La Vendée | Page 8

hated Convention, many flocked to Cathelineau to ask
from whence he expected deliverance from all their troubles.
It was well known that Peter Berrier was the first whom the Colonel's
myrmidons would be sent to seize, and many eyes were resting on the
group collected at the gateway of the auberge, as the corporal and the
two soldiers, without their muskets, but with pistols at their belts,
marched across from the little barracks to the spot where they were
standing. At any rate, Cathelineau had not advised a retreat, for there
stood Peter Berrier--prominent in the front of the group--a little pale to
be sure, and perhaps rather uneasy in his attitude; but still evidently
prepared to bear the brunt of that day's proceeding. He was not going to
run away, or he would long since have started. He was not going to
obey the orders of the Convention, or he would not have stood there so
openly and firmly, waiting the approach of the corporal and the two
soldiers. It was very evident that there was to be a row in St. Florent
that day, and that the postillion approved of it.
As the military party drew near to the gate of the inn yard, the corporal
opened a small roll of paper, which he held in his hand, and standing
still about six paces distant from the spot where Peter was maintaining
his ground, read or pretended to read, the following words from the
piece of paper which he held in his hands:

"In the name of the French Republic, and by command of the
Convention, you, Peter Berrier, having been duly, legally, and specially
drawn, chosen, and selected by lot, to serve in the armies of the
Republic for one year, from the date of your first bearing arms, or for
so long as your services may be necessary to the security of the
Republic, are hereby required and desired to join the detachment of the
Republican army at present serving in St. Florent, without let, delay, or
hindrance, and thereby show yourself a friend to your country, and a
good citizen of the Republic."
The corporal pronounced this form of invitation in that tone of voice,
which proved that it was very familiar to him, and that he was much in
the habit of requesting good citizens to join the armies of the Republic
for such time as their services might be necessary; and, having finished
it, he rolled up the piece of paper, stuck it into his belt, as he might
soon require the use of his hands, and, walking quite close up to the
group, said--
"Come, Peter Berrier, you are not such a fool, I hope, as to intend
giving us any trouble. Come along."
Peter looked first into the farmer's face; then to his master's; and, lastly,
to the postillion's; and, seeing that they were all evidently firm in their
resolve, he plucked up spirit, and replied.--"Why, Mr Corporal, I have
no inclination just at present to go to fight for the Republic. You see I
have no quarrel yet with my master here, M. Debedin, and he cannot
well spare me. I am afraid, Mr Corporal, I must decline."
"That's nonsense, you know," growled the corporal; "you must come,
you know; and as well first as last. I don't want to be uncivil to a
comrade, and I'd be sorry to have to lay a hand on you."
"Then you'd better keep your hands off," said Cathelineau, "we quiet
people in St. Florent don't bear handling well."
The corporal looked up at the postillion, but he soon saw that he wasn't
joking.

"Take my word for it, my friend," continued Cathelineau, "Peter
Berrier does not wish to be a soldier, and, if you force him to become
one, it is not on the side of the Republic that he will be found fighting."
"We'll take chances for that," replied the corporal, not exactly
understanding what the other meant; "at any rate, back without him we
won't go; and if you're determined for a riot, Messieurs, why I'm sorry;
but I can't help it," and, appealing to Peter as a last hope, he said,
"Come, Berrier, will you come with us quietly, or must we three drag
you across the square to the barracks."
"At any rate, Mr Corporal," said Peter, "I will not go with you quietly;
as to the being dragged, I can say nothing about that yet."
The corporal looked round towards the barracks, as he felt that it was
possible that he might want more assistance, and he saw that a body of
men under arms was standing immediately in front of the building, and
that a couple of the officers were with them. The corporal saw at a
glance