a book of scoundrels(流浪之书)-第25节
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Before all; he discouraged the use of firearms。 ‘A pistol;' his
philosophy urged; ‘is an excellent weapon in an emergency; but reserve it
for emergencies。 At close quarters it is none too sure; and why give the
alarm against yourself?' Therefore he armed his band with loaded staves;
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A BOOK OF SCOUNDRELS
which sent their enemies into a noiseless and fatal sleep。 Thus was he
wont to laugh at the police; deeming capture a plain impossibility。 The
traitor; in sooth; was his single; irremediable fear; and if ever suspicion
was aroused against a member of the gang; that member was put to death
with the shortest shrift。
It happened in the last year of Cartouche's supremacy that a lily…
livered comrade fell in love with a pretty dressmaker。 The indiscretion
was the less pardonable since the dressmaker had a horror of theft; and
impudently tried to turn her lover from his trade。 Cartouche; discovering
the backslider; resolved upon a public exhibition。 Before the assembled
band he charged the miscreant with treason; and; cutting his throat;
disfigured his face beyond recognition。 Thereafter he pinned to the corse
the following inscription; that others might be warned by so monstrous an
example: ‘Ci git Jean Rebti; qui a eu le traitement qu'il m