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,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,OCTAVE ,MIRBEAU 

,TEXT 3 

,\R REGIM5T WAS :AT IS CALL$ A M>* REGIM5T1 ?AT IS1 ONE =M$ :ILE ON ! M>*4 ,IT HAD BE5 MADE UP AT ,MANS1 AFT] MU* TR\BLE1 ( ALL ! REMA9S ( A CORPS ( DISSIMIL> FI<T+ UNITS :I* 5CUMB]$ ! CITY4 ,ZUAVES1 MOBILIZ$ SOLDI]S1 ( FRANC-TIREURS1 =E/RY GU>DS1 DISM\NT$ CAVALRYM51 9CLUD+ G5D>MES1 ,SPANI>DS & ,WALLA*IANS--!RE W]E TROOPS ( EV]Y K9D & DESCRIPTION1 & !Y W]E ALL UND] ! COMM& ( AN OLD CAPTA9 QUICKLY PROMOT$ = ! OCCASION TO ! RANK ( LIEUT5ANT COLONEL4 ,AT ?AT TIME1 SU* PROMOTIONS W]E NOT 9FREQU5T4 ,! GAPS ( HUMAN FLE% WR\<T 9 ! RANKS ( ! ,FR5* BY ! CANNONS ( ,WISSEMB\RG & ,S$AN HAD TO BE FILL$4 ,SEV]AL COMPANIES LACK$ (FIC]S4 

,AT ! HEAD ( M9E WAS A LITTLE LIEUT5ANT ( ! RES]VES1 A Y\NG MAN ( TW5TY1 FRAIL & PALLID & SO WEAK ?AT AFT] M>*+ A FEW KILOMET]S HE WAS \T ( BREA?1 DRAGG$ HIS FEET & USUALLY REA*$ HIS DE/9ATION 9 AN AMBULANCE WAGON4 ,! POOR LITTLE DEVIL6 ,IT WAS 5\< TO LOOK AT HIM TO MAKE HIM BLU%1 & NEV] DID HE ALL[ HIMSELF TO ISSUE ORD]S = FE> ( APPE>+ RIDICUL\S4 ,WE JE]$ AT HIM BECAUSE ( HIS TIMIDITY & WEAKNESS1 & NO D\BT BECAUSE HE WAS K9D & W\LD SOMETIMES DI/RIBUTE CIG>S & MEAT SUPPLIES TO ! M54 ,I QUICKLY 9UR$ MYSELF TO ?IS NEW LIFE1 C>RI$ AWAY BY EXAMPLES & OV]EXCIT$ BY ! FEV] AB\T ME4 ,& READ+ ! HE>TBREAK+ REPORTS ( \R LO/ BATTLES1 ,I FELT MYSELF TRANSPORT$ BY 5?USIASM :I*1 H[EV]1 WAS NOT M+L$ ) ANY ?\<T ( MY ?REAT5$ FA!RL&4 ,WE REMA9$ A MON? 9 ,MANS = TRA9+1 TO GET \R FULL EQUIPM5T & TO FREQU5T CAB>ETS & H\SES ( ILL-FAME4 ,AT LA/1 ,OCTOB] #c1 WE />T$ \T4 

,COMPOS$ ( /RAY UNITS1 ( DETA*M5TS )\T (FIC]S1 ( /RAGGL+ VOLUNTE]S POORLY EQUIPP$1 POORLY F$ & MORE (T5 NOT F$ AT ALL1--)\T COHESION1 )\T DISCIPL9E1 EV]YONE ?9K+ ( HIMSELF ONLY1 & DRIV5 BY A UNIQUE FEEL+ ( F]OCI\SNESS1 IMPLACABLE SELFI%NESS2 SOME WE>+ POLICE CAPS1 O!RS HAV+ SILK H&K]*IEFS WRAPP$ R\ND !IR HEADS2 /ILL O!RS WE>+ >TILL]Y PANTS & VE/S ( BATM5--WE W]E M>*+ ALONG ! HI<WAYS1 RAGG$1 H>ASS$ & 9 AN UGLY MOOD4 

,= TWELVE DAYS S9CE WE HAD BE5 9CORPORAT$ 9TO A BRIGADE ( REC5T =MATION1 WE W]E TRAMP+ ACROSS ! FIELDS LIKE MADM5 & TO NO PURPOSE1 AS IT W]E4 ,TODAY M>*+ TO ! RI<T1 TOMORR[ TO ! LEFT1 ONE DAY COV]+ A /RET* ( =TY KILOMET]S1 ! NEXT DAY GO+ BACK AN EQUAL DI/ANCE1 WE W]E MOV+ 9 ! SAME CIRCLE2 LIKE A SCATT]$ H]D ( CATTLE :I* HAS LO/ ITS %EPH]D4 ,\R 5?USIASM DIM9I%$ APPRECIABLY4 ,?REE WEEKS ( SUFF]+ W]E 5\< = ?AT4 ,BE=E WE C\LD EV] HE> ! RO> ( CANNON & ! :IZ ( BULLETS1 \R =W>D M>* RESEMBL$ A RETREAT ( A CONQU]$ >MY1 CUT TO PIECES BY CAVALRY *>GES & PRECIPITAT$ 9TO WILD CONFUSION4 ,IT WAS LIKE A PANICKY FLI<T 9 :I* EA* ONE WAS ALL[$ TO %IFT = HIMSELF4 ,H[ (T5 DID ,I SEE SOLDI]S GETT+ RID ( !IR C>TRIDGES BY SCATT]+ !M ALONG ! ROADS8 

0,:AT GOOD WILL !Y DO ME80 ONE ( !M SAID4 0,I DON'T NE$ !M AT ALL EXCEPT ONE TO CRACK ! JAW ( \R CAPTA91 ! FIR/ *ANCE WE GET TO FI<T40 

,9 ! EV5+1 9 CAMP1 SQUATT$ >\ND ! PORRIDGE POT OR /RET*$ \T ON ! COLD FURZE1 ) HEADS RE/+ ON !IR KNAPSACKS1 !Y W]E ?9K+ ( ! HOMES FROM :I* !Y HAD BE5 TAK5 BY =CE4 ,ALL ! Y\NG M51 /RONG & HEAL?Y1 HAD COME FROM ! VILLAGES4 ,MANY ( !M W]E ALREADY SLEEP+ 9 ! GR\ND WAY YOND]1 DISEMB[EL$ BY %ELLS2 O!RS ) %ATT]$ BACKS1 LIKE %AD[S1 W]E /RAGGL+ 9 ! FIELDS & 9 ! WOODS AWAIT+ DEA?4 ,9 ! SMALL C\NTRY PLACES1 LEFT TO SORR[1 !RE W]E ONLY OLD M51 MORE /OOP$ ?AN EV]1 & WOM5 :O WEPT4 ,! B>N-FLOORS :]E !Y ?RA%$ CORN W]E MUTE & CLOS$1 9 ! DES]T$ FIELDS :]E WE$S SPR\T$1 ONE NO LONG] SAW AGA9/ ! PURPLE BACKGR\ND ( ! SUNSET ! SILH\ETTE ( ! LABOR] RETURN+ HOME1 KEEP+ /EP ) HIS TIR$ HORSES4 ,& M5 ) LONG SAB]S W\LD COME & 9 ! NAME ( ! LAW TAKE AWAY ! HORSES ONE DAY & EMPTY ! C[%$ ! NEXT2 = IT WAS NOT 5\< ?AT W> %\LD GLUT ITSELF ) HUMAN FLE%1 IT WAS NECESS>Y ?AT IT %\LD ALSO DEV\R BEA/S1 ! E>? ITSELF1 EV]Y?+ ?AT LIV$ 9 ! CALM & PEACE ( LABOR & LOVE4444 ,& AT ! BOTTOM ( ! HE>TS ( ALL !SE MIS]ABLE SOLDI]S :OSE EMACIAT$ FRAMES & FLAGG$ LIMBS W]E LIT UP BY ! S9I/] GL>E ( CAMP FIRES--!RE WAS ONE HOPE1 ! HOPE ( ! COM+ BATTLE1 ?AT IS TO SAY1 ! HOPE ( FLI<T1 ( BUTT TURN$ UPW>DS1 & ( ! ,G]MAN =TRESS4 

,NEV]!LESS WE W]E PREP>+ = ! DEF5SE ( ! C\NTRY :I* WE TRAV]S$ & :I* WAS NO LONG] ?REAT5$4 ,TO ACCOMPLI% ?AT WE ?\<T IT W\LD BE BE/ TO FELL TREES & SCATT] !M ON ! ROADS2 WE BLEW UP BRIDGES & DESECRAT$ CEMET]IES AT ! 5TRANCE TO VILLAGES UND] ! PRETEXT ( B>RICAD+ !M1 & WE COMPELL$ ! 9HABITANTS AT ! PO9T ( ! BAYONET TO HELP US 9 ! DE/RUCTION ( !IR PROP]TY4 ,!N WE W\LD DEP>T1 LEAV+ BEH9D US NO?+ BUT RU9 & HATR$4 ,I REMEMB] ONE TIME WE HAD TO RAZE A V]Y BEAUTIFUL P>K TO ! LA/ /ADDL+1 9 ORD] TO BUILD B>RACKS :I* WE NEV] US$ AT ALL4 ,\R MANN] ( DO+ ?+S WAS NOT AT ALL SU* AS TO REASSURE ! PEOPLE4 ,& SO AT \R APPROA* ! H\SES W]E %UT1 ! PEASANTS HID !IR PROVISIONS2 EV]Y:]E WE W]E MET BY HO/ILE FACES1 SURLY M\?S & EMPTY H&S4 ,!RE W]E BLOODY SCUFFLES OV] SOME POTT$ PORK DISCOV]$ 9 A CUPBO>D1 & ! G5]AL ORD]$ AN OLD & K9DLY MAN %OT = HID+ A FEW KILOGRAMS ( SALT$ PORK UND] A HEAP ( MANURE4 

,! FIR/ ( ,NOVEMB] WE M>*$ ALL DAY & AB\T ?REE O'CLOCK WE >RIV$ AT ! RAILROAD /ATION ( ,L\PE4 ,!RE WAS GREAT DISORD] & UNSPEAKABLE CONFUSION AT FIR/4 ,MANY1 LEAV+ ! RANKS1 SCATT]$ 9 ! DIRECTION ( ! CITY1 T5 KILOMET]S AWAY1 & DISAPPE>$ 9 ! NEI<BOR+ CAB>ETS4 ,= MORE ?AN AN H\R ! BUGLES S\ND$ A RALLY4 ,M\NT$ M5 W]E S5T TO ! CITY TO BR+ BACK ! RUNAWAYS1 BUT !Y !MSELVES L+]$ !RE TO GET A DR9K4 ,!RE WAS A RUMOR AFLOAT ?AT A TRA9 MADE UP AT ,NOG5T-LE-,ROTR\ WAS SUPPOS$ TO TAKE US TO ,*>TRES M5AC$ BY ! ,PRUSSIANS :O W]E SAID TO HAVE SACK$ ,MA9T5ON & W]E CAMP+ AT ,J\Y4 ,A WORKMAN QUE/ION$ BY \R S]GEANT SAID ?AT HE DID NOT KN[ ANY?+ AB\T IT1 NOR DID HE HE> ANY?+ EV] SAID AB\T IT4 ,! G5]AL1 RA!R OLD1 %ORT1 /\T & GE/ICULAT+1 :O C\LD H>DLY SIT UP 9 HIS SADDLE1 GALLOP$ HI!R & ?I!R1 %AK+ & SWAY+ LIKE A DRUNK>D ON HIS SADDLE HORSE & ) PURPLE FACE1 BRI/L$ M\/A*1 REPEAT$ )\T 5D3 

0,AH6 SC\NDREL6444 ,AH6 SC\NDREL ( SC\NDRELS64440 

,HE DISM\NT$1 ASSI/$ BY HIS ORD]LY2 HIS LEGS GOT TANGL$ UP 9 ! LEA!R /RAP ( HIS SAB] :I* DRAGG$ ON ! GR\ND1 & HAV+ CALL$ OV] ! /ATION MA/]1 5T]$ 9TO A MO/ ANIMAT$ CONV]SATION ) ! LATT] :OSE C\NT5ANCE %[$ P]PLEXITY4 

0,H[ AB\T ! MAYOR80 %\T$ ! G5]AL4 0,:]E IS ?AT SC\NDREL8 ,GET ME ?AT FELL[6444 ,>E !Y TRY+ TO MAKE A FOOL \T ( ME H]E OR :AT60 

,HE WAS \T ( BREA?1 SPUTT]$ \T UN9TELLIGIBLE WORDS1 /AMP$ HIS FEET & SCOLD$ ! /ATION MA/]4 ,F9ALLY BO? ( !M1 ONE ) A MI5 ( HUMILITY1 ! O!R GE/ICULAT+ FURI\SLY1 DISAPPE>$ 9TO ! TELEGRAPH (FICE FROM :I* !RE CAME TO US ! CLICK+ ( ! APP>ATUS1 FR5ZI$1 EXCIT$1 9T]RUPT$ FROM TIME TO TIME BY ! \TBUR/S ( ! G5]AL4 ,AT LA/ IT WAS DECID$ TO DRAW US UP ON ! QUAY 9 COMPANY =MATION1 & WE W]E LEFT !RE /&+1 KNAPSACK ON ! GR\ND1 9 FRONT ( ! =M$ >M RACKS4444 ,NI<T CAME1 RA9 FELL1 DRIZZL+ & COLD1 P5ETRAT+ ?R\< \R UNI=MS ALREADY DR5*$ BY %[]S4 ,H]E & !RE ! ROAD WAS LIT UP BY SMALL DIM LI<TS1 R5D]+ MORE SOMB] ?AN EV] ! /OREH\SES & ! MASS ( WAGONS :I* M5 W]E PU%+ 9TO A %$4 ,& ! D]RICK CRANE /&+ UPRI<T ON ! TURN+ PLAT=M PROJECT$ ITS LONG NECK AGA9/ ! SKY LIKE A BEWILD]$ GIRAFFE4 

