I am sure you deserve a commission for the pluck you showed, in taking your place as a private among the natives.

Your knowledge of the language, too, will be an argument in your favour.
"How was it that you joined our little party ?" "I acted on the impulse of the moment.

I happened to be at the spot when your party were going down, and I saw that you would soon be in the thick of it, while we were only firing.

I was just thinking about it, when there was a great burst of flame behind me.

I did not know what it was, but that decided me.