied. They suspended the attack, and, applying
+their long lances after the fashion of crow-bars, succeeded, without
+approaching too near, in shattering the handles of the scythes. This
+safeguard demolished, a new attack commenced. The issue was not
+doubtful. While the scythes were falling under the blows of the
+soldiers, my mother hurriedly said a few words to Martha and Henory. The
+two, with a look of pride and determination on their faces, ran towards
+the cover which sheltered the children. Margarid also spoke to the young
+childless women, and they, as well as the young girls, took and piously
+kissed her hands.</p>
+
+<p>At that moment, the last scythes fell. Margarid seized a sword in one
+hand and a white cloth in the other. She stepped to the front of the
+chariot, waved the white cloth, and threw away the sword, as if to
+announce to the enemy that all the women wished to give themselves up.
+The soldiers, at first astonished at the proposed surrender, answered
+with laughs of ironical consent. Margarid seemed to be awaiting a
+signal. Twice she impatiently cast her eyes toward the shelter, where
+the two women had gone. Evidently, as the signal she seemed to wait for
+was not given, she was trying to distract the enemy's attention, and
+again waved her cloth, pointing alternately to the town of Vannes and to
+the sea.</p>
+
+<p>The soldiers, unable to take in the meaning of these gestures, looked at
+one another questioningly. Then Margarid, after another hasty glance at
+the redoubt, exchanged a few words with the girls round about her,
+seized a dagger, and, in quick succession struck three of the maidens,
+who had nobly bared their chaste bosoms to the knife. Meanwhile the
+other young women dispatched one another with steady hands. They had
+just fallen when Martha reappeared from the enclosure where the children
+had been hidden during the battle. Proud and serene, she held her two
+little daughters in her arms. A spare wagon-pole stood in front of her,
+the upper extremity of which was at a considerable elevation from the
+ground. She leaped on the edge of the car; a cord was around her neck.
+She passed the end of the cord through the ring at the extremity of the
+pole. Margarid steadied it in both hands. Martha leaped into the air
+with outspread arms, and hung there, strangled. Her two little children,
+instead of falling to the ground, remained suspended on either side of
+her breast, for she had passed the noose around their necks also.</p>
+
+<p>All this occurred so rapidly, that the Romans, at first struck dumb with
+astonishment and fear, had no time to prevent the heroic deaths. They
+had barely recovered from their amazement when Margarid, seeing all her
+family either dying or dead at her feet, raised to heaven her
+blood-stained knife, and exclaimed in a calm and steady voice:</p>
+
+<p>"Our daughters shall not be outraged; our children shall not be
+enslaved; all of us, of the family of Joel the brenn of the tribe of
+Karnak, dead, like our husbands and brothers, for the liberty of Gaul,
+are on our way to rejoin them above. Perhaps, O Hesus, all this spilled
+blood will appease you;" and with a hand which did not waver, she
+plunged the dagger into her own heart.</p>
+
+<p>All these terrible events which happened around the Chariot of Death I
+was compelled to behold, as I lay nearby, pinned to the ground. My wife
+Henory not having emerged from the enclosure, I concluded that she had
+put an end to herself there, first putting to death my little ones
+Sylvest and Syomara. My brain began to reel, my eyes closed; I felt
+that I was dying, and thanked Hesus for not leaving me behind alone when
+all my dear ones were to enter together upon the other life in the
+unknown world.</p>
+
+<p>But, no, it was here below, on earth, that I was to return to life&mdash;to
+face new torments after those I had just undergone.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h3>
+
+<p class="head">AFTER THE BATTLE.</p>
+
+
+<p>After I had beheld my mother and all the other women of the tribe die to
+escape the shame and outrages of slavery, the blood which I had lost
+caused me to swoon away. A long time passed in which I was bereft of
+reason. When my senses returned, I found myself lying on straw, along
+with a great number of other men, in a vast shed. At my first motion I
+found myself chained by the leg to a stake driven into the ground. I was
+half clad; they had left me my shirt and breeches, in a secret pocket of
+which I had hidden the writings of my father and of my brother Albinik,
+together with the little gold sickle, the gift of my sister Hena. A
+dressing had been put on my wounds, which no longer occasioned me much
+pain. I experienced only a great weakness and dizziness which made my
+last memories a confused mass. I looked about me. I was one of perhaps
+fifty wounded prisoners, all chained to their litters. At the further
+end of the shed were several armed men, who did not bear the appearance
+of regular Roman troops. They were seated round a table, drinking and
+singing. Some among them, who carried short-handled scourges twisted of
+several thongs and terminating in bits of lead, detached themselves
+from time to time from the group, and walked here and there with the
+uncertain gait of drunken men, casting jeering looks on the prisoners.
+Next to me lay an aged man with white hair and beard, very pale and
+thin. A bloody band half hid his forehead. He was sitting up, his elbows
+on his knees, and his face between his hands. Seeing him wounded and a
+prisoner, I concluded he was a Gaul. I did not err.</p>
+
+<p>"Good father," I said to him, laying my hand lightly upon the old man's
+arm, "where are we?"</p>
+
+<p>Slowly raising his sad and mournful visage, the old prisoner answered
+compassionately:</p>
+
+<p>"Those are the first words you have spoken for two days."</p>
+
+<p>"For two days?" I repeated, greatly astonished. I was unable to believe
+so much time had passed since the battle of Vannes. I sought to recall
+my wandering memory. "Is it possible? What, I have been here two days?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and you have been unconscious, in a delirium. The physician who
+dressed your wounds made you take several potions."</p>
+
+<p>"Now I recall it confusedly. And also&mdash;a ride in a chariot?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, to come here from the battle-ground. I was with you in the
+chariot, whither they carried you wounded and dying."</p>
+
+<p>"And here we are&mdash;?"</p>
+
+<p>"At Vannes."</p>
+
+<p>"Our army?"</p>
+
+<p>"Destroyed."</p>
+
+<p>"Our fleet?"</p>
+
+<p>"Annihilated."<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a></p>
+
+<p>"O, my brother, and your courageous wife Mero&euml;, both dead also!" flashed
+through my mind. "And Vannes, where we are," I added aloud to my
+companion, "Vannes is in the power of the Romans?"</p>
+
+<p>"Even as the whole of Brittany, they say."</p>
+
+<p>"And the Chief of the Hundred Valleys?"</p>
+
+<p>"He has fled into the mountains of Ares with a handful of cavalry. The
+Romans are in pursuit of him." Then raising his eyes to heaven, he
+continued, "May Hesus and Teutates protect that last defender of the
+Gauls!"</p>
+
+<p>I had put these questions while my thoughts were still disordered. But
+when I recalled the struggle at the chariot of war, the death of my
+mother, my father, my brother Mikael, my brother's wife and his two
+children, and finally, the almost certain death of my own wife with her
+son and daughter&mdash;for up to the moment when I lost consciousness I had
+not seen Henory leave the shelter behind the chariot&mdash;when I recalled
+all that, I heaved, in spite of myself, a great sigh of despair at
+finding myself alone in the world. I buried my face in the straw to shut
+out the light of day.</p>
+
+<p>One of the tipsy keepers became irritated at hearing my moans, and
+showered several cruel blows of the scourge, accompanied with oaths,
+upon my shoulders. Forgetting the pain in the shame that I felt at the
+thought of me, the son of Joel, being struck with the lash, I leaped to
+my feet notwithstanding my weakness, intending to throw myself upon the
+keeper. But my chain, sharply tightened by the jerk, checked me, and
+made me trip and fall upon my knees. The keeper, enabled by the length
+of his scourge to keep out of the prisoners' reach, thereupon redoubled
+his blows, lashing me across the face, chest, and back. Other keepers
+ran up, fell upon me, and slipped manacles of iron upon my wrists.</p>
+
+<p>Oh, my son, my son! You, for whose eyes I write all this down, obedient
+to the wishes of my father, never do yourself forget, and let also your
+sons preserve the memory of this outrage, the first that our stock ever
+underwent. Live, that you may avenge the outrage in due time. And if you
+cannot, let your sons wreak vengeance upon the Romans therefore.</p>
+
+<p>With my feet chained and my hands in irons, unable to move, I did not
+wish to afford my tormentors the spectacle of impotent rage. I closed my
+eyes and lay still, betraying neither anger nor grief, while the
+keepers, provoked by my calmness, beat me furiously. Presently, however,
+a strange voice having interposed and spoken a few angry words in the
+Latin tongue, the blows ceased. I opened my eyes and three new
+personages stood before me. One of them was speaking rapidly to the
+keepers, gesticulating angrily, and pointing at me from time to time.
+This man was short and stout; he had a very red face, white hair and
+pointed grey beard. He wore a short robe of brown wool, buck-skin
+stocks, and low leather boots; he was not dressed in the Roman fashion.
+Of the two men who accompanied him, one, dressed in a long black robe,
+had a grave and sinister mien. The other held a casket under his arm.
+While I was gazing at these persons, my aged neighbor called my
+attention with a rapid glance to the fat little man with the red face
+and the white hair, who was conversing with the keepers, and said to me
+with a look of anger and disgust:</p>
+
+<p>"The horse-dealer; the horse-dealer!"</p>
+
+<p>"What are you talking about?" I answered him, unable to understand what
+he meant. "A horse-dealer?"</p>
+
+<p>"That is what the Romans call the slave merchants."<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a></p>
+
+<p>"How! They traffic in wounded men?" I asked the old man in surprise.
+"Are there men who buy the dying?"</p>
+
+<p>"Do you not know," he answered with a somber smile, "that after the
+battle of Vannes there were more dead than living, and not an unwounded
+Gaul? Upon these wounded men, in default of more able-bodied prey, the
+slave-dealers who follow the Roman army fell like so many ravens upon
+corpses."</p>
+
+<p>There was no more room for doubt. I realized that I was a slave. I had
+been bought. I would be sold again. The "horse-dealer," having finished
+speaking to the keepers, approached the old man, and said to him in
+Gallic, but with an accent that proved his foreign origin:</p>
+
+<p>"My old Pierce-Skin&mdash;how has your neighbor come on? Has he at last
+recovered from his stupor? Is he at last able to speak?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ask him," snapped the old man, turning over on the straw. "He'll answer
+you himself."</p>
+
+<p>The "horse-dealer" thereupon walked over to my side. He seemed no longer
+angry. His countenance, naturally jovial, was beaming. Putting his two
+hands on his knees, he stooped down to me; grinned at me; and spoke to
+me hurriedly, often putting questions which he answered himself, not
+seeming to care whether I heard him or not.</p>
+
+<p>"You have, then, recovered your spirits, my fine Bull? Yes? Ah, so much
+the better! By Jupiter, it's a good sign. Now your appetite will return,
+and it is returning, isn't it? Still better! Before eight days you will
+be in fine feather. Those brutes of keepers, always in their cups,
+scourged you, did they? Yes? I'm not a bit surprised&mdash;they never do
+anything else. The wine of Gaul makes them stupid. To strike you! To
+strike you! And that when you can hardly stand up; besides the fact that
+in men of the Gallic race, choler is likely to produce bad results. But
+you are no longer angry, are you? No! So much the better! It is I who
+should be provoked at those tipsters. Suppose the fury raging in your
+blood had stifled you! But, bah! those brutes care little for making me
+lose twenty-five or thirty gold sous,<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a> which you will presently be
+worth to me, my fine Bull. But for greater safety I'll have you taken to
+a shelter where you will be alone and better off than here. It was
+occupied by a wounded fellow who died last night&mdash;a superb fellow.
+That was a loss! Ah, commerce is not all gain. Come, follow me."</p>
+
+<p>He set to work to unfasten my chain by a secret spring. I asked him why
+he always called me "Bull." I would have preferred by far the keeper's
+lash to the jovial loquacity of this trafficker in human flesh. Certain
+now that I was not dreaming, still I could hardly accept the reality of
+what I saw. Unable to resist, I followed the man. At least I would no
+longer be under the eyes of the keepers who beat me, and the sight of
+whom made my blood boil. I made an effort to raise myself, but my
+weakness was still excessive. The "horse-dealer" unhooked the chain, and
+held one end. As my hands were still shackled, the man with the long
+black robe and the one who carried the casket took me under the arms,
+and led me to the extremity of the shed. They made me mount several
+stairs and enter a small room that was lighted through an iron-barred
+opening. I looked through the opening and recognized the great square of
+the town of Vannes, and, in the distance, the house where I had often
+gone to see my brother Albinik and his wife. In the room were a stool, a
+table, and a long box of fresh straw, in place of the one in which the
+other slave had died. I was made to sit on the stool. The black-robed
+man, a Roman physician, examined my two wounds, constantly conversing in
+his own language with the "horse-dealer." He took various salves from
+the casket which his companion was carrying, dressed my hurts, and went
+to render his services to the other slaves, not, however, before helping
+the "horse-dealer" to fasten my chain to the wooden box which served
+as my bed. The physician then took his departure, and left me alone with
+my master.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h3>
+
+<p class="head">MASTER AND SLAVE.</p>
+
+
+<p>"By Jupiter," began my master immediately after the departure of the
+physician. "By Jupiter," he repeated in his satisfied and hilarious
+manner, so revolting to me: "Your injuries are healing so fast that you
+can see them heal, a proof of the purity of your blood; and with pure
+blood there are no such things as wounds, says the son of Aesculapius.
+But here you are back in your senses, my brave Bull. You are going to
+answer my questions, aren't you? Yes? Then, listen to me."</p>
+
+<p>Drawing from his pocket a stylus and a tablet, covered with wax, the
+"horse-dealer" continued:</p>
+
+<p>"I do not ask your name. You have no longer any name but that which I
+have given you, until your new owner shall name you differently. As for
+me, I have named you Bull<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a>&mdash;a proud name, isn't it? You are worthy to
+bear it. It becomes you. So much the better."</p>
+
+<p>"Why have you named me Bull?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why did I name that old fellow, your late neighbor, Pierce-Skin?
+Because his bones stick out through his skin. But you, apart from your
+two wounds, what a strong constitution you have! What broad shoulders!
+What a chest! What a back! What powerful limbs!" While pouring out these
+praises, the "horse-dealer" rubbed his hands and gazed at me with
+satisfaction and covetousness, already figuring in advance the price I
+would fetch. "And your height! It exceeds by a palm that of the next
+tallest captive in my lot. So, seeing you so robust, I have named you
+Bull. Under that name you are entered in my inventory, at your number;
+and under that name will you be cried at the auction!"</p>
+
+<p>I knew that the Romans sold their slaves to the slave merchants. I knew
+that slavery was horrible, and I approved of a mother's killing her
+children sooner than have them live a captive's life. I knew that a
+slave became a beast of burden. While the "horse-dealer" was speaking, I
+drew my hand across my forehead to make sure that it was really I,
+Guilhern, the son of Joel the brenn of the tribe of Karnak, a son of
+that free and haughty race, whom they were treating like a beef for the
+mart. The shame of a life of slavery seemed to me insupportable, and I
+took heart at the resolve to flee at the first opportunity, or to kill
+myself and thus rejoin my relatives. That thought calmed me. I had
+neither the hope nor the desire to learn whether my wife and children
+had escaped death; but remembering that I had seen neither Henory,
+Sylvest nor Syomara come from the enclosure behind the war-chariot, I
+said to the "horse-dealer":</p>
+
+<p>"Where did you purchase me?"</p>
+
+<p>"In the place where we make all our purchases, my fine Bull. On the
+field of battle, after the combat."</p>
+
+<p>"So it was on the battlefield of Vannes you bought me?"</p>
+
+<p>"The same."</p>
+
+<p>"You doubtlessly picked me up at the place where I fell?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, there was a great pile of you Gauls there, in which there were
+only you and three others worth taking, among them that great booby,
+your neighbor&mdash;you know, Pierce-Skin. The Cretan archers gave him to me
+for good measure<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a> after the sale. That is the way with you Gauls. You
+fight so desperately that after a battle live captives are exceedingly
+rare, and consequently priceless. I simply can't put out much money, so
+I must come down to the wounded ones. My partner, the son of
+Aesculapius, goes with me to the battlefield to examine the wounded men
+and guard the ones I choose. Thus, in spite of your two wounds and your
+unconsciousness, the young doctor said to me, after examining you and
+sounding your hurts, 'Buy, my pal, buy. Nothing but the flesh is cut,
+and that is in good condition; that will lower the value of your
+merchandise but little, and will prevent any breach of contract.'<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a>
+Then you see, I, a real 'horse-dealer' who knows the trade, I said to
+the archers, poking you with my foot, 'As to that great corpse there,
+who has no more than his breath, I don't want him in my lot at all.'"</p>
+
+<p>"When I used to buy cattle in the market," I said to the "horse-dealer,"
+mockingly, "when I used to buy cattle in the market, I was less skilful
+than you."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that is because I am an old hand, and know my trade. So the Cretans
+answered me, seeing that I didn't think much of you, 'But this thrust of
+the lance and this saber-cut are mere scratches.' 'Scratches, my
+masters!' said I in my turn, 'but it's no use poking or turning him,'
+and I kicked you and turned you over, 'See, he gives no sign of life. He
+is dying, my noble sons of Mars. He is already cold.' In short, my fine
+Bull, I had you for two sous of gold."</p>
+
+<p>"I see I cost but little; but to whom will you sell me?"</p>
+
+<p>"To the traffickers from Italy and the southern part of Gaul. They buy
+their slaves second-hand. Several of them have already arrived here, and
+have commenced making their purchases."</p>
+
+<p>"And they will take me far away?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, unless you are bought by one of those old Roman officers, who, too
+much disabled to follow a life of war, wish to found military colonies
+here, in accordance with the orders of Caesar."</p>
+
+<p>"And thus rob us of our lands!"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course. I hope to get out of you twenty-five or thirty gold sous, at
+least, and more if you are of an occupation easy to dispose of, such as
+a blacksmith, carpenter, mason, goldsmith, or some other good trade.
+It is in order to find that out that I am questioning you, so as to
+write it in my bill of sale. So, let us see:" (and the "horse-dealer"
+took up his tablet and began writing with his stylus) "Your name? Bull.
+Race, Breton Gaul. I can see that at a glance. I am a connoisseur. I
+would not take a Breton for a Bourgignon, nor a Poitevin for an
+Auvergnat. I sold lots of Auvergnats last year, after the battle of Puy.
+Your age?"</p>
+
+<p>"Twenty-nine."</p>
+
+<p>"Age, twenty-nine," he wrote on his tablet. "Your occupation?"</p>
+
+<p>"Laborer."</p>
+
+<p>"Laborer," repeated the "horse-dealer" in a surprised and injured tone,
+scratching his ear with his stylus. "You are nothing but a laborer? You
+have no other profession?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am a soldier also."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, a soldier. He who wears the iron collar has no more to do with
+lance or sword. So then," added the "horse-dealer," reading from his
+tablet with a sigh:</p>
+
+<p>"No. 7. Bull; race, Breton Gaul; of great strength and very great
+height; aged twenty-nine years; excellent laborer." Then he said:</p>
+
+<p>"Your character?"</p>
+
+<p>"My character?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, what is it? rebellious or docile? open or sly? violent or
+peaceable? gay or moody? The buyers always inquire as to the character
+of the slave they are buying, and although one may not be compelled to
+answer them, it is a bad business to deceive them. Let us see, friend
+Bull, what is your character? In your own interest, be truthful. The
+master who buys you will sooner or later know the truth, and will make
+you pay more dearly for your lie than I would."</p>
+
+<p>"Then write upon your tablet: 'The draft-bull loves servitude, cherishes
+slavery, and licks the hand that strikes him.'"</p>
+
+<p>"You are joking. The Gallic race love service? As well say that the
+eagle or the falcon loves his cage."</p>
+
+<p>"Then write that when his strength has come back, the Bull at the first
+chance will break his yoke, gore his master, and fly to the woods to
+live in freedom."</p>
+
+<p>"There is more truth in that. Those brutes of keepers who beat you told
+me that at the first touch of the lash you gave a terrible jump the
+length of your chain. But, you see, friend Bull, if I offer you to the
+purchasers with the dangerous account which you give, I shall find few
+customers. An honest merchant should not boast his merchandise too much,
+no more should he underestimate it. So I shall announce your character
+as follows." And he wrote:</p>
+
+<p>"Of a violent character, sulky, because of his not being accustomed to
+slavery, for he is still green; but he can be broken in by using at
+different times gentleness, severity and chastisement."</p>
+
+<p>"Go over it again."</p>
+
+<p>"Over what?"</p>
+
+<p>"The description I am to be sold under."</p>
+
+<p>"You are right, my son. We must make sure that the description sounds
+well to the ear. Imagine that I am the auctioneer, thus:</p>
+
+<p>"No. 7. Bull; race, Breton Gaul; of great strength and very great
+height; aged twenty-nine years; excellent laborer; of a violent
+character, sulky, because of his not being accustomed to slavery, for he
+is still green; but he can be broken in by application of gentleness,
+severity, and chastisement."</p>
+
+<p>"That is what is left of a free and proud man whose only crime is having
+defended his country against Caesar!" I cried bitterly. "And yet I did
+not kill that same Caesar, who has reduced our people to slavery and is
+now about to divide among his soldiers the lands of our fathers, I did
+not kill him when I was making off with him on my horse!"</p>
+
+<p>"You, my fine Bull, you took great Caesar prisoner?" asked the
+"horse-dealer" mockingly. "It's too bad I can't proclaim that at the
+auction. It would make a rare slave of you."</p>
+
+<p>I reproached myself for having uttered before that trafficker in human
+flesh words which resembled a regret or a complaint. Coming back to my
+first thought, which made me endure patiently the loquacity of the man,
+I said to him:</p>
+
+<p>"When you picked me up where I fell on the battlefield, did you see hard
+by a war chariot harnessed to four black bulls, with a woman and two
+children hanging from the pole?"</p>
+
+<p>"Did I see them? Did I see them!" exclaimed the "horse-dealer" with a
+mournful sigh. "Ah, what excellent goods lost! We counted in that
+chariot eleven young women and girls, all beautiful&mdash;oh,
+beautiful!&mdash;worth at least forty or fifty gold sous apiece&mdash;but dead.
+They had all killed themselves. They were no good to anyone."</p>
+
+<p>"And in the chariot were there no women nor children still alive?"</p>
+
+<p>"Women? No,&mdash;alas, no. Not one, to the great loss of the Roman soldiers
+and myself. But of children, there were, I believe, two or three who had
+survived the death which those fierce Gallic women, furious as
+lionesses, wished to inflict upon them."</p>
+
+<p>"And where are they?" I exclaimed, thinking of my son and daughter, who
+were, perhaps, among them, "where are those children? Answer! Answer!"</p>
+
+<p>"I told you, my Bull, that I buy only wounded persons; one of my fellows
+bought the lot of children, and also some other little ones, for they
+picked up some alive from the other chariots. But what does it matter to
+you whether or not there are children to sell?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because I had a son and a daughter in that chariot," I answered, my
+heart bursting.</p>
+
+<p>"And how old were they?"</p>
+
+<p>"The girl was eight, the boy nine."</p>
+
+<p>"And your wife?"</p>
+
+<p>"If none of those eleven women found in the chariot were living, my wife
+is dead."</p>
+
+<p>"Isn't that too bad&mdash;too bad! Your wife had already borne you two
+children; you four would have made a fine deal. Ah, what a lost
+treasure!"</p>
+
+<p>I repressed a gesture of impotent anger at the scoundrel, and answered:</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, they would have billed us as the Bull and the Heifer!"</p>
+
+<p>"Surely! And since Caesar is going to distribute much of your
+depopulated country among his veterans, those who have no reserve
+prisoners will be under the necessity of buying slaves to cultivate and
+re-people their parcels of land. You are of that strong rustic race, and
+consequently I have hopes of getting a good price for you from some new
+colonist."</p>
+
+<p>"Listen to me. I would rather know that my son and daughter were dead,
+like their mother, than have them saved to be slaves. Nevertheless,
+since there were found near the chariot some children who had
+survived&mdash;a thing that astonishes me, since the women of Gaul always
+strike with a firm and sure hand when it is a case of snatching their
+race from shame&mdash;it is possible that my children may be among those
+found. How can I find out?"</p>
+
+<p>"What good will finding out do you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I will at least have with me my two children."</p>
+
+<p>The "horse-dealer" began to laugh, shrugged his shoulders, and answered:</p>
+
+<p>"Then you didn't hear me? By Jupiter, I advise you not to be deaf&mdash;you
+would be returned to me. I told you that I neither bought nor sold
+children."</p>
+
+<p>"What does that matter to me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Among a hundred purchasers of slaves for farm-hands, there would not be
+ten so foolish as to buy a man and his two children, without their
+mother. So that to offer you for sale with two brats, if they are still
+living, would make me lose half your value by burdening your purchaser
+with two useless mouths. Do you catch on; thick-head? No, for you look
+at me with a ferocious and stupefied air. I repeat that if I had been
+obliged to buy the two children in one lot with you, or even if they had
+been given to me to boot, in the market, like old Pierce-Skin, my first
+care would have been to have put you up for sale without them. Do you
+understand at last, double and triple block that you are?"</p>
+
+<p>At last I did understand; heretofore I had not dreamed of such
+refinement of torture in slavery. To think that my two children, if
+alive, might be sold, I know not where, or to whom, and taken far from
+me! I had not thought it possible. My heart swelled with grief. So great
+was my suffering that I almost supplicated the "horse-dealer." I said to
+him:</p>
+
+<p>"You are deceiving me. What can my children do? Who would wish to buy
+such poor little things, so young? useless mouths&mdash;as you said
+yourself?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, those who carry on the trade in children have a separate and
+assured patronage, especially if the children are favored with pretty
+features. Are your young ones good-looking?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," I answered in spite of myself. Before me was the vision of the
+charming fair faces of my little Sylvest and Syomara, who looked as much
+alike as twins and whom I had embraced a moment before the battle of
+Vannes. "Oh yes, they were good-looking. They were like their mother,
+who was so beautiful&mdash;!"</p>
+
+<p>"If they had good looks, be easy, my fine Bull. They will be easy to
+dispose of. The dealers in children have for their especial patrons the
+decrepit and surfeited Roman Senators, who love fresh fruits. By the
+way, they have announced the near arrival of the patrician Trymalcion,
+a very rich and very noble man, an old and very capricious expert. He is
+traveling through the Roman colonies of southern Gaul, and is expected
+here, they say, on his galley which is as splendid as a palace. No doubt
+he would like to take back to Italy some graceful specimens of Gallic
+brats. If your children are pretty, their fate is assured, for the
+patrician Trymalcion is one of my partner's patrician customers."<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a></p>
+
+<p>At first I listened to the "horse-dealer," without catching his meaning.
+But I was presently seized with a vertigo of horror at the idea that my
+children, who might unfortunately have escaped the death which their
+far-sighted mother had intended for them, might be carried to Italy to
+fulfill such a monstrous destiny. I felt neither anger nor fury, but a
+grief so great, and a fear so terrible, that I kneeled on the straw, and
+in spite of my manacles, stretched my pleading hands toward the
+"horse-dealer." Not finding words to utter my feelings, I wept,
+kneeling.</p>
+
+<p>The "horse-dealer" looked at me in great surprise, and said:</p>
+
+<p>"Well, well! What is it, my fine Bull? What ails you?"</p>
+
+<p>"My children!" was all I could say, for sobs choked me. "My children! if
+they are living!"</p>
+
+<p>"Your children?"</p>
+
+<p>"What you said&mdash;the fate that awaits them&mdash;if they are sold to those
+men&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"How? Their fate causes you alarm?"</p>
+
+<p>"Hesus! Hesus!" I exclaimed, calling on the god in my lamentation. "It
+is horrible!"</p>
+
+<p>"Are you going crazy?" demanded the "horse-dealer." "And what is there
+so horrible in the fate which awaits your children? Ah, what barbarians
+you are in Gaul, indeed. But, know: there is no life easier nor more
+flowery than that of these little flute-players and dancers with which
+these rich old fellows amuse themselves. If you could see them, the
+little rogues, their foreheads crowned with roses, their flowery robes
+spangled with gold, their rich earrings adorning their heads. And the
+little girls, if you could see them with their tunics and&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>I could contain myself no longer. A bloody mist passed before my eyes.
+Furiously and desperately I leapt on the vile fellow. But my chain again
+tightening sharply, I stumbled and fell back on the straw. I looked
+around me&mdash;not a stick nor a stone. Then, crazed with rage, I doubled
+upon my chain, and gnawed at it like a wild animal.</p>
+
+<p>"What a brute of a Gaul!" exclaimed the "horse-dealer," shrugging his
+shoulders, and keeping well out of reach. "There he is, roaring and
+jumping and grinding at his chain like a staked wolf, and all because he
+has been told that his children, if they are pretty, are to live in the
+midst of wealth, ease and pleasure! What would it have been, then, fool
+that you are, if they were ugly or deformed? Do you know to whom they
+would have been sold? They would have been sold to those rich lords, who
+are so curious to read the future in the palpitating entrails of
+children freshly slaughtered for divination."<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Hesus!" I cried, filled with hope at the thought, "let it be so
+with mine, despite their beauty! Oh, death for them! Only let them enter
+the other world in their innocence, and live near their chaste mother."
+I could no longer hold back my tears.</p>
+
+<p>"Friend Bull," began the "horse-dealer" in a dissatisfied tone, "I was
+not a bit mistaken in putting you down in my tablet as violent and
+hot-headed. But I fear lest you have a fault worse than these&mdash;I mean a
+tendency towards tears. I have seen sullen slaves melt away like the
+snows of winter under a spring sun, dry up like parchment, and cause
+great loss to their owners by their pitiful appearance. So, look out for
+yourself. There remain but fifteen days before the auction at which you
+are to be sold. It is a short while to restore you to your natural
+fleshiness, to give you a fresh and rested complexion, a sleek and
+supple skin, in short, all those signs of vigor and health which allure
+the experts, jealous of possessing a sound and robust slave. To obtain
+this result, I wish to spare nothing, neither good food, nor care, nor
+any of those little artifices known to us to make our merchandise show
+off to advantage. On your part you must second my efforts. But if, on
+the contrary, you do not get over your fits of anger, if you begin to
+weep, if you begin to make yourself miserable, to waste away, so to
+speak, vainly dreaming of your children, instead of affording me honor
+and profit by your good figure, as a good slave should who is jealous
+of his master's interests,&mdash;beware, friend Bull, beware! I am not a
+novice in my business. I have carried it on for many years and in many
+lands. I have subdued more intractable fellows than you. I have made
+Sardinians docile, and Sarmatians as gentle as lambs, so you can judge
+of my skill.<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a> Therefore, believe me, do not expect yourself to cause
+me harm by pining away. I am very mild, very gentle. I am not at all
+fond of chastisements; often they leave marks which lower a slave's
+value. Nevertheless, if you oblige me to, you will make the acquaintance
+of the jail for recalcitrants. Consider that, friend Bull. It will soon
+be meal-time; the physician says that you can now be put upon a
+substantial diet. You will be brought boiled chicken, oatmeal wet with
+gravy of roast sheep, good bread, and some good wine and water. I shall
+know whether you have eaten with a good appetite and in a manner to
+recuperate your strength, instead of losing it in weeping. So then, eat;
+it is the only way of gaining my favor. Eat plenty, eat often&mdash;I'll see
+that you have it. You will never eat too much to please me, for you are
+far from being well-fed, and that's what you must be, well-fed, before
+fifteen days, the time of the auction. I leave you to these reflections;
+pray the gods that they improve you. If not&mdash;oh, if not, I weep for you,
+friend Bull."</p>
+
+<p>So saying the "horse-dealer" shut the heavy door of the room behind him,
+leaving me chained within.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h3>
+
+<p class="head">THE LAST CALL TO ARMS.</p>
+
+
+<p>But for my uncertainty concerning the fate of my children, immediately
+upon the "horse-dealer's" departure I would have killed myself by
+butting my head against the wall of my prison, or by refusing all
+nourishment. Many Gauls had thus escaped the doom of slavery. But I felt
+that I should not die before doing what I could to snatch them from the
+destiny which menaced them.</p>
+
+<p>I examined my room to see whether, my strength once restored, there was
+any chance for escape. Three sides of the room were solid wall, the
+other was a thick partition re-enforced with beams, between two of which
+opened the door which was always carefully bolted without. A bar of iron
+crossed the window, leaving an opening too narrow to give me passage. I
+examined my chain, and the rings, one of which was riveted to my leg,
+the other to one of the cross-bars of the bed. It was impossible for me
+to unchain myself, even at my greatest strength. I then thought of a
+plan, a trick, to put myself in the good graces of the "horse-dealer,"
+so as to obtain from him information of my little Sylvest and Syomara.
+With that end in view, it would not do to repine, to appear sad or
+afraid of the lot reserved for the children. I feared I might not be
+able to carry out the role, for I came of a race unaccustomed to deceit
+and lying. The Gauls either triumphed or died.</p>
+
+<p>On the evening of that same day when, regaining consciousness, I had
+become aware of my slavery, I witnessed a spectacle of terrible
+grandeur. It raised my courage. I could no longer despair for the safety
+and liberty of Gaul. The night was about to fall, when I heard the
+tramping of several troops of cavalry arriving at a walk in the great
+public square of Vannes, which I could see from the narrow window of my
+prison. I looked out, and beheld the following scene.</p>
+
+<p>Two cohorts of Roman infantry, and one of cavalry, both in battle array,
+surrounded a vacant space, in the middle of which rose a large scaffold
+of timber. On the platform was a heavy block, such as is used for
+chopping meat on. Beside the block stood a Moor of gigantic stature and
+bronzed of color. His arms and legs were bare, his hair was bound with a
+scarlet band; he wore a coat and a pair of short trousers of tanned
+skin, splashed here and there with dark red; in his hand was an axe.</p>
+
+<p>In the distance sounded the long clarions of the Romans, playing a
+funeral march. The sound drew nearer. One of the cohorts that were drawn
+up on the square opened its ranks, forming a double row. Through this
+lane the clarioneers entered. They preceded a troop of steel-clad
+legionaries. After the troop came the prisoners taken in the Gallic
+army, tied two and two. Then came the women and children, also in
+bonds. More than two stone's throws separated me from these captives. At
+such a distance I could not distinguish their features, try as I might.
+Nevertheless, my little son and daughter might be among them. The
+prisoners, of all ages and sexes, closed in by the two rows of soldiers,
+were stationed at the foot of the platform. Still more troops marched
+into the square; after them, five and twenty captives were led in, in
+single file, but not chained. I recognized them by their free and
+haughty pace. They were the chiefs and elders of the town and tribe of
+Vannes, all white-haired fathers.<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a> Among them, marching last, I
+distinguished two druids and a bard of the college of the forest of
+Karnak, marked, the first by their long white robes, the second by his
+tunic striped with purple. Then appeared more Roman infantry; finally,
+between two escorts of white-robed Numidian cavalry, Caesar, on
+horse-back, in the midst of his officers. I recognized the scourge of
+Gaul by his armor, which was the same he wore when, aided by my brother
+Mikael the armorer, I was carrying him off in full panoply on my horse.
