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"It is a proclamation from the Prussian General commanding the district, major, giving notice that he will shoot every franc tireur he may catch; and also giving notice to the inhabitants that if any Prussian soldier be killed, or even shot at, by a franc tireur if a rail be pulled up, or a road cut that he will hold the village near the spot accountable; will burn the houses, and treat the male inhabitants according to martial law, and that the same penalties will be exacted for sheltering or hiding franc tireurs."
"Turn in again, lads. It is no use taking you out on a useless search, such a night as this, among these forests." Ralph laughed aloud, as they turned to go down the passage again to the corner. "Won't father laugh," he said, "when he hears that you thought I was a franc tireur. We haven't seen any, about Colmar. I don't think you need be afraid of them, if they ain't bigger or older than I am."
The Germans, surprised in their beds, had offered but a slight resistance. Four were killed, and sixteen taken prisoners; one franc tireur, only, was slightly wounded. "Take two men with you," Major Tempe said, "and escort those five prisoners to the village. Give them over to Lieutenant Houdin; and tell him to send them, with the prisoners he has taken, under charge of six men to the forest.
Wharton and Carstairs and he had outwitted a prince once, but it could not be von Arnheim. He turned his full gaze back to the general, who continued in his deep gruff voice, speaking perfect English: "I understand that you are an American and your name is John Scott." "And duly enrolled and uniformed in the French service," said John, "You can't shoot me as a franc tireur."
Our orders are very strict upon that point. Von Arnheim, take this franc tireur behind the château and have him shot at once." He too had spoken in French, and doubtless with intention also. John felt a thrill of horror, but Julie Lannes, turning white, sprang before Picard: "No! No!" she cried to Auersperg. "You cannot do such a thing! He is not a soldier!
The way he had spoken of his child had drawn me to him. Whatever he had done, I felt that chivalry and tenderness were in this man. "Why do they call you 'Fin Tireur'?" "The men of the Midi, m'sieu, are not like the men of the rest of France," said Fin Tireur "at least so they say.
At last I dropped the bridle, and went in, with my legs shaking under me. I found the little one alone in the house, and like a mad thing. She'd been alone all night." His face set rigidly. "And her mother knew I should be all night at the Hammam," he said. "Fin Tireur yes, it was coming back, and finding my little one left like that in such a place, made me earn the name."
Then I came here to keep the inn for the diligence that carries the mails to the south, for I wouldn't leave the country till " He paused. "And the sand-diviner?" "I left him at Beni-Mora. He smiled, and said he knew no more than I; and perhaps he didn't. How was I to tell?" "But your name of Fin Tireur?"
"You don't like the Arabs?" "Like the dirty dogs! You haven't been told about me, m'sieu?" "Only that your name was Fin Tireur." "'Fin Tireur. Yes; that's what they call me in the desert." "You're a sportsman? A 'capital shot'?" He laughed suddenly, and his laugh made me feel cold. "Oh! they don't call me 'Fin Tireur' because I can hit gazelle, and bring them home for supper. No, no!
I shouted to the French driver, who, with his yellow toque pulled down over his ears, was chirping encouragement to his horses. "Sidi-Hamdane," he answered, without turning his head. "At the inn of 'Fin Tireur." Three hours later we drew up before a low building, from which a light shone kindly, and I scrambled down stiffly, and lurched into the longed-for shelter.
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