When you have leisure this evening come over to my tent.
I shall be glad to hear how you managed to escape, and any news you have gained as to Merci's force and intentions." As soon as the marshal had ridden off, his officers pressed round him, but before speaking to them individually Hector said a few words to the men, thanking them for the greeting they had given him, and saying that he was glad indeed to be back among them.

Then he talked for a time to the officers, two or three of whom, after saying a few words apart to Captain de Thiou, had hurried away.

Half an hour later de Thiou said: "I have no doubt that you will be glad of supper, colonel.

Ours is just prepared, and we hope that you will join us." "I am hungry, de Thiou, now I come to think of it, for except a crust of bread this morning I have not touched anything today." "It is fortunate that we are better off than usual," de Thiou said.

"We had the luck to buy a pig from one of Weimar's troopers.