They learnt, however, that he
had been observed to give his horse in charge to a man who acted as his
Lieutenant, and who was known to be a journeyman baker, usually employed
in Laval.
After many inquiries, Henri learnt the name and residence of the master
baker for whom this man worked, and thither he sent Chapeau, while he
himself remained in the guard-house, talking to two of the Breton
soldiers, who had been induced to come in to him.
"We none of us know his name, Monsieur," said one of them, "and it is
because he has no name, we call him the Mad Captain; and it is true
enough, he has many mad ways with him."
"For all his madness though, he is a desperate fine soldier; and he
cares no more for a troop of blues than I would for a flock of geese,"
said the other.
"I think its love must make him go on as he does," continued the first.
"There's something more besides that," said the second, "for he's always
fearful that people should take him for a coward. He's always asking us
whether we ever saw him turn his back to the enemy; and bidding us be
sure, whenever he falls in battle, to tell the Vendeans how well he
fought.
Pages:
756
757
758
759
760
761
762
763
764
765
766
767
768
769
770
771
772
773
774
775
776
777
778
779
780