Чума
Part II
However,groansandcriescouldbeheardfromafewofthehouses.Before,whenthishappened,youcouldoftenseecuriousbystandersinthestreet,listening.Butafterthislongperiodofanxietyitseemedthattheirheartshadhardened,andeveryonewalkedbyorlivedalongsidethesemoansasthoughtheywerethenaturallanguageofmankind.
Skirmishesatthegates,inthecourseofwhichthegendarmeshadtousetheirweapons,createdavagueatmosphereofunrest.Peoplehadcertainlybeenwounded,butintowntherewastalkofdeaths,everythingtherebeingexaggeratedbytheeffectsofheatandfear.Inanycase,itistruetosaythatdiscontentcontinuedtogrowandthattheauthoritiesfearedtheworst,seriouslyconsideringwhatmeasuresweretobetakenintheeventoftheinhabitantsofourtownturningtorevoltifthepestilencecontinuedtohangoverthem.Thenewspaperspublisheddecreesrepeatingtheprohibitionagainstgoingoutandthreateningthedisobedientwithprison.Patrolsscouredthetown.Often,inempty,over-heatedstreets,onewouldseemountedpolice,afterfirsthearingthesoundoftheirhorses’hoofsonthepavedroadway,passingbetweenrowsofclosedwindows.Oncethepatrolhadvanished,aheavy,suspicioussilencefelloverthethreatenedtown.Everynowandthentherewasthesoundofgunfirefromthespecialteamswhosejobitwas,underarecentregulation,tokillcatsanddogswhichmightpassonfleas.Thesesharpdischargeshelpedtocreateanatmosphereofalarminthetown.
