"Fool! Has your vanity brought us to this? You must needs fight, boast—and for this you sacrifice us all! Look! they are coming from Framont, too!"
Even as he spoke, the head of a new column, much stronger than the first, appeared, advancing from Framont toward the abatis at the double-quick. Dives said not a word. Hullin, conquering his rage in the face of danger, shouted:
"To your posts, all! Attention, Materne!"
The old hunter bent his head, listening.
Marc-Dives had recovered all his coolness.
"Instead of scolding like a woman," said he, "you had better give me the order to attack those yonder from the cover of the woods."
"Do so, in heaven's name," cried Hullin. "Listen, Marc! We were victorious, and your fault has risked all the fruits of our victory. Your life shall answer for our success."
"I accept the terms."
The smuggler, springing upon his horse, threw his cloak proudly over his shoulder, and drew his long, straight blade. His men followed the example. Then, turning to the fifty mountaineers who composed his troop, Dives pointed with his sword to the enemy, and cried: