The maire then agreed to have the message conveyed to the
lieutenant on the brig, and the horseman took his leave.
During their short conversation, which I only partly heard, my
brain was whirling with a wild dance of notions the messenger's
tidings had suggested. When he had gone, I turned to the maire.
"Monsieur," I said. "I think there is much soundness in the advice
you gave me just now. It will probably be safer for us to go to
Cherbourg by land. In that case, however, I must request you to
billet us for the night."
"Assuredly, monsieur," said the little man, delighted at the turn
affairs had taken. "Of how many does your party consist?"
"Of seven deserters and five soldiers."
"A dozen," said the maire, rubbing his chin. "I fear I shall have
to ask some of my fellow townsmen to share in billeting you."
"It is not to be heard of," I said, guessing that he wished to
distribute the expense.
Not that I should have had any objection to that; but that it was
necessary to the design I had suddenly conceived that we should be
all together.
"It will not be safe," I continued. "The deserters are desperate
fellows, and will need careful guarding. Besides, I have had the
good luck to capture some English prisoners who had escaped, and
they are too precious to be allowed out of my sight. My men must
take turns at watching during the night; if there were an outbreak,
it would not easily be quelled if we were separated.
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