6. An Encounter

“It is not the first run you have had us make today, and always hunting phantoms!” answered the officer. What shall we do with our capture? Little girl, will you join the regiment? Ah! you are too small; you would have done better not to have come out of your cradle this morning.”

“This fine hay,” said the first officer, “is not to be disdained.” And, speaking to Maroussia:

“Is Knich’s house far from here?”

“Far enough.”

“What do you mean by that? Shall you reach there with your oxen in one hour, or two?”

“In two or three hours, perhaps.”

“Very well! My advice then is, that we escort the wagon to this man’s house, if he wishes the hay, he shall buy it again. Little girl, is the house of your father’s friend very fine? Is he a rich farmer?”

“He has a large garden and many apple-trees.”

“Simpleton! What do we care for his apples! Come on! We will ascertain for ourselves what this Knich is worth. Our visit cannot fail of being an agreeable surprise to him.”

The officer spurred his horse and dashed forward. His comrades followed him grumbling.

“You are a perfect idiot! Here is a whole day spent in running about for nothing, what useless trouble you cause us.”

“Forward, little girl!” said the soldiers to Maroussia. “Forward!”

The wagon proceeded, surrounded by the detachment of soldiers.

Maroussia saw only forbidding faces all around her. While asking herself with agony what would be the wisest thing to do, to come safely out of this great danger, she timidly examined the stern, dark, implacable faces, bristling with mustaches, which surrounded her.

They all appeared, whilst following her step by step, to be resting themselves after many fatigues and bloody deeds. “How many of our people have these men already killed?” the child said to herself. “Isn’t it terrible to think of it? Are they thinking only of the evil they have done? The faces of some are sad. Their hearts are not all stone, perhaps. And if they should find him? Oh, no! They would have no mercy!” Maroussia’s oxen, though keeping their majestic gravity as usual, animated perhaps by the trampling of the cavalry, and enlivened by the fresh morning breeze, now walked with a little quicker step. The horses of the detachment marched in order, but from time to time, those which were nearest the wagon stretched out their necks and seized, with unspeakable pleasure, a little hay from the bundles which were within the reach of their teeth. This made Maroussia tremble. If a bundle should become loose, if—

Suddenly, Maroussia, glancing around among the soldiers, discovered a pair of eyes which were fixed upon her; they were piercing as the blade of a dagger, and shone like burning coals; they looked at her with great attention, yes, perhaps with a certain mistrust.