ir commander what I think of his arrangements."

Du Lhut advanced from the bushes as he spoke, and the four men crossed
the open ground in the direction of the line of men who waited silently
for them in the dim twilight. They were within fifty paces, and yet
none of them had raised hand or voice to challenge their approach.
There was something uncanny in the silence, and a change came over Du
Lhut's face as he peered in front of him. He craned his head round and
looked up the river.

"My God!" he screamed. "Look at the fort!" They had cleared the clump
of trees, and the outline of the blockhouse should have shown up in
front of them. There was no sign of it. It was gone!

CHAPTER XXXIV.

THE MEN OF BLOOD.

So unexpected was the blow that even De Lhut, hardened from his
childhood to every shock and danger, stood shaken and dismayed.
Then, with an oath, he ran at the top of his speed towards the line of
figures, his companions following at his heels.

As they drew nearer they could see through the dusk that it was not
indeed a line. A silent and motionless officer stood out some twenty
paces in front of his silent and motionless men. Further, they could
see that he wore a very high and singular head-dress. They were still
rushing forward, breathless with apprehension, when to their horror this
head-dress began to lengthen and broaden, and a great bird flapped
heavily up and dropped down again on the nearest tree-trunk. Then they
knew that their worst fears were true, and that it was the garrison of
Poitou which stood before them.

They were lashed to low posts with willow withies, some twenty of them,
naked all, and twisted and screwed into every strange shape which an
agonised body could assume. In front where the buzzard had perched was
the gray-headed commandant, with two cinders thrust into his sockets and
his flesh hanging from him like a beggar's rags. Behind was the line of
men, each with his legs charred off to the knees, and his body so
haggled and scorched and burst that the willow bands alone seemed to
hold it together. For a moment the four comrades stared in silent
horror at the dreadful group. Then each acted as his nature bade him.
De Catinat staggered up against a tree-trunk and leaned his head upon
his arm, deadly sick. Du Lhut fell down upon his knees and said
something to heaven, with his two clenched hands shaking up at the
darkening sky. Ephraim Savage examined the primin