This new attack produced a great excitement. Buche, who had not stirred till that moment, ran down through the path leading to the well in the garden and sheltered himself behind the curb. From the two houses opposite a volley was fired, and the stones and the posts were soon riddled with balls.
But we opened our fire on their windows and in an instant it began again from one end of the village to the other, and everything was enveloped in smoke.
At that moment I heard some one shout from below, "Joseph, Joseph!"
It was Buche; he had had the courage after he had drank himself, to fill the bucket, unfasten it, and bring it back with him.
He had had the courage to pull up the bucket.
Several old soldiers wanted to take it from him, but he shouted, "My comrade first! let go, or I'll pour it all out!"
They were compelled to wait till I had drank, then they took their turn, and afterward the others who were upstairs drained the rest.
We all went up together greatly refreshed.