CHAPTER XXIII.
OLD SCORES.
The inhabitants of the doomed town were warned beforehand by a friendly informer what was in store for them.

For two months they knew that they were standing over a mine which awaited only the proper moment to be touched off.

Nevertheless, during this time they went about their usual tasks, digging iron out of the bowels of the earth, sowing their grain, planting and weeding their gardens, spinning their flax, tanning their hides, sending their children to school, and all betaking themselves to church on Sunday morning.

The Sunday afternoon diversions, however, were suspended, and in their stead the entire male population practised military drill.

Even the twelve-year-old boy cried if he was not allowed to take part.