The Adventures of Roderick Random

Irish Drummer’s Fencing Lessons

After being wounded by the old Gascon, the narrator is visited by an Irish drummer who offers to teach him the “Science of Defence.” The drummer’s true motive, as the narrator later discovers, is jealousy over the Gascon’s affair with his wife. The narrator accepts the offer and practices the lessons diligently, soon becoming confident in his ability to challenge his former conqueror.

Battle of Dettingen Engagement

The regiment joins the camp of Marshal Noailles the night before the battle at Dettingen. Ordered to cross the river under the Duc de Grammont, they take possession of a narrow defile through which the Allies must pass to their disadvantage. An old officer expresses surprise at Lord Stair’s conduct, noting that Stair was overruled and had actually disapproved of the plan. Providence or destiny acts on the Allies’ behalf when the Duc de Grammont inexplicably quits his advantageous post, passes the defile, and attacks the English drawn up in order of battle on the plain.

Dettingen French Retreat

The English handle the French roughly, killing a great number of men, after which the French turn and flee in such precipitation that many hundreds perish in the river through fear and confusion. The enemy, headed by the King of Great Britain, generously declines to pursue. The French loss amounts to five thousand men, including many officers of distinction, opening a passage for the foe to Haynau. The French later take possession of the field of battle and treat the living and dead with humanity.

Gascon’s Post-Battle Boasting

The French soldiers use this kindness as grounds to claim victory, and the French national character emerges in their extravagant boasting. Every soldier claims to have performed feats eclipsing all ancient heroes, with comparisons to lions, bears, and desperate stags. The meagre Gascon outdoes them all, extolling his exploits above those of Hercules or Charlemagne. The narrator, still resentful of his previous disgrace and now feeling qualified, magnifies English valor and disparages the French, paying an ironical compliment to the Gascon’s speed in flight.

Gascon Duel Victory

Stung by the narrator’s sarcasm, the Gascon threatens him but receives a kick that overturns him. He draws his sword and attacks with fury, but the narrator sustains only a small scratch on his right shoulder. Seeing the Gascon’s breath and vigour nearly exhausted, the narrator assaults him in turn, closes with him, and wrests the sword from his hand. After demanding the Gascon beg for his life—an answer received only in a shrug—the narrator thrusts the Gascon’s sword into something (described as “not a tansy”) lying smoking on the plain, and rejoins his comrades with an air of indifference.

Rheims Winter Quarters

With the campaign ended and the English marched back to the Netherlands, the regiment is ordered into winter quarters in Champagne, with the grenadier company (to which the narrator now belongs) stationed at Rheims. The narrator is in the utmost want, as his pay of five sols a day cannot provide necessaries. His clothing is reduced to two pair of sleeves and necks, the shirt bodies having been converted into spatterdashes. He writes to his uncle in England, though without sanguine hopes, and consoles himself with the suggestions of his lively imagination.

Reunion with Friend Strap

While standing sentinel at a general officer’s gate, the narrator recognizes his old friend Strap (now calling himself Monsieur d’Estrapes) accompanying a nobleman. The porter explains that Strap was valet-de-chambre to an English gentleman lately deceased and is much regarded by the marquis. The narrator visits Strap’s lodging, concealing his identity at first, and finds him terrified at the request from a soldier, fearing the Bastille. Upon recognition, Strap leaps upon the narrator in a transport of joy, kisses him, and weeps. He rebukes the narrator for his past unkindness, provides him with a fine shirt, and offers a dinner of soup, pullets, asparagus, biscuit, and Burgundy.

Strap’s Travels and Master’s Bequest

Strap recounts how he lived a year in Paris with his master, who traveled France and Holland, fell into a consumption, and recovered at Montpelier. Returning to Rheims, the master died of a looseness. On his deathbed, he recommended Strap to persons of distinction for his diligence, sobriety, and affection, and left him by will his wearing apparel, gold watch, sword, rings, ready money, and all moveables in France, to the value of three hundred pounds. Strap offers this fortune to the narrator, who positively refuses, reminding Strap that he is a soldier and needs a discharge.