"How was that?" asked three or four voices.
"I was serving as a common soldier in the royal artillery, when one day the Prince de Condé, who was present at the battery exercises at Besançon, came over to the gun which he considered the best managed; but while the gunner was sponging the piece it went off and shot away his arm. The prince attributed this accident to me, accusing me of not having properly closed the orifice with my thumb. I let him talk, and my only reply was to show him my bleeding hand. My thumb was turned back, and almost torn from the hand. Here," he continued, holding out his hand; "here is the scar. The prince forthwith promoted me to the rank of sergeant."
Little Charles, who was near the general, took his hand as if he wanted to examine it, and with a sudden movement stooped and kissed it.
"Why, what are you doing?" asked Pichegru, pulling his hand away quickly.
"I? Nothing," said Charles. "I admire you."
[CHAPTER XXV]
CHASSEUR FALOU AND CORPORAL FARAUD
Just then the door opened, and the chasseur Falou appeared, led by two of his comrades.
"Your pardon, captain," said one of the soldiers to Abatucci; "but you said you wanted to see him, did you not?"