“Cold! I—was—in—water—hugh!”
“Did you hear nothing, then?”
“Yes.”
“What?”
“Bum! bum! bum!”
“Are you sure you did not hear particles of earth fall at the end of the trench?”
“I think it did, and this (touching his musket) sounded of its own accord.”
“Good! you have answered well; go.”
“Sergeant, I did not miss a word,” cried Dard, exulting. He thought he had passed a sort of military college examination. The sergeant was awe-struck and disgusted at his familiarity, speaking to him before the great: he pushed Private Dard hastily out of the presence, and bundled him into the trenches.
“Are you countermined, then?” asked General Raimbaut.