the wandering jew, volume 9-第15章

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massacred　at　the　entrance　of　the　choir；　but；　a　little　further　on；　the
railing；　not　above　four　feet　in　height；　would　in　another　instant　be
scaled　or　broken　through。　　The　Missionary　lost　all　hope　of　saving　the
Jesuit　from　a　frightful　death。　　Yet　he　exclaimed：　〃Stop；　poor　deluded
people！〃and；　extending　his　arms；　he　threw　himself　in　front　of　the
crowd。

His　words；　gesture；　and　countenance；　were　expressive　of　an　authority　at
once　so　affectionate　and　so　fraternal；　that　there　was　a　momentary
hesitation　amongst　the　mob。　　But　to　this　hesitation　soon　succeeded　the
most　furious　cries　of　〃Death；　death！〃

〃You　cry　for　his　death？〃　cried　Gabriel；　growing　still　paler。

〃Yes！　yes！〃

〃Well；　let　him　die；〃　cried　the　missionary；　inspired　with　a　sudden
thought；　〃let　him　die　on　the　instant！〃

These　words　of　the　young　priest　struck　the　crowd　with　amazement。　　For　a
few　moments；　they　all　stood　mute；　motionless；　and　as　it　were；　paralyzed；
looking　at　Gabriel　in　stupid　astonishment。

〃This　man　is　guilty；　you　say；〃　resumed　the　young　missionary；　in　a　voice
trembling　with　emotion。　　〃You　have　condemned　him　without　proof；　without
witnessesno　matter；　he　must　die。　　You　reproach　him　with　being　a
poisoner；　where　are　his　victims？　　You　cannot　tellbut　no　matter；　he　is
condemned。　　You　refuse　to　hear　his　defense；　the　sacred　right　of　every
accused　personno　matter；　the　sentence　is　pronounced。　　You　are　at　once
his　accusers；　judges；　and　executioners。　　Be　it　so！You　have　never　seen
till　now　this　unfortunate　man；　he　has　done　you　no　harm；　he　has　perhaps
not　done　harm　to　any　oneyet　you　take　upon　yourselves　the　terrible
responsibility　of　his　deathunderstand　me　wellof　his　death。　　Be　it　so
then！　your　conscience　will　absolve　youI　will　believe　it。　　He　must　die；
the　sacredness　of　God's　house　will　not　save　him〃

〃No；　no！〃　cried　many　furious　voices。

〃No；〃　resumed　Gabriel；　with　increasing　warmth；　〃no　you　have　determined　to
shed　his　blood；　and　you　will　shed　it；　even　in　the　Lord's　temple。　　It　is；
you　say；　your　right。　　You　are　doing　an　act　of　terrible　justice。　　But　why
then；　so　many　vigorous　arms　to　make　an　end　of　one　dying　man？　　Why　these
outcries？　this　fury？　this　violence？　　Is　it　thus　that　the　people；　the
strong　and　equitable　people；　are　wont　to　execute　their　judgments？　　No；
no；　when　sure　of　their　right；　they　strike　their　enemies；　it　is　with　the
calmness　of　the　judge；　who；　in　freedom　of　soul　and　conscience；　passes
sentence。　　No；　the　strong　and　equitable　people　do　not　deal　their　blows
like　men　blind　or　mad；　uttering　cries　of　rage；　as　if　to　drown　the　sense
of　some　cowardly　and　horrible　murder。　　No；　it　is　not　thus　that　they
exercise　the　formidable　right；　to　which　you　now　lay　claimfor　you　will
have　it〃

〃Yes；　we　will　have　it！〃　shouted　the　quarryman；　Ciboule；　and　others　of　the
more　pitiless　portion　of　the　mob；　whilst　a　great　number　remained　silent；
struck　with　the　words　of　Gabriel；　who　had　just　painted　to　them；　in　such
lively　colors；　the　frightful　act　they　were　about　to　commit。

〃Yes；〃　resumed　the　quarryman；　〃it　is　our　right；　we　have　determined　to
kill　the　poisoner！〃

So　saying；　and　with　bloodshot　eyes；　and　flushed　cheek；　the　wretch
advanced　at　the　head　of　a　resolute　group；　making　a　gesture　as　though　he
would　have　pushed　aside　Gabriel；　who　was　still　standing　in　front　of　the
railing。　　But　instead　of　resisting　the　bandit；　the　missionary　advanced　a
couple　of　steps　to　meet　him；　took　him　by　the　arm；　and　said　in　a　firm
voice：　〃Come！〃

And　dragging；　as　it　were；　with　him　the　stupefied　quarryman；　whose
companions　did　not　venture　to　follow　at　the　moment；　struck　dumb　as　they
were　by　this　new　incident；　Gabriel　rapidly　traversed　the　space　which
separated　him　from　the　choir；　opened　the　iron　gate；　and；　still　holding
the　quarryman　by　the　arm；　led　him　up　to　the　prostrate　form　of　Father
d'Aigrigny；　and　said　to　him：　〃There　is　the　victim。　　He　is　condemned。
Strike！〃

