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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Maurice Tiernay Soldier of Fortune, by
+Charles James Lever
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Maurice Tiernay Soldier of Fortune
+
+Author: Charles James Lever
+
+Illustrator: A. D. M'Cormick
+
+Release Date: May 19, 2010 [EBook #32425]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MAURICE TIERNAY SOLDIER OF FORTUNE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Widger
+
+
+
+
+
+MAURICE TIERNAY SOLDIER OF FORTUNE
+
+By Charles James Lever
+
+
+The Novels Of Charles Lever
+
+Edited By His Daughter
+
+Illustrations by A. D. M'Cormick
+
+London
+
+Downey And Co., Limited
+
+12 York St. Covent Garden
+
+1898
+
+
+
+
+BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
+
+'Maurice Tiernay was first published as a serial in 'The Dublin
+University Magazine,' commencing in the issue for April 1850, and ending
+in the issue for December 1851. It was first published in book form
+(as a volume of The Parlour Library) with the following title-page
+(undated):
+
+Maurice Tiernay | The | Soldier of Fortune | By the Author of | 'Sir
+Jasper Carew' | etc. etc. I London, | Thomas Hodgson, | 13 Paternoster
+Bow.
+
+The earliest edition which has Lever's name on the title-page is one
+published in Leipzig in 1861. This edition has the following title-page:
+
+Maurice Tiernay | the | Soldier of Fortune, | by | Charles Lever, I
+Author of 'Charles O'Malley,' etc. I Copyright Edition. | In two VOLUMES
+| VOL. I. | LEIPZIG | BERNHARD TAUCH-NITZ I 1861.
+
+
+
+
+NOTICE
+
+The strangeness of some of the incidents, and the rapidity with which
+events so remarkable succeeded each other, almost deterred the writer
+from ever committing them to the press; nor was it till after much
+consultation, and some persuasive influence on the part of friends,
+that he at length yielded and decided upon so doing. Whether in that
+determination his choice was a wise one, must be left to the judgment of
+the reader; for himself, he has but to say that to ponder over some
+of these early scenes, and turn over, in thought, some of his youthful
+passages, has solaced many a weary hour of an age when men make few new
+friendships, and have almost as few opportunities to cultivate old ones.
+
+That the chief events related in these pages--such, for instance, as
+every detail of the French invasion, the capture of Wolfe Tone, and
+the attack on Monte di Faccio--are described with rigid exactness, the
+writer is most sincere in the expression of his conviction. For the
+truth of incident purely personal, it is needless to press any claim,
+seeing that the hero owns no higher name than that of--A Soldier of
+Fortune.
+
+
+
+
+MAURICE TIERNAY
+
+THE SOLDIER OF FORTUNE
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I. 'THE DAYS OF THE GUILLOTINE'
+
+Neither the tastes nor the temper of the age we live in are such as
+to induce any man to boast of his family nobility. We see too many
+preparations around us for laying down new foundations, to think it
+a suitable occasion for alluding to the ancient edifice. I will,
+therefore, confine myself to saying, that I am not to be regarded as a
+mere pretender because my name is not chronicled by Burke or Debrett. My
+great-grandfather, after whom I am called, served on the personal staff
+of King James at the Battle of the Boyne, and was one of the few who
+accompanied the monarch on his flight from the field, for which act of
+devotion he was created a peer of Ireland, by the style and title of
+Timmahoo--Lord Tiernay, of Timmahoo the family called it--and a very
+rich-sounding and pleasant designation has it always seemed to me.
+
+The events of the time, the scanty intervals of leisure enjoyed by
+the king, and other matters, prevented a due registry of my ancestors'
+claims; and, in fact, when more peaceable days succeeded, it was
+judged prudent to say nothing about a matter which might revive unhappy
+recollections, and open old scores, seeing that there was now another
+king on the throne 'who knew not Joseph'; and so, for this reason and
+many others, my greatgrandfather went back to his old appellation of
+Maurice Tiernay, and was only a lord among his intimate friends and
+cronies of the neighbourhood.
+
+That I am simply recording a matter of fact, the patent of my ancestors'
+nobility, now in my possession, will sufficiently attest: nor is its
+existence the less conclusive, that it is inscribed on the back of his
+commission as a captain in the Shanabogue Fencibles--the well-known
+'Clear-the-way-boy s'--a proud title, it is said, to which they imparted
+a new reading at the memorable battle aforementioned.
+
+The document bears the address of a small public-house called the
+'Nest,' on the Kells road, and contains in one corner a somewhat lengthy
+score for potables, suggesting the notion that his Majesty sympathised
+with vulgar infirmities, and found, as the old song says, 'that grief
+and sorrow are dry.'
+
+The prudence which for some years sealed my greatgrandfather's lips,
+lapsed, after a time, into a careless and even boastful spirit, in which
+he would allude to his rank in the peerage, the place he ought to
+be holding, and so on: till at last, some of the Government people,
+doubtless taking a liking to the snug house and demesne of Timmahoo,
+denounced him as a rebel, on which he was arrested and thrown into gaol,
+where he lingered for many years, and only came out at last to find his
+estate confiscated, and himself a beggar.
+
+There was a small gathering of Jacobites in one of the towns of
+Flanders, and thither he repaired; but how he lived, or how he died,
+I never learned. I only know that his son wandered away to the east of
+Europe, and took service in what was called Trenck's Pandours--as jolly
+a set of robbers as ever stalked the map of Europe, from one side to
+the other. This was my grandfather, whose name is mentioned in various
+chronicles of that estimable corps, and who was hanged at Prague
+afterwards, for an attempt to carry off an archduchess of the empire,
+to whom, by the way, there is good reason to believe he was privately
+married. This suspicion was strengthened by the fact that his infant
+child, Joseph, was at once adopted by the imperial family, and placed as
+a pupil in the great military school of Vienna. From thence he obtained
+a commission in the Maria Theresa Hussars, and subsequently, being sent
+on a private mission to France, entered the service of Louis xvi.,
+where he married a lady of the Queen's household--a Mademoiselle de la
+Lasterie--of high rank and some fortune; and with whom he lived happily
+till the dreadful events of 17--, when she lost her life, beside
+my father, then fighting as a Garde du Corps, on the staircase at
+Versailles. How he himself escaped on that day, and what were the next
+features in his history, I never knew; but when again we heard of him,
+he was married to the widow of a celebrated orator of the Mountain, and
+he himself an intimate friend of St. Just and Marat, and all the most
+violent of the Republicans.
