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Ah! if our old leader knew to what base uses his old soldiers were degraded!" The two men responded by a sullen growl. "As for you," pursued the old trooper, addressing Maurice and the abbe, "I, Bavois, corporal of grenadiers, declare in my name and in that of my two men, that you are as free as birds, and that we shall arrest no one.
Honest Bavois was the first to suggest the idea of consulting a physician whom he had found in this land of savages. Yes; he had found a really skilful physician in the neighborhood, a man of superior ability. Attached at one time to the beautiful court of Prince Eugene, he had been obliged to flee from Milan, and had taken refuge in this secluded spot.
After supper Chupin sent for a cart; the prisoner, securely bound, was placed in it, and the party started for Montaignac. The great bell was striking two when Lacheneur was brought into the citadel. At that very moment M. d'Escorval and Corporal Bavois were making their preparations for escape.
He seized one of the swords which Bavois offered him, and assumed an attitude of defence. "You will have it so," said he in a husky voice. "The thought of Marie-Anne can no longer save you." But the blades had scarcely crossed before a cry from Jean and from Corporal Bavois arrested the combat. "The soldiers!" they exclaimed; "let us fly!"
Soon after four o'clock sounded they saw a dark object glide slowly down the side of the tower it was the baron. After a little, another form followed very rapidly it was Bavois. Half of the perilous journey was accomplished. From below, they could see the two figures moving about on the narrow platform.
"Ah! how can I ever repay you for your devotion!" murmured the baron. "Hush! not a word!" interrupted Bavois. "If I escape with you, I can never return here; and I shall not know where to go, for the regiment, you see, is my only family. Ah, well! if you will give me a home with you, I shall be content." Whereupon he swallowed a big draught of brandy, and set to work with renewed ardor.
"If I had trusted poor Monsieur d'Escorval, he would be alive now." "The baron still breathes," said one of the officers. This was such astounding news that Bavois was utterly confounded for a moment. "Ah! I will give my right hand, if necessary, to save him!" he exclaimed, at last. "If it is possible to save him, he will be saved, my friend.
The corporal had cut one of the second row of bars, when he was interrupted by M. d'Escorval, who, without discontinuing his reading, had approached and pulled Bavois's long coat to attract his attention. He turned quickly. "What is it?" "I heard a singular noise." "Where?" "In the adjoining room where the ropes are." Honest Bavois muttered a terrible oath. "Do they intend to betray us?
Some of them, indeed, did come to the door and look in, then went away to say to their companions: "We have just taken a look at the prisoner. He is very pale, and his eyes are glittering feverishly. He is reading aloud to divert his mind. Corporal Bavois is looking out of the window. It must be dull music for him."
The information pleased me, and I was very glad to have been prevented by Henriette from joining Therese in Naples, as I had intended, for I should certainly have fallen in love with her again, and God knows what the consequences might have been. It was at that time that Bavois was appointed captain in the service of the Republic; he rose rapidly in his profession, as I shall mention hereafter.
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