The Romance of Modern Sieges. Gilliat Edward

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СКАЧАТЬ Mr. Steniland,” said the Captain, “are the French coming?”

      “Yes,” he answered; “I believe so. Mr. Higgins is gone out to meet them.”

      “That’s right,” said Boothby.

      In about an hour Mr. Higgins entered, saying, “I have been out of town above two leagues and can see nothing of them. If they do come, they will have every reason to treat us with attention, for they will find their own wounded lying alongside of ours, provided with the same comforts and the same care.”

      On the 6th, reports of the enemy’s approach were treated with total disregard. Between eight and nine o’clock the galloping of horses was heard in the street. The women ran to the windows and instantly shrank back, pale as death, with finger on lip.

      “Los demonios!” they whispered, and then on tiptoe watched in breathless expectation of seeing some bloody scene.

      “They have swords and pistols all ready,” cried Manoela, trembling.

      “How’s this?” cried old Donna Pollonia. “Why, they pass the English soldiers. They go on talking and laughing. Jesus! Maria! What does it mean?”

      Presently Mr. Higgins came in. He had ridden out to meet the French General, and had found that officer full of encomiums and good assurances.

      “Your wounded are the most sacred trust to our national generosity. As for you, medical gentlemen, who have been humane and manly enough not to desert your duty to your patients (many of whom are Frenchmen), stay amongst us as long as you please. You are as free as the air you breathe.”

      The town owed much to Mr. Higgins!

      To prepare for the approaching crisis, to ride forth and parley with the enemy and persuade him that he owes you respect, gratitude – this is to be an officer of the first class. Throughout Mr. Higgins displayed the character of no common man.

      We should say something of the household among which the Captain was placed.

      Servants and masters and mistresses in Spain associate very freely together, but the submissive docility of the servants keeps pace with the affability with which they are treated. First after Don Manoel and Donna Pollonia came Catalina – a tall, elegant woman of forty, a sort of housekeeper held in high estimation by the señora. Then come two old women, Tia Maria and Tia Pepa “tia” means “aunt”); then Manoela, a lively, simple lass, plain and hardy, capable of chastising with her fists any ill-mannered youth. Then the carpenter’s daughters, two pretty little girls, often came to play in his room – Martita, aged about ten, and Maria Dolores, perhaps fifteen, pensive, tender, full of feminine charm. These fair sisters used to play about him with the familiarity and gentleness of kittens, and lightened many an hour.

      Well, it was not all plain sailing, for stories of pillage and plunder came to their ears. Three troopers had gone to the quarters of his wounded friend, Taylor, and began coolly to rifle his portmanteau.

      Taylor stormed and said he was an English Captain.

      “Major, ’tis very possible,” said they; “but your money, your watch, and your linen are never the worse for that; no, nor your wine either!” and the ruthless savages swallowed the wine and the bread which had been portioned out as his sustenance and comfort for the day.

      Feeling that such might be his case, Boothby put his money and watch in a little earthen vessel and sent it to be buried in the yard; then calling for his soup and a large glass of claret, he tossed it off defiantly, saying to himself, “You don’t get this, my boys!”

      Next morning they heard that the French infantry were coming, and the town was to be given up to pillage, as so many of the citizens had deserted it.

      The women came to him. “Shall we lock the street door, Don Carlos?” they said.

      “By all means,” said he. “Make it as fast as you can, and don’t go near the windows.”

      Soon they heard the bands playing, and the women rushed to the windows, as if to see a raree-show, forgetting all his injunctions.

      Soon after thump! thump! thump! sounded at the door.

      “Virgin of my soul!” cried old Pollonia, tottering to the window. “There they are!” But, peeping out cautiously, she added, “No, ’tis but a neighbour. Open, Pepa.”

      “You had better not suffer your door to be opened at all,” said the Captain.

      But Pepa pulled the string, and in came the neighbour, shrieking:

      “Jesus! Maria! Dios Santissimo! The demons are breaking open every door and plundering every house; all the goods-chests – everything – dragged out into the street.”

      “Maria di mi alma! Oh, señora!”

      The crashing of doors, breaking of windows, loud thumpings and clatterings, were now distinctly heard in all directions. All outside seemed to boil in turmoil.

      Ere long, thump! thump! at their own door.

      But it was only another neighbour. Pepa pulled the string, and in she came. Her head was piled up with mattresses, blankets, quilts, and pillows. Under one arm were gowns, caps, bonnets, and ribbons. Her other hand held a child’s chair. Add to all this that her figure was of a stunted and ludicrous character, and she came in puffing and crying under that cumbrous weight of furniture. They could not resist laughing.

      “For the love of God, señora,” she whined, “let me put these things in your house.”

      She was shown up into the garret. Others followed after her.

      But soon there was a louder knocking, with a volley of French oaths. The house shook under the blows.

      “Pedro, tell them in French that this is the quarter of an English Captain.”

      Pedro cautiously peeped out of the window.

      “Dios! there is but one,” said Pedro, “and he carries no arms. Hallo, sair! la maison for Inglis Captin! Go to hell!”

      This strange language, and his abrupt, jabbering way of talking, forced a laugh out of his master.

      “Ouvrez la porte, bête!” shouted the Frenchman. “I want some water.”

      “Holy Virgin!” cried Pollonia. “We had better open the door.”

      “No, no, no!” said Boothby. “Tell him, Pedro, that if he does not take himself off I shall report him to his General.”

      Pedro had not got half through this message, when suddenly he ducked his head, and a great stone came in and struck the opposite wall.

      “Il demonio!” groaned the women, as they, too, ducked their heads.

      Then the fellow, who was drunk, just reeled off in search of some easier adventure.

      Pedro had hardly finished boasting of his victory when the door was again assailed.

      “Oh,” said Pollonia, “it’s only two officers’ servants;” and she shut the window.

      “Well, what did they want?” asked the Captain.

      “They СКАЧАТЬ