+
+My father's history about this period is involved in such obscurity, and
+his second marriage followed so rapidly on the death of his first wife,
+that, strange as it may seem, I never knew which of the two was my
+mother--the lineal descendant of a house, noble before the Crusades,
+or--the humble _bourgeoise_ of the Quartier St. Denis. What peculiar
+line of political action my father followed I am unable to say, nor
+whether he was suspected with or without due cause; but suspected he
+certainly was, and at a time when suspicion was all-sufficient for
+conviction. He was arrested, and thrown into the Temple, where I
+remember I used to visit him every week; and whence I accompanied him
+one morning, as he was led forth with a string of others to the Place
+de Greve, to be guillotined. I believe he was accused of royalism; and
+I know that a white cockade was found among his effects, and in mockery
+was fastened on his shoulder on the day of his execution. This emblem,
+deep dyed with blood, and still dripping, was taken up by a bystander,
+and pinned on my cap, with the savage observation, 'Voila, it is the
+proper colour; see that you profit by the way it became so.' As, with
+a bursting heart, and a head wild with terror, I turned to find my way
+homeward, I felt my hand grasped by another--I looked up, and saw an old
+man, whose threadbare black clothes and emaciated appearance bespoke the
+priest in the times of the Convention.
+
+'You have no home now, my poor boy,' said he to me; 'come and share
+mine.'
+
+I did not ask him why. I seemed to have suddenly become reckless as to
+everything present or future. The terrible scene I had witnessed had
+dried up all the springs of my youthful heart; and, infant as I was, I
+was already a sceptic as to everything good or generous in human nature.
+I followed him, therefore, without a word, and we walked on, leaving the
+thoroughfares and seeking the less frequented streets, till we arrived
+in what seemed a suburban part of Paris--at least the houses were
+surrounded with trees and shrubs; and at a distance I could see the
+hill of Montmartre and its windmills--objects well known to me by many a
+Sunday visit.
+
+Even after my own home, the poverty of the Pere Michel's household
+was most remarkable: he had but one small room, of which a miserable
+settle-bed, two chairs, and a table constituted all the furniture; there
+was no fireplace, a little pan for charcoal supplying the only means
+for warmth or cookery; a crucifix and a few coloured prints of saints
+decorated the whitewashed walls; and, with a string of wooden beads,
+a cloth skull-cap, and a bracket with two or three books, made up the
+whole inventory of his possessions; and yet, as he closed the door
+behind him, and drew me towards him to kiss my cheek, the tears
+glistened in his eyes with gratitude as he said--
+
+'Now, my dear Maurice, you are at home.'
+
+'How do you know that I am called Maurice?' said I, in astonishment.
+
+'Because I was an old friend of your poor father, my child; we came from
+the same country--we held the same faith, had the same hopes, and may
+one day yet, perhaps, have the same fate.'
+
+He told me that the closest friendship had bound them together for years
+past, and in proof of it showed me a variety of papers which my father
+had intrusted to his keeping, well aware, as it would seem, of the
+insecurity of his own life.
+
+'He charged me to take you home with me, Maurice, should the day come
+when this might come to pass. You will now live with me, and I will be
+your father, so far, at least, as humble means will suffer me.'
+
+I was too young to know how deep my debt of gratitude ought to be. I had
+not tasted the sorrows of utter desertion; nor did I know from what a
+hurricane of blood and anarchy Fortune had rescued me; still I accepted
+the pere's benevolent offer with a thankful heart, and turned to him at
+once as to all that was left to me in the world.
+
+All this time, it may be wondered how I neither spoke nor thought of
+my mother, if she were indeed such; but for several weeks before my
+father's death I had never seen her, nor did he ever once allude to her.
+The reserve thus imposed upon me remained still, and I felt as though
+it would have been like a treachery to his memory were I now to speak of
+her whom, in his lifetime, I had not dared to mention.
+
+The pere lost no time in diverting my mind from the dreadful events I
+had so lately witnessed. The next morning, soon after daybreak, I was
+summoned to attend him to the little church of St. Blois, where he
+said mass. It was a very humble little edifice, which once had been
+the private chapel of a chateau, and stood in a weed-grown, neglected
+garden, where broken statues and smashed fountains bore evidence of
+the visits of the destroyer. A rude effigy of St. Blois, upon whom some
+profane hand had stuck a Phrygian cap of liberty, and which none were
+bold enough to displace, stood over the doorway; except this, not a
+vestige of ornament or decoration existed. The altar, covered with
+a white cloth, displayed none of the accustomed emblems; and a rude
+crucifix of oak was the only symbol of the faith remaining. Small as was
+the building, it was even too spacious for the few who came to worship.
+The terror which prevailed on every side--the dread that devotion to
+religion should be construed into an adherence to the monarchy, that
+submission to God should be interpreted as an act of rebellion against
+the sovereignty of human will--had gradually thinned the numbers, till
+at last the few who came were only those whose afflictions had steeled
+them against any reverses, and who were ready martyrs to whatever might
+betide them. These were almost exclusively women--the mothers and wives
+of those who had sealed their faith with their blood in the terrible
+Place de Greve. Among them was one whose dress and appearance, although
+not different from the rest, always created a movement of respect as she
+passed in or out of the chapel. She was a very old lady, with hair white
+as snow, and who led by the hand a little girl of about my own age; her
+large dark eyes and brilliant complexion giving her a look of unearthly
+beauty in that assemblage of furrowed cheeks, and eyes long dimmed by
+weeping. It was not alone that her features were beautifully regular, or
+that their lines were fashioned in the very perfection of symmetry, but
+there was a certain character in the expression of the face so different
+from all around it, as to be almost electrical in effect. Untouched by
+the terrible calamities that weighed on every heart, she seemed, in
+the glad buoyancy of her youth, to be at once above the very reach of
+sorrow, like one who bore a charmed fate, and whom Fortune had exempted
+from all the trials of this life. So at least did I read those features,
+as they beamed upon me in such a contrast to the almost stern character
+of the sad and sorrow-struck faces of the rest.
+
+It was a part of my duty to place a footstool each morning for the
+'Marquise,' as she was distinctively called, and on these occasions
+it was that I used to gaze upon that little girl's face with a kind of
+admiring wonder that lingered in my heart for hours after. The bold
+look with which she met mine, if it at first half abashed, at length
+encouraged me; and as I stole noiselessly away, I used to feel as though
+I carried with me some portion of that high hope which bounded within
+her own heart. Strange magnetism! it seemed as though her spirit
+whispered to me not to be downhearted or depressed--that the sorrows of
+life came and went as shadows pass over the earth--that the season
+of mourning was fast passing, and that for us the world would wear a
+brighter and more glorious aspect.
+
+Such were the thoughts her dark eyes revealed to me, and such the hopes
+I caught up from her proud features.
+
+It is easy to colour a life of monotony; any hue may soon tinge the
+outer surface, and thus mine speedily assumed a hopeful cast; not the
+less decided, that the distance was lost in vague uncertainty. The
+nature of my studies--and the pere kept me rigidly to the desk--offered
+little to the discursiveness of fancy. The rudiments of Greek and
+Latin, the lives of saints and martyrs, the litanies of the Church, the
+invocations peculiar to certain holy-days, chiefly filled up my time,
+when not sharing those menial offices which our poverty exacted from our
+own hands.
+
+Our life was of the very simplest; except a cup of coffee each morning
+at daybreak, we took but one meal; our drink was always water. By what
+means even the humble fare we enjoyed was procured I never knew, for I
+never saw money in the pere's possession, nor did he ever appear to buy
+anything.
+
+For about two hours in the week I used to enjoy entire liberty, as the
+pere was accustomed every Saturday to visit certain persons of his flock
+who were too infirm to go abroad. On these occasions he would leave me
+with some thoughtful injunction about reflection or pious meditation,
+perhaps suggesting, for my amusement, the life of St. Vincent de Paul,
+or some other of those adventurous spirits whose missions among the
+Indians are so replete with heroic struggles; but still with free
+permission for me to walk out at large and enjoy myself as I liked best.
+We lived so near the outer boulevard that I could already see the open
+country from our windows; but fair and enticing as seemed the sunny
+slopes of Montmartre--bright as glanced the young leaves of spring in
+the gardens at its foot--I ever turned my steps into the crowded city,
+and sought the thoroughfares where the great human tide rolled fullest.
+
+There were certain spots which held a kind of supernatural influence
+over me--one of these was the Temple, another was the Place de Greve.
+The window at which my father used to sit, from which, as a kind of
+signal, I have so often seen his red kerchief floating, I never could
+pass now, without stopping to gaze at--now, thinking of him who had been
+its inmate; now, wondering who might be its present occupant. It needed
+not the onward current of population that each Saturday bore along, to
+carry me to the Place de Greve. It was the great day of the guillotine,
+and as many as two hundred were often led out to execution. Although the
+spectacle had now lost every charm of excitement to the population, from
+its frequency, it had become a kind of necessity to their existence,
+and the sight of blood alone seemed to slake that feverish thirst for
+vengeance which no sufferings appeared capable of satiating. It was
+rare, however, when some great and distinguished criminal did not absorb
+all the interest of the scene. It was at that period when the fierce
+tyrants of the Convention had turned upon each other, and sought, by
+denouncing those who had been their bosom friends, to seal their new
+allegiance to the people. There was something demoniacal in the
+exultation with which the mob witnessed the fate of those whom, but a
+few weeks back, they had acknowledged as their guides and teachers. The
+uncertainty of human greatness appeared the most glorious recompense to
+those whose station debarred them from all the enjoyments of power, and
+they stood by the death-agonies of their former friends with a fiendish
+joy that all the sufferings of their enemies had never yielded.
+
+To me the spectacle had all the fascination that scenes of horror
+exercise over the mind of youth. I knew nothing of the terrible
+conflict, nothing of the fierce passions enlisted in the struggle,
+nothing of the sacred names so basely polluted, nothing of that
+remorseless vengeance with which the low born and degraded were still
+hounded on to slaughter. It was a solemn and a fearful sight, but it
+was no more; and I gazed upon every detail of the scene with an interest
+that never wandered from the spot whereon it was enacted. If the
+parade of soldiers, of horse, foot, and artillery, gave these scenes
+a character of public justice, the horrible mobs, who chanted ribald
+songs, and danced around the guillotine, suggested the notion of popular
+vengeance; so that I was lost in all my attempts to reconcile the
+reasons of these executions with the circumstances that accompanied
+them.
+
+Not daring to inform the Pere Michel of where I had been, I could not
+ask him for any explanation; and thus was I left to pick up from the
+scattered phrases of the crowd what was the guilt alleged against the
+criminals. In many cases the simple word 'Chouan,' of which I knew not
+the import, was all I heard; in others, jeering allusions to former rank
+and station would be uttered; while against some the taunt would imply
+that they had shed tears over others who fell as enemies of the people,
+and that such sympathy was a costly pleasure to be paid for but with a
+life's-blood. Such entire possession of me had these awful sights taken,
+that I lived in a continual dream of them. The sound of every cart-wheel
+recalled the dull rumble of the hurdle--every distant sound seemed like
+the far-off hum of the coming multitude--every sudden noise suggested
+the clanking drop of the guillotine! My sleep had no other images, and
+I wandered about my little round of duties pondering over this terrible
+theme.
+
+Had I been less occupied with my own thoughts, I must have seen that
+the Pere Michel was suffering under some great calamity. The poor
+priest became wasted to a shadow; for entire days long he would taste
+of nothing; sometimes he would be absent from early morning to late at
+night, and when he did return, instead of betaking himself to rest,
+he would drop down before the crucifix in an agony of prayer, and thus
+spend more than half the night. Often and often have I, when feigning
+sleep, followed him as he recited the litanies of the breviary, adding
+my own muttered prayers to his, and beseeching for a mercy whose object
+I knew not.
+
+For some time his little chapel had been closed by the authorities; a
+heavy padlock and two massive seals being placed upon the door, and a
+notice, in a vulgar handwriting, appended, to the effect that it was by
+the order of the Commissary of the Department. Could this be the source
+of the pere's sorrow? or did not his affliction seem too great for such
+a cause? were questions I asked myself again and again.
+
+In this state were matters, when one morning--it was a Saturday--the
+priest enjoined me to spend the day in prayer, reciting particularly the
+liturgies for the dead, and all those sacred offices for those who have
+just departed this life.
+
+'Pray unceasingly, my dear child--pray with your whole heart, as
+though it were for one you loved best in the world. I shall not return,
+perhaps, till late to-night; but I will kiss you then, and to-morrow we
+shall go into the woods together.'
+
+The tears fell from his cheek to mine as he said this, and his damp hand
+trembled as he pressed my fingers. My heart was full to bursting at his
+emotion, and I resolved faithfully to do his bidding. To watch him as he
+went, I opened the sash, and as I did so, the sound of a distant drum,
+the well-known muffled roll, floated on the air, and I remembered it was
+the day of the guillotine--that day in which my feverish spirit turned,
+as it were in relief, to the reality of blood. Remote as was the part
+of the city we lived in, I could still mark the hastening steps of the
+foot-passengers, as they listened to the far-off summons, and see the
+tide was setting towards the fatal Place de Greve. It was a lowering,
+heavy morning, overcast with clouds, and on its loaded atmosphere sounds
+moved slowly and indistinctly; yet I could trace through all the din
+of the great city, the incessant roll of the drums, and the loud shouts
+that burst forth, from time to time, from some great multitude.
