Lampin and Edouard had heard the report of shots. They succeeded in getting out of the ditch, but where should they go? How could they make their escape quickly enough? Already soldiers were scouring the city and the harbor; soon they would fall into their hands. Edouard was in despair, and Lampin was cudgeling his brains, swearing that they should not take him alive. But at that moment they heard the sound of bells on a horse, and soon an open wagon, loaded with vegetables and driven by a young peasant, passed them. The peasant was seated in the front of the wagon, fast asleep, with his reins lying on the back of the horse, which followed at a slow pace its accustomed road.
"Do as I do," said Lampin, running after the wagon. "We are saved."
He climbed up behind, made a great hole in the peas, cabbages and carrots, and climbed into it, followed by Edouard, leaving hardly enough space to give them air. The peasant turned, rubbed his eyes, and saw nothing, for he was still half asleep; and he was preparing to snore louder than ever, when some soldiers passed the wagon.
"Did you meet anyone, my friend?" asked the sergeant of the peasant.
"No, no, no one, messieurs, no one but donkeys, wagons and people from our place."
"Be on the lookout; some convicts have escaped; if you see any of them, call for help and notice which way they go."
The soldiers passed on. The peasant lay down again, mumbling between his teeth:
"Oh, yes! I think I see myself watching convicts! I would much rather dream about my dear Manette; anyway I ain't afraid of them; those fellows don't amuse themselves stealing cabbages and carrots."
"We are saved!" said Edouard to his companion, in an undertone.
"Not yet," said Lampin; "this peasant is taking his vegetables to market, and if he should uncover us, I don't believe he would take us for two bunches of onions."
"Parbleu! we must take to the fields; but let's wait until this rascal snores well; it won't be long, as he is thinking of his dear Manette."
In fact, the peasant was soon sound asleep. Thereupon Lampin put one hand out from under the vegetables, seized the rein, and pulled the horse to the other side of the road. The beast knew but two roads, the one to market and the one to his stable. When he was jerked violently away from the former, he supposed that his master was going home, so he turned back toward the village without hesitation.