Armé du pistolet d’arçon du maréchal des logis, Fabrice avait repris fièrement sa faction lorsqu’il vit arriver à lui sept hussards montés : il s’était placé de façon à barrer le pont, il leur communique l’ordre du colonel, ils en ont l’air fort contrarié, le plus hardi cherche à passer.
Armed with the sergeant's horse-pistol, Fabrizio had proudly resumed his guard when he saw coming towards him seven hussars, mounted. He had taken up a position that barred the bridge; he read them the colonel's order, which seemed greatly to annoy them; the most venturesome of them tried to pass.