"What then?"
"A courier has just arrived in great speed. He entered by the French gate."
"Then he has come to announce the National Guard from Nancy."
"Or, perhaps, a convoy from Metz."
"You are right. We want sixteen-pounders, and shot also. The stoves are to be broken up to make some."
A few worthy tradespeople in their shirt-sleeves, standing on tables along the pavement, were busying themselves with barricading their windows with large pieces of wood and mattresses; others rolled up to their doors tubs of water. This enthusiasm reanimated Hullin.
"Excellent!" said he; "everybody is making holiday here. The allies will be well received."
In front of the College, the squeaky voice of the Sergeant-de-ville Harmentier was proclaiming:—
"Let it be known that the casemates are to be opened: therefore everybody may take a mattress there, and two blankets each. And the commissaries of this place are going to commence their rounds of inspection, to ascertain that each inhabitant possesses food for three months in advance, which he must certify.—This day, 20th December, 1813.—JEAN PIERRE MEUNIER, Governor."
All this Hullin saw and heard in less than a minute, for the whole town was in the greatest excitement. Strange, serious, and comic scenes succeeded each other without interruption.