human
Do you know, said he,
gpt
But what should I have done, general?
human
You ought to have allowed yourself to be eaten to the last morsel rather than have fired a shot which might have alarmed the enemy, and which has aroused the whole army.
gpt
I did think of that, general; and you see that the rascals began; and he showed his bleeding arms and cheeks.
human
But I said to myself, 'Faraud (that is my name, general), they have placed you here to prevent the enemy from passing, and they count on you to prevent them from passing.'
gpt
Well?
human
Well, if I had been eaten, general, there would have been no one to prevent the enemy from passing; it was that thought which determined me to fire. I give you my word of honor that the question of personal safety did not come till later.
gpt
But this shot may have awakened the enemy's advance-posts.
human
Don't worry about that, general; if they heard it, they have taken it for a mere poacher's shot.
gpt
Are you a Parisian?
human
Yes, but I belong to the first battalion of the Indre; I am a volunteer.
gpt
Well, Faraud, the only advice I have to give you is not to let me see you again until you have won your corporal's stripes, so that I may forget the breach of discipline which you have committed to-day.
human
What shall I do to win them, general?
gpt
You must bring two Prussian prisoners to your captain to-morrow, or rather, to-day.
human
Soldiers or officers, general?
gpt
Officers would be better, but privates will do.
human
I shall do my best, general.
gpt
Who has some brandy?
human
I have,
gpt
Well, give this coward a drink; he has promised to bring us two prisoners to-morrow.
human
Suppose I only make one, general?
gpt
Then you will only be half a corporal, and will only have one stripe to wear.
human
Oh! that would make me squint! To-morrow evening I shall have them both, general, or you may say, 'Faraud is dead.' To your health, general!
gpt
General, said Charles to Pichegru,