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           Thechiefwassostartledthat,withoutthinking,hemadeoneleapfromtherecessrightoutinfrontofthefireplace.Thesoldier,nolessstartled,upwithhisrifleandpullsthetrigger,deafeningandsingeingtheengineer,butinhisflurrymissinghimcompletely.But,lookwhathappens!Atthenoiseofthereportthesleepingwomansatup,asifmovedbyaspring,withashriek,‘Thechildren,Gian’Battista!Savethechildren!’Ihaveitinmyearsnow.ItwasthetruestcryofdistressIeverheard.Istoodasifparalyzed,buttheoldhusbandranacrosstothebedside,stretchingouthishands.Sheclungtothem!Icouldseehereyesgoglazed;theoldfellowloweredherdownonthepillowsandthenlookedroundatme.Shewasdead!Allthistooklessthanfiveminutes,andthenIrandowntoseewhatwasthematter.Itwasnousethinkingofanyresistance.Nothingwetwocouldsayavailedwiththeofficer,soIvolunteeredtogoupwithacoupleofsoldiersandfetchdownoldViola.Hewassittingatthefootofthebed,lookingathiswife’sface,anddidnotseemtohearwhatIsaid;butafterIhadpulledthesheetoverherhead,hegotupandfollowedusdownstairsquietly,inasortofthoughtfulway.Theymarchedusoffalongtheroad,leavingthedooropenandthecandleburning.Thechiefengineerstrodeonwithoutaword,butIlookedbackonceortwiceatthefeeblegleam.Afterwehadgonesomeconsiderabledistance,theGaribaldino,whowaswalkingbymyside,suddenlysaid,‘Ihaveburiedmanymenonbattlefieldsonthiscontinent.