,AP>T FROM C(FEE :I* WE GULP$ D[N HURRI$LY 9 ! MORN+1 WE DID NOT EAT ANY?+ ALL DAY1 & AL?\< FATIGUE HAD WORN \T \R BODIES & HUNG] CLUT*$ \R /OMA*S1 WE ANTICIPAT$ ) HORROR ?AT WE W\LD HAVE TO GO )\T SUPP] TODAY4 ,\R G\RD-BOTTLES W]E EMPTY1 \R SUPPLIES ( BISCUITS & BACON EXHAU/$1 & ! WAGONS ( ! COMMISS>Y DEP>TM5T :I* HAD GONE A/RAY HAD NOT YET JO9$ \R COLUMNS4 ,SEV]AL AMONG US GRUMBL$1 MADE ?REATS & VOIC$ !IR REBELLI\S FEEL+S AL\D1 BUT ! NO LESS DEJECT$ (FIC]S :O W]E PROM5AD+ 9 FRONT ( ! >M RACKS1 DID NOT SEEM TO TAKE NOTICE ( IT4 ,I CONSOL$ MYSELF ) ! ?\<T ?AT ! G5]AL HAD P]HAPS REQUISITION$ FOOD 9 ! CITY4 ,IT WAS A VA9 HOPE4 ,! TIME PASS$1 ! RA9 KEPT /EADILY DRUMM+ ON ! HOLL[ MESS PLATES & ! G5]AL CONT9U$ SWE>+ AT ! /ATION MA/] :O 9 TURN W5T ON AV5G+ HIMSELF V]BALLY ON ! TELEGRAPH1 ! CLICK ( :I* BECAME MORE & MORE VIOL5T & ]RATIC4 ,FROM TIME TO TIME TRA9S CAME UP OV]-CR[D$ ) TROOPS4 ,SOLDI]S ( ! RES]VE1 LI<T 9FANTRY UNITS1 B>E-BREA/$1 B>E-HEAD$1 ) LOOSE CRAVATS1 SOME ( !M DRUNK & WE>+ !IR KEPIS WRONG SIDE UP1 DES]T$ ! WAGONS :]E !Y W]E P>K$1 9VAD$ ! TAV]NS & EV5 RELIEV$ !MSELVES 9 PUBLIC IMPUD5TLY4 ,FROM ?IS SW>M ( HUMAN HEADS1 FROM ?IS /AMP+ ON ! FLOOR ( ! C>S BY MULTITUDES !RE EMANAT$ OA?S1 S\NDS ( ! ,M>SEILLAISE1 OBSC5E SONGS :I* M+L$ ) %\TS ( ! GANGS ( WORKM51 ) ! T9KL+ ( BELLS1 ) ! PANT+ ( MA*9ES4444 ,I RECOGNIZ$ A LITTLE BOY FROM ,SA9T-,MI*EL :OSE SWOLL5 EYELIDS OOZ$1 :O C\<$ & SPAT BLOOD4 ,I ASK$ HIM :]E !Y W]E GO+4 ,HE DID NOT KN[4 ,HAV+ LEFT ,MANS1 !Y W]E HELD UP AT ,CONN]RE = TWELVE H\RS )\T FOOD BECAUSE ( CONGE/ION ON ! ROAD1--TOO CR[D$ TO LIE D[N & SLEEP4 ,HE H>DLY HAD /R5G? 5\< TO SPEAK4 ,HE W5T 9TO A TAV]N TO R9SE HIS EYES ) W>M WAT]4 ,I %OOK H&S ) HIM1 & HE SAID HE S9C]ELY HOP$ ?AT 9 ! FIR/ BATTLE ! ,G]MANS W\LD MAKE A PRISON] ( HIM4444 ,& ! TRA9 PULL$ \T1 DISAPPE>$ 9 ! NI<T1 C>RY+ ALL !SE WAN FACES1 ALL !SE BODIES ALREADY VANQUI%$----T[>D :AT USELESS & BLOODY SLAU<T]S8 

,I %IV]$ ) COLD4 ,UND] ! ICY RA9 :I* DR5*$ ME TO ! V]Y M>R[1 ,I FELT A T]RIBLE COLD P5ETRAT+ ME4 ,IT SEEM$ AS IF MY MEMB]S W]E GETT+ NUMB4 ,I TOOK ADVANTAGE ( ! CONFUSION CAUS$ BY ! >RIVAL ( A TRA9 TO REA* ! OP5 GATE & RUN \T ON ! ROAD 9 SE>* ( A H\SE OR COV] :]E ,I C\LD W>M MYSELF1 F9D A PIECE ( BREAD OR SOME?+4 ,! 9NS & PUBLIC PLACES NE> ! /ATION W]E GU>D$ BY S5TRIES :O HAD ORD]S NOT TO LET ANYONE 94444 ,?REE HUNDR$ Y>DS AWAY ,I NOTIC$ A FEW W9D[S :I* %ONE G5TLY 9 ! NI<T4 ,!SE LI<TS LOOK$ TO ME LIKE TWO K9DLY EYES1 TWO EYES FILL$ ) PITY :I* CALL$ ME1 SMIL$ TO ME1 C>ESS$ ME4444 ,IT WAS A SMALL H\SE ISOLAT$ A FEW /RIDES AWAY FROM ! ROAD4 ,I RAN T[>D IT4444 ,A S]GEANT ACCOMPANI$ BY F\R M5 WAS !RE1 %\T+ & SWE>+4 ,NE> ! FIREPLACE )\T A FIRE1 ,I SAW AN OLD MAN SEAT$ ON A V]Y L[ WICK] *AIR1 HIS ELB[S RE/+ ON HIS KNEES1 HIS FACE BURI$ 9 HIS H&S4 ,A C&LE BURN+ 9 AN IRON C&LE/ICK LIT UP HALF ( HIS FACE HOLL[$ & FURR[$ BY DEEP WR9KLES4 

0,WILL Y\ GIVE US SOME WOOD1 ,I AM ASK+ Y\ = ! LA/ TIME80 %\T$ ! S]GEANT4 

0,I A9'T GOT NO WOOD10 ANSW]$ ! OLD MAN4444 0,IT'S BE5 EI<T DAYS S9CE ! TROOPS PASS$ H]E1 ,I TELL Y\4444 ,!Y TOOK EV]Y?+ AWAY40 

,HE HUDDL$ HIMSELF UP ON ! *AIR & 9 A FEEBLE VOICE MUTT]$3 

0,I A9'T GOT 444 NO?+444 ,NO?+64440 

0,DON'T ACT ! ROGUE1 Y\ OLD RASCAL4444 ,AH1 Y\ >E HID+ Y\R WOOD TO W>M ! ,PRUSSIANS4444 ,WELL ,I AM GO+ TO KNOCK ?OSE ,PRUSSIANS \T ( Y\R HEAD40 

,! OLD MAN %OOK HIS HEAD3 

0,BUT IF ,I A9'T GOT NO WOOD44440 

,) ANGRY GE/URES ! S]GEANT COMM&$ ! SOLDI]S TO SE>* ! H\SE4 ,!Y EXAM9$ EV]Y?+1 LOOK$ EV]Y:]E FROM CELL> TO G>RET4 ,!Y F\ND NO?+1 NO?+ BUT EVID5CE ( PLUND] & SOME BROK5 FURNITURE4 ,9 ! CELL>1 DAMP ) SPILL$ CID]1 ! CASKS W]E BROK5 OP5 & OV] ! :OLE !RE SPREAD A HIDE\SLY (F5SIVE /5*4 ,?AT EXASP]AT$ ! S]GEANT :O /RUCK ! FLAT 5D ( ! BUTT ( HIS MUSKET4 

0,COME ON10 HE %\T$1 0COME ON1 Y\ OLD SLOV51 TELL US :]E Y\R WOOD IS10 & HE RUDELY %OOK ! OLD MAN :O TOTT]$ & ALMO/ /RUCK HIS HEAD AGA9/ ! &IRON ( ! FIREPLACE4 

0,I A9'T GOT NO WOOD10 ! POOR MAN SIMPLY REPEAT$4 

0,AH6 Y\ >E GETT+ /UBBORN6444 ,Y\ HAVE NO WOOD Y\ SAY6 ,WELL1 LOOK H]E1 Y\ HAVE *AIRS1 A BUFFET1 A TABLE1 A B$ 444 IF Y\ DON'T TELL ME :]E Y\R WOOD IS ,I'LL BURN IT ALL UP40 

,! OLD MAN DID NOT PROTE/4 ,%AK+ HIS AG$ :ITE HEAD HE AGA9 REPEAT$3 

0,I A9'T GOT NO WOOD40 

,I WANT$ TO 9T]C$E & MUTT]$ A FEW WORDS2 BUT ! S]GEANT DID NOT LET ME F9I%4 ,HE TOOK ME 9 FROM HEAD TO FOOT ) A LOOK ( CONTEMPT4 

0,:AT >E Y\ DO+ >\ND H]E1 Y\ ]R& SIMP Y\8 ,:O GAVE Y\ P]MISSION TO LEAVE ! RANKS1 Y\ DIRTY1 SNOTTY-NOS$ TRA%8 ,COME ON1 FACE AB\T D\BLE /EP1 M>*6444 ,TA RA TA TA RA1 TA TA RA64440 

,!N HE GAVE ! COMM&4 ,9 A FEW M9UTES ! *AIRS1 ! TABLES1 ! BUFFET1 ! B$ W]E DA%$ TO PIECES4 ,! K9DLY MAN RAIS$ HIMSELF ) SOME EF=T1 W5T 9TO ! F>!/ CORN] ( ! ROOM2 & :ILE ! FIRE WAS BE+ MADE1 :ILE ! S]GEANT1 :OSE CLOAK & TR\S]S W]E /EAM+1 WAS W>M+ HIMSELF LAU<+LY 9 FRONT ( ! CRACKL+ FIRE1 ! OLD MAN WAS WAT*+ ! BURN+ ( HIS LA/ PIECE ( FURNITURE ) EYES ( A /OIC1 & NEV] /OPP$ REPEAT+ OB/9ATELY3 

0,I A9'T GOT NO WOOD40 

,I W5T BACK TO ! /ATION4 ,! G5]AL HAD COME \T ( ! TELEGRAPH (FICE MORE EXCIT$ & FLU%$ & ANGRY ?AN EV]4 ,HE JABB]$ \T SOME?+ & PRES5TLY BR\<T AB\T A GREAT COMMOTION4 ,! CLANG ( SAB]S WAS HE>D1 VOICES CALL$ \T & ANSW]$ ONE ANO!R1 (FIC]S W]E RUNN+ 9 ALL DIRECTIONS4 ,! BUGLE S\ND$4 ,)\T ! LEA/ UND]/&+ ( ?IS C\NT] ORD]1 WE HAD TO PUT \R KNAPSACKS ON \R BACKS & ! GUNS ON \R %\LD]S4 

,=W>D6 ,M>*6444 

,) BODIES R5D]$ RIGID BY IMMOBILITY & ) DIZZY HEADS1 WE PU%$ & JO/L$ ONE ANO!R & RESUM$ \R BREA?LESS J\RNEY 9 ! RA91 9 ! MUD1 ?R\< ! NI<T6444 ,TO ! RI<T & ! LEFT ( US !RE W]E LONG /RET*ES ( FIELDS SWALL[$ UP 9 ! %AD[S FROM :I* ROSE ! CR[NS ( APPLE TREES :I* APPE>$ TO BE TWI/$ 9 ! SKIES4 ,FROM TIME TO TIME ! B>K+ ( A DOG WAS HE>D FROM AF>4444 ,!RE W]E DEEP =E/S1 SOMB] ?ICKETS :I* ROSE LIKE WALLS ON EA* SIDE ( ! ROAD4 ,!N CAME VILLAGES ASLEEP1 :]E \R /EPS RES\ND$ EV5 MORE M\RNFULLY1 OR :]E AT A W9D[ QUICKLY OP5$ & QUICKLY CLOS$ AGA91 !RE APPE>$ ! VAGUE \TL9E ( A HUMAN :ITE =M 444 T]RIFI$4444 ,!N AGA9 FIELDS & WOODS & VILLAGES4444 ,NOT A S+LE SONG1 NOT A S+LE WORD1 ONLY AN IMM5SE SIL5CE1 ACC5TUAT$ BY ! RHY?M ( ! TRAMP+ FEET4 ,! LEA!R /RAPS ( ! KNAPSACK CUT 9TO MY FLE%1 ! RIFLE FELT LIKE A R$ HOT IRON B> PLAC$ UPON MY %\LD]4 ,= A MOM5T ,I ?\<T MYSELF H>NESS$ TO A HUGE WAGON1 LOAD$ ) BROAD /ONE & /UCK 9 ! MUD & FELT ?AT ! C>T]S W]E BREAK+ MY LEGS ) ! LA%ES ( :IPS4 ,) MY FEET PLANT$ 9 ! GR\ND1 MY SP9E B5T 9 TWO1 ) \T/RET*$ NECK1 /RANGL$ BY ! BIT1 MY LUNGS EMITT+ A RATTL+ S\ND1 ,I WAS PULL+ & PULL+4444 ,PRETTY SOON ,I REA*$ A /ATE :]E ,I WAS NO LONG] CONSCI\S ( ANY?+4 ,I WAS M>*+ 9 A /ATE ( TORPOR1 LIKE AN AUTOMATON1 AS IF 9 A TRANCE4444 ,/RANGE HALLUC9ATIONS FLITT$ BE=E MY EYES4 ,I SAW A GL[+ ROAD REC$+ 9TO SPACE1 L9$ ) PALATIAL MANSIONS & BRILLIANT LI<TS4444 ,/RANGE SC>LET FL[]S SWAY$ !IR COROLLAE 9 ! AIR ON ! TOP ( FLEXIBLE /EMS1 & A CR[D ( GAY PEOPLE W]E S++ AT TABLES LAD5 ) REFRE%M5TS & DELICI\S FRUIT4444 ,WOM5 ) FLUTT]+ GAUZE SKIRTS W]E DANC+ ON ILLUM9$ LAWNS1 TO ! MUSIC ( NUM]\S OR*E/RAS HIDD5 9 ! GROVE /REWN ) FALL+ LEAVES1 ADORN$ ) JASM9ES1 SPR9KL$ ) WAT]4 

0,HALT60 COMM&$ ! S]GEANT4 

,I /OPP$1 & 9 ORD] NOT TO S9K D[N TO ! GR\ND ,I HAD TO HOLD ON TO ! >M ( A COMRADE4 ,I AWOKE FROM MY TRANCE4444 ,D>KNESS WAS ALL >\ND ME4 ,WE HAD COME TO ! 5TRANCE ( A =E/1 NE> A SMALL T[N :]E ! G5]AL & MO/ ( ! (FIC]S W5T TO F9D QU>T]S4 ,HAV+ PIT*$ MY T5T1 ,I OCCUPI$ MYSELF ) RUBB+ MY FEET1 ! SK9 ( :I* WAS PEEL+ (F1 ) A C&LE :I* ,I HAD HIDD5 9 MY KNAPSACK1 & LIKE AN EMACIAT$ DOG1 /RET*$ MYSELF \T ON ! WET GR\ND & IMM$IATELY FELL ASLEEP4 ,DUR+ ! NI<T1 FELL[-SOLDI]S :O1 EXHAU/$ ) FATIGUE1 HAD DROPP$ \T ( ! RANKS ON ! ROAD1 KEPT ON COM+ 9TO CAMP4 ,( !SE1 FIVE M5 W]E NEV] HE>D FROM4 ,IT WAS EV] SO AT EA* DIFFICULT M>*4 ,SOME ( ! M51 WEAK OR SICK1 FELL 9TO ! DIT*ES & DI$ !RE2 O!RS DES]T$4444 

