I have a question

[deleted]

In the scene you are talking about it's Sharpe who's knee is hurting "old war wound" the assumption from India, he fought there earlier in his career. Hagman tells the story of having the same problem in his shoulder because of having a disagreement with a French officer on the field of battle which the French cavelryman (I think) lost on account of he (Hagman) having put a bullet through the Frenchman. I'm assuming Hagman was injured in the shoulder by a saber. Both men's wounds tend to give them twinges in damp weather. They are slugging through a swamp or some sort of water. It's been a while sence I saw the first episode, I loaned the DVD to a friend so she could get hooked on the series too. I do agree you have to listen closely to the conversation to understand it.

Sharpe: "Damm knee, old legwound Hagman, rain plays the devil with it."

Hagman: "Aye, brown paper and parafin oil is the only cure for a contrarary leg. I has a contrary arm, on account of an argument with a French Hussar.
(oh bugger it)
Which we had at the battle of Vimeiro, and which argument he lost. On account of me blowing his head off his neck! But it do it fierce of a rainy day, and I find nothing works so well as parrafin oil and best brown paper."

The only bit I'm not sure about is if it's "But it do it fierce of a rainy day" or if it's "But it do itch fierce of a rainy day" Regardless, they both got injured and Hagman recomends somehow using brown paper and parafin oil to fix it. (Interestingly they had just been talking about not sparing the oil on Hagmans Rifle)

I hope that helps.