An hour passed; then two, then three.
The Major walked about the kitchen in a fever, putting his ear to the floor from time to time, trying to guess what the enemy was doing and whether it would soon capitulate.
The enemy was moving now. Sounds of rattling, of speaking, of splashing, could be heard. Then toward eight in the morning a voice issued from the grating: "I want to speak to the French officer."
Lavigne answered from the window, without putting out his head too far: "Do you surrender?"
"I surrender."
"Then pass out your guns."
A weapon was immediately seen to appear out of the hole and fall into the snow; then a second, a third—all; and the same voice declared: "I have no more. Make haste. I am drowned."
The Major commanded: "Stop."
And the handle of the pump fell motionless.
Then, having filled the kitchen with soldiers, all standing armed, he slowly lifted the trap-door.