It was a happy thought of Major Leiberkuhn that each of us should buy one book, so that altogether we have got some forty between us; which, taking our reading quietly, will last us for a couple of months.

They mayn't be all equally interesting; but as the sergeant bought them second-hand, at about half a franc a volume, we can lay in another stock without hurting ourselves, whenever we choose." A few days later they bought several sets of draughts, chessmen, and dominoes, and a dozen packs of cards.

This had been arranged at a general meeting, held in the major's casemate.

Strict rules had been laid down that there should be no playing for money.

Several of the prisoners had had only a few marks in their pockets when captured.
They agreed to meet at three o'clock, in two of the casemates by turn, as one would not hold the whole number.