"They were French undoubtedly----" "I found them fighting against us." Rapidly and in few words Marteau told the story of the night, touching lightly upon his own part, but the Emperor was soldier enough to read between the words of the narration and reconstruct the scene instantly.
He turned to one of his officers.
"Take those scoundrels out.

Put them up against the wall and shoot them out of hand.

They disgrace the name of France.

Bid the surgeons of the command come here to look to the wounded." "They are past hope, except the French boy, your Majesty," said Yeovil, who having recovered his own consciousness speedily had been examining them meanwhile.

"I have some skill in wounds.