,! NEXT MORN+ REVEILLE WAS S\ND$ AT DAWN4 ,! NI<T HAD BE5 EXTREMELY COLD1 IT NEV] /OPP$ RA9+ & WE C\LD NOT GET ANY /RAW LITT] OR HAY TO SLEEP ON4 ,IT WAS V]Y DIFFICULT = ME TO GET \T ( ! T5T2 = A :ILE ,I WAS OBLIG$ TO CRAWL ON MY KNEES ON ALL F\RS1 MY LEGS REFUS+ TO C>RY ME4 ,MY LIMBS W]E FROZ5 /IFF LIKE B>S ( IRON1 ,I C\LD NOT MOVE MY HEAD ON MY P>ALYZ$ NECK1 & MY EYES :I* FELT AS IF !Y HAD BE5 PRICK$ BY NUM]\S T9Y NE$LES1 KEPT %$D+ TE>S 9 CEASELESS /REAMS4444 ,AT ! SAME TIME ,I FELT AN ACUTE1 LANC9AT+1 UNBE>ABLE PA9 9 MY BACK & %\LD]S4 ,I NOTIC$ ?AT MY COMRADES F>$ NO BETT]4 ,) DRAWN FACES ( <O/LY PALLOR !Y W]E ADVANC+1 SOME LIMP+ PITE\SLY1 O!RS B5T D[N & /AGG]+ OV] CLUMPS ( UND]BRU%--ALL LAME1 M\RNFUL & COV]$ ) MUD4 ,I SAW SEV]AL M5 :O1 SEIZ$ ) ! COLIC1 WRI!D & TWI/$ !IR M\?S1 HOLD+ !IR H&S TO !IR BELLIES4 ,SOME ( !M W]E %IV]+ ) FEV]1 & !IR TEE? *ATT]$ ) COLD4 ,ALL >\ND US ONE C\LD HE> DRY C\<S R5D+ HUMAN BREA/S1 GROANS1 %ORT & RAUC\S BREA?+4 ,A H>E V5TUR$ \T ( ITS COV] & FL$ WILDLY1 ) ITS E>S FLAPP+1 BUT NO ONE ?\<T ( PURSU+ ! ANIMAL AS WE US$ SOMETIMES TO DO4 ,AFT] ! ROLL CALL1 FOOD/UFFS W]E DI/RIBUT$1 AS ! COMMISS>Y REGA9$ \R REGIM5T4 ,WE MADE SOME S\P :I* WE ATE AS GRE$ILY AS HALF-/>V$ DOGS4 

,I WAS /ILL SUFF]+4 ,AFT] ! S\P ,I HAD AN ATTACK ( DIZZ9ESS FOLL[$ BY VOMIT+1 & ,I %OOK ) FEV]4 ,EV]Y?+ >\ND ME WAS 9 A :IRL--! T5TS1 ! =E/1 ! FIELDS1 ! SMALL T[N WAY YOND]1 :OSE *IMNEYS W]E SMOK+ 9 ! MI/1 & ! SKY :]E HUGE CL\DS W]E FLOAT+1 BLEAK & L[4 ,I ASK$ ! S]GEANT = P]MISSION TO SEE A DOCTOR4 

,\R T5TS W]E >RANG$ 9 TWO R[S1 BACK$ AGA9/ ! =E/ ON EA* SIDE ( ! ROAD ( ,S5ON*ES :I* L$ 9TO ! OP5 C\NTRY ?R\< A MAGNIFIC5T GROVE ( OAK TREES1 CROSS$ ! ,*>TRE ROAD ?REE HUNDR$ MET]S AWAY & /ILL FUR!R ! T[N ( ,BELHOM]T & EXT5D$ F>!R T[>D ,L\PE4 ,AT ! CROSS+ ( !SE TWO ROADS !RE WAS A SMALL DILAPIDAT$ BUILD+ COV]$ ) ?AT*1 A SORT ( AB&ON$ %$ :I* PROVID$ %ELT] = ! LABOR]S ON ! ROAD DUR+ RA94 ,IT WAS H]E ?AT ! SURGEON HAD E/ABLI%$ A SORT ( IMPROVIS$ FIELD HOSPITAL RECOGNIZABLE BY A ,R$ ,CROSS FLAG PUT UP 9 A CRACK 9 ! WALL & ADORN+ IT4 

,9 FRONT ( ! H\SE A CR[D WAS WAIT+4 ,A LONG L9E ( HUMAN BE+S1 WAN & WORN \T1 SOME /&+ ) FIX$ LOOKS1 O!RS SITT+ ON ! GR\ND1 SAD ) /OOP$ & PO9T$ %\LD]S1 !IR HEADS BURI$ 9 !IR H&S4 ,DEA? HAD ALREADY LAID ITS T]RIBLE H& UPON !SE EMACIAT$ C\NT5ANCES1 !SE SCRAGGY FRAMES1 !SE MEMB]S :I* HUNG LOOSE1 DEVOID ( BLOOD & M>R[4 ,& CONFRONT$ ) ?IS HE>TBREAK+ SI<T1 ,I =GOT MY [N SUFF]+1 & MY HE>T WAS T\*$ ) PITY4 ,?REE MON?S W]E SUFFICI5T TO BREAK D[N !SE ROBU/ BODIES1 9UR$ TO LABOR & FATIGUE6444 ,?REE MON?S6 ,& !SE Y\NG M5 :O LOV$ LIFE1 !SE *ILDR5 ( ! SOIL :O GREW UP AS DREAM]S 9 ! FRE$OM ( ! FIELDS1 TRU/+ 9 ! GOODNESS ( NATURE1 !SE Y\?S W]E DONE =6444 ,TO ! M>9E :O DIES IS GIV5 ! SEA AS A BURY+ PLACE2 HE DESC5DS 9TO ET]NAL D>KNESS TO ! RHY?M ( ITS MURMUR+ WAVES4 ,BUT !SE6444 ,A FEW MORE DAYS ( GRACE P]HAPS1 & !N !SE TATT]DEMALLIONS WILL SUDD5LY TUMBLE D[N 9TO ! MUD ( A DIT*1 !IR CORPSES DELIV]$1 UP TO ! FANGS ( PR[L+ DOGS & TO ! BEAKS ( NI<TBIRDS4 

,I WAS SWEPT BY A FEEL+ ( SU* BRO!RLY & SORR[FUL PITY = !M ?AT ,I WI%$ ,I C\LD PRESS ALL !SE UNHAPPY M5 TO MY BREA/1 9 A S+LE EMBRACE1 & ,I WI%$1 OH1 H[ >D5TLY ,I WI%$ IT6--,I HAD A HUNDR$ FEMALE BREA/S1 LIKE ,ISIS1 SWOLL5 ) MILK1 ?AT ,I MI<T (F] TO ALL !SE BLOODLESS LIPS4444 ,!Y W]E 5T]+ ! H\SE ONE BY ONE & W]E LEAV+ IT AS QUICKLY1 PURSU$ BY GR[L+ & SWE>+ S\NDS4 ,= ! RE/1 ! SURGEON DID NOT BO!R ) !M AT ALL4 ,V]Y ANGRY1 HE WAS DEM&+ ( HIS ORD]LY HIS M$IC9E *E/ :I* WAS MISS+ FROM ! LUGGAGE4 

0,MY M$IC9E *E/1 = ,GOD'S SAKE60 HE %\T$4 0,:]E IS MY M$IC9E *E/8 ,& MY 9/RUM5T CASE8444 ,:AT DID Y\ DO ) MY 9/RUM5T CASE8 ,AH6 = ,GOD'S SAKE64440 

,A LITTLE SOLDI] ( ! RES]VES :O SUFF]$ FROM AN ABSCESS ON HIS KNEE CAME BACK HOPP+ ON ONE FOOT1 CRY+1 PULL+ HIS HAIR 9 DESPAIR4 ,!Y DID NOT WANT TO ATT5D TO HIM4 ,:5 IT WAS MY TURN TO GO 9 ,I WAS ALL ATREMBLE4 ,9SIDE ! PLACE :I* WAS D>K1 F\R PATI5TS1 LY+ FLAT 9 ! /RAW1 W]E EMITT+ RATTL+ S\NDS LIKE ! COCK ( A MUSKET2 A FIF? ONE WAS GE/ICULAT+1 MUTT]+ 9COH]5T WORDS 9 DELIRIUM2 /ILL ANO!R1 HALF-RECL9+1 ) HEAD DROOP$ ON HIS *E/1 WAS MOAN+ & ASK+ = A DR9K 9 A FEEBLE VOICE1 ! VOICE ( AN 9FANT4 ,SQUATT$ 9 FRONT ( ! FIRE PLACE1 AN ATT5DANT WAS HOLD+ OV] ! FLAME1 ON ! 5D ( A /ICK1 A PIECE ( /ALE PUDD+ :OSE /5* ( BURN$ GREASE FILL$ ! ROOM4 ,! ADJUTANT DID NOT EV5 LOOK AT ME4 ,HE %\T$3 

0,WELL1 :AT'S ! MATT] N[8444 ,A BUN* ( LAZY BUGG]S4 ,A GOOD T5 LEAGUE RUN AT A /RET* WILL FIX Y\ UP1 Y\ /RAGGL]4444 ,FACE AB\T6444 ,M>*60 

,ON ! ?RE%OLD ,I MET A PEASANT WOMAN :O ASK$ ME3 

0,IS ?IS ! PLACE :]E Y\ CAN SEE ! DOCTOR40 

0,WOM5 N[60 GR[L$ ! ADJUTANT4 0,:AT DO Y\ WANT N[80 

0,BEG P>DON1 EXCUSE ME1 ,DOCTOR10 REJO9$ ! PEASANT WOMAN1 :O CAME UP V]Y TIMIDLY4 0,I CAME = MY SON :O IS A SOLDI]40 

0,TELL ME N[1 OLD WOMAN1 AM ,I H]E TO KEEP TRACK ( Y\R SON1 OR :AT80 

,) H] H&S CROSS$ ON ! H&LE ( H] UMBRELLA1 TIMOR\S1 %E EXAM9$ ! PLACE AB\T H]4 

0,IT SEEMS LIKE HE IS V]Y SICK1 MY SON IS1 V]Y1 V]Y SICK4444 ,& SO ,I CAME TO SEE IF HE WAS NOT >\ND H]E1 ,DOCTOR40 

0,:AT'S Y\R NAME80 

0,MY NAME IS ,RIB\LLEAU40 

0,RIB\LLEAU4444 ,RIB\LLEAU6444 ,?AT MAY BE 444 LOOK 9 ?AT PILE !RE40 

,! ATT5DANT :O WAS BROIL+ HIS PUDD+ TURN$ HIS HEAD4 

0,RIB\LLEAU10 HE SAID1 0:Y HE HAS BE5 DEAD ?REE DAYS ALREADY44440 

0,:AT IS ?AT Y\ >E SAY+80 CRI$ ! PEASANT WOMAN :OSE SUNBURN$ FACE SUDD5LY BECAME PALLID4 0,:]E DID HE DIE8444 ,:Y DID HE DIE1 MY LITTLE D>L+ BOY40 

,! ADJUTANT 9T]V5$1 & RUDELY PU%+ ! OLD WOMAN T[>D ! DOOR1 %\T$3 

0,GO ON1 GO ON1 NO SC5ES >\ND H]E6 ,WELL1 HE IS DEAD--& ?AT IS ALL !RE IS TO IT40 

0,MY LITTLE D>L+ BOY6 ,MY LITTLE D>L+ BOY60 WAIL$ ! OLD WOMAN 9 A HE>T-BREAK+ MANN]4 

,I WALK$ AWAY ) A HEAVY HE>T & FELT SO DISC\RAG$ ?AT ,I WAS ASK+ MYSELF :E!R IT WAS NOT BETT] TO PUT AN 5D TO IT ALL AT ONCE BY HANG+ MYSELF ON ! BRAN* ( A TREE OR BY BL[+ MY BRA9S \T ) ! GUN4 ,:ILE ,I WAS GO+ TO MY T5T1 /UMBL+ ON ! WAY1 ,I WAS H>DLY PAY+ ANY ATT5TION TO ! LITTLE SOLDI] :O1 HAV+ /OPP$ AT ! FOOT ( A P9E TREE1 HAD OP5$ HIS ABSCESS ) HIS KNIFE HIMSELF1 &1 PALE1 ) SWEAT DROPS ROLL+ ALL OV] HIS =EHEAD1 WAS B&AG+ HIS BLE$+ W\ND4 

,9 ! MORN+ ,I FELT A GREAT DEAL BETT] ?AN ,I ?\<T ,I W\LD4 ,I WAS RELIEV$ ( ALL WORK1 & AFT] HAV+ GREAS$ MY RIFLE :I* BECAME RU/$ 9 ! RA91 ,I 5JOY$ A FEW H\RS ( RE/4 ,/RET*$ \T ON MY BLANKET1 ) MY BODY TORPID 9 DELICI\S HALF SLUMB] :]E ,I DI/9CTLY HE>D ALL ! NOISES ( ! CAMP--! S\ND+ ( ! BUGLE1 ! NEI<+ ( ! HORSES AS IF COM+ FROM AF>--,I WAS ?9K+ ( ! PEOPLE & ! ?+S ,I HAD LEFT BEH9D ME4 ,A ?\S& IMAGES & A ?\S& SC5ES ( ! PA/ RAPIDLY FIL$ BE=E MY EYES4 ,I SAW AGA9 ! ,PRIORY1 MY DEAD MO!R & MY FA!R1 ) HIS L>GE /RAW HAT & ! %ORT BEGG> ) HIS FLAX5 HAIR & ,FELIX SQUATT$ 9 ! LETTUCE PAT*ES1 LY+ 9 WAIT = A MOLE4 ,I SAW AGA9 MY /UDY ROOM1 MY S*OOL MATES &1 TOPP+ ! NOISE ( ! ,BAL ,BULLI]1 ,N9I1 H] HAIR LOOSE & BR[N1 ) H] RUDDY NECK & H] P9K /OCK+S %[+ LIKE SOME LASCIVI\S FL[] FROM UND] ! SKIRT RAIS$ 9 DANC+4 ,!N ! IMAGE ( AN UNKN[N WOMAN 9 A YELL[ DRESS1 :OM ,I NOTIC$ 9 ! %AD[ ( A BOX 9 A !AT] ONE EV5+1 CAME BACK TO ME--AN 9SI/5T & SWEET VISION4 

,DUR+ ?IS TIME ! /RONGE/ AMONG US HAD GONE \T TO ROAM 9 ! FIELDS & ON ! F>MS4 ,!Y CAME BACK M]RILY C>RY+ BUNDLES ( /RAW1 *ICK5S1 TURKEYS & DUCKS4 ,ONE ( !M WAS DRIV+ BE=E HIM ) A SWIT*1 A BIG1 GRUNT+ PIG2 ANO!R WAS BALANC+ A %EEP ON HIS %\LD]4 ,AT ! 5D ( A HALT] ! LATT] WAS ALSO DRAGG+ A CALF :I*1 TANGL$ UP 9 ! ROPE1 RESI/$ COMICALLY & %OOK ITS SN\T1 BELL[+ ALL ! TIME4 ,! PEASANTS CAME UP RUNN+ TO ! CAMP TO COMPLA9 ?AT !Y HAD BE5 ROBB$2 !Y W]E HOOT$ & DRIV5 \T4 