+
+Forgetting everything save my intense passion for scenes of terror, I
+hastened down the stairs into the street, and at the top of my speed
+hurried to the place of execution. As I went along, the crowded streets
+and thronged avenues told of some event of more than common interest;
+and in the words which fell from those around me, I could trace
+that some deep Royalist plot had just been discovered, and that the
+conspirators would all on that day be executed. Whether it was that the
+frequent sight of blood was beginning to pall upon the popular appetite,
+or that these wholesale massacres interested less than the sight of
+individual suffering, I know not; but certainly there was less of
+exultation, less of triumphant scorn in the tone of the speakers. They
+talked of the coming event as of a common occurrence, which, from mere
+repetition, was gradually losing interest.
+
+'I thought we had done with these Chouans,' said a man in a blouse, with
+a paper cap on his head. '_Pardie!_ they must have been more numerous
+than we ever suspected.'
+
+'That they were, citizen,' said a haggard-looking fellow, whose features
+showed the signs of recent strife; 'they were the millions who gorged
+and fed upon us for centuries--who sipped the red grape of Bordeaux,
+while you and I drank the water of the Seine.'
+
+'Well, their time is come now,' cried a third.
+
+'And when will ours come?' asked a fresh-looking, dark-eyed girl, whose
+dress bespoke her trade as a flower-girl, 'or do you call this our time,
+my masters, when Paris has no more pleasant sight than blood, nor any
+music save the "Ca ira" that drowns the cries of the guillotine? Is this
+our time, when we have lost those who gave us bread, and got in their
+place only those who would feed us with carnage?'
+
+'Down with her! down with the Chouane! _a bas la Royaliste!_' cried the
+pale-faced fellow; and he struck the girl with his fist upon her face,
+and left it covered with blood.
+
+'To the Lantern with her--to the Seine!' shouted several voices; and
+now, rudely seizing her by the shoulders, the mob seemed bent upon
+sudden vengeance; while the poor girl, letting fall her basket, begged
+with clasped hands for mercy.
+
+'See here, see here, comrades,' cried a fellow, stooping down among the
+flowers, 'she is a Royalist: here are lilies hid beneath the rest.'
+
+What sad consequences this discovery might have led to, there is no
+knowing; when, suddenly, a violent rush of the crowd turned every
+thought into a different direction. It was caused by a movement of the
+_Gendarmerie a cheval_, who were clearing the way for the approaching
+procession. I had just time to place the poor girl's basket in her
+hands, as the onward impulse of the dense mob carried me forward. I saw
+her no more. A flower--I know not how it came there--was in my
+bosom, and seeing that it was a lily, I placed it within my cap for
+concealment.
+
+The hoarse clangour of the bassoons--the only instruments which played
+during the march--now told that the procession was approaching; and then
+I could see, above the heads of the multitude, the leopard-skin helmets
+of the dragoons, who led the way. Save this I could see nothing, as
+I was borne along in the vast torrent towards the place of execution.
+Slowly as we moved, our progress was far more rapid than that of the
+procession, which was often obliged to halt from the density of the mob
+in front. We arrived, therefore, at the Place a considerable time before
+it; and now I found myself beside the massive wooden railing placed to
+keep off the crowd from the space around the guillotine.
+
+It was the first time I had ever stood so close to the fatal spot, and
+my eyes devoured every detail with the most searching intensity. The
+colossal guillotine itself, painted red, and with its massive axe
+suspended aloft--the terrible basket, half filled with sawdust,
+beneath--the coarse table, on which a rude jar and a cup were
+placed--and, more disgusting than all, the lounging group, who, with
+their newspapers in hand, seemed from time to time to watch if the
+procession were approaching. They sat beneath a misshapen statue of
+wood, painted red like the guillotine. This was the goddess of Liberty.
+I climbed one of the pillars of the paling, and could now see the great
+cart, which, like a boat upon wheels, came slowly along, dragged by six
+horses. It was crowded with people, so closely packed that they could
+not move their bodies, and only waved their hands, which they did
+incessantly. They seemed, too, as if they were singing; but the deep
+growl of the bassoons, and the fierce howlings of the mob, drowned all
+other sounds. As the cart came nearer, I could distinguish the faces,
+amid which were those of age and youth, men and women, bold-visaged boys
+and fair girls--some, whose air bespoke the very highest station, and
+beside them, the hardy peasant, apparently more amazed than terrified
+at all he saw around him. On they came, the great cart surging heavily,
+like a bark in a stormy sea; and now it cleft the dense ocean that
+filled the Place, and I could descry the lineaments wherein the
+stiffened lines of death were already marked. Had any touch of pity
+still lingered in that dense crowd, there might well have been some show
+of compassion for the sad convoy, whose faces grew ghastly with terror
+as they drew near the horrible engine.
+
+Down the furrowed cheek of age the heavy tears coursed freely, and sobs
+and broken prayers burst forth from hearts that until now had beat high
+and proudly.
+
+'There is the Due d'Angeac,' cried a fellow, pointing to a venerable
+old man, who was seated at the corner of the cart with an air of calm
+dignity; 'I know him well, for I was his perruquier.'
+
+'His hair must be content with sawdust this morning, instead of powder,'
+said another; and a rude laugh followed the ruffian jest.
+
+'See! mark that woman with the long dark hair--that is La Bretonville,
+the actress of the St. Martin.'
+
+'I have often seen her represent terror far more naturally,' cried
+a fashionably dressed man, as he stared at the victim through his
+opera-glass.
+
+'Bah!' replied his friend, 'she despises her audience, _voila tout_.
+Look, Henri, if that little girl beside her be not Lucille, of the
+Pantheon.'
+
+'_Parbleu!_ so it is. Why, they'll not leave a pirouette in the Grand
+Opera. _Pauvre petite_, what had you to do with politics?'
+
+'Her little feet ought to have saved her head any day.'
+
+'See how grim that old lady beside her looks; I'd swear she is more
+shocked at the company she's thrown into than the fate that awaits her.
+I never saw a glance of prouder disdain than she has just bestowed on
+poor Lucille.'
+
+'That is the old Marquise d'Estelles, the very essence of our old
+nobility. They used to talk of their _mesalliance_ with the Bourbons as
+the first misfortune of their house.' '_Pardi!_ they have lived to learn
+deeper sorrows.' I had by this time discovered her they were speaking
+of, whom I recognised at once as the old marquise of the chapel of St.
