I laughed, and said I was a bad person to be his executor, as I meant in some way to contrive to be of the party; how, I did not yet know. He begged me not to risk myself on a business out of my line of duty, but I was firmly set as to the matter, and he went away more serious than I thought worth while. In fact, I was tired of the every-day sameness of staff-duty and incessant letter-writing. Later in the evening I was sent for to the tent of his Excellency. I found him with the Comtes de Deuxponts and de Rochambeau. I was wanted to act as interpreter. Although his Excellency could comprehend what was said, he possessed no such knowledge of French as to be able to speak it. The business was soon despatched, and as I lingered, the general asked what other matter needed attention. Upon this I replied that I greatly desired to be of the storming-party. He returned, “I presume of course, sir, that you are not for duty on the 14th?” I said, “No.” “Then your business is with the staff. I am unwilling to permit gentlemen to step aside out of their work.” He spoke in his usual deliberate manner, and with a certain sternness such as he well knew how to assume. I saluted, but stood still a moment, and then said, “I trust, Excellency, that I have fulfilled my duties to your satisfaction.” “Entirely. I should have made it plain to you had it been otherwise.” “And I have never asked a favour of your Excellency. I have been twice wounded, have had no home leave for four years, and have spent five months in a British jail.” I saw a faint smile come over his grave face. “You boys are all alike. Here is Colonel Hamilton in a rage because the marquis would have given his place to Captain Gimat, and now it is an obstinate Welshman must go and get into mischief. I wish the whole army had your spirit, sir.” I ventured to observe that Colonel Armand had been permitted to serve as a volunteer, and that I had hoped that I too should be allowed a like favour. His Excellency smiled, and returned, “As a volunteer, Mr. Wynne--well, as a volunteer. Ask Colonel Hamilton. I trust that is satisfactory. Are the orders and detail all made out?” I said yes, and, thanking him, went away. Colonel Hamilton, whom I saw early on the 14th, was as much surprised at the result of my request as was I, and was pleased to say he should be glad of my company, and would I be on hand in the trenches before dark? The French of the old regiment D’Auvergne, which that night won the right to be called D’Auvergne _sans tache_, were to carry the redoubt to the right of the enemy’s line. The Baron de Viomenisle was to lead them. Gimat was to have a chance with us. “There are Connecticut men, and Massachusetts and Rhode Island men, with a reserve from Pennsylvania. The North has the whole business,” said Hamilton, “and your friend Warder has the luck to be with us.”