But I should be inclined to advise a bottle of Sauterne and a few hours' repose instead.
In times like these, one should not lose an opportunity of refreshing one's self." "I should prefer to inspect the wagons at once," said the merchant, with a smile, "if you have no objection to it." "I am on duty," replied the Pole, "therefore let's to work at once; there are plenty of hands here to hold lights for you.

You confounded rascals," continued he, in Polish, again cuffing the wagoner and threatening the landlord, "I will carry you all off together, and have a court-martial held upon you, if you do not instantly bring all the drivers belonging to this gentleman into my presence.

How many of them ?" inquired he, in French, from the merchant.
"There are fourteen wagons," was the reply.
"There must be fourteen wagoners," thundered the Pole again to the people; "the devil shall fly away with you all if you do not instantly produce them." With the help of an old domestic servant, a dozen of the drivers were at length brought forward; two, however, were in no way to be recovered, and finally the landlord confessed that they had gone to join the patriots.
The young Pole did not seem to attach much value to this instance of patriotism.

Turning to the merchant, he said, "Here you have the men, now see to the freight; if a single article be found wanting, I will have the whole of these fellows tried by court-martial." Then he carelessly sat down on the pole of a carriage, and looked at the points of his polished boots, which had got a good deal bemired.
A number of lanterns and torches were now brought, and after a few encouraging words from the merchant, the wagoners proceeded to roll away some empty carts, and to open out a passage to their own goods.
Most of these men had been employed by him before, and knew him and Anton personally; some of them proved themselves trustworthy and obliging; and while Mr.Schroeter was cross-questioning the most intelligent of their number, Anton hastened to ascertain, as well as he could, the condition of the freight, which mostly consisted of wool and tallow.

Some wagons were untouched; one was entirely unloaded, and many had lost their canvas covering, and been otherwise plundered.