“I have told them, and that’s why they are making such a row. I asked them, as you wished me, whether they had everything they wanted.”
“I said pretty much what they wanted.”
“I know you did, admiral, and so I told them; but they say they don’t know the meaning of that.”
“Tell them they are fine fellows—fine fellows, and that there is a beautiful camp ready for them, where they will find everything they require, without any drawback. I will send lots of men to wait upon them directly; but they must get out of the harbour before night.”
General della Marmora sent for the admiral; so he left me to settle the matter, which I did in a very few words.
“My dear fellows,” said I to them, “your valuable services will be much better appreciated by your sovereign and General-in-chief if you put up with a little inconvenience for the present, and remain quiet, than if, on the contrary, you are too particular.”
“Do you know, monsieur, that our horses have not had a drop of water to-day?”
“Colonel,” said I, “I am not at all surprised at that; and more, you must put up with it.”
“Why?” he asked.
“Simply because you can’t get it, unless you like to do as I did yesterday—give them soda-water.”