,! G5]AL1 V]Y /IFF & ) R\ND EYES1 CAME TO REVIEW US 9 ! AFT]NOON1 ACCOMPANI$ BY \R LIEUT5ANT :O WALK$ AT HIS RI<T4 ,HIS %9Y LOOK1 HIS FLU%$ *EEKS1 HIS MEALY VOICE BORE WITNESS TO ! FACT ?AT HE HAD HAD A PL5TIFUL BREAKFA/4 ,HE WAS MUN*+ ! 5D ( AN EXT+UI%$ CIG>2 HE SPAT1 SNIFF$1 SWORE4 ,ONE C\LD NOT TELL AT :OM OR :AT1 = HE DID NOT ADDRESS HIMSELF TO ANY ONE 9 P>TICUL>4 ,:5 /&+ 9 FRONT ( \R COMPANY1 HE LOOK$ AT \R LIEUT5ANT-COLONEL SEV]ELY1 & ,I HE>D HIM SAY3 

0,Y\R M5 >E DIRTY SLOPS60 

,!N HE WALK$ AWAY1 HIS BODY WEI<$ D[N BY HIS BELLY1 DRAGG+ HIS FEET1 DRESS$ 9 YELL[ BOOTS ABOVE :I* R$ BREE*ES SWELL$ & FOLD$ LIKE A SKIRT4 

,! RE/ ( ! DAY WAS DEVOT$ TO LOIT]+ 9 ! TAV]NS ( ,BELHOM]T4 ,!RE WAS SU* CR[D+ & SU* NOISE EV]Y:]E1 & BESIDES ,I KNEW SO WELL !SE FI<TS 9 ! CAB>ETS1 !SE VIOL5T \TBUR/S AS A RESULT ( DRUNK5NESS :I* (T5 DEG5]AT$ 9TO G5]AL SCUFFLES1 ?AT ,I PREF]R$ TO GO \T ON ! ROAD1 F> FROM ALL !SE BRAWLS1 9 ! COMPANY ( A FEW PEACEABLE COMRADES4 

,JU/ !N ! WEA!R GREW BETT]1 DIM SUNLI<T CAME FROM ! SKY FRE$ FROM CL\DS4 ,WE SEAT$ \RSELVES ON ! SIDE ( A SLOP+ HILL1 B5D+ \R BACKS UND] ! W>M SUN RAYS AS DOES A CAT UND] ! H& ?AT C>ESSES IT4 ,VEHICLES KEPT PASS+ BY1 HEAVY C>TS1 DUNG C>TS1 SMALL C>RIAGES ) AWN+ HOODS1 RUBBI% C>TS DRAWN BY SMALL MULES4 ,?OSE W]E ! PEASANTS ( ,*>TRES VALLEY :O W]E FLEE+ FROM ! ,PRUSSIANS4444 ,EXCIT$ BY RUMORS1 SPREAD FROM VILLAGE TO VILLAGE1 ( BURN+S1 ROBB]IES1 MURD]S & ALL K9DS ( ATROCITIES COMMITT$ BY ! ,G]MANS 9 ! 9VAD$ T]RITORIES1 !Y W]E C>RY+ AWAY 9 HA/E !IR MO/ PRECI\S POSSESSIONS1 AB&ON+ !IR HOMES & !IR FIELDS &1 UTT]LY BEWILD]$1 W]E PROCE$+ /RAI<T AHEAD1 )\T KN[+ :]E !Y W]E GO+4 ,9 ! EV5+ !Y W\LD /OP AT SOME *ANCE ROAD1 NE> A T[N1 SOMETIMES 9 ! OP5 FIELDS4 ,! HORSES1 UNH>NESS$ & FETT]$1 BR[S$ ON ! RIV] BANKS1 ! PEOPLE ATE & SLEPT AT ,GOD'S M]CY1 GU>D$ BY DOGS1 9 /ORM & RA91 9 ! COLD ( FOGGY NI<TS4 ,!N 9 ! MORN+ !Y W\LD />T \T AGA94 ,DROVES ( ANIMALS1 & ?RONGS ( M5 SUCCE$$ ONE ANO!R ALT]NATELY4 ,!Y W]E PASS+ BY US1 & UPON ! YELL[ MA9 ROAD ONE C\LD SEE ! BLACK & M\RNFUL PROCESSION ( ! REFUGEES AS F> AS ! HILL CLOS+ ! HORIZON3 ONE MI<T ?9K IT WAS AN EXODUS ( A :OLE PEOPLE4 ,I QUE/ION$ AN OLD MAN :O L$ A DONKEY PULL+ A C>T1 AT ! BOTTOM ( :I* 9 ! MID/ ( BUNDLES1 TI$ ) K]*IEFS1 & C>ROTS & HEADS ( CABBAGE1 ON A PILE ( /RAW !RE %IFT$ AB\T A PEASANT WOMAN ) A FLAT NOSE1 TWO P9K-COLOR$ PIGS & A FEW DOME/IC F\LS TI$ BY !IR FEET 9 TWOS4 

0,EH1 ! ROBB]S60 ! OLD MAN REPLI$4 0,DON'T SPEAK TO ME AB\T !M6444 ,!Y CAME ONE MORN+1 A :OLE GANG ( !M ) PLUM$ HATS4444 ,!Y RAIS$ SU* A RACKET6444 ,EH1 ,HOLY ,JESUS6 ,& !N !Y TOOK EV]Y?+ AWAY4444 ,WELL ,I ?\<T !Y W]E ! ,PRUSSIANS4444 ,I HAVE F\ND \T S9CE ?AT !Y W]E ! 'FRANC-TIREURS'44440 

0,H[ AB\T ! ,PRUSSIANS80 

0,! ,PRUSSIANS6444 ,( !M ?AT >E ,PRUSSIANS ,I HAVE SE5 V]Y FEW TO BE SURE4444 ,!Y >E SUPPOS$ TO BE UP AT \R PLACE RI<T N[6444 ,JACQUEL9E ?9KS %E SAW ONE BEH9D ! H$GE ! O!R DAY6444 ,HE WAS TALL1 V]Y TALL & HE WAS AS R$ AS ! DEVIL4444 ,IS HE REALLY ONE ( !SE FELL[S1 ?OSE SAVAGES ?AT CAME8444 ,N[ TELL ME TRULY :O >E !Y80 

0,?OSE >E ,G]MANS1 OLD MAN1 JU/ AS WE >E ,FR5*40 

0,G]MANS8444 ,SO ,I HE>4444 ,BUT :AT DO !Y WANT1 ?OSE DAMN$ ,G]MANS1 WILL Y\ PLEASE TELL ME1 MI/] SOLDI]8444 ,WELL1 ,I HAVE SAV$ TWO PIGS1 \R GIRL & ALL \R P\LTRY JU/ ! SAME6444 ,BY ,JOVE60 

,& ! PEASANT CONT9U$ ON HIS WAY1 REPEAT+3 

0,! ,G]MANS6 ! ,G]MANS6444 ,:AT DO !SE DAMN$ ,G]MANS WANT80 

,?AT EV5+ FIRES W]E MADE ALONG ! 5TIRE L9E ( ! CAMP1 & ! ATTRACTIVE LOOK+ POTS FULL ( FRE% MEAT W]E HISS+ JOY\SLY UPON ! IMPROVIS$ /OVES ( E>? & /ONE4 ,= US ?AT WAS A TIME ( EXQUISITE RESPITE & DELICI\S =GETFULNESS4 ,PEACE SEEM$ TO HAVE DESC5D$ FROM HEAV51 ALL BLUE ) ! MOON & AGLITT] ) />S2 ! FIELDS1 UNROLL+ !MSELVES ) S(T & MI/Y UNDULATIONS1 HAD 9 !M A K9D ( T5D] SWEETNESS :I* P5ETRAT$ 9TO \R S\LS & SET NEW BLOOD1 LESS ACRID & 5D[$ ) NEW VIGOR1 CIRCULAT+ 9 \R MEMB]S4 ,LITTLE BY LITTLE1 MEMORIES ( \R H>D%IPS1 \R DISC\RAGEM5TS & PRIVATIONS1 H[EV] NE>1 EFFAC$ !MSELVES1 & SIMULTANE\SLY ) ! AWAK5+ ( \R S5SE ( DUTY1 A DESIRE = ACTION SEIZ$ US4 ,UNUSUAL ANIMATION REIGN$ AT \R CAMP4 ,EV]Y ONE (F]$ VOLUNT>ILY TO DO SOME K9D ( WORK2 SOME1 TOR* 9 H&1 W]E RUNN+ AB\T TO LI<T AGA9 ! FIRES :I* W5T \T1 O!RS W]E BL[+ AT ! A%ES 9 ORD] TO K9DLE !M 9TO FLAME AGA91 /ILL O!RS W]E SORT+ VEGETABLES & SLIC+ MEAT4 ,SOME COMRADES1 =M+ A CIRCLE >\ND ! DEBRIS ( BURN$ TIMB]1 /RUCK UP A TUNE 0,HAVE Y\ SE5 ,BISM>K80 9 A JE]+ *ORUS4 ,REVOLT--! *ILD ( HUNG]--HAD ITS 9CEPTION 9 ! HISS+ ( SAUCEPANS1 9 ! CLATT] ( PLATT]S4 

,! NEXT DAY1 :5 ! LA/ ( US ANSW]$ 0,PRES5T0 AT ! ROLL CALL1 ! LITTLE LIEUT5ANT GAVE ! COMM&3 0,=M A CIRCLE1 M>*60 

,& 9 A FALT]+ VOICE1 JUMBL+ ! WORDS & SKIPP+ PHRASES1 ! QU>T]MA/] READ A POMP\S ORD] ( ! DAY1 ISSU$ BY ! G5]AL4 ,9 ?AT PIECE ( MILIT>Y LIT]ATURE IT WAS SAID ?AT A ,PRUSSIAN >MY CORPS1 />V+1 ILL-CLAD & )\T >MS1 AFT] HAV+ OCCUPI$ ,*>TRES1 WAS ADVANC+ ON US AT D\BLE M>*+ TIME4 ,\R TASK WAS TO BLOCK ITS WAY1 TO ?R[ IT BACK AS F> AS ! WALLS ( ,P>IS1 :]E ! VALIANT ,DUCROT WAS ONLY WAIT+ = \R >RIVAL TO SALLY \T & CLEAN ! L& ( ALL 9VAD]S AT ONE SWEEP4 ,! G5]AL RECALL$ ! VICTORIES ( ! ,REVOLUTION1 ! ,EGYPT EXP$ITION1 ,AU/]LITZ1 ,BOROD9O4 ,HE EXPRESS$ ! FAI? ?AT WE W\LD %[ \RSELVES WOR?Y ( \R GLORI\S ANCE/ORS ( ,SAMBRE-ET-,MEUSE4 ,9 VIEW ( ?AT HE GAVE PRECISE /RATEGIC 9/RUCTIONS = ! DEF5SE ( ! C\NTRY1 NAMELY3 TO E/ABLI% AN IMPREGNABLE B>RI] TO ! EA/]N 5TRANCE TO ! T[N & ANO!R /ILL MORE IMPREGNABLE B>RI] UPON ! ROAD ( ,*>TRES1 TO =TIFY ! WALLS ( ! CEMET]Y AT ! CROSSROAD1 TO FELL AS MANY TREES AS POSSIBLE 9 ! NE>BY =E/ SO ?AT ! 5EMY CAVALRY & EV5 9FANTRY %\LD BE UNABLE TO TURN \R FLANK FROM ,S5ON*ES UND] ! COV] ( ! WOODS1 TO BE ON ! LOOK\T = SPIES1 & F9ALLY TO KEEP \R EYES OP54444 ,! C\NTRY WAS C\NT+ ON US4444 ,LONG LIVE ! ,REPUBLIC6 

,! *E] WAS NOT RESPOND$ TO4 ,! LITTLE LIEUT5ANT :O WAS WALK+ >\ND1 HIS >MS CROSS$ ON HIS BACK1 HIS EYES OB/9ATELY FIX$ ON ! PO9T ( HIS BOOT1 DID NOT RAISE HIS HEAD4 ,WE LOOK$ AT ONE ANO!R P]PLEX$1 ) A SORT ( ANGUI% 9 \R HE>TS1 :I* CAME AS A RESULT ( \R KN[L$GE ?AT ! ,PRUSSIANS W]E V]Y NE>1 ?AT W> WAS GO+ TO BEG9 = US 9 E>NE/ ! V]Y NEXT DAY1 TODAY P]HAPS4 ,& ,I HAD A SUDD5 VISION ( ,DEA?1 R$ ,DEA? /&+ ON A *>IOT1 DRAWN BY RE>+ HORSES1 :I* WAS SWEEP+ D[N ON US1 BR&I%+ HIS SCY!4 ,AS LONG AS ! ACTUAL FI<T+ WAS ONLY A REMOTE POSSIBILITY WE WANT$ TO BE 9 IT1 FIR/ = REASONS ( PATRIOTISM1 5?USIASM1 !N \T ( M]E BRAGGADOCIO1 LAT] BECAUSE WE W]E N]V\SLY EXHAU/$ & WE>ISOME & SAW 9 IT A WAY \T ( \R MIS]Y4 ,N[ :5 ! OPPORTUNITY (F]$ ITSELF1 WE W]E AFRAID2 WE %UDD]$ AT ! M]E M5TION ( IT4 ,9/9CTIVELY MY EYES TURN$ T[>D ! HORIZON1 9 ! DIRECTION ( ,*>TRES4 ,& ! FIELDS SEEM$ TO ME TO CONCEAL A SECRET1 UNKN[N T]ROR1 A FE>FUL UNC]TA9TY1 :I* L5T TO ?+S A NEW ASPECT ( REL5TLESSNESS4 ,OV] YOND]1 ABOVE ! BLUE L9E ( TREES1 ,I EXPECT$ TO SEE HELMETS SPR+ UP SUDD5LY1 BAYONETS FLA%1 ! ?UND]+ M\?S ( CANNONS SPURT FIRE4 ,A H>VE/ FIELD1 ALL R$ UND] ! SUN1 APPE>$ TO ME LIKE A POND ( BLOOD4 ,H$GES /RUNG !MSELVES \T 9TO >MIES1 JO9$ RANKS1 CROSS$ ONE ANO!R LIKE REGIM5TS1 BRI/L+ ) >MS & /&>DS & GO+ ?R\< V>I\S EVOLUTIONS BE=E ! BATTLE4 ,! APPLE TREES LOOK$ FRI<T5$ LIKE CAVALRY M5 ?R[N 9TO DISORD]4 

