"There is someone in charge here, then?
Who may it be ?" "Captain Charlot," the fellow answered, with an impudent air, which clearly seemed to ask: "What have you to say to that ?" "Captain Charlot ?" echoed La Boulaye, in astonishment, for the name was that of the sometime peasant of Bellecour, who had since risen in life, and who, as an officer, had in a few months acquired a brilliant fame for deeds of daring.

"Charlot Tardivet ?" he inquired.
"Is there any other Captain Charlot in the army of the Republic ?" the fellow asked insolently.
"Is he invalided too ?" inquired Caron, without heeding the soldier's offensiveness of manner.
"He was severely wounded at Jemappes," was the answer.
"At Jemappes?
But, voyons my friend, Jemappes was fought three months ago." "Why, so all the world knows.

What then?
The General sent Captain Charlot here to rest and be cured, giving him charge of the invalided soldiers who came with him and of others who were already here." "And of these," cried La Boulaye, his amazement growing, "have none returned to Dumouriez ?" "Have I not said that we are invalids ?" Caron eyed him with cold contempt.
"How many of you are there ?" he asked.

And for all that the man began to mislike this questioning, he had not the hardihood to refuse an answer to the stern tones of that stern man on horseback.
"Some fifty, or thereabouts." La Boulaye said nothing for a moment, then touching the fellow's sleeve with his whip.
"How came you into this masquerade ?" he inquired.
"Ma foi," answered the man, shrugging his shoulders, "we were in rags.
The commissariat was demoralised, and supplies were not forthcoming.

We had to take what we could find, or else go naked." "And where did you find these things ?" "Diable! Will your questions never come to an end, Citizen?
Would you not be better advised in putting them to the Captain himself ?" "Why, so I will.