When he reached the spot where Paolo was holding the horses, he resigned the command of the company and mounted.
"Men," he said, "you have played your part well, and I am proud to have commanded soldiers so steady and courageous." At this moment the general, who was in command of the force, and who had been the last to leave the town, rode up, the men coming along at a run.
"You had better hurry your men on," he said to the colonel with whom Hector had acted; "the enemy will be on the ramparts in a minute, and you may be sure that they won't let us off without trouble from their guns." "I beg your pardon, general," Hector said saluting, "but the guns all along this side of the wall are useless; I have spiked them." "You have, sir! That was well done indeed.

Who gave you the orders, and how did you come by spikes ?" "I had no orders, general; but I was appointed to command the first company that entered, and was told that we were to turn right and left along the ramparts.

It struck me that as, when we had left, the enemy would be sure to turn their guns upon us, it would be as well to silence them, so I brought the nails and a hammer with me for the purpose." "It would be well, sir, if we had a good many officers as thoughtful as you are.

You have saved us from heavy loss, for, as the country is perfectly level for a mile round, they would have swept our ranks as we marched off.

Were you attacked, sir ?" "Yes, general, by a force of about four hundred men, but I turned two of the guns against them.