Sharpe's Christmas p. 21-31 Summary

During a conversation with d'Alembord, Sharpe claims that the fact that mostly shepherds live in Irati is extremely fitting for Christmas. He walks north to make sure no Frogs are lurking in the rear as he has already found a place south of the village where his battalion can stop the escaping garrison. When d'Alembord asks if Sharpe liked India, Sharpe talks about how he served under the best colonel he ever had in India, a Crapaud named Colonel Gudin. Gudin wanted Sharpe to return to France with him and though Sharpe was tempted, it was a long time ago. D'Alembord thinks "Sharpe was quite simply the best soldier he had ever known or ever would know" (p. 23). As Sharpe looks through his telescope which is inscribed to the King of Spain from Napoleon, he sees movement...