waits upon the banks of the river to cut off your
retreat.

LA ROCHE.

[_Smiling_.]

We do not propose to retreat, but to advance.

PRISONER.

Before another day you will be driven, routed, into the heart of
Vendee.

LA ROCHE.

If boasting wins, your side will doubtless better ours.

PRISONER.

If blows win--your side is sure to fail. You've not a regiment that's
trained better than a pack of boys!

LA HOGUE.

I wish he were a liar, but he isn't.

LA ROCHE.

Our boys struck hard enough, it seems, to capture you.

PRISONER.

We were ten, surprised by a battalion, and yet it cost you nearly
fifty of your friends to take but ten of us.

LA HOGUE.

There he goes again riddling us with facts.

LA ROCHE.

Sir,--you know there is no quarter given to traitors found in arms
against the King.

PRISONER.

France has no sovereign but the people.--It is you who are the
traitors.

LA ROCHE.

Answer civilly and I may show you mercy.

PRISONER.

I neither ask, nor accept mercy. I have done my best to deal a
crushing blow to you.--So call your guards, and shoot me without more
waste of words.

LA ROCHE.

I see that you are brave.

PRISONER.

Brave? Because I'm not afraid to die?

[_Laughs bitterly_.]

Bah! It takes more courage sometimes to consent to live.

LA ROCHE.

You are young, a Frenchman, and--though misled--a credit to your
country. If you'll give me some excuse, I swear I'd rather spare your
life.

PRISONER.

[_Laughing_.]

Thank you, General; but frankly, I'd rather give you some excuse to
take it.

_Tremendous explosion heard in the distance. Then a second explosion.
The Faubourg in middle ground is blown up and is seen to burn into a
blaze_.

LA ROCHE.

My God!--See!--The Faubourg!

PRISONER.

[_Triumphantly_.]

Blown up and burning!--In an hour the houses that were to shelter your
attack on our defenses will be gone, and you will have to fight our
forces in the open field.--That means defeat for you.

LA HOGUE.

Sacristi! Gag this rogue, or we'll be whipped before we fight.

LA ROCHEJACQUELEIN _writes hastily, and strikes a bell. Enter GOUROC,
who starts and goes out again with a gesture of menace towards the_
PRISONER. _Enter_ ORDERLY.

LA ROCHE.

[_To_ ORDERLY.]

Despatch these orders instantly, and send a guard with loaded muskets
here at once.

[_Exit_ ORDERLY.]

[_Turning despondently to_ LA HOGUE.