+Oh, how at the sight of the man I cursed anew my stupid astonishment,
+that so unfortunately proved the safety of my country's butcher.</p>
+
+<p>Caesar drew rein a short distance from the platform, and made a sign
+with his hand. Immediately the twenty-five prisoners, the bard and
+druids passing last, mounted with calm tread the steps of the scaffold.
+One by one they placed their white heads on the block, and each one of
+the venerable heads, stricken off by the axe of the Moor, rolled at the
+feet of the bound captives.</p>
+
+<p>The bard and the two druids were the only ones left. The three rushed
+together in a final embrace, they raised their faces and their hands
+towards heaven, and intoned in a loud voice the song of Hena, the virgin
+of the isle of Sen, uttered at the hour of her voluntary sacrifice on
+the rocks of Karnak, that song which had been the signal for the rising
+of Brittany against the Romans:</p>
+
+<p>"Hesus, Hesus! By the blood which is about to flow, clemency for Gaul!"</p>
+
+<p>"Gauls, by the blood which is about to flow, victory to our arms!"</p>
+
+<p>And the bard added:</p>
+
+<p>"The Chief of the Hundred Valleys is safe. There is hope for our arms!"</p>
+
+<p>Thereupon all the Gallic captives, men, women, and children present at
+the execution, all together repeated the last words of the druids,
+acclaiming them with so powerful a voice that the air shook even in my
+prison. After that supreme chant, the three placed their sacred heads in
+turn upon the block, and went the same way as the elders of Vannes. As
+the bard's and the druids' heads rolled upon the scaffold, all the
+captives took up the war-cry of the druids&mdash;"Strike the Roman! Strike at
+the head!"&mdash;in a voice so fierce and menacing that the legionaries,
+lowering their lances, hurriedly surrounded the unarmed and chained
+prisoners in a circle of iron, bristling with lance heads. But that
+mighty voice of their brothers and sisters had reached the wounded men
+shut up in the slave-shed, and all, myself included, answered the
+refrain:</p>
+
+<p>"Strike the Roman! Strike! Strike at the head! Strike the Roman hard!"</p>
+
+<p>Thus ended the war in Brittany. Thus ended the call to arms made by the
+druids from the heights of the sacred rocks of the forest of Karnak,
+after the sacrifice of Hena&mdash;the call to arms that led to the battle of
+Vannes. But in my lonely cell I did not yet lose hope. Our native Gaul,
+although invaded on all sides, would still resist. The Chief of the
+Hundred Valleys, forced to leave Brittany, had gone to arouse the
+regions still unvanquished.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h3>
+
+<p class="head">THE SLAVES' TOILET.</p>
+
+
+<p>Night fell, and with it my spirits, in my lonely prison.</p>
+
+<p>Hesus! Hesus! I was left to the torture, not alone of my thoughts about
+my sacred and beloved country, but also of my reflections concerning the
+misfortunes of my family. Alas, at every wound inflicted upon our
+country our families bleed.</p>
+
+<p>Forcibly resigned to my lot, I little by little regained my natural
+strength, encouraged each day by the hope of obtaining from the
+"horse-dealer" some intelligence of my children. I described them to him
+as accurately as possible. Every day his report was that among the
+captives seen there were none answering to my description, but that
+several merchants made a practice of hiding their choice slaves from all
+eyes until the day of the public sale. The dealer also informed me that
+the patrician Trymalcion, whose very name now made me shudder with
+horror, had arrived at Vannes in his galley.</p>
+
+<p>The evening before the sale, the dealer entered my room. It was, almost
+dark. He brought in the meal himself, and waited on me. He brought as an
+extra a flagon of old Gallic wine.</p>
+
+<p>"Friend Bull," said he, with his habitual joviality, "I am satisfied
+with you. Your skin is almost filled up. You have no more crazy spells
+of anger, and if you don't appear exceedingly joyous, at least I no
+longer find you sad and tearful. We will drink this flagon together, to
+your happy placing with a good master, and to the gain which I shall get
+by you."</p>
+
+<p>"No," I answered, "I shall not drink."</p>
+
+<p>"And why not?"</p>
+
+<p>"Servitude sours wine, especially the wine of the country where one was
+born."</p>
+
+<p>"You respond ill to my kindness. You do not wish to drink? Suit
+yourself. I would have liked to empty one cup to your happy placing, and
+a second to your reunion with your children. I have my reasons for the
+latter."</p>
+
+<p>"What say you!" I cried aloud, filled with hope and anguish. "You know
+something about them?"</p>
+
+<p>"I know nothing about them," he answered curtly, rising to go out. "You
+refuse my friendly advance. You have supped well&mdash;now sleep well."</p>
+
+<p>"But what do you know of my children? Speak, I beg you, speak!"</p>
+
+<p>"Wine alone loosens my tongue, friend Bull, and I am not one of those
+men who loves to drink by himself. You are too proud to empty a cup with
+your master. Sleep well till to-morrow, the day of the auction."</p>
+
+<p>He took another step toward the door. I feared that by refusing to yield
+to the man's fancy I would anger him, and above all lose the chance of
+obtaining news of my beloved children.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you really wish it?" I said. "Then I shall drink, and especially
+shall I drink to the hope of soon meeting my son and daughter."</p>
+
+<p>"You pray well," answered the "horse-dealer" approaching his chattel,
+but keeping the chain's length away; then he poured me a full cup of
+wine, and another for himself. I later recollected that the man had held
+the cup a long time to his lips, but without my being able to see
+whether he drank or not. "Come," he added. "Come, let us drink to the
+good gain I shall make on you!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, let us drink to the hope of meeting my children."</p>
+
+<p>I emptied my cup. The wine seemed excellent.</p>
+
+<p>"I made you a promise," began the dealer, "I shall keep my promise. You
+told me that the chariot which held your family on the day of the battle
+of Vannes was harnessed to four black oxen?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"Four black oxen, with a little white mark in the middle of their
+foreheads?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, all four were brothers, and alike," I answered, unable to repress
+a sigh at the thought of that fine yoke, raised on our own meadows,
+which my father and mother had always admired.</p>
+
+<p>"Those oxen carried on their necks leathern collars trimmed with little
+brass bells like this one?" continued the "horse-dealer," fumbling in
+his pocket, out of which he drew a little brass bell that he held up
+before me.</p>
+
+<p>I recognized it. It had been made by my brother Mikael, the armorer,
+and bore the mark with which he stamped all the articles of his
+fashioning.</p>
+
+<p>"This bell comes from our oxen," I answered. "Will you give it to me? It
+has no value."</p>
+
+<p>"What," asked the dealer, laughing, "do you want to hang bells at your
+neck too, friend Bull? It is your right. Here, take it. I brought it
+only to know from you if the yoke it came from was of your family's
+chariot."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," I replied, putting the bell into my breeches pocket, as, perhaps,
+the only reminder of the past which might be left to me. "Yes, that yoke
+was ours. But it seems to me that I saw two of the oxen fall wounded in
+the fight."</p>
+
+<p>"You are not mistaken. Two of the oxen were killed in the battle. The
+other two, though slightly wounded, are alive, and were bought by one of
+my companions, who also bought three children left in the chariot. Two
+of them, a little boy and a little girl of about eight or nine, still
+had the cord around their necks. But my companion who found them was
+luckily able to bring them back to life."</p>
+
+<p>"Where is that merchant?" I asked, in a tremble.</p>
+
+<p>"Here, at Vannes. You will see him to-morrow. We drew lots for our
+places at the auction, our stands are opposite to each other. If the
+children he is to sell are yours, you will be near them."</p>
+
+<p>"Shall I be really close?"</p>
+
+<p>"You will be as close to them as twice the length of your room. But why
+do you press your hands to your forehead?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know. It is a long time since I have drunk wine. The glow of
+what you poured out to me has gone to my head&mdash;a few seconds ago&mdash;I feel
+giddy."</p>
+
+<p>"That proves, friend Bull, that my wine is generous," answered the
+"horse-dealer" with a strange smile, and stepping out, he called to one
+of the keepers. Presently he returned with a chest under his arm. He
+carefully shut the door, and hung a piece of curtain before the window,
+to prevent anyone looking from without into the room, which was now
+lighted by a lamp. That done, he again passed his eyes very attentively
+over me, without saying a word, all the while opening his chest, from
+which he took several flasks, sponges, a little silver vase with a long
+curved tube, and also several instruments, one of which seemed very
+keen. I watched my master closely, feeling an inexplicable numbness
+gradually creeping over me. My heavy eye-lids fell once or twice in
+spite of myself. I had been seated on my bed of straw, to which I was
+still chained; but now I was compelled to lean my head against the wall,
+so heavy had it grown. Noticing the effect of the wine upon me, the
+"horse-dealer" said:</p>
+
+<p>"Friend Bull, do not be disturbed at what is happening to you."</p>
+
+<p>"What&mdash;" I answered, trying to shake off my stupor, "What is happening
+to me?"</p>
+
+<p>"You feel a sort of half-drowse creeping over you in spite of your
+resistance."</p>
+
+<p>"True."</p>
+
+<p>"You hear me, you see me, but as if your ears and eyes were covered with
+a veil."</p>
+
+<p>"It is true," I murmured, for my voice also was growing weak, and
+without experiencing any pain, my whole life seemed to be little by
+little ebbing out. Nevertheless, I made an effort, and said to the man:</p>
+
+<p>"Why am I in this condition!"</p>
+
+<p>"Because I have prepared you for the slaves' toilet."</p>
+
+<p>"A toilet?"</p>
+
+<p>"I possess, friend Bull, certain magic philters to increase the
+attractiveness of my merchandise. Although you are now quite well filled
+out, the deprivation of exercise and the open air, the fever which your
+wounds caused, the sadness which captivity always occasions, and many
+other things, have dried and dulled your skin, and turned you yellow.
+But thanks to my philters, to-morrow morning you will have a skin as
+fresh and sleek, and a color as ruddy as if you were coming in from the
+fields some lovely spring morning, my fine rustic. That appearance will
+last barely a day or two, but I expect, by Jupiter, to have you sold by
+to-morrow evening, free to turn yellow and waste away under your new
+master. So I am going to commence by stripping you, and anointing you
+with this preparation of oil." The "horse-dealer" unlocked one of his
+flasks.<a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a></p>
+
+<p>The performance affected me as so deep a disgrace put upon my dignity,
+that in spite of the numbness which was more and more depressing me, I
+sprang to my feet, and shaking my hands and arms, then unshackled, cried
+out:</p>
+
+<p>"To-day I have no manacles on. If you come near I will strangle you!"</p>
+
+<p>"I foresaw all that, friend Bull," chuckled the "horse-dealer," calmly
+pouring the oil of his flask into a vase and soaking a sponge in it. "I
+knew you would get hot and resist. I might have had you bound by the
+keepers, but in your violence you would have bruised your limbs, a
+detestable sign for the sale. These bruises always denote a stubborn
+slave. And all the time, what cries you would have let out! What a
+rebellion, when your head had to be shaved, in token of your slavery!"</p>
+
+<p>At this last insulting threat, I called up all my remaining strength. I
+arose, and threateningly cried out at the dealer:</p>
+
+<p>"By Ritha-Gaur, the saint of the Gauls, who made himself a shirt of the
+beards of the kings he had shaved, if you dare to touch a single hair of
+my head, I'll kill you!"<a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, oh! Reassure yourself, friend Bull," answered the "horse-dealer,"
+pointing to his little sharp instrument. "Reassure yourself. I shall not
+cut a single one of your hairs&mdash;but all."</p>
+
+<p>I could retain my standing position no longer. Swaying on my legs like a
+drunken man, I fell back on the straw, and heard the "horse-dealer"
+burst out laughing, and, while still pointing at his steel instrument,
+say:</p>
+
+<p>"Thanks to this, your forehead will soon be as bald as that of the great
+Caesar, whom, you say, you carried on your horse in full armor. And the
+magic philter which you drank in that Gallic wine will put you at my
+mercy, quiet as a corpse."</p>
+
+<p>The "horse-dealer" spoke true. These words were the last I remember. A
+leaden torpor fell upon me, and I lost all knowledge of what was done
+with me.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h3>
+
+<p class="head">SOLD INTO BONDAGE.</p>
+
+
+<p>The experience of that evening was only the prelude for a horrid day, a
+day doubly horrid due to the mystery that surrounded it.</p>
+
+<p>Aye, to this hour, when I write this for you, O my son Sylvest, to the
+end that from this truthful and detailed account, in which I recite to
+you one by one the torments and the indignities heaped upon our country
+and our race, you may contract a hate implacable for the Romans, while
+awaiting the day of vengeance and deliverance;&mdash;aye, to this hour the
+mysteries of that horrid day of sale are still impenetrable to me,
+unless they be explained by the sorceries of the "horse-dealer," many of
+his people being given to magic. But our venerable druids affirm that
+magic does not exist.</p>
+
+<p>The day of the auction I was roused from my stupor by my master. I had
+slept profoundly. I remembered what had occurred the previous evening.
+My first movement was to carry my hands to my head. It was shaved, and
+my beard also! A thrill of anguish shot through me at the discovery; but
+instead of flying into a rage, as I would have done the evening before,
+I only shed a few tears, fearfully regarding the "horse-dealer." Aye, I
+cried before that man&mdash;aye, I looked at him with fear.</p>
+
+<p>What could have come over me during the night? Was I still under the
+influence of the philter poured into the wine? No, my torpor had gone. I
+found myself active of body, and in sound mind, but in character and
+heart I found myself softened, enervated, timid,&mdash;and, why not say the
+word?&mdash;cowardly! Aye, cowardly! I, Guilhern, son of Joel, the brenn of
+the tribe of Karnak. I looked timidly around me. Every minute my heart
+seemed to sink, and tears came to my eyes, as formerly the flush of
+anger and pride had mantled my forehead. Of this inexplicable
+transformation, due, perhaps, to sorcery, I was dimly conscious and
+wondered thereat. Down to this day, when I recall the incident, I
+wonder, and none of the details of the horrid day has escaped from my
+memory.</p>
+
+<p>The "horse-dealer" observed me in silence with an air of triumph. He had
+left me my breeches only. I was stripped to the waist. I was seated on
+my bed of straw. The dealer addressed me:</p>
+
+<p>"Get up!" said he.</p>
+
+<p>I hastened to obey. My master drew from his pocket a steel mirror,
+handed it to me, and resumed:</p>
+
+<p>"Look at yourself!"</p>
+
+<p>I looked at myself. Thanks to the witch-craft of my master, my cheeks
+were red, my face clear, as if awful misfortune had not settled upon me
+and my family. Nevertheless, on seeing for the first time in the mirror
+my face and head completely shaved, as the badge of my bondage, I shed
+fresh tears, but tried to hide them from the "horse-dealer," for fear
+of annoying him. He replaced the mirror in his pocket, took from the
+table a braided wreath of beech leaves,<a name="FNanchor_25_25" id="FNanchor_25_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a> and said:</p>
+
+<p>"Put your head down."</p>
+
+<p>I obeyed. The dealer put the wreath on my head. Then he took a parchment
+on which were written several lines in large Roman characters, and hung
+the inscription on my chest by means of two strings which he tied behind
+my neck. Over my shoulders he threw a woolen covering. Then he opened
+the secret spring which held my chain to the end of the bed, and
+fastened it to another iron ring which had been riveted on my other
+ankle during my heavy sleep. This way, although chained by both legs, I
+could still walk with short steps. Finally, my hands were bound behind
+me.</p>
+
+<p>Obedient to the "horse-dealer's" orders, whom I followed as quiet and
+submissive as a dog does his master, I descended the stairs which led
+from my cell to the shed. The descent was affected not without pain to
+my limbs owing to the shortness of the chain. In the shed I found
+several captives, among whom I had passed my first night, lying upon
+straw. No doubt their recovery was far enough advanced to admit of their
+being put up for sale. Other slaves whose heads had likewise been
+shaved, either by trick or by force, also wore wreaths on their
+foreheads, inscriptions on their breasts, handcuffs on their hands and
+heavy shackles on their feet. They had started, under the supervision of
+armed keepers, to defile by a door which opened on the town square. It
+was there the auction sale was to be held. Nearly all the captives
+seemed to me to be mournful, depressed and submissive like myself. They
+lowered their eyes like men ashamed to look at one another. Among the
+last, I recognized two or three men of my own tribe. One of them passed
+close to me, and said in a low voice:</p>
+
+<p>"Guilhern, we are shaven; but hair will grow again, and nails also."</p>
+
+<p>I comprehended that the Gaul wished to give me to understand that some
+day would come the hour of vengeance. But in the great cowardice which
+paralyzed me since my awakening, such was my fear of the "horse-dealer"
+that I pretended not to understand my countryman.<a name="FNanchor_26_26" id="FNanchor_26_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_26_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a></p>
+
+<p>The space engaged by the "horse-dealer" for the auction was not a great
+way from the shed where we had been kept prisoners. We speedily arrived
+at a sort of booth or stall, surrounded on three sides by planks,
+covered with canvas, and with the floor strewn with straw. Other booths,
+similar to it, were arranged to the right and left of a long space like
+a street. In this space Roman officers and soldiery walked in crowds,
+together with the buyers and sellers of slaves and various other men who
+follow in the wake of armies. They looked at the captives chained in the
+booths with a jeering and insulting curiosity. My master had informed
+me that his stall in the market was directly opposite that of his
+companion in whose possession were the two children. A cloth was lowered
+over the opening. I only heard, a few moments later, imprecations and
+piercing shrieks, mingled with mournful moans, from women, who were
+crying in Gallic:</p>
+
+<p>"Death, death, but not disgrace!"</p>
+
+<p>"Those timorous fools are playing the vestals, because they are stripped
+naked to be shown to the customers," said the "horse-dealer," who had
+kept near me. Presently he took me to the rear of the booth. On the way
+I counted nine captives, some in their youth, others middle-aged, and
+only two were past their prime. Some were seated on the straw, their
+faces turned down to escape the looks of the curious, others were lying
+prone, their faces to the ground; a few stood erect casting fierce
+glances around them. The keepers, their scourges in their hands, their
+swords at their sides, kept watch. The "horse-dealer" pointed to a
+wooden cage, a sort of large box at the back of the booth, and said to
+me:</p>
+
+<p>"Friend Bull, you are the pearl, the carbuncle of my assortment. Enter
+this cage. The comparisons which would be made between you and my other
+slaves would lower their value too much. As a thrifty merchant, I will
+try to sell first what is of least value. One sells the small fry before
+the big fish."<a name="FNanchor_27_27" id="FNanchor_27_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a></p>
+
+<p>I obeyed. I went into the cage, and the door was closed upon me. I
+found that I could stand up. An opening through the top permitted me to
+breathe without being seen from the outside. Just then a bell sounded.
+It was the signal for the sale. On all sides arose the squeaky voices of
+the auctioneers announcing the bids of the purchasers of human flesh.
+The merchants bragged their slaves in the Roman tongue, and invited the
+purchaser into their booths. Several customers entered to inspect the
+"horse-dealer's" stock. Without understanding the words that he spoke, I
+guessed by the inflections of his voice that he strove to capture them,
+while the auctioneer all the while called out the bids. From time to
+time a loud tumult arose in the booth, mingled with the sound of the
+keepers' lashes, and the curses of the dealer. Evidently they were
+scourging some of my companions in slavery who refused to follow the new
+master to whom they had been "knocked down." But speedily the clamor
+ceased, choked off by the gag. Other times I heard the trampings of a
+confused struggle, desperate, though muffled. These struggles also came
+to an end under the efforts of the keepers. I was frightened at the
+courage displayed by the captives. I no longer understood resistance or
+boldness. I was plunged into my cowardly sluggishness. All at once the
+door of my cage opened, and the "horse-dealer" cried out in great glee:</p>
+
+<p>"All sold, save you, my pearl, my carbuncle. And by Mercury, to whom I
+promise an offering in recognition of my day's profits, I believe I have
+found for you a purchaser by private contract."</p>
+
+<p>My master made me step out of my cage; I traversed the booth, in which I
+saw not a single slave left. I found myself face to face with a gray
+haired man, of a cold, hard countenance. He wore the military dress,
+limped very badly, and supported himself on a vine-wood cane, which was
+the mark of the centurion rank in the Roman army. The dealer lifted from
+my shoulders the woolen covering in which I was wrapped, and left me
+stripped to the waist; he then made me get out of my breeches also. My
+master, with the air of a man proud of his merchandise, thus exposed my
+nakedness to the customer. Several of the curious, assembled outside of
+the stall, looked in and contemplated me. I dropped my eyes in shame and
+sorrow, not in anger.</p>
+
+<p>After the prospective purchaser read the writing which hung from my
+neck, he looked me over carefully, answering with affirmative nods of
+the head to what the merchant, with his usual volubility, was saying to
+him in Latin. Often he stopped to measure, with his spread out fingers,
+the size of my chest, the thickness of my arms, or the width of my
+shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>His first examination must have pleased the centurion, for my master
+said to me: "Be proud for your master, friend Bull, your build is found
+faultless. 'See'&mdash;I just said to the customer&mdash;'would not the Grecian
+sculptors have taken this superb slave as a model for a Hercules?' My
+customer agreed with me. Now you must show him that your strength and
+agility are not inferior to your appearance."</p>
+
+<p>My master pointed to a lead weight in readiness for the trial, and said
+to me while loosening my arms:</p>
+
+<p>"Now put on your breeches again, then take this weight in your two
+hands, lift it over your head, and hold it there as long as you can."</p>
+
+<p>I was about, in my stupid docility, to do as I was bid, when the
+centurion stooped towards the weight, and attempted to lift it from the
+ground, which he did, with much difficulty, while my master said to me:</p>
+
+<p>"This mischievous cripple is as foxy as myself. He knows that many
+dealers use hollow weights which appear to weigh two or three times as
+much as they actually do. Come, friend Bull, show this suspicious fellow
+that you are as powerful as you are well built."</p>
+
+<p>My strength was not yet entirely returned. Nevertheless, I took the
+heavy weight in my hands, throwing it over my head, and balanced it
+there a moment. A vague idea flitted at that instant across my mind to
+let the weight fall on my master's skull, and thus crush him at my feet.
+But that gleam of my bygone courage died out, and I dropped the weight
+on the ground. The lame Roman seemed satisfied.</p>
+
+<p>"Better and better, friend Bull," said my master to me, "by Hercules,
+your patron god, never did a slave do more honor to his owner. Your
+strength is demonstrated. Now let us witness your agility. Two keepers
+will hold this wooden bar about half a yard from the ground. Although
+your feet are in chains, you will jump over the bar several times.
+Nothing will better prove the strength and nimbleness of your muscles."</p>
+
+<p>In spite of my recent wounds, and the weight of my chain, I leaped
+several times with my joined feet over the bar, to the increasing
+satisfaction of the centurion.<a name="FNanchor_28_28" id="FNanchor_28_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_28_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a></p>
+
+<p>"Better and better," repeated my master. "You are proven as strong as
+you are powerfully built, and as limber as both. It now remains to
+exhibit the inoffensive gentleness of your nature. As to this last
+proof, I am, in advance, certain of your success," saying which he again
+bound my hands behind my back.</p>
+
+<p>At first I did not understand what the dealer meant. But he took a
+scourge from the hand of a keeper, and pointing with its handle to me,
+spoke to the purchaser in a low voice. The latter made a gesture of
+assent, and my master passed the scourge over to the centurion.</p>
+
+<p>"The old fox, still suspicious, fears that I would not strike you hard
+enough, friend Bull," my master explained to me. "Come, do not make a
+slip. Do me this last honor, and gain me this last profit, by showing
+that you endure chastisement patiently."</p>
+
+<p>Hardly had he pronounced the words, when the cripple rained a shower of
+blows on my shoulders and chest. I felt neither shame nor indignation,
+only pain. I fell down on my knees in tears and begged for mercy.
+Outside, the curious crowd, gathered at the door, roared with laughter.</p>
+
+<p>The centurion, surprised at so much resignation in a Gaul, dropped the
+whip, and looked at my master who by his gesture seemed to say:</p>
+
+<p>"Did I deceive you?"</p>
+
+<p>Thereupon, patting me with the flat of his hand on my lacerated back,
+the same as one would pat an animal that pleased him, my master said to
+me:</p>
+
+<p>"If you are a bull for strength, you are a lamb for meekness. I expected
+so. Now some questions as to your laborer's trade, and the sale is
+concluded. The customer wishes to know in what place you were employed."</p>
+
+<p>"In the tribe of Karnak," I answered, with a cowardly sigh, "there my
+family and I cultivated the lands of our fathers."</p>
+
+<p>The "horse-dealer" reported my answer to the cripple, who seemed both
+surprised and pleased. He exchanged a few words with the dealer, who
+continued:</p>
+
+<p>"The customer asks where the lands and house of your fathers were
+situated."</p>
+
+<p>"Not far to the east of the rocks of Karnak, on the heights of Craig'h."</p>
+
+<p>At this answer the Roman was so pleased that he seemed hardly to believe
+what he heard, and the "horse-dealer" turned to me:</p>
+
+<p>"That cripple beats all for distrustfulness. To be certain that I do not
+deceive him, and that I have translated your words faithfully to him, he
+demands that you trace before him on the sand, the position of the lands
+and house of your family with reference to the rocks of Karnak and the
+sea-shore. Unfortunately I don't know his reasons, for if it were a
+convenience to him, I would make him pay for it. But do as he bids
+you."</p>
+
+<p>My hands were once more loosed. I took the handle of a lash from one of
+the keepers, and traced with it on the sand, followed by the eager eyes
+of the centurion, the location of the rocks of Karnak and the coast of
+Craig'h, and then the place of our dwelling to the east of Karnak.</p>
+
+<p>The cripple clapped his hands for joy. He drew from his pocket a long
+purse, took out a certain number of gold pieces, and offered them to the
+"horse-dealer." After a long chaffer, seller and buyer finally reached
+an agreement.</p>
+
+<p>"By Mercury," said the dealer to me; "I have sold you for thirty-eight
+sous of gold, one-half cash as a deposit, the other half at the close of
+the market, when the lame fellow will come to fetch you. Was I wrong
+when I called you the carbuncle of my stock?" After exchanging a few
+words with the centurion, he turned to me:</p>
+
+<p>"Your new master&mdash;and I can understand it, seeing he has paid so good a
+price for you&mdash;your new master is of the opinion that you are not
+chained securely enough. He wants clogs fastened to your chain. He will
+come for you in a chariot."</p>
+
+<p>In addition to my chain, I was loaded down with two heavy clogs of iron,
+which would have prevented me from moving except by leaping with both
+feet; even if I could lift so heavy a weight. My manacles were carefully
+inspected and locked on my wrists, and I sat down in a corner of the
+stall while the dealer counted and recounted his gold.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h3>
+
+<p class="head">THE BOOTH ACROSS THE WAY.</p>
+
+
+<p>While I sat in my former master's stall awaiting the arrival of my new
+purchaser to take me away, the cloth that covered the entrance of the
+opposite stall was raised.</p>
+
+<p>On one side were three beautiful young women, the same, I doubted not,
+who a little before had filled the air with groans and supplications
+while their clothes were being torn off them, in order to exhibit their
+charms to purchasers. They were still half nude, their feet bare,
+plastered with chalk<a name="FNanchor_29_29" id="FNanchor_29_29"></a><a href="#Footnote_29_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a> and fastened by rings to a long iron bar.
+Huddled close together, these three held one another in such close
+embrace that two of them, still crushed down with shame, hid their faces
+in the bosom of the third. The latter, pale and somber, hung her head,
+letting her disheveled black hair fall before her bruised and naked
+breast&mdash;bruised no doubt in the vain struggle against the keepers who
+disrobed her. A short distance from them, two little children, three or
+four years old, bound around their waists merely by a light cord
+fastened to a stake, laughed and played in the straw with the
+heedlessness common to their age. The children evidently did not belong
+to either of the three women.</p>
+
+<p>At the other side of the stall I saw a matron of the noble carriage of
+my mother Margarid. Manacles were on her wrists, shackles on her ankles.
+She was standing, leaning against a beam to which she was chained by the
+waist. She stood still as a statue; her grey hair disordered, her eyes
+fixed, her face livid and fearful. Time and again she gave vent to a
+burst of threatening and crazy laughter. Finally, at the rear of the
+stall, was a cage resembling the one which I myself had occupied. In
+that cage, if what the "horse-dealer" said was true, would be my two
+children. Tears filled my eyes. In spite of my weakness, the thought of
+my children, so close to me, caused a flush of warmth to rise to my
+face&mdash;a symptom of my returning powers.</p>
+
+<p>And now, Sylvest, my son, you for whom I write this report, read slowly
+what is now about to follow. Aye, read slowly, to the end that every
+word may imbue your soul with its indelible hatred for the Romans&mdash;a
+hatred that I feel certain must some day, the day of vengeance, break
+out with terrific force. Read, my son, and you will understand how your
+mother, after having given life to you and your sister, after having
+heaped all her tenderness upon you, could in the end give you no
+stronger proof of her maternal love than by endeavoring to kill you, to
+the end that she might carry you hence, to return to life in the other
+world at her side and in the circle of our family. Alas! You survived
+her foresight!</p>
+
+<p>This, my son, is what happened!</p>
+
+<p>I had my eyes fixed on the cage in which I surmised you and your sister
+were imprisoned, when I saw an old man, richly dressed, enter the stall.
+It was the rich patrician Trymalcion, worn out as much by debauchery as
+by years. His dull, cold, corpse-like eyes seemed to look into vacancy.
+His hideously wrinkled visage was half hidden under a coat of thick
+paint. He wore a frizzled yellow wig, earrings blazing with precious
+stones, and in the girdle of his robe a large bouquet, of which his red
+plush mantle off and on allowed a glimpse.<a name="FNanchor_30_30" id="FNanchor_30_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_30_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a> He painfully dragged his
+limbs after him, leaning on the shoulders of two young slaves fifteen or
+sixteen years of age, who were luxuriously dressed, but in such a style,
+and so effeminately, that it was impossible to tell whether they were
+young men or girls. Two other and older slaves followed. One carried
+under his arm his master's thick cloak, the other a golden
+night-vessel.<a name="FNanchor_31_31" id="FNanchor_31_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_31_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a></p>
+
+<p>The proprietor of the stall hastened to receive his patrician customer
+with tokens of reverence, exchanged a few words with him, and then moved
+forward a stool on which the old man let himself down. As the seat had
+no back, one of the young slaves immediately stationed himself
+motionless behind his master, to serve him as a support, while the other
+slave lay down on the ground at a sign from the patrician, lifted his
+feet, which were encased in rich sandals, and wrapping them in a fold of
+his own robe, held them to his breast to warm them.<a name="FNanchor_32_32" id="FNanchor_32_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_32_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a></p>
+
+<p>Thus supported with his back and feet on the bodies of his slaves, the
+old man spoke some words to the merchant. The latter first pointed
+toward the three half-naked women. At sight of them, Trymalcion turned
+half way round and spat at them, as if to evince the most sovereign
+disdain.</p>
+
+<p>At this indignity, the old man's slaves and the Romans, assembled in the
+vicinity of the stall, broke into coarse laughter. Then the merchant
+pointed out to lord Trymalcion the two children playing on the straw.
+The senile debauchee shrugged his shoulders, while he uttered some
+horrible words. His words must have been horrible, because the laughter
+redoubled.</p>
+
+<p>The merchant, hoping at last to please so fastidious a customer, went up
+to the cage, opened it, and brought out three children, draped in long
+white veils which hid their faces. Two of the children corresponded in
+height to my son and daughter; the other was smaller. The smallest one
+was the first to be unveiled to the eyes of the old man. I recognized
+her as the daughter of one of my relatives, whose husband was killed in
+the defense of the chariot; the mother had killed herself with the other
+women of the family, forgetting in that supreme moment, to kill the
+little one. The girl was sickly and without beauty. Patrician Trymalcion
+looked her over rapidly and made an impatient gesture with his hand, as
+if annoyed that they should dare to offer to his sight so unattractive
+an object. She was, accordingly, taken back to the cage by a keeper. The
+other two children remained, still veiled.</p>
+
+<p>I was eagerly watching these events from the corner of the
+"horse-dealer's" stall, my arms pinioned behind my back with double iron
+manacles, my legs chained and my feet fastened by fetters of enormous
+weight. I still felt under the influence of the sorcery that had been
+practiced upon me. Nevertheless, my blood, so long frozen in my veins,
+began to circulate more and more freely. A slight tremor occasionally
+went through my limbs. The spell was breaking. I was not the only one to
+tremble. The young Gallic women and the matron, forgetting their own
+shame and despair, experienced in their hearts of maid, of wife, or
+mother, a frightful horror at the fate of the children offered to that
+detestable old man.</p>
+
+<p>Although half nude, they no longer thought of withdrawing themselves
+from the licentious looks of the spectators who were crowding at the
+entrance to the booth. Their eyes brooded with motherly terror upon the
+two veiled children, while the matron, bound to the post, her eyes
+glittering and her teeth set in impotent fury, raised her chained arms
+to heaven as if to call down the punishments of the gods upon such
+monstrosities.</p>
+
+<p>At a sign from lord Trymalcion, the veils dropped&mdash;I recognized you
+both&mdash;you, my son Sylvest and your sister Syomara. You were both pale
+and wan; you were shivering with fear. Anguish was depicted in your
+tear-bathed faces. The long blonde hair of my little girl fell upon her
+shoulders. She dared not raise her eyes, neither did you; you held each
+other by the hand, closely clasped. Despite the terror that disfigured
+her face, I beheld my daughter in her singular and infantine
+beauty&mdash;accursed beauty! At sight of her Trymalcion's dead eyes lighted
+up and glistened like glowing coals in the middle of his wrinkled,
+paint-covered visage. He stood up, stretched out his emaciated arms
+towards my daughter as if to seize his prey, while a shocking smile
+disclosed his yellow teeth. Terror-stricken, Syomara threw herself back
+and clung to your neck. The merchant quickly tore you from each other
+and brought Syomara to the old man. The latter impatiently pushed away
+with his foot the slave that crouched on the ground before him, and
+grabbing my little girl, took her between his knees. He easily subdued
+the efforts she made to escape, while she uttered piercing cries; he
+violently snapped the strings that fastened my little girl's robe, and
+stripped her half naked in order to examine her chest and shoulders.
