It was not an act of red-hot heroism.

It was done in cold blood, a deliberate gamble with death on a thousand to one chance.

It was staggeringly brave.
I told the story to Mrs.Boyce.Her comment was characteristic: "But surely they would have to surrender if called upon by a British Officer." To the Day of Judgment I don't think she will understand what Leonard did.

Leonard himself, coming home slightly wounded two or three weeks afterwards, pooh-poohed the story as one of no account and only further confused the dear lady's ill-conceived notions.
In the meanwhile life at Wellingsford flowed uneventfully.

Now and again a regiment or a brigade, having finished its training, disappeared in a night, and the next day fresh troops arrived to fill its place.