I am no speaker of gilded phrases, and I shall say things plainly. I
commanded five hundred men during the late war. Since we have taken up
arms again I have raised a thousand heads as hard as mine for the
service of the king. It is now seven years that I have risked my life
in the good cause; I don't blame you, but I say that the laborer is
worthy of his hire. Now, to begin with, I demand that I be called
Monsieur de Cottereau. I also demand that the rank of colonel shall be
granted me, or I send in my adhesion to the First Consul! Let me tell
you, monsieur le marquis, my men and I have a devilishly importunate
creditor who must be satisfied--he's here!" he added, striking his
stomach.
"Have the musicians come?" said the marquis, in a contemptuous tone,
turning to Madame du Gua.
But the smuggler had dealt boldly with an important topic, and the
calculating, ambitious minds of those present had been too long in
suspense as to what they might hope for from the king to allow the
scorn of their new leader to put an end to the scene. Rifoel hastily
blocked the way before Montauran, and seized his hand to oblige him to
remain.
"Take care, monsieur le marquis," he said; "you are treating far too
lightly men who have a right to the gratitude of him whom you are here
to represent. We know that his Majesty has sent you with full powers
to judge of our services, and we say that they ought to be recognized
and rewarded, for we risk our heads upon the scaffold daily.
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