In the distance the ing and going of patrols and the general rounds of the English camp were audible。
Hougomont and La Haie…Sainte continued to burn； forming； one in the west； the other in the east； two great flames which were joined by the cordon of bivouac fires of the English； like a necklace of rubies with two carbuncles at the extremities； as they extended in an immense semicircle over the hills along the horizon。
We have described the catastrophe of the road of Ohain。
The heart is terrified at the thought of what that death must have been to so many brave men。
If there is anything terrible； if there exists a reality which surpasses dreams； it is this：
to live； to see the sun； to be in full possession of virile force； to possess health and joy； to laugh valiantly； to rush towards a glory which one sees dazzling in front of one； to feel in one's breast lungs which breathe； a heart which beats； a will which reasons； to speak； think； hope； love； to have a mother； to have a wife； to have children； to have the lightand all at once； in the space of a shout； in less than a minute； to sink into an abyss； to fall； to roll； to crush； to be crushed； to see ears of wheat； flowers； leaves； branches； not to be able to catch hold of anything； to feel one's sword useless； men beneath one； horses on top of one； to struggle in vain； since one's bones have been broken by some kick in the darkness； to feel a heel which makes one's eyes start from their sockets； to bite horses' shoes in one's rage； to stifle； to yell； to writhe； to be beneath； and to say to one's self； 〃But just a little while ago I was a living man！〃
There； where that lamentable disaster had uttered its death…rattle； all was silence now。
The edges of the hollow road were encumbered with horses and riders； inextricably heaped up。
Terrible entanglement！ There was no longer any slope； for the corpses had levelled the road with the plain； and reached the brim like a well…filled bushel of barley。
A heap of dead bodies in the upper part； a river of blood in the lower partsuch was that road on the evening of the 18th of June； 1815。
The blood ran even to the Nivelles highway； and there overflowed in a large pool in front of the abatis of trees which barred the way； at a spot which is still pointed out。
It will be remembered that it was at the opposite point； in the direction of the Genappe road； that the destruction of the cuirassiers had taken place。
The thickness of the layer of bodies was proportioned to the depth of the hollow road。 Towards the middle； at the point where it became level； where Delort's division had passed； the layer of corpses was thinner。
The nocturnal prowler whom we have just shown to the reader was going in that direction。
He was searching that vast tomb。 He gazed about。
He passed the dead in some sort of hideous review。 He walked with his feet in the blood。
All at once he paused。
A few paces in front of him； in the hollow road； at the point where the pile of dead came to an end； an open hand； illumined by the moon； projected from beneath that heap of men。
That hand had on its finger something sparkling； which was a ring of gold。
The man bent over； remained in a crouching attitude for a moment； and when he rose there was no longer a ring on the hand。
He did not precisely rise； he remained in a stooping and frightened attitude； with his back turned to the heap of dead； scanning the horizon on his knees； with the whole upper portion of his body supported on his two forefingers； which rested on the earth； and his head peering above the edge of the hollow road。 The jackal's four paws suit some actions。
Then ing to a decision； he rose to his feet。
At that moment； he gave a terrible start。
He felt some one clutch him from behind。
He wheeled round； it was the open hand； which had closed； and had seized the skirt of his coat。
An honest man would have been terrified； this man burst into a laugh。
〃e；〃 said he； 〃it's only a dead body。
I prefer a spook to a gendarme。〃
But the hand weakened and released him。
Effort is quickly exhausted in the grave。
〃Well now；〃 said the prowler； 〃is that dead fellow alive？ Let's see。〃
He bent down again； fumbled among the heap； pushed aside everything that was in his way； seized the hand； grasped the arm； freed the head； pulled out the body； and a few moments later he was dragging the lifeless； or at least the unconscious； man； through the shadows of hollow road。
He was a cuirassier； an officer； and even an officer of considerable rank； a large gold epaulette peeped from beneath the cuirass； this officer no longer possessed a helmet。
A furious sword…cut had scarred his face； where nothing was discernible but blood。
However； he did not appear to have any broken limbs； and； by some happy chance； if that word is permissible here； the dead had been vaulted above him in such a manner as to preserve him from being crushed。 His eyes were still closed。
On his cuirass he wore the silver cross of the Legion of Honor。
The prowler tore off this cross； which disappeared into one of the gulfs which he had beneath his great coat。
Then he felt of the officer's fob； discovered a watch there； and took possession of it。
Next he searched his waistcoat； found a purse and pocketed it。
When he had arrived at this stage of succor which he was administering to this dying man； the officer opened his eyes。
〃Thanks；〃 he said feebly。
The abruptness of the movements of the man who was manipulating him； the freshness of the night； the air which he could inhale freely； had roused him from his lethargy。
The prowler made no reply。
He raised his head。
A sound of footsteps was audible in the plain； some patrol was probably approaching。
The officer murmured； for the death agony was still in his voice：
〃Who won the battle？〃
〃The English；〃 answered the prowler。
The officer went on：
〃Look in my pockets； you will find a watch and a purse。
Take them。〃
It was already done。
The prowler executed the required feint； and said：
〃There is nothing there。〃
〃I have been robbed；〃 said the officer； 〃I am sorry for that。 You should have had them。〃
The steps of the patrol became more and more distinct。
〃Some one is ing；〃 said the prowler； with the movement of a man who is taking his departure。
The officer raised his arm feebly； and detained him。
〃You have saved my life。
Who are you？〃
The prowler answered rapidly； and in a low voice：
〃Like yourself； I belonged to the French army。
I must leave you。 If they were to catch me； they would shoot me。
I have saved your life。 Now get out of the scrape yourself。〃
〃What is your rank？〃
〃Sergeant。〃
〃What is your name？〃
〃Thenardier。〃
〃I shall not forget that name；〃 said the officer； 〃and do you remember mine。
My name is Pontmercy。〃
BOOK SECOND。THE SHIP ORION
CHAPTER I
NUMBER 24；601 BEES NUMBER 9；430
Jean Valjean had been recaptured。
The reader will be grateful to us if we pass rapidly over the sa