11 14 chevalier du Temple: 'Knight Templar.' The order of the knights of the Temple (i.e. the temple of Solomon) was organized in 1118 for the purpose of protecting pilgrims on the way to the Holy Land.
11 15 tigre chinois the Chinese soldiers used to be called tigres de guerre (Littre, Suppl).
11 17 de pied en cap (Lat caput) 'from head to foot', of Engl. 'armed cap a pic' Cap = 'head' is obsolete except in this expression and in a few technical terms.
11 20 Branle-bas de combat! 'clear decks for action!' Le branle is the word formerly used for the seaman's hammock (now usually le hamac), branle bas = 'down with the hammocks,' get them out of the way.
11 24 entre drap et flanelle: transl. 'under his coat'--Par exemple lit 'for example', a common exclamation of which the translation varies with the context, here, 'I assure you!'
11 27 se fendait, tirait: 'lunged,' 'thrust,' fencing expressions.
11 29 à l'anglaise (supply mode 'manner'): 'in the English manner,' i.e. calmly, cf. à la mode indienne 12 33.
12 3 vous pensez: cf. note to 4 6.