+Blois. My hands nearly gave up their grasp as I gazed on those features,
+which so often I had seen fixed in prayer, and which now--a thought
+paler, perhaps--wore the self-same calm expression. With what
+intense agony I peered into the mass, to see if the little girl, her
+granddaughter, were with her; and, oh! the deep relief I felt as I saw
+nothing but strange faces on every side. It was terrible to feel, as
+my eyes ranged over that vast mass, where grief, and despair, and
+heart-sinking terror were depicted, that I should experience a spirit
+of joy and thankfulness; and yet I did so, and with my lips I uttered my
+gratitude that she was spared! But I had not time for many reflections
+like this; already the terrible business of the day had begun, and the
+prisoners were now descending from the cart, ranging themselves, as
+their names were called, in a line below the scaffold. With a
+few exceptions, they took their places in all the calm of seeming
+indifference. Death had long familiarised itself to their minds in a
+thousand shapes. Day by day they had seen the vacant places left
+by those led out to die, and if their sorrows had not rendered them
+careless of life, the world itself had grown distasteful to them. In
+some cases a spirit of proud scorn was manifested to the very last; and,
+strange inconsistency of human nature! the very men whose licentiousness
+and frivolity first evoked the terrible storm of popular fury, were the
+first to display the most chivalrous courage in the terrible face of the
+guillotine. Beautiful women, too, in all the pride of their loveliness,
+met the inhuman stare of that mob undismayed. Nor were these traits
+without their fruits. This noble spirit--this triumphant victory of the
+well born and the great--was a continual insult to the populace, who saw
+themselves defrauded of half their promised vengeance, and they learned
+that they might kill, but they could never humiliate them. In vain they
+dipped their hands in the red life-blood, and, holding up their dripping
+fingers, asked--'How did it differ from that of the people?' Their
+hearts gave the lie to the taunt; for they witnessed instances of
+heroism, from grey hairs and tender womanhood, that would have shamed
+the proudest deeds of their new-born chivalry!
+
+'Charles Gregoire Courcelles!' shouted out a deep voice from the
+scaffold.
+
+'That is my name,' said a venerable-looking old gentleman, as he arose
+from his seat, adding, with a placid smile, 'but for half a century my
+friends have called me the Duc de Riancourt.'
+
+'We have no dukes nor marquises; we know of no titles in France,'
+replied the functionary. 'All men are equal before the law.'
+
+'If it were so, my friend, you and I might change places; for you were
+my steward, and plundered my chateau.'
+
+'Down with the Royalist--away with the aristocrat!' shouted a number of
+voices from the crowd.
+
+'Be a little patient, good people,' said the old man, as he ascended the
+steps with some difficulty; 'I was wounded in Canada, and have never yet
+recovered. I shall probably be better a few minutes hence.'
+
+There was something of half simplicity in the careless way the words
+were uttered that hushed the multitude, and already some expressions
+of sympathy were heard; but as quickly the ribald insults of the hired
+ruffians of the Convention drowned these sounds, and 'Down with the
+Royalist' resounded on every side, while two officials assisted him to
+remove his stock and bare his throat. The commissary, advancing to the
+edge of the platform, and, as it were, addressing the people, read in
+a hurried, slurring kind of voice, something that purported to be the
+ground of the condemnation. But of this not a word could be heard. None
+cared to hear the ten-thousand-time told tale of suspected Royalism,
+nor would listen to the high-sounding declamation that proclaimed the
+virtuous zeal of the Government--their untiring energy--their glorious
+persistence in the cause of the people. The last words were as usual
+responded to with an echoing shout, and the cry of '_Vive la Republique!_
+rose from the great multitude.
+
+'_Vive le Roi!_ cried the old man, with a voice heard high above the
+clamour; but the words were scarce out when the lips that uttered them
+were closed in death; so sudden was the act, that a cry burst forth from
+the mob, but whether in reprobation or in ecstasy I know not.
+
+I will not follow the sad catalogue, wherein nobles, and peasants,
+priests, soldiers, actors, men of obscure fortune, and women of lofty
+station, succeeded each other, occupying for a brief minute every eye,
+and passing away for ever. Many ascended the platform without a word;
+some waved a farewell towards a distant quarter, where they suspected a
+friend to be; others spent their last moments in prayer, and died in
+the very act of supplication. All bore themselves with a noble and proud
+courage; and now some five or six alone remained of whose fate none
+seemed to guess the issue, since they had been taken from the Temple by
+some mistake, and were not included in the list of the commissary. There
+they sat, at the foot of the scaffold, speechless and stupefied--they
+looked as though it were matter of indifference to which side their
+steps should turn--to the gaol or the guillotine. Among these was the
+marquise, who alone preserved her proud self-possession, and sat in all
+her accustomed dignity; while close beside her an angry controversy was
+maintained as to their future destiny--the commissary firmly refusing
+to receive them for execution, and the delegate of the Temple, as he was
+styled, as flatly asserting that he would not reconduct them to prison.
+The populace soon grew interested in the dispute, and the most violent
+altercations arose among the partisans of each side of the question.
+
+Meanwhile the commissary and his assistants prepared to depart. Already
+the massive drapery of red cloth was drawn over the guillotine,
+and every preparation made for withdrawing, when the mob, doubtless
+dissatisfied that they should be defrauded of any portion of the
+entertainment, began to climb over the wooden barricades, and, with
+furious cries and shouts, threaten vengeance upon any who would screen
+the enemies of the people.
+
+The troops resisted the movement, but rather with the air of men
+entreating calmness than with the spirit of soldiery. It was plain to
+see on which side the true force lay.
+
+'If you will not do it, the people will do it for you,' whispered the
+delegate to the commissary; 'and who is to say where they will stop when
+their hands once learn the trick!'
+
+The commissary grew lividly pale, and made no reply.
+
+'See there!' rejoined the other--'they are carrying a fellow on their
+shoulders yonder--they mean him to be the executioner.'
+
+'But I dare not--I cannot--without my orders.'
+
+'Are not the people sovereign?--whose will have we sworn to obey but
+theirs?'
+
+'My own head would be the penalty if I yielded.'
+
+'It will be, if you resist--even now it is too late.'
+
+And as he spoke he sprang from the scaffold, and disappeared in the
+dense crowd that already thronged the space within the rails.
+
+By this time the populace were not only masters of the area around,
+but had also gained the scaffold itself, from which many of them seemed
+endeavouring to harangue the mob--others contenting themselves with
+imitating the gestures of the commissary and his functionaries. It was
+a scene of the wildest uproar and confusion--frantic cries and screams,
+ribald songs and fiendish yellings on every side. The guillotine was
+again uncovered, and the great crimson drapery, torn into fragments,
+was waved about like flags, or twisted into uncouth head-dresses. The
+commissary, failing in every attempt to restore order peaceably, and
+either not possessing a sufficient force, or distrusting the temper of
+the soldiers, descended from the scaffold, and gave the order to march.
+This act of submission was hailed by the mob with the most furious yell
+of triumph. Up to that very moment they had never credited the bare
+possibility of a victory; and now they saw themselves suddenly masters
+of the field--the troops, in all the array of horse and foot, retiring
+in discomfiture. The exultation knew no bounds; and, doubtless, had
+there been amongst them those with skill and daring to profit by the
+enthusiasm, the torrent had rushed a longer and more terrific course
+than through the blood-steeped clay of the Place de Greve.
