If they both have it, then it is the general who commands our division who gives us orders, and it matters nought to us whom he takes his orders from." "At any rate, MacIntosh, it is not for soldiers to inquire too deeply into these matters; if we did, we should have one half of the regiment firing into the other." "So we should, lad, so we should; therefore we soldiers do wisely in leaving the matter to our officers.

If the colonel says 'Charge!' we charge; if he says 'Dismount and take to your musketoons!' we do so, without troubling our heads as to whether it is Germans or Spaniards or Frenchmen whom we have to aim at.

Ah, here come your four men!" As the four troopers entered the cabaret and saw who was speaking to MacIntosh they hesitated, and would have turned, but the sergeant called out, "Attention! salute!" and they stood as motionless as statues till Hector ordered them to stand easy.
"I have been talking about you men to Sergeant MacIntosh, who tells me that you have taken your discharge and the reason for your so doing.

I think that you acted hastily; however, that is your affair.

The matter that concerns me is this:--I am appointed colonel of an infantry regiment and I want four good men as orderlies.