He proved, of course, to be a private soldier.

I say of course, because no officer could possibly enjoy such heights of popularity.

He had been wounded before San Sebastian, and still wore his arm in a sling.
What was a great deal worse for him, every member of the company had been plying him with drink.

His honest yokel's countenance blazed as if with fever, his eyes were glazed and looked the two ways, and his feet stumbled as, amidst a murmur of applause, he returned to the midst of his admirers.
Two minutes afterwards I was again posting in the dark along the highway; to explain which sudden movement of retreat I must trouble the reader with a reminiscence of my services.
I lay one night with the out-pickets in Castile.

We were in close touch with the enemy; the usual orders had been issued against smoking, fires, and talk, and both armies lay as quiet as mice, when I saw the English sentinel opposite making a signal by holding up his musket.