He is in command, you know, but he has not recovered from a wound he got at Chemille, and is unable to ride." Leigh had no doubt that a council of war was about to be held and, bidding his companions wait for him at the end of the street, he sauntered across the road, and sat down on the pavement by the side of the entrance.

Leaning against the wall, he took from his pocket a hunk of the peasants' black bread and, cutting it up with his knife, proceeded to munch it unconcernedly.

An officer and two or three troopers were standing by their horses' heads, in the road opposite the door, evidently awaiting orders.
In half an hour General Menou himself came out, and said to the officer: "Sir, you will ride at once to Thouars, by way of Loudun, and deliver this despatch to General Salomon.

It is most urgent.

When you hand it to him, you can say that I begged you to impress upon him the necessity for losing not a moment of time.