I breathed again. I marvelled at the fulfilment of my private wish. No more danger for the moment. I should not be killed this morning!
The hussar, who had brought the news, appeared again, and deliberately urged his horse towards the woods, the zone which yesterday had been inaccessible. There was a new outburst of delight, and the men began to rag the sentries who had been on duty during the night:
"Gaudéreaux, w'y couldn't 'ee tell us they'd done a bink. You was snoozin', you old blighter, I dew believe."
Half an hour later, when arms had been piled, and the men dismissed to rest, Guillaumin took me by the arm:
"Let's go and see what's become of the others!"
We met De Valpic on the way. He had not slept either, and was afraid he had caught a cold....
"You'll not be the only one, my dear chap!"
A few steps farther on there was a little group, the Humel-Playoust lot. We went up to them, delighted to find them safe and sound. I don't know what put the idea into my head of tapping Descroix on the shoulder and saying to him: