Then, suddenly recognizing the rank of the gray-haired officer, he was morally shaken, but remained physically erect, and stammered,-- "Colonel!--general!--colonel!" "Don't be frightened, my lad.

But look at the general and answer me." "Yes! general! colonel!" and he levelled his eye dead at the general, as he would a bayonet at a foe, being so commanded.
"Now answer in as few syllables as you can." "Yes! general--colonel." "You have been on guard in the mine." "Yes, general." "What did you see there ?" "Nothing; it was night down there." "What did you feel ?" "Cold! I--was--in--water--hugh!" "Did you hear nothing, then ?" "Yes." "What ?" "Bum! bum! bum!" "Are you sure you did not hear particles of earth fall at the end of the trench ?" "I think it did, and this (touching his musket) sounded of its own accord." "Good! you have answered well; go." "Sergeant, I did not miss a word," cried Dard, exulting.

He thought he had passed a sort of military college examination.

The sergeant was awe-struck and disgusted at his familiarity, speaking to him before the great: he pushed Private Dard hastily out of the presence, and bundled him into the trenches.
"Are you countermined, then ?" asked General Raimbaut.
"I think not, general; but the whole bastion is.

And we found it had been opened in the rear, and lately half a dozen broad roads cut through the masonry." "To let in re-enforcements ?" "Or to let the men run out in ease of an assault.