As they stood thus regarding the steep and lofty rock, Marc Divès led his horse into a cavern near at hand, then he returned, and beginning the ascent before them, he said to them:
At the same time he pointed out to them, on their right, the blue precipice with the tops of the tall fir-trees at the bottom.
Every one became silent until they came to the terrace where the vault began. Arrived there, each one seemed to breathe more freely. They saw, about halfway, the smugglers, Brenn, Pfeifer, and Toubac, with their large gray cloaks, and black felt hats, sitting round a fire which seemed to extend the whole length of the rock. Marc Divès said to them:
"Here we are. The _kaiserlicks_ have got the upper hand. Zimmer has been killed to-night. Is Hexe-Baizel up above there?"
"Yes," replied Brenn, "she is making cartridges."
"They may be of use still," said Marc; "keep your eye open, and if you see any one approaching, fire upon him."
The Maternes had stopped on the edge of the rock, and those three tall red fellows, their felt hats pushed back, their powder-flask on their hip, carbine on shoulder, long muscular legs firmly planted on the solid point of the rock, formed a strange and striking group. Old Materne, with outstretched hand, was pointing out at a distance, very far off, an almost imperceptible white speck in the middle of the fir forests, saying:
And they all three looked at it with half-closed eyes.
"Poor Magrédel!" replied the old huntsman, after a moment's silence. "How uneasy she must have been for the last week! What vows has she not offered up for us to Saint Odile!"
Just at this moment, Marc Divès, who was in front, uttered a cry of surprise. "Dame Lefévre," said he, suddenly stopping short, "the Cossacks have set fire to your farm!"
Catherine received this news with the utmost calmness, and advanced to the very edge of the terrace; Louise and Jean-Claude followed her. The bottom of the abyss was covered with a thick white cloud; through this cloud was to be seen a bright spark in the direction of Bois-des-Chênes, and nothing more; but at intervals, when there was a gust of wind, the fire was distinctly visible. The two tall black gables, the haystack on fire, the little stables with flames bursting from them; then all disappeared again.