CHAPTER XIII

Le Fever got up to the Imperial army just time enough to try what metal his sword was made of, at the defeat of the _Turks_ before _Belgrade_; but a series of unmerited mischances had pursued him from that moment, and trod close upon his heels for four years together after; he had withstood these buffetings to the last, till sickness overtook him at _Marseilles_, from whence he wrote my uncle _Toby_ word, he had lost his time, his services, his health, and, in short, everything but his sword; ----and was waiting for the first ship to return back to him.

As this letter came to hand about six weeks before _Susannah’s_ accident, _Le Fever_ was hourly expected; and was uppermost in my uncle _Toby’s_ mind all the time my father was giving him and _Yorick_ a description of what kind of a person he would chuse for a preceptor to me: but as my uncle _Toby_ thought my father at first somewhat fanciful in the accomplishments he required, he forebore mentioning _Le Fever’s_ name, ----till the character, by _Yorick’s_ interposition, ending unexpectedly, in one, who should be gentle-tempered, and generous, and good, it impressed the image of _Le Fever_, and his interest, upon my uncle _Toby_ so forcibly, he rose instantly off his chair; and laying down his pipe, in order to take hold of both my father’s hands ----I beg, brother _Shandy_, said my uncle _Toby_, I may recommend poor _Le Fever’s_ son to you ----I beseech you do, added _Yorick_ ----He has a good heart, said my uncle _Toby_ ----And a brave one too, an’ please your honour, said the corporal.

----The best hearts, _Trim_, are ever the bravest, replied my uncle _Toby_. ----And the greatest cowards, an’ please your honour, in our regiment, were the greatest rascals in it. ----There was serjeant _Kumber_, and ensign------

----We’ll talk of them, said my father, another time.

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