At the mention of this name, some voices among the crowd cried, "Eljen!" (vivat!)
"I don't want Eljens," cried Guyon, "but deeds! Why are none of you assisting to extinguish the fire?"
"I beg your pardon, General," replied the municipal major sheepishly, assuming a parliamentary attitude before the commander, "but really the balls are flying so thickly in that direction, it would be only tempting Providence and throwing away lives in vain."
"The soldier's place is where the balls are flying—move on, gentlemen!"
"Excuse me, General, probably you have not witnessed it; but really the enemy are firing in such an unloyal manner, not only bombs of a hundred and sixty pounds' weight, and shells which burst in every direction, but also grenades, and fiery balls of every description, which are all directed against those burning houses." The worthy major endeavoured to introduce as much rhetoric as possible into his excuses.
"Will you go, sir, or will you not?" cried the General, cutting short his oration, and drawing a pistol from his saddle bow, he deliberately pointed it at the forehead of the argumentative major, indicating that his present position was as dangerous as the one he dreaded in the midst of bombs and fiery balls.
"Mercy!" he stammered; "I only wished to express my humble opinion."
"I am not used to many words. In the hour of danger, I command my men to follow, not to precede me; whoever has any feeling of honour has heard my words;" and, dashing his spurs into his horse, he galloped forward.
In a few seconds the place was empty—not a man remained behind. An hour afterwards, thousands were eagerly working to extinguish the fire. The commander himself, foremost in the danger, seemed to be everywhere at once; wherever the balls flew thickest and the fire raged most furiously, his voice was heard exciting and encouraging his men. "Never mind the balls, my lads, they never strike those who do not fear them."
At that instant the aide-de-camp at his side was struck down by a twenty-four pounder. The General, without being discouraged by this mal-à-propos sequel to his words, only added—"Or when they do, it is a glorious death!"