These were lists of the names of able-bodied men, which had been drawn out by the Cure of the parish, and Jacques had already marked those of one or two whom he had found to be absent, and among them the names of Michael Stems' two stalwart sons.

Father Jerome again handed the lists to Jacques, and as Henri descended from the wall, amid the greeting of the populace, he ascended it, and gave them a little clerical admonition.
"My children," said he, "it delights my heart to find that so few of you are absent from us this morning--from the whole parish there are but five, I believe, who have not readily come forward to proclaim their zeal for their God, their King, and their Church: those five, I doubt not, will be here when we proceed to check the names.

Let it not be said that there was one recreant in Echanbroignes--one man afraid to answer when called for by his country.

Is there danger in the bloody battle we have before us ?--let us all share it, and it will be lighter.

Is it a grievous thing for you to leave your wives and your children ?--let no man presume to think that he will be happier than his neighbours, for that man shall assuredly be the most miserable.