+While this was going on, the merchant was holding you back, my son, and
+I&mdash;the father of the two victims&mdash;I, loaded with chains, beheld the
+spectacle. At the sight of this crime of the patrician Trymalcion,
+outraging the chastity of a child, the three fettered Gallic women and
+the matron made a desperate but vain effort to break from their irons,
+and began to pour out a torrent of imprecations and groans.</p>
+
+<p>Trymalcion finished complacently his disgusting examination, and said a
+few words to the merchant. Immediately a keeper replaced the robe on my
+girl, who was more dead than alive, wrapped her up in her long white
+veil, which he tied around her, and taking the slender burden under his
+arm, held himself in readiness to follow the old man, who was taking
+some gold from his purse to pay the merchant. At that moment of supreme
+despair&mdash;you and your sister, poor little ones bewildered with terror,
+cried out as if you believed you would be heard and succored:</p>
+
+<p>"Mother! Father!"</p>
+
+<p>Up to that moment I had witnessed the scene panting, almost crazy with
+grief and rage. Slowly my heart, struggling against the sorcery of the
+"horse-dealer," was gaining the upper hand. But at that cry, uttered by
+you and your sister, the charm broke with a clap. All my intelligence,
+all my courage rushed back to me. The sight of you two gave me such a
+shock, it threw me into such a transport of rage that, unable to break
+my irons, I rose upon my feet, and, with my hands still pinioned behind
+me, my legs still loaded with heavy chains, I bounded out of my stall
+with two leaps, and fell like a thunderbolt upon the old patrician. The
+shock caused the old man to roll under me. In default of the liberty of
+my hands to strangle him, I bit him in the face, near the neck. The
+"horse-dealers" and their keepers threw themselves upon me; but bearing
+with all my weight upon the hideous old debauchee, who was howling at
+the top of his voice, I kept my teeth in his flesh. The monster's blood
+filled my mouth&mdash;a shower of whip lashes and blows from sticks and
+stones rained upon me&mdash;yet I budged not. No more than our old war dog
+Deber-Trud the man-eater did I drop my prey.&mdash;No!&mdash;Like the dog, when I
+did let go, it was only to carry away between my teeth&mdash;a strip of
+flesh, a bleeding mouthful that I spat back into Trymalcion's hideous,
+tortured face, as he had spat at the Gallic women.</p>
+
+<p>"Father! Father!" you cried out to me through the tumult. Wishing then
+to approach you two, my children, I stood up, an object of terror&mdash;aye,
+terror. For a moment a circle of fear surrounded the Gallic slave, with
+his load of irons.</p>
+
+<p>"Father! Father!" you cried again, stretching out your little arms, in
+spite of the keepers who held you back. I made a bound toward you, but
+the merchant, from the top of the cage where you had been confined,
+suddenly threw a large piece of cloth over my head. At the same time I
+was seized by the legs, thrown down, and tied with a thousand bonds. The
+cloth, which covered my head and shoulders, was tied down around my
+neck, and through it they made a gap, which unfortunately permitted me
+to breathe&mdash;I had hoped to smother.</p>
+
+<p>I felt myself being carried across to my own booth, where I was thrown
+on the straw, incapable of making the slightest motion. Quite a while
+later I heard the centurion, my new master, in a sharp altercation with
+the "horse-dealer" and the merchant who had sold Syomara to Trymalcion.
+Presently they all went out. Silence reigned around me. Some time later,
+the dealer returned; he approached me; he kicked me angrily; he tore off
+the cover from my face, and said to me in a voice trembling with rage:</p>
+
+<p>"Scoundrel! Do you know what it has cost me, that mouthful of flesh you
+tore out of the face of the noble Trymalcion? Do you know, ferocious
+beast? That mouthful of flesh cost me twenty sous of gold! More than
+half of what I sold you for, for I am responsible for your misdeeds,
+wretch! while you are in my stall, double villain! So that it is I who
+have made a present of your daughter to the old man. She was sold to him
+for twenty gold sous, which I paid in his stead. He insisted upon it.
+And even so I got off cheaply. He demanded that indemnity."<a name="FNanchor_33_33" id="FNanchor_33_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_33_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a></p>
+
+<p>"That monster is not dead! Hena! he is not dead!" I cried in despair.
+"And my daughter is not dead either! Hesus, Teutates, take pity on my
+daughter!"</p>
+
+<p>"Your daughter, gallows bird! Your daughter is in Trymalcion's hands,
+and it is upon her he will wreak his revenge on you. He rejoices over
+the circumstance in advance. He sometimes is taken with savage caprices,
+and is rich enough to indulge them."</p>
+
+<p>I was unable to make answer to these words, save with long drawn out
+moans.</p>
+
+<p>"And that is not all, infamous scoundrel! I have lost the confidence of
+the centurion to whom I sold you. He reproached me with having
+outrageously deceived him; with having sold him, instead of a lamb, a
+tiger who exercised his teeth upon rich patricians. He wanted to sell
+you right back. To sell you back, as if anyone would consent to
+buy&mdash;after such an exhibition! As well buy a wild beast. Luckily for me,
+I received the deposit before witnesses. The fierceness of your nature
+will not set aside the contract; the centurion has no choice but to keep
+you. He'll keep you, I warrant, but he'll make you pay dear for your
+criminal instincts. Oh, you don't know the life that awaits you in the
+<i>ergastula</i>! You don't know&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"But my son," I asked, interrupting the "horse-dealer," well knowing
+that he would answer out of cruelty. "Is my son also sold? To whom?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sold? And who do you think would still want him? Sold? Better say given
+away. You bring bad luck to everybody, double traitor. Did not your
+ragings and the shrieks of that mis-born limb teach everyone that he is
+of your beastly blood? No one offered even an obole for him! Who would
+buy a wolf's whelp? Anyway, I was going to speak to you about that son
+of yours, to delight your father's heart. Know that he was given to boot
+by my partner at the end of the sale, to the same purchaser to whom he
+sold the grey-haired matron, who will be good to turn a mill-wheel."</p>
+
+<p>"And that purchaser," I enquired, "who is he? What is he going to do
+with my son?"</p>
+
+<p>"That purchaser is the centurion&mdash;your master!"</p>
+
+<p>"Hesus!" I exclaimed, hardly able to believe what I heard. "Hesus, you
+are kind and merciful. At least I shall have my son near me."</p>
+
+<p>"Your son near you! Then you are as stupid as you are scoundrelly. Ah,
+do you imagine that it is for your paternal contentment that your master
+has burdened himself with that wolf-cub? Do you know what your master
+said to me? 'I have only one means of subduing that savage beast you
+sold me, you egregious cheat.&mdash;The chances are, that madman loves his
+little one. I'll keep the wolf-whelp in a cage, and the son will answer
+to me for the father's docility.&mdash;At the father's first, and least
+offence, he will see the tortures which he will make his cub suffer,
+under my very eyes.'"</p>
+
+<p>I paid no further attention to what the "horse-dealer" said&mdash;I was at
+least sure of seeing you, or of knowing that you were near me, my child.
+That will help me to bear the awful grief caused to me by the fate of my
+little daughter Syomara, who, two days later, was carried into Italy on
+board the galley of the patrician Trymalcion.</p>
+
+<p class="c"><b>* * * * * * *</b></p>
+
+<p>My father Guilhern was not granted time to finish his narrative.</p>
+
+<p>Death&mdash;oh, what a death!&mdash;death overtook him the very day after he
+traced the above last lines. I preserve them together with the little
+brass bell that my father got from the "horse-dealer."</p>
+
+<p>The narrative of the sufferings of our race, I, Sylvest, shall continue
+in obedience to my father Guilhern, the same as he obeyed the behest of
+his father Joel the brenn of the tribe of Karnak.</p>
+
+<p>Hesus was merciful to you, O, my father.&mdash;You died ignorant of the life
+of your daughter Syomara&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>It is left to me to narrate my sister's fate.</p>
+
+
+<p class="head">THE END.</p>
+
+
+<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> A short distance from the town of St. Nazaire, which is
+still in existence.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> The patriotism of the Russians in burning Moscow in order
+to starve and drive out Napoleon's army is justly admired. But how much
+more admirable was the heroic patriotism of these old Gauls! Not only
+Brittany, but almost a third of Gaul was delivered to the flames. See
+Caesar, <i>De Bello Gallico</i>, lib. VII, ch. XIV. Also Amed&eacute;e Thierry,
+<i>History of the Gauls</i>, vol. III, p. 103: "The Chief of the Hundred
+Valleys was heard with calm and resignation. Not a murmur interrupted
+him, not an objection was raised against the heavy sacrifice which he
+demanded. It was with one voice that the heads of the tribes voted the
+ruin of their fortunes and the scattering of their families. This
+terrible remedy was at once applied to the country which they feared
+would be occupied by the enemy ... On every hand one perceived nothing
+but the fire and smoke of burning habitations. In the light of these
+flames, across the ruins and the ashes of their homes, an innumerable
+population wended their way towards the frontier, where shelter and food
+awaited them. Their sorrow and suffering was not without consolation,
+since it would lead to the safety of their country."</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> The shark.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> A Gallic war cry, signifying "Strike at the head&mdash;down with
+them."</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> A troop composed of cavalry (<i>mahrek</i>) and footmen
+(<i>droad</i>).
+</p><p>
+"A certain number of Gallic cavalrymen chose among the foot-soldiers an
+equal number of the most agile and courageous. Each of the latter
+attended a horseman, and followed him in battle. The cavalry fell back
+upon them if it was in danger, and the footmen ran up; if a wounded
+horseman fell from his charger, the foot-soldier succored and defended
+him. When it became necessary to make a rapid advance or retreat,
+exercise had made these foot-soldiers so agile that, hanging on by the
+manes of the horses, they kept up with the cavalry in its rapid
+movement."&mdash;Caesar, <i>De Bello Gallico</i>, book I, ch. XLVIII.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> In this body of cavalry each horseman was followed by two
+equerries, mounted and equipped, who remained behind in the body of the
+army. When the battle was on, should the horseman be dismounted, the
+equerries gave him one of their horses. If then the horseman's horse was
+killed, or the horseman himself dangerously wounded, he was carried from
+the field by one of the equerries, while the other took his place in the
+ranks. This body of cavalry was called the <i>trimarkisia</i>, from two words
+which in the Gallic tongue signify "three horses."&mdash;Amed&eacute;e Thierry,
+<i>History of the Gauls</i>, vol. I, p. 130. See also Pausanius, book X.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> "The Gauls had also their Pindars and their Tyrteuses,
+bards exercising their talent to sing in heroic verse the deeds of great
+men, and to inculcate in the people the love of glory."&mdash;Latour
+d'Auvergne, <i>Gallic Origins</i>, p. 158.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> "The Gauls hold that it is a disgrace to live subjugated,
+and that in all war there are but two outcomes for the man of
+courage&mdash;to conquer or to die."&mdash;Nicolas Damasc; see also Strabo, serm.
+XII.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> "Caesar in his Commentaries, and after him the later
+historians, took the title of command held by this hero of Gaul for his
+proper name, and, by corruption, wrote <i>Vercingetorix</i> in place of
+Ver-cinn-cedo-righ, Chief of the Hundred Valleys," observes Amed&eacute;e
+Thierry (<i>History of the Gauls</i>, vol. III, p. 86). "Vercingetorix, a
+native of Auvergne, was the son of Celtil, who, guilty of conspiring
+against the freedom of his city, expiated on the pyre his ambition and
+his crime. The young Gaul thus became heir to the goods of his father,
+whose name he nevertheless blushed to bear. Having become the idol of
+his people, he traveled to Rome and saw Caesar, who attempted to win his
+good graces. But the Gaul rejected the friendship of his country's
+enemy. Returned to his native land he labored secretly to reawaken among
+his people the spirit of independence, and to raise up enemies against
+the Romans. When the hour to call the people to arms was come, he showed
+himself openly, in druid ceremonies, in political meetings; everywhere,
+in short, he was seen employing his eloquence, his fortune, his credit,
+in a word all his means of action upon the chiefs and on the multitude,
+to spur them on to reconquer the rights of old Gaul."&mdash;Thierry.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> Here are Caesar's own words on this extraordinary event,
+taken from his <i>Ephemerides</i>, or diary, wherein with his own hand he was
+accustomed to enter day by day what of interest had occurred to him.
+These words are transmitted to us by Servius:
+</p><p>
+"Caius Julius Caesar, cum dimicaret in Gallia, et ab hoste raptus, equo
+ejus portaretur armatus, occurrit quidam ex hostibus qui cum nosset et
+insultans ait: Ceco Caesar! quod in lingua Gallorum dimitte significat.
+Et ita factum est ut dimitteretur.
+</p><p>
+"Hoc autem dicit ipse Caesar in Ephemeride sua ubi propriam commemorat
+felicitatem."&mdash;Ex Servio LXI. Aeneid, edit. Amstelod, type Elsevir,
+1650, ex antiquo Vatic. Extemp. cap. VIII.
+</p><p>
+"One can see by this passage," adds d'Auvergne, "that Caesar, having
+been released by the Gaul who had made him prisoner and who was carrying
+him off on his horse fully armed from the field of battle, believed the
+saving of his life to be due to the very word which was intended to be
+his death sentence: to the word <i>sko</i>, which Caesar wrote <i>ceco</i>, and
+which he falsely interpreted to mean <i>release</i> when the word in Gallic
+in reality means <i>kill</i>, <i>strike</i>, <i>beat down</i>. Everything points to the
+conclusion that fear or stupefaction having seized the Gauls, in whose
+power Caesar completely was, at the mere mention of his name, he owed
+his safety to the sheer astonishment of his captor."</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> "During the fight, which lasted from the seventh hour
+until the evening, not a Gaul was seen turning his back (aversum hostem
+nemo videre potuit)."&mdash;Caesar, <i>De Bello Gallico</i>, ch. XXXVII.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> "When the Romans drew near the chariots they came face to
+face with a new enemy, the war dogs. These were with difficulty
+exterminated by the archers."&mdash;Pliny, book LXXII, chap. C.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> The total destruction of the Gallic fleet was the result
+of an extremely dangerous invention by the Romans, who, by means of
+scythes fastened to long poles, cut the stays which held the masts.
+These fell, and the Gallic vessels, deprived of sails and motion, were
+reduced to impotence. See Caesar, <i>De Bello Gallico</i>, book III, ch. XIV,
+XV.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> See Pliny, Quintilian, Seneca, etc. Cited by Wallon in his
+<i>History of Slavery in Antiquity</i>, vol. II, p. 329.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> About $100 or $120 in modern money. This was at the time
+the market price of a slave. (Wallon, <i>History of Slavery in Antiquity</i>,
+vol. II, p. 329.)</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> Slaves had no name of their own. They were given
+indiscriminately all sorts of soubriquets, even to the names of animals.
+(Givin, p. 339.)</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> It was the custom to throw in "for good measure," upon the
+purchase of a lot of slaves for labor or for pleasure, a few old men who
+were nothing but skin and bones. See Plautus, <i>Bachid.</i> IV, <i>Prospera</i>
+IV; and <i>Terence</i>, <i>Eun.</i> Cited by Wallon, <i>History of Slavery in
+Antiquity</i>, vol. II. p. 56.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> There were in the selling of slaves, as in the vending of
+animals established grounds entitling the purchaser to recover in full
+or in part his purchase price. Six months were allowed for causes of the
+first class to manifest themselves, a year for the latter.
+</p><p>
+Deafness, dumbness, short-sightedness, tertiary or quaternary ague,
+gout, epilepsy, polyp, varicose veins, a breath indicating an internal
+malady, sterility among the women&mdash;such were the grounds accepted for
+complete abrogation of the contract. As to moral defects, nothing was
+said. Nevertheless, the merchant was not allowed to ascribe to a slave
+qualities he did not possess. One was bound above all to make known
+whether a slave possessed a tendency toward suicide. (Wallon, <i>History
+of Slavery in Antiquity</i>, vol. II, p. 63.)</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> We do not dare to expatiate on these monstrosities. We
+shall only cite the words of the lawyer Heterus: "Shamelessness is a
+crime in a free man&mdash;a duty in a freedman&mdash;and a necessity in a slave."
+For further details of the abominable and precocious depravity into
+which slaves and their children were dragged, see Wallon, <i>History of
+Slavery in Antiquity</i>, p. 266, following.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> "Masters disemboweled their slaves, to search for
+prognostications in their entrails."&mdash;Wallon, vol. II, p. 251.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> The characteristics of different nationalities of slaves
+had passed into bywords with the dealers. Thus they said "timid as a
+Phrygian," "vain as a Moor," "deceitful as a Cretan," "intractable as a
+Sardinian," "fierce as a Dalmatian," "gentle as an Ionian," etc., etc.
+(Wallon, vol. II, p. 65.)</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> Caesar wished to make a severe example. So "He put the
+Senate to death, and sold the rest at auction."&mdash;Caesar, <i>De Bello
+Gallico</i>, book III, ch. XVI.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_23_23" id="Footnote_23_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_23_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> See Wallon, vol. II, ch. III, for the singular means
+employed by the "horse-dealers" to rejuvenate their slaves.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> The Gauls in the north and west of France attached so much
+importance and dignity to the length of their hair that the provinces
+they inhabited were called "Long-haired Gaul." (Latour d'Auvergne,
+Gallic Origins.)</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_25_25" id="Footnote_25_25"></a><a href="#FNanchor_25_25"><span class="label">[25]</span></a> When prisoners of war were sold as slaves, they were made
+to wear wreaths of the leaves of trees as a distinctive sign. (Wallon.)</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_26_26" id="Footnote_26_26"></a><a href="#FNanchor_26_26"><span class="label">[26]</span></a> "The magic philters of Media and Circe of old were nothing
+but pharmaceutical brews of an action as diversified as powerful.
+Several of these narcotic or exhilarators, which threw a man into an
+incredible moral prostration, or else into a fit of frenzy, were long
+employed among the Romans. The slave merchants used them to overcome and
+enervate their more unconquerable captives."&mdash;<i>Philosophic Dictionary</i>,
+p. 345.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_27_27" id="Footnote_27_27"></a><a href="#FNanchor_27_27"><span class="label">[27]</span></a> "The higher priced slaves were kept in a sort of cage,
+which drew, by its air of mystery, the attention of the
+connoisseurs."&mdash;Wallon, vol. II, p. 54.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_28_28" id="Footnote_28_28"></a><a href="#FNanchor_28_28"><span class="label">[28]</span></a> The slave was obliged to lift weights, to march, to leap,
+to prove his vigor and agility. (Wallon, vol. II, p. 59.)</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_29_29" id="Footnote_29_29"></a><a href="#FNanchor_29_29"><span class="label">[29]</span></a> The feet of women and children were daubed with white
+clay. (Wallon.)</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_30_30" id="Footnote_30_30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_30_30"><span class="label">[30]</span></a> See Petronius for details of Roman patrician "fashions."</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_31_31" id="Footnote_31_31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_31_31"><span class="label">[31]</span></a> For these shameful manners, which respect for humanity
+renders unpicturable, see Tacitus, Martial, Juvenal, and above all
+Petronius.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_32_32" id="Footnote_32_32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_32_32"><span class="label">[32]</span></a> See above authors.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_33_33" id="Footnote_33_33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_33_33"><span class="label">[33]</span></a> The master was civilly responsible for the acts of his
+slave, the same as for those of his dog. (Wallon, vol. II, p. 183.)</p></div>
+
+</div>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Brass Bell, by Eugène Sue
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BRASS BELL ***
+
+***** This file should be named 26623-h.htm or 26623-h.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        http://www.gutenberg.org/2/6/6/2/26623/
+
+Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was
+produced from scanned images of public domain material
+from the Google Print project.)
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+http://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+http://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     http://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
+
+
+</pre>
+
+</body>
+</html>
diff --git a/26623-page-images/f0001.png b/26623-page-images/f0001.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..73eae22
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/f0001.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/f0002.png b/26623-page-images/f0002.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0ade7cd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/f0002.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/f0003.png b/26623-page-images/f0003.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c2fd078
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/f0003.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/f0004.png b/26623-page-images/f0004.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5a61f66
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/f0004.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/f0005.png b/26623-page-images/f0005.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9c467ef
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/f0005.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0001.png b/26623-page-images/p0001.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f79759d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0001.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0002.png b/26623-page-images/p0002.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..988db9f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0002.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0003.png b/26623-page-images/p0003.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1c2650a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0003.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0004.png b/26623-page-images/p0004.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9f08767
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0004.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0005.png b/26623-page-images/p0005.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..664caa7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0005.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0006.png b/26623-page-images/p0006.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ca9d69d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0006.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0007.png b/26623-page-images/p0007.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7ce0f44
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0007.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0008.png b/26623-page-images/p0008.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8791745
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0008.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0009.png b/26623-page-images/p0009.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8a9b133
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0009.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0010.png b/26623-page-images/p0010.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5c71015
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0010.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0011.png b/26623-page-images/p0011.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5853f25
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0011.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0012.png b/26623-page-images/p0012.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..49d3e35
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0012.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0013.png b/26623-page-images/p0013.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1cb052f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0013.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0014.png b/26623-page-images/p0014.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..07dcf42
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0014.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0015.png b/26623-page-images/p0015.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a6abdf0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0015.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0016.png b/26623-page-images/p0016.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1622f73
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0016.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0017.png b/26623-page-images/p0017.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2b27f6c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0017.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0018.png b/26623-page-images/p0018.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b8dfe2c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0018.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0019.png b/26623-page-images/p0019.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..03e85ed
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0019.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0020.png b/26623-page-images/p0020.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fb7303d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0020.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0021.png b/26623-page-images/p0021.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dfb0692
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0021.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0022.png b/26623-page-images/p0022.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cfc8cbb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0022.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0023.png b/26623-page-images/p0023.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..50c5d6b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0023.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0024.png b/26623-page-images/p0024.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9e81719
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0024.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0025.png b/26623-page-images/p0025.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0017aec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0025.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0026.png b/26623-page-images/p0026.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7e1bfe2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0026.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0027.png b/26623-page-images/p0027.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f298922
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0027.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0028.png b/26623-page-images/p0028.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..eda3515
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0028.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0029.png b/26623-page-images/p0029.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7c4d57f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0029.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0030.png b/26623-page-images/p0030.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ec38db1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0030.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0031.png b/26623-page-images/p0031.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a614d3c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0031.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0032.png b/26623-page-images/p0032.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bc00beb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0032.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0033.png b/26623-page-images/p0033.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f0bb20e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0033.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0034.png b/26623-page-images/p0034.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7be2f8f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0034.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0035.png b/26623-page-images/p0035.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..eeade2c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0035.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0036.png b/26623-page-images/p0036.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..21cd2a1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0036.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0037.png b/26623-page-images/p0037.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..66e3237
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0037.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0038.png b/26623-page-images/p0038.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d82115e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0038.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0039.png b/26623-page-images/p0039.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..13fc186
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0039.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0040.png b/26623-page-images/p0040.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2ef9856
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0040.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0041.png b/26623-page-images/p0041.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..52a3fe1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0041.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0042.png b/26623-page-images/p0042.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..77b9d64
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0042.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0043.png b/26623-page-images/p0043.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fd4c755
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0043.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0044.png b/26623-page-images/p0044.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3077038
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0044.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0045.png b/26623-page-images/p0045.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6f92f21
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0045.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0046.png b/26623-page-images/p0046.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b841d5f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0046.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0047.png b/26623-page-images/p0047.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..33fcbc7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0047.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0048.png b/26623-page-images/p0048.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4b5e061
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0048.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0049.png b/26623-page-images/p0049.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f5399fc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0049.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0050.png b/26623-page-images/p0050.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..209c12c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0050.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0051.png b/26623-page-images/p0051.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..09127ce
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0051.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0052.png b/26623-page-images/p0052.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4fe5554
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0052.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0053.png b/26623-page-images/p0053.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f9d2e48
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0053.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0054.png b/26623-page-images/p0054.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d650d30
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0054.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0055.png b/26623-page-images/p0055.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1026aaf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0055.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0056.png b/26623-page-images/p0056.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f5be219
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0056.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0057.png b/26623-page-images/p0057.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e4ccd79
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0057.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0058.png b/26623-page-images/p0058.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fea6a50
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0058.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0059.png b/26623-page-images/p0059.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cb99541
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0059.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0060.png b/26623-page-images/p0060.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c010f99
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0060.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0061.png b/26623-page-images/p0061.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..42fc7fe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0061.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0062.png b/26623-page-images/p0062.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3766c24
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0062.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0063.png b/26623-page-images/p0063.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c0f12d8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0063.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0064.png b/26623-page-images/p0064.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..feaa135
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0064.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0065.png b/26623-page-images/p0065.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c7bfd7c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0065.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0066.png b/26623-page-images/p0066.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..853a59a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0066.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0067.png b/26623-page-images/p0067.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ade21aa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0067.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0068.png b/26623-page-images/p0068.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5372ca3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0068.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0069.png b/26623-page-images/p0069.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..548afc9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0069.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0070.png b/26623-page-images/p0070.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3632c43
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0070.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0071.png b/26623-page-images/p0071.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1257c7b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0071.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0072.png b/26623-page-images/p0072.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..32735e7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0072.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0073.png b/26623-page-images/p0073.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8c441e2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0073.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0074.png b/26623-page-images/p0074.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3162201
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0074.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0075.png b/26623-page-images/p0075.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a7ae87e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0075.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0076.png b/26623-page-images/p0076.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..912ddb8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0076.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0077.png b/26623-page-images/p0077.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9025d5f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0077.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0078.png b/26623-page-images/p0078.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..94afdd6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0078.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0079.png b/26623-page-images/p0079.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5300eb2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0079.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0080.png b/26623-page-images/p0080.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..10a1558
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0080.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0081.png b/26623-page-images/p0081.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e15707d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0081.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0082.png b/26623-page-images/p0082.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7615fb7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0082.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0083.png b/26623-page-images/p0083.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ba15077
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0083.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0084.png b/26623-page-images/p0084.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c7a7241
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0084.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0085.png b/26623-page-images/p0085.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..40075a2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0085.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0086.png b/26623-page-images/p0086.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5906d9a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0086.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0087.png b/26623-page-images/p0087.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0f70bfd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0087.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0088.png b/26623-page-images/p0088.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..659a7a1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0088.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0089.png b/26623-page-images/p0089.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a11568e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0089.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0090.png b/26623-page-images/p0090.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e2c5df5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0090.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0091.png b/26623-page-images/p0091.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0b90d45
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0091.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0092.png b/26623-page-images/p0092.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7ae7985
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0092.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0093.png b/26623-page-images/p0093.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..01f9149
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0093.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0094.png b/26623-page-images/p0094.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..af88d20
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0094.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0095.png b/26623-page-images/p0095.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0631d4d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0095.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0096.png b/26623-page-images/p0096.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..420e7cc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0096.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0097.png b/26623-page-images/p0097.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..03d09f0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0097.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0098.png b/26623-page-images/p0098.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a8bd1bd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0098.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0099.png b/26623-page-images/p0099.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8ce439f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0099.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0100.png b/26623-page-images/p0100.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..43c8ed1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0100.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0101.png b/26623-page-images/p0101.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6499c19
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0101.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0102.png b/26623-page-images/p0102.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..477ef47
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0102.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0103.png b/26623-page-images/p0103.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c53e836
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0103.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0104.png b/26623-page-images/p0104.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..31e5d5a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0104.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0105.png b/26623-page-images/p0105.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ddb27fc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0105.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0106.png b/26623-page-images/p0106.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a02ad2a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0106.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0107.png b/26623-page-images/p0107.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..08ddc7a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0107.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0108.png b/26623-page-images/p0108.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c551883
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0108.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0109.png b/26623-page-images/p0109.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f9e05ec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0109.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0110.png b/26623-page-images/p0110.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..acd0af6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0110.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0111.png b/26623-page-images/p0111.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6d7e276
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0111.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0112.png b/26623-page-images/p0112.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6a1ffea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0112.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0113.png b/26623-page-images/p0113.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9ca9f27
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0113.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0114.png b/26623-page-images/p0114.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fee8421
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0114.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0115.png b/26623-page-images/p0115.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..135fe6c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0115.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0116.png b/26623-page-images/p0116.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7dafe47
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0116.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0117.png b/26623-page-images/p0117.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a74e4bd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0117.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0118.png b/26623-page-images/p0118.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..14b0f62
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0118.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0119.png b/26623-page-images/p0119.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cbf40a5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0119.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0120.png b/26623-page-images/p0120.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b994e55
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0120.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0121.png b/26623-page-images/p0121.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..df8782b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0121.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0122.png b/26623-page-images/p0122.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7704e03
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0122.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0123.png b/26623-page-images/p0123.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0be6db1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0123.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0124.png b/26623-page-images/p0124.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3a3f85f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0124.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0125.png b/26623-page-images/p0125.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1ad3450
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0125.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0126.png b/26623-page-images/p0126.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d77fb24
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0126.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0127.png b/26623-page-images/p0127.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8eef2b0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0127.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0128.png b/26623-page-images/p0128.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a7e1168
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0128.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0129.png b/26623-page-images/p0129.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ab7aebb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0129.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0130.png b/26623-page-images/p0130.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9653c14
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0130.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0131.png b/26623-page-images/p0131.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3cfcdbb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0131.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0132.png b/26623-page-images/p0132.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ed352a7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0132.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0133.png b/26623-page-images/p0133.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9ca82b4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0133.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0134.png b/26623-page-images/p0134.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b85dc06
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0134.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0135.png b/26623-page-images/p0135.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..84339f9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0135.png
diff --git a/26623-page-images/p0136.png b/26623-page-images/p0136.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ebda0dd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623-page-images/p0136.png
diff --git a/26623.txt b/26623.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fae2386
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,4368 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Brass Bell, by Eugene Sue
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Brass Bell
+       or, The Chariot of Death
+
+Author: Eugene Sue
+
+Release Date: August 15, 2008 [EBook #26623]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BRASS BELL ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was
+produced from scanned images of public domain material
+from the Google Print project.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+THE BRASS BELL
+
+OR
+
+THE CHARIOT OF DEATH
+
+A Tale of Caesar's Gallic Invasion
+
+By EUGENE SUE
+
+TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL FRENCH BY
+
+SOLON DE LEON
+
+NEW YORK LABOR NEWS COMPANY, 1907
+
+NEW EDITION 1916
+
+COPYRIGHT, 1907, BY THE
+
+NEW YORK LABOR NEWS CO.
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE TO THE TRANSLATION
+
+
+_The Brass Bell_; or, _The Chariot of Death_ is the second of Eugene
+Sue's monumental serial known under the collective title of _The
+Mysteries of the People; or History of a Proletarian Family Across the
+Ages_.
+
+The first story--_The Gold Sickle; or, Hena, the Virgin of the Isle of
+Sen_--fittingly preludes the grand drama conceived by the author. There
+the Gallic people are introduced upon the stage of history in the
+simplicity of their customs, their industrious habits, their bravery,
+lofty yet childlike--such as they were at the time of the Roman invasion
+by Caesar, 58 B. C. The present story is the thrilling introduction to
+the class struggle, that starts with the conquest of Gaul, and, in the
+subsequent seventeen stories, is pathetically and instructively carried
+across the ages, down to the French Revolution of 1848.
+
+D. D. L.
+
+
+
+
+TABLE OF CONTENTS.
+
+
+Preface to the Translation
+
+Chapter 1. The Conflagration                1
+
+Chapter 2. In the Lion's Den                8
+
+Chapter 3. Gallic Virtue                   24
+
+Chapter 4. The Trial                       35
+
+Chapter 5. Into the Shallows               41
+
+Chapter 6. The Eve of Battle               52
+
+Chapter 7. The Battle of Vannes            59
+
+Chapter 8. After the Battle                80
+
+Chapter 9. Master and Slave                88
+
+Chapter 10. The Last Call to Arms         102
+
+Chapter 11. The Slaves' Toilet            107
+
+Chapter 12. Sold into Bondage             115
+
+Chapter 13. The Booth across the Way      126
+
+FOOTNOTES
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE CONFLAGRATION.
+
+
+The call to arms, sounded by the druids of the forest of Karnak and by
+the Chief of the Hundred Valleys against the invading forces of the
+first Caesar, had well been hearkened to.
+
+The sacrifice of Hena, the Virgin of the Isle of Sen, seemed pleasing to
+Hesus. All the peoples of Brittany, from North to South, from East to
+West, rose to combat the Romans. The tribes of the territory of Vannes
+and Auray, those of the Mountains of Ares, and many others, assembled
+before the town of Vannes, on the left bank, close to the mouth of the
+river which empties into the great bay of Morbihan. This redoubtable
+position where all the Gallic forces were to meet, was situated ten
+leagues from Karnak, and had been chosen by the Chief of the Hundred
+Valleys, who had been elected Commander-in-Chief of the army.
+
+Leaving behind them their fields, their herds, and their dwellings, the
+tribes were here assembled, men and women, young and old, and were
+encamped round about the town of Vannes. Here also were Joel, his
+family, and his tribe.
+
+Albinik the mariner, together with his wife Meroe left the camp towards
+sunset, bent on an errand of many days' march. Since her marriage with
+Albinik, Meroe; was the constant, companion of his voyages and dangers
+at sea, and like him, she wore the seaman's costume. Like him she knew
+at a pinch how to put her hand to the rudder, to ply the oar or the axe,
+for stout was her heart, and strong her arm.
+
+In the evening, before leaving the Gallic army, Meroe dressed herself in
+her sailor's garments--a short blouse of brown wool, drawn tight with a
+leather belt, large broad breeches of white cloth, which fell below her
+knees, and shoes of sealskin. She carried on her left shoulder her
+short, hooded cloak, and on her flowing hair was a leathern bonnet. By
+her resolute air, the agility of her step, the perfection of her sweet
+and virile countenance, one might have taken Meroe for one of those
+young men whose good looks make maidens dream of marriage. Albinik also
+was dressed as a mariner. He had flung over his back a sack with
+provisions for the way. The large sleeves of his blouse revealed his
+left arm, wrapped to the elbow in a bloody bandage.
+
+Husband and wife had left Vannes for some minutes, when Albinik,
+stopping, sad and deeply moved, said to Meroe:
+
+"There is still time--consider. We are going to beard the lion in his
+den. He is tricky, distrustful and savage. It may mean for us slavery,
+torture, or death. Meroe, let me finish alone this trip and this
+enterprise, beside which a desperate fight would be but a trifle. Return
+to my father and mother, whose daughter you are also!"
+
+"Albinik, you had to wait for the darkness of night to say that to me.
+You would not see me blush with shame at the thought of your thinking
+me a coward;" and the young woman, while making this answer, instead of
+turning back, only hastened her step.
+
+"Let it be as your courage and your love for me bid," replied her
+husband. "May Hena, my holy sister, who is gone, protect us at the side
+of Hesus."
+
+The two continued their way along the crests of a chain of lofty hills.
+They had thus at their feet and before their eyes a succession of deep
+and fertile valleys. As far as eye could reach, they saw here villages,
+yonder small hamlets, elsewhere isolated farms; further off rose a
+flourishing town crossed by an arm of the river, in which were moored,
+from distance to distance, large boats loaded with sheaves of wheat,
+casks of wine, and fodder.
+
+But, strange to say, although the evening was clear, not a single one of
+those large herds of cattle and of sheep was to be seen, which
+ordinarily grazed there till nightfall. No more was there a single
+laborer in sight on the fields, although it was the hour when, by every
+road, the country-folk ordinarily began to return to their homes; for
+the sun was fast sinking. This country, so populous the preceding
+evening, now seemed deserted.
+
+The couple halted, pensive, contemplating the fertile lands, the
+bountifulness of nature, the opulent city, the hamlets, and the houses.
+Then, recollecting what they knew was to happen in a few moments, soon
+as the sun was set and the moon risen, Albinik and Meroe; shivered with
+grief and fear. Tears fell from their eyes, they sank to their knees,
+their eyes fixed with anguish on the depths of the valleys, which the
+thickening evening shade was gradually invading. The sun had
+disappeared, but the moon, then in her decline, was not yet up. There
+was thus, between sunset and the rising of the moon, a rather long
+interval. It was a bitter one for husband and wife; bitter, like the
+certain expectation of some great woe.
