The officer scrutinized him
closely, then looking around soon discovered the cause of the accident.
He sent a soldier for the hare, examined it, and placed Paul under
arrest, at the same time remarking "that for an accidental discharge of
a gun it had a most remarkable effect and that only an American could
cause such an accident." After a few hours detention in the guard house,
Paul was allowed his liberty. Being the only foreigner, he was a
favorite in the company and many of his escapades were overlooked, if a
Frenchman had been guilty of the same he would have been severely
punished. The captain of Paul's company at this time was an officer
whose voice was very weak, and he could never finish a command in the
same pitch he had started. He invariably broke down, and the command
which was commenced in a stentorian voice was ended in a hoarse
whisper. This peculiarity often caused the Franc-tireurs to smile. One
morning the company was ready to march; the captain, mounted on a
powerful horse, was at their head. Wheeling about and drawing his sword
he gave the orders: "Attencion compagnie! En evant." He then
suddenly broke down and paused to recover his breath and Paul in a low
undertone and in exact imitation of the captain, added the word that
ought to follow, "Mar-r-che!"
This drew forth a smothered laugh from the whole company.
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