The captain of Paul's company at this time was an officer whose voice was very weak, and he could never finish a command in the same pitch he had started.

He invariably broke down, and the command which was commenced in a stentorian voice was ended in a hoarse whisper.

This peculiarity often caused the Franc-tireurs to smile.

One morning the company was ready to march; the captain, mounted on a powerful horse, was at their head.

Wheeling about and drawing his sword he gave the orders: "Attencion compagnie! En evant." He then suddenly broke down and paused to recover his breath and Paul in a low undertone and in exact imitation of the captain, added the word that ought to follow, "Mar-r-che!" This drew forth a smothered laugh from the whole company.