A remarkable man was Manuelo, "The Smiler." He was fat and
florid and comfortable, with a big, clean- shaven face and a bald
head, the very model of a kindly father of a family. As I looked
at his honest smile I could scarcely believe that this was,
indeed, the infamous ruffian whose name was a horror through the
English Army as well as our own. It is well known that Trent,
who was a British officer, afterward had the fellow hanged for
his brutalities. He sat upon a boulder and he beamed upon me
like one who meets an old acquaintance.
I observed, however, that one of his men leaned upon a long saw,
and the sight was enough to cure me of all delusions.
"Good evening, Colonel Gerard," said he. "We have been highly
honoured by General Massena's staff: Major Cortex one day,
Colonel Duplessis the next, and now Colonel Gerard. Possibly the
Marshal himself may be induced to honour us with a visit. You
have seen Duplessis, I understand. Cortex you will find nailed
to a tree down yonder. It only remains to be decided how we can
best dispose of yourself.
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