Valmond stood watching intently, and the people were very still, for this
seemed like real life, and no burlesque. Some of the soldiery had
military clothes, old militia uniforms, or the rebel trappings of '37;
others, less fortunate, wore their trousers in long boots, their coats
buttoned lightly over their chests, and belted in; and the Napoleonic
cockade was in every cap.
"My children," said Valmond at last, "I see that your hearts are strong,
and that you have the bodies of true men. We have sworn fealty to each
other, and the badge of our love is in your caps. Let us begin our
journey home. I will come down among you: I will come down among you, and
I will lead you from Pontiac to the sea, gathering comrades as we go;
then across the sea, to France; then to Paris and the Tuileries, where an
Orleans usurps the place of a Napoleon."
He descended and mounted his waiting horse. At that moment De la Riviere
appeared on the balcony, and, stepping forward, said:
"My friends, do you know what you are doing? This is folly. This man--"
He got no further, for Valmond raised his hand to Lagroin, and the drums
began to beat.
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