J’aime le vin, l’amour et la gaîté,
Les plaisirs, la gloire,
Et je suis, sans vanité,
L’enfant de la gaîté.
I perceived some spots of blood on his shirt-sleeve, and pointed them out to him. “Oh,” said he, “that’s no novelty. I’ve seen a sample of my blood before this, many times.”
On pulling up his sleeve, we found a deep scratch in his arm, from which the blood flowed pretty freely.
“You had better have it attended to,” said I.
“Bah! bah! nonsense! We Zouaves never trouble any one, particularly the doctor, about such trifles. Be kind enough to tie my pocket-handkerchief round it.”
This done, he kept at his work. Thus I discovered the determined character of these wild soldiers. They made up their minds to care for nothing—were ready either to fight or sing—be out all night without sleep, or comfortable under their tents—were content with much to eat and drink, or little—but so long as they had sufficient to sustain life, be gay, or at least appear so—never making a direct complaint, whatever might happen to them. In fact, though French soldiers like the rest of the army, they had created themselves a body of invincibles, and a company of very odd fellows, who would at all times much prefer robbing a man to wronging him; this being one of their mottoes:—“Nous aimons mieux voler que faire du tort.”
All on board the Ottawa was bustle and confusion. Although not half unloaded, they were receiving the sick, expecting to sail the same evening. We were busy removing to the Baraguay d’Hilliers. She was a transport, and full of hospital provisions. Captain Heath advised me to select her, as she was the vessel likely to remain the longest in harbour, and I should require a pied à terre in Balaklava. Under the direction of my Zouave, all our luggage was soon put on board; and about ten o’clock he was in full dress, it being Sunday. The horses were ready, and we started for head-quarters.
CHAPTER XXVII.
CAMP LIFE AT HEAD-QUARTERS.
Off to head-quarters—A sensation—Mrs. Seacole’s salutation—General Simpson—An interview—Plans—Invitation to dinner—Bread-biscuits—Prescribe for the General—General Eyre—Sir John Jones—The Staff—Conversation—A remarkable case—The Guards’ camp—Return from a funeral—Colonel Seymour—Dinner at General Simpson’s—A Crimean banquet—Arrival of despatches—A great battle expected—Excitement of my Zouave—A false alarm—My stoves in use—Success of the plan—Economical cooking stove for all classes—Interview with Sir Colin Campbell—Battle of the Tchernaya—Ride with Lord Rokeby—Colonel Seymour recognised at last—Wounded from the Tchernaya—Timely succour—Case of two French soldiers—Visit to the battle-field—Bornet’s indignation—Delay—Opening day fixed—Final preparations.
AS Bornet was a dashing cavalier and a very good horseman, he created quite a sensation in Kadikoi, and upon our arrival before the Sardinian head-quarters, General della Marmora and Staff came upon the balcony to look at him. He saluted the general, who appeared much surprised to see a Zouave on horseback in my suite, and not wearing the exact costume of that corps, as I had made some stylish improvement in it, in order to distinguish him from the common soldiers.