+
+"Look, Albinik," murmured the young woman to her spouse, although they
+were alone--for it was one of those awful moments when one speaks low in
+the middle of a desert--"just look, not a light: not one in these
+houses, hamlets, or the town. Night is come, and all within these
+dwellings is gloomy as the night without."
+
+"The inhabitants of this valley are going to show themselves worthy of
+their brothers," answered Albinik reverently. "They also wish to respond
+to the voice of our venerable druids, and to that of the Chief of the
+Hundred Valleys."
+
+"Yes; by the terror which is now come upon me, I feel we are about to
+see a thing no one has seen before, and perhaps none will see again."
+
+"Meroe, do you catch down there, away down there, behind the crest of
+the forest, a faint white glimmer!"
+
+"I do. It is the moon, which will soon be up. The moment approaches. I
+feel terror-stricken. Poor women! Poor children!"
+
+"Poor laborers; they lived so long, happy on this land of their fathers:
+on this land made fertile by the labor of so many generations! Poor
+workmen; they found plenty in their rude trades! Oh, the unfortunates!
+the unfortunates! But one thing equals their great misfortune, and that
+is their great heroism. Meroe! Meroe!" exclaimed Albinik, "the moon is
+rising. That sacred orb of Gaul is about to give the signal for the
+sacrifice."
+
+"Hesus! Hesus!" cried the young woman, her cheeks bathed in tears, "your
+wrath will never be appeased if this last sacrifice does not calm you."
+
+The moon had risen radiant among the stars. She flooded space with so
+brilliant a light that Albinik and his wife could see as in full day,
+and as far as the most distant horizon, the country that stretched at
+their feet.
+
+Suddenly, a light cloud of smoke, at first whitish, then black,
+presently colored with the red tints of a kindling fire, rose above one
+of the hamlets scattered in the plain.
+
+"Hesus! Hesus!" exclaimed Meroe. Then, hiding her face in the bosom of
+her husband who was kneeling near her, "You spoke truly. The sacred orb
+of Gaul has given the signal for the sacrifice. It is fulfilled."
+
+"Oh, liberty!" cried Albinik, "Holy liberty!----"
+
+He could not finish. His voice was smothered in tears, and he drew his
+weeping wife close in his arms.
+
+Meroe did not leave her face hidden in her husband's breast any longer
+than it would take a mother to kiss the forehead, mouth, and eyes, of
+her new born babe, but when she again raised her head and dared to look
+abroad, it was no longer only one house, one village, one hamlet, one
+town in that long succession of valleys at their feet that was
+disappearing in billows of black smoke, streaked with red gleams. It was
+all the houses, all the villages, all the hamlets, all the towns in the
+laps of all those valleys, that the conflagration was devouring. From
+North to South, from East to West, all was afire. The rivers themselves
+seemed to roll in flame under their grain and forage-laden barges, which
+in turn took fire, and sank in the waters.
+
+The heavens were alternately obscured by immense clouds of smoke, or
+reddened with innumerable columns of fire. From one end to the other,
+the panorama was soon nothing but a furnace, an ocean of flame.
+
+Nor were the houses, hamlets, and towns of only these valleys given over
+to the flames. It was the same in all the regions which Albinik and
+Meroe had traversed in one night and day of travel, on their way from
+Vannes to the mouth of the Loire, where was pitched the camp of
+Caesar.[1]
+
+All this territory had been burned by its inhabitants, and they
+abandoned the smoking ruins to join the Gallic army, assembled in the
+environs of Vannes. Thus the voice of the Chief of the Hundred Valleys
+had been obeyed--the command repeated from place to place, from village
+to village, from city to city:
+
+"In three nights, at the hour when the moon, the sacred orb of Gaul
+shall rise, let all the countryside, from Vannes to the Loire, be set on
+fire. Let Caesar and his army find in their passage neither men nor
+houses, nor provisions, nor forage, but everywhere, everywhere cinders,
+famine, desolation, and death."
+
+It was done as the druids and the Chief of the Hundred Valleys had
+ordered.[2]
+
+The two travelers, who witnessed this heroic devotion of each and all to
+the safety of the fatherland, had thus seen a sight no one had ever seen
+in the past; a sight which perhaps none will ever see in the future.
+
+Thus were expiated those fatal dissensions, those rivalries between
+province and province, which for too long a time, and to the triumph of
+their enemies, had divided the people of Gaul.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+IN THE LION'S DEN.
+
+
+The night passed. When the next day drew to its close Albinik and Meroe
+had traversed all the burnt country, from Vannes to the mouth of the
+Loire, which they were now approaching. At sunset they came to a fork in
+the road.
+
+"Of these two ways, which shall we take?" mused Albinik. "One ought to
+take us toward the camp of Caesar, the other away from it."
+
+Reflecting an instant, the young woman answered:
+
+"Climb yonder oak. The camp fires will show us our route."
+
+"True," said the mariner, and confident in his agility he was about to
+clamber up the tree. But stopping, he added: "I forgot that I have but
+one hand left. I cannot climb."
+
+The face of the young woman saddened as she replied:
+
+"You are suffering, Albinik? Alas, you, thus mutilated!"
+
+"Is the sea-wolf[3] caught without a lure?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Let the fishing be good," answered Albinik, "and I shall not regret
+having given my hand for bait."
+
+The young woman sighed, and after looking at the tree a minute, said to
+her husband:
+
+"Come, then, put your back to the trunk. I'll step in the hollow of your
+hand, then onto your shoulder, and from your shoulder I can reach that
+large branch overhead."
+
+"Fearless and devoted! You are always the dear wife of my heart, true as
+my sister Hena is a saint," tenderly answered Albinik, and steadying
+himself against the tree, he took in his hand the little foot of his
+companion. With his good arm he supported his wife while she placed her
+foot on his shoulder. Thence she reached the first large bough. Then,
+mounting from branch to branch, she gained the top of the oak. Arrived
+there, Meroe cast her eyes abroad, and saw towards the south, under a
+group of seven stars, the gleam of several fires. She descended, nimble
+as a bird, and at last, putting her feet on the mariner's shoulder, was
+on the ground with one bound, saying:
+
+"We must go towards the south, in the direction of those seven stars.
+That way lie the fires of Caesar's camp."
+
+"Let us take that road, then," returned the sailor, indicating the
+narrower of the two ways, and the two travelers pursued their journey.
+After a few steps, the young woman halted. She seemed to be searching in
+her garments.
+
+"What is the matter, Meroe?"
+
+"In climbing the tree, I've let my poniard drop. It must have worked out
+of the belt I was carrying it in, under my blouse."
+
+"By Hesus; we must get that poniard back," said Albinik, retracing his
+steps toward the tree. "You have need of a weapon, and this one my
+brother Mikael forged and tempered himself. It will pierce a sheet of
+copper."
+
+"Oh; I shall find it, Albinik. In that well-tempered little blade of
+steel one has an answer for all, and in all languages."
+
+After some search up the foot of the oak, Meroe found her poniard. It
+was cased in a sheath hardly as long as a hen's feather, and not much
+thicker. Meroe fastened it anew under her blouse, and started again on
+the road with her husband. After some little travel along deserted
+paths, the two arrived at a plain. They heard far in the distance the
+great roar of the sea. On a hill they saw the lights of many fires.
+
+"There, at last, is the camp of Caesar," said Albinik, stopping short,
+"the den of the lion."
+
+"The den of the scourge of Gaul. Come, come, the evening is slipping
+away."
+
+"Meroe, the moment has come."
+
+"Do you hesitate now?"
+
+"It is too late. But I would prefer a fair fight under the open heavens,
+vessel to vessel, soldier to soldier, sword to sword. Ah, Meroe, for us,
+Gauls, who despise ambuscade or cowardice, and hang brass bells on the
+iron of our lances to warn the enemy of our approach, to come
+here--traitorously!"
+
+"Traitorously!" exclaimed the young woman. "And to oppress a free
+people--is that loyalty? To reduce the inhabitants to slavery, to exile
+them by herds with iron collars on their necks--is that loyalty? To
+massacre old men and children, to deliver the women and virgins to the
+lust of soldiers--is that loyalty? And now, you would hesitate, after
+having marched a whole day and night by the lights of the conflagration,
+through the midst of those smoking ruins which were caused by the horror
+of Roman oppression? No! No! to exterminate savage beasts, all means are
+good, the trap as well as the boar-spear. Hesitate? Hesitate? Answer,
+Albinik. Without mentioning your voluntary mutilation, without
+mentioning the dangers which we brave in entering this camp--shall we
+not be, if Hesus aids our project, the first victims of that great
+sacrifice which we are going to make to the Gods? Come, believe me; he
+who gives his life has nothing to blush for. By the love which I bear
+you, by the virgin blood of your sister Hena, I have at this moment, I
+swear to you, the consciousness of fulfilling a holy duty. Come, come,
+the evening is passing."
+
+"What Meroe, the just and valiant, finds to be just and valiant, must be
+so," said Albinik, pressing his companion to his breast.
+
+"Yes, yes, to exterminate savage beasts all means are good, the trap as
+well as the spear. Who gives his life has no cause to blush. Come!"
+
+The couple hastened their pace toward the lights of the camp of Caesar.
+After a few moments, they heard close at hand, resounding on the earth,
+the measured tread of several soldiers, and the clashing of their swords
+on their iron armor. Presently they distinguished the invaders' red
+crested helmets glittering in the moonlight.
+
+"They are the soldiers of the guard, who keep vigil around the camp,"
+said Albinik. "Let us go to them."
+
+Soon the travelers reached the Roman soldiers, by whom they were
+immediately surrounded. Albinik, who had learned in the Roman tongue
+these only words: "We are Breton Gauls; we would speak with Caesar,"
+addressed them to his captors; but these, learning from Albinik's own
+admission that he and his companion were of the provinces that had risen
+in arms, forthwith took them prisoners, and treated them as such. They
+bound them, and conducted them to the camp.
+
+Albinik and Meroe were first taken to one of the gates of the
+entrenchment. Beside the gate, they saw, a cruel warning, five large
+wooden crosses. On each one of these a Gallic seaman was crucified, his
+clothes stained with blood. The light of the moon illuminated the
+corpses.
+
+"They have not deceived us," said Albinik in a low voice to his
+companion. "The pilots have been crucified after having undergone
+frightful tortures, rather than pilot the fleet of Caesar along the
+coast of Brittany."
+
+"To make them undergo torture, and death on the cross," flashed back
+Meroe, "is that loyalty! Would you still hesitate? Will you still speak
+of 'treachery'?"
+
+Albinik answered not a word, but in the dark he pressed his companion's
+hand. Brought before the officer who commanded the post, the mariner
+repeated the only words which he knew in the Roman tongue:
+
+"We are Breton Gauls; we would speak with Caesar." In these times of
+war, the Romans would often seize or detain travelers, for the purpose
+of learning from them what was passing in the revolted provinces. Caesar
+had given orders for all prisoners and fugitives who could throw light
+on the movements of the Gauls to be brought before him.
+
+The husband and wife were accordingly not surprised to see themselves,
+in fulfillment of their secret hope, conducted across the camp to
+Caesar's tent, which was guarded by the flower of his Spanish veterans,
+charged with watching over his person.
+
+Arrived within the tent of Caesar, the scourge of Gaul, Albinik and
+Meroe were freed of their bonds. Despite their souls' being stirred with
+hatred for the invader of their country, they looked about them with a
+somber curiosity.
+
+The tent of the Roman general, covered on the outside with thick pelts,
+like all the other tents of the camp, was decorated within with a
+purple-colored material embroidered with gold and white silk. The beaten
+earth was buried from sight under a carpet of tiger skins. Caesar was
+finishing supper, reclining on a camp bed which was concealed under a
+great lion-skin, decorated with gold claws and eyes of carbuncles.
+Within his reach, on a low table, the couple saw large vases of gold and
+silver, richly chased, and cups ornamented with precious stones. Humbly
+seated at the foot of Caesar's couch, Meroe saw a young and beautiful
+female slave, an African without doubt, for her white garments threw out
+all the stronger the copper colored hue of her face. Slowly she raised
+her large, shining back eyes to the two strangers, all the while petting
+a large greyhound which was stretched out at her side. She seemed to be
+as timid as the dog.
+
+The generals, the officers, the secretaries, the handsome looking young
+freedmen of Caesar's suite, were standing about his camp bed, while
+black Abyssinian slaves, wearing coral ornaments at their necks, wrists
+and ankles, and motionless as statues, held in their hands torches of
+scented wax, whose gleam caused the splendid armor of the Romans to
+glitter.
+
+Caesar, before whom Albinik and Meroe cast down their eyes for fear of
+betraying their hatred, had exchanged his armor for a long robe of
+richly broidered silk. His head was bare, nothing covered his large bald
+forehead, on each side of which his brown hair was closely trimmed. The
+warmth of the Gallic wine which it was his habit to drink to excess at
+night, caused his eyes to shine, and colored his pale cheeks. His face
+was imperious, his laugh mocking and cruel. He was leaning on one elbow,
+holding in one hand, thinned with debauchery, a wide gold cup, enriched
+with pearls. He looked at it leisurely and fitfully, still fixing his
+piercing gaze on the two prisoners, who were placed in such a manner
+that Albinik almost entirely hid Meroe.
+
+Caesar said a few words in Latin to his officers, who had been preparing
+to retire. One of them went up to the couple, brusquely shoved Albinik
+back, and took Meroe by the hand. Thus he forced her to advance a few
+steps, clearly for the purpose of permitting Caesar to look at her with
+greater ease. He did so, while at the same time and without turning
+around, reaching his empty cup to one of his young cup-bearers.
+
+Albinik knew how to control himself. He remained quiet while he saw his
+chaste wife blush under the bold looks of Caesar. After gazing at her
+for a moment, the Roman general beckoned to one of his interpreters. The
+two exchanged a few words, whereupon the interpreter drew close to
+Meroe, and said to her in the Gallic tongue:
+
+"Caesar asks whether you are a youth or a maiden!"
+
+"My companion and I have fled the Gallic camp," responded Meroe
+ingenuously. "Whether I am a youth or a maiden matters little to
+Caesar."
+
+At these words, translated by the interpreter to Caesar, the Roman
+laughed cynically, while his officers partook of the gaiety of their
+general. Caesar continued to empty cup after cup, fixing his eyes more
+and more ardently on Albinik's wife. He said a few words to the
+interpreter, who commenced to question the two prisoners, conveying as
+he proceeded, their answers to the general, who would then prompt new
+questions.
+
+"Who are you!" said the interpreter, "Whence come you!"
+
+"We are Bretons," answered Albinik. "We come from the Gallic camp, which
+is established under the walls of Vannes, two days' march from here."
+
+"Why have you deserted the Gallic camp!"
+
+Albinik answered not a word, but unwrapped the bloody bandage in which
+his arm was swathed. The Romans then saw that his left hand was cut off.
+The interpreter resumed:
+
+"Who has thus mutilated you?"
+
+"The Gauls."
+
+"But you are a Gaul yourself?"
+
+"Little does that matter to the Chief of the Hundred Valleys."
+
+At the name of the Chief of the Hundred Valleys, Caesar knit his brows,
+and his face was filled with envy and hatred.
+
+The interpreter resumed, addressing Albinik: "Explain yourself."
+
+"I am a sailor, and command a merchant vessel. Several other captains
+and I received the order to transport some armed men by sea, and to
+disembark them in the harbor of Vannes, by the bay of Morbihan. I
+obeyed. A gust of wind carried away one of my masts; my vessel arrived
+the last of all. Then--the Chief of the Hundred Valleys inflicted upon
+me the penalty for laggards. But he was generous. He let me off with my
+life, and gave me the choice between, the loss of my nose, my ears, or
+one hand. I have been mutilated, but not for having lacked courage or
+willingness. That would have been just, I would have undergone it
+according to the laws of my country, without complaint."
+
+"But this wrongful torture," joined in Meroe, "Albinik underwent because
+the sea wind came up against him. As well punish with death him who
+cannot see clear in the pitchy night--him who cannot darken the light of
+the sun."
+
+"And this mutilation covers me for ever with shame!" exclaimed Albinik.
+"Everywhere it is said: 'That fellow's a coward!' I have never known
+hatred; now my heart is filled with it. Perish that Fatherland where I
+cannot live but in dishonor! Perish its liberty! Perish the liberty of
+my people, provided only that I be avenged upon the Chief of the Hundred
+Valleys! For that I would gladly give the other hand which he has left
+me. That is why I have come here with my companion. Sharing my shame,
+she shares my hatred. That hatred we offer to Caesar; let him use it as
+he wills; let him try us. Our lives answer for our sincerity. As to
+recompense, we want none."
+
+"Vengeance--that is what we must have," interjected Meroe.
+
+"In what can you serve Caesar against the Chief of the Hundred Valleys?"
+queried the interpreter.
+
+"I offer Caesar my service as a mariner, as a soldier, as a guide, as a
+spy even, if he wishes it."
+
+"Why did you not seek to kill the Chief of the Hundred Valleys, being
+able to approach him in the Gallic camp?" suggested the interpreter.
+"You would have been revenged."
+
+"Immediately after the mutilation of my husband," answered Meroe, "we
+were driven from the camp. We could not return."
+
+The interpreter again conversed with the Roman general, who, while
+listening, did not cease to empty his cup and to follow Meroe with
+brazen looks.
+
+"You are a mariner, you say!" resumed the interpreter. "You used to
+command a merchantman?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"And--are you a good seaman?"
+
+"I am five and twenty years old. From the age of twelve I have traveled
+on the sea; for four years I have commanded a vessel."
+
+"Do you know well the coast between Vannes and the channel which
+separates Great Britain from Gaul?"
+
+"I am from the port of Vannes, near the forest of Karnak. For more than
+sixteen years I have sailed these coasts continuously."
+
+"Would you make a good pilot?"
+
+"May I lose all the limbs which the Chief of the Hundred Valleys has
+left me, if there is a bay, a cape, an islet, a rock, a sand-bank, or a
+breaker, which I do not know from the Gulf of Aquitaine to Dunkirk."
+
+"You are vaunting your skill as a pilot. How can you prove it?"
+
+"We are near the shore. For him who is not a good and fearless sailor,
+nothing is more dangerous than the navigation of the mouth of the Loire,
+going up towards the north."
+
+"That is true," answered the interpreter. "Even yesterday a Roman galley
+ran aground on a sand-bank and was lost."
+
+"Who pilots a boat well," observed Albinik, "pilots well a galley, I
+think."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"To-morrow conduct us to the shore. I know the fisher boats of the
+country; my wife and I will suffice to handle one. From the top of the
+bank Caesar will see us skim around the rocks and breakers, and play
+with them as the sea raven plays with the wave it skims. Then Caesar
+will believe me capable of safely piloting a galley on the coasts of
+Brittany."
+
+Albinik's offer having been translated to Caesar by the interpreter, the
+latter proceeded:
+
+"We accept your test. It shall be done to-morrow morning. If it proves
+your skill as a pilot--and we shall take all precautions against
+treachery, lest you should wish to trick us--perhaps you will be charged
+with a mission which will serve your hatred, all the more seeing that
+you can have no idea of what that mission is. But for that it will be
+necessary to gain the entire confidence of Caesar."
+
+"What must I do!"
+
+"You must know the forces and plans of the Gallic army. Beware of
+telling an untruth; we already have reports on that subject. We shall
+see if you are sincere; if not, the chamber of torture is not far off."
+
+"Arrived at Vannes in the morning, arrested, judged, and punished almost
+immediately, and then driven from the Gallic camp, I could not learn the
+decisions of the council which was held the previous evening," promptly
+answered Albinik. "But the situation was grave, for the women were
+called to the council; it lasted from sun-down to dawn. The current
+rumor was that heavy re-enforcements to the Gallic army were on the
+way."
+
+"Who were those re-enforcements?"
+
+"The tribes of Finisterre and of the north coasts, those of Lisieux, of
+Amiens, and of Perche. They said, even, that the warriors of Brabant
+were coming by sea."
+
+After translating to Caesar Albinik's answer, the interpreter resumed:
+
+"You speak true. Your words agree with the reports which have been made
+to us. But some scouts returned this evening and have brought the news
+that, two or three leagues from here, they saw in the north the glare of
+a conflagration. You come from the north. Do you know anything about
+that?"
+
+"From the outskirts of Vannes up to three leagues from here," answered
+Albinik, "there remains not a town, not a borough, not a village, not a
+house, not a sack of wheat, not a skin of wine, not a cow, not a sheep,
+not a rick of fodder, not a man, woman, or child. Provisions, cattle,
+stores, everything that could not be carried away, have been given up to
+the flames by the inhabitants. At the hour that I speak to you, all the
+tribes of the burned regions are rallied to the support of the Gallic
+army, leaving behind them nothing but a desert of smouldering ruins."
+
+As Albinik progressed with his account, the amazement of the interpreter
+deepened, his terror increased. In his fright he seemed not to dare
+believe what he heard. He hesitated to make Caesar aware of the awful
+news. At last he resigned himself to the requirements of his office.
+
+Albinik did not take his eyes from Caesar, for he wished to read in his
+face what impression the words of the interpreter would make. Well
+skilled in dissimulation, they say, was the Roman general. Nevertheless,
+as the interpreter spoke, stupefaction, fear, frenzy and doubt betrayed
+themselves in the face of Gaul's oppressor. His officers and
+councillors looked at one another in consternation, exchanging under
+their breaths words which seemed full of anguish. Then Caesar, sitting
+bolt upright on his couch, addressed several short and violent words to
+the interpreter, who immediately turned to the mariner:
+
+"Caesar says you lie. Such a disaster is impossible. No nation is
+capable of such a sacrifice. If you have lied, you shall expiate your
+crime on the rack."
+
+Great was the joy of Albinik and Meroe on seeing the consternation and
+fury of the Roman, who could not make up his mind to believe the heroic
+resolution, so fatal to his army. But the couple concealed their
+emotions, and Albinik answered:
+
+"Caesar has in his camp Numidian horsemen, with tireless horses. Let him
+send out scouts instantly. Let them scour not only the country which we
+have just crossed in one night and day of travel, but let them extend
+their course into the east, to the boundary of Touraine. Let them go
+still further, as far as Berri; and so much further as their horses can
+carry them; they will traverse regions ravaged by fire, and deserted."
+
+Hardly had Albinik pronounced these words, when the Roman general shot
+some orders at several of his officers. They rushed from the tent in
+haste, while he, relapsing into his habitual dissimulation, and no doubt
+regretful of having betrayed his fears in the presence of the Gallic
+fugitives, affected to smile, and stretched himself again on his lion
+skin. He held out his cup to one of his cup-bearers, and emptied it
+after saying to the interpreter some words which he translated thus:
+
+"Caesar empties his cup to the honor of the Gauls--and, by Jupiter, he
+gives them thanks for having done just what he wished to do himself. For
+old Gaul shall humble herself vanquished and repentant, before Rome,
+like the most humble slave--or not one of her towns shall remain
+standing, not one of her warriors living, not one of her people free."
+
+"May the gods hear Caesar," answered Albinik. "Let Gaul be enslaved or
+devastated, and I shall be avenged on the Chief of the Hundred
+Valleys--for he will suffer a thousand deaths in seeing subdued or
+destroyed that fatherland which I now curse."
+
+While the interpreter was translating these words, the general, either
+to hide all the more his fears, or to drown them in wine, emptied his
+cup several times, and began to cast at Meroe more and more ardent
+looks. Then, a thought seeming to strike him, he smiled with a singular
+air, made a sign to one of the freedmen, and spoke to him in a low
+voice. He also whispered a few hurried words to the Moorish slave-girl,
+until then seated at his feet, whereupon she and the freedman left the
+tent.
+
+The interpreter thereupon returned to Albinik: "So far your answers have
+proved your sincerity. If the news you have just given is confirmed, if
+to-morrow you show yourself a capable and courageous pilot, you will be
+able to serve your revenge. If you satisfy Caesar, he will be generous.
+If you play us false your punishment will be terrible. Did you see, at
+the entrance to the camp, five men crucified!"
+
+"I saw them."
+
+"They are pilots who refused to serve us. They had to be carried to the
+crosses, because their legs, crushed by the torture, could not sustain
+them. Such will be your lot and that of your companion, upon the least
+suspicion."
+
+"I fear these threats no more than I expect a gift from the magnificence
+of Caesar," haughtily returned Albinik. "Let him try me first, then
+judge me."
+
+"You and your companion will be taken to a nearby tent; you will be
+guarded there like prisoners."
+
+At a sign from the Roman, the two Gauls were led away and conducted
+through a winding passage covered with cloth, into an adjacent tent,
+where they were left alone.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+GALLIC VIRTUE.
+
+
+So great was the distrust in which Albinik and his wife held everything
+Roman, that before passing the night in the tent to which they had been
+taken, they examined it carefully. The tent, round of form, was
+decorated inside with woolen cloth, striped in strongly contrasting
+colors. It was fixed on taut cords which were fastened to stakes driven
+into the earth. The cloth of the tent did not come down close to the
+ground, and Albinik remarked that between the coarsely tanned hides
+which served as a carpet, and the lower edge of the tent, there remained
+a space three times the width of his palm. There was no other visible
+entrance to the tent but the one the couple had just crossed, which was
+closed by two flaps of cloth overlapping each other. An iron bed
+furnished with cushions was half enveloped in draperies, with which one
+could shut himself in by pulling a cord hanging over the head of the
+bed. A brass lamp, raised on a long shaft stuck into the ground, feebly
+lighted the interior of the tent.
+
+After examining silently and carefully the place where he was to pass
+the night with his wife, Albinik said to her in a whisper:
+
+"Caesar will have us spied upon to-night. They will listen to our
+conversation. But no matter how softly they come, or how cunningly they
+hide themselves, no one can approach the cloth from the outside to
+listen to us, without our seeing, through that gap, the feet of the
+spy," and he pointed out to his wife the circular space left between the
+earth and the lower rim of the tent cloth.
+
+"Do you think, then, Albinik, that Caesar has any suspicions? Could he
+suppose that a man would have the courage to mutilate himself in order
+to induce confidence in his feelings of revenge?"
+
+"And our brothers, the inhabitants of the regions which we have just
+traversed, have they not shown a courage a thousand times greater than
+mine, in giving up their country to the flames? My one hope is in the
+absolute need our enemy has of Gallic pilots to conduct his ships along
+the Breton coasts. Now especially, when the land offers not a single
+resource to his army, the way by sea is perhaps his only means of
+safety. You saw, when he learned of that heroic devastation, that he
+could not, even he, always so dissembling, they say, hide his
+consternation and fury, which he then tried to forget in the fumes of
+wine. And that is not the only debauchery to which he gives himself up.
+I saw you blush under the obstinate looks of the infamous debauchee."
+
+"Oh, Albinik! while my forehead reddened with shame and anger under the
+eyes of Caesar, twice my hand sought and clasped under my garments the
+weapon with which I am provided. Once I measured the distance which
+separated me from him--it was too great."
+
+"At the first movement, before reaching him, you would have been pierced
+with a thousand sword thrusts. Our project is worth more. If it
+thrives," added Albinik, throwing a meaning glance at his companion, and
+instead of speaking low as he had been doing up till now, raising his
+voice little by little, "if our project thrives, if Caesar has faith in
+my word, we will be able at last to avenge ourselves on my tormentor.
+Oh, I tell you, I feel now for Gaul the hatred with which the Romans
+once inspired me!"
+
+Surprised by Albinik's words, Meroe stared at him in amazement. But by a
+sign he showed her, through the empty space left between the ground and
+the cloth, of the tent, the toes of the sandals of the interpreter, who
+had approached and now listened without. At once the young woman
+replied:
+
+"I share your hate, as I have shared your heart's love, and the peril of
+your mariner's life. May Hesus cause Caesar to understand what services
+you can render him, and I shall be the witness of your revenge as I was
+the witness of your torture."
+
+These words, and many others, exchanged by the couple to the end of
+deceiving the interpreter, apparently reassured the spy of the honesty
+of the two prisoners, for presently they saw him move away.
+
+Shortly thereafter, at the moment that Albinik and Meroe, fatigued with
+their long journey, were about to throw themselves into bed in their
+clothes, the interpreter appeared at the entry. The uplifted cloth
+disclosed several Spanish soldiers.
+
+"Caesar wishes to converse with you immediately," said the interpreter
+to the mariner. "Follow me."
+
+Albinik felt certain that the suspicions of the Roman general, if he had
+any, had just been allayed by the interpreter's report, and that the
+moment had come when he was to learn the mission with which they wished
+to charge him. Accordingly, he prepared to leave the tent, and Meroe
+with him, when the interpreter said to the young woman, stopping her
+with a gesture:
+
+"You may not accompany us. Caesar wishes to speak with your companion
+alone."
+
+"And I," answered the seaman, taking his wife by the hand, "I shall not
+leave Meroe."
+
+"Do you really refuse my order?" cried the interpreter. "Beware,
+beware!"
+
+"We go together to Caesar," began Meroe, "or we go not at all."
+
+"Poor fools! Are you not prisoners at our mercy?" said the interpreter
+to them, pointing to the soldiers, motionless at the door of the tent.
+"Willingly or unwillingly, I will be obeyed."
+
+Albinik reflected that resistance was impossible. Death he was not
+afraid of; but to die was to renounce his plans at the moment when they
+seemed to be prospering. Nevertheless, the thought of leaving Meroe
+alone in the tent disturbed him. The young woman divined the fears of
+her husband, and feeling, like him, that they must resign themselves,
+said:
+
+"Go alone. I shall wait for you without fear, true as your brother is an
+able armorer."
+
+Reassured by his wife's significant words, Albinik followed the
+interpreter. The door flaps of the tent, for the moment raised, fell
+back into place. Immediately, from behind them, she heard a heavy thud.
+She ran towards the place, and saw that a thick wicker screen had been
+fastened outside, closing the door. The young woman was at first
+surprised with this precaution, but she presently thought that it would
+be better to remain thus secured while awaiting Albinik, and that
+perhaps he himself had asked that the tent be closed till his return.
+
+Meroe accordingly seated herself thoughtfully on the bed, full of hope
+in the interview which undoubtedly her husband was then having with
+Caesar. Suddenly her revery was broken by a singular noise. It came from
+the part directly in front of the bed. Almost immediately, the cloth
+parted its whole length. The young woman sprang to her feet. Her first
+movement was to seize the poniard which she carried under her blouse.
+Then, trusting in herself and in the weapon which she held, she waited,
+calling to mind the Gallic proverb, "He who takes his own life in his
+hands has nothing to fear but the gods!"
+
+Against the background of dense shadows on which the tent cloth parted,
+Meroe saw the young Moorish slave approach, wrapped in her white
+garments. As soon as the slave had put her foot in the tent, she fell
+upon her knees, and stretched out her clasped hands to Albinik's
+companion. Touched by the suppliant gesture and the grief imprinted on
+the face of the slave, Meroe felt neither suspicion nor fear, but
+compassion mingled with curiosity, and she laid her poniard at the head
+of the bed. The Moorish girl advanced, creeping on her knees, her two
+hands still extended towards Meroe, who, full of pity, leaned towards
+the suppliant, meaning to raise her up. But when the slave had
+sufficiently approached the bed where the poniard was, she raised
+herself with a bound, and leaped to the weapon. Evidently she had not
+lost sight of it since entering the tent, and before Albinik's stupefied
+companion could oppose her, the poniard was flung into the outer
+darkness.
+
+By the peal of savage laughter which burst from the Moorish girl when
+she had thus disarmed Meroe, the latter saw that she had been betrayed.
+She ran toward the dark passage to recover her poniard, or to flee. But
+out of those shadows, she saw coming--Caesar.
+
+Stricken with fear, the Gallic woman recoiled several steps, Caesar
+advanced likewise, and the slave disappeared by the opening, which was
+immediately closed again. By the uncertain step of the Roman, by the
+fire in his looks, the excitement which impurpled his cheeks, Meroe saw
+that he was inebriate. Her terror subsided. He carried under his arm a
+casket of precious wood. After silently gazing at the young woman with
+such effrontery that the blush of shame again mounted to her forehead,
+the Roman drew from the casket a rich necklace of chased gold. He went
+closer to the lamp-light in order to improve its glitter in the eyes of
+the woman whom he wished to tempt. Then, simulating an ironical
+reverence, he stooped and placed the necklace at the feet of the Gaul.
+Rising, he questioned her with an audacious look.
+
+Meroe, standing with arms crossed on her breast, heaving with
+indignation and scorn, looked haughtily at Caesar, and spurned the
+collar with her foot.
+
+The Roman made an insulting gesture of surprise; he laughed with an air
+of disdainful confidence; and then drew from the casket a magnificent
+gold net-work for the hair, all encrusted with carbuncles. After making
+it sparkle in the lamp-light, he deposited the second trinket also at
+the feet of Meroe. Redoubling his ironical respect, he rose, and seemed
+to say:
+
+"This time I am sure of my triumph!"
+
+Meroe, pale with anger, smiled disdainfully.
+
+Then Caesar emptied at the young woman's feet all the contents of the
+casket. It was like a flood of gold, pearls, and precious stones, of
+necklaces, zones, earrings, bracelets, jewels of all sorts.
+
+This time Meroe did not push away the gewgaws with her foot. She ground
+under the heel of her boot as many of the trinkets as she could rapidly
+stamp upon, and drove back the infamous debauchee, who was advancing
+toward her with confidently open arms.
+
+Confused for a moment, the Roman put his hand to his heart, as if to
+protest his adoration. The woman of Gaul answered the mute language with
+a burst of laughter so scornful that Caesar, intoxicated with lust, wine
+and anger, seemed to say:
+
+"I have offered riches, I have offered prayers. All in vain; I shall use
+force."
+
+Albinik's wife was alone and disarmed. She knew that her cries would
+bring her no help. Her resolve was soon taken. The chaste, brave woman
+leaped upon the bed, seized the long cord which served to lower the
+draperies, and knotted it around her neck. Then she quickly climbed upon
+the head of the bed-stead, ready to launch herself into the air, and
+strangle herself by the weight of her own body at Caesar's first step
+towards her. So desperate was the resolution depicted on Meroe's face
+that the Roman general for an instant remained motionless. Then, urged
+either by compunction for his violence; or by the certainty that, if he
+attempted force, he would have but a corpse in his possession; or, as
+the unscrupulous libertine later pretended, by a generous impulse that
+had guided him throughout;--whatever his motive, Caesar stepped back
+several paces, and raised his hand to heaven as if to call the gods to
+witness that he would respect his prisoner. Still suspicious, the Gallic
+woman kept herself in readiness to give up her life. The Roman turned
+towards the secret opening of the tent, disappeared into the shadows for
+a moment, and gave an order in a loud voice. Immediately he returned,
+but kept himself at a wide distance from the bed, his arms crossed on
+his toga. Not knowing whether the danger she ran was not still to be
+increased, Meroe remained standing on the bed-stead with the cord about
+her neck. After a few minutes she saw the interpreter enter, accompanied
+by Albinik; with one bound she sprang to her husband.
+
+"Your wife is a woman of manful virtue," said the interpreter to
+Albinik. "Behold those treasures at her feet; she has spurned them.
+Great Caesar's love she has scorned. He pretended to resort to
+violence. Your companion, disarmed by a trick, was prepared to take her
+own life. Thus gloriously has she come out of the test."
