Everybody got up, and Hullin going into the kitchen, pronounced this simple address to the mountaineers:--"My friends, we have decided that we must push our resistance to the end. Nevertheless, every one is free to do as he likes; to lay down his arms and return to his village; but let those who wish to revenge themselves join us; they will share our last morsel of bread and our last cartridge." Colon, the old wood-floater, arose and said, "Hullin, we are all with thee; we began to fight together, and so will we finish." "Yes, yes!" they all shouted. "Have you all decided? Well, listen. Jérome's brother will take the command." "My brother is dead," interrupted Jérome; "he lies on the slopes of the Grosmann." There was a moment's pause; then in a loud voice Hullin continued: "Colon, thou wilt take the command of all those that remain, with the exception of the men who formed Catherine Lefèvre's escort, and whom I shall keep with me. Thou wilt go and rejoin Piorette in the valley of Blanru, passing by the 'Two Rivers.'" "And the ammunition?" said Marc Divès. "I have brought up my wagon-load," said Jérome; "Colon can use it." "Let the dray be loaded," said Catherine; "the Cossacks are coming, and will pillage everything. Our men must not leave empty-handed; let them take away the cows, oxen, and calves--everything: it will be so much gained on the enemy." Five minutes later the farm was being ransacked; the dray was loaded with hams, smoked meats, and bread; the cattle were led out of the stables, the horses harnessed to the great wagon, and soon the convoy began its march, Robin at the head, blowing on his horn, with the partisans behind pushing at the wheels. When it had disappeared in the road, and silence had succeeded to all the noise, Catherine turning round, beheld Hullin behind her. "Well, Catherine," said he, "all is finished! We are now going to make our way up there." Frantz, Kasper, and those of the escort, with Marc Divès and Materne, all armed, were waiting in the kitchen. "Duchêne," said the good woman, "go down to the village; you must not be ill-treated by the enemy on my account." The old servant shook his white head, and, with his eyes full of tears, replied:--"I may as well die here, Madame Lefèvre. It is nearly fifty years since I came to the farm. Do not make me leave; it would be the death of me." "Do as you like, my poor Duchêne," replied Catherine, softly; "here are the keys of the house." And the poor old man sat down in the chimney-corner, on a settee, with fixed eyes and half-open mouth, as though lost in some painful reverie.