Cathelineau has appointed him to the post, as it needs an artilleryman to load and point the guns." Leigh moved away.

This fellow was half drunk, but not too drunk to know what he was saying.

What did he mean by declaring that he would soon be rich?
The peasants had said that he was lazy, and fond of the wine cup He could hardly be likely to acquire wealth by honest labour.
Perhaps he might be intending an act of treachery.

Putting aside other considerations, he, as an old soldier, would scarcely care to mow down his former comrades, and his sympathies must be rather with the army than with the peasants.

He had no personal interest in this revolt against conscription, nor was it likely that the cause of the cures concerned him greatly.