They will be sheltered and perhaps somebody may come along and release them." "Yes, doubtless somebody will," said the grenadier gravely, thinking that if somebody proved to be a peasant their release would be an eternal one, and glad in the thought.

"Very well, you are in command.
Give your order." At Marteau's direction the straps around the feet of the men were loosened, they were compelled to get up; they had been disarmed, of course, and by signs they were made to march in the required direction.
Casting a backward glance over the encampment, to see whether the absence of the three had been noticed, and, discerning no excitement of any sort, Marteau followed the grenadier and the two prisoners.

Half a mile back in the woods stood the hut.

It was a stoutly built structure, of logs and stone.

A little clearing lay around it.