+
+"The test?" answered Albinik, with an air of sinister doubt. "The test?
+Who, here, has the right to test the virtue of my wife?"
+
+"The thought of vengeance, which have brought you into the Roman camp,
+are the thoughts of a haughty soul, roused by injustice and barbarity.
+The mutilation which you have suffered seemed above all to prove the
+truth of your words," resumed the interpreter. "But fugitives always
+arouse a secret suspicion. The wife often is a test of the husband.
+Yours is a valiant wife. To inspire such fidelity, you must be a man of
+courage and of truth. That is what we wished to make sure of."
+
+"I don't know," began the mariner doubtfully, "the licentiousness of
+your general is well known----"
+
+"The gods have sent us in you a precious aid; you can become fatal to
+the Gauls. Do you believe Caesar is foolish enough to wish to make an
+enemy of you by outraging your wife, at the very moment, perhaps, when
+he is about to charge you with a mission of trust? No, I repeat: he
+wished to try you both, and so far the trials are favorable to you."
+
+Caesar interrupted the interpreter, saying a few words to him. Then
+bowing respectfully to Meroe, and saluting Albinik with a friendly
+gesture, he slowly and majestically left the tent.
+
+"You and your wife," said the interpreter, "are henceforth assured of
+the general's protection. He gives you his word for it. You shall no
+more be separated or disturbed. The wife of the courageous mariner has
+scorned these rich ornaments," added the interpreter, collecting the
+jewels and replacing them in the casket. "Caesar wishes to keep as a
+reminder of Gallic virtue the poniard which she wore, and which he took
+from her by ruse. Reassure yourself, she shall not remain unarmed."
+
+Almost at the same instant, two young freedmen entered the tent. They
+carried on a large silver tray a little oriental dagger of rich
+workmanship, and a Spanish saber, short and slightly curved, hung from a
+baldric of red leather, magnificently embroidered in gold. The
+interpreter presented the dagger to Meroe and the saber to Albinik,
+saying to them as he did so:
+
+"Sleep in peace, and guard these gifts of the grandeur of Caesar."
+
+"And do you assure him," returned Albinik, "that your words and his
+generosity dissipate my suspicions. Henceforth he will have no more
+devoted allies than my wife and myself, until our vengeance be
+satisfied."
+
+The interpreter left, taking with him the two freedmen. Albinik then
+told his wife that when he had been taken into the Roman general's tent,
+he had waited for Caesar, in company with the interpreter, up to the
+moment when they both returned to the tent, under the conduct of a
+slave. Meroe told in turn what had occurred to her. The couple concluded
+that Caesar, half drunk, had at first yielded to a foul thought, but
+that Meroe's desperate resolve, backed up by the reflection that he was
+running the risk of estranging a fugitive from whom he might reap good
+service, had curbed the Roman's passion. With his habitual trickery and
+address, he had given, under the pretext of a "trial," an almost
+generous appearance to the odious attempt.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+THE TRIAL.
+
+
+The next morning Caesar, accompanied by his generals, set out for the
+bank which commanded the mouth of the Loire, where a tent had been set
+up for him. From this place the sea and its dangerous shores, strewn
+with sand-bars and rocks level with the water, could be seen in the
+distance. The wind was blowing a gale. Moored to the bank was a
+fisherman's boat, at once solid and light, rigged Gallic fashion, with
+one square sail with flaps cut in its lower edge. To this craft Albinik
+and Meroe were forthwith conducted.
+
+"It is stormy, the sea is menacing," said the interpreter to them. "Will
+you dare to venture it alone with your wife? There are some fishermen
+here who have been taken prisoners--do you want their help?"
+
+"My wife and I have before now braved tempests alone in our boat, when
+we made for my ship, anchored far out from shore on account of bad
+weather."
+
+"But now you are maimed," answered the interpreter. "How will you be
+able to manage!"
+
+"One hand is enough for the tiller. My companion will raise the
+sail--the woman's business, since it is a sort of cloth," gaily added
+the mariner to give the Romans faith in him.
+
+"Go ahead then," said the interpreter. "May the gods direct you."
+
+The bark, pushed into the waves by several soldiers, rocked a minute
+under the flappings of the sail, which had not yet caught the wind. But
+soon, held by Meroe, while her husband managed the tiller, the sail
+filled, and bellied out to the blast. The boat leaned gently, and seemed
+to fly over the crests of the waves like a sea-bird. Meroe, dressed in
+her mariner's costume, stayed at the prow, her black hair streaming in
+the wind. Occasionally the white foam of the ocean, bursting from the
+prow of the boat, flung its stinging froth in the young woman's noble
+face. Albinik knew these coasts as the ferryman of the solitary moors of
+Brittany knows their least detours. The bark seemed to play with the
+high waves. From time to time the couple saw in the distance the tent of
+Caesar, recognizable by its purple flaps, and saw gleaming in the sun
+the gold and silver which decked the armor of his generals.
+
+"Oh, Caesar!--scourge of Gaul--the most cruel, the most debauched of
+men!" exclaimed Meroe. "You do not know that this frail bark, which at
+this moment you are following in the distance with your eyes, bears two
+of your most desperate enemies. You do not know that they have
+beforehand given over their lives to Hesus in the hope of making to
+Teutates, god of journeys by land and by sea, an offering worthy of
+him--an offering of several thousand Romans, sinking in the depths of
+the sea. It is with hands raised to you, thankful and happy, O, Hesus,
+that we shall disappear in the bottom of the deep, with the enemies of
+our sacred Gaul!"
+
+The bark of Albinik and Meroe, almost grazing the rocks and glancing
+over the surges along the dangerous ashore, sometimes drew away from,
+sometimes approached the bank. The mariner's companion, seeing him sad
+and thoughtful, said:
+
+"Still brooding, Albinik! Everything favors our projects. The Roman
+general is no longer suspicious; your skill this morning will decide him
+to accept your services; and to-morrow, mayhap, you will pilot the
+galleys of our enemies----"
+
+"Yes, I will pilot them to the bottom, where they will be swallowed up,
+and we with them."
+
+"What a magnificent offering to the gods! Ten thousand Romans, perhaps!"
+
+"Meroe," answered Albinik with a sigh, "then, after ending our lives
+here, even as the soldiers, brave warriors after all, we shall be
+resurrected elsewhere with them. They will say to me: 'It was not
+through bravery, with the lance and the sword, that you overcame us. No,
+you slew us without a combat, by treason. You watched at the rudder, we
+slept in peace and confidence. You steered us on the rocks--in an
+instant the sea swallowed us. You are like a cowardly poisoner, who
+would send us to our death by putting poison in our food. Is that an act
+of valor? No, no longer do you know the open boldness of your fathers,
+those proud Gauls who fought us half naked, who railed at us in our iron
+armor, asking why we fought if we were afraid of wounds or death.'"
+
+"Ah!" exclaimed Meroe, sadly and bitterly, "Why did the druidesses teach
+me that a woman ought to escape the last outrage by death! Why did your
+mother Margarid tell us so often, as a noble example to follow, the
+deed of your grandmother Syomara, who cut off the head of the Roman who
+ravished her, and carrying the head under the skirt of her robe to her
+husband, said to him these proud and chaste words: 'No two men living
+can boast of having possessed me!' Why did I not yield to Caesar?"
+
+"Meroe!"
+
+"Perhaps you would then have been avenged! faint heart! weak spirit!
+Must then the outrage be completed, the ignominy swallowed, before your
+anger is kindled?"
+
+"Meroe, Meroe!"
+
+"It is not enough for you, then, that the Roman has proposed to your
+wife to sell herself, to deliver herself to him for gifts? It is to your
+wife--do you hear!--to your wife, that Caesar made that offer of shame!"
+
+"You speak true," answered the mariner, feeling anger fire his heart at
+the memory of these outrages, "I was a spiritless fellow----"
+
+But his companion went on with redoubled bitterness:
+
+"No, I see it now. This is not enough. I should have died. Then perhaps
+you would have sworn vengeance over my body. Oh, they arouse pity in
+you, these Romans, of whom we wish to make an offering to the gods! They
+are not accomplices to the crime which Caesar attempted, say you?
+Answer! Would they have come to my aid, these soldiers, these brave
+warriors, if, instead of relying on my own courage and drawing my
+strength from my love for you, I had cried, implored, supplicated,
+'Romans, in the name of your mothers, defend me from the lust of your
+general'? Answer! Would they have come at my call? Would they have
+forgotten that I was a Gaul--that Caesar was Caesar? Would the 'generous
+hearts' of these brave fellows have revolted? After rape, do not they
+themselves drown the infants in the blood of their mothers?----"
+
+Albinik did not allow his companion to finish. He blushed at his lack of
+heart. He blushed at having an instant forgotten the horrible deeds
+perpetrated by the Romans in their impious war. He blushed at having
+forgotten that the sacrifice of the enemies of Gaul was above all else
+pleasing to Hesus. In his anger, he rang out, for answer, the war song
+of the Breton seamen, as if the wind could carry his words of defiance
+and death to Caesar where he stood on the bank:
+
+    Tor-e-benn!   Tor-e-benn![4]
+    As I was lying in my vessel I heard
+    The sea-eagle calling, in the dead of night.
+    He called his eaglets and all the birds of the shore.
+    He said to them as he called:
+    'Arise ye, all--come--come.
+    It is no longer the putrid flesh of the dog or sheep we must have--
+    It is Roman flesh.'
+
+    "Tor-e-benn!   Tor-e-benn!
+    Old sea-raven, tell me, what have you there?
+    The head of the Roman leader I clutch;
+    I want his eyes--his two red eyes!'
+    And you, sea-wolf, what have you there?
+
+    'The heart of the Roman leader I hold--
+    I am devouring it.'
+    And you, sea-serpent, what are you doing there,
+    Coiled 'round that neck, your flat head so close
+    To that mouth, already cold and blue?
+    'To hear the soul of the Roman leader
+    Take its departure am I here!'
+    Tor-e-benn!    Tor-e-benn!"
+
+Stirred up, like her husband, by the song of war, Meroe repeated with
+him, seeming to defy Caesar, whose tent they discerned in the distance:
+
+    "Tor-e-benn!     Tor-e-benn!      Tor-e-benn!"
+
+Still the bark of Albinik and Meroe played with the rocks and surges of
+those dangerous roads, sometimes drawing off shore, sometimes in.
+
+"You are the best and most courageous pilot I have ever met with, I, who
+have in my life traveled so much on the sea," said Caesar to Albinik
+when he had regained dry land, and, with Meroe, had left the boat.
+"To-morrow, if the weather is fair, you will guide an expedition, the
+destination of which you will know at the moment of setting sail."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+INTO THE SHALLOWS.
+
+
+The following day, at sunrise, the wind being favorable and the sea
+smooth, the Roman galleys were to sail. Caesar wished to be present at
+the embarkment. He had Albinik brought to him. Beside the general was a
+soldier of great height and savage mien. A flexible armor, made of
+interwoven iron links, covered him from head to foot. He stood
+motionless, a statue of iron, one might say. In his hand he held a
+short, heavy, two-edged axe. Pointing out this man, the interpreter said
+to Albinik:
+
+"You see that soldier. During the sail he will stick to you like your
+shadow. If through your fault or by treason, a single one of the galleys
+grates her keel, he has orders to kill you and your companion on the
+instant. If, on the contrary, you carry the fleet to harbor safely, the
+general will overwhelm you with gifts. You will then give the most happy
+mortals cause for envy."
+
+"Caesar shall be satisfied," answered Albinik.
+
+Followed by the soldier with the axe, he and Meroe went up into the
+galley Pretoria which was to lead the fleet. She was distinguished from
+the other ships by three gilded torches placed on the poop.
+
+Each galley carried seventy rowers, ten sailors to handle the sails,
+fifty light-armed archers and slingers, and one hundred and fifty
+soldiers cased in iron from top to toe.
+
+When the galleys had pulled out from shore, the praetor, military
+commandant of the fleet, told Albinik, through an interpreter, to steer
+for the lower part of the bay of Morbihan, in the neighborhood of the
+town of Vannes, where the Gallic army was assembled. Albinik with his
+hand at the tiller was to convey to the interpreter his orders to the
+master of the rowers. The latter beat time for the rowers, according to
+the pilot's orders, with an iron hammer with which he rapped on a gong
+of brass. As the speed of the Pretoria, whose lead the rest of the Roman
+fleet followed, needed quickening or slackening, he indicated it by
+quickening or slowing the strokes of the hammer.
+
+The galleys, driven by a fair wind, sailed northward. As the interpreter
+had done before, so now the oldest sailors admired the bold manoeuvre
+and quick sight of the Gallic pilot. After a sail of some length, the
+fleet found itself near the southern point of the bay of Morbihan, and
+knew that now it was to enter into those channels, the most dangerous on
+all the coast of Brittany because of the great number of small islands,
+rocks and sand banks, and above all, because of the undercurrents, which
+ran with irresistible violence.
+
+A little island situated in the mouth of the bay, which was still more
+constricted by two points of land, divided the inlet into two narrow
+lanes. Nothing in the surface of the sea, neither breakers nor foam nor
+change in the color of the waters gave token of the slightest difference
+between the two passes. Nevertheless, in one lay not a rock, while the
+other was strewn with danger. In the latter channel, after a hundred
+strokes of the oars, the ships in single file, led by the Pretoria,
+would have been dragged by a submarine current toward a reef of rocks
+which was visible in the distance, and over which the sea, calm
+everywhere else, broke tumultuously. The commanders of the several
+galleys could perceive their peril only one by one; each would be made
+aware of it only by the rapid drifting of the galley ahead of him. Then
+it would be too late. The violence of the current would drag and hurl
+vessel upon vessel. Whirling in the abyss, fouling the bottom, and
+crashing into one another, their timbers would part and they would sink
+into the watery depths with all on board, or else dash themselves on the
+rocky reef. A hundred more strokes of the oar, and the fleet would be
+annihilated in this channel of ruin.
+
+The sea was so calm and beautiful that not one of the Romans had any
+suspicion of danger. The rowers accompanied with songs the measured fall
+of their oars. Of the soldiers some were cleaning their arms; some were
+stretched out in the bow asleep; others were playing at huckle-bones. A
+short distance from Albinik, who was still at the helm, a white haired
+veteran with battle-scarred face was seated on one of the benches in the
+poop, between his two sons, fine young archers of eighteen or twenty
+years. They were conversing with their father, each with one arm
+familiarly laid on a shoulder of the old warrior, whom they thus held
+tight in their embrace; all three seemed to be talking in pleasant
+confidence, and to love one another tenderly. In spite of the hatred he
+entertained for the Romans, Albinik could not help sighing with pity
+when he thought of the fate of these three soldiers, who did not imagine
+they were so near the jaws of death.
+
+Just then one of those light boats used by the Irish seamen shot out
+from the bay of Morbihan by the safe channel. Albinik had, on his
+journeys, made frequent voyages to the coast of Ireland, an island that
+is inhabited by people of Gallic stock. They speak a language almost the
+same as that of the Gauls, yet difficult to understand for one who had
+not been as often on their coast as Albinik had.
+
+The Irishman, either because he feared that he would be pursued and
+caught by one of the men-of-war which he saw approaching, and wished to
+avoid that danger by coming up to the fleet of his own accord, or else
+because he had useful information to give, steered straight toward the
+Pretoria. Albinik shuddered. Perhaps the interpreter would question the
+Irishman, and he might point out the danger which the fleet ran in
+taking one of the passages. Albinik therefore gave orders to bend to the
+oars, in order to get inside the channel of destruction before the
+Irishman could join the galleys. But after a few words exchanged between
+the military commandant and the interpreter, the latter ordered them to
+wait for the boat which was drawing near, so as to ask for tidings of
+the Gallic fleet. Albinik obeyed; he did not dare to oppose the
+commandant for fear of arousing suspicion. Before long the little Irish
+shallop was within hailing distance of the Pretoria. The interpreter,
+stepping forward, hailed the Irishman in Gallic:
+
+"Where do you come from, and where are you bound to? Have you met any
+vessels at sea?"
+
+At these questions the Irishman motioned that he did not understand.
+Then he began in his own half-Gallic tongue:
+
+"I am coming to the fleet to give you news."
+
+"What language does the man speak?" said the interpreter to Albinik. "I
+do not catch his meaning, although his language does not seem entirely
+strange."
+
+"He speaks half Irish, half Gallic," answered Albinik. "I have often
+trafficked on the coasts of his country. I understand the tongue. The
+fellow says he has steered up to us to give us important news."
+
+"Ask him what his news is."
+
+"What information have you to give?" called Albinik to the Irishman.
+
+"The Gallic vessels," answered he, "coming from various ports of
+Brittany, joined forces yesterday evening in the bay I have just left.
+They are in great number, well armed, well manned, and cleared for
+action. They have chosen their anchorage at the foot of the bay, near
+the harbor of Vannes. You will not be able to see them till after
+doubling the promontory of A'elkern."
+
+"The Irishman carries us favorable tidings," cried Albinik to the
+interpreter. "The Gallic fleet is scattered on all sides; part of the
+ships are in the river Auray; the others, still more distant, towards
+the bay of Audiern, and Ouessant. At the foot of this bay, for the
+defense of Vannes, are but five or six poor merchantmen, barely armed in
+their haste."
+
+"By Jupiter!" exclaimed the interpreter, "the gods, as always, are
+favorable to Caesar!"
+
+The praetor and the officers, to whom the interpreter repeated the false
+news given by the pilot, seemed also overjoyed at the dispersion of the
+fleet of Gaul. Vannes was thus delivered into the hands of the Romans
+almost without defenses on the sea side.
+
+Then Albinik said to the interpreter, indicating the soldier with the
+axe:
+
+"Caesar has suspected me. The gods have been kind to allow me to prove
+the injustice of his suspicions. Do you see that islet, about a hundred
+oar-lengths ahead?"
+
+"I see it."
+
+"In order to enter the bay, we must take one of two passages, one to the
+right of the islet, the other to the left. The fate of the Roman fleet
+is in my hands. I could pilot you by one of these passages, which to the
+eye is exactly like the other, and an undercurrent would tow your
+galleys onto a sunken reef. Not one would escape."
+
+"What say you?" exclaimed the interpreter. As for Meroe, she gazed at
+her husband in pained surprise, for, by his words, he seemed finally to
+have renounced his vengeance.
+
+"I speak the truth," answered Albinik. "I'll prove it to you. That
+Irishman knows as well as I the dangers attendant upon entering the bay
+he has just left. I shall ask him to go before us, as pilot, and in
+advance I shall trace for you the route he will take. First he will
+take the channel to the right of the islet; then he will advance till he
+almost touches that point of land which you see furthest off; then he
+will make a wide turn to the right until he is just off those black
+rocks which tower over yonder; that pass behind us, those rocks shunned,
+we shall be safely in the bay. If the Irishman executes this manoeuvre
+from point to point, will you still suspect me?"
+
+"No, by Jupiter!" answered the interpreter. "It would then be absurd to
+entertain the least doubt of your good faith."
+
+"Judge me then," said Albinik, and he addressed a few words to the
+Irishman, who consented to pilot the ships. His manoeuvring tallied
+exactly with what Albinik had foretold. The latter, having given to the
+Romans this testimony of his truthfulness, deployed the fleet in three
+files, and for some time he guided them among the little islands with
+which the bay was dotted. Then he ordered the rowers to rest on their
+oars. From this place they could not see the Gallic fleet, anchored at
+the furthest part of the bay at almost two leagues' distance, and
+screened from all eyes by a lofty promontory.
+
+"Now," said Albinik to the interpreter, "We now run only one danger; it
+is a great one. Before us are shifting sandbanks, occasionally displaced
+by the high tides; the galleys might ground there. It is necessary,
+then, that I reconnoitre the passage plummet in hand, before bringing
+the fleet into it. Let them rest as they are on their oars. Order the
+smallest boat your galley has to be launched, with two rowers. My wife
+will take the tiller. If you have any suspicion, you and the soldier
+with the axe may accompany us in the boat. Then, the passage
+reconnoitred, I shall return on board to pilot the fleet even to the
+mouth of the harbor of Vannes."
+
+"I no longer suspect," answered the interpreter. "But according to
+Caesar's order, neither the soldier nor I may leave you a single
+instant."
+
+"Let it be as you wish," assented Albinik.
+
+A small boat was lowered from the galley. Two rowers descended into it,
+with the soldier and the interpreter; Albinik and Meroe embarked in
+their turn; and the boat drew away from the Roman fleet, which was
+disposed in a crescent, waiting on its oars, for the pilot's return.
+Meroe, seated at the helm, steered the boat according to the directions
+of her husband. He, kneeling and hanging over the prow, sounded the
+passage by means of a ponderous lead fastened to a long stout cord.
+Behind the little islet which the boat was then skirting stretched a
+long sand-bar which the tide, then ebbing, was beginning to uncover.
+Beyond the sand-bar were several rocks fringing the bank. Albinik was
+just about to heave the lead anew; while seeming to be examining on the
+cord the traces of the water's depth, he exchanged a rapid look with his
+wife, indicating with a glance the soldier and the interpreter. Meroe
+understood. The interpreter was seated near her on the poop; then came
+the two rowers on their bench; and at the farther end stood the man with
+the axe, behind Albinik, who was leaning at the bow, his lead in his
+hand. Rising suddenly he made of the plummet a terrible weapon. He
+imparted to it the rapid motion that a slinger imparts to his sling. The
+heavy lead attached to the cord struck the soldier's helmet so violently
+that the man sank to the bottom of the boat stunned with the blow. The
+interpreter rushed forward to the aid of his companion, but Meroe seized
+him by the hair and pulled him back; loosing his balance he toppled into
+the sea. One of the two rowers, who had raised his oar at Albinik,
+immediately rolled headlong overboard. The movement given to the rudder
+by Meroe made the boat approach so close to the rocky islet that she and
+her husband both leaped on it. Rapidly they climbed the steep rocks.
+There was now but one obstacle to their reaching shore. That was the
+sand-bar, one part of which, already uncovered by the sea, was in
+motion, as could be seen from the air bubbles which continually rose to
+the surface. To take that way to reach the rocks of the shore was to die
+in the abyss hidden under the treacherous surface. Already the couple
+heard, from the other side of the island, which hid them from view, the
+cries and threats of the soldier, who had recovered from his daze, and
+the voice of the interpreter, whom the rowers had doubtlessly pulled out
+of the water. Thoroughly familiar with these coasts, Albinik discovered,
+by the size of the gravel and the clearness of the water that covered
+it, that the sand-bar some paces off was firm. At that point, he and
+Meroe crossed, wading up to their waists. They reached the rocks on the
+shore, clambered up nimbly, and then stopped a moment to see if they
+were pursued.
+
+The man with the axe, hampered by his heavy armor and being, no more
+than the interpreter, accustomed to move upon slippery rocks covered
+with seaweed, such as were those of the islet which they had to cross in
+order to reach the fugitives, arrived after many efforts opposite the
+quicksands, which were now left high and dry by the tide. Furious at the
+sight of Albinik and his companion, from whom he saw himself separated
+by only a narrow and level sand-bar, the soldier thought the passage
+easy, and dashed on. At the first step he sank in the quicksand up to
+his knees. He made a violent effort to clear himself but sank deeper
+yet, up to his waist. He called his companions to his aid, but hardly
+had he called when only his head was above the abyss. Then the head also
+disappeared. The soldier raised his hands to heaven as he sank. A moment
+later only one of his iron gauntlets was to be seen convulsively
+quivering above the sand. Presently nothing was to be seen--nothing
+except some bubbles of air on the surface of the quagmire.
+
+The rowers and the interpreter, seized with fear, remained motionless,
+not daring to risk certain death in the capture of the fugitives.
+Feeling safe at last, Albinik addressed these words to the interpreter:
+
+"Say thou to Caesar that I maimed myself to inspire him with confidence
+in the sincerity of my offers of service. My design was to conduct the
+Roman fleet to certain perdition, sacrificing my companion and myself.
+Accident changed my plan. Just as I was piloting you into the channel of
+destruction, whence not a galley would have come back, we met the
+Irishman who informed me that the Gallic ships, since yesterday
+assembled in great numbers and trimmed for fight, are anchored at the
+foot of the bay, two leagues off. Learning that, I changed my plan. I no
+longer wished to cast away the galleys. They will be annihilated just
+the same, but not by a snare or by treachery; it will come about in
+valorous combat, ship to ship, Gaul to Roman. Now, for the sake of the
+fight to-morrow, listen well to this: I have purposely led your galleys
+into the shallows, where in a few minutes they will be left high and dry
+on the sands. They will stay there grounded, for the tide is falling. To
+attempt to disembark is to commit suicide; you are surrounded on all
+sides by moving quicksands like the one in which your soldier and his
+axe have just been swallowed up. Remain on board of your ships.
+To-morrow they will be floated again by the rising tide. And to-morrow,
+battle--battle to the finish. The Gaul will have once more showed that
+NEVER DID BRETON COMMIT TREASON, and that if he glories in the death of
+his enemy, it is because he has killed his enemy fairly."
+
+Then Albinik and Meroe, leaving the interpreter terrified by their
+words, turned in haste to the town of Vannes to give the alarm, and to
+warn the crews of the Gallic fleet to prepare for combat on the morrow.
+
+On the way, Albinik's wife said to him:
+
+"The heart of my beloved husband is more noble than mine. I wished to
+see the Roman fleet destroyed by the sea-rocks. My husband wishes to
+destroy it by the valor of the Gauls. May I forever be proud that I am
+wife to such a man!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+THE EVE OF BATTLE.
+
+
+It was the eve of the battle of Vannes; the battle of Vannes which,
+waged on land and sea, was to decide the fate of Brittany, and,
+consequently, of all Gaul, whether for liberty or enslavement. On this
+memorable evening, in the presence of all the members of our family
+united in the Gallic camp, except my brother Albinik, who had joined the
+Gallic fleet in the bay of Morbihan, my father Joel, the brenn of the
+tribe of Karnak, addressed me, his eldest born, Guilhern the laborer,
+who now writes this account. He said to me:
+
+"To-morrow, my son, is the day of battle. We shall fight hard. I am
+old--you are young. The angel of death will doubtless carry me hence
+first; perhaps to-morrow I shall meet in the other life my sainted
+daughter Hena. Here, now, is what I ask of you, in the face of the
+misfortunes which menace our country, for to-morrow the fortunes of war
+may go with the Romans. My desire is that as long as our stock shall
+last, the love of old Gaul and sacred memories of our fathers shall be
+ever kept fresh in our family. If our children should remain free men,
+the love of country, the reverence for the memory of their ancestors,
+will all the more endear their liberty to them. If they must live and
+die slaves, these holy memories will remind them, from generation to
+generation, that there was a time when, faithful to their gods, valiant
+in war, independent and happy, masters of the soil which they had won
+from nature by severe toil, careless of death, whose secret they held,
+the Gallic race lived, feared by the whole world, yet withal hospitable
+to peoples who extended to them a friendly hand. These memories, kept
+alive from age to age, will make slavery more horrible to our children,
+and some day give them the strength to overthrow it. In order that these
+memories may be thus transmitted from century to century, you must
+promise by Hesus, my son, to be faithful to our old Gallic custom. You
+must tenderly guard this collection of relics which I am going to
+entrust you with; you must add to it; you must make your son Sylvest
+swear to increase it in his turn, so that the children of your
+grandchildren may imitate their fore-fathers, and may themselves be
+imitated by their posterity. Here is the collection. The first roll
+contains the story of all that has chanced to our family up to the
+anniversary of my dear Hena's birthday, that day which also saw her die.
+This other roll I received this evening about sunset from my son Albinik
+the mariner. It contains the story of his journey across the burnt
+territory, to the camp of Caesar. This account throws honor on the
+courage of the Gaul, it throws honor on your brother and his wife,
+faithful as they were, almost excessively so, to that maxim of our
+fathers: 'Never did Breton commit treason.' These writings I confide to
+you. You will return them to me after to-morrow's conflict if I survive.
+If not, do you preserve them, or in lack of you, your brothers. Do you
+inscribe the principal events of your life and your family's; hand the
+account over to your son, that he may do as you, and thus on,
+forever--generation after generation. Do you swear to me, by Hesus, to
+respect my wishes?"
+
+I, Guilhern the laborer, answered: "I swear to my father Joel, the brenn
+of the tribe of Karnak, that I will faithfully carry out his desires."
+
+The orders then given to me by my father, I have carried out to-day,
+long after the battle of Vannes, and after innumerable misfortunes. I
+make the recital or these misfortunes for you, my son Sylvest. It is not
+with blood that I should write this narrative. No blood would run dry. I
+write with tears of rage, hatred and anguish,--their source never runs
+dry!
+
+After my poor and well-beloved brother Albinik piloted the Roman fleet
+into the bay of Morbihan, the following was the course of events on the
+day of the battle of Vannes. It all took place under my own eyes--I saw
+it all. Were I to have lived all the days I am to live in the next world
+and into all infinity, yet will the remembrance of that frightful day,
+and of the days; that followed it, be ever vivid before me, as vivid as
+it is now, as it was, and as it ever will be.
+
+Joel my father, Margarid my mother, Henory my wife, my two children
+Sylvest and Syomara, as well as my brother Mikael the armorer, his wife
+Martha, and their children, to mention only our nearest relatives, had,
+like all the rest of our tribe, gathered in the Gallic camp. Our war
+chariots, covered with cloth, had served us for tents until the day of
+the battle at Vannes. During the night, the council, called together by
+the Chief of the Hundred Valleys, and Tallyessin, the oldest of the
+druids, had met. Several mountaineers of Ares, mounted on their tireless
+little horses, were sent out in the evening to scout the area of the
+conflagration. At dawn they hastened back to report that at six leagues'
+distance from Vannes they saw the fires of the Roman army, encamped that
+night in the midst of the ruins of the town of Morh'ek. The Chief of the
+Hundred Valleys concluded that Caesar, to escape from the circle of
+devastation and famine that was drawing in closer and closer upon his
+army, had left the wasted country behind him by forced marches, and
+intended to offer battle to the Gauls. The council resolved to advance
+to meet Caesar, and to await him on the heights which overlooked the
+river Elrik. At break of day, after the druids had invoked the blessings
+of the gods, our tribe took up its march for its post in the battle.
+
+Joel, mounted on his high-mettled stallion Tom-Bras, commanded the
+_Mahrek-Ha-Droad_,[5] of which myself and my brother Mikael were
+members, I as a horseman, Mikael as a foot-soldier. According to the
+custom of the army, it was our duty to fight side by side, I on
+horse-back, he afoot, and mutually support each other. The war chariots,
+armed with scythes at the hubs, were placed in the center of the army,
+with the reserve. In one of them were my mother and wife, the wife of
+Mikael, and our children. Some young lads, lightly armed, surrounded the
+chariots and were with difficulty holding back the great war-dogs,
+which, after the example of Deber-Trud, the man-eater, were howling and
+tugging at their leashes, already scenting battle and blood. Among the
+young men of the tribe who were in the array, were two who had taken the
+bond of friendship, like Julyan and Armel. Moreover, to make it more
+certain that they would share the same fate, a stout iron chain was
+riveted to their collars of brass, and fastened them together. The chain
+as the symbol of their pledge of solidarity held them inseparable,
+scathless, wounded, or dead.
+
+On the way to our post in the battle, we beheld the Chief of the Hundred
+Valleys passing at the head of the _Trimarkisia_.[6] He rode a superb
+black horse, in scarlet housings; his armor was of steel; his helmet of
+plated copper, which shone like the sun, was capped by the emblem of
+Gaul, a gilded cock with half spread wings. At either side of the Chief
+rode a bard and a druid, clad in long white robes striped with purple.
+They carried no arms, but when the troops closed in to battle, then,
+disdainful of danger, they stood in the front ranks of the combatants,
+encouraging these with their words and their songs of war. Thus chanted
+the bard at the moment when the Chief of the Hundred Valleys passed by
+Joel's column:
+
+    "Caesar has come against us.
+    In a loud voice he asks:
+    'Do you want to be slaves?
+    Are ye ready?'
+
+    "No, we do not want to be slaves.
+    No, we are not ready.
+    Gauls!
+    Children of the same race,
+    Let us raise our standards on the mountains and pour down upon the plains.
+    March on!
+    March on against Caesar,
+    Joining in the same slaughter him and his army!
+    To the Romans!
+    To the Romans!"
+
+As the bard sang this song, every heart beat with the ardor of
+battle.[7]
+
+As the Chief of the Hundred Valleys passed the troop at the head of
+which was my father Joel, he reined in his horse and cried:
+
+"Friend Joel, when I was your guest, you asked my name. I answered that
+I was called _Soldier_ so long as our old Gaul should be under the
+oppressor's scourge. The hour has come when we must show ourselves
+faithful to the motto of our fathers: 'In all war, there is but one of
+two outcomes for the man of courage: to conquer or to die.'[8] O, that
+my love for our common country be not barren! O, that Hesus keep our
+arms! Perhaps then the Chief of the Hundred Valleys will have washed off
+the stain which covers a name he no longer dares to bear.[9] Courage,
+friend Joel, the sons of your tribe are brave of the brave. What blows
+will they not deal on this day which makes for the welfare of Gaul!"
+
+"My tribe will strike its best, and with all its might," answered my
+father. "We have not forgotten that song of the bards who accompanied
+you, when the first war-cry burst from them in the forest of Karnak:
+'Strike the Roman hard--strike for the head--still harder--strike!--The
+Romans, strike!'"
+
+With one voice the whole tribe of Joel took up the cry:
+
+"Strike!--The Romans, strike!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+THE BATTLE OF VANNES.
+
+
+The Chief of the Hundred Valleys took his departure, in order to address
+a few words of exhortation to each tribe. Before proceeding to our post
+of battle, far from the war chariots which held our wives, daughters and
+children, my father, brother and myself wished to make sure by a last
+look that nothing was lacking for the defense of that car which held our
+dear ones. My mother, Margarid, as calm as when she held the distaff in
+the corner of her own fireplace, was leaning against the oak panel which
+formed the body of the chariot. She had set Henory and Martha to work,
+giving more play to the straps which, fastened to pegs driven in the
+edge of the chariot, secured the handles of the scythes, which were used
+for defense in the same manner as oars fastened to the gunwhale of a
+boat.
+
+Several young girls and women of our kindred were occupied with other
+cares. Some were preparing behind the chariots, with thick skins
+stretched on cords, a retreat where the children would be under cover
+from the arrows and stones thrown by the slingers and archers of the
+enemy. Already the children were laughing and frolicking with joyous
+cries around the half finished den. As an additional protection, my
+mother Margarid, watchful in everything, had some sacks filled with
+grain placed in front of the hut. Other young girls were placing, along
+the interior walls of the car, knives, swords and axes, to be used in
+case of need, and weighing no more on their strong white arms than did
+the distaff. Two of their companions, kneeling near my mother, were
+opening chests of linen, and preparing oil, balm, salt and witch-hazel,
+to dress the wounds, following the example of the druidesses, near whom
+the car was stationed.
