Then turning to Materne, who stood behind him, he added,
"We can remain no longer in uncertainty. Make a reconnoissance with your two sons."
The old hunter's face lighted up.
"Good!" he cried. "We will have a chance to stretch our legs and bring down an Austrian or Cossack or two before we return."
"Steady, my friend," said Jean-Claude sternly; "you must not think of bringing down Cossacks, but only of observing what is going on. Frantz and Kasper will be armed, but you will leave your rifle, and powder-horn, and hunting-knife here."
"Leave my arms here, Jean-Claude! And why?"
"Because you must go into the villages; and if you are caught there armed, you would be shot at once."
"Shot?"
"Yes, shot. We are not regular troops; they will not make prisoners of us; we can expect no quarter. You will follow the Shirmeck road, and your sons will follow you in the copse, half a rifle-shot off. If any marauders should attack you, they will come to your aid; but if a detachment meet you, they will let you be taken."