"Those pious men found, perhaps, the feast too profane. They offered the two men on guard at the lodge where the punt lands to take their places this evening, in order that our brothers might assist at the celebration."
"Somehow, I mistrust that breed!"
CHAPTER III.
ON THE WATCH AT THE RIVER.
The river that rose in the Valley of Charolles crossed it in its full length, then parted into two arms, and thus served both for boundary and natural defense to the territory of the colony. As a matter of precaution, Loysik ordered a punt that served as the only means of communication with the opposite territory, belonging to the diocese of Chalon, to be beached every evening and tied on the Charolles side of the stream. A little lodge, where two brothers of the community always were on guard, was constructed near the landing place of the punt.
The limpid waters of the stream, which was at its widest at that point, reflected that night the mellow light of the moon at its fullest; the two priests who fraternally offered to take the places of the monks and mount guard in their stead walked uneasily up and down near the lodge.
"Placidus, do you see anything? Do you hear anything?" his companion inquired.
"Nothing. I see and hear nothing."
"And yet the moon is high—it must be nearly midnight—and no one yet."
"Let us not lose hope, Felibien."