'Too stupid, Your Excellency!' answered the Major.
'Let us try,' said His Excellency, and turning his horse, he approached Bartek.
Bartek himself scarcely knew what was happening to him: it was a thing unknown in the Prussian Army for the General to talk to a Private! His Excellency was the more easily able to do this, because he knew Polish. Moreover this Private had captured three flags and two guns.
'Where do you come from?' enquired the General.
'From Pognębin,' answered Bartek.
'Good. Your name?'
'Bartek Słowik.'
'Mensch,' explained the Major.
'Mens!' Bartek tried to repeat.
'Do you know why you are fighting the French?'