On this broad white plateau, surrounded by forests, we could see everything. Now and then some Cossacks or dragoons would leave the main body, and push on galloping to the very foot of the glacis, in the lane _des Dames_, or near the little chapel. Instantly one of our old marine artillerymen would stretch out his gray mustaches upon a rampart gun, and slowly take aim; the bystanders would all gather round him, even the children, who would creep between your legs, fearless of balls or shells--and the heavy rifle-gun would go off! Many a time I have seen the Cossack or Uhlan fall from his saddle, and the horse rush back to the squadron with his bridle on his neck. The people would shout with joy; they would climb up on the ramparts and look down, and the gunner would rub his hands and say, "One more out of the way!" At other times these old men, with their ragged cloaks full of holes, would bet a couple of sous as to who should bring down this sentinel or that vidette, on the Mittelbronn or Bichelberg hill. It was so far that they needed good eyes to see the one they designated; but these men, accustomed to the sea, can discern everything as far as the eye can reach. "Come, Paradis, there he is!" one would say. "Yes, there he is! Lay down your two sous; there are mine!" And they would fire. They would go on as if it were a game of ninepins. God knows how many men they killed for the sake of their two sous. Every morning about nine o'clock I found these marines in my shop, drinking "to the Cossack," as they said. The last drop they poured into their hands, to strengthen their nerves, and started off with rounded backs, calling out: "Hey! good-day, Father Moses! The kaiserlich is very well!" I do not think that I ever saw so many people in my life as in those months of January and February, 1814; they were like the locusts of Egypt! How the earth could produce so many people I could not comprehend. I was naturally greatly troubled on account of it, and the other citizens also, as I need not say; but our sergeant laughed and winked. "Look, Father Moses!" said he, pointing from Quatre-Vents to Bichelberg--"all these that are passing by, all that have passed, and all that are going to pass, are to enrich the soil of Champagne and Lorraine! The Emperor is down there, waiting for them in a good place--he will fall upon them! The thunder-bolt of Austerlitz, of Jena, of Wagram, is all ready--it can wait no longer! Then they will file back in retreat; but our armies will follow them, with our bayonets in their backs, and we shall go out from here, and flank them off. Not one shall escape. Their account is settled. And then will be the time for you to have old clothes and other things to sell, Father Moses! He! he! he! How fat you will grow!"