Prussians!"
The room was quickly invaded by a Corporal and one of his friends with
drawn sabres in their hands. Paul and his companion, who saw that they
were about to be attacked, grabbed chairs and backed into a corner,
where they defended themselves against the onslaught. Paul asked them
in his best French what they meant and assured them that they were not
Prussians but American volunteers. On receiving this information the
sabres were lowered and their assailants put them through an
examination. Receiving satisfactory answers to all their questions and
convinced that Paul and his friend were what they represented
themselves to be, the Frenchmen gravely begged to be pardoned and warmly
invited them into the adjoining room to take supper in their company.
During supper Paul ascertained that their entertainers were officers in
the Communes that were organizing in all parts of Paris. They were
invited to join the ranks of the "liberators" as the called themselves;
after the reception they had received from the gentlemen they wisely
thought they had better acquiesce, so they were duly enrolled. That
night they had a good lodging provided for them and were told to
report at ten o'clock next morning. During the night Paul and his
Baltimore friend had a long talk over the situation but they were far
from satisfied.
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