Then he was silent, and looked on all around him Everyone stood still and motionless; so, with a still firmer voice, he continued:--"No one stirs. All, all are resolved to fight to the last. Well, it delights me to see that there is not a single dastard among us. Now we must appoint a leader. In great perils, the first thing is order, discipline. The leader whom you will appoint will have all the rights of command and of obedience. So, reflect well, for on this man will depend the fate of all." Having thus spoken, Jean-Claude descended from his elevation, and all was bustle and excitement. Each village deliberated separately, each mayor proposed his man, and in the meanwhile time was going on. Catherine Lefévre was burning with impatience. At length, unable to contain herself any longer, she stood up on her seat, and made a sign that she wished to speak. Catherine was held in the highest estimation. At first some, then a greater number, drew near to learn what she had to say to them. "My friends," said she, "we are losing too much time. What is it you require? A trusty leader, is it not? A soldier, who has been used to war, and who knows how to turn our positions to the best account? Well, then, why do you not choose Hullin? Is there one among you who can find a better man? If so, let him speak at once, that we may decide. For my part, I propose Jean-Claude Hullin. Do you hear, down below there? If this goes on much longer, the Austrians will be here before we have chosen a leader." "Yes! yes! Hullin!" exclaimed Labarbe, Divès, Jerôme, and several others. "Come, let us collect the votes for or against." Then Marc Divès, climbing on to the trunks of timber, exclaimed, in a voice of thunder, "Let those who do not desire to have Jean-Claude Hullin for a leader hold up their hand." Not a hand appeared. "Let those who desire to have Jean-Claude Hullin for a leader hold up their hand." Every hand was in the air. "Jean-Claude," said the smuggler, "come up here, and look around. It is you whom they demand for a leader." Master Jean-Claude, having done as desired, saw that he was appointed, and at once spoke in a firm tone, and said:--"Good. You appoint me your leader. I accept the post. Let the elder Materne, Labarbe of Dagsburg, Jerôme of Saint-Quirin, Marc Divès, Piorette the sawyer, and Catherine Lefévre, go into the sawpit. We will hold a council. In a quarter of an hour or twenty minutes I will issue orders. Meanwhile, let each village supply two men to Marc Divès for the transport of powder and ball to Falkenstein." [Illustration] FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 8: Sawyer.] CHAPTER IX. All those whom Jean-Claude Hullin had named assembled under the shed of the sawpit around the immense hearth. A sort of pleased good-humour beamed in the faces of these brave men.