To the right, fifty yards beyond the last fire, horses were neighing, and men stamping to keep their feet warm.
"Master Jean-Claude is coming," said Kasper approaching the group.
One of the partisans had just thrown a bundle of dry sticks upon the fire, and by the light of the blaze Hullin saw Marc-Dives and his twelve men on horseback, standing sabre in hand, motionless around their charge. Catherine was further on, half covered with the straw of her wagon, her back leaning against a large cask; behind her were a huge pot, a gridiron, a fresh-killed hog ready for cooking, and some strings of onions and cabbages for soup. All started for a moment from the darkness, and disappeared again as the blaze fell.
Dives left his party and rode forward.
"Is that you, Jean-Claude?"
"Yes, Marc."
"I have already several thousand cartridges. Hexe-Baizel is working night and day."
"Good! good!"
"And Catherine Lefevre is here with provisions."
"We shall need all, Marc. The battle is near."