The Wandering Jew, Book I.

and DA

ert was washing with that imperturbable

they came to a halt he devoted himself to all sorts of feminine occupations. But he was not now serving his apprenticeship in these matters; many times, during his campaigns, he had industriously repaired the damage and disorder which a

fine military appearance) take from their cartridge-box or knapsack a housewife, furnished with needles, thread, scissors, buttons, an

n to Francis Baudoin (the guide of the orphans) at a time when he was consid

ge. Videttes being posted, half the troopers remained in saddle, whilst the others, having picketed their horses, were able to take a little rest. Our hero had charged valiantly that d

enged by running the Austrian through, with a thrust scientifically administered. For, if he showed a stoical indiff

s housewife, and arming his finger with a thimble, he began to play the tailor by the light of the watch-fire, having first drawn off his cava

sight of the veteran soldier, who, gravely seated, in a squatting position, with his grenadier cap on, his regimental coat on his

fall back upon the detachment, calling to arms. "

d the first rank; there is no time to turn the unlucky garment, so he slips it on, as well a

much value on his equipments, and the day had been fatal to him. Thinking of his torn clothes and lost boots, he hacked away with more fury than ever; a bright moon illumine

them on their success, and ordered the clothes-mender to advance from the ranks, that he might thank him publicly

all and stern-looking figure ride forward at a slow pace, with his naked

t the moment when the alarm was given, he understood the whole mystery. "Ha, my old

ft thumb pressing the well adjusted reins, and his sword-hilt carried close to his right thigh, made a half-wheel, and returned to his place in the ranks withou

the great amazement of sundry beer-drinkers, who observed him with

ed in a tub full of water. Upon his right arm, tattooed with warlike emblems in red and blue colors, two scars, deep enough to admit the finger, were distinctly visible. No wonder then, that, while smoking their pipes, and emptying their pots of beer, the G

ural. At this moment, the Prophet entered the porch, and, perceiving the soldier, eyed him attentively for several seconds; then approachin

alf turned his head with a frown, looked as

fellow. The words on your arm prove it, and your military air stamps you as an old soldier of

not to say angry style; for the face and words of the beast-tamer displeased him more than he cared to show. Far from being disco

he face, and said to him in a rough voice: "I don't know you: I don't wish

ogether, and talk of our campaigns. I also have seen some service,

saw in the look and accent of the man, who thus obstinately address

e a long time; it is a fine country; and when I meet Frenchmen abroad, I feel sociable-particularly w

price, carried off his tub to the other end of the porch, hoping thus to put an end to the scene which was a sore trial of his temper. A flash of joy lighted up the tawny eyes of the brute-tamer. The white circle, which surrou

nt pertinacity of the Prophet, was at first disposed to break the washing

e continued in German: "I tell this Frenchman, with his long moustache, that he is not civil. We shall see what answer he'll make. Perhaps it will be necessary to give him

, and, as a performance was expected on the morrow, this prelude much amused the company. On hearing the insults of his adve

omers; the adventure had become exciting, and a ri

t you were not civil, and I now say you ar

ldly, as he proceeded to rin

hat, when an honest man offers a glass of wine civilly to a stranger, that stranger ha

nervous trembling-but he restrained himself. Taking, by two of the corners, the handkerchief which he had j

emont's flea

th next day

bre in

to Aman

ondemned himself, almost choked him

ended the Lord a hundred times a day, and who, for their sins, were justly drowned in the Beresino, like so many Pharaohs; but we did not know that the Lord, to punish these miscreants, had

ert, without looki

ll easily find somewhere a couple of swords, and to morrow morning, at peep of day, we can

the spectators, who were not prep

e. "To get yourself both locked up in pri

"If they were to find you with arms in your hands, the burgomaster would

ean as to denounce

ke. We are only giving you a friendly piece of ad

give me a couple of swords, and you shall see to-morrow

ith two swords?" ask

I one in mine, you'd see. The Lord com

ndkerchief, dried his soap, and put it carefully into a little oil-si

placed himself before him, as if to intercept his passage, and, folding his arms, and scanning him from head to foot with bitter

rhaps, had the soldier given to his orphan charge such a proof of tenderness and devotion. For a man o

-you are afraid of m

had remembered the two maidens, and the fatal hindrance which a duel, whatever might be the result, would occasion to their journey. But the impulse of anger, th

ction, Dagobert seemed to have gained the general interest. One of t

certain

e courage to refuse a chal

ng to pick a quarrel about not

ught and was taken up, would h

In such a position, ought a man to fight about trifles? If he should

st words. He saw a stout fellow, with a frank and simple count

k you

is own, he added: "Do one thing, sir-share a bowl of punch with us. We will make that mischie

now his features gradually relaxed; and, believing it useful to his projects to hide his disappointment, he walked up to the soldier, and said to him, with a tolerably good grace: "Well, I give way to these

"He asks your pardon; you cannot expect more, my brave fellow?" said one of them, addressing Dagobe

of your pretty little girls," said the stout m

ty advances of the Germans; "you are very worthy people.

-that's understood. Each

he first bowl, yo

honestly that I cannot afford to pay for drink. We have still a

at the Germans did not venture to renew their offer, feeling that a

clink glasses with you. Good-night, my brave trooper!-Good-night-for it

he directed his steps towards the stable, to g

than before: "I have acknowledged my error, and asked your

ollow tone, "when my children have no longer need of me, I wi

uptly on the Prophet, who w

which contained sundry chambers, let at a low price to the poorer sort of travellers; a vaulted passage opened a way through this l

st the portion of oats destined for his horse, and, pouring

ttling on the wicker work. Alarmed, he called Jovial with a friendly voice; but the animal, instead of turning towards h

own, his nostrils quivering; he had drawn tight his halter, as if he wished to break it, in order to get away from the partition that supported his rack and manger; abundant cold-sweat had speckled his hide with

e with more freedom, "you are like thy master-afraid!-Yes," he added with bitterness, as he

ve signs of terror; he pulled somewhat less violently at his halter, and approachin

agobert. "Something extraord

om the roof, which was covered with innumerable cobwebs; at the further end, separated from Jovial by some stalls

caressed his horse; and the animal, gradually reassured by his master's presence, licked his han

with a good appetite, for we have a long day's march tomorrow; and, above all, no more of these foolish fears about nothing! If thy comrade, Spoil-sport, wa

h, as if in obedience to his master, returned to them no

d now you leave your corn. 'Tis the first time this has happened since our departure," said the soldier, who was

were, gave so violent a shock to Jovial, that with one effort he broke his halter, leaped ov

orse's terror. The adjoining stable was occupied by the itinerant menagerie of the brute-tamer, and was only separated by the pa

s of that insolent scoundrel. It is enough to frighten him," added he, as he carefully collected the oats from the manger; "once in anothe

asily caught him by the broken halter; and a hostler, whom Dagobert asked if there was another vacant stable

fforded immediate occupation for his master's needle, if the latter had not been fully engaged in admiring the eagerness with which Jovial dispatched his provender. Completely reassured on hi