+
+At our approach the children ran gaily from the depths of their retreat
+into the fore-part of the wagon, whence they stretched out their little
+hands to us. Mikael, being on foot, took in his arms his son and his
+daughter, while Henory, to spare me the trouble of dismounting from my
+horse, reached out, one at a time, my little Syomara and Sylvest into my
+arms. I seated them both before me on the saddle, and at the moment of
+starting for the fight, I had the pleasure of kissing their yellow
+heads. My father, Joel, then said to my mother:
+
+"Margarid, if fortune turns against us, and the car is attacked by the
+Romans, do not free the dogs until the moment of attack. The brave
+animals will be only the more furious for their long wait, and will not
+then stray away from where you are."
+
+"Your advice will be followed, Joel," answered my mother. "Look and see
+if these straps give the scythes enough play."
+
+"Yes, they are free enough," answered my father, looking at some of the
+straps. Then, examining the array of scythes which defended the other
+side of the chariot, he broke out:
+
+"Wife, wife! What were those girls thinking of! Look here! Oh, the
+rattle heads! On this side the scythe-blades are turned towards the
+shaft of the chariot, and over there they are pointed backwards!"
+
+"It was I who had the weapons placed so," said she.
+
+"And why are not all the blades turned the same way, Margarid?"
+
+"Because a car is almost always attacked before and behind at once. In
+that case the two rows of scythes, placed in opposite directions, are
+the best defense. My mother taught me that, and I am showing the method
+to these dear girls."
+
+"Your mother saw further than I, Margarid. A good harvest time is thus
+made certain. Let the Romans come and assault the car! Heads and limbs
+will fall, mown down like ripe ears at the reaping! Let Hesus make it a
+good one, this human harvest!"
+
+Then, listening intently, my father said to Mikael and myself:
+
+"Sons, I hear the cymbals of the bards and the clarions of the
+_Trimarkisia_. Let us rejoin our friends. Well, Margarid, well, my
+daughters,--till we meet again, here--or above!"
+
+"Here or above, our fathers and husbands will find us pure and
+unstained," answered Henory, more proud, more beautiful than ever.
+
+"Victorious or dead you will see us again," added Madalen, a young
+maiden of sixteen. "But enslaved or dishonored, no. By the glorious
+blood of our Hena---- no---- never!"
+
+"No!" said Martha, the wife of Mikael, pressing to her bosom her two
+children, whom their father had just replaced in the chariot.
+
+"These dear girls are of our race--rest easy, Joel," continued my
+mother, even now calm and grave. "They will do their duty."
+
+"Even as we will do ours. And thus will Gaul be delivered," answered my
+father. "You also will do your duty, old man-eater, old Deber-Trud!"
+added the brenn, stroking the enormous head of the war-dog, who in spite
+of his chain, was standing up with his paws on the horse's shoulder.
+"Soon will come the hour of the quarry, fine bloody quarry, Deber-Trud!
+Her! Her! To the Romans!"
+
+The mastiff and the rest of the war pack responded to these words with
+furious bayings. The brenn, my brother and myself cast one last look
+upon our families. My father turned his spirited stallion's head towards
+the ranks of the army, and speedily came up with them. I followed my
+father, while Mikael, robust and agile, holding tightly with his left
+hand to the long mane of my galloping horse, ran along beside me.
+Sometimes falling in with the sway of the horse, Mikael leaped with it,
+and was thus raised off the ground for several steps. We two, like many
+others of our tribe, had in time of peace familiarized ourselves with
+the manly military exercise of the _Mahrek-Ha-Droad_. Thus the brenn, my
+brother and myself rejoined our tribe and took our stand in the ranks of
+battle.
+
+The Gallic army occupied the summit of a hill about one league's
+distance from Vannes. To the east their line of battle was covered by
+the forest of Merek, which was filled with their best archers. To the
+west they were defended by the lofty cliffs which rose from the bay of
+Morbihan. At the lower end of the bay was the fleet, already weighing
+anchor to proceed to the attack of the Roman galleys, which, motionless
+as a flock of sea-swans, lay at rest on the waves. No longer piloted by
+Albinik, the fleet of Caesar, although floated by the rising tide, still
+held its position of the previous evening, for fear of running upon the
+invisible rocks.
+
+Before the army flowed the River Roswallan. The Romans would have to
+ford it in order to attack us. Skillfully had the Chief of the Hundred
+Valleys chosen his position. He had before him a river; behind him the
+town of Vannes; on the west the sea; on the east the forest of Merek:
+its border chopped down, offered insurmountable obstacles to the Roman
+cavalry; and with an eye to the Roman infantry, the best of Gaul's
+archers were scattered among the mighty trees.
+
+The ground before us, on the opposite side of the river, rose in a
+gentle slope. Its crest hid from us the road by which the Roman army
+would arrive. Suddenly, on the summit of the slope there dashed into
+view several Ares mountaineers, who had been sent out as scouts to
+signal to us the approach of the enemy. They dashed down the hill at
+full speed, forded the river, joined us, and breathlessly announced the
+advance of the Roman army.
+
+"Friends!" the Chief of the Hundred Valleys called out to each tribe as
+he passed on horse-back before the army in battle array; "rest on your
+arms until the Romans, drawn up on the other bank of the river, begin
+to cross it. At that moment let the slingers and archers shower their
+stones and arrows upon the enemy. Then, when the Romans are forming
+their cohorts on this side, after crossing, let our whole line fall
+back, leaving the reserve with the war-chariots. Then, the foot soldiers
+in the center, the cavalry on the wings, let us pour down in a torrent
+from the top of this rapid decline. The enemy, driven back again to the
+river, will not withstand the impetuosity of our first charge!"
+
+Immediately the hill-top opposite the army was covered by the numberless
+troops of Caesar. In the vanguard marched the "Harassers," marked by the
+lion's skin which covered their heads and shoulders. The old legions,
+named from their experience and daring, as the "Thunderer," the "Iron
+Legion," and many others whom the Chief of the Hundred Valleys pointed
+out to his men, formed the reserve. We saw glittering in the sun the
+arms and the distinctive emblems of the legions, an eagle, a wolf, a
+dragon, a minotaur, and other figures of gilded bronze, decorated with
+leaves. The wind bore to us the piercing notes of the long Roman
+clarions, and our hearts leaped at the martial music. A horde of
+Numidian horsemen, wrapped in long white robes, preceded the army. The
+column halted a moment, and several of the Numidians went down at full
+tilt to the brink of the river. In order to ascertain whether it was
+fordable, they entered it on horse-back, and approached the nearer side,
+notwithstanding the hail of stones and arrows which the Gallic slingers
+and archers poured down upon them. More than one white robe was seen to
+float upon the river current, and more than one riderless horse
+returned to the bank and the Romans. Nevertheless, several Numidians, in
+spite of the stones and darts which were hurled upon them, crossed the
+entire breadth of the river several times. Such a display of bravery
+caused the Gallic archers and slingers to hold their fire by common
+accord, and do honor to such supreme valor. Courage in our enemies
+pleases us; it proves them more worthy of our steel. The Numidians,
+certain of having found a ford, ran to convey the news to the Roman
+army. Then the legions formed in several deep columns. The passage of
+the river commenced. According to the orders of the Chief of the Hundred
+Valleys, the archers and slingers resumed their shooting, while Cretan
+archers and slingers from the Balearic Islands, spreading over the
+opposite bank, answered our people.
+
+"My sons," said Joel to us, looking towards the bay of Morbihan, "your
+brother Albinik advances to the fight on the water as we begin the fight
+on land. See--our fleet has met the Roman galleys."
+
+Mikael and I looked in the direction the brenn was pointing, and saw our
+ships with their heavy leathern sails, bent on iron chains, grappling
+with the galleys. The brenn spoke true. The battle was joined on land
+and sea simultaneously. On that double combat depended the freedom or
+slavery of Gaul. But as I turned my attention from the two fleets back
+to our own army, I was struck to the heart with a sinister omen. The
+Gallic troops, ordinarily such chatterers, so gay in the hour of battle
+that from their ranks rise continually playful provocations to the
+enemy, or jests upon the dangers of war, were now sober and silent,
+resolved to win or die.
+
+The signal for battle was given. The cymbals of the bards spoke back to
+the Roman clarions. The Chief of the Hundred Valleys, dismounting from
+his horse, put himself some paces ahead of the line of battle. Several
+druids and bards took up their station on either side of him. He
+brandished his sword and started on a run down the steep hill-side. The
+druids and bards kept even pace with him, striking as they went upon
+their golden harps. At that signal, our whole army precipitated itself
+upon the enemy, who, now across the river, were re-forming their
+cohorts.
+
+The _Mahrek-Ha-Droad_, cavalry and footmen, of the tribes near that of
+Karnak, which my father commanded, darted down the slope with the rest
+of the army. Mikael, holding his axe in his right hand, was, during this
+impetuous descent, almost continually suspended from the mane of my
+horse, which he had seized with his left. At the foot of the slope, that
+troop of the Romans called the Iron Legion, because of their heavy
+armor, formed in a wedge. Immovable as a wall of steel, bristling with
+spears, it made ready to receive our charge on the points of its lances.
+I carried, in common with all the Gallic horsemen, a saber at my left
+side, an axe at my right, and in my hand a heavy staff capped with iron.
+For helmet I had a bonnet of fur, for breastplate a jacket of boar-hide,
+and strips of leather were wrapped around my legs where the breeches did
+not cover them. Mikael was armed with a tipped staff and a saber, and
+carried a light shield on his left arm.
+
+"Leap on the crupper!" I cried to my brother at the moment when the
+horses, now no longer under control, arrived at full gallop on the
+lances of the Iron Legion. Immediately we arrived within range we hurled
+our iron capped staffs full at the heads of the Romans with all our
+might. My staff struck hard and square on the helmet of a legionary,
+who, falling backward, dragged down with him the soldier behind. Through
+this gap my horse plunged into the thickest of the legion. Others
+followed me. In the melee the fight grew sharp. Mikael, always at my
+side, leaped sometimes, in order to deliver a blow from a greater
+height, to my horse's crupper, other times he made of the animal a
+rampart. He fought valorously. Once I was half unhorsed. Mikael
+protected me with his weapon till I regained my seat. The other
+foot-soldiers of the _Mahrek-Ha-Droad_ fought in the same manner, each
+one beside his own horseman.
+
+"Brother, you are wounded," I said to Mikael. "See, your blouse is red."
+
+"You too, brother," he responded. "Look at your bloody breeches."
+
+And, in truth, in the heat of combat, we do not feel these wounds.
+
+My father, chief of the _Mahrek-Ha-Droad_, was not accompanied by a
+foot-soldier. Twice we joined him in the midst of the fight. His arm,
+strong for all his age, struck incessantly. His heavy axe resounded on
+the iron armors like a hammer on the anvil. His stallion Tom-Bras bit
+furiously all the Romans within reach. One of them he almost lifted off
+the ground in his rearing. He held the man by the nape of the neck, and
+the blood was spurting. When the tide of the combat again carried Mikael
+and myself near our father, he was wounded. I overcame one of the
+brenn's assailants by trampling him under my horse's feet; then we were
+again separated from my father. Mikael and myself knew nothing of the
+other movements of the battle. Engaged in the conflict before us, we had
+no other thought than to tumble the Iron Legion into the river. To that
+end we struggled hard. Already our horses were stumbling over corpses as
+if in a quagmire. We heard, not far off, the piercing voices of the
+bards; their voices were heard over the tumult.
+
+"Victory to Gaul!--Liberty! Liberty! Another blow with the axe! Another
+effort! Strike, strike, ye Gauls.--And the Roman is vanquished.--And
+Gaul delivered. Liberty! Liberty! Strike the Roman hard! Strike
+harder!--Strike, ye Gauls!"
+
+The song of the bards, the hope of victory with which they inspired
+their countrymen, caused us to redouble our efforts. The remains of the
+Iron Legion, almost annihilated, recrossed the river in disorder. At
+that moment we saw running in our direction a Roman cohort,
+panic-stricken and in full rout. Our men had driven them back from the
+top of the hill, at the foot of which was the tribe of Karnak. The
+cohort, thus taken between two enemies, was destroyed. Slaughter was
+beginning to tire Mikael's arm and my own when I noticed a Roman warrior
+of medium height, whose magnificent armor announced his lofty rank. He
+was on foot, and had lost his helmet in the fight. His large bald
+forehead, his pale face and his terrible look gave him a terrifying
+appearance. Armed with a sword, he was furiously beating his own
+soldiers, all unable to arrest their flight. I called my brother's
+attention to him.
+
+"Guilhern," said he, "if they have fought everywhere as we have here, we
+are victorious. That soldier, by his gold and steel armor, must be a
+Roman general. Let us take him prisoner; he will be a good hostage. Help
+me and we'll have him."
+
+Mikael immediately hurled himself on the warrior of the golden armor,
+while the latter was still trying to halt the fugitives. With a few
+bounds of my horse, I rejoined my brother. After a brief struggle,
+Mikael threw the Roman. Wishing not to kill, but to take him prisoner,
+Mikael held him under his knees, with his axe uplifted, to signify to
+the Roman that he would have to give himself up. The Roman understood;
+no longer struggled to free himself; and raised to heaven the one hand
+he had free that the gods might witness he yielded himself a prisoner.
+
+"Off with him," said Mikael to me.
+
+Mikael, who like myself, was stalwart and stout, while our prisoner was
+slim and not above middle height, took the Roman in his arms and lifted
+him from the ground. I grasped him by the collar of buffalo-hide which
+he had on over his breastplate, drew him towards me, pulled him up, and
+threw him across my horse, in front of the saddle. Then, taking the
+reins in my teeth so as to have one hand to hold the prisoner, and the
+other to threaten him with my axe, I pressed the flanks of my horse, and
+set out in this fashion towards the reserve of our army, both for the
+purpose of putting the prisoner in safe keeping, and to have my wounds
+dressed. I had hardly started, when one of the horsemen of the
+_Mahrek-Ha-Droad_, happening that way in his pursuit of the fleeing
+Romans, cried out, as he recognized the man I was carrying:
+
+"IT IS CAESAR--STRIKE--KILL HIM!"
+
+Thus I became aware that I had on my horse the direst of Gaul's foes. So
+far from entertaining any thought of killing him, and seized with
+stupor, my axe slipped from my hand, and I leaned back in order the
+better to contemplate that terrible Caesar whom I had in my power.
+
+Unhappy me! Alas for Gaul! Caesar profited by my stupid astonishment,
+jumped down from my horse, called to his aid a troop of Numidian
+horsemen who were riding in search of him, and when I regained
+consciousness from my stupid amazement, the blunder was irreparable.[10]
+Caesar had leaped upon one of the Numidian riders' horse, while the
+others surrounded me. Furious at having allowed Caesar to escape, I now
+defended myself with frenzy. I received several fresh wounds and saw my
+brother Mikael die at my side. That misfortune was only the signal for
+others. Victory, so long hovering over our standards, went to the
+Romans. Caesar rallied his wavering legions; a considerable
+re-enforcement of fresh troops came to his aid; and our whole army was
+driven back in disorder upon the reserve, where were also our
+war-chariots, our wounded, our women and our children. Carried by the
+press of retreating combatants, I arrived in the proximity of the
+chariots, happy in the midst of defeat at having at least come near my
+mother and family, and at being able to defend them--if indeed the
+strength were spared me, for my wounds were weakening me more and more.
+Alas! The gods had condemned me to a horrible trial. I can now repeat
+the words of Albinik and his wife, both killed in the attack on the
+Roman galleys, and battling on the water as we did on the land for the
+freedom of our beloved country: "None ever saw, nor will ever see the
+frightful scene that I witnessed."
+
+Thrown back towards the chariots, still fighting, attacked at once by
+the Numidian cavalry, by the legionaries and by the Cretan archers, we
+yielded ground step by step. Already we could hear the bellowing of the
+oxen, the shrill sound of the numerous brass bells which trimmed their
+yokes, and the barking of the war dogs, still chained about the cars.
+Husbanding my ebbing strength, I no longer sought to fight, I strove
+only to reach the place where my family was in danger. Suddenly my
+horse, which had already sustained several wounds, received on the flank
+his death blow. The animal stumbled and rolled upon me. My leg and
+thigh, pierced with two lance thrusts, were caught as in a vise between
+the ground and the dead weight of my fallen steed. In vain I struggled
+to disengage myself. One of my comrades who, at the time of my fall, was
+following me, ran against the fallen horse. Steed and rider tumbled over
+the obstacle, and were instantly despatched by the blows of the
+legionaries. Our resistance became desperate. Corpse upon corpse piled
+up, both on top of and around me. More and more enfeebled by the loss of
+blood, overcome by the pains in my limbs, bruised under that heap of
+dead and dying, unable to make a motion, all sense left me; my eyes
+closed. Recalled to myself a moment later by the violent throbbing of my
+wounds, I opened my eyes again. The sight which met them at first made
+me believe I was seized with one of those frightful nightmares from
+which escape is vain. It was the horrible reality.
+
+Twenty paces from me I saw the car in which my mother, Henory my wife,
+Martha the wife of Mikael, their children, and several young women and
+girls of the family had taken refuge. Several men of our kindred and
+tribe, who had run like myself to the cars, were defending them against
+the Romans. Among the defenders I saw the two _saldunes_, fastened to
+each other by the iron chain, the symbol of their pledge of brotherhood.
+Both were young, beautiful and valiant. Their clothes were in tatters,
+their heads and chests naked and bloody. But their eyes flashed fire,
+and a scornful smile played on their lips, as, armed only with their
+staffs, they fearlessly fought the Roman legionaries sheathed in iron,
+and the Cretans clad in jackets and thigh-pieces of leather. The large
+dogs of war, shortly unchained, leaped at the throats of their
+assailants, often bearing them over backwards with their furious dashes.
+Their terrible jaws not being able to pierce either helmet or
+breastplate, they devoured the faces of their victims, killing without
+once letting go their grips. The Cretan archers, almost without
+defensive armor, were snatched by the legs, arms, shoulders, anywhere.
+Each bite of these savage dogs carried away a chunk of bleeding flesh.
+
+Several steps from where I lay, I saw an archer of gigantic stature,
+calm in the midst of the tumult, choose from his quiver his sharpest
+arrow, lay it on the string of his bow, pull it with a sinewy arm, and
+take long aim at one of the two chained _saldunes_, who, dragged down by
+the fall of his comrade, now dead by his side, could only fight on one
+knee. But so much the more valiantly did he ply his iron-capped staff.
+He swung it before him with such tireless dexterity that for some time
+none dared to brave its blows, for each stroke carried death. The Cretan
+archer, waiting for the proper moment, was again aiming at the
+_saldune_, when old Deber-Trud bounded forth. Held tight where I lay
+under the heap of dead which was crushing me, unable to move without
+causing intense pain in my wounded thigh, I summoned all my remaining
+strength to cry out:
+
+"Hou! Hou! Deber-Trud--at the Roman."
+
+The dog, increasingly excited by my voice, which he recognized, dashed
+with one bound upon the Cretan, at the moment when the arrow hissed from
+the string, and buried itself, still quivering, in the stalwart breast
+of the _saldune_. With this new wound his eyes closed, his heavy arms
+let fall the staff, his other knee gave way, his body sank to the
+ground; but by a last effort, the _saldune_ rose on both knees, snatched
+the arrow from the wound, and threw it back at the Roman legionaries,
+calling in a voice still strong, and with a smile of supreme contempt:
+
+"For you, cowards, who shelter your fear and your bodies under plates of
+iron. The breastplate of the Gaul is his naked bosom."[11]
+
+And the _saldune_ fell dead upon the body of his brother-in-arms.
+
+Both of them were avenged by Deber-Trud. The terrible dog had hurled
+down and was holding under his enormous paws the Cretan archer, who was
+uttering frightful cries. With one bite of his fangs, as dangerous as
+those of a lion, the dog tore his victim's throat so deeply that two
+jets of warm blood poured out on the archer's chest. Though still alive,
+the man could utter no sound. Deber-Trud, seeing that his prey still
+lived, fell upon him, roaring furiously, swallowing or throwing aside
+shreds of severed flesh. I heard the sides of the Cretan crack and grind
+under the teeth of Deber-Trud, who dug and dug, burying his bloody
+muzzle up to the eyes in the man's chest. Then a legionary ran up and
+transfixed Deber-Trud with one thrust of his lance. The dog gave not a
+groan. He died like a good war-dog, his monstrous head plunged in the
+Roman's entrails.[12]
+
+After the death of the two _saldunes_, the defenders of the chariots
+fell one by one. My mother Margarid, Martha, Henory, and the young girls
+of the family, with burning eyes and cheeks, their hair flying, their
+clothes disordered from the struggle, their arms and bosoms half
+uncovered, were running fearlessly from one end of the chariot to the
+other, encouraging the combatants by voice and gesture, and casting at
+the Romans with no feeble or untrained hands short pikes, knives, and
+spiked clubs. At last the critical moment came. All the men were killed,
+the chariot, surrounded by bodies piled half way up its sides, was
+defended only by the women. There they were, with my mother Margarid,
+five young women and six maidens, almost all of superb beauty,
+heightened by the ardor of battle.
+
+The Romans, sure of this prize of their obscene revels, and wishing to
+take it alive, consulted a moment on a plan of attack. I understood not
+their words, but from their coarse laugh, and the licentious looks which
+they threw upon the Gallic women, there could be no doubt as to the
+fate which awaited them. I lay there, broken, pinned fast; breathless,
+full of despair, horror, and impotent rage I lay there, seeing a few
+steps from me the chariot in which were my mother, my wife, my
+children.--Oh, wrathful heavens!--like one unable to awake from a
+horrible dream, I lay there condemned to see all, hear all, and yet to
+remain motionless.
+
+An officer of savage and insolent mien advanced alone towards the
+chariot and addressed to the women some words in the Latin tongue which
+the soldiers received with roars of revolting laughter. My mother, calm,
+pale, and terrible, exhorted the young women around her to maintain
+their self-control. Then the Roman, adding a word or two, closed with an
+obscene gesture. Margarid happened at that moment to have in her hand a
+heavy axe. So straight at the officer's head she hurled it, that he
+reeled and fell. His fall was the signal for the attack. The legionaries
+pressed forward to the capture of the chariot. Then the women rushed to
+the scythes, which on each side defended the cart, and plied them with
+such vigor and harmony, that the Romans, seeing a great number of their
+men killed or disabled, conceived a wholesome fear for such terrible
+arms, so intrepidly plied. They suspended the attack, and, applying
+their long lances after the fashion of crow-bars, succeeded, without
+approaching too near, in shattering the handles of the scythes. This
+safeguard demolished, a new attack commenced. The issue was not
+doubtful. While the scythes were falling under the blows of the
+soldiers, my mother hurriedly said a few words to Martha and Henory. The
+two, with a look of pride and determination on their faces, ran towards
+the cover which sheltered the children. Margarid also spoke to the young
+childless women, and they, as well as the young girls, took and piously
+kissed her hands.
+
+At that moment, the last scythes fell. Margarid seized a sword in one
+hand and a white cloth in the other. She stepped to the front of the
+chariot, waved the white cloth, and threw away the sword, as if to
+announce to the enemy that all the women wished to give themselves up.
+The soldiers, at first astonished at the proposed surrender, answered
+with laughs of ironical consent. Margarid seemed to be awaiting a
+signal. Twice she impatiently cast her eyes toward the shelter, where
+the two women had gone. Evidently, as the signal she seemed to wait for
+was not given, she was trying to distract the enemy's attention, and
+again waved her cloth, pointing alternately to the town of Vannes and to
+the sea.
+
+The soldiers, unable to take in the meaning of these gestures, looked at
+one another questioningly. Then Margarid, after another hasty glance at
+the redoubt, exchanged a few words with the girls round about her,
+seized a dagger, and, in quick succession struck three of the maidens,
+who had nobly bared their chaste bosoms to the knife. Meanwhile the
+other young women dispatched one another with steady hands. They had
+just fallen when Martha reappeared from the enclosure where the children
+had been hidden during the battle. Proud and serene, she held her two
+little daughters in her arms. A spare wagon-pole stood in front of her,
+the upper extremity of which was at a considerable elevation from the
+ground. She leaped on the edge of the car; a cord was around her neck.
+She passed the end of the cord through the ring at the extremity of the
+pole. Margarid steadied it in both hands. Martha leaped into the air
+with outspread arms, and hung there, strangled. Her two little children,
+instead of falling to the ground, remained suspended on either side of
+her breast, for she had passed the noose around their necks also.
+
+All this occurred so rapidly, that the Romans, at first struck dumb with
+astonishment and fear, had no time to prevent the heroic deaths. They
+had barely recovered from their amazement when Margarid, seeing all her
+family either dying or dead at her feet, raised to heaven her
+blood-stained knife, and exclaimed in a calm and steady voice:
+
+"Our daughters shall not be outraged; our children shall not be
+enslaved; all of us, of the family of Joel the brenn of the tribe of
+Karnak, dead, like our husbands and brothers, for the liberty of Gaul,
+are on our way to rejoin them above. Perhaps, O Hesus, all this spilled
+blood will appease you;" and with a hand which did not waver, she
+plunged the dagger into her own heart.
+
+All these terrible events which happened around the Chariot of Death I
+was compelled to behold, as I lay nearby, pinned to the ground. My wife
+Henory not having emerged from the enclosure, I concluded that she had
+put an end to herself there, first putting to death my little ones
+Sylvest and Syomara. My brain began to reel, my eyes closed; I felt
+that I was dying, and thanked Hesus for not leaving me behind alone when
+all my dear ones were to enter together upon the other life in the
+unknown world.
+
+But, no, it was here below, on earth, that I was to return to life--to
+face new torments after those I had just undergone.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+AFTER THE BATTLE.
+
+
+After I had beheld my mother and all the other women of the tribe die to
+escape the shame and outrages of slavery, the blood which I had lost
+caused me to swoon away. A long time passed in which I was bereft of
+reason. When my senses returned, I found myself lying on straw, along
+with a great number of other men, in a vast shed. At my first motion I
+found myself chained by the leg to a stake driven into the ground. I was
+half clad; they had left me my shirt and breeches, in a secret pocket of
+which I had hidden the writings of my father and of my brother Albinik,
+together with the little gold sickle, the gift of my sister Hena. A
+dressing had been put on my wounds, which no longer occasioned me much
+pain. I experienced only a great weakness and dizziness which made my
+last memories a confused mass. I looked about me. I was one of perhaps
+fifty wounded prisoners, all chained to their litters. At the further
+end of the shed were several armed men, who did not bear the appearance
+of regular Roman troops. They were seated round a table, drinking and
+singing. Some among them, who carried short-handled scourges twisted of
+several thongs and terminating in bits of lead, detached themselves
+from time to time from the group, and walked here and there with the
+uncertain gait of drunken men, casting jeering looks on the prisoners.
+Next to me lay an aged man with white hair and beard, very pale and
+thin. A bloody band half hid his forehead. He was sitting up, his elbows
+on his knees, and his face between his hands. Seeing him wounded and a
+prisoner, I concluded he was a Gaul. I did not err.
+
+"Good father," I said to him, laying my hand lightly upon the old man's
+arm, "where are we?"
+
+Slowly raising his sad and mournful visage, the old prisoner answered
+compassionately:
+
+"Those are the first words you have spoken for two days."
+
+"For two days?" I repeated, greatly astonished. I was unable to believe
+so much time had passed since the battle of Vannes. I sought to recall
+my wandering memory. "Is it possible? What, I have been here two days?"
+
+"Yes, and you have been unconscious, in a delirium. The physician who
+dressed your wounds made you take several potions."
+
+"Now I recall it confusedly. And also--a ride in a chariot?"
+
+"Yes, to come here from the battle-ground. I was with you in the
+chariot, whither they carried you wounded and dying."
+
+"And here we are--?"
+
+"At Vannes."
+
+"Our army?"
+
+"Destroyed."
+
+"Our fleet?"
+
+"Annihilated."[13]
+
+"O, my brother, and your courageous wife Meroe, both dead also!" flashed
+through my mind. "And Vannes, where we are," I added aloud to my
+companion, "Vannes is in the power of the Romans?"
+
+"Even as the whole of Brittany, they say."
+
+"And the Chief of the Hundred Valleys?"
+
+"He has fled into the mountains of Ares with a handful of cavalry. The
+Romans are in pursuit of him." Then raising his eyes to heaven, he
+continued, "May Hesus and Teutates protect that last defender of the
+Gauls!"
+
+I had put these questions while my thoughts were still disordered. But
+when I recalled the struggle at the chariot of war, the death of my
+mother, my father, my brother Mikael, my brother's wife and his two
+children, and finally, the almost certain death of my own wife with her
+son and daughter--for up to the moment when I lost consciousness I had
+not seen Henory leave the shelter behind the chariot--when I recalled
+all that, I heaved, in spite of myself, a great sigh of despair at
+finding myself alone in the world. I buried my face in the straw to shut
+out the light of day.
+
+One of the tipsy keepers became irritated at hearing my moans, and
+showered several cruel blows of the scourge, accompanied with oaths,
+upon my shoulders. Forgetting the pain in the shame that I felt at the
+thought of me, the son of Joel, being struck with the lash, I leaped to
+my feet notwithstanding my weakness, intending to throw myself upon the
+keeper. But my chain, sharply tightened by the jerk, checked me, and
+made me trip and fall upon my knees. The keeper, enabled by the length
+of his scourge to keep out of the prisoners' reach, thereupon redoubled
+his blows, lashing me across the face, chest, and back. Other keepers
+ran up, fell upon me, and slipped manacles of iron upon my wrists.
+
+Oh, my son, my son! You, for whose eyes I write all this down, obedient
+to the wishes of my father, never do yourself forget, and let also your
+sons preserve the memory of this outrage, the first that our stock ever
+underwent. Live, that you may avenge the outrage in due time. And if you
+cannot, let your sons wreak vengeance upon the Romans therefore.
+
+With my feet chained and my hands in irons, unable to move, I did not
+wish to afford my tormentors the spectacle of impotent rage. I closed my
+eyes and lay still, betraying neither anger nor grief, while the
+keepers, provoked by my calmness, beat me furiously. Presently, however,
+a strange voice having interposed and spoken a few angry words in the
+Latin tongue, the blows ceased. I opened my eyes and three new
+personages stood before me. One of them was speaking rapidly to the
+keepers, gesticulating angrily, and pointing at me from time to time.
+This man was short and stout; he had a very red face, white hair and
+pointed grey beard. He wore a short robe of brown wool, buck-skin
+stocks, and low leather boots; he was not dressed in the Roman fashion.
+Of the two men who accompanied him, one, dressed in a long black robe,
+had a grave and sinister mien. The other held a casket under his arm.
+While I was gazing at these persons, my aged neighbor called my
+attention with a rapid glance to the fat little man with the red face
+and the white hair, who was conversing with the keepers, and said to me
+with a look of anger and disgust:
+
+"The horse-dealer; the horse-dealer!"
+
+"What are you talking about?" I answered him, unable to understand what
+he meant. "A horse-dealer?"
+
+"That is what the Romans call the slave merchants."[14]
+
+"How! They traffic in wounded men?" I asked the old man in surprise.
+"Are there men who buy the dying?"
+
+"Do you not know," he answered with a somber smile, "that after the
+battle of Vannes there were more dead than living, and not an unwounded
+Gaul? Upon these wounded men, in default of more able-bodied prey, the
+slave-dealers who follow the Roman army fell like so many ravens upon
+corpses."
+
+There was no more room for doubt. I realized that I was a slave. I had
+been bought. I would be sold again. The "horse-dealer," having finished
+speaking to the keepers, approached the old man, and said to him in
+Gallic, but with an accent that proved his foreign origin:
+
+"My old Pierce-Skin--how has your neighbor come on? Has he at last
+recovered from his stupor? Is he at last able to speak?"
+
+"Ask him," snapped the old man, turning over on the straw. "He'll answer
+you himself."
+
+The "horse-dealer" thereupon walked over to my side. He seemed no longer
+angry. His countenance, naturally jovial, was beaming. Putting his two
+hands on his knees, he stooped down to me; grinned at me; and spoke to
+me hurriedly, often putting questions which he answered himself, not
+seeming to care whether I heard him or not.
+
+"You have, then, recovered your spirits, my fine Bull? Yes? Ah, so much
+the better! By Jupiter, it's a good sign. Now your appetite will return,
+and it is returning, isn't it? Still better! Before eight days you will
+be in fine feather. Those brutes of keepers, always in their cups,
+scourged you, did they? Yes? I'm not a bit surprised--they never do
+anything else. The wine of Gaul makes them stupid. To strike you! To
+strike you! And that when you can hardly stand up; besides the fact that
+in men of the Gallic race, choler is likely to produce bad results. But
+you are no longer angry, are you? No! So much the better! It is I who
+should be provoked at those tipsters. Suppose the fury raging in your
+blood had stifled you! But, bah! those brutes care little for making me
+lose twenty-five or thirty gold sous,[15] which you will presently be
+worth to me, my fine Bull. But for greater safety I'll have you taken to
+a shelter where you will be alone and better off than here. It was
+occupied by a wounded fellow who died last night--a superb fellow.
+That was a loss! Ah, commerce is not all gain. Come, follow me."
+
+He set to work to unfasten my chain by a secret spring. I asked him why
+he always called me "Bull." I would have preferred by far the keeper's
+lash to the jovial loquacity of this trafficker in human flesh. Certain
+now that I was not dreaming, still I could hardly accept the reality of
+what I saw. Unable to resist, I followed the man. At least I would no
+longer be under the eyes of the keepers who beat me, and the sight of
+whom made my blood boil. I made an effort to raise myself, but my
+weakness was still excessive. The "horse-dealer" unhooked the chain, and
+held one end. As my hands were still shackled, the man with the long
+black robe and the one who carried the casket took me under the arms,
+and led me to the extremity of the shed. They made me mount several
+stairs and enter a small room that was lighted through an iron-barred
+opening. I looked through the opening and recognized the great square of
+the town of Vannes, and, in the distance, the house where I had often
+gone to see my brother Albinik and his wife. In the room were a stool, a
+table, and a long box of fresh straw, in place of the one in which the
+other slave had died. I was made to sit on the stool. The black-robed
+man, a Roman physician, examined my two wounds, constantly conversing in
+his own language with the "horse-dealer." He took various salves from
+the casket which his companion was carrying, dressed my hurts, and went
+to render his services to the other slaves, not, however, before helping
+the "horse-dealer" to fasten my chain to the wooden box which served
+as my bed. The physician then took his departure, and left me alone with
+my master.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+MASTER AND SLAVE.
+
+
+"By Jupiter," began my master immediately after the departure of the
+physician. "By Jupiter," he repeated in his satisfied and hilarious
+manner, so revolting to me: "Your injuries are healing so fast that you
+can see them heal, a proof of the purity of your blood; and with pure
+blood there are no such things as wounds, says the son of Aesculapius.
+But here you are back in your senses, my brave Bull. You are going to
+answer my questions, aren't you? Yes? Then, listen to me."
+
+Drawing from his pocket a stylus and a tablet, covered with wax, the
+"horse-dealer" continued:
+
+"I do not ask your name. You have no longer any name but that which I
+have given you, until your new owner shall name you differently. As for
+me, I have named you Bull[16]--a proud name, isn't it? You are worthy to
+bear it. It becomes you. So much the better."
+
+"Why have you named me Bull?"
+
+"Why did I name that old fellow, your late neighbor, Pierce-Skin?
