The Colonel's orders and decisions are handed over to him for dictation to the various Sergeant-majors, by whom they are read aloud to the troopers of each squadron, after afternoon "stables." He conveys the General's orders to the Colonel. Every morning after _réveille_ each Sergeant-major hands over to him a report on the morning roll-call, but this call never actually takes place in the cavalry. At the same time the Sergeant of the Guard hands over to him the register bearing the names of all troopers who have returned to barracks after the last roll-call (9 P.M.),[5] and he reports on these to the "Captain of the Week." He sees that the canteens are closed at the proper time, and that lights are extinguished in the rooms at 10 P.M. He has besides the general control of all men undergoing punishment. It will thus be seen what enormous power the _Adjudant_ has. With his connivance a trooper may absent himself for three or four days without any one being the wiser. Let a Sergeant or a Sergeant-major dare to report the matter to the Captain and he will soon discover what it will cost him. How I made use of the _Adjudant_ will be seen when I describe my personal adventures. "Stand well with your Sergeant-major and one of the _Adjudants_ and you are all right," is a well-known saying in the French cavalry. The _Adjudant-vaguemestre_ is really the regimental postmaster and postman; he collects letters, cashes money-orders for the troopers, and does all sorts of dirty work others don't care to undertake; he acts as Sergeant-major to the _Peloton hors rang_, and is usually chosen from among old Sergeants who are unfit for anything else. Of the skilled artisans, armourers, saddlers, tailors, &c., little or nothing need be said, as they are soldiers but in name. Let us now return to the true inner life of a regiment, the squadron and its units. SERGEANT-MAJOR (MARÉCHAL DES LOGIS CHEF). The Sergeant-major is the right hand of the Captain commanding a squadron. In theory he is, of course, far below a Lieutenant or Sub-lieutenant; in practice--at least in most squadrons--he is the real head of the squadron in barracks. He is in hourly contact with the Sergeants, Corporals, and troopers, and it is through the Sergeant-major that the Captain judges them. Most Sergeant-majors will send a man to prison in the Captain's name, knowing well that the latter will approve of and endorse their decision. "The Sergeant-major," says the "Service Intérieur," "must study the conduct, the character, and the capabilities of the Sergeants, Corporals, and troopers of his squadron, in order to give information to the officers, and chiefly to the Captain commanding the squadron. He gives all orders with regard to duty, dress, and discipline.... He is the Captain's agent in all matters of administration and accounts, he is responsible for the proper keeping of all books, registers, &c., and for the proper state of all the _matériel_ belonging to the squadron.