+
+'Here is the man we want,' shouted a deep voice. 'St. Just told us
+t' other day that the occasion never failed to produce one; and see,
+here is "Jean Gougon"; and though he's but two feet high, his fingers
+can reach the pin of the guillotine.'
+
+And he held aloft on his shoulders a misshapen dwarf, who was well known
+on the Pont Neuf, where he gained his living by singing infamous songs,
+and performing mockeries of the service of the mass. A cheer of welcome
+acknowledged this speech, to which the dwarf responded by a mock
+benediction, which he bestowed with all the ceremonious observance of an
+archbishop. Shouts of the wildest laughter followed this ribaldry, and
+in a kind of triumph they carried him up the steps, and deposited him on
+the scaffold.
+
+Ascending one of the chairs, the little wretch proceeded to address the
+mob, which he did with all the ease and composure of a practised public
+speaker. Not a murmur was heard in that tumultuous assemblage, as
+he, with a most admirable imitation of Hebert, then the popular idol,
+assured them that France was, at that instant, the envy of surrounding
+nations; and that, bating certain little weaknesses on the score of
+humanity--certain traits of softness and over-mercy--her citizens
+realised all that ever had been said of angels. From thence he passed
+on to a mimicry of Marat, of Danton, and of Robespierre--tearing off his
+cravat, baring his breast, and performing all the oft-exhibited antics
+of the latter, as he vociferated, in a wild scream, the well-known
+peroration of a speech he had lately made--'If we look for a glorious
+morrow of freedom, the sun of our slavery must set in blood!'
+
+However amused by the dwarfs exhibition, a feeling of impatience began
+to manifest itself among the mob, who felt that, by any longer delay,
+it was possible time would be given for fresh troops to arrive, and the
+glorious opportunity of popular sovereignty be lost in the very hour of
+victory.
+
+'To work--to work, Master Gougon!' shouted hundreds of rude voices; 'we
+cannot spend our day in listening to oratory.'
+
+'You forget, my dear friends,' said he blandly, 'that this is to me a
+new walk in life. I have much to learn, ere I can acquit myself worthily
+to the Republic.'
+
+'We have no leisure for preparatory studies, Gougon,' cried a fellow
+below the scaffold.
+
+'Let me, then, just begin with monsieur,' said the dwarf, pointing to
+the last speaker, and a shout of laughter closed the sentence.
+
+A brief and angry dispute now arose as to what was to be done; and it is
+more than doubtful how the debate might have ended, when Gougon, with a
+readiness all his own, concluded the discussion by saying--
+
+'I have it, citizens, I have it! There is a lady here, who, however
+respectable her family and connections, will leave few to mourn her
+loss. She is, in a manner, public property, and if not born on the soil,
+at least a naturalised Frenchwoman. We have done a great deal for her,
+and in her name, for some time back, and I am not aware of any singular
+benefit she has rendered us. With your permission, then, I 'll begin
+with her.*
+
+'Name, name--name her!' was cried by thousands.
+
+'_La voila_,' said he archly, as he pointed with his thumb to the wooden
+effigy of Liberty above his head.
+
+The absurdity of the suggestion was more than enough for its success. A
+dozen hands were speedily at work, and down came the goddess of Liberty!
+The other details of an execution were hurried over with all the speed
+of practised address, and the figure was placed beneath the drop. Down
+fell the axe, and Gougon, lifting up the wooden head, paraded it about
+the scaffold, crying--
+
+'Behold! an enemy of France. Long live the Republic, one and
+indivisible!'
+
+Loud and wild were the shouts of laughter from this brutal mockery; and
+for a time it almost seemed as if the ribaldry had turned the mob from
+the sterner passions of their vengeance. This hope, if one there ever
+cherished it, was short-lived, and again the cry arose for blood. It
+was too plain that no momentary diversion, no passing distraction,
+could withdraw them from that lust for cruelty that had now grown into a
+passion.
+
+And now a bustle and movement of those around the stairs showed that
+something was in preparation; and in the next moment the old marquise
+was led forward between two men.
+
+'Where is the order for this woman's execution?' asked the dwarf,
+mimicking the style and air of the commissary.
+
+'We give it--it is from us!' shouted the mob, with one savage roar.
+
+Gougon removed his cap, and bowed in token of obedience.
+
+'Let us proceed in order, citizens,' said he gravely; 'I see no priest
+here.'
+
+'Shrive her yourself, Gougon; few know the mummeries better!' cried a
+voice.
+
+'Is there not one here can remember a prayer, or even a verse of the
+offices,' said Gougon, with a well-affected horror in his voice.
+
+'Yes, yes, I do,' cried I, my zeal overcoming all sense of the mockery
+in which the words were spoken; 'I know them all by heart, and can
+repeat them from "lux beatissima" down to "hora mortis"'; and as if to
+gain credence for my self-laudation, I began at once to recite, in the
+sing-song tone of the seminary--
+
+     'Salve, mater salvatoris,
+     Fons salutis, vas honoris;
+     Scala coli, porta et via,
+     Salve semper, O Maria!'
+
+It is possible I should have gone on to the very end, if the uproarious
+laughter which rung around had not stopped me.
+
+'There's a brave youth!' cried Gougon, pointing towards me, with mock
+admiration. 'If it ever come to pass--as what may not in these strange
+times?--that we turn to priestcraft again, thou shalt be the first
+archbishop of Paris. Who taught thee that famous canticle?'
+
+'The Pere Michel,' replied I, in no way conscious of the ridicule
+bestowed upon me; 'the Pere Michel of St. Blois.'
+
+The old lady lifted up her head at these words, and her dark eyes rested
+steadily upon me; and then, with a sign of her hand, she motioned to me
+to come over to her.
+
+'Yes; let him come,' said Gougon, as if answering the half-reluctant
+glances of the crowd. And now I was assisted to descend, and passed
+along over the heads of the people, till I was placed upon the scaffold.
+Never can I forget the terror of that moment, as I stood within a few
+feet of the terrible guillotine, and saw beside me the horrid basket
+splashed with recent blood.
+
+'Look not at these things, child,' said the old lady, as she took my
+hand and drew me towards her, 'but listen to me, and mark my words
+well.'
+
+'I will, I will,' cried I, as the hot tears rolled down my cheeks.
+
+'Tell the pere--you will see him to-night--tell him that I have changed
+my mind, and resolved upon another course, and that he is not to leave
+Paris. Let them remain. The torrent runs too rapidly to last. This
+cannot endure much longer. We shall be among the last victims. You hear
+me, child?'
+
+'I do, I do,' cried I, sobbing. 'Why is not the Pere Michel with you
+now?'
+
+'Because he is suing for my pardon--asking for mercy where its very name
+is a derision. Kneel down beside me, and repeat the "Angelus."'
