[CHAPTER VI]
How matters had proceeded with the sacristan—The four-inch gun—Bard as gunner—The commander of the fort—Lieutenant Tinga—M. de Lenferna—M. Bonvilliers—Madame de Linières—The revolt of the negroes—The conditions upon which the commander of the fort signed the order—M. Moreau—M. Quinette—The Mayor of Soissons—Bard and the green plums
Bard was perfectly cool; anyone seeing him with his rifle over his shoulder would have taken him for a sportsman who had been getting his hand in by firing at the target.
"Well," he asked me, "how have things gone here?"
"Splendidly, my dear boy! All is settled."
"Good! then you have the powder?"
"Oh! not yet. Hang it, what a hurry you're in! How about your flag?"
He pointed to the tower.