0,BREAK ! CIRCLE--M>*60 %\T$ ! LIEUT5ANT4 

,/UPEFI$1 ) SW++ >MS1 WE W]E /&+ ON ONE PLACE = A LONG TIME1 A PREY TO SOME VAGUE MISGIV+1 TRY+ TO PI]CE 9 ?\<T ?IS T]RIBLE L9E ON ! HORIZON1 BEH9D :I* WAS N[ BE+ REALIZ$ ! MY/]Y ( \R FATE4 ,9 ?IS DISQUIET+ SIL5CE1 9 ?IS S9I/] IMMOBILITY1 ONLY C>TS & H]DS W]E PASS+ BY1 MORE NUM]\S1 MORE HURRI$ & PRESS$ ?AN EV]4 ,A FLOCK ( RAV5S1 :I* CAME FROM YOND] LIKE A BLACK VANGU>D1 SPOTT$ ! SKIES1 ?ICK5$1 DI/5D$ &1 /R++ ITSELF \T 9TO A L9E1 TURN$ ASIDE1 FLOAT+ ABOVE US LIKE A FUN]AL CLOAK1 !N DISAPPE>$ AMONG ! OAK TREES4 

0,AT LA/ WE >E GO+ TO SEE !M1 !SE FAM\S ,PRUSSIANS60 SAID1 9 A FALT]+ VOICE1 A BIG FELL[ :O WAS V]Y PALE & :O1 9 ORD] TO GIVE HIMSELF ! AIR ( A FE>LESS D>$EVIL1 WAS BEAT+ HIS E>S ) HIS KEPI4 

,NO ONE REPLI$ TO ?IS REM>K & SEV]AL WALK$ AWAY4 ,\R CORPORAL1 H[EV]1 %RUGG$ HIS %\LD]S4 ,HE WAS A V]Y IMPUD5T LITTLE MAN1 ) A POCK-EAT5 FACE1 FULL ( PIMPLES4 

0,OH6 ,I60 HE SAID4 

,HE CL>IFI$ HIS ?\<T BY A CYNICAL GE/URE1 SAT D[N ON ! HEA?1 PUFF$ AT HIS PIPE SL[LY1 TILL FIRE APPE>$4 

0,OH1 PIFFLE60 HE CONCLUD$1 EMITT+ A CL\D ( SMOKE :I* VANI%$ 9 ! AIR4 

,:ILE ONE COMPANY ( *ASSEURS WAS DETAIL$ TO ! CROSSROADS TO E/ABLI% AN 0IMPREGNABLE B>RI]0 !RE1 MY COMPANY W5T 9 ! WOODS TO 0FELL AS MANY TREES AS POSSIBLE40 ,ALL ! AXES1 BILL-HOOKS & HAT*ETS ( ! VILLAGE W]E SPE$ILY REQUISITION$4 ,ALMO/ EV]Y?+ WAS US$ AS A TOOL4 ,= A :OLE DAY ! BL[S ( ! AXES W]E RES\ND+ & TREES W]E FALL+4 ,TO SPUR US ON TO GREAT] EF=TS1 ! G5]AL HIMSELF WANT$ TO ASSI/ US 9 ! V&ALISM4 

0,COME ON1 Y\ SCAMPS60 HE W\LD CRY \T AT EV]Y OCCASION1 CLAPP+ HIS H&S4 0,COME ON BOYS1 LET'S GET ?IS ONE64440 

,HE HIMSELF PO9T$ \T ! MO/ /ALW>T AMONG ! TREES1 ?OSE :I* GREW UP /RAI<T & SPREAD \T LIKE ! COLUMNS ( A TEMPLE4 ,IT WAS AN ORGY ( DE/RUCTION1 CRIM9AL & FOOLI%2 A %\T ( BRUTAL JOY W5T UP EV]Y TIME A TREE FELL ON TOP ( ANO!R ) A GREAT NOISE4 ,! OLD TREES BECAME LESS D5SE1 ONE C\LD SAY !Y W]E M[$ D[N BY SOME GIGANTIC & SUP]NATURAL SCY!4 ,TWO M5 W]E KILL$ BY ! FALL ( AN OAK TREE4 

,& ! FEW TREES :I* REMA9$ /&+1 AU/]E 9 ! MID/ ( RU9$ TRUNKS LY+ ON ! GR\ND1 & ! TWI/$ BRAN*ES :I* ROSE UP T[>DS !M LIKE >MS \T/RET*$ 9 SUPPLICATION1 W]E %[+ OP5 W\NDS1 DEEP & R$ GA%ES FROM :I* ! SAP WAS OOZ+1 WEEP+ AS IT W]E4 

,! SUP]VISOR ( ! =E/ SECTION1 W>N$ BY A GU>D1 CAME RUNN+ FROM ,S5ON*ES1 & ) A BROK5 HE>T WITNESS$ ?IS USELESS DEVA/ATION4 ,I WAS NE> ! G5]AL :5 ! =E/] APPROA*$ HIM RESPECTFULLY1 KEPI 9 H&4 

0,BEG P>DON1 G5]AL10 SAID HE4 0,I CAN UND]/& ! FELL+ ( TREES ON ! $GE ( ! ROAD1 ! B>RICAD+ ( L9ES ( APPROA*4444 ,BUT Y\R DE/RUCTION ( ! HE>T ( ! OLD =E/ SEEMS TO ME A LITTLE44440 

,BUT ! G5]AL 9T]RUPT$3 

0,EH8 ,:AT8 ,IT SEEMS TO Y\ :AT8444,:AT >E Y\ BUTT+ 9 H]E =8444 ,I DO AS ,I PLEASE4444 ,:O IS COMM&] H]E1 Y\ OR ,I84440 

0,BUT44440 /AMM]$ ! =E/]4 

0,!RE >E NO BUTS AB\T IT1 ,MONSIEUR4444 ,Y\ MAKE ME TIR$1 ?AT'S ONE ?+ SURE6444 ,Y\ HAD BETT] HURRY BACK TO ,S5ON*ES OR ,I'LL HAVE Y\ /RUNG UP ON A TREE4444 ,COME ON1 BOYS64440 

,! G5]AL TURN$ HIS BACK ON ! /UPEFI$ AG5T & WALK$ AWAY KNOCK+ SOME DEAD LEAVES & SPRIGS BE=E HIM ) ! 5D ( HIS CANE4 

,:ILE WE W]E ?US DESECRAT+ ! =E/1 ! *ASSEURS W]E NOT IDLE EI!R1 & ! B>RICADE ROSE1 HUGE & =MIDABLE1 CUTT+ (F ! ROAD AT ! CROSSROAD4 ,IT WAS ACCOMPLI%$ NOT )\T DIFFICULTY & ABOVE ALL NOT )\T GAIETY4 ,SUDD5LY HALT$ BY A TR5* :I* B>R$ !IR FLI<T1 ! PEASANTS PROTE/$4 ,!IR C>TS & H]DS BECAME CONGE/$ ON ! ROAD1 V]Y N>R[ AT ?IS PO9T2 !RE WAS1 !RE=E1 AN 9DESCRIBABLE UPRO>4 ,!Y W]E COMPLA9+1 ! WOM5 W]E MOAN+1 ! CATTLE W]E L[+1 ! SOLDI]S W]E LAU<+ AT ! FRI<T5$ LOOKS ( M5 & BEA/S1 & ! CAPTA9 :O WAS 9 COMM& ( ! TROOPS DID NOT KN[ :AT ACTION TO TAKE4 ,SEV]AL TIMES ! SOLDI]S PRET5D$ TO DRIVE ! PEASANTS BACK AT ! PO9T ( ! BAYONET1 BUT ! LATT] W]E /UBBORN & DET]M9$ TO PASS & 9VOK$ !IR RI<TS AS ,FR5*M54 ,HAV+ MADE HIS R\ND 9 ! =E/1 ! G5]AL W5T TO SEE ! PROGRESS ( ! WORK ON ! B>RICADE4 ,HE DEM&$ TO KN[ :AT 0!SE DIRTY CIVILIANS0 WANT$4 ,HE WAS TOLD AB\T IT4 

0,ALL RI<T10 HE CRI$4 0,SEIZE ALL !IR C>TS & ?R[ !M 9TO ! B>RICADE4444 ,COME ON1 GET A MOVE ON Y\1 BOYS64440 

,! SOLDI]S1 REJOIC+ 9 ! OPPORTUNITY1 HURL$ !MSELVES ON ! FIR/ C>TS :I* /OOD AB&ON$ ) EV]Y?+ 9 !M1 & SMA%$ !M ) A FEW BL[S ( ! PICK-AX4 ,A WILD PANIC BROKE \T AMONG ! PEASANTS4 ,! CONGE/ION BECAME SO GREAT ?AT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE = !M EI!R TO ADVANCE OR TO TURN BACK4 ,LA%+ !IR HORSES ) ALL !IR MI<T & TRY+ TO EXTRICATE !IR IMP$$ WAGONS1 !Y W]E %\T+1 JO/L+ & BRUIS+ ONE ANO!R )\T MAK+ A /EP BACKW>D4 ,?OSE LA/ >RIV$ HAD TURN$ BACK & W]E GO+ AT FULL SPE$ ( !IR HORSES EXCIT$ BY ! TUMULT2 O!RS1 DESPAIR+ ( A *ANCE TO SAVE !IR C>TS & PROVISIONS1 CLIMB$ OV] ! B>RI] &1 DISP]S+ ACROSS ! FIELD1 UTT]$ CRIES ( 9DIGNATION1 PURSU$ BY OA?S & CURSES FLUNG AT !M BY ! SOLDI]S4 ,!N1 !Y PIL$ UP ! SMA%$ VEHICLES ONE ON TOP ( ! O!R1 FILL$ ! GAPS ) SACKS ( OATS1 MATRESSES1 BUNDLES ( CLO!S & /ONES4 ,ON TOP ( ! B>RICADE1 UPON A COA* POLE1 :I* ROSE V]TICALLY UPW>D LIKE A FLAG/AFF1 A LITTLE *ASSEUR PLANT$ A B\QUET ( W$D+ FL[]S F\ND AMONG O!R BOOTY4 

,T[>DS ! EV5+1 GR\PS ( RES]VES >RIV+ FROM ,*>TRES 9 GREAT DISORD]1 SCATT]$ ALL OV] ,BELHOM]T & ! CAMP4 ,!Y BR\<T HORRIBLE TALES4 ,! ,PRUSSIANS W]E MORE ?AN A HUNDR$ ?\S& /RONG1 ALL 9 ONE >MY4 ,!Y1 ! RES]VES1 H>DLY HAD TIME TO FALL BACK4444 ,*>TRES WAS 9 FLAMES1 ! VILLAGES 9 ! VIC9ITY W]E BURN+1 ! F>MS W]E DE/ROY$4 ,! GREAT] P>T ( ! ,FR5* DETA*M5TS :I* BORE ! BRUNT ( COV]+ ! RETREAT1 C\LD NOT HOLD \T MU* LONG]4 ,! FUGITIVES W]E QUE/ION$2 !Y W]E ASK$ :E!R !Y SAW ! ,PRUSSIANS1 :AT 9SIGNIA !Y WORE & W]E P>TICUL>LY QUIZZ$ AB\T ALL ! DETAILS ( ! 5EMY UNI=MS4 

,EV]Y FIFTE5 M9UTES NEW RES]VES W\LD %[ UP 9 GR\PS ( TWO OR ?REE1 PALE1 EXHAU/$ ) FATIGUE4 ,MO/ ( !M HAD NO KITS1 SOME HAD NO GUNS1 & !Y W]E TELL+ /ORIES1 EA* MORE T]RIBLE ?AN ! O!R4 ,NONE ( !M WAS W\ND$4 ,IT WAS DECID$ TO QU>T] !M 9 ! *UR*1 TO ! GREAT 9DIGNATION ( ! CURE :O1 LIFT+ HIS >MS TO HEAV51 EXCLAIM$3 

0,HOLY ,VIRG96444 ,9 MY *UR*6444 ,AH6 ,AH6 ,SOLDI]S 9 MY *UR*64440 

,UP TO ?IS TIME ! G5]AL :O WAS PREOCCUPI$ SOLELY ) HIS PLANS ( DE/RUCTION1 HAD NO TIME TO PROVIDE = ! GU>D+ ( ! CAMP1 EXCEPT BY E/ABLI%+ A SMALL \TPO/ 9 A TAV]N1 FREQU5T$ BY C>T]]S )9 A MILE FROM ,BELHOM]T UPON ! ,*>TRES ROAD4 ,?IS \TPO/1 COMM&$ BY A S]GEANT1 HAD NOT RECEIV$ ANY DEF9ITE 9/RUCTIONS1 & ! MAN DID NO?+ EXCEPT LOAF1 DR9K & SLEEP4 ,/ILL ! S5T9EL :O WAS NON*ALANTLY PAC+ TO & FRO 9 FRONT ( ! TAV]N1 GUN ON %\LD]1 AT ONE TIME >RE/$ A C\NTRY DOCTOR AS A ,G]MAN SPY BECAUSE ( HIS BLOND BE>D & BLUE SPECTACLES4 ,AS = ! S]GEANT1 AN OLD PR(ESSIONAL POA*] :O SNE]$ AT EV]Y?+ & EV]YBODY1 HE AMUS$ HIMSELF BY SETT+ TRAPS = RABBITS 9 ! H$GES NE>BY4 

,! >RIVAL ( ! RES]VES1 ! M5ACE ( ! ,PRUSSIANS HAD ?R[N US 9TO CONFUSION4 ,MESS5G]S CAME UP EV]Y M9UTE1 C>RY+ SEAL$ 5VELOPES CONTA9+ ORD]S & C\NT]-ORD]S4 ,! (FIC]S W]E RUNN+ AB\T ) A PREOCCUPI$ LOOK1 NOT KN[+ :AT TO DO1 & COMPLETELY LO/ !IR HEADS4 ,?REE TIMES WE W]E ORD]$ TO BREAK UP CAMP & ?REE TIMES WE W]E TOLD TO PIT* \R T5TS ANEW4 ,ALL NI<T TRUMPETS & BUGLES W]E S\ND+1 & BIG LOG FIRES W]E BURN+1 >\ND :I*1 9 ! GR[+ TUMULT1 W]E PASS+ BACK & =? %AD[S /RANGELY AGITAT$1 SILH\ETTES ( DEMONIACAL APPE>ANCES4 ,PATROLS W]E SC\R+ ! FIELDS1 RID+ \T ON ! CROSSROADS1 SE>*+ ! \TSKIRTS ( ! =E/4 ,>TILL]Y /ATION$ ON ?IS SIDE ( ! T[N WAS ORD]$ TO MOVE UP =W>D UPON ! HEI<TS1 BUT IT RAN 9TO ! B>RICADE4 ,TO CLE> ! WAY = ! CANNONS1 IT WAS F\ND NECESS>Y TO DEMOLI% IT PIECE-MEAL & TO FILL UP ! DIT*4 

,AT DAYBREAK MY COMPANY WAS S5T TO DO MA9 GU>D DUTY4 ,WE MET MOBILIZ$ SOLDI]S1 DISPIRIT$ FRANC-TIREURS :O W]E DRAGG+ !IR FEET PITE\SLY4 ,A LITTLE FUR!R AWAY1 ! G5]AL1 ACCOMPANI$ BY HIS /AFF1 WAS WAT*+ ! MANEUV]S ( ! >TILL]Y4 ,HE HELD A MAP ( ! G5]AL /AFF1 UNFOLD$ ON ! NECK ( HIS HORSE1 & WAS VA9LY TRY+ TO LOCATE ! ,SAUSSAIE MILL4 ,B5D+ OV] ! MAP :I* ! HORSE %IFT$ \T ( PLACE ) EV]Y MOVEM5T ( ITS HEAD1 HE %\T$3 

