“I had twice more to do with those three prisoners than ever he had,” said Peter.
“Well; we never heard that,” said Momont.
“But we heard,” said Chapeau, “how Cathelineau led a few of the townsmen against a whole regiment of soldiers, and scattered them through the town like chaff.”
“Scattered them like chaff!” said Peter.
“And we heard,” said Momont, “how he stormed the barracks, slaughtered all the soldiers, and dragged the Colonel with his own hand through the barrack window.”
“Through the barrack window!” repeated Peter, with an air intended to throw discredit on the whole story.
“And we heard,” said Gather’s confidential maid, “how he laid his hand upon the cannon and charmed it, so that it would not go off, though the fiery torch was absolutely laid upon the gunpowder.”
“That the cannon wouldn’t go off though the torch was laid upon the gunpowder!” said Peter.
“And we heard,” said the cook, “how all the girls in the town came and crowned him with bay leaves; and how the priest blessed him.”
“And how the young made him their captain and their general,” said the housekeeper.