The Catholic World, Vol. 19, April 1874‐September 1874Various
Religion
The Catholic World, Vol. 19, April 1874‐September 1874
Various
Catholic Church -- Periodicals
Jeannet became as crazy as the rest. He fired so often, his gun was
burning in his hands; his dishevelled hair, and his face, blackened with
powder, changed his appearance so completely no one would have recognized
him. He loaded and reloaded, fired at hazard, and no longer heard Michou,
who, always at his side, cried, “Look out!” every moment. Suddenly the
game‐keeper gave a yell that resembled the howl of a wolf. A man, covered
with blood, had just leaped upon the ruins of the barricade, and aimed at
Jean‐Louis, who was not three steps from his gun.
It is not easy to make you understand the rapidity with which old Michou
threw himself before Jeannet to preserve his life. It was like a flash of
lightning, but that flash sufficed; he had time to fire before the rioter,
who rolled lifeless on the heaped‐up pavement.
All was ended. Five minutes afterwards, at least in that corner, it only
remained to remove the dead, and carry the wounded into the neighboring
houses, where the women were ready to dress the wounds. There was time to
breathe.
Alas! the poor, blinded people paid dearly in that quarter for their folly
and madness. All the unfortunate wretches who had raised that barricade
were dead or dying.
Jacques looked around for his master and his friend. M. le Marquis, with
his arm all bleeding, was seated leaning against a post, very weak and
faint from his wound; but his eyes sparkled, and a smile was upon his
lips. The game‐keeper rushed to him.
“It is nothing, old fellow,” said our master, “only a scratch on the
wrist; lend me your handkerchief.”
By the mercy of God, it was really not much; and our dear lord quietly
wrapped up his hand, while he asked about Jeannet.
“Heaven has worked miracles for that child,” said Michou proudly. “Ah! he
is a brave boy, I tell you. He fought both like a fox and a lion!”
“I wish to see him,” said M. le Marquis. “Go bring him to me.”
Jacques willingly obeyed. It was some time before he found his pupil—for
such he could be called. He was in the midst of a crowd that surrounded
him and loaded him with congratulations and compliments on his bravery.
His conduct had been noted, and the commanding officer was then asking him
his name and residence, that he might inscribe them in his report.
Jeannet, who shrank from observation, looked like a criminal before his
judges. Michou, seeing him so timid and confused, told him he was a fool,
and came very near being angry himself.
“Just see how frightened you are now!” said he to him, in such a cross
tone the officer smiled. “Excuse him, colonel, he always looks sheepish
when before people he don’t know. His name is Jean‐Louis Ragaud, and he
comes from the commune of Val‐Saint‐sur‐Range, near Issoudun.”
“All right,” said the officer; “that is enough, my brave fellow. Jean
Ragaud, Gen. Cavaignac will hear of you, ... and, if it depends on me, you
will hear from him.”
Jeannet bowed as awkwardly as possible, which made the game‐keeper grumble
again.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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