I had not gone far when, from a marauding party, I learned that my man Mike was in search of me through the plain.

A report of my death had reached him, and the poor fellow was half distracted.
Longing anxiously to allay his fears on my account, which I well knew might lead him into any act of folly or insanity, I pressed forward; besides--shall I confess it ?--amidst the manifold thoughts of sorrow and affliction which weighed me down, I could not divest myself of the feeling that so long as I wore my present absurd costume, I could be nothing but an object of laughter and ridicule to all who met me.
I had not long to look for my worthy follower, for I soon beheld him cantering about the plain.

A loud shout brought him beside me; and truly the poor fellow's delight was great and sincere.

With a thousand protestations of his satisfaction, and reiterated assurances of what he would not have done to the French prisoners if anything had happened me, we took our way together towards the camp..