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erstand it；〃 they were saying。 〃We do not understand。〃 An ordered and methodical tide was dragging back these men who wanted to fight； yet had to retreat。 All were suffering the same cruel doubt。 〃We do not understand。〃
And doubt was making still more distressing this day…and…night march with only the briefest restsbecause the heads of the divisions were in hourly fear of being cut off from the rest of the army。 〃One effort more； boys！ Courage！ Soon we shall rest！〃 The columns in their retirement were extending hundreds of miles。 Desnoyers was seeing only one division。 Others and still others were doing exactly this same thing at that very hour； their recessional extending across half of France。 All； with the same disheartened obedience； were falling back； the men exclaiming the same as the officials； 〃We don't understand。 We don't understand！〃
Don Marcelo soon felt the same sadness and bewilderment as these soldiers。 He didn't understand； either。 He saw the obvious thing； what all were able to seethe territory invaded without the Germans encountering any stubborn resistance；entire counties； cities； villages； hamlets remaining in the power of the enemy； at the back of an army that was constantly withdrawing。 His enthusiasm suddenly collapsed like a pricked balloon； and all his former pessimism returned。 The troops were displaying energy and discipline； but what did that amount to if they had to keep retreating all the time； unable on account of strict orders to fight or defend the land？ 〃Just as it was in the '70's；〃 he sighed。 〃Outwardly there is more order； but the result is going to be the same。〃
As though a negative reply to his faint…heartedness； he overheard the voice of a soldier reassuring a farmer： 〃We are retreating； yes only that we may pounce upon the Boches with more strength。 Grandpa Joffre is going to put them in his pocket when and where he will。〃
The mere sound of the Marshal's name revived Don Marcelo's hope。 Perhaps this soldier； who was keeping his faith intact in spite of the interminable and demoralizing marches； was nearer the truth than the reasoning and studious officers。
He passed the rest of the day making presents to the last detachments of the column。 His wine cellars were gradually emptying。 By order of dates； he continued distributing thousands of bottles stored in the subterranean parts of the castle。 By evening he was giving to those who appeared weakest bottles covered with the dust of many years。 As the lines filed by the men seemed weaker and more exhausted。 Stragglers were now passing； painfully drawing their raw and bleeding feet from their shoes。 Some had already freed themselves from these torture cases and were marching barefoot； with their heavy boots hanging from their shoulders； and staining the highway with drops of blood。 Although staggering with deadly fatigue； they kept their arms and outfits； believing that the enemy was near。
Desnoyers' liberality stupefied many of them。 They were accustomed to crossing their native soil； having to struggle with the selfishness of the producer。 Nobody had been offering anything。 Fear of danger had made the country folk hide their eatables and refuse to lend the slightest aid to their compatriots who were fighting for them。
The millionaire slept badly this second night in his pompous bed with columns and plushes that had belonged to Henry IVaccording to the declarations of the salesmen。 The troops no longer were marching past。 From time to time there straggled by a single battalion； a battery； a group of horsementhe last forces of the rear guard that had taken their position on the outskirts of the village in order to cover the retreat。 The profound silence that followed the turmoil of transportation awoke in his mind a sense of doubt and disquietude。 What was he doing there when the soldiers had gone？ Was he not crazy to remain there？ 。 。 。 But immediately there came galloping into his mind the great riches which the castle contained。 If he could only take it all away！ 。 。 。 That was impossible now through want of means and time。 Besides； his stubborn will looked upon such flight as a shameful concession。 〃We must finish what we have begun！〃 he said to himself。 He had made the trip on purpose to guard his own； and he must not flee at the approach of danger。 。 。 。
The following morning； when he went down into the village； he saw hardly any soldiers。 Only a single detachment of dragoons was still in the neighborhood； the horsemen were scouring the woods and pushing forward the stragglers at the same time that they were opposing the advance of the enemy。 The troopers had obstructed the street with a barricade of carts and furniture。 Standing behind this crude barrier； they were watching the white strip of roadway which ran between the two hills covered with trees。 Occasionally there sounded stray shots like the snapping of cords。 〃Ours；〃 said the troopers。 These were the last detachments of sharpshooters firing at the advancing Uhlans。 The cavalry of the rear guard had the task of opposing a continual resistance to the enemy； repelling the squads of Germans who were trying to work their way along to the retreating columns。
Desnoyers saw approaching along the highroad the last stragglers from the infantry。 They were not walking； they rather appeared to be dragging themselves forward； with the firm intention of advancing； but were betrayed by emaciated legs and bleeding feet。 Some had sunk down for a moment by the roadside； agonized with weariness； in order to breathe without the weight of their knapsacks； and draw their swollen feet from their leather prisons； and wipe off the sweat； but upon trying to renew their march； they found it impossible to rise。 Their bodies seemed made of stone。 Fatigue had brought them to a condition bordering on catalepsy so； unable to move； they were seeing dimly the rest of the army passing on as a fantastic filebattalions； more battalions； batteries； troops of horses。 Then the silence； the night； the sleep on the stones and dust； shaken by most terrible nightmare。 At daybreak they were awakened by bodies of horsemen exploring the ground； rounding up the remnants of the retreat。 Ay； it was impossible to move！ The dragoons； revolver in hand； had to resort to threats in order to rouse them！ Only the certainty that the pursuer was near and might make them prisoners gave them a momentary vigor。 So they were forcing themselves up by superhuman effort； staggering； dragging their legs； and supporting themselves on their guns as though they were canes。
Many of these were young men who had aged in an hour and changed into confirmed invalids。 Poor fellows！ They would not go very far！ Their intention was to follow on； to join the column； but on entering the village they looked at the houses with supplicating eyes； desiring to enter them； feeling such a craving for immediate relief that they forgot even the nearness of the enemy。
Villeblanche was now more military than before the arrival of the troops。 The night before a great part of the inhabitants had fled； having become infected with the same fear that was driving on the crowds following the ar