We had as a matter of fact taken the superior officer of the lieutenant who was already a prisoner; and the latter, who was on familiar terms with all our staff, introduced his captain to my father.
My father gave him a cordial welcome, and quickly put him into the hands of our surgeon-major.
This warm reception, and the care my father took of these two officers, was to produce consequences which we shall see in due course.
But to return to the main events. The treaty of Léoben was already being discussed, and an armistice had even been agreed upon, when an Austrian dragoon officer reached our staff quarters with a safe conduct from the headquarters of the Rhine army.
This officer was the very same who had turned tail at the farm of Clausen, inciting my father to fight.
Our two prisoners were officers under his command, and he came to bring them money and personal effects.
He thanked my father heartily for his great care of these two officers, and, my father inviting him to dinner, the conversation at table turned to that adventure on the plateau, when a whole regiment had beaten a retreat before two men.
My father had not recognised the commandant.
"Upon my word," he said, "I only regret one thing, and that is that the chief of the squadron who challenged me changed his mind, and did not think fit to wait for me."