按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
a stranger； that stranger has no right to answer with insolence； and
deserves to be taught manners if he does so。〃
Great drops of sweat ran down Dagobert's forehead and cheeks； his large
imperial was incessantly agitated by nervous tremblingbut he restrained
himself。 Taking； by two of the corners； the handkerchief which he had
just dipped in the water； he shook it； wrung it； and began to hum to
himself the burden of the old camp ditty：
〃Out of Tirlemont's flea…haunted den；
We ride forth next day of the sen；
With sabre in hand； ah！
Good…bye to Amanda；〃 etc。
The silence to which Dagobert had condemned himself； almost choked him；
this song afforded him some relief。
Morok； turning towards the spectators； said to them； with an air of
hypocritical restraint： 〃We knew that the soldiers of Napoleon were
pagans； who stabled their horses in churches； and offended the Lord a
hundred times a day； and who； for their sins； were justly drowned in the
Beresino； like so many Pharaohs； but we did not know that the Lord； to
punish these miscreants； had deprived them of couragetheir single gift。
〃Here is a man； who has insulted； in me； a creature favored by divine
grace； and who affects not to understand that I require an apology； or
else〃
〃What？〃 said Dagobert； without looking at the Prophet。
〃Or you must give me satisfaction！I have already told you that I have
seen service。 We shall easily find somewhere a couple of swords； and to…
morrow morning； at peep of day； we can meet behind a wall； and show the
color of our bloodthat is； if you have any in your veins！〃
This challenge began to frighten the spectators； who were not prepared
for so tragical a conclusion。
〃What； fight？a very； fine idea！〃 said one。 〃To get yourself both
locked up in prison： the laws against duelling are strict。〃
〃Particularly with relation to strangers or nondescripts；〃 added another。
〃If they were to find you with arms in your hands； the burgomaster would
shut you up in jail； and keep you there two or three months before
trial。〃
〃Would you be so mean as to denounce us？〃 asked Morok。
〃No； certainly not；〃 cried several； 〃do as you like。 We are only giving
you a friendly piece of advice； by which you may profit； if you think
fit。〃
〃What care I for prison？〃 exclaimed the Prophet。 〃Only give me a couple
of swords； and you shall see to…morrow morning if I heed what the
burgomaster can do or say。〃
〃What would you do with two swords？〃 asked Dagobert； quietly。
〃When you have one in your grasp； and I one in mine； you'd see。 The Lord
commands us to have a care of his honor！〃
Dagobert shrugged his shoulders； made a bundle of his linen in his
handkerchief； dried his soap； and put it carefully into a little oil…silk
bagthen； whistling his favorite air of Tirlemont； moved to depart。
The Prophet frowned； he began to fear that his challenge would not be
accepted。 He advanced a step or so to encounter Dagobert； placed himself
before him； as if to intercept his passage； and； folding his arms； and
scanning him from head to foot with bitter insolence； said to him： 〃So！
an old soldier of that arch…robber； Napoleon； is only fit for a
washerwoman； and refuses to fight！〃
〃Yes； he refuses to fight；〃 answered Dagobert； in a firm voice； but
becoming fearfully pale。 Never； perhaps； had the soldier given to his
orphan charge such a proof of tenderness and devotion。 For a man of his
character to let himself be insulted with impunity； and refuse to fight
the sacrifice was immense。
〃So you are a cowardyou are afraid of meand you confess it？〃
At these words Dagobert made； as it were； a pull upon himselfas if a
sudden thought had restrained him the moment he was about to rush on the
Prophet。 Indeed； he had remembered the two maidens； and the fatal
hindrance which a duel； whatever might be the result； would occasion to
their journey。 But the impulse of anger； though rapid； had been so
significantthe expression of the stern； pale face； bathed in sweat； was
so daunting； that the Prophet and the spectators drew back a step。
Profound silence reigned for some seconds； and then； by a sudden
reaction； Dagobert seemed to have gained the general interest。 One of
the company said to those near him； 〃This man is clearly not a coward。〃
〃Oh； no！ certainly not。〃
〃It sometimes requires more courage to refuse a challenge than to accept
one。〃
〃After all the Prophet was wrong to pick a quarrel about nothingand
with a stranger； too。〃
〃Yes； for a stranger； if he fought and was taken up； would have a good
long imprisonment。〃
〃And then； you see；〃 added another； 〃he travels with two young girls。 In
such a position； ought a man to fight about trifles？ If he should be
killed or put in prison； what would become of them； poor children？〃
Dagobert turned towards the person who had pronounced these last words。
He saw a stout fellow； with a frank and simple countenance； the soldier
offered him his hand； and said with emotion：
〃Thank you； sir。〃
The German shook cordially the hand； which Dagobert had proffered； and；
holding it still in his own； he added： 〃Do one thing； sirshare a bowl
of punch with us。 We will make that mischief…making Prophet acknowledge
that he has been too touchy； and he shall drink to your health。〃
Up to this moment the brute…tamer； enraged at the issue of this scene；
for he had hoped that the soldier would accept his challenge； looked on
with savage contempt at those who had thus sided against him。 But now
his features gradually relaxed； and； believing it useful to his projects
to hide his disappointment； he walked up to the soldier； and said to him；
with a tolerably good grace： 〃Well； I give way to these gentlemen。 I own
I was wrong。 Your frigid air had wounded me； and I was not master of
myself。 I repeat； that I was wrong；〃 he added； with suppressed vexation；
〃the Lord commands humilityandI beg your pardon。〃
This proof of moderation and regret was highly appreciated and loudly
applauded by the spectators。 〃He asks your pardon； you cannot expect
more； my brave fellow？〃 said one of them； addressing Dagobert。 〃Come；
let us all drink together； we make you this offer franklyaccept it in
the same spirit。〃
〃Yes； yes； accept it； we beg you； in the name of your pretty little
girls；〃 said the stout man； hoping to decide Dagobert by this argument。
〃Many thanks； gentlemen；〃 replied he； touched by the hearty advances of
the Germans； 〃you are very worthy people。 But； when one is treated； he
must offer drink in return。〃
〃Well； we will accept itthat's understood。 Each his turn； and all
fair。 We will pay for the first bowl； you for the second。〃
〃Poverty is no crime；〃 answered Dagobert； 〃and I must tell you honestly
that I cannot afford to pay for drink。 We have still a long journey to
go； and I must not incur any useless expenses。〃
The soldier spoke these words with such firm； but simple dignity； that
the Germans did not venture to renew their offer； feeling that a man of
Dagobert's character could not accept it without humiliation。
〃Well； so much the worse；〃 said the stout man。 〃I should