horse, declared that he had the most dreadful pain and could not go
any further. He handed the command to Sergeant Pertelay, who was next
in seniority. Pertelay, however pointed out that he was an Alsatian
and was unable to read French, and could not, in consequence,
understand the map or the written instructions given by the general.
He did not wish to accept the command. All the other sergeants, old
Bercheny Hussars, refused for the same reason, as did the corporals.
In vain, as a matter of duty, I offered to read the general's
instructions and explain our route on the map for any of the
sergeants who would take over; they all refused anew; then, to my
great surprise, these old sweats turned to me and said "Take command
yourself. We'll follow you and obey all your orders."

The rest of the party expressed the same wish, and it was clear
that if I refused, we would go no further and the honour of the
regiment would be blemished; for it was essential that the general's
orders were carried out, above all when it was perhaps a matter of
avoiding a disaster for his division. So I accepted the command, but
not without asking Sergeant Canon if he felt able to continue. At
which point he began to complain once more, left us and returned to
the inn. I promise you I thought he was really ill, but the men of
the detachment, who knew him better, made some very disparaging
remarks about him.

I think I can say, without boasting, that nature has endowed me
with a good stock of courage. I might even add that there was a time
when I enjoyed facing danger. My military record and the thirteen
wounds I have received in the wars are, I believe, sufficient proof.
So, on taking command of fifty men, placed under my orders in such
extraordinary circumstances,--me, a simple Hussar, seventeen years of