按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
gang of ruffians without； reinforced each moment by volunteers eager for
plunder； rained blows unceasingly on hinge and socket； and still hotter and
faster through a dozen rifts in the timbers came the fire of their threats and
curses。 Many grew tired； but others replaced them。 Tools broke； but
they brought more and worked with savage energy。 They had shown at
first a measure of prudence； looking to be fired on； and to be resisted by
men； surprised； indeed； but desperate； and the bolder of them only had
advanced。 But now they pressed round unchecked； meeting no resistance。
They would scarcely stand back to let the sledges have swing； but
hallooed and ran in on the creaking beams and beat them with their fists；
whenever the gates swayed under a blow。
One stout iron bar still held its place。 And this I watched as if
fascinated。 I was alone in the empty courtyard； standing a little aside；
sheltered by one of the stone pillars from which the gates hung。 Behind
me the door of the house stood ajar。 Candles； which the daylight rendered
garish； still burned in the rooms on the first floor； of which the tall narrow
windows were open。 On the wide stone sill of one of these stood
Croisette； a boyish figure； looking silently down at me； his hand on the
latticed shutter。 He looked pale； and I nodded and smiled at him。 I felt
rather anger than fear myself； remembering； as the fiendish cries half…
deafened me； old tales of the Jacquerie and its doings； and how we had
trodden it out。
Suddenly the din and tumult flashed to a louder note； as when hounds
on the scent give tongue at sight。 I turned quickly from the house；
recalled to a sense of the position and peril。 The iron bar was yielding to
the pressure。 Slowly the left wing of the gate was sinking inwards。
103
… Page 104…
THE HOUSE OF THE WOLF
Through the widening chasm I caught a glimpse of wild； grimy faces and
bloodshot eyes； and heard above the noise a sharp cry from Croisettea
cry of terror。 Then I turned and ran； with a defiant gesture and an
answering yell； right across the forecourt and up the steps to the door。
I ran the faster for the sharp report of a pistol behind me； and the whirr
of a ball past my ear。 But I was not scared by it： and as my feet alighted
with a bound on the topmost step； I glanced back。 The dogs were
halfway across the court。 I made a bungling attempt to shut and lock the
great doorfailed in this； and heard behind me a roar of coarse triumph。
I waited for no more。 I darted up the oak staircase four steps at a time； and
rushed into the great drawing…room on my left； banging the door behind
me。 The once splendid room was in a state of strange disorder。 Some
of the rich tapestry had been hastily torn down。 One window was closed
and shuttered； no doubt Croisette had done it。 The other two were open
as if there had not been time to close themand the cold light which they
admitted contrasted in ghastly fashion with the yellow rays of candles still
burning in the sconces。 The furniture had been huddled aside or piled into
a barricade； a CHEVAUX DE FRISE of chairs and tables stretching across
the width of the room； its interstices stuffed with； and its weakness partly
screened by； the torn…down hangings。 Behind this frail defence their
backs to a door which seemed to lead to an inner room； stood Marie and
Croisette； pale and defiant。 The former had a long pike； the latter
levelled a heavy； bell…mouthed arquebuse across the back of a chair； and
blew up his match as I entered。 Both had in addition procured swords。
I darted like a rabbit through a little tunnel left on purpose for me in the
rampart； and took my stand by them。
〃Is all right？〃 ejaculated Croisette turning to me nervously。
〃All right； I think；〃 I answered。 I was breathless。
〃You are not hurt？〃
〃Not touched！〃
I had just time then to draw my sword before the assailants streamed
into the room； a dozen ruffians； reeking and tattered； with flushed faces
104
… Page 105…
THE HOUSE OF THE WOLF
and greedy； staring eyes。 Once inside； however； suddenlyso suddenly
that an idle spectator might have found the change ludicrousthey came to
a stop。 Their wild cries ceased； and tumbling over one another with
curses and oaths they halted； surveying us in muddled surprise； seeing
what was before them； and not liking it。 Their leader appeared to be a
tall butcher with a pole…axe on his half…naked shoulder； but there were
among them two or three soldiers in the royal livery and carrying pikes。
They had looked for victims only； having met with no resistance at the
gate； and the foremost recoiled now on finding themselves confronted by
the muzzle of the arquebuse and the lighted match。
I seized the occasion。 I knew； indeed； that the pause presented our
only chance； and I sprang on a chair and waved my hand for silence。 The
instinct of obedience for the moment asserted itself； there was a stillness in
the room。
〃Beware！〃 I cried loudlyas loudly and confidently as I could；
considering that there was a quaver at my heart as I looked on those
savage faces； which met and yet avoided my eye。 〃Beware of what you
do！ We are Catholics one and all like yourselves； and good sons of the
Church。 Ay； and good subjects too！ VIVE LE ROI； gentlemen！ God
save the King！ I say。〃 And I struck the barricade with my sword until
the metal rang again。 〃God save the King！〃
〃Cry VIVE LA MESSE！〃 shouted one。
〃Certainly； gentlemen！〃 I replied； with politeness。 〃With all my
heart。 VIVE LA MESSE！ VIVE LA MESSE！〃
This took the butcher； who luckily was still sober； utterly aback。 He
had never thought of this。 He stared at us as if the ox he had been about
to fell had opened its mouth and spoken； and grievously at a loss； he
looked for help to his companions。
Later in the day； some