human
For the citizen-general Pichegru,
gpt
Did you recognize me?
human
Immediately, general.
gpt
But you had never seen me.
human
My father has described you to me.
gpt
What! he said,
human
Yes, citizen-general,
gpt
He says that he gives you to me.
human
It remains to be seen whether you will accept the gift.
gpt
What do you want me to do with you?
human
Anything you please.
gpt
I cannot in conscience make a soldier of you; you are too young and weak.
human
General, I did not expect to have the pleasure of seeing you so soon. My father gave me another letter to a friend in Strasbourg, where I was to have stayed at least a year to study Greek under him.
gpt
It was not Euloge Schneider?
human
Yes, it was.
gpt
Well?
human
Well, he was arrested yesterday.
gpt
By whose order?
human
By that of Saint-Just; he has been sent to the revolutionary tribunal at Paris.
gpt
In that case, you may as well say farewell to him. How did it happen?
human
In truth, he said,
gpt
Oh! said Charles, proud of being the hero of an adventure at his age,
human
I was in prison when it happened.
gpt
What, in prison?
human
Yes; I was arrested the day before.
gpt
Then they have begun to arrest children?
human
That is just what made Saint-Just so angry.
gpt
But why were you arrested?
human
For warning two deputies from Besançon that it was not safe for them to remain in Strasbourg.
gpt
Dumont and Ballu?
human
Yes.
gpt
They are on my staff; you will see them.
human
I thought they had returned to Besançon?
gpt
They changed their minds on the way. And so it is to you they owe the warning that probably saved their lives?
human
It seems I did wrong,
gpt
Wrong! Who told you that you had done wrong in accomplishing a good deed and saving the lives of your fellow-creatures?
human
Saint-Just; but he added that he pardoned me, since pity was a childish virtue. Then he quoted his own example to me; that very morning he had sent his best friend to be shot.
gpt
That is true, he said;
human
Well, general, to return to my father's letter--
gpt
It is settled that you stay with us. I attach you as secretary to my staff. Can you ride?
human
I must confess, general, that I am not a very good horseman.
gpt
You will learn. You came on foot?
human
From Rohwillers, yes.
gpt
And how did you get from Strasbourg to Rohwillers?
human
I came in a carry-all with Madame Teutch.
gpt
The landlady of the Hôtel de la Lanterne?
human
And sergeant-major Augereau.
gpt
And how the devil did you get acquainted with that brute, Pierre Augereau?
human
He was Eugene Beauharnais' fencing-master.
gpt
Son of General Beauharnais?
human
Yes.
gpt
Another one who will expiate his victories upon the scaffold, said Pichegru, with a sigh;
human
Oh, no, replied Charles;
gpt
I have just seen a sight that has taken away my appetite.
human
What have you seen?
gpt
I saw a poor noble shot, who comes from our country. He emigrated, and I think you must know him.
human
The Comte de Sainte-Hermine?
gpt
Yes.
human
They guillotined the father eight months ago, and to-day they have shot the son. There are still two brothers. Pichegru shrugged his shoulders, and continued,
gpt
Why not shoot them all at once? Then they would be rid of the whole family. Have you ever seen any one guillotined?
human
No.
gpt
Well, to-morrow, if it will amuse you, you can have the pleasure; there are twenty-two to be disposed of. There will be all kinds, from officers to grooms. And now let us arrange about your quarters. It will not take long. He showed the boy a mattress upon the floor.
human
That is my bed, said he. Then, pointing to another,
gpt
That one belongs to citizen Reignac, chief secretary of the staff. Here he rang, and a soldier appeared.
human
A mattress,
gpt
And there is yours, he said. Then, opening a closet, he continued,
human
This closet you will have for yourself. No one will put anything in it that does not belong to you, and you must not put anything in any closet that is not yours. As your bundle is not large, I think it will answer. If you have anything that you value particularly, carry it about with you; that is the safest way. Not that you risk having it stolen, but you risk leaving it behind you when the order comes for a hurried departure, whether it be to advance or to retreat.
gpt
General, said the boy, ingenuously,
human
I had nothing precious except my father's letter to you, and you have that now.
gpt
Then kiss me and unpack your belongings; I must get back to my map.
human
Ah! he said.
gpt
Come in, citizen Ballu; come in, citizen Dumont! I want you to meet a guest who has just arrived. And he pointed to Charles. Then, as they both looked at him without recognizing him, Pichegru continued:
human
My dear compatriots, thank this child; he sent you the warning which has kept your heads on your shoulders until to-day.
gpt
Charles! they both cried at once, embracing him and pressing him to their hearts.
human
Our wives and our children shall know your name to love and bless it.