He examined more closely with his spy glass.

They were stragglers in a lamentable state of body and a picturesque variety of uniforms--infantry, Zouaves, dragoons without their horses.

And with them were forest guards and officers from the villages that had received too late the news of the retreat--altogether about fifty.

A few were fresh and vigorous, others were keeping themselves up by supernatural effort.

All were carrying arms.
They finally made the barricade, looking continually behind them, in order to watch, in the shelter of the trees, the slow advance of the Uhlans.