hed his
merits as the conqueror of 'Grandrengs,' others quizzed him about the
heroism of lying hid in a well, and owing all his glory to a skin of
parchment.

'An' thou wert with the army of Italy, Pierre,' said the hussar, 'thou
'd have seen men march boldly to victory, and not skulk underground like
a mole.'

'I am tired of your song about this army of Italy,' broke in the
cannonier; 'we who have served in La Vendee and the North know what
fighting means as well, mayhap, as men whose boldest feats are scaling
rocks and clambering up precipices. Your Bonaparte is more like one of
those Guerilla chiefs they have in the "Basque," than the general of a
French army.'

'The man who insults the army of Italy, or its chief, insults me!'
said the corporal, springing up, and casting a sort of haughty defiance
around him.

'And then?'--asked the other.

'And then--if he be a French soldier, he knows what should follow.'

'_Parbleu!_' said the cannonier coolly, 'there would be little glory in
cutting you down, and even less in being wounded by you; but if you
will have it so, it's not an old soldier of the artillery will balk your
humour.'

As he spoke, he slowly arose from the ground, and tightening his
waist-belt, seemed prepared to follow the other. The rest sprang to
their feet at the same time, but not, as I anticipated, to offer a
friendly mediation between the angry parties, but in full approval of
their readiness to decide by the sword a matter too trivial to be called
a quarrel.

In the midst of the whispering conferences as to place and weapons--for
the short straight sword of the artillery was very unlike the curved
sabre of the hussar--the quick tramp of horses was heard, and suddenly
the head of a squadron was seen, as, with glancing helmets and
glittering equipments, they turned off the highroad and entered the
wood.

'Here they come!--here come the troops!' was now heard on every side;
and all question of the duel was forgotten in the greater interest
inspired by the arrival of the others. The sight was strikingly
picturesque; for, as they rode up, the order to dismount was given, and
in an instant the whole squadron was at work picketing and unsaddling
their horses; forage was shaken out before the weary and hungry beasts,
kits were unpacked, cooking utensils produced, and every one busy in
preparing for the bivouac. An infantry column followed close upon the
others, which was again succeeded by two