+Because his bones stick out through his skin. But you, apart from your
+two wounds, what a strong constitution you have! What broad shoulders!
+What a chest! What a back! What powerful limbs!" While pouring out these
+praises, the "horse-dealer" rubbed his hands and gazed at me with
+satisfaction and covetousness, already figuring in advance the price I
+would fetch. "And your height! It exceeds by a palm that of the next
+tallest captive in my lot. So, seeing you so robust, I have named you
+Bull. Under that name you are entered in my inventory, at your number;
+and under that name will you be cried at the auction!"
+
+I knew that the Romans sold their slaves to the slave merchants. I knew
+that slavery was horrible, and I approved of a mother's killing her
+children sooner than have them live a captive's life. I knew that a
+slave became a beast of burden. While the "horse-dealer" was speaking, I
+drew my hand across my forehead to make sure that it was really I,
+Guilhern, the son of Joel the brenn of the tribe of Karnak, a son of
+that free and haughty race, whom they were treating like a beef for the
+mart. The shame of a life of slavery seemed to me insupportable, and I
+took heart at the resolve to flee at the first opportunity, or to kill
+myself and thus rejoin my relatives. That thought calmed me. I had
+neither the hope nor the desire to learn whether my wife and children
+had escaped death; but remembering that I had seen neither Henory,
+Sylvest nor Syomara come from the enclosure behind the war-chariot, I
+said to the "horse-dealer":
+
+"Where did you purchase me?"
+
+"In the place where we make all our purchases, my fine Bull. On the
+field of battle, after the combat."
+
+"So it was on the battlefield of Vannes you bought me?"
+
+"The same."
+
+"You doubtlessly picked me up at the place where I fell?"
+
+"Yes, there was a great pile of you Gauls there, in which there were
+only you and three others worth taking, among them that great booby,
+your neighbor--you know, Pierce-Skin. The Cretan archers gave him to me
+for good measure[17] after the sale. That is the way with you Gauls. You
+fight so desperately that after a battle live captives are exceedingly
+rare, and consequently priceless. I simply can't put out much money, so
+I must come down to the wounded ones. My partner, the son of
+Aesculapius, goes with me to the battlefield to examine the wounded men
+and guard the ones I choose. Thus, in spite of your two wounds and your
+unconsciousness, the young doctor said to me, after examining you and
+sounding your hurts, 'Buy, my pal, buy. Nothing but the flesh is cut,
+and that is in good condition; that will lower the value of your
+merchandise but little, and will prevent any breach of contract.'[18]
+Then you see, I, a real 'horse-dealer' who knows the trade, I said to
+the archers, poking you with my foot, 'As to that great corpse there,
+who has no more than his breath, I don't want him in my lot at all.'"
+
+"When I used to buy cattle in the market," I said to the "horse-dealer,"
+mockingly, "when I used to buy cattle in the market, I was less skilful
+than you."
+
+"Oh, that is because I am an old hand, and know my trade. So the Cretans
+answered me, seeing that I didn't think much of you, 'But this thrust of
+the lance and this saber-cut are mere scratches.' 'Scratches, my
+masters!' said I in my turn, 'but it's no use poking or turning him,'
+and I kicked you and turned you over, 'See, he gives no sign of life. He
+is dying, my noble sons of Mars. He is already cold.' In short, my fine
+Bull, I had you for two sous of gold."
+
+"I see I cost but little; but to whom will you sell me?"
+
+"To the traffickers from Italy and the southern part of Gaul. They buy
+their slaves second-hand. Several of them have already arrived here, and
+have commenced making their purchases."
+
+"And they will take me far away?"
+
+"Yes, unless you are bought by one of those old Roman officers, who, too
+much disabled to follow a life of war, wish to found military colonies
+here, in accordance with the orders of Caesar."
+
+"And thus rob us of our lands!"
+
+"Of course. I hope to get out of you twenty-five or thirty gold sous, at
+least, and more if you are of an occupation easy to dispose of, such as
+a blacksmith, carpenter, mason, goldsmith, or some other good trade.
+It is in order to find that out that I am questioning you, so as to
+write it in my bill of sale. So, let us see:" (and the "horse-dealer"
+took up his tablet and began writing with his stylus) "Your name? Bull.
+Race, Breton Gaul. I can see that at a glance. I am a connoisseur. I
+would not take a Breton for a Bourgignon, nor a Poitevin for an
+Auvergnat. I sold lots of Auvergnats last year, after the battle of Puy.
+Your age?"
+
+"Twenty-nine."
+
+"Age, twenty-nine," he wrote on his tablet. "Your occupation?"
+
+"Laborer."
+
+"Laborer," repeated the "horse-dealer" in a surprised and injured tone,
+scratching his ear with his stylus. "You are nothing but a laborer? You
+have no other profession?"
+
+"I am a soldier also."
+
+"Oh, a soldier. He who wears the iron collar has no more to do with
+lance or sword. So then," added the "horse-dealer," reading from his
+tablet with a sigh:
+
+"No. 7. Bull; race, Breton Gaul; of great strength and very great
+height; aged twenty-nine years; excellent laborer." Then he said:
+
+"Your character?"
+
+"My character?"
+
+"Yes, what is it? rebellious or docile? open or sly? violent or
+peaceable? gay or moody? The buyers always inquire as to the character
+of the slave they are buying, and although one may not be compelled to
+answer them, it is a bad business to deceive them. Let us see, friend
+Bull, what is your character? In your own interest, be truthful. The
+master who buys you will sooner or later know the truth, and will make
+you pay more dearly for your lie than I would."
+
+"Then write upon your tablet: 'The draft-bull loves servitude, cherishes
+slavery, and licks the hand that strikes him.'"
+
+"You are joking. The Gallic race love service? As well say that the
+eagle or the falcon loves his cage."
+
+"Then write that when his strength has come back, the Bull at the first
+chance will break his yoke, gore his master, and fly to the woods to
+live in freedom."
+
+"There is more truth in that. Those brutes of keepers who beat you told
+me that at the first touch of the lash you gave a terrible jump the
+length of your chain. But, you see, friend Bull, if I offer you to the
+purchasers with the dangerous account which you give, I shall find few
+customers. An honest merchant should not boast his merchandise too much,
+no more should he underestimate it. So I shall announce your character
+as follows." And he wrote:
+
+"Of a violent character, sulky, because of his not being accustomed to
+slavery, for he is still green; but he can be broken in by using at
+different times gentleness, severity and chastisement."
+
+"Go over it again."
+
+"Over what?"
+
+"The description I am to be sold under."
+
+"You are right, my son. We must make sure that the description sounds
+well to the ear. Imagine that I am the auctioneer, thus:
+
+"No. 7. Bull; race, Breton Gaul; of great strength and very great
+height; aged twenty-nine years; excellent laborer; of a violent
+character, sulky, because of his not being accustomed to slavery, for he
+is still green; but he can be broken in by application of gentleness,
+severity, and chastisement."
+
+"That is what is left of a free and proud man whose only crime is having
+defended his country against Caesar!" I cried bitterly. "And yet I did
+not kill that same Caesar, who has reduced our people to slavery and is
+now about to divide among his soldiers the lands of our fathers, I did
+not kill him when I was making off with him on my horse!"
+
+"You, my fine Bull, you took great Caesar prisoner?" asked the
+"horse-dealer" mockingly. "It's too bad I can't proclaim that at the
+auction. It would make a rare slave of you."
+
+I reproached myself for having uttered before that trafficker in human
+flesh words which resembled a regret or a complaint. Coming back to my
+first thought, which made me endure patiently the loquacity of the man,
+I said to him:
+
+"When you picked me up where I fell on the battlefield, did you see hard
+by a war chariot harnessed to four black bulls, with a woman and two
+children hanging from the pole?"
+
+"Did I see them? Did I see them!" exclaimed the "horse-dealer" with a
+mournful sigh. "Ah, what excellent goods lost! We counted in that
+chariot eleven young women and girls, all beautiful--oh,
+beautiful!--worth at least forty or fifty gold sous apiece--but dead.
+They had all killed themselves. They were no good to anyone."
+
+"And in the chariot were there no women nor children still alive?"
+
+"Women? No,--alas, no. Not one, to the great loss of the Roman soldiers
+and myself. But of children, there were, I believe, two or three who had
+survived the death which those fierce Gallic women, furious as
+lionesses, wished to inflict upon them."
+
+"And where are they?" I exclaimed, thinking of my son and daughter, who
+were, perhaps, among them, "where are those children? Answer! Answer!"
+
+"I told you, my Bull, that I buy only wounded persons; one of my fellows
+bought the lot of children, and also some other little ones, for they
+picked up some alive from the other chariots. But what does it matter to
+you whether or not there are children to sell?"
+
+"Because I had a son and a daughter in that chariot," I answered, my
+heart bursting.
+
+"And how old were they?"
+
+"The girl was eight, the boy nine."
+
+"And your wife?"
+
+"If none of those eleven women found in the chariot were living, my wife
+is dead."
+
+"Isn't that too bad--too bad! Your wife had already borne you two
+children; you four would have made a fine deal. Ah, what a lost
+treasure!"
+
+I repressed a gesture of impotent anger at the scoundrel, and answered:
+
+"Yes, they would have billed us as the Bull and the Heifer!"
+
+"Surely! And since Caesar is going to distribute much of your
+depopulated country among his veterans, those who have no reserve
+prisoners will be under the necessity of buying slaves to cultivate and
+re-people their parcels of land. You are of that strong rustic race, and
+consequently I have hopes of getting a good price for you from some new
+colonist."
+
+"Listen to me. I would rather know that my son and daughter were dead,
+like their mother, than have them saved to be slaves. Nevertheless,
+since there were found near the chariot some children who had
+survived--a thing that astonishes me, since the women of Gaul always
+strike with a firm and sure hand when it is a case of snatching their
+race from shame--it is possible that my children may be among those
+found. How can I find out?"
+
+"What good will finding out do you?"
+
+"I will at least have with me my two children."
+
+The "horse-dealer" began to laugh, shrugged his shoulders, and answered:
+
+"Then you didn't hear me? By Jupiter, I advise you not to be deaf--you
+would be returned to me. I told you that I neither bought nor sold
+children."
+
+"What does that matter to me?"
+
+"Among a hundred purchasers of slaves for farm-hands, there would not be
+ten so foolish as to buy a man and his two children, without their
+mother. So that to offer you for sale with two brats, if they are still
+living, would make me lose half your value by burdening your purchaser
+with two useless mouths. Do you catch on; thick-head? No, for you look
+at me with a ferocious and stupefied air. I repeat that if I had been
+obliged to buy the two children in one lot with you, or even if they had
+been given to me to boot, in the market, like old Pierce-Skin, my first
+care would have been to have put you up for sale without them. Do you
+understand at last, double and triple block that you are?"
+
+At last I did understand; heretofore I had not dreamed of such
+refinement of torture in slavery. To think that my two children, if
+alive, might be sold, I know not where, or to whom, and taken far from
+me! I had not thought it possible. My heart swelled with grief. So great
+was my suffering that I almost supplicated the "horse-dealer." I said to
+him:
+
+"You are deceiving me. What can my children do? Who would wish to buy
+such poor little things, so young? useless mouths--as you said
+yourself?"
+
+"Oh, those who carry on the trade in children have a separate and
+assured patronage, especially if the children are favored with pretty
+features. Are your young ones good-looking?"
+
+"Yes," I answered in spite of myself. Before me was the vision of the
+charming fair faces of my little Sylvest and Syomara, who looked as much
+alike as twins and whom I had embraced a moment before the battle of
+Vannes. "Oh yes, they were good-looking. They were like their mother,
+who was so beautiful--!"
+
+"If they had good looks, be easy, my fine Bull. They will be easy to
+dispose of. The dealers in children have for their especial patrons the
+decrepit and surfeited Roman Senators, who love fresh fruits. By the
+way, they have announced the near arrival of the patrician Trymalcion,
+a very rich and very noble man, an old and very capricious expert. He is
+traveling through the Roman colonies of southern Gaul, and is expected
+here, they say, on his galley which is as splendid as a palace. No doubt
+he would like to take back to Italy some graceful specimens of Gallic
+brats. If your children are pretty, their fate is assured, for the
+patrician Trymalcion is one of my partner's patrician customers."[19]
+
+At first I listened to the "horse-dealer," without catching his meaning.
+But I was presently seized with a vertigo of horror at the idea that my
+children, who might unfortunately have escaped the death which their
+far-sighted mother had intended for them, might be carried to Italy to
+fulfill such a monstrous destiny. I felt neither anger nor fury, but a
+grief so great, and a fear so terrible, that I kneeled on the straw, and
+in spite of my manacles, stretched my pleading hands toward the
+"horse-dealer." Not finding words to utter my feelings, I wept,
+kneeling.
+
+The "horse-dealer" looked at me in great surprise, and said:
+
+"Well, well! What is it, my fine Bull? What ails you?"
+
+"My children!" was all I could say, for sobs choked me. "My children! if
+they are living!"
+
+"Your children?"
+
+"What you said--the fate that awaits them--if they are sold to those
+men--"
+
+"How? Their fate causes you alarm?"
+
+"Hesus! Hesus!" I exclaimed, calling on the god in my lamentation. "It
+is horrible!"
+
+"Are you going crazy?" demanded the "horse-dealer." "And what is there
+so horrible in the fate which awaits your children? Ah, what barbarians
+you are in Gaul, indeed. But, know: there is no life easier nor more
+flowery than that of these little flute-players and dancers with which
+these rich old fellows amuse themselves. If you could see them, the
+little rogues, their foreheads crowned with roses, their flowery robes
+spangled with gold, their rich earrings adorning their heads. And the
+little girls, if you could see them with their tunics and--"
+
+I could contain myself no longer. A bloody mist passed before my eyes.
+Furiously and desperately I leapt on the vile fellow. But my chain again
+tightening sharply, I stumbled and fell back on the straw. I looked
+around me--not a stick nor a stone. Then, crazed with rage, I doubled
+upon my chain, and gnawed at it like a wild animal.
+
+"What a brute of a Gaul!" exclaimed the "horse-dealer," shrugging his
+shoulders, and keeping well out of reach. "There he is, roaring and
+jumping and grinding at his chain like a staked wolf, and all because he
+has been told that his children, if they are pretty, are to live in the
+midst of wealth, ease and pleasure! What would it have been, then, fool
+that you are, if they were ugly or deformed? Do you know to whom they
+would have been sold? They would have been sold to those rich lords, who
+are so curious to read the future in the palpitating entrails of
+children freshly slaughtered for divination."[20]
+
+"Oh, Hesus!" I cried, filled with hope at the thought, "let it be so
+with mine, despite their beauty! Oh, death for them! Only let them enter
+the other world in their innocence, and live near their chaste mother."
+I could no longer hold back my tears.
+
+"Friend Bull," began the "horse-dealer" in a dissatisfied tone, "I was
+not a bit mistaken in putting you down in my tablet as violent and
+hot-headed. But I fear lest you have a fault worse than these--I mean a
+tendency towards tears. I have seen sullen slaves melt away like the
+snows of winter under a spring sun, dry up like parchment, and cause
+great loss to their owners by their pitiful appearance. So, look out for
+yourself. There remain but fifteen days before the auction at which you
+are to be sold. It is a short while to restore you to your natural
+fleshiness, to give you a fresh and rested complexion, a sleek and
+supple skin, in short, all those signs of vigor and health which allure
+the experts, jealous of possessing a sound and robust slave. To obtain
+this result, I wish to spare nothing, neither good food, nor care, nor
+any of those little artifices known to us to make our merchandise show
+off to advantage. On your part you must second my efforts. But if, on
+the contrary, you do not get over your fits of anger, if you begin to
+weep, if you begin to make yourself miserable, to waste away, so to
+speak, vainly dreaming of your children, instead of affording me honor
+and profit by your good figure, as a good slave should who is jealous
+of his master's interests,--beware, friend Bull, beware! I am not a
+novice in my business. I have carried it on for many years and in many
+lands. I have subdued more intractable fellows than you. I have made
+Sardinians docile, and Sarmatians as gentle as lambs, so you can judge
+of my skill.[21] Therefore, believe me, do not expect yourself to cause
+me harm by pining away. I am very mild, very gentle. I am not at all
+fond of chastisements; often they leave marks which lower a slave's
+value. Nevertheless, if you oblige me to, you will make the acquaintance
+of the jail for recalcitrants. Consider that, friend Bull. It will soon
+be meal-time; the physician says that you can now be put upon a
+substantial diet. You will be brought boiled chicken, oatmeal wet with
+gravy of roast sheep, good bread, and some good wine and water. I shall
+know whether you have eaten with a good appetite and in a manner to
+recuperate your strength, instead of losing it in weeping. So then, eat;
+it is the only way of gaining my favor. Eat plenty, eat often--I'll see
+that you have it. You will never eat too much to please me, for you are
+far from being well-fed, and that's what you must be, well-fed, before
+fifteen days, the time of the auction. I leave you to these reflections;
+pray the gods that they improve you. If not--oh, if not, I weep for you,
+friend Bull."
+
+So saying the "horse-dealer" shut the heavy door of the room behind him,
+leaving me chained within.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+THE LAST CALL TO ARMS.
+
+
+But for my uncertainty concerning the fate of my children, immediately
+upon the "horse-dealer's" departure I would have killed myself by
+butting my head against the wall of my prison, or by refusing all
+nourishment. Many Gauls had thus escaped the doom of slavery. But I felt
+that I should not die before doing what I could to snatch them from the
+destiny which menaced them.
+
+I examined my room to see whether, my strength once restored, there was
+any chance for escape. Three sides of the room were solid wall, the
+other was a thick partition re-enforced with beams, between two of which
+opened the door which was always carefully bolted without. A bar of iron
+crossed the window, leaving an opening too narrow to give me passage. I
+examined my chain, and the rings, one of which was riveted to my leg,
+the other to one of the cross-bars of the bed. It was impossible for me
+to unchain myself, even at my greatest strength. I then thought of a
+plan, a trick, to put myself in the good graces of the "horse-dealer,"
+so as to obtain from him information of my little Sylvest and Syomara.
+With that end in view, it would not do to repine, to appear sad or
+afraid of the lot reserved for the children. I feared I might not be
+able to carry out the role, for I came of a race unaccustomed to deceit
+and lying. The Gauls either triumphed or died.
+
+On the evening of that same day when, regaining consciousness, I had
+become aware of my slavery, I witnessed a spectacle of terrible
+grandeur. It raised my courage. I could no longer despair for the safety
+and liberty of Gaul. The night was about to fall, when I heard the
+tramping of several troops of cavalry arriving at a walk in the great
+public square of Vannes, which I could see from the narrow window of my
+prison. I looked out, and beheld the following scene.
+
+Two cohorts of Roman infantry, and one of cavalry, both in battle array,
+surrounded a vacant space, in the middle of which rose a large scaffold
+of timber. On the platform was a heavy block, such as is used for
+chopping meat on. Beside the block stood a Moor of gigantic stature and
+bronzed of color. His arms and legs were bare, his hair was bound with a
+scarlet band; he wore a coat and a pair of short trousers of tanned
+skin, splashed here and there with dark red; in his hand was an axe.
+
+In the distance sounded the long clarions of the Romans, playing a
+funeral march. The sound drew nearer. One of the cohorts that were drawn
+up on the square opened its ranks, forming a double row. Through this
+lane the clarioneers entered. They preceded a troop of steel-clad
+legionaries. After the troop came the prisoners taken in the Gallic
+army, tied two and two. Then came the women and children, also in
+bonds. More than two stone's throws separated me from these captives. At
+such a distance I could not distinguish their features, try as I might.
+Nevertheless, my little son and daughter might be among them. The
+prisoners, of all ages and sexes, closed in by the two rows of soldiers,
+were stationed at the foot of the platform. Still more troops marched
+into the square; after them, five and twenty captives were led in, in
+single file, but not chained. I recognized them by their free and
+haughty pace. They were the chiefs and elders of the town and tribe of
+Vannes, all white-haired fathers.[22] Among them, marching last, I
+distinguished two druids and a bard of the college of the forest of
+Karnak, marked, the first by their long white robes, the second by his
+tunic striped with purple. Then appeared more Roman infantry; finally,
+between two escorts of white-robed Numidian cavalry, Caesar, on
+horse-back, in the midst of his officers. I recognized the scourge of
+Gaul by his armor, which was the same he wore when, aided by my brother
+Mikael the armorer, I was carrying him off in full panoply on my horse.
+Oh, how at the sight of the man I cursed anew my stupid astonishment,
+that so unfortunately proved the safety of my country's butcher.
+
+Caesar drew rein a short distance from the platform, and made a sign
+with his hand. Immediately the twenty-five prisoners, the bard and
+druids passing last, mounted with calm tread the steps of the scaffold.
+One by one they placed their white heads on the block, and each one of
+the venerable heads, stricken off by the axe of the Moor, rolled at the
+feet of the bound captives.
+
+The bard and the two druids were the only ones left. The three rushed
+together in a final embrace, they raised their faces and their hands
+towards heaven, and intoned in a loud voice the song of Hena, the virgin
+of the isle of Sen, uttered at the hour of her voluntary sacrifice on
+the rocks of Karnak, that song which had been the signal for the rising
+of Brittany against the Romans:
+
+"Hesus, Hesus! By the blood which is about to flow, clemency for Gaul!"
+
+"Gauls, by the blood which is about to flow, victory to our arms!"
+
+And the bard added:
+
+"The Chief of the Hundred Valleys is safe. There is hope for our arms!"
+
+Thereupon all the Gallic captives, men, women, and children present at
+the execution, all together repeated the last words of the druids,
+acclaiming them with so powerful a voice that the air shook even in my
+prison. After that supreme chant, the three placed their sacred heads in
+turn upon the block, and went the same way as the elders of Vannes. As
+the bard's and the druids' heads rolled upon the scaffold, all the
+captives took up the war-cry of the druids--"Strike the Roman! Strike at
+the head!"--in a voice so fierce and menacing that the legionaries,
+lowering their lances, hurriedly surrounded the unarmed and chained
+prisoners in a circle of iron, bristling with lance heads. But that
+mighty voice of their brothers and sisters had reached the wounded men
+shut up in the slave-shed, and all, myself included, answered the
+refrain:
+
+"Strike the Roman! Strike! Strike at the head! Strike the Roman hard!"
+
+Thus ended the war in Brittany. Thus ended the call to arms made by the
+druids from the heights of the sacred rocks of the forest of Karnak,
+after the sacrifice of Hena--the call to arms that led to the battle of
+Vannes. But in my lonely cell I did not yet lose hope. Our native Gaul,
+although invaded on all sides, would still resist. The Chief of the
+Hundred Valleys, forced to leave Brittany, had gone to arouse the
+regions still unvanquished.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+THE SLAVES' TOILET.
+
+
+Night fell, and with it my spirits, in my lonely prison.
+
+Hesus! Hesus! I was left to the torture, not alone of my thoughts about
+my sacred and beloved country, but also of my reflections concerning the
+misfortunes of my family. Alas, at every wound inflicted upon our
+country our families bleed.
+
+Forcibly resigned to my lot, I little by little regained my natural
+strength, encouraged each day by the hope of obtaining from the
+"horse-dealer" some intelligence of my children. I described them to him
+as accurately as possible. Every day his report was that among the
+captives seen there were none answering to my description, but that
+several merchants made a practice of hiding their choice slaves from all
+eyes until the day of the public sale. The dealer also informed me that
+the patrician Trymalcion, whose very name now made me shudder with
+horror, had arrived at Vannes in his galley.
+
+The evening before the sale, the dealer entered my room. It was, almost
+dark. He brought in the meal himself, and waited on me. He brought as an
+extra a flagon of old Gallic wine.
+
+"Friend Bull," said he, with his habitual joviality, "I am satisfied
+with you. Your skin is almost filled up. You have no more crazy spells
+of anger, and if you don't appear exceedingly joyous, at least I no
+longer find you sad and tearful. We will drink this flagon together, to
+your happy placing with a good master, and to the gain which I shall get
+by you."
+
+"No," I answered, "I shall not drink."
+
+"And why not?"
+
+"Servitude sours wine, especially the wine of the country where one was
+born."
+
+"You respond ill to my kindness. You do not wish to drink? Suit
+yourself. I would have liked to empty one cup to your happy placing, and
+a second to your reunion with your children. I have my reasons for the
+latter."
+
+"What say you!" I cried aloud, filled with hope and anguish. "You know
+something about them?"
+
+"I know nothing about them," he answered curtly, rising to go out. "You
+refuse my friendly advance. You have supped well--now sleep well."
+
+"But what do you know of my children? Speak, I beg you, speak!"
+
+"Wine alone loosens my tongue, friend Bull, and I am not one of those
+men who loves to drink by himself. You are too proud to empty a cup with
+your master. Sleep well till to-morrow, the day of the auction."
+
+He took another step toward the door. I feared that by refusing to yield
+to the man's fancy I would anger him, and above all lose the chance of
+obtaining news of my beloved children.
+
+"Do you really wish it?" I said. "Then I shall drink, and especially
+shall I drink to the hope of soon meeting my son and daughter."
+
+"You pray well," answered the "horse-dealer" approaching his chattel,
+but keeping the chain's length away; then he poured me a full cup of
+wine, and another for himself. I later recollected that the man had held
+the cup a long time to his lips, but without my being able to see
+whether he drank or not. "Come," he added. "Come, let us drink to the
+good gain I shall make on you!"
+
+"Yes, let us drink to the hope of meeting my children."
+
+I emptied my cup. The wine seemed excellent.
+
+"I made you a promise," began the dealer, "I shall keep my promise. You
+told me that the chariot which held your family on the day of the battle
+of Vannes was harnessed to four black oxen?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Four black oxen, with a little white mark in the middle of their
+foreheads?"
+
+"Yes, all four were brothers, and alike," I answered, unable to repress
+a sigh at the thought of that fine yoke, raised on our own meadows,
+which my father and mother had always admired.
+
+"Those oxen carried on their necks leathern collars trimmed with little
+brass bells like this one?" continued the "horse-dealer," fumbling in
+his pocket, out of which he drew a little brass bell that he held up
+before me.
+
+I recognized it. It had been made by my brother Mikael, the armorer,
+and bore the mark with which he stamped all the articles of his
+fashioning.
+
+"This bell comes from our oxen," I answered. "Will you give it to me? It
+has no value."
+
+"What," asked the dealer, laughing, "do you want to hang bells at your
+neck too, friend Bull? It is your right. Here, take it. I brought it
+only to know from you if the yoke it came from was of your family's
+chariot."
+
+"Yes," I replied, putting the bell into my breeches pocket, as, perhaps,
+the only reminder of the past which might be left to me. "Yes, that yoke
+was ours. But it seems to me that I saw two of the oxen fall wounded in
+the fight."
+
+"You are not mistaken. Two of the oxen were killed in the battle. The
+other two, though slightly wounded, are alive, and were bought by one of
+my companions, who also bought three children left in the chariot. Two
+of them, a little boy and a little girl of about eight or nine, still
+had the cord around their necks. But my companion who found them was
+luckily able to bring them back to life."
+
+"Where is that merchant?" I asked, in a tremble.
+
+"Here, at Vannes. You will see him to-morrow. We drew lots for our
+places at the auction, our stands are opposite to each other. If the
+children he is to sell are yours, you will be near them."
+
+"Shall I be really close?"
+
+"You will be as close to them as twice the length of your room. But why
+do you press your hands to your forehead?"
+
+"I don't know. It is a long time since I have drunk wine. The glow of
+what you poured out to me has gone to my head--a few seconds ago--I feel
+giddy."
+
+"That proves, friend Bull, that my wine is generous," answered the
+"horse-dealer" with a strange smile, and stepping out, he called to one
+of the keepers. Presently he returned with a chest under his arm. He
+carefully shut the door, and hung a piece of curtain before the window,
+to prevent anyone looking from without into the room, which was now
+lighted by a lamp. That done, he again passed his eyes very attentively
+over me, without saying a word, all the while opening his chest, from
+which he took several flasks, sponges, a little silver vase with a long
+curved tube, and also several instruments, one of which seemed very
+keen. I watched my master closely, feeling an inexplicable numbness
+gradually creeping over me. My heavy eye-lids fell once or twice in
+spite of myself. I had been seated on my bed of straw, to which I was
+still chained; but now I was compelled to lean my head against the wall,
+so heavy had it grown. Noticing the effect of the wine upon me, the
+"horse-dealer" said:
+
+"Friend Bull, do not be disturbed at what is happening to you."
+
+"What--" I answered, trying to shake off my stupor, "What is happening
+to me?"
+
+"You feel a sort of half-drowse creeping over you in spite of your
+resistance."
+
+"True."
+
+"You hear me, you see me, but as if your ears and eyes were covered with
+a veil."
+
+"It is true," I murmured, for my voice also was growing weak, and
+without experiencing any pain, my whole life seemed to be little by
+little ebbing out. Nevertheless, I made an effort, and said to the man:
+
+"Why am I in this condition!"
+
+"Because I have prepared you for the slaves' toilet."
+
+"A toilet?"
+
+"I possess, friend Bull, certain magic philters to increase the
+attractiveness of my merchandise. Although you are now quite well filled
+out, the deprivation of exercise and the open air, the fever which your
+wounds caused, the sadness which captivity always occasions, and many
+other things, have dried and dulled your skin, and turned you yellow.
+But thanks to my philters, to-morrow morning you will have a skin as
+fresh and sleek, and a color as ruddy as if you were coming in from the
+fields some lovely spring morning, my fine rustic. That appearance will
+last barely a day or two, but I expect, by Jupiter, to have you sold by
+to-morrow evening, free to turn yellow and waste away under your new
+master. So I am going to commence by stripping you, and anointing you
+with this preparation of oil." The "horse-dealer" unlocked one of his
+flasks.[23]
+
+The performance affected me as so deep a disgrace put upon my dignity,
+that in spite of the numbness which was more and more depressing me, I
+sprang to my feet, and shaking my hands and arms, then unshackled, cried
+out:
+
+"To-day I have no manacles on. If you come near I will strangle you!"
+
+"I foresaw all that, friend Bull," chuckled the "horse-dealer," calmly
+pouring the oil of his flask into a vase and soaking a sponge in it. "I
+knew you would get hot and resist. I might have had you bound by the
+keepers, but in your violence you would have bruised your limbs, a
+detestable sign for the sale. These bruises always denote a stubborn
+slave. And all the time, what cries you would have let out! What a
+rebellion, when your head had to be shaved, in token of your slavery!"
+
+At this last insulting threat, I called up all my remaining strength. I
+arose, and threateningly cried out at the dealer:
+
+"By Ritha-Gaur, the saint of the Gauls, who made himself a shirt of the
+beards of the kings he had shaved, if you dare to touch a single hair of
+my head, I'll kill you!"[24]
+
+"Oh, oh! Reassure yourself, friend Bull," answered the "horse-dealer,"
+pointing to his little sharp instrument. "Reassure yourself. I shall not
+cut a single one of your hairs--but all."
+
+I could retain my standing position no longer. Swaying on my legs like a
+drunken man, I fell back on the straw, and heard the "horse-dealer"
+burst out laughing, and, while still pointing at his steel instrument,
+say:
+
+"Thanks to this, your forehead will soon be as bald as that of the great
+Caesar, whom, you say, you carried on your horse in full armor. And the
+magic philter which you drank in that Gallic wine will put you at my
+mercy, quiet as a corpse."
+
+The "horse-dealer" spoke true. These words were the last I remember. A
+leaden torpor fell upon me, and I lost all knowledge of what was done
+with me.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+SOLD INTO BONDAGE.
+
+
+The experience of that evening was only the prelude for a horrid day, a
+day doubly horrid due to the mystery that surrounded it.
+
+Aye, to this hour, when I write this for you, O my son Sylvest, to the
+end that from this truthful and detailed account, in which I recite to
+you one by one the torments and the indignities heaped upon our country
+and our race, you may contract a hate implacable for the Romans, while
+awaiting the day of vengeance and deliverance;--aye, to this hour the
+mysteries of that horrid day of sale are still impenetrable to me,
+unless they be explained by the sorceries of the "horse-dealer," many of
+his people being given to magic. But our venerable druids affirm that
+magic does not exist.
+
+The day of the auction I was roused from my stupor by my master. I had
+slept profoundly. I remembered what had occurred the previous evening.
+My first movement was to carry my hands to my head. It was shaved, and
+my beard also! A thrill of anguish shot through me at the discovery; but
+instead of flying into a rage, as I would have done the evening before,
+I only shed a few tears, fearfully regarding the "horse-dealer." Aye, I
+cried before that man--aye, I looked at him with fear.
+
+What could have come over me during the night? Was I still under the
+influence of the philter poured into the wine? No, my torpor had gone. I
+found myself active of body, and in sound mind, but in character and
+heart I found myself softened, enervated, timid,--and, why not say the
+word?--cowardly! Aye, cowardly! I, Guilhern, son of Joel, the brenn of
+the tribe of Karnak. I looked timidly around me. Every minute my heart
+seemed to sink, and tears came to my eyes, as formerly the flush of
+anger and pride had mantled my forehead. Of this inexplicable
+transformation, due, perhaps, to sorcery, I was dimly conscious and
+wondered thereat. Down to this day, when I recall the incident, I
+wonder, and none of the details of the horrid day has escaped from my
+memory.
+
+The "horse-dealer" observed me in silence with an air of triumph. He had
+left me my breeches only. I was stripped to the waist. I was seated on
+my bed of straw. The dealer addressed me:
+
+"Get up!" said he.
+
+I hastened to obey. My master drew from his pocket a steel mirror,
+handed it to me, and resumed:
+
+"Look at yourself!"
+
+I looked at myself. Thanks to the witch-craft of my master, my cheeks
+were red, my face clear, as if awful misfortune had not settled upon me
+and my family. Nevertheless, on seeing for the first time in the mirror
+my face and head completely shaved, as the badge of my bondage, I shed
+fresh tears, but tried to hide them from the "horse-dealer," for fear
+of annoying him. He replaced the mirror in his pocket, took from the
+table a braided wreath of beech leaves,[25] and said:
+
+"Put your head down."
+
+I obeyed. The dealer put the wreath on my head. Then he took a parchment
+on which were written several lines in large Roman characters, and hung
+the inscription on my chest by means of two strings which he tied behind
+my neck. Over my shoulders he threw a woolen covering. Then he opened
+the secret spring which held my chain to the end of the bed, and
+fastened it to another iron ring which had been riveted on my other
+ankle during my heavy sleep. This way, although chained by both legs, I
+could still walk with short steps. Finally, my hands were bound behind
+me.
+
+Obedient to the "horse-dealer's" orders, whom I followed as quiet and
+submissive as a dog does his master, I descended the stairs which led
+from my cell to the shed. The descent was affected not without pain to
+my limbs owing to the shortness of the chain. In the shed I found
+several captives, among whom I had passed my first night, lying upon
+straw. No doubt their recovery was far enough advanced to admit of their
+being put up for sale. Other slaves whose heads had likewise been
+shaved, either by trick or by force, also wore wreaths on their
+foreheads, inscriptions on their breasts, handcuffs on their hands and
+heavy shackles on their feet. They had started, under the supervision of
+armed keepers, to defile by a door which opened on the town square. It
+was there the auction sale was to be held. Nearly all the captives
+seemed to me to be mournful, depressed and submissive like myself. They
+lowered their eyes like men ashamed to look at one another. Among the
+last, I recognized two or three men of my own tribe. One of them passed
+close to me, and said in a low voice:
+
+"Guilhern, we are shaven; but hair will grow again, and nails also."