0,:]E IS ?AT DAMN$ MILL8444 ,PONTG\94444 ,C\VILLE4444 ,C\RVILLE4444 ,DO !Y ?9K ,I KN[ ALL !IR DAMN$ MILLS >\ND H]E80 

,! G5]AL COMM&$ US TO HALT & ASK$3 

0,IS !RE ANYONE H]E :O IS FAMILI> ) ?IS C\NTRY8444 ,IS !RE ANYONE H]E :O KN[S :]E ! ,SAUSSAIE MILL IS80 

,NOBODY ANSW]$4 

0,NO8444 ,WELL ALRI<T4 ,TO HELL ) IT60 

,& HE ?REW ! MAP TO HIS AIDE :O BEGAN FOLD+ IT UP C>EFULLY4 ,WE RESUM$ \R M>*4 

,! COMPANY WAS /ATION$ ON A F>M & ,I WAS PUT ON GU>D DUTY NE> ! ROAD1 AT ! 5TRANCE TO A GROVE1 BEYOND :I* ,I C\LD LOOK ON AN OP5 PLA91 IMM5SE & SMOO? LIKE ! SEA4 ,H]E & !RE SMALL WOODS EM]G$ FROM ! OCEAN ( L& LIKE ISL&S2 ! BELFRIES ( ! VILLAGES1 ! F>MS1 BLURR$ BY ! FOG1 ASSUM$ ! ASPECT ( A DI/ANT VEIL4 ,9 ?IS 5ORM\S EXPANSE A GREAT SIL5CE REIGN$1 A SOLITUDE :]E9 ! LEA/ NOISE1 ! LEA/ ?+ /IRR+ 9 ! SKIES1 HAD SOME?+ MY/]I\S AB\T IT :I* PUT ANGUI% 9TO ONE'S HE>T4 ,UP ABOVE1 BLACK DOTS SPOTT$ ! SKIES--?OSE W]E ! RAV5S2 D[N BEL[1 UPON ! E>?1 SMALL BLACK SPECKS MOV$ =W>D1 GR[+ L>G]1 DISAPPE>+--?OSE W]E ! FLEE+ SOLDI]S ( ! RES]VES2 & N[ & !N ! DI/ANT B>K+ ( DOGS1 ANSW]$ BY SIMIL> B>K+ ALL ALONG ! L9E FROM EA/ TO WE/1 FROM NOR? TO S\?1 S\ND$ LIKE ! PLA9T ( ! DES]T$ FIELDS4 ,\R GU>D WAS SUPPOS$ TO BE RELIEV$ EV]Y F\R H\RS1 BUT H\RS UPON H\RS PASS$1 SL[ & 5DLESS1 & NO ONE CAME TO TAKE MY PLACE4 

,NO D\BT !Y HAD =GOTT5 ALL AB\T ME4 ,) A HEAVY HE>T ,I WAS SE>*+ ! HORIZON ON ! ,PRUSSIAN SIDE1 ! ,FR5* SIDE2 ,I SAW NO?+1 NO?+ BUT ?IS H>D1 REL5TLESS L9E1 :I* 5CIRCL$ ! HUGE GRAY SKY >\ND ME4 ,IT WAS A LONG TIME S9CE ! RAV5S HAD CEAS$ FLY+ & ! RES]VE SOLDI]S FLEE+4 ,= A MOM5T ,I SAW A TRUCK COM+ T[>D ! WOODS :]E ,I WAS1 BUT IT TURN$ (F ON ONE ( ! ROADS & SOON WAS NO LONG] DI/+UI%ABLE FROM ! GRAY T]RA94444 ,:Y DID !Y LEAVE ME ?US8444 ,I WAS HUNGRY & ,I WAS COLD1 MY B[ELS RUMBL$1 MY F+]S BECAME NUMB4 ,I V5TUR$ \T ON ! ROAD A LITTLE2 HAV+ WALK$ A FEW /EPS ,I %\T$4444 ,NOT A BE+ ANSW]$ MY CALL1 NOT A ?+ /IRR$4444 ,I WAS ALONE1 UTT]LY ALONE1 ALONE 9 ?IS DES]T$1 EMPTY FIELD4444 ,A %UDD] PASS$ ?R\< MY FRAME1 & TE>S CAME 9TO MY EYES4444 ,I %\T$ AGA94444 ,NO ANSW]4444 ,!N ,I W5T BACK 9TO ! WOODS & SAT D[N AT ! FOOT ( AN OAK TREE1 ) MY RIFLE ACROSS MY LAP1 KEEP+ A %>P LOOK\T & WAIT+4444 ,ALAS6 ,! DAY WAS WAN+ LITTLE BY LITTLE1 ! SKY GREW YELL[1 !N PURPLE BY DEGREES & F9ALLY VANI%$ 9 DEADLY SIL5CE4 ,& NI<T1 MOONLESS & />LESS1 FELL UPON ! FIELDS1 & AT ! SAME TIME A *ILL+ FOG >OSE FROM ! %AD[S4 

,WORN \T ) FATIGUE1 ALWAYS OCCUPI$ ) SOME?+ OR O!R & NEV] ALONE1 ,I HAD NO TIME TO REFLECT ON ANY?+ FROM ! MOM5T WE />T$ \T4 ,BUT /ILL CONFRONT$ BY ! /RANGE & CRUEL SI<TS CON/ANTLY BE=E MY EYES1 ,I FELT )9 ME ! AWAK5+ ( ! IDEA ( HUMAN LIFE :I* UNTIL N[ HAD LA9 SLUMB]+ 9 ! SLUGGI%NESS ( MY *ILDHOOD & ! TORPOR ( MY Y\?4 ,YES 444 ! IDEA AWOKE CONFUS$LY1 AS IF EM]G+ FROM A LONG & PA9FUL NI<TM>E4 ,& REALITY APPE>$ TO ME MORE FRI<TFUL ?AN ! NI<TM>E4 ,TRANSPOS+ ! 9/9CTS1 ! DESIRES & PASSIONS :I* AGITAT$ US FROM ! SMALL GR\P ( ]RANT M5 ?AT WE W]E TO SOCIETY AS A :OLE1 RECALL+ ! IMPRESSIONS SO FLEET+ & :OLLY EXT]NAL :I* ,I HAD RECEIV$ 9 ,P>IS1 ! RUDE CR[DS1 ! PU%+ & JO/L+ ( P$E/RIANS1 ,I UND]/OOD ?AT ! LAW ( ! WORLD WAS /RIFE2 AN 9EXORABLE1 MURD]\S LAW1 :I* WAS NOT CONT5T ) >M+ NATION AGA9/ NATION BUT :I* HURL$ AGA9/ ONE ANO!R ! *ILDR5 ( ! SAME RACE1 ! SAME FAMILY1 ! SAME WOMB4 ,I F\ND NONE ( ! L(TY AB/RACTIONS ( HONOR1 JU/ICE1 *>ITY1 PATRIOTISM ( :I* \R /&>D BOOKS >E SO FULL1 ON :I* WE >E BR\<T UP1 ) :I* WE >E LULL$ TO SLEEP1 ?R\< :I* !Y HYPNOTIZE US 9 ORD] ! BETT] TO DECEIVE ! K9D LITTLE FOLK1 TO 5?RALL$ !M ! MORE EASILY1 TO BUT*] !M ! MORE F\LLY4 

,:AT WAS ?IS C\NTRY1 9 :OSE NAME SO MANY CRIMES W]E BE+ COMMITT$1 :I* HAD TORN US--=M]LY SO FULL ( LOVE--FROM ! MO!RLY BOSOM ( NATURE1 :I* HAD ?R[N US1 N[ SO FULL ( HATR$1 FAMI%$ & NAK$1 UPON ?IS CRUEL L&8444 ,:AT WAS ?IS C\NTRY1 P]SONIFI$ TO US BY ?IS RABID & PILLAG+ G5]AL :O GAVE V5T TO HIS MADNESS ON OLD PEOPLE & TREES1 & BY ?IS SURGEON :O KICK$ ! SICK ) HIS FEET & MALTREAT$ POOR OLD MO!RS B]EAV$ ( !IR SONS8444 ,:AT WAS ?IS C\NTRY EV]Y /EP ON :OSE SOIL WAS M>K$ BY A GRAVE1 :I* HAD BUT TO LOOK AT ! TRANQUIL WAT]S ( ITS /REAMS TO *ANGE !M 9TO BLOOD1 :I* WAS ALWAYS FRITT]+ AWAY ITS MAN P[]1 DIGG+ H]E & !RE DEEP *>NEL VAULTS :]E ! BE/ *ILDR5 ( M5 W]E ROTT+8444 ,& ,I WAS A/\ND$1 :5 = ! FIR/ TIME IT DAWN$ UPON ME ?AT ONLY ?OSE W]E ! MO/ GLORI\S1 ! MO/ ACCLAIM$ H]OES ( MANK9D :O HAD PILLAG$ ! MO/1 KILL$ ! MO/1 BURN$ ! MO/4 

,!Y CONDEMN TO DEA? ! /EAL?Y MURD]] :O KILLS ! PASS]BY ) A KNIFE1 ON ! CORN] ( ! /REET AT NI<T1 & !Y ?R[ HIS BEHEAD$ BODY 9TO A GRAVE ( 9FAMY4 ,BUT ! CONQU]OR :O HAS BURN$ CITIES & DECIMAT$ HUMAN BE+S1 ALL ! FOLLY & HUMAN C[>DICE UNITE 9 RAIS+ TO ! ?RONE ( ! MO/ M>VEL\S2 9 HIS HONOR TRIUMPHAL >*ES >E BUILT1 GIDDY COLUMNS ( BRONZE >E ]ECT$1 & 9 ! CA!DRALS MULTITUDES REV]5TLY KNEEL BE=E HIS TOMB ( HALL[$ M>BLE GU>D$ BY SA9TS & ANGELS UND] ! DELI<T$ GAZE ( ,GOD6444 ,) :AT REMORSE DID ,I REP5T ( ! FACT ?AT UNTIL N[ ,I HAD REMA9$ BL9D & DEAF TO ?IS LIFE SO FULL ( 9EXPLICABLE RIDDLES6 ,NEV] HAD ,I OPPOS$ ?IS MY/]I\S BOOK1 NEV] HAD ,I /OPP$ EV5 = A S+LE MOM5T TO CONSID] ! QUE/ION M>KS :I* >E REPRES5T$ BY ?+S & BE+S2 ,I DID NOT KN[ ANY?+4 ,& N[1 SUDD5LY1 A DESIRE TO KN[1 A YE>N+ TO WRE/ FROM LIFE SOME ( ITS 5IGMAS TORM5T$ ME2 ,I WANT$ TO KN[ ! HUMAN REASON = CRE$S :I* /UPEFY1 = GOV]NM5TS :I* OPPRESS1 = SOCIETY :I* KILLS2 ,I LONG$ TO BE ?R\< ) ?IS W> SO ?AT ,I MI<T CONSECRATE MYSELF TO SOME >D5T CAUSE1 TO SOME MAGNIFIC5T & ABSURD APO/LE%IP4 

,MY ?\<T TRAVEL$ T[>D IMPOSSIBLE PHILOSOPHIES ( LOVE1 T[>D UTOPIAS ( UNDY+ BRO!RHOOD4444 ,I SAW ALL M5 B5T D[N B5EA? SOME CRU%+ HEELS2 !Y ALL RESEMBL$ ! LITTLE SOLDI] ( ! RES]VES AT ,SA9T-,MI*EL1 :OSE EYES W]E RUNN+1 :O WAS C\<+ & SPITT+ BLOOD1 & AS ,I KNEW NO?+ ( ! NECESSITY ( HI<] LAWS ( NATURE1 A FEEL+ ( COMPASSION ROSE )9 ME1 CLOGG+ MY ?ROAT ) SUPPRESS$ SOBS4 ,I HAVE NOTIC$ ?AT A MAN HAS NO REAL COMPASSION = ANYONE EXCEPT :5 HE HIMSELF IS UNHAPPY4 ,WAS ?IS NOT1 AFT] ALL1 BUT A =M ( SELF-PITY8 ,& IF ON ?IS COLD NI<T1 CLOSE TO ! 5EMY :O W\LD P]HAPS COME \T ( ! FOGS ( ! MORR[1 ,I LOV$ HUMANITY SO MU*--WAS IT NOT MYSELF ONLY ?AT ,I LOV$1 MYSELF ONLY ?AT ,I WANT$ TO SAVE FROM SUFF]+8 ,!SE REGRETS ( ! PA/1 !SE PLANS = ! FUTURE1 ?IS SUDD5 PASSION = /UDY1 ?IS >DOR :I* ,I EMPLOY$ 9 PICTUR+ MYSELF 9 ! FUTURE 9 MY ROOM ON ! ,RUE ,\D9OT1 9 ! MID/ ( BOOKS & PAP]S1 MY EYES BURN+ ) ! FEV] ( WORK--WAS ?IS NOT AFT] ALL ONLY A MEANS TO W>D (F ! P]ILS ( ! PRES5T1 TO DISPEL O!R HORRIBLE VISIONS1 VISIONS ( DEA? :I*1 BLURR$ & BLUNT$1 9CESSANTLY FOLL[$ ONE ANO!R 9 ! T]ROR ( D>KNESS8 

,NI<T1 IMP5ETRABLE NI<T CONT9U$4 ,UND] ! SKY :I* BROOD$ OV] !M1 S9I/] & GRE$Y1 ! FIELDS /RET*$ LIKE A VA/ SEA ( ,%AD[4 ,AT LONG 9T]VALS1 \T ( ! DEAD :IT5ESS1 LONG CURTA9S ( FOG W]E FLOAT+ UP ABOVE1 GRAZ+ ! 9VISIBLE GR\ND :]E CLUMPS ( TREES H]E & !RE APPE>$ /ILL D>K] 9 ! SURR\ND+ D>KNESS4 ,I NEV] /IRR$ FROM ! PLACE :]E ,I SAT D[N1 & ! COLD NUMB$ MY MEMB]S & *APP$ MY LIPS4 ,) DIFFICULTY ,I RAIS$ MYSELF & WALK$ ON ! \TSKIRT ( ! WOODS4 ,! S\ND ( MY [N /EPS ON ! GR\ND FRI<T5$ ME1 IT ALWAYS SEEM$ TO ME ?AT SOMEONE WAS WALK+ BEH9D ME4 ,I WAS WALK+ C>EFULLY1 ON TIPTOE1 AS IF AFRAID TO WAKE ! SLEEP+ E>?1 & LI/5$1 TRY+ TO P5ETRATE ! D>KNESS1 = 9 SPITE ( EV]Y?+1 ,I HAD NOT YET GIV5 UP ! HOPE ?AT SOME ONE W\LD COME TO RELIEVE ME4 ,NOT A /IR1 NOT A BREA?1 NOT A GLIMM] ( LI<T 9 ?IS BL9D & MUTE NI<T4 ,TWICE1 H[EV]1 ,I DI/9CTLY HE>D ! S\ND ( /EPS1 & MY HE>T ?UMP$ VIOL5TLY4444 ,BUT ! NOISE MOV$ AWAY1 GREW FA9T] BY DEGREES1 CEAS$ ALTOGE!R & SIL5CE SET 9 AGA91 MORE OPPRESSIVE1 MORE T]RIBLE1 MORE DI%E>T5+ ?AN EV]4 

