e
other somewhat younger, ran across a garden, dragging two children with
them. They were trying to gain a little wood which bordered the road,
and at the same moment we saw several of our soldiers come out of the
mill with sacks, while others came up from a cellar with little casks,
which they hastened to place on a cart standing near; still others were
driving cows and horses from a stable, while an old man stood at the
door, with uplifted hands, as if calling down Heaven's curse upon them;
and five or six of the evil-minded wretches surrounded the miller, who
was all pale, with his eyes starting from their sockets.

The whole scene, the mill, the dam, the broken windows, the flying
women, our soldiers in fatigue caps, looking like veritable bandits,
the old man cursing them, the cows shaking their heads to throw off
those who were leading them, while others pricked them behind with
their bayonets--all seems yet before me--I seem yet to see it.

"There," cried the quartermaster, "there are fellows pillaging. We are
not far from the army."

"But that is horrible!" I cried. "They are robbers."

"Yes," returned the quartermaster, coolly; "it is contrary to
discipline, and if the Emperor knew of it, they would be shot like
dogs."

We crossed the little bridge, and found the thieves crowded around a
cask which they had tapped, passing around the cup. This sight roused
the quartermaster's indignation, and he cried majestically:

"By whose permission are you plundering in this way?"

Several turned their heads, but seeing that we were but three, for the
rest of our party had gone on, one of them replied:

"Ha! what do you want, old joker? A little of the spoil, I suppose.
But you need not curl up your mustaches on that account. Here, drink a
drop."

The speaker held out the cup, and the quartermaster took it and drank,
looking at me as he did so.

"Well, young man," said he, "will you have some, too? It is famous
wine, this."

"No, I thank you," I replied.

Several of the pillaging party now cried:

"Hurry, there; it is time to get back to camp."

"No, no," replied others; "there is more to be had here."

"Comrades," said the quartermaster, in a tone of gentle reproof and
warning, "you know, comrades, you must go gently about it."

"Yes, yes, old fellow," replied a drum-major, with half-closed eyes,
and a mocking smile; "do not be alarmed; we will pluck the pigeon
according to rule. We will take