+
+I comprehended that the Gaul wished to give me to understand that some
+day would come the hour of vengeance. But in the great cowardice which
+paralyzed me since my awakening, such was my fear of the "horse-dealer"
+that I pretended not to understand my countryman.[26]
+
+The space engaged by the "horse-dealer" for the auction was not a great
+way from the shed where we had been kept prisoners. We speedily arrived
+at a sort of booth or stall, surrounded on three sides by planks,
+covered with canvas, and with the floor strewn with straw. Other booths,
+similar to it, were arranged to the right and left of a long space like
+a street. In this space Roman officers and soldiery walked in crowds,
+together with the buyers and sellers of slaves and various other men who
+follow in the wake of armies. They looked at the captives chained in the
+booths with a jeering and insulting curiosity. My master had informed
+me that his stall in the market was directly opposite that of his
+companion in whose possession were the two children. A cloth was lowered
+over the opening. I only heard, a few moments later, imprecations and
+piercing shrieks, mingled with mournful moans, from women, who were
+crying in Gallic:
+
+"Death, death, but not disgrace!"
+
+"Those timorous fools are playing the vestals, because they are stripped
+naked to be shown to the customers," said the "horse-dealer," who had
+kept near me. Presently he took me to the rear of the booth. On the way
+I counted nine captives, some in their youth, others middle-aged, and
+only two were past their prime. Some were seated on the straw, their
+faces turned down to escape the looks of the curious, others were lying
+prone, their faces to the ground; a few stood erect casting fierce
+glances around them. The keepers, their scourges in their hands, their
+swords at their sides, kept watch. The "horse-dealer" pointed to a
+wooden cage, a sort of large box at the back of the booth, and said to
+me:
+
+"Friend Bull, you are the pearl, the carbuncle of my assortment. Enter
+this cage. The comparisons which would be made between you and my other
+slaves would lower their value too much. As a thrifty merchant, I will
+try to sell first what is of least value. One sells the small fry before
+the big fish."[27]
+
+I obeyed. I went into the cage, and the door was closed upon me. I
+found that I could stand up. An opening through the top permitted me to
+breathe without being seen from the outside. Just then a bell sounded.
+It was the signal for the sale. On all sides arose the squeaky voices of
+the auctioneers announcing the bids of the purchasers of human flesh.
+The merchants bragged their slaves in the Roman tongue, and invited the
+purchaser into their booths. Several customers entered to inspect the
+"horse-dealer's" stock. Without understanding the words that he spoke, I
+guessed by the inflections of his voice that he strove to capture them,
+while the auctioneer all the while called out the bids. From time to
+time a loud tumult arose in the booth, mingled with the sound of the
+keepers' lashes, and the curses of the dealer. Evidently they were
+scourging some of my companions in slavery who refused to follow the new
+master to whom they had been "knocked down." But speedily the clamor
+ceased, choked off by the gag. Other times I heard the trampings of a
+confused struggle, desperate, though muffled. These struggles also came
+to an end under the efforts of the keepers. I was frightened at the
+courage displayed by the captives. I no longer understood resistance or
+boldness. I was plunged into my cowardly sluggishness. All at once the
+door of my cage opened, and the "horse-dealer" cried out in great glee:
+
+"All sold, save you, my pearl, my carbuncle. And by Mercury, to whom I
+promise an offering in recognition of my day's profits, I believe I have
+found for you a purchaser by private contract."
+
+My master made me step out of my cage; I traversed the booth, in which I
+saw not a single slave left. I found myself face to face with a gray
+haired man, of a cold, hard countenance. He wore the military dress,
+limped very badly, and supported himself on a vine-wood cane, which was
+the mark of the centurion rank in the Roman army. The dealer lifted from
+my shoulders the woolen covering in which I was wrapped, and left me
+stripped to the waist; he then made me get out of my breeches also. My
+master, with the air of a man proud of his merchandise, thus exposed my
+nakedness to the customer. Several of the curious, assembled outside of
+the stall, looked in and contemplated me. I dropped my eyes in shame and
+sorrow, not in anger.
+
+After the prospective purchaser read the writing which hung from my
+neck, he looked me over carefully, answering with affirmative nods of
+the head to what the merchant, with his usual volubility, was saying to
+him in Latin. Often he stopped to measure, with his spread out fingers,
+the size of my chest, the thickness of my arms, or the width of my
+shoulders.
+
+His first examination must have pleased the centurion, for my master
+said to me: "Be proud for your master, friend Bull, your build is found
+faultless. 'See'--I just said to the customer--'would not the Grecian
+sculptors have taken this superb slave as a model for a Hercules?' My
+customer agreed with me. Now you must show him that your strength and
+agility are not inferior to your appearance."
+
+My master pointed to a lead weight in readiness for the trial, and said
+to me while loosening my arms:
+
+"Now put on your breeches again, then take this weight in your two
+hands, lift it over your head, and hold it there as long as you can."
+
+I was about, in my stupid docility, to do as I was bid, when the
+centurion stooped towards the weight, and attempted to lift it from the
+ground, which he did, with much difficulty, while my master said to me:
+
+"This mischievous cripple is as foxy as myself. He knows that many
+dealers use hollow weights which appear to weigh two or three times as
+much as they actually do. Come, friend Bull, show this suspicious fellow
+that you are as powerful as you are well built."
+
+My strength was not yet entirely returned. Nevertheless, I took the
+heavy weight in my hands, throwing it over my head, and balanced it
+there a moment. A vague idea flitted at that instant across my mind to
+let the weight fall on my master's skull, and thus crush him at my feet.
+But that gleam of my bygone courage died out, and I dropped the weight
+on the ground. The lame Roman seemed satisfied.
+
+"Better and better, friend Bull," said my master to me, "by Hercules,
+your patron god, never did a slave do more honor to his owner. Your
+strength is demonstrated. Now let us witness your agility. Two keepers
+will hold this wooden bar about half a yard from the ground. Although
+your feet are in chains, you will jump over the bar several times.
+Nothing will better prove the strength and nimbleness of your muscles."
+
+In spite of my recent wounds, and the weight of my chain, I leaped
+several times with my joined feet over the bar, to the increasing
+satisfaction of the centurion.[28]
+
+"Better and better," repeated my master. "You are proven as strong as
+you are powerfully built, and as limber as both. It now remains to
+exhibit the inoffensive gentleness of your nature. As to this last
+proof, I am, in advance, certain of your success," saying which he again
+bound my hands behind my back.
+
+At first I did not understand what the dealer meant. But he took a
+scourge from the hand of a keeper, and pointing with its handle to me,
+spoke to the purchaser in a low voice. The latter made a gesture of
+assent, and my master passed the scourge over to the centurion.
+
+"The old fox, still suspicious, fears that I would not strike you hard
+enough, friend Bull," my master explained to me. "Come, do not make a
+slip. Do me this last honor, and gain me this last profit, by showing
+that you endure chastisement patiently."
+
+Hardly had he pronounced the words, when the cripple rained a shower of
+blows on my shoulders and chest. I felt neither shame nor indignation,
+only pain. I fell down on my knees in tears and begged for mercy.
+Outside, the curious crowd, gathered at the door, roared with laughter.
+
+The centurion, surprised at so much resignation in a Gaul, dropped the
+whip, and looked at my master who by his gesture seemed to say:
+
+"Did I deceive you?"
+
+Thereupon, patting me with the flat of his hand on my lacerated back,
+the same as one would pat an animal that pleased him, my master said to
+me:
+
+"If you are a bull for strength, you are a lamb for meekness. I expected
+so. Now some questions as to your laborer's trade, and the sale is
+concluded. The customer wishes to know in what place you were employed."
+
+"In the tribe of Karnak," I answered, with a cowardly sigh, "there my
+family and I cultivated the lands of our fathers."
+
+The "horse-dealer" reported my answer to the cripple, who seemed both
+surprised and pleased. He exchanged a few words with the dealer, who
+continued:
+
+"The customer asks where the lands and house of your fathers were
+situated."
+
+"Not far to the east of the rocks of Karnak, on the heights of Craig'h."
+
+At this answer the Roman was so pleased that he seemed hardly to believe
+what he heard, and the "horse-dealer" turned to me:
+
+"That cripple beats all for distrustfulness. To be certain that I do not
+deceive him, and that I have translated your words faithfully to him, he
+demands that you trace before him on the sand, the position of the lands
+and house of your family with reference to the rocks of Karnak and the
+sea-shore. Unfortunately I don't know his reasons, for if it were a
+convenience to him, I would make him pay for it. But do as he bids
+you."
+
+My hands were once more loosed. I took the handle of a lash from one of
+the keepers, and traced with it on the sand, followed by the eager eyes
+of the centurion, the location of the rocks of Karnak and the coast of
+Craig'h, and then the place of our dwelling to the east of Karnak.
+
+The cripple clapped his hands for joy. He drew from his pocket a long
+purse, took out a certain number of gold pieces, and offered them to the
+"horse-dealer." After a long chaffer, seller and buyer finally reached
+an agreement.
+
+"By Mercury," said the dealer to me; "I have sold you for thirty-eight
+sous of gold, one-half cash as a deposit, the other half at the close of
+the market, when the lame fellow will come to fetch you. Was I wrong
+when I called you the carbuncle of my stock?" After exchanging a few
+words with the centurion, he turned to me:
+
+"Your new master--and I can understand it, seeing he has paid so good a
+price for you--your new master is of the opinion that you are not
+chained securely enough. He wants clogs fastened to your chain. He will
+come for you in a chariot."
+
+In addition to my chain, I was loaded down with two heavy clogs of iron,
+which would have prevented me from moving except by leaping with both
+feet; even if I could lift so heavy a weight. My manacles were carefully
+inspected and locked on my wrists, and I sat down in a corner of the
+stall while the dealer counted and recounted his gold.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+THE BOOTH ACROSS THE WAY.
+
+
+While I sat in my former master's stall awaiting the arrival of my new
+purchaser to take me away, the cloth that covered the entrance of the
+opposite stall was raised.
+
+On one side were three beautiful young women, the same, I doubted not,
+who a little before had filled the air with groans and supplications
+while their clothes were being torn off them, in order to exhibit their
+charms to purchasers. They were still half nude, their feet bare,
+plastered with chalk[29] and fastened by rings to a long iron bar.
+Huddled close together, these three held one another in such close
+embrace that two of them, still crushed down with shame, hid their faces
+in the bosom of the third. The latter, pale and somber, hung her head,
+letting her disheveled black hair fall before her bruised and naked
+breast--bruised no doubt in the vain struggle against the keepers who
+disrobed her. A short distance from them, two little children, three or
+four years old, bound around their waists merely by a light cord
+fastened to a stake, laughed and played in the straw with the
+heedlessness common to their age. The children evidently did not belong
+to either of the three women.
+
+At the other side of the stall I saw a matron of the noble carriage of
+my mother Margarid. Manacles were on her wrists, shackles on her ankles.
+She was standing, leaning against a beam to which she was chained by the
+waist. She stood still as a statue; her grey hair disordered, her eyes
+fixed, her face livid and fearful. Time and again she gave vent to a
+burst of threatening and crazy laughter. Finally, at the rear of the
+stall, was a cage resembling the one which I myself had occupied. In
+that cage, if what the "horse-dealer" said was true, would be my two
+children. Tears filled my eyes. In spite of my weakness, the thought of
+my children, so close to me, caused a flush of warmth to rise to my
+face--a symptom of my returning powers.
+
+And now, Sylvest, my son, you for whom I write this report, read slowly
+what is now about to follow. Aye, read slowly, to the end that every
+word may imbue your soul with its indelible hatred for the Romans--a
+hatred that I feel certain must some day, the day of vengeance, break
+out with terrific force. Read, my son, and you will understand how your
+mother, after having given life to you and your sister, after having
+heaped all her tenderness upon you, could in the end give you no
+stronger proof of her maternal love than by endeavoring to kill you, to
+the end that she might carry you hence, to return to life in the other
+world at her side and in the circle of our family. Alas! You survived
+her foresight!
+
+This, my son, is what happened!
+
+I had my eyes fixed on the cage in which I surmised you and your sister
+were imprisoned, when I saw an old man, richly dressed, enter the stall.
+It was the rich patrician Trymalcion, worn out as much by debauchery as
+by years. His dull, cold, corpse-like eyes seemed to look into vacancy.
+His hideously wrinkled visage was half hidden under a coat of thick
+paint. He wore a frizzled yellow wig, earrings blazing with precious
+stones, and in the girdle of his robe a large bouquet, of which his red
+plush mantle off and on allowed a glimpse.[30] He painfully dragged his
+limbs after him, leaning on the shoulders of two young slaves fifteen or
+sixteen years of age, who were luxuriously dressed, but in such a style,
+and so effeminately, that it was impossible to tell whether they were
+young men or girls. Two other and older slaves followed. One carried
+under his arm his master's thick cloak, the other a golden
+night-vessel.[31]
+
+The proprietor of the stall hastened to receive his patrician customer
+with tokens of reverence, exchanged a few words with him, and then moved
+forward a stool on which the old man let himself down. As the seat had
+no back, one of the young slaves immediately stationed himself
+motionless behind his master, to serve him as a support, while the other
+slave lay down on the ground at a sign from the patrician, lifted his
+feet, which were encased in rich sandals, and wrapping them in a fold of
+his own robe, held them to his breast to warm them.[32]
+
+Thus supported with his back and feet on the bodies of his slaves, the
+old man spoke some words to the merchant. The latter first pointed
+toward the three half-naked women. At sight of them, Trymalcion turned
+half way round and spat at them, as if to evince the most sovereign
+disdain.
+
+At this indignity, the old man's slaves and the Romans, assembled in the
+vicinity of the stall, broke into coarse laughter. Then the merchant
+pointed out to lord Trymalcion the two children playing on the straw.
+The senile debauchee shrugged his shoulders, while he uttered some
+horrible words. His words must have been horrible, because the laughter
+redoubled.
+
+The merchant, hoping at last to please so fastidious a customer, went up
+to the cage, opened it, and brought out three children, draped in long
+white veils which hid their faces. Two of the children corresponded in
+height to my son and daughter; the other was smaller. The smallest one
+was the first to be unveiled to the eyes of the old man. I recognized
+her as the daughter of one of my relatives, whose husband was killed in
+the defense of the chariot; the mother had killed herself with the other
+women of the family, forgetting in that supreme moment, to kill the
+little one. The girl was sickly and without beauty. Patrician Trymalcion
+looked her over rapidly and made an impatient gesture with his hand, as
+if annoyed that they should dare to offer to his sight so unattractive
+an object. She was, accordingly, taken back to the cage by a keeper. The
+other two children remained, still veiled.
+
+I was eagerly watching these events from the corner of the
+"horse-dealer's" stall, my arms pinioned behind my back with double iron
+manacles, my legs chained and my feet fastened by fetters of enormous
+weight. I still felt under the influence of the sorcery that had been
+practiced upon me. Nevertheless, my blood, so long frozen in my veins,
+began to circulate more and more freely. A slight tremor occasionally
+went through my limbs. The spell was breaking. I was not the only one to
+tremble. The young Gallic women and the matron, forgetting their own
+shame and despair, experienced in their hearts of maid, of wife, or
+mother, a frightful horror at the fate of the children offered to that
+detestable old man.
+
+Although half nude, they no longer thought of withdrawing themselves
+from the licentious looks of the spectators who were crowding at the
+entrance to the booth. Their eyes brooded with motherly terror upon the
+two veiled children, while the matron, bound to the post, her eyes
+glittering and her teeth set in impotent fury, raised her chained arms
+to heaven as if to call down the punishments of the gods upon such
+monstrosities.
+
+At a sign from lord Trymalcion, the veils dropped--I recognized you
+both--you, my son Sylvest and your sister Syomara. You were both pale
+and wan; you were shivering with fear. Anguish was depicted in your
+tear-bathed faces. The long blonde hair of my little girl fell upon her
+shoulders. She dared not raise her eyes, neither did you; you held each
+other by the hand, closely clasped. Despite the terror that disfigured
+her face, I beheld my daughter in her singular and infantine
+beauty--accursed beauty! At sight of her Trymalcion's dead eyes lighted
+up and glistened like glowing coals in the middle of his wrinkled,
+paint-covered visage. He stood up, stretched out his emaciated arms
+towards my daughter as if to seize his prey, while a shocking smile
+disclosed his yellow teeth. Terror-stricken, Syomara threw herself back
+and clung to your neck. The merchant quickly tore you from each other
+and brought Syomara to the old man. The latter impatiently pushed away
+with his foot the slave that crouched on the ground before him, and
+grabbing my little girl, took her between his knees. He easily subdued
+the efforts she made to escape, while she uttered piercing cries; he
+violently snapped the strings that fastened my little girl's robe, and
+stripped her half naked in order to examine her chest and shoulders.
+While this was going on, the merchant was holding you back, my son, and
+I--the father of the two victims--I, loaded with chains, beheld the
+spectacle. At the sight of this crime of the patrician Trymalcion,
+outraging the chastity of a child, the three fettered Gallic women and
+the matron made a desperate but vain effort to break from their irons,
+and began to pour out a torrent of imprecations and groans.
+
+Trymalcion finished complacently his disgusting examination, and said a
+few words to the merchant. Immediately a keeper replaced the robe on my
+girl, who was more dead than alive, wrapped her up in her long white
+veil, which he tied around her, and taking the slender burden under his
+arm, held himself in readiness to follow the old man, who was taking
+some gold from his purse to pay the merchant. At that moment of supreme
+despair--you and your sister, poor little ones bewildered with terror,
+cried out as if you believed you would be heard and succored:
+
+"Mother! Father!"
+
+Up to that moment I had witnessed the scene panting, almost crazy with
+grief and rage. Slowly my heart, struggling against the sorcery of the
+"horse-dealer," was gaining the upper hand. But at that cry, uttered by
+you and your sister, the charm broke with a clap. All my intelligence,
+all my courage rushed back to me. The sight of you two gave me such a
+shock, it threw me into such a transport of rage that, unable to break
+my irons, I rose upon my feet, and, with my hands still pinioned behind
+me, my legs still loaded with heavy chains, I bounded out of my stall
+with two leaps, and fell like a thunderbolt upon the old patrician. The
+shock caused the old man to roll under me. In default of the liberty of
+my hands to strangle him, I bit him in the face, near the neck. The
+"horse-dealers" and their keepers threw themselves upon me; but bearing
+with all my weight upon the hideous old debauchee, who was howling at
+the top of his voice, I kept my teeth in his flesh. The monster's blood
+filled my mouth--a shower of whip lashes and blows from sticks and
+stones rained upon me--yet I budged not. No more than our old war dog
+Deber-Trud the man-eater did I drop my prey.--No!--Like the dog, when I
+did let go, it was only to carry away between my teeth--a strip of
+flesh, a bleeding mouthful that I spat back into Trymalcion's hideous,
+tortured face, as he had spat at the Gallic women.
+
+"Father! Father!" you cried out to me through the tumult. Wishing then
+to approach you two, my children, I stood up, an object of terror--aye,
+terror. For a moment a circle of fear surrounded the Gallic slave, with
+his load of irons.
+
+"Father! Father!" you cried again, stretching out your little arms, in
+spite of the keepers who held you back. I made a bound toward you, but
+the merchant, from the top of the cage where you had been confined,
+suddenly threw a large piece of cloth over my head. At the same time I
+was seized by the legs, thrown down, and tied with a thousand bonds. The
+cloth, which covered my head and shoulders, was tied down around my
+neck, and through it they made a gap, which unfortunately permitted me
+to breathe--I had hoped to smother.
+
+I felt myself being carried across to my own booth, where I was thrown
+on the straw, incapable of making the slightest motion. Quite a while
+later I heard the centurion, my new master, in a sharp altercation with
+the "horse-dealer" and the merchant who had sold Syomara to Trymalcion.
+Presently they all went out. Silence reigned around me. Some time later,
+the dealer returned; he approached me; he kicked me angrily; he tore off
+the cover from my face, and said to me in a voice trembling with rage:
+
+"Scoundrel! Do you know what it has cost me, that mouthful of flesh you
+tore out of the face of the noble Trymalcion? Do you know, ferocious
+beast? That mouthful of flesh cost me twenty sous of gold! More than
+half of what I sold you for, for I am responsible for your misdeeds,
+wretch! while you are in my stall, double villain! So that it is I who
+have made a present of your daughter to the old man. She was sold to him
+for twenty gold sous, which I paid in his stead. He insisted upon it.
+And even so I got off cheaply. He demanded that indemnity."[33]
+
+"That monster is not dead! Hena! he is not dead!" I cried in despair.
+"And my daughter is not dead either! Hesus, Teutates, take pity on my
+daughter!"
+
+"Your daughter, gallows bird! Your daughter is in Trymalcion's hands,
+and it is upon her he will wreak his revenge on you. He rejoices over
+the circumstance in advance. He sometimes is taken with savage caprices,
+and is rich enough to indulge them."
+
+I was unable to make answer to these words, save with long drawn out
+moans.
+
+"And that is not all, infamous scoundrel! I have lost the confidence of
+the centurion to whom I sold you. He reproached me with having
+outrageously deceived him; with having sold him, instead of a lamb, a
+tiger who exercised his teeth upon rich patricians. He wanted to sell
+you right back. To sell you back, as if anyone would consent to
+buy--after such an exhibition! As well buy a wild beast. Luckily for me,
+I received the deposit before witnesses. The fierceness of your nature
+will not set aside the contract; the centurion has no choice but to keep
+you. He'll keep you, I warrant, but he'll make you pay dear for your
+criminal instincts. Oh, you don't know the life that awaits you in the
+_ergastula_! You don't know--"
+
+"But my son," I asked, interrupting the "horse-dealer," well knowing
+that he would answer out of cruelty. "Is my son also sold? To whom?"
+
+"Sold? And who do you think would still want him? Sold? Better say given
+away. You bring bad luck to everybody, double traitor. Did not your
+ragings and the shrieks of that mis-born limb teach everyone that he is
+of your beastly blood? No one offered even an obole for him! Who would
+buy a wolf's whelp? Anyway, I was going to speak to you about that son
+of yours, to delight your father's heart. Know that he was given to boot
+by my partner at the end of the sale, to the same purchaser to whom he
+sold the grey-haired matron, who will be good to turn a mill-wheel."
+
+"And that purchaser," I enquired, "who is he? What is he going to do
+with my son?"
+
+"That purchaser is the centurion--your master!"
+
+"Hesus!" I exclaimed, hardly able to believe what I heard. "Hesus, you
+are kind and merciful. At least I shall have my son near me."
+
+"Your son near you! Then you are as stupid as you are scoundrelly. Ah,
+do you imagine that it is for your paternal contentment that your master
+has burdened himself with that wolf-cub? Do you know what your master
+said to me? 'I have only one means of subduing that savage beast you
+sold me, you egregious cheat.--The chances are, that madman loves his
+little one. I'll keep the wolf-whelp in a cage, and the son will answer
+to me for the father's docility.--At the father's first, and least
+offence, he will see the tortures which he will make his cub suffer,
+under my very eyes.'"
+
+I paid no further attention to what the "horse-dealer" said--I was at
+least sure of seeing you, or of knowing that you were near me, my child.
+That will help me to bear the awful grief caused to me by the fate of my
+little daughter Syomara, who, two days later, was carried into Italy on
+board the galley of the patrician Trymalcion.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+My father Guilhern was not granted time to finish his narrative.
+
+Death--oh, what a death!--death overtook him the very day after he
+traced the above last lines. I preserve them together with the little
+brass bell that my father got from the "horse-dealer."
+
+The narrative of the sufferings of our race, I, Sylvest, shall continue
+in obedience to my father Guilhern, the same as he obeyed the behest of
+his father Joel the brenn of the tribe of Karnak.
+
+Hesus was merciful to you, O, my father.--You died ignorant of the life
+of your daughter Syomara--
+
+It is left to me to narrate my sister's fate.
+
+
+THE END.
+
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[1] A short distance from the town of St. Nazaire, which is still in
+existence.
+
+[2] The patriotism of the Russians in burning Moscow in order to starve
+and drive out Napoleon's army is justly admired. But how much more
+admirable was the heroic patriotism of these old Gauls! Not only
+Brittany, but almost a third of Gaul was delivered to the flames. See
+Caesar, _De Bello Gallico_, lib. VII, ch. XIV. Also Amedee Thierry,
+_History of the Gauls_, vol. III, p. 103: "The Chief of the Hundred
+Valleys was heard with calm and resignation. Not a murmur interrupted
+him, not an objection was raised against the heavy sacrifice which he
+demanded. It was with one voice that the heads of the tribes voted the
+ruin of their fortunes and the scattering of their families. This
+terrible remedy was at once applied to the country which they feared
+would be occupied by the enemy ... On every hand one perceived nothing
+but the fire and smoke of burning habitations. In the light of these
+flames, across the ruins and the ashes of their homes, an innumerable
+population wended their way towards the frontier, where shelter and food
+awaited them. Their sorrow and suffering was not without consolation,
+since it would lead to the safety of their country."
+
+[3] The shark.
+
+[4] A Gallic war cry, signifying "Strike at the head--down with them."
+
+[5] A troop composed of cavalry (_mahrek_) and footmen (_droad_).
+
+"A certain number of Gallic cavalrymen chose among the foot-soldiers an
+equal number of the most agile and courageous. Each of the latter
+attended a horseman, and followed him in battle. The cavalry fell back
+upon them if it was in danger, and the footmen ran up; if a wounded
+horseman fell from his charger, the foot-soldier succored and defended
+him. When it became necessary to make a rapid advance or retreat,
+exercise had made these foot-soldiers so agile that, hanging on by the
+manes of the horses, they kept up with the cavalry in its rapid
+movement."--Caesar, _De Bello Gallico_, book I, ch. XLVIII.
+
+[6] In this body of cavalry each horseman was followed by two equerries,
+mounted and equipped, who remained behind in the body of the army. When
+the battle was on, should the horseman be dismounted, the equerries gave
+him one of their horses. If then the horseman's horse was killed, or the
+horseman himself dangerously wounded, he was carried from the field by
+one of the equerries, while the other took his place in the ranks. This
+body of cavalry was called the _trimarkisia_, from two words which in
+the Gallic tongue signify "three horses."--Amedee Thierry, _History of
+the Gauls_, vol. I, p. 130. See also Pausanius, book X.
+
+[7] "The Gauls had also their Pindars and their Tyrteuses, bards
+exercising their talent to sing in heroic verse the deeds of great men,
+and to inculcate in the people the love of glory."--Latour d'Auvergne,
+_Gallic Origins_, p. 158.
+
+[8] "The Gauls hold that it is a disgrace to live subjugated, and that
+in all war there are but two outcomes for the man of courage--to conquer
+or to die."--Nicolas Damasc; see also Strabo, serm. XII.
+
+[9] "Caesar in his Commentaries, and after him the later historians,
+took the title of command held by this hero of Gaul for his proper name,
+and, by corruption, wrote _Vercingetorix_ in place of
+Ver-cinn-cedo-righ, Chief of the Hundred Valleys," observes Amedee
+Thierry (_History of the Gauls_, vol. III, p. 86). "Vercingetorix, a
+native of Auvergne, was the son of Celtil, who, guilty of conspiring
+against the freedom of his city, expiated on the pyre his ambition and
+his crime. The young Gaul thus became heir to the goods of his father,
+whose name he nevertheless blushed to bear. Having become the idol of
+his people, he traveled to Rome and saw Caesar, who attempted to win his
+good graces. But the Gaul rejected the friendship of his country's
+enemy. Returned to his native land he labored secretly to reawaken among
+his people the spirit of independence, and to raise up enemies against
+the Romans. When the hour to call the people to arms was come, he showed
+himself openly, in druid ceremonies, in political meetings; everywhere,
+in short, he was seen employing his eloquence, his fortune, his credit,
+in a word all his means of action upon the chiefs and on the multitude,
+to spur them on to reconquer the rights of old Gaul."--Thierry.
+
+[10] Here are Caesar's own words on this extraordinary event, taken from
+his _Ephemerides_, or diary, wherein with his own hand he was accustomed
+to enter day by day what of interest had occurred to him. These words
+are transmitted to us by Servius:
+
+"Caius Julius Caesar, cum dimicaret in Gallia, et ab hoste raptus, equo
+ejus portaretur armatus, occurrit quidam ex hostibus qui cum nosset et
+insultans ait: Ceco Caesar! quod in lingua Gallorum dimitte significat.
+Et ita factum est ut dimitteretur.
+
+"Hoc autem dicit ipse Caesar in Ephemeride sua ubi propriam commemorat
+felicitatem."--Ex Servio LXI. Aeneid, edit. Amstelod, type Elsevir,
+1650, ex antiquo Vatic. Extemp. cap. VIII.
+
+"One can see by this passage," adds d'Auvergne, "that Caesar, having
+been released by the Gaul who had made him prisoner and who was carrying
+him off on his horse fully armed from the field of battle, believed the
+saving of his life to be due to the very word which was intended to be
+his death sentence: to the word _sko_, which Caesar wrote _ceco_, and
+which he falsely interpreted to mean _release_ when the word in Gallic
+in reality means _kill_, _strike_, _beat down_. Everything points to the
+conclusion that fear or stupefaction having seized the Gauls, in whose
+power Caesar completely was, at the mere mention of his name, he owed
+his safety to the sheer astonishment of his captor."
+
+[11] "During the fight, which lasted from the seventh hour until the
+evening, not a Gaul was seen turning his back (aversum hostem nemo
+videre potuit)."--Caesar, _De Bello Gallico_, ch. XXXVII.
+
+[12] "When the Romans drew near the chariots they came face to face with
+a new enemy, the war dogs. These were with difficulty exterminated by
+the archers."--Pliny, book LXXII, chap. C.
+
+[13] The total destruction of the Gallic fleet was the result of an
+extremely dangerous invention by the Romans, who, by means of scythes
+fastened to long poles, cut the stays which held the masts. These fell,
+and the Gallic vessels, deprived of sails and motion, were reduced to
+impotence. See Caesar, _De Bello Gallico_, book III, ch. XIV, XV.
+
+[14] See Pliny, Quintilian, Seneca, etc. Cited by Wallon in his _History
+of Slavery in Antiquity_, vol. II, p. 329.
+
+[15] About $100 or $120 in modern money. This was at the time the market
+price of a slave. (Wallon, _History of Slavery in Antiquity_, vol. II,
+p. 329.)
+
+[16] Slaves had no name of their own. They were given indiscriminately
+all sorts of soubriquets, even to the names of animals. (Givin, p. 339.)
+
+[17] It was the custom to throw in "for good measure," upon the purchase
+of a lot of slaves for labor or for pleasure, a few old men who were
+nothing but skin and bones. See Plautus, _Bachid._ IV, _Prospera_ IV;
+and _Terence_, _Eun._ Cited by Wallon, _History of Slavery in
+Antiquity_, vol. II. p. 56.
+
+[18] There were in the selling of slaves, as in the vending of animals
+established grounds entitling the purchaser to recover in full or in
+part his purchase price. Six months were allowed for causes of the first
+class to manifest themselves, a year for the latter.
+
+Deafness, dumbness, short-sightedness, tertiary or quaternary ague,
+gout, epilepsy, polyp, varicose veins, a breath indicating an internal
+malady, sterility among the women--such were the grounds accepted for
+complete abrogation of the contract. As to moral defects, nothing was
+said. Nevertheless, the merchant was not allowed to ascribe to a slave
+qualities he did not possess. One was bound above all to make known
+whether a slave possessed a tendency toward suicide. (Wallon, _History
+of Slavery in Antiquity_, vol. II, p. 63.)
+
+[19] We do not dare to expatiate on these monstrosities. We shall only
+cite the words of the lawyer Heterus: "Shamelessness is a crime in a
+free man--a duty in a freedman--and a necessity in a slave." For further
+details of the abominable and precocious depravity into which slaves and
+their children were dragged, see Wallon, _History of Slavery in
+Antiquity_, p. 266, following.
+
+[20] "Masters disemboweled their slaves, to search for prognostications
+in their entrails."--Wallon, vol. II, p. 251.
+
+[21] The characteristics of different nationalities of slaves had passed
+into bywords with the dealers. Thus they said "timid as a Phrygian,"
+"vain as a Moor," "deceitful as a Cretan," "intractable as a Sardinian,"
+"fierce as a Dalmatian," "gentle as an Ionian," etc., etc. (Wallon, vol.
+II, p. 65.)
+
+[22] Caesar wished to make a severe example. So "He put the Senate to
+death, and sold the rest at auction."--Caesar, _De Bello Gallico_, book
+III, ch. XVI.
+
+[23] See Wallon, vol. II, ch. III, for the singular means employed by
+the "horse-dealers" to rejuvenate their slaves.
+
+[24] The Gauls in the north and west of France attached so much
+importance and dignity to the length of their hair that the provinces
+they inhabited were called "Long-haired Gaul." (Latour d'Auvergne,
+Gallic Origins.)
+
+[25] When prisoners of war were sold as slaves, they were made to wear
+wreaths of the leaves of trees as a distinctive sign. (Wallon.)
+
+[26] "The magic philters of Media and Circe of old were nothing but
+pharmaceutical brews of an action as diversified as powerful. Several of
+these narcotic or exhilarators, which threw a man into an incredible
+moral prostration, or else into a fit of frenzy, were long employed
+among the Romans. The slave merchants used them to overcome and enervate
+their more unconquerable captives."--_Philosophic Dictionary_, p. 345.
+
+[27] "The higher priced slaves were kept in a sort of cage, which drew,
+by its air of mystery, the attention of the connoisseurs."--Wallon, vol.
+II, p. 54.
+
+[28] The slave was obliged to lift weights, to march, to leap, to prove
+his vigor and agility. (Wallon, vol. II, p. 59.)
+
+[29] The feet of women and children were daubed with white clay.
+(Wallon.)
+
+[30] See Petronius for details of Roman patrician "fashions."
+
+[31] For these shameful manners, which respect for humanity renders
+unpicturable, see Tacitus, Martial, Juvenal, and above all Petronius.
+
+[32] See above authors.
+
+[33] The master was civilly responsible for the acts of his slave, the
+same as for those of his dog. (Wallon, vol. II, p. 183.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Brass Bell, by Eugene Sue
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BRASS BELL ***
+
+***** This file should be named 26623.txt or 26623.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        http://www.gutenberg.org/2/6/6/2/26623/
+
+Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was
+produced from scanned images of public domain material
+from the Google Print project.)
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+http://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+http://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     http://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
diff --git a/26623.zip b/26623.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f8bb925
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26623.zip
diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6312041
--- /dev/null
+++ b/LICENSE.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements,
+metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be
+in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES.
+
+Procedures for determining public domain status are described in
+the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org.
+
+No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in
+jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize
+this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright
+status under the laws that apply to them.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d2b6971
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #26623 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/26623)