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Page 99
The road ascended and the forest became deeper. No houses were now in
sight. As the morning advanced it had grown warmer under a brilliant
sun, but it was pleasant here in the shade. Julie still walked, showing
no sign of a wish for the cart again. John noticed that she was very
strong, or at least very enduring. Suddenly he felt a great obligation
to take care of her for the sake of Lannes. The sister of his
comrade-in-arms was a precious trust in his hands, and he must not
fail.
The wind shifted and blew toward the east, no longer bringing the sound
of guns. Instead they heard a bird now and then, chattering or singing
in a tree. The illusion of the Middle Ages returned to John. They were a
peaceful troupe, going upon a peaceful errand.
"Don't tell me there isn't a castle at M�nouville," he said. "I know
there is, although I've never been there, and I never heard of the place
before. When we arrive the drawbridge will be down and the portcullis
up. All the men-at-arms will have burnished their armor brightly and
will wait respectfully in parallel rows to welcome us as we pass
between. His Grace, the Duke of Light Heart, in a suit of red velvet
will be standing on the steps, and Her Graciousness, the Duchess, in a
red brocade dress, with her hair powdered and very high on her head,
will be by his side to greet our merry troupe. Behind them will be all
the ducal children, and the knights and squires and pages, and ladies. I
think they will all be very glad to see us, because in these Middle Ages
of ours, life, even in a great ducal castle, is somewhat lonely.
Visitors are too rare, and there is not the variety of interest that
even the poor will have in a later time."
"You make believe well, Mr. Scott," she said.
"There is inspiration," he said, glancing at her. "We are here in the
deeps of an ancient wood, and perhaps the stories and legends of these
old lands move the Americans more than they do the people who live here.
We're the children of Europe and when we look back to the land of our
fathers we often see it through a kind of glorified mist."
"The wind is shifting again," she said. "I hear the cannon once more."
"So do I, and I hear something else too! Was that the sound of hoofs?"
John turned in sudden alarm to Legar�, who heard also and stiffened at
once to attention. They were not alone on the road. The rapid beat of
hoofs came, and around a corner galloped a mass of Uhlans, helmets and
lances glittering. Picard with a shout of warning fired his rifle into
the thick of them. Legar� snatched out his revolver and fired also.
But they had no chance. The little detachment was ridden down in an
instant. Legar� and half of the men died gallantly. The rest were taken.
Picard had been brought to his knees by a tremendous blow from the butt
of a lance, and John, who had instinctively sprung before Julie, was
overpowered. Suzanne, who endeavored to reach a weapon, fought like a
tigress, but two Uhlans finally subdued her.
It was so swift and sudden that it scarcely seemed real to John, but
there were the dead bodies lying ghastly in the road, and there stood
Julie, as pale as death, but not trembling. The leader of the Uhlans
pushed his helmet back a little from his forehead, and looked down at
John, who had been disarmed but who stood erect and defiant.
"It is odd, Mr. Scott," said Captain von Boehlen, "how often the
fortunes of this war have caused us to meet."
"It is, and sometimes fortune favors one, sometimes the other. You're
in favor now."
Von Boehlen looked steadily at his prisoner. John thought that the
strength and heaviness of the jaw were even more pronounced than when he
had first seen the Prussian in Dresden. The face was tanned deeply, and
face and figure alike seemed the embodiment of strength. One might
dislike him, but one could not despise him. John even found it in his
heart to respect him, as he returned the steady gaze of the blue eyes
with a look equally as firm.
"I hope," said John, "that you will send back Mademoiselle Lannes and
the nurses with her to her people. I take it that you're not making war
upon women."
Von Boehlen gave Julie a quick glance of curiosity and admiration. But
the eyes flashed for only a moment and then were expressionless.
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