112 REMINISCEXCES OP A SPOETSMAX. 



found to possess considerable tact and talent. He had 

 already learnt to carry admirably, and ere three weeks 

 were over he could stand with as erect a back as any 

 private in the regiment, act sentinel, and keep time in 

 the march. Soldier-like, he lived from paw to mouth. 

 He endured the fatigues of Mont St. Bernard with as 

 good a grace as any veteran in the army. They were 

 soon near the enemy, and Moustache, having become 

 familiar with the sound of musketry as well as of drums, 

 seemed to be inspired with new ardour as he approached 

 the scene of action. The first occasion on which he 

 distinguished himself was this. His regiment being 

 encamped on the height above Alexandria, a detachment 

 of Austrians from the Vale of Balbo attempted a sur- 

 prise during the night. The weather was stormy, and 

 the French had no notion that the Austrians were ad- 

 vancing so close. The camp was in danger, but Mous- 

 tache was on the alert, walking his rounds as usual, 

 with his nose in the air. He soon detected the Grer- 

 mans. He gave the alarm, and the Austrians rapidly 

 retreated. Next morning it was resolved that Moustache 

 should thenceforth receive the ration of a grenadier. He 

 was now cropped a la Tnilitaire, a collar with the name 

 of the regiment was hung round his neck, and the 

 barber was ordered to comb and shave him once a week. 

 In a skirmish which occurred. Moustache received a 

 bayonet wound in his left shoulder. He was not per- 

 fectly recovered from this accident when the great 

 battle of Marengo took place. Lame as he was, he 

 could not keep away from so grand a scene. He kept 

 close to the banner, which he had learned to recognise 

 among a hundred, and never gave over barking until 

 the evening closed upon the combatants. The sun of 



