Frantz without saying a word put his musket to his shoulder, aimed and fired; and Louise saw the grinder at thirty yards in the dim light, throw up his arms and fall face downward on the ground. Frantz reloaded, smiling grimly.
Hullin then said: "Comrades, here is our mother—she who has given us powder and furnished us with food for the defence of our country; and here is my child: save them!"
They all replied: "We will save, or die with, them."
"And do not forget to warn Divès to stay at the Falkenstein till further orders."
"All right, Jean-Claude."
"Then forward, doctor, forward!" cried the gallant man.
"And you, Hullin?" exclaimed Catherine.
"My place is here; our position must be defended till death!"
"Papa Jean-Claude!" cried Louise, holding out her arms to him.
But he had already turned the corner,—the doctor flicked his horse, and the sledge passed quickly along the snow. Frantz Materne and his men, with their muskets on their shoulders, marched behind; while a rolling fire of musketry was still kept up around the farm.