Rather tall, with bold and haughty features and the remains of good looks travestied by dirt, he wore long and dirty hair and a Spanish surtout of the most shabby description. His mutilated left hand was making ostensible efforts to disappear beneath a red handkerchief, while his right hand flourished a Bible recklessly. General Loustaunau presented himself to the considerably astonished doctor, who recognised him, by his way of saluting, for a Frenchman. General he was, but in the Indies, and he did not require pressing to relate his history, which approached, perhaps a little artificially, the epopee. Of a family of poor peasants of the Pyrenees, he was born at the little town of Aïdens. Early, he intended to seek his fortune in America, but on arriving at Bordeaux and learning that a ship was about to sail for the Indies, he suddenly changed his mind and joined it as a sailor. The _Sartine_ weighed anchor in September, 1777. She carried away a young man more rich in hopes than in cash, but who possessed a fine presence, robust health and an astonishing activity, thanks to which he was going to make his way quickly. Disembarked at Poonah, he contrived to attract the attention of M. de Marigny, the French Ambassador, who was accustomed to say to him: "You, you are not an ordinary type." The empire of the Mahrattas was at that time a land consecrated to political intrigues. The emperor had been assassinated, leaving an infant son. The Prince Ragova, his brother, who was not perhaps a stranger to the murder, claimed the throne, supported by the English, while the Rajahs Nassaphermis and Sindhia ranged themselves on the side of the legitimate heir. War having broken out, Loustaunau, who was dying with envy to see a battle, demanded authorisation to go to the Maliratta camp. His reply to M. de Marigny's objections was simple: "If I am killed, well! good day, and it will be finished!" M. de Marigny gave him a recommendation to General Norolli, a Portuguese who commanded the rajah's artillery. On the field of battle, Loustaunau observed everything and followed with interest the movements of the army. The English were entrenched on an eminence, and had there established batteries which were making great havoc in the ranks of the Mahrattas. Loustaunau observed a height which dominated the enemy's position, and which was easily accessible to the rajah's troops. To General Norolli, who was passing, Loustaunau pointed out the spot, offering him the possibility of reducing the English artillery to silence. But Norolli, swollen with the distrust which the military man always has for the civilian, shrugged his shoulders before this beardless youth who was presuming to meddle with strategy. However, an old officer, who had heard the conversation, asked him what he thought of their artillery. "If I were a flatterer," he replied, "I should say that it is excellent; but, as I am not, I permit myself to say that it is detestable."