Soyer's Culinary Campaign: Being Historical Reminiscences of the Late War.: With The Plain Art of Cookery for Military and Civil Institutions

fine fellows. But I wish they spoke English--we should get on much quicker.” “I’ll speak to them for you, if you like, admiral.” “Ah, to be sure, so you can.” I immediately set about acting as interpreter between the English admiral and the Sardinian captains. In his anxiety to get rid of them as quickly as possible, Admiral Boxer asked whether they had pretty much what they required; a question which brought about ten complainants on deck, who surrounded me. One had no hay, barley, or water for his horses. They all spoke at the same time, and made a hubbub which could only be feebly imitated at the Paris Stock Exchange. “What’s all this row about? This will never do,” said the admiral. “Pray don’t tell them who I am, or they will bother my life out.” “I have told them, and that’s why they are making such a row. I asked them, as you wished me, whether they had everything they wanted.” “I said pretty much what they wanted.” “I know you did, admiral, and so I told them; but they say they don’t know the meaning of that.” “Tell them they are fine fellows--fine fellows, and that there is a beautiful camp ready for them, where they will find everything they require, without any drawback. I will send lots of men to wait upon them directly; but they must get out of the harbour before night.” General della Marmora sent for the admiral; so he left me to settle the matter, which I did in a very few words. “My dear fellows,” said I to them, “your valuable services will be much better appreciated by your sovereign and General-in-chief if you put up with a little inconvenience for the present, and remain quiet, than if, on the contrary, you are too particular.” “Do you know, monsieur, that our horses have not had a drop of water to-day?” “Colonel,” said I, “I am not at all surprised at that; and more, you must put up with it.” “Why?” he asked. “Simply because you can’t get it, unless you