As he spoke Maître Jacques pulled a pistol from his jacket, grasped it by the barrel, and struck a vigorous blow with the butt-end on Picaut's head. The shock was so violent that the peasant, quite bewildered, came down on one knee. Probably, without the protection of his hat, which was made of thick felt, his skull would have been fractured. "And now, go!" said Maître Jacques, calmly looking to see if the blow had shaken the powder from the pan. Without a word Joseph Picaut picked himself up, shook his head, and went off. Courte-Joie watched him till he was out of sight; then he looked at Maître Jacques. "Do you allow such fellows as that in your band?" he said. "Yes; don't speak of it!" "Have you had him long?" "No, only a few hours." "Bad recruit for you." "I don't say that exactly. He is a brave _gars_, like his father, whom I knew well; only, he has to be taught to obey like my fellows, and to get used to the ways of the burrow. He'll improve; he'll improve." "Oh, I don't doubt it! You have a wonderful way of educating them." "God bless me! I've been at it a good while! But," continued Maître Jacques, "it is time for my round of inspection, and I shall have to leave you, my poor Courte-Joie. It is understood, isn't it, that Jean Oullier's friends are welcome to the burrow. As for the division commander, he shall have his answer to-night. You are sure that is all _gars_ Oullier told you to say?" "Yes." "Rummage your memory." "I am sure that is all." "Very well. If the burrow suits him, he shall have it,--he and his friends. I don't bother myself about my _gars_; those scamps, they are like mice,--they have more than one hole. Good-bye for the present, _gars_ Aubin; and while you are waiting, take a bite. I see them making ready for a stew down there." Maître Jacques descended into what he called his burrow. Then he came out a moment later, armed with a carbine, the priming of which he examined with the utmost care; after which he disappeared among the trees. The open was now very animated, and presented a most picturesque effect. A large fire had been lighted in the burrow, and the glare coming through the trap illumined the trees and bushes with fantastic gleams. The supper of the men, who were scattered about the open, was cooking at it, while the men waited. Some, on their knees, were telling their beads; others, sitting down, sang in low tones those national songs whose plaintive, long-drawn melodies were so in keeping with the character of the landscape. Two Bretons, lying on their stomachs at the mouth of the burrow, were betting, by means of two bones of different shades of color, for the possession of sundry copper coins, while another _gars_ (who, from his pallid face and shrivelled skin,--shrivelled with fever,--was obviously a dweller among the marshes) employed himself, without much success, in cleaning a thick coat of rust from the barrel and match-lock of an old carbine.