Often I would laugh at their coarse wit, though a big lump in my throat betokened another kind of sentiment. Yet one might be joyful at the evidence of the vast store of human kindness possessed by these rough soldier-folk, which, though hidden till now, came splendidly to the fore in this time of common misfortune. On the 20th November, as I was sitting on a stool close by the door of the fort--for I was feeling decidedly queer, having just recovered from a third severe attack of fever--the native sentry, who was posted on a little wooden platform about 20 feet high, supported on four bamboo poles, and fitted with a thatch roof, informed me with a shout that he could perceive a troop of European soldiers, accompanied by two mounted officers, coming out of the pass towards us. I was in charge of the guard for the day, so I sent off a _tirailleur_ to inform the commander. A few minutes later the two officers seen by the sentry came galloping into Cho-Trang on their ponies, and my surprise was great on recognising Captain Plessier and Surgeon Joly. As they came through the gate I rose and saluted. Our Captain drew up his little mount with a jerk, and after looking hard at me for a few seconds, exclaimed: "_Mon Dieu!_ Doctor, why, this is our Englishman. But how changed! Why, the man is as yellow as a buttercup, and as thin as a vine-pole." While he was speaking, the doctor had dismounted, and, after throwing the reins to a native soldier who stood by, he came over to me. After consulting my pulse, and looking at my tongue, he turned to Captain Plessier and said: "This man is in a high fever, and ought to be in bed." He questioned me concerning the date on which I had had my first attack, and obliged me also to give him other details concerning my malady. Then he walked off and rejoined our Captain, who had gone on to the quarters of the lieutenant in command of the fort. A few minutes later a sergeant came up to the guard-house and told me that, on the doctor's advice, the lieutenant had given orders for me to be relieved, and he (the sergeant) had been instructed to tell me to go to bed. I was not sorry for this, for I was feeling very unwell; and when one of my comrades put in an appearance I passed the service on to him, hurried away to my hut, and was soon lying on my cot under a pile of blankets, in anticipation of the attack of ague which was already giving me signs of speedy approach. I had not been there long before Captain Plessier, accompanied by our surgeon, came into the room. They visited the sick men who were in their cots--there were nine besides myself--and then came over to me. After examining me again, the doctor said: "This man should be sent down to the nearest hospital as soon as possible. He might leave with us to-morrow morning."