,A BRAN* BRU%$ AGA9/ MY FACE2 ,I RECOIL$1 SEIZ$ ) T]ROR4 ,FUR!R AWAY1 A RISE 9 ! GR\ND APPE>$ TO ME LIKE A MAN :O ) CROOK$ BACK SEEM$ TO BE CRAWL+ T[>D ME2 ,I LOAD$ MY RIFLE4444 ,AT ! SI<T ( AN AB&ON$ PL[ ) ITS >MS TURN$ UPW>D T[>D ! SKY1 LIKE ! M5AC+ HORNS ( SOME MON/]1 MY BREA? LEFT ME & ,I ALMO/ FELL ON MY BACK4444 ,I WAS AFRAID ( ! %AD[1 ( ! SIL5CE1 ( ! LEA/ OBJECT ?AT EXT5D$ BEYOND ! L9E ( ! HORIZON & :I* MY D]ANG$ IMAG9ATION 5D[$ ) A S\L ( S9I/] LIFE4444 ,DESPITE ! COLD1 P]SPIRATION 9 L>GE DROPS WAS /REAM+ UPON MY FACE4444 ,I HAD A NOTION TO QUIT MY PO/1 TO RETURN TO CAMP1 P]SUAD+ MYSELF BY ALL SORTS ( +5I\S & C[>DLY >GUM5TS ?AT MY COMRADES HAD =GOTT5 ALL AB\T ME & ?AT !Y W\LD BE GLAD TO SEE ME BACK ) !M4 ,OBVI\SLY1 S9CE ,I HAD NOT BE5 RELIEV$ BY ANYONE FROM MY COMPANY1 & SAW NONE ( ! (FIC]S MAKE HIS R\ND ( 9SPECTION1 !Y MU/ HAVE LEFT4444 ,BUT SUPPOS+ ,I W]E MI/AK5 AB\T IT1 :AT EXCUSE C\LD ,I (F]1 & H[ W\LD ,I BE RECEIV$ AT ! CAMP8444 ,TO GO BACK TO ! F>M :]E MY COMPANY WAS QU>T]$ ?IS MORN+ & ASK = 9/RUCTIONS8444 ,I WAS ?9K+ ( DO+ IT4444 ,BUT 9 MY PLI<T ,I HAD LO/ ALL S5SE ( DIRECTION1 & IF ,I ATTEMPT$ TO DO ?AT ,I W\LD SURELY GET LO/ 9 ?IS PLA9 ?AT WAS SO 5DLESS & SO BLACK4 

,!N AN ABOM9ABLE ?\<T FLA%$ ?R\< MY M9D4444 ,YES1 :Y NOT DIS*>GE A BULLET 9TO MY >M & RUN BACK1 BLE$+ & W\ND$1 & TELL !M ?AT ,I HAD BE5 ATTACK$ BY ! ,PRUSSIANS8444 ,I HAD TO MAKE A /RONG EF=T TO REGA9 MY REASON :I* WAS LEAV+ ME2 ,I HAD TO GA!R ALL ! MORAL =CES ?AT W]E LEFT 9 ME 9 ORD] TO GET AWAY FROM ?IS C[>DLY & ODI\S IMPULSE1 FROM ?IS WRET*$ EC/ASY ( FE>1 & ,I DESP]ATELY /ROVE TO RECALL ! MEMORIES ( =M] TIMES1 TO CONJURE UP G5TLE & SIL5T VISIONS1 SWEET-SC5T$ & :ITE-W+$4444 ,!Y CAME TO ME AS 9 A PA9FUL DREAM1 DI/ORT$1 MUTILAT$1 UND] ! SPELL ( HALLUC9ATION1 & FE> IMM$IATELY ?REW !M 9TO CONFUSION4444 ,! ,VIRG9 ( ,SA9T-,MI*EL1 ) A BODY ( P9K1 9 A BLUE MANTLE1 ADORN$ ) GOLD5 />S1 ,I SAW 9 A LEWD ATTITUDE1 PRO/ITUT+ H]SELF ON A B$1 9 SOME MIS]ABLE %ACK1 ) DRUNK5 SOLDI]S4 ,MY FAVORITE SPOTS 9 ! ,T\R\VRE =E/1 SO PEACEFUL1 :]E ,I US$ TO /AY = 5TIRE DAYS1 /RET*$ \T ON ! MOSSY GR\ND1 W]E TURN+ TOPSY-TURVY1 TANGL$ UP1 BR&I%+ !IR GIGANTIC TREES OV] ME2 !N A FEW H[ITZ] %ELLS CROSS$ ONE ANO!R 9 ! AIR1 RESEMBL+ FAMILI> FACES :I* SNIGG]$2 ONE ( !SE PROJECTILES SUDD5LY SPREAD \T WIDE W+S1 FLAME-COLOR$1 :I* SWUNG >\ND ME & 5VELOP$ ME4444 ,I CRI$ \T4444 ,MY ,GOD1 AM ,I GO+ CRAZY8 ,I FELT MY BREA/1 MY *E/1 MY BACK1 MY LEGS4444 ,I MU/ HAVE BE5 AS PALE AS A CORPSE1 & ,I FELT A %IV] PASS+ ?R\< ME FROM HE>T TO BRA91 LIKE A /EEL BORE4444 

0,LET'S SEE N[10 ,I SAID AL\D TO MYSELF TO MAKE SURE ?AT ,I WAS AWAKE1 ?AT ,I WAS ALIVE4444 ,9 TWO GULPS ,I SWALL[$ ! REMA9D] ( ! :ISKEY 9 MY FLASK1 & ,I />T$ TO WALK V]Y FA/1 TRAMP+ ) RAGE UPON ! CLODS UND] MY FEET1 :I/L+ ! AIR ( A SOLDI] SONG :I* WE US$ TO S+ 9 *ORUS TO RELIEVE ! T$IUM ( ! M>*4 ,SOME:AT CALM$1 ,I CAME BACK TO ! OAK TREE & KICK$ ITS TRUNK ) ! SOLE ( MY BOOTS2 = ,I WAS 9 NE$ ( ?IS NOISE & ?IS PHYSICAL MOTION4444 ,& N[ ,I ?\<T ( MY FA!R SO LONELY AT ! ,PRIORY4 ,IT WAS MORE ?AN ?REE WEEKS S9CE ,I HAD RECEIV$ A LETT] FROM HIM4 ,OH6 ,H[ SAD & HE>T-R5D+ HIS LA/ LETT] WAS6444 ,IT DID NOT COMPLA9 ( ANY?+1 BUT ONE FELT 9 IT A DEEP DESPAIR1 A WE>ISOM5ESS ( BE+ ALONE 9 ?AT L>GE EMPTY H\SE1 & ANXIETY AB\T ME :O1 HE KNEW1 WAS W&]+1 KNAPSACK ON BACK1 AMID ! DANG]S ( BATTLE4444 ,POOR FA!R6 ,HE HAD NOT BE5 HAPPY ) MY MO!R--:O WAS ILL1 ALWAYS FRETFUL1 :O DID NOT LOVE HIM & C\LD NOT /& HIS PRES5CE4444 ,& NEV] A SIGN ( REPROA*1 NOT EV5 :5 MEET+ ) ! MO/ PA9FUL REBUFF & UNK9DNESS6444 ,HE US$ TO B5D HIS BACK LIKE A DOG1 & WALK \T4444 

,AH6 H[ ,I REP5T$ ( ! FACT ?AT ,I DID NOT LOVE HIM 5\<4 ,P]HAPS HE HAD NOT BR\<T ME UP 9 ! MANN] HE %\LD HAVE DONE4 ,BUT :AT DIFF]5CE DID IT MAKE8 ,HE DID EV]Y?+ HE C\LD6444 ,HE WAS HIMSELF )\T EXP]I5CE 9 LIFE1 DEF5SELESS AGA9/ EVIL1 ( A K9DLY BUT TIMID NATURE4 ,& 9 ! MEASURE ?AT ! FEATURES ( MY FA!R /OOD \T CLE>LY BE=E ME EV5 TO !IR SMALLE/ DETAILS1 ! FACE ( MY MO!R WAS OBLIT]AT+ ITSELF1 & ,I WAS NO LONG] ABLE TO RECALL ITS 5DE>+ \TL9E4 ,AT ?IS MOM5T ALL ! AFFECTION ?AT ,I HAD = MY MO!R ,I TRANSF]R$ TO MY FA!R4 ,I RECALL$ ) T5D]NESS H[ ON ! DAY MY MO!R DI$ HE TOOK ME ON HIS LAP & SAID1 0,P]HAPS IT'S = ! BE/40 ,& N[ ,I UND]/OOD H[ MU* SORR[ ACCUMULAT$ 9 ! PA/ & T]ROR 9 FAC+ ! FUTURE !RE WAS SUMM$ UP 9 ?AT PHRASE4 ,IT WAS = H] SAKE ?AT HE SAID ?AT1 & ALSO = ! SAKE ( ONE :O RESEMBL$ MY MO!R SO MU*1 & NOT = HIS [N CONSOLATION1 UNHAPPY MAN ?AT HE WAS1 :O HAD RESIGN$ HIMSELF TO SUFF]+ ALL4444 ,DUR+ ! LA/ ?REE YE>S HE HAD AG$ V]Y MU*2 HIS TALL FRAME WAS WORN \T1 HIS FACE1 =M]LY SO R$ ) ! COLOR ( HEAL?1 GREW YELL[ & WR9KL$1 HIS HAIR BECAME ALMO/ :ITE4 ,HE NO LONG] LAY 9 WAIT = ! BIRDS 9 ! P>K1 HE LET ! CATS ROVE AMONG ! LIANAS & LICK ! WAT] FROM ! BAS92 HE TOOK LITTLE 9T]E/ 9 HIS PRACTICE1 ! DIRECTION ( :I* HE LEFT TO HIS *IEF CL]K1 A TRU/$ MAN :O WAS /EAL+ FROM HIM2 HE NO LONG] OCCUPI$ HIMSELF ) ! SMALL BUT HONORABLE AFFAIRS ( HIS LOCALITY4 ,HE NEV] W5T \T1 HE W\LD NOT EV5 /IR FROM HIS ROCK+-*AIR ) SMALL PILL[S :I* HE ORD]$ MOV$ 9TO ! KIT*51 NOT WI%+ TO /AY ALONE--)\T ,M>IE :O W\LD BR+ HIM HIS CANE & HIS HAT4 

0,WELL1 ,MONSIEUR1 Y\ MU/ TAKE A LITTLE WALK4 ,Y\ >E GETT+ ALL 'RU/Y' 9 Y\R CORN] !RE44440 

0,ALL RI<T1 ,M>IE4 ,I AM GO+ TO TAKE ! AIR4444 ,I'LL WALK ALONG ! BANK ( ! RIV]1 IF Y\ WANT ME TO40 

0,NO1 ,MONSIEUR1 Y\ MU/ TAKE A WALK 9 ! WOODS4444 ,! AIR !RE WILL DO Y\ GOOD40 

0,ALL RI<T1 ,M>IE1 ,I AM GO+ TO TAKE A WALK 9 ! WOODS40 

,AT TIMES1 SEE+ HIM 9ACTIVE1 SLUMB]+1 %E W\LD TAP HIM ON ! %\LD]3 

0,:Y DON'T Y\ GET Y\R RIFLE1 ,MONSIEUR8 ,!RE >E A LOT ( F9*ES 9 ! P>K40 

,& LOOK+ AT H] ) AN AIR ( REPROA*1 MY FA!R W\LD MUTT]3 

0,F9*ES8444 ,! POOR ?+S64440 

,:Y DID MY FA!R NOT WRITE TO ME8 ,DID MY LETT]S REA* HIM AT ALL8 ,I REPROA*$ MYSELF ) HAV+ BE5 TOO DRY 9 MY LETT]S UNTIL N[1 & ,I PROMIS$ MYSELF TO WRITE TO HIM ! NEXT DAY--! FIR/ OPPORTUNITY ,I GOT--A LONG AFFECTIONATE LETT]1 9 :I* ,I WAS GO+ TO P\R \T MY HE>T TO HIM4 

,! SKY WAS GRADUALLY CLE>+ WAY YOND] ON ! HORIZON :OSE \TL9E /OOD \T CLE> AGA9/ A D>K] BLUE4 ,IT WAS /ILL NI<T1 ! FIELDS REMA9$ D>K1 BUT ONE C\LD FEEL ! APPROA*+ DAWN4 ,! COLD WAS MORE PI]C+ ?AN EV]1 ! E>? CRACK$ H>D] UND] ! FEET1 MOI/URE CRY/ALLIZ$ 9TO DROPS ON ! BRAN*ES ( ! TREES4 ,& LITTLE BY LITTLE ! SKY WAS BRI<T5$ BY A FA9T GLIMM] ( PALE-GOLD COLOR :I* WAS GR[+ 9 DI/9CTNESS4 ,GRADUALLY1 \TL9ES EM]G$ FROM ! %AD[1 9DEF9ITE & CONFUS$ AS YET1 ! OPAQUE BLACKNESS ( ! PLA9 *ANG$ 9TO A DULL VIOLET1 H]E & !RE R5T BY LI<T4444 ,SUDD5LY ,I HE>D A NOISE1 WEAK AT FIR/1 LIKE ! DI/ANT ROLL ( A DRUM4444 ,I LI/5$1 MY HE>T BEAT+ VIOL5TLY4 ,PRES5TLY ! NOISE /OPP$ & ! COCKS CR[$4444 ,AB\T T5 M9UTES LAT] ! NOISE />T$ AGA91 MORE DI/9CT1 COM+ NE>]6444 ,PA-TA-RA6 ,PA-TA-RA6 ,IT WAS ! GALLOP ( A HORSE ON ! ,*>TRES ROAD4444 ,9/9CTIVELY ,I BUCKL$ UP MY KNAPSACK ON MY BACK & MADE SURE ?AT MY RIFLE WAS LOAD$4444 ,I WAS V]Y EXCIT$1 ! VE9S 9 MY TEMPLES DILAT$4444 ,PA-TA-RA6 ,PA-TA-RA6444 

