How is it that you, who have had no training as a soldier, should have conceived the idea of arresting the march of Berruyer's army, with a force of only two or three hundred peasants ?" "It was a mere matter of common sense," Leigh said, with a smile.
"I knew that it was of the utmost importance that Chemille should not be attacked, until Cathelineau received reinforcements.

At first, I had no thought of doing more than breaking down the bridge, and of perhaps checking the advanced cavalry; but when I found that the peasants who came along were quite willing to aid, it seemed to me that by cutting down the trees, so as to block the road and make a shelter for us, we might be able to cause the enemy considerable delay.

I hardly hoped to succeed in holding out so long, or in inflicting such loss upon him as we were able to do.

It did not require any military knowledge whatever, and I should not have attempted it had I not seen that, thanks to the forest, we should be able to retreat when we could no longer hold the barricade of felled trees." "Well, you could not have done better if you had been a general.

I have Cathelineau's permission to ask you to ride with me, when you are not engaged in scouting." "I should be delighted to do so, but at present I have no horse.
However, I can send one of my lads back to the chateau, to fetch the one that I generally ride." "I have brought a spare animal with me," the young count said.