It fell upon my drum.

I stoop and pick it up and hand it to him, but I keep drumming with one hand all the time.

'Comrade,' say I, 'the army thanks you for your courtesy.' 'Brother,' he say, 'twas to your drum,' and his eye flash out where Gudin carved his way through those pigs of Prussians.

'I'd take my head off to keep your saddle filled, comrade,' say I.Ping! come a bullet and catch me in the calf.
'You hold your head too high, brother,' the general say, and he smile.
'I'll hold it higher,' answer I, and I snatch at a soldier.

'Up with me on your shoulder, big comrade,' I say, and he lift me up.