L'AVENTURE DE WALTER SCHNAFFS.
[2] 17. les arrêta net: stopped them short.
[2] 18. francs-tireurs: the guerrillas, independent military detachments waging the war in their own fashion, and acknowledging no allegiance to the commanding general. The word franc-tireur is used for the individual as well as for the corps to which such individual belongs.
[3] 2. ornière: rut; here, excavation.
[4] 16-17. ils en feraient une bouillie, une pâtée: they would make mince-meat or a pie out of him.
[4] 21. histoire de rire: matter of laughing; just to amuse themselves.
[6] 5-6. n'entendant rien que les plaintes sourdes de ses entrailles: hearing nothing but the dull gnawing in his stomach.
[7] 1. qui le crispa: which made him shudder.
[8] 25. nom d'un nom: a softened form of an oath.
[9] 3. chamarré d'or: covered with gold lace.
[9] 19. agenda de commerce: a drummer's note-book; as though he were jotting down an order for merchandise.
[10] 10. un aïeul: here, an old man.