+
+I took off my cap, and knelt down at her feet, reciting, in a voice
+broken by emotion, the words of the prayer. She repeated each syllable
+after me, in a tone full and unshaken, and then stooping, she took up
+the lily which lay in my cap. She pressed it to her lips two or three
+times passionately. 'Give it to _her_; tell her I kissed it at my last
+moment. Tell her----'
+
+'This "shrift" is beyond endurance. Away, holy father!' cried Gougon, as
+he pushed me rudely back, and seized the marquise by the wrist. A faint
+cry escaped her. I heard no more; for, jostled and pushed about by the
+crowd, I was driven to the very rails of the scaffold. Stepping beneath
+these, I mingled with the mob beneath; and burning with eagerness to
+escape a scene, to have witnessed which would almost have made my
+heart break, I forced my way into the dense mass, and, by squeezing and
+creeping, succeeded at last in penetrating to the verge of the Place. A
+terrible shout, and a rocking motion of the mob, like the heavy surging
+of the sea, told me that all was over; but I never looked back to the
+fatal spot, but, having gained the open streets, ran at the top of my
+speed towards home.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II. THE RESTAURANT 'AU SCELERAT'
+
+As I gained the street, at a distance from the Place, I was able to
+increase my speed; and I did so with an eagerness as if the world
+depended on my haste. At any other time I would have bethought me of my
+disobedience to the pere's commands, and looked forward to meeting him
+with shame and sorrow, but now I felt a kind of importance in the charge
+intrusted to me. I regarded my mission as something superior to any
+petty consideration of self, while the very proximity in which I had
+stood to peril and death made me seem a hero in my own eyes.
+
+At last I reached the street where we lived, and, almost breathless with
+exertion, gained the door. What was my amazement, however, to find it
+guarded by a sentry, a large, solemn-looking fellow, with a tattered
+cocked-hat on his head, and a pair of worn striped trousers on his
+legs, who cried out, as I appeared, 'Halte-la!' in a voice that at once
+arrested my steps.
+
+'Where to, youngster?' said he, in a somewhat melted tone, seeing the
+shock his first words had caused me.
+
+'I am going home, sir,' said I submissively; 'I live at the third
+storey, in the apartment of the Pere Michel.'
+
+'The Pere Michel will live there no longer, my boy; his apartment is now
+in the Temple,' said he slowly.
+
+'In the Temple!' said I, whose memory at once recalled my father's fate;
+and then, unable to control my feelings, I sat down upon the steps and
+burst into tears.
+
+'There, there, child, you must not cry thus,' said he; 'these are not
+days when one should weep over misfortunes; they come too fast and too
+thick on all of us for that. The pere was your tutor, I suppose?'
+
+I nodded.
+
+'And your father--where is he?'
+
+'Dead.'
+
+He made a sign to imitate the guillotine, and I assented by another nod.
+
+'Was he a Royalist, boy?'
+
+'He was an officer in the Garde du Corps,' said I proudly. The soldier
+shook his head mournfully, but with what meaning I know not.
+
+'And your mother, boy?'
+
+'I do not know where she is,' said I, again relapsing into tears at the
+thought of my utter desolation. The old soldier leaned upon his musket
+in profound thought, and for some time did not utter a word. At last he
+said--
+
+'There is nothing but the Hotel de Ville for you, my child. They say
+that the Republic adopts all the orphans of France. What she does with
+them I cannot tell.'
+
+'But I can, though,' replied I fiercely; 'the Noyades or the Seine are
+a quick and sure provision; I saw eighty drowned one morning below the
+Pont Neuf myself.'
+
+'That tongue of yours will bring you into trouble, youngster,' said he
+reprovingly; 'mind that you say not such things as these.'
+
+'What worse fortune can betide me than to see my father die at the
+guillotine, and my last, my only friend, carried away to prison?'
+
+'You have no care for your own neck, then?'
+
+'Why should I---what value has life for me?'
+
+'Then it will be spared to you,' said he sententiously; 'mark my words,
+lad. You never need fear death till you begin to love life. Get up, my
+poor boy; you must not be found there when the relief comes, and that
+will be soon. This is all that I have,' said he, placing three sous in
+my palm, 'which will buy a loaf; to-morrow there may be better luck in
+store for you.'
+
+I shook the rough hand he offered with cordial gratitude, and resolved
+to bear myself as like a man as I could. I drew myself up, touched my
+cap in soldierlike fashion, and cried out, adieu--and then, descending
+into the street, hurried away to hide the tears that were almost
+suffocating me.
+
+Hour after hour I walked the streets; the mere act of motion seemed to
+divert my grief, and it was only when, footsore and weary, I could march
+no longer, that my sorrows came back in full force, and overwhelmed
+me in their flow. It was less pride or shame than a sense of my utter
+helplessness, that prevented me addressing any one of the hundreds who
+passed me. I bethought me of my inability to do anything for my own
+support, and it was this consciousness that served to weigh me down more
+than all else; and yet I felt with what devotion I could serve him who
+would but treat me with the kindness he might bestow upon his dog; I
+fancied with what zeal I could descend to very slavery for one word of
+affection. The streets were crowded with people; groups were gathered
+here and there, either listening to some mob orator of the day, or
+hearing the newspapers read aloud. I tried, by forcing my way into the
+crowd, to feel myself 'one of them,' and to think that I had my share of
+interest in what was going forward, but in vain. Of the topics
+discussed I knew nothing, and of the bystanders none even noticed
+me. High-swelling phrases met the ear at every moment, that sounded
+strangely enough to me. They spoke of Fraternity--of that brotherhood
+which linked man to man in close affection; of Equality--that made all
+sharers in this world's goods; of Liberty--that gave freedom to every
+noble aspiration and generous thought; and for an instant, carried away
+by the glorious illusion, I even forgot my solitary condition, and felt
+proud of my heritage as a youth of France. I looked around me, however,
+and what faces met my gaze! The same fearful countenances I had seen
+around the scaffold--the wretches, blood-stained, and influenced
+by passion--their bloated cheeks and strained eyeballs glowing with
+intemperance--their oaths, their gestures--their very voices having
+something terrible in them. The mockery soon disgusted me, and I moved
+away, again to wander about without object or direction through the
+weary streets. It was past midnight when I found myself, without knowing
+where I was, in a large open space, in the midst of which a solitary
+lamp was burning. I approached it and, to my horror, saw that it was the
+guillotine, over which in mournful cadence a lantern swung, creaking
+its chain as the night wind stirred it. The dim outline of the fearful
+scaffold, the fitful light that fell upon the platform, and the
+silence-all conspired to strike terror into my heart. All I had so
+lately witnessed seemed to rise up again before me, and the victims
+seemed to stand up again, pale, and livid, and shuddering, as last I saw
+them.
