"Then do not let us lose any time about it."
"With all my heart. Here are our cards—they never leave me—and the trunk of this old tree will do for a card-table."
"What! You propose playing here, well under cover, whilst down below there they are cutting each others throats? You did not mean that, surely, my dear fellow."
"Your idea is—?" said Delange, pointing with his finger.
"Exactly so! it is a charming spot, just between the two armies, and beneath the cloud of arrows, which is becoming more dense every moment. They will take the place of a tent or an awning, and will shield us from the sun."
"Of course they will. Upon my word, your idea is positively charming."
"You are a couple of fools," I exclaimed, thinking it high time to put my oar in. "The arrows will not go over your heads; they will take you in front and in rear."
"Then we shall be just like two animated pin-cushions," rejoined de
Morin, laughing.
"That will be a joke," added Delange. "Come along, old fellow; I am with you."
I made one more effort to restrain the pair of lunatics.