credit.

I had some money, so I did not pocket my share from the sale of
the horses, but to celebrate my promotion, I bought from the
inn-keeper two sheep, an enormous cheese and a load of wine, with
which my detachment had a feast. This was one of the happiest days
of my life.

General Séras, in his report to General Championet included a most
flattering reference to my conduct, and said the same sort of thing
to my father; so when, several days later, I brought the detachment
back to Savona, my father welcomed me with the greatest show of
affection. I was highly delighted; I rejoined the camp where all the
regiment was united; my detachment had arrived there before me and
had told of what we had done, giving me always the leading part in
our success, so I was heartily welcomed by the officers and soldiers
and also by my new comrades, the non-commissioned officers, who
handed me my sergeant's stripes.

It was on this day that I met the younger Pertelay for the first
time, he had come back from Genoa, where he had been stationed for
some months. I became friendly with this excellent man, and
regretted not having had him as my mentor at the beginning of my
career, for he gave me much good advice, which steadied me up and
made me break away from the wild men of the clique.

The commander-in-chief, Championet, intended to carry out some
operations in the interior of Piedmont, but having very little in the
way of cavalry, he ordered my father to send him the 1st Hussars, who
could no longer stay at Madon, in any case, because of the shortage