〃I〃　cried　the　quarryman；　hesitating；　〃Iall　alone！〃

〃Oh！〃　replied　Gabriel；　with　bitterness；　〃there　is　no　danger。　　You　can
easily　finish　him。　　Look！　he　is　broken　down　with　suffering；　he　has　hardly
a　breath　of　life　left；　he　will　make　no　resistance。　　Do　not　be　afraid！〃

The　quarryman　remained　motionless；　whilst　the　crowd；　strangely　impressed
with　this　incident；　approached　a　little　nearer　the　railing；　without
daring　to　come　within　the　gate。

〃Strike　then！〃　resumed　Gabriel；　addressing　the　quarryman；　whilst　he
pointed　to　the　crowd　with　a　solemn　gesture；　〃there　are　the　judges；　you
are　the　executioner。〃

〃No！〃　cried　the　quarryman；　drawing　back；　and　turning　away　his　eyes；　〃I'm
not　the　executionernot　I！〃

The　crowd　remained　silent。　　For　a　few　moments；　not　a　word；　not　a　cry；
disturbed　the　stillness　of　the　solemn　cathedral。　　In　a　desperate　case；
Gabriel　had　acted　with　a　profound　knowledge　of　the　human　heart。　　When　the
multitude；　inflamed　with　blind　rage；　rushes　with　ferocious　clamor　upon　a
single　victim；　and　each　man　strikes　his　blow；　this　dreadful　species　of
combined　murder　appears　less　horrible　to　each；　because　they　all　share　in
the　common　crime；　and　then　the　shouts；　the　sight　of　blood；　the　desperate
defence　of　the　man　they　massacre；　finish　by　producing　a　sort　of　ferocious
intoxication；　but；　amongst　all　those　furious　madmen；　who　take　part　in　the
homicide；　select　one；　and　place　him　face　to　face　with　the　victim；　no
longer　capable　of　resistance；　and　say　to　him；　〃Strike！〃he　will　hardly
ever　dare　to　do　so。

It　was　thus　with　the　quarryman；　the　wretch　trembled　at　the　idea　of
committing　a　murder　in　cold　blood；　〃all　alone。〃　　The　preceding　scene　had
passed　very　rapidly；　amongst　the　companions　of　the　quarryman；　nearest　to
the　railing；　some　did　not　understand　an　impression；　which　they　would
themselves　have　felt　as　strongly　as　this　bold　man；　if　it　had　been　said　to
them：　〃Do　the　office　of　executioner！〃　　These；　therefore；　began　to　murmur
aloud　at　his　weakness。　　〃He　dares　not　finish　the　poisoner；〃　said　one。

〃The　coward！〃

〃He　is　afraid。〃

〃He　draws　back。〃　　Hearing　these　words；　the　quarryman　ran　to　the　gate；
threw　it　wide　open；　and；　pointing　to　Father　d'Aigrigny；　exclaimed：　〃If
there　is　one　here　braver　than　I　am；　let　him　go　and　finish　the　joblet
him　be；　the　executionercome！〃

On　this　proposal　the　murmurs　ceased。　　A　deep　silence　reigned　once　more　in
the　cathedral。　　All　those　countenances；　but　now　so　furious；　became　sad；
confused；　almost　frightened。

The　deluded　mob　began　to　appreciate　the　ferocious　cowardice　of　the　action
it　had　been　about　to　commit。　　Not　one　durst　go　alone　to　strike　the　half…
expiring　man。　　Suddenly；　Father　d'Aigrigny　uttered　a　dying　rattle；　his
head　and　one　of　his　arms　stirred　with　a　convulsive　movement；　and　then
fell　back　upon　the　stones　as　if　he　had　just　expired。

Gabriel　uttered　a　cry　of　anguish；　and　threw　himself　on　his　knees　close　to
Father　d'Aigrigny；　exclaiming：　〃Great　Heaven！　he　is　dead！〃

There　is　a　singular　variableness　in　the　mind　of　a　crowd；　susceptible
alike　to　good　or　evil　impressions。　　At　the　heart…piercing　cry　of　Gabriel；
all　these　people；　who；　a　moment　before；　had　demanded；　with　loud　uproar；
the　massacre　of　this　man；　felt　touched　with　a　sudden　pity。　　The　words：
〃He　is　dead！〃　circulated　in　low　whispers　through　the　crowd　accompanied　by
a　slight　shudder；　whilst　Gabriel　raised　with　one　hand　the　victim's　heavy
head；　and　with　the　other　sought　to　feel　if　the　pulse　still　beat　beneath
the　ice…cold　skin。

〃Mr。　Curate；〃　said　the　quarryman；　bending　towards　Gabriel；　〃is　there
really　no　hope？〃

The　answer　was　waited　for　with　anxiety；　in　the　midst　of　deep　silence。
The　people　hardly　ventured　to　exchange　a　few　words　in　whispers。