+
+I knelt down and tried to pray, but terror was too powerful to suffer
+my thoughts to take this direction, and, half fainting with fear and
+exhaustion, I lay down upon the ground and slept--slept beneath the
+platform of the guillotine. Not a dream crossed my slumber, nor did I
+awake till dawn of day, when the low rumbling of the peasants' carts
+aroused me, as they were proceeding to the market. I know not why or
+whence, but I arose from the damp earth, and looked about me with a more
+daring and courageous spirit than I had hitherto felt. It was May--the
+first bright rays of sunshine were slanting along the Place, and the
+fresh, brisk air felt invigorating and cheering. Whither to? asked I of
+myself, and my eyes turned from the dense streets and thoroughfares of
+the great city to the far-off hills beyond the barrier, and for a
+moment I hesitated which road to take. I almost seemed to feel as if the
+decision involved my whole future fortune--whether I should live and die
+in the humble condition of a peasant, or play for a great stake in
+life. Yes, said I, after a short hesitation, I will remain here--in the
+terrible conflict going forward, many must be new adventurers, and never
+was any one more greedy to learn the trade than myself. I will throw
+sorrow behind me. Yesterday's tears are the last I shall shed. Now for
+a bold heart and a ready will, and here goes for the world! With these
+stout words I placed my cap jauntily on one side of my head, and with a
+fearless air marched off for the very centre of the city.
+
+For some hours I amused myself gazing at the splendid shops, or staring
+in at the richly decorated cafes, where the young celebrities of the day
+were assembled at breakfast, in all the extravagance of the newfangled
+costume. Then I followed the Guard to the parade at the 'Carrousel,'
+and listened to the band; quitting which I wandered along the quays,
+watching the boats as they dragged the river in search of murdered
+bodies or suicides. Thence I returned to the Palais-Royal and listened
+to the news of the day, as read out by some elected enlightener of his
+countrymen.
+
+By what chance I know not, but at last my rambling steps brought me
+opposite to the great solemn-looking towers of the 'Temple.' The gloomy
+prison, within whose walls hundreds were then awaiting the fate which
+already their friends had suffered--little groups, gathered here and
+there in the open Place, were communicating to the prisoners by signs
+and gestures, and from many a small-grated window, at an immense height,
+handkerchiefs were seen to wave in recognition of those below. These
+signals seemed to excite neither watchfulness nor prevention--indeed,
+they needed none; and perhaps the very suspense they excited was a
+torture that pleased the inhuman gaolers. Whatever the reason, the
+custom was tolerated, and was apparently enjoyed at that moment by
+several of the turnkeys, who sat at the windows, much amused at the
+efforts made to communicate. Interested by the sight, I sat down upon a
+stone bench to watch the scene, and fancied that I could read something
+of the rank and condition of those who signalled from below their
+messages of hope or fear. At last a deep bell within the prison tolled
+the hour of noon; and now every window was suddenly deserted. It was the
+hour for the muster of the prisoners, which always took place before
+the dinner at one o'clock. The curious groups soon after broke up. A few
+lingered around the gate, with, perhaps, some hope of admission to visit
+their friends; but the greater number departed.
+
+My hunger was now such that I could no longer deny myself the
+long-promised meal, and I looked about me for a shop where I might buy a
+loaf of bread. In my search, I suddenly found myself opposite an immense
+shop, where viands of every tempting description were ranged with
+all that artistic skill so purely Parisian, making up a picture whose
+composition Snyders would not have despised. Over the door was a
+painting of a miserable wretch, with hands bound behind him, and his
+hair cut close in the well-known crop for the scaffold; and underneath
+was written, 'Au Scelerat'; while on a larger board, in gilt letters,
+ran the inscription:--
+
+     'Boivin Pere et fils,
+     Traiteurs pour MM. les Condamnees.'
+
+I could scarcely credit my eyes, as I read and re-read this infamous
+announcement; but there it stood, and in the crowd that poured
+incessantly to and from the door, I saw the success that attended the
+traffic. A ragged knot were gathered around the window, eagerly gazing
+at something, which, by their exclamations, seemed to claim all their
+admiration. I pressed forward to see what it was, and beheld a miniature
+guillotine, which, turned by a wheel, was employed to chop the meat for
+sausages. This it was that formed the great object of attraction, even
+to those to whom the prototype had grown flat and uninteresting.
+
+Disgusted as I was by this shocking sight, I stood watching all that
+went forward within with a strange interest. It was a scene of incessant
+bustle and movement; for now, as one o'clock drew nigh, various dinners
+were being prepared for the prisoners, while parties of their friends
+were assembling inside. Of these latter there seemed persons of every
+rank and condition; some, dressed in all the brilliancy of the mode;
+others, whose garments bespoke direst poverty. There were women, too,
+whose costume emulated the classic drapery of the ancients, and who
+displayed, in their looped togas, no niggard share of their forms; while
+others, in shabby mourning, sat in obscure corners, not noticing the
+scene before them, nor noticed themselves. A strange equipage, with two
+horses extravagantly bedizened with rosettes and bouquets, stood at the
+door; and, as I looked, a pale, haggard-looking man, whose foppery in
+dress contrasted oddly with his careworn expression, hurried from the
+shop and sprang into the carriage. In doing so, a pocket-book fell from
+his pocket. I took it up; but as I did so, the carriage was already
+away, and far beyond my power to overtake it.
+
+Without stopping to examine my prize, or hesitating for a second, I
+entered the restaurant, and asked for M. Boivin.
+
+'Give your orders to me, boy,' said a man busily at work behind the
+counter.
+
+'My business is with himself,' said I stoutly.
+
+'Then you 'll have to wait with some patience,' said he sneeringly.
+
+'I can do so,' was my answer, and I sat down in the shop.
+
+I might have been half an hour thus seated, when an enormously fat man,
+with a huge _bonnet rouge_ on his head, entered from an inner room, and
+passing close to where I was, caught sight of me.
+
+'Who are you, sirrah--what brings you here?'
+
+'I want to speak with M. Bouvin.'
+
+'Then speak!' said he, placing his hand upon his immense chest.
+
+'It must be alone,' said I.
+
+'How so, alone, sirrah?' said he, growing suddenly pale; 'I have no
+secrets--I know of nothing that may not be told before all the world.'
+
+Though he said this in a kind of appeal to all around, the dubious looks
+and glances interchanged seemed to make him far from comfortable.
+
+'So you refuse me, then?' said I, taking up my cap and preparing to
+depart.
+
+'Come hither,' said he, leading the way into the room from which he had
+emerged. It was a very small chamber, the most conspicuous ornaments
+of which were busts and pictures of the various celebrities of the
+Revolution. Some of these latter were framed ostentatiously, and one,
+occupying the post of honour above the chimney, at once attracted
+me, for in a glance I saw that