,H>DLY HAD ,I TIME 5\< TO SQUAT D[N BEH9D ! OAK TREE1 :5 ON ! ROAD1 AT A DI/ANCE ( TW5TY PACES 9 FRONT ( ME1 !RE SUDD5LY APPE>$ A L>GE %AD[1 SURPRIS+LY IMMOBILE1 LIKE AN EQUE/RIAN /ATUE ( BRONZE1 & ?IS 5ORM\S %AD[ :I* OBTRUD$ ITSELF ALMO/ 5TIRELY UPON ! BRI<TNESS ( ! EA/]N SKY WAS T]RIBLE TO BEHOLD4444 ,! MAN APPE>$ TO ME SUP]HUMAN1 9ORD9ATELY L>GE AGA9/ ! SKY6444,HE WORE ! FLAT CAP ( ! ,PRUSSIANS1 A LONG BLACK CLOAK1 UND] :I* ! *E/ WAS BULG+ \T GREATLY4 ,WAS HE AN (FIC] OR A PLA9 SOLDI]8 ,I DID NOT KN[1 = ,I C\LD NOT DI/+UI% ANY 9SIGNIA ( RANK ON ! D>K UNI=M4444 ,HIS FEATURES1 AT FIR/ 9DI/9CT1 BECAME MORE ACC5TUAT$4 ,HE HAD CLE> EYES1 V]Y LIMPID1 A BROAD BE>D1 HIS BE>+ BESPOKE Y\?FUL /R5G?2 HIS FACE BREA!D P[] & K9DNESS ALONG ) SOME?+ NOBLE1 AUDACI\S & SAD :I* /RUCK ME4 ,HOLD+ HIS H& FLAT ON HIS ?I<1 HE /UDI$ ! C\NTRY BE=E HIM1 & HIS HORSE SCRAP$ ! GR\ND ) ITS HO(S & PUFF$ LONG /REAMS ( VAPOR 9 ! AIR ?R\< ITS QUIV]+ NO/RILS4444 ,EVID5TLY ?IS ,PRUSSIAN WAS RECONNOIT]+1 HE CAME TO OBS]VE \R POSITION1 ! NATURE ( ! GR\ND2 UND\BT$LY A :OLE >MY WAS SW>M+ BEH9D HIM1 WAIT+ = A SIGNAL FROM ?IS MAN TO ?R[ !MSELVES ON ! PLA96444 

,WELL HIDD5 9 MY WOODS1 ) RIFLE READY1 ,I WAS WAT*+ HIM4444 ,HE WAS H&SOME 9DE$1 LIFE FL[$ ABUNDANTLY 9 ?IS ROBU/ BODY4444 ,:AT A PITY6 ,HE KEPT ON /UDY+ ! C\NTRY1 & IT SEEM$ TO ME AS ?\< HE W]E /UDY+ IT MORE LIKE A POET ?AN A SOLDI]4444 ,I DETECT$ A SORT ( EMOTION 9 HIS EYES4444 ,P]HAPS HE =GOT :Y HE HAD COME H]E & ALL[$ HIMSELF TO BE FASC9AT$ BY ! BEAUTY ( ?IS VIRG9AL & TRIUMPHANT DAWN4 ,! SKY BECAME ALL R$1 IT BLAZ$ UP GLORI\SLY1 ! AWAK5$ FIELDS UNROLL$ !MSELVES 9 ! DI/ANCE1 EM]G+ ONE AFT] ANO!R FROM !IR VEIL ( MI/1 ROSE-COLOR$ & BLUE1 :I* FLOAT$ LIKE LONG SC>VES RUFFL$ BY 9VISIBLE H&S4 ,! TREES W]E DRIPP+ DEW1 ! HOVELS SEP>AT$ !MSELVES FROM ! P9K & BLUE BACKGR\ND1 ! DOVE-COT ( A L>GE F>M :OSE NEW TILE RO(S BEGAN TO GLITT]1 PROJECT$ ITS :ITI% CONE 9TO ! PURPLE GL>E ( ! EA/4444 ,YES1 ?IS ,PRUSSIAN :O />T$ \T ) ! NOTION TO KILL1 WAS >RE/$1 DAZZL$ & REV]5TLY /IRR$ BY ! SPL5DOR ( A NEW-BORN DAY1 & HIS S\L = A FEW M9UTES WAS ! CAPTIVE ( LOVE4 

0,P]HAPS IT'S A POET10 ,I SAID TO MYSELF1 0AN >TI/2 HE MU/ BE K9D1 S9CE HE IS CAPABLE ( T5D]NESS40 

,& UPON HIS FACE ,I C\LD SEE ALL ! EMOTION ( A BRAVE MAN :I* AGITAT$ HIM1 ALL ! TREMORS1 ALL ! DELICATE & FLITT+ REACTIONS ( HIS HE>T1 MOV$ & FASC9AT$4444 ,I FE>$ HIM NO LONG]4 ,ON ! CONTR>Y1 A SORT ( 9FATUATION DREW ME T[>DS HIM1 & ,I HAD TO HOLD ON TO ! TREE TO KEEP MYSELF FROM GO+ TO ?IS MAN4 ,I W\LD HAVE LIK$ TO SPEAK TO HIM1 TO TELL HIM ?AT IT WAS WELL ?AT HE CONTEMPLAT$ ! HEAV5 ?US1 & ?AT ,I LIK$ HIM BECAUSE ( HIS RECEPTIV5ESS TO BEAUTY4444 ,BUT HIS FACE GREW SOMB]1 A SADNESS /OLE 9TO HIS EYES4444 ,AH1 ! HORIZON OV] :I* !Y SWEPT WAS SO F>1 SO F> AWAY6 ,& BEYOND ?AT HORIZON !RE WAS ANO!R & FUR!R ON1 /ILL ANO!R6 ,ONE HAD TO CONQU] ALL ?AT6444 ,:5 WAS HE TO BE RELIEV$ ( HIS DUTY EV] TO SPUR HIS HORSE ON ?R\< ?IS NO/ALGIC T]RITORY1 ALWAYS TO CUT A WAY ?R\< RU9S & ?R\< DEA?1 ALWAYS TO KILL1 ALWAYS TO BE CURS$6444 

,& !N1 UND\BT$LY1 HE WAS ?9K+ ( ! ?+S HE HAD LEFT BEH9D2 ( HIS HOME RES\ND+ ) ! LAU<T] ( HIS *ILDR51 ( HIS WIFE1 :O WAS WAIT+ = HIM & PRAY+ TO ,GOD :ILE DO+ SO4444 ,WILL HE EV] SEE H] AGA98444 ,I WAS SURE ?AT AT ?IS V]Y MOM5T HE WAS RECALL+ ! MO/ FUGITIVE DETAILS1 ! MO/ *ILDI% HABITS ( HIS LIFE AT HOME 444 A ROSE PLUCK$ ONE EV5+1 AFT] D9N]1 ) :I* HE ADORN$ ! HAIR ( HIS WIFE1 ! DRESS :I* %E WORE :5 HE WAS LEAV+1 A BLUE B[ ON ! HAT ( HIS LITTLE DAU<T]1 A WOOD5 HORSE1 A TREE1 A RIV] VIEW1 A PAP] KNIFE6444 ,ALL ! MEMORIES ( HIS JOYS CAME BACK TO HIM1 & ) ?AT KE5NESS ( VISION :I* EXIL$ P]SONS POSSESS1 HE 5COMPASS$ 9 A S+LE M5TAL GLANCE ( DESPOND5CY ALL ?OSE ?+S BY MEANS ( :I* HE HAD BE5 HAPPY UNTIL N[4444 

,! SUN ROSE HI<]1 R5D]+ ! PLA9 L>G]1 EXT5D+ ! DI/ANT HORIZON /ILL F>!R4444 ,I FELT A COMPASSION = ?IS MAN & ,I LOV$ HIM 444 YES ,I SWE> ,I LOV$ HIM6444 ,WELL1 !N1 H[ DID ?AT HAPP58444 ,A DETONATION WAS SUDD5LY HE>D1 & AT ?AT V]Y MOM5T ,I CAU<T SI<T ( A BOOT 9 ! AIR1 ( A TORN PIECE ( A MILIT>Y CLOAK1 ( A MANE FLY+ AB\T WILDLY ON ! ROAD 444 & !N NO?+1 ,I HE>D ! NOISE ( A BL[ ) A SAB]1 ! HEAVY FALL ( A BODY1 FURI\S BEATS ( A GALLOP 444 !N NO?+4444 ,MY RIFLE WAS W>M1 & SMOKE WAS COM+ \T ( IT4444 ,I LET IT FALL TO ! GR\ND4444 ,WAS ,I ! VICTIM ( HALLUC9ATION8444 ,CLE>LY NOT4 ,( ! L>GE %AD[ :I* ROSE SKYW>D AT ! MIDDLE ( ! ROAD LIKE AN EQUE/RIAN /ATUE ( BRONZE !RE WAS LEFT BUT A SMALL CORPSE ALL BLACK1 /RET*$ \T FACE D[NW>D1 ) CROSS$ >MS4444 ,I RECALL$ ! POOR CAT ?AT MY FA!R HAD KILL$1 :5 ) FASC9AT$ EYES %E HAD BE5 FOLL[+ ! FLI<T ( A BUTT]FLY4444 

,/UPIDLY1 UNCONSCI\SLY1 ,I HAD KILL$ A MAN :OM ,I LOV$1 A MAN ) :OM MY S\L HAD JU/ ID5TIFI$ ITSELF1 A MAN :O 9 ! DAZZL+ SPL5DOR ( ! RIS+ SUN WAS RETRAC+ ! PURE/ DREAMS ( HIS LIFE6444 ,P]HAPS ,I HAD KILL$ HIM AT ! V]Y MOM5T ?AT ?AT MAN HAD SAID TO HIMSELF3 0,& :5 ,I %ALL SEE H] AGA9 AT HOME44440 ,:Y8 ,= :AT REASON8 ,S9CE ,I LOV$ HIM1 S9CE1 IF SOLDI]S HAD M5AC$ HIM1 ,I W\LD HAVE DEF5D$ HIM6 ,:Y ( ALL M5 WAS IT HE ,I ASSASS9AT$8 ,9 TWO B\NDS ,I WAS BESIDE ?IS MAN2 ,I CALL$ HIM 444 HE DID NOT MOVE4 ,MY BULLET HAD PI]C$ HIS NECK UND] ! E>1 & BLOOD WAS GU%+ FROM AN OP5$ VE9 ) A GURGL+ S\ND1 COLLECT+ 9TO A R$ POOL & /ICK+ TO HIS BE>D4444 ,) TREMBL+ H&S ,I RAIS$ HIM SL[LY1 HIS HEAD SWUNG FROM SIDE TO SIDE1 FELL BACK1 9]T & HEAVY4444 ,I FELT HIS *E/ :]E ! HE>T WAS3 IT BEAT NO LONG]4444 ,!N ,I RAIS$ HIM AGA91 SUPPORT+ HIS HEAD ) MY KNEES1 & SUDD5LY ,I SAW HIS EYES1 HIS TWO CLE> EYES :I* LOOK$ AT ME SADLY1 )\T HATR$1 )\T REPROA*1 HIS TWO EYES :I* SEEM$ TO BE ALIVE6444 ,I ?\<T ,I WAS GO+ TO FA9T1 BUT GA!R+ ALL MY /R5G? 9 A SUPREME EF=T1 ,I CLASP$ ! DEAD BODY ( ! ,PRUSSIAN1 PLAC$ IT RI<T 9 FRONT ( ME & PRESS+ MY LIPS AGA9/ ?IS BLE$+ FACE FROM :I* LONG1 PURPLE ?READS ( CONGEAL$ SLAV] W]E HANG+1 ,I DESP]ATELY KISS$ IT6444 

,FROM ?IS MOM5T ON ,I DON'T REMEMB] ANY?+4444 ,I SEE AGA9 SMOKY FIELDS COV]$ ) SN[1 & RU9S BURN+ 9CESSANTLY1 EV] RECURR+ DISMAL FLI<TS1 DELIRI\S M>*ES DUR+ ! NI<T1 CONFUSION AT ! CROSSROADS CONGE/$ ) AMMUNITION WAGONS1 :]E ! DRAGOONS ) DRAWN SWORDS W]E DRIV+ !IR HORSES RI<T 9TO \R MID/ & TRY+ TO CUT A WAY ?R\< ! WAGONS2 ,I SEE AGA9 FUN]AL C>RIAGES1 FOLL[$ BY DEAD BODIES ( Y\NG M5 :I* WE BURI$ 9 ! FROZ5 GR\ND1 SAY+ TO \RSELVES ?AT TOMORR[ W\LD BE \R TURN2 ,I SEE AGA91 NE> ! CANNON C>RIAGES1 L>GE C>CASSES ( HORSES DISMEMB]$ BY H[ITZ] %ELLS1 /IFF1 CUT UP1 OV] :I* WE US$ TO QU>REL 9 ! EV5+1 FROM :I* WE US$ TO C>RY AWAY1 9TO \R T5TS1 BLE$+ PORTIONS :I* WE DEV\R$ GR[L+1 %[+ \R TEE? LIKE WOLVES6444,& ,I SEE AGA9 ! SURGEON1 ) SLEEVES ( HIS :ITE COAT ROLL$ UP1 PIPE 9 M\?1 AMPUTAT+ ON A TABLE1 9 A F>MH\SE1 BY ! SMOKY LI<T ( A TALL[ C&LE1 ! FOOT ( A LITTLE SOLDI] /ILL WE>+ HIS CO>SE %OES6444 ,BUT ABOVE ALL ,I SEE AGA9 ! ,PRIORY1 :5 WORN \T & BROK5 9 BODY & SPIRIT BY !SE SUFF]+S1 R5D]$ APA!TIC BY ! DISA/] ( DEFEAT ,I RE5T]$ IT ONE NICE & SUNNY DAY4444 ,! W9D[S ( ! L>GE H\SE W]E CLOS$1 ! W9D[ BL9DS W]E D[N 9 EV]Y ROOM4444 ,FELIX1 MORE B5T ?AN EV]1 WAS CLEAN+ ! WALK & ,M>IE1 SEAT$ NE> ! KIT*5 DOOR1 WAS KNITT+ A PAIR ( /OCK+S1 WAGG+ H] HEAD4 

0,WELL6 ,WELL60 ,I %\T$1 0IS ?AT ! WAY Y\ RECEIVE ME60 

,AS SOON AS ! TWO NOTIC$ ME1 ,FELIX W5T AWAY AS IF FRI<T5$ & ,M>IE GR[+ PALE1 UTT]$ A CRY4 

0,:AT'S ! MATT]80 ,I ASK$ ) A HEAVY HE>T4 0,H[ AB\T FA!R80 

,! OLD WOMAN LOOK$ AT ME FIX$LY4 

0,:Y1 DON'T Y\ KN[8444 ,HAV5'T Y\ RECEIV$ ANY?+8444 ,AH1 MY POOR ,MONSIEUR ,JEAN6 ,MY POOR ,MONSIEUR ,JEAN60 

,& ) EYES FILL$ ) TE>S1 %E /RET*$ \T H] >MS 9 ! DIRECTION ( ! CEMET]Y4 

0,YES6 ,YES6 ,!RE IS :]E HE IS N[1 ) ,MADAME10 %E SAID 9 A DULL VOICE4 

,FROM 3 ,!,AN>*I/,LIBR>Y4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,OCTOB] #c#a1 #ahhf 3 ,*APT] #b -- ,PUBLICATION4 
,JANU>Y #i1 #bba 3 ,*APT] #b -- ,ADD$4 

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