The Whites and the Blues - Alexandre Dumas

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recognized the boy, who had also been there for some time.

      General Beauharnais had been much loved, and a group gathered round the boy, whom Augereau on the one side, and Charles on the other stood ready to support.

      "Whelp of an aristocrat!" cried Tétrell, on seeing who his adversary was.

      "Bastard of a wolf!" retorted the youth, refusing to lower his eyes before the threatening glance of the leader of the Propagande.

      "If you make me come down to you," shouted Tétrell, grinding his teeth, "you had better look out, or I will spank you."

      "If you make me come up to you I will slap you," replied Eugene.

      "Here, this is for you!" cried Tétrell, forcing himself to laugh, and spitting at Eugene.

      "And that is for you, coward!" retorted the youth, flinging his glove, into which he had slipped a few leaden pellets, full at his antagonist.

      Tétrell uttered a cry of rage, and put his hand to his cheek, which was all covered with blood.

      Tétrell, in his thirst for revenge, could not stop to go round by the corridors. He pulled a pistol from his belt, aimed it at the boy, around whom a space was suddenly cleared, every one fearing to be struck by a ball from the weapon in Tétrell's trembling hand, which threatened every one in his vicinity.

      But at the same moment a man wearing the uniform of the volunteers of Paris, and bearing the insignia of a sergeant's rank, threw himself between Tétrell and the boy, protecting the latter with his body, and folded his arms.

      "That's all very well, citizen!" said he, "but when a man wears a sword he ought not to commit murder."

      "Bravo, volunteer! bravo, sergeant!" came from every corner of the theatre.

      "Do you know," he continued, "what this child, this whelp of an aristocrat, this brat, as you call him, was doing this morning while you were making fine speeches at the Propagande? He was fighting to prevent the enemy from entering Strasbourg. While you were asking for the heads of your friends, he was killing the enemies of France. Now, put up your pistol, which does not frighten me, and listen to what I have to say."

      Profound silence reigned in the hall and upon the stage; the curtain was still raised, and the actors, workmen, and soldiers of the guard had gathered there. It was in the midst of this painful silence that the volunteer continued, and although he did not raise his voice he could be heard perfectly on all sides.

      "What I have to say further," resumed the sergeant, stepping aside from the boy, "is that this boy, who is neither the whelp of an aristocrat, nor a brat, but a man whom victory has to-day baptized a Republican upon the field of battle—this boy, after having insulted you challenges you; after having called you a wretch, he calls you a coward, and awaits—you with your second and whatever weapon you choose to provide, unless it be your favorite weapon the guillotine, with the executioner as your second. I tell you this in his name and mine, do you hear? And I answer for him, I, Pierre Augereau, sergeant-major in the regiment of the volunteers of Paris! And now, go and hang yourself if you like. Come, citizen Eugene."

      And picking up the boy he placed him on the floor, first lifting him up so high that every one in the room could see and applaud him frantically. And in the midst of these cheers and bravos, he left the hall with the two young fellows, who were escorted to the Hôtel de la Lanterne by half of the spectators, shouting: "Long live the Republic! Long live the volunteers of Paris! Down with Tétrell!"

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      On hearing the tumult, which increased as the crowd approached the Hôtel de la Lanterne, Madame Teutch appeared at the door. By the light of the torches with which some of the more enthusiastic were provided, she recognized her two guests and the sergeant-major, Augereau, whom they were bringing back in triumph.

      The fear which Tétrell had sown among the populace was bearing its fruits; the harvest was ripe, and he was reaping hatred.

      About thirty kind-hearted men proposed to Pierre Augereau that they should watch over the safety of his pupil, thinking it very possible that Tétrell would profit by the darkness to do him an ill turn. But the sergeant-major thanked them, saying that he himself would watch over his young friend's safety, and would answer for him. But, in order to retain the good-will of the people, which might be useful to them later, the sergeant-major thought it would be wise to offer the leaders of the escort a glass of punch, or some hot wine.

      No sooner was the proposal made than they proceeded to invade the kitchen of the Lanterne, and to warm the wine, melt the sugar, and mix the beverage. It was midnight when they parted with cries of, "Long live the Republic!" interspersed with hearty handclasps, and strong oaths of alliance defensive and offensive.

      But when the last one was gone, when the door was shut behind them, and the shutters closed so carefully that not even a ray of light could escape through them, Augereau grew very grave, and turning to Eugene said: "Now, my young pupil, we must think of your safety."

      "What! of my safety? Didn't you just say that I had nothing to fear and that you would answer for my safety?"

      "Certainly, I will answer for you, but on the condition that you do what I say."

      "And what do you want me to do? I hope you don't intend to suggest some act of cowardice."

      "Monsieur le Marquis," said Augereau, "I must have no more of those suspicions, or, by the Republic, you and I will quarrel."

      "Come, my good Pierre, don't get angry. What do you want me to do?"

      "I have no confidence in a man who disguises himself with a nose like that when it is not carnival time. In the first place, he will not fight."

      "Why won't he fight?"

      "Because he looks to me like a great coward."

      "Yes, but suppose he does fight?"

      "If he fights, there is nothing more to say; you risk only a ball or a sword-thrust. But if he doesn't, you risk having your head cut off, and that is what I wish to prevent."

      "How?"

      "By taking you with me to the barracks of the volunteers of Paris: he won't come after you there, I warrant."

      "Hide? Never."

      "Tush! My little friend," said the sergeant-major, "don't say such things before Pierre Augereau, whose courage cannot be questioned. No, you will not hide, you will simply wait there. That's all."

      "What shall I wait for?"

      "Citizen Tétrell's seconds."

      "His seconds? He will send them here, and I won't know that they have come, since I won't be here."

      "And little Charles? He runs no danger, and what was he put on earth for except to bring us word of what happens? Heavens! what a hard customer you are, and what difficulties you put in a fellow's way."

      "And the first thing that happens, no matter how insignificant, you will come to the barracks and tell us, won't you, Charles?"

      "I give you my word of honor."

      "And now," said Augereau, "to the left!"

      "Where are we going?"

      "To the barracks."

      "Through the court?"

      "Through the court."

      "And why not by the door?"

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