I am afraid, Mr Corporal, I must decline." "That's nonsense, you know," growled the corporal; "you must come, you know; and as well first as last.

I don't want to be uncivil to a comrade, and I'd be sorry to have to lay a hand on you." "Then you'd better keep your hands off," said Cathelineau, "we quiet people in St.Florent don't bear handling well." The corporal looked up at the postillion, but he soon saw that he wasn't joking.
"Take my word for it, my friend," continued Cathelineau, "Peter Berrier does not wish to be a soldier, and, if you force him to become one, it is not on the side of the Republic that he will be found fighting." "We'll take chances for that," replied the corporal, not exactly understanding what the other meant; "at any rate, back without him we won't go; and if you're determined for a riot, Messieurs, why I'm sorry; but I can't help it," and, appealing to Peter as a last hope, he said, "Come, Berrier, will you come with us quietly, or must we three drag you across the square to the barracks." "At any rate, Mr Corporal," said Peter, "I will not go with you quietly; as to the being dragged, I can say nothing about that yet." The corporal looked round towards the barracks, as he felt that it was possible that he might want more assistance, and he saw that a body of men under arms was standing immediately in front of the building, and that a couple of the officers were with them.

The corporal saw at a glance that they were ready for immediate action, if their services should be requisite.

In fact, the colonel of the detachment well knew the feeling in the place with reference to the levies of the conscription.

He was sure, from the fact of not a single man having attended at the barracks, as directed, that there existed some general determination to resist the demands of the Convention, and he had consequently closely watched the proceedings of the corporal.
"Take your answer, Mr Corporal," said Cathelineau: "had Peter Berrier intended to have joined you he would not have troubled you to come across the square to fetch him.