They threw down the sacks at last and flatly refused to carry them.

I had been asked very politely if I would be of the detachment for the sacks or of some other.

I decided for the sacks, because I felt that I might thereby advance myself, the subject having already made much noise.

I arrived with the detachment of the Musketeers at the moment of the refusal of the others; and I loaded my sack before their eyes.

Marin, a brigadier of cavalry and lieutenant of the body guards, who was there to superintend the operation, noticed me, and full of anger at the refusal he had just met with, exclaimed that as I did not think such work beneath me, the rest would do well to imitate my example.
Without a word being spoken each took up his sack; and from that time forward no further difficulty occurred in the matter.