And that store of mine, sir, didn't cost a cent less than--" But I was watching the engineer officer, and catching fragments of the rapid consultation.
"Quite inevitable, sir, in my opinion." "Very good.

You have full powers--instruct--colonel--magazine--do your best." The engineer officer had very long white hands, which I noticed as one went rapidly to his forehead, whilst with the other he caressed the dark nose of the governor's horse, which had been rubbing its head against his shoulder.

And then the governor rode away and left him.
The word "gunpowder" seemed to have brought soldiers to the spot in a sort of natural sequence.

There was more quick saluting and short orders, and then all disappeared but one bronzed-looking sergeant, who followed the engineer stripling up and down as he jerked his head, and pulled his moustache, and seemed to have some design upon the gutters of the house-eaves, which took a good deal of explaining and saluting.

Then we heard wheels and running footsteps, and I became sensible of great relief from the pressure of the crowd.