Therefore let them be made into firewood as quickly as possible, and let them all be consumed before other fuel is touched.

And now, capitano, I think that Katherine will be ready for us." So saying he led the way back into his house.

A capital meal was provided, and Jack found that the priest had by no means over praised either his cook or his cellar.

After the meal was over and the two had drawn their chairs up to the hearth, on which was blazing brightly some wood which Jack recognized as forming part of one of the wagons, and the priest had placed on a small table close at hand a large flask which he had himself gone into the cellar to fetch, Jack said: "How is it, father, that, as you told me, you have seen such acts of brutality on the part of the French as to cause you to wage a war without mercy against them, when, as you say, they have never penetrated to your village?
Your reasons must be strong, for your profession is a peaceful one.

You do not look like a man who would rush into deeds of violence for their own sake, and your cook and your cellar offer you strong inducements to remain at home." "That is so, my son," the priest said with a laugh.