“Faith! no!” responded the doctor, “he needed sleep too badly.”
“Very well, I will tell you,” continued the General, in a voice full of feeling. “I had had my horse killed under me and my leg broken. I should have been left to the mercy of the Kabyles, but he rescued me, took me on his shoulders, carried me to a place of safety, and only when this was done, discovered that during the trip a ball had shattered his elbow. Brazon lost his arm in saving my life.
“The story I have just told you made us good friends. Uncle Antoine became interested in him, my father also: we were educated together, and have had more or less the same career. Poor Brazon! When he retired, he returned to ⸺ and lives in what used to be his father’s garden, opposite uncle Antoine’s ‘Garden of Roses.’
“Since then we have joined the two properties by a bridge, under which a boat can pass. When I retire, in my turn, I shall not have to swim to go and see my dear Auguste.”
VIII.
“General,” said the young captain, “will you permit me to ask you one question? Did not your family spoil you a trifle after this incident?”
“Oh, yes!” replied the General. “I did not lack attention. Aunt Marie and my mother both kissed me. My uncle declared I was a fine little fellow, and Madame Brazon, about two weeks later, sent me the very biggest pumpkin in her garden. She had found out that I adored pumpkin soup.”