〃Blessed　be　God！〃　exclaimed　Gabriel；　suddenly。　　〃His　heart　beats。〃

〃His　heart　beats；〃　repeated　the　quarryman；　turning　his　head　towards　the
crowd；　to　inform　them　of　the　good　news。

〃Oh！　his　heart　beats！〃　repeated　the　others；　in　whispers。

〃There　is　hope。　　We　may　yet　save　him；〃　added　Gabriel　with　an　expression
of　indescribable　happiness。

〃We　may　yet　save　him；〃　repeated　the　quarryman；　mechanically。

〃We　may　yet　save　him；〃　muttered　the　crowd。

〃Quick；　quick；〃　resumed　Gabriel；　addressing　the　quarryman；　〃help　me；
brother。　　Let　us　carry　him　to　a　neighboring　house；　where　he　can　have
immediate　aid。〃

The　quarryman　obeyed　with　readiness。　　Whilst　the　missionary　lifted　Father
d'Aigrigny　by　holding　him　under　the　arms；　the　quarryman　took　the　legs　of
the　almost　inanimate　body。　　Together；　they　carried　him　outside　of　the
choir。　　At　sight　of　the　formidable　quarryman；　aiding　the　young　priest　to
render　assistance　to　the　man　whom　he　had　just　before　pursued　with　menaces
of　death；　the　multitude　felt　a　sudden　thrill　of　compassion。　　Yielding　to
the　powerful　influence　of　the　words　and　example　of　Gabriel；　they　felt
themselves　deeply　moved；　and　each　became　anxious　to　offer　services。

〃Mr。　Curate；　he　would　perhaps　be　better　on　a　chair；　that　one　could　carry
upright；〃　said　Ciboule。

〃Shall　I　go　and　fetch　a　stretcher　from　the　hospital？〃　asked　another。

〃Mr。　Curate；　let　me　take　your　place；　the　body　is　too　heavy　for　you。〃

〃Don't　trouble　yourself；〃　said　a　powerful　man；　approaching　the　missionary
respectfully；　〃I　can　carry　him　alone。〃

〃Shall　I　run　and　fetch　a　coach；　Mr。　Curate？〃　said　a　young　vagabond；
taking　off　his　red　cap。

〃Right；〃　said　the　quarryman；　〃run　away；　my　buck！〃

〃But　first；　ask　Mr。　Curate　if　you　are　to　go　for　a　coach；〃　said　Ciboule；
stopping　the　impatient　messenger。

〃True；〃　added　one　of　the　bystanders；　〃we　are　here　in　a　church；　and　Mr。
Curate　has　the　command。　　He　is　at　home。〃

〃Yes；　yes；　go　at　once；　my　child；〃　said　Gabriel　to　the　obliging　young
vagabond。

Whilst　the　latter　was　making　his　way　through　the　crowd；　a　voice　said：
〃I've　a　little　wicker…bottle　of　brandy；　will　that　be　of　any　use？〃

〃No　doubt；〃　answered　Gabriel；　hastily；　〃pray　give　it　here。　　We　can　rub
his　temples　with　the　spirit；　and　make　him　inhale　a　little。〃

〃Pass　the　bottle；〃　cried　Ciboule；　〃but　don't　put　your　noses　in　it！〃　And；
passed　with　caution　from　hand　to　hand；　the　flask　reached　Gabriel　in
safety。

Whilst　waiting　for　the　coming　of　the　coach；　Father　d'Aigrigny　had　been
seated　on　a　chair。　　Whilst　several　good…natured　people　carefully
supported　the　abbe；　the　missionary　made　him　inhale　a　little　brandy。　　In　a
few　minutes；　the　spirit　had　a　powerful　influence　on　the　Jesuit；　he　made
some　slight　movements；　and　his　oppressed　bosom　heaved　with　a　deep　sigh。

〃He　is　savedhe　will　live；〃　cried　Gabriel；　in　a　triumphant　voice；　〃he
will　live；　my　brothers！〃

〃Oh！　glad　to　hear　it！〃　exclaimed　many　voices。

〃Oh；　yes！　be　glad；　my　brothers！〃　repeated　Gabriel；　〃for；　instead　of　being
weighed　down　with　the　remorse　of　crime；　you　will　have　a　just　and
charitable　action　to　remember。　　Let　us　thank　God；　that　he　has　changed
your　blind　fury　into　a　sentiment　of　compassion！　Let　us　pray　to　Him；　that
neither　you；　nor　those　you　love；　may　ever　be　exposed　to　such　frightful
danger　as　this　unfortunate　man　has　just　escaped。　　Oh；　my　brothers！〃　added
Gabriel；　as　he　pointed　to　the　image　of　Christ　with　touching　emotion；
which　communicated　itself　the　more　easily　to　others　from　the　expression
of　his　angelic　countenance；　〃oh；　my　brothers！　let　us　never　forget；　that
HE；　who　died　upon　that　cross　for　the　defence　of　the　oppressed