I have seen from the first an able hand behind that part of the defences.

If we assault the bastion, they will pick off as many of us as they can with their muskets then they will run for it, and fire a train, and blow it and us into the air." "Colonel, this is serious.

Are you prepared to lay this statement before the commander-in-chief ?" "I am, and I do so through you, the general of my division.

I even beg you to say, as from me, that the assault will be mere suicide--bloody and useless." General Raimbaut went off to headquarters in some haste, a thorough convert to Colonel Dujardin's opinion.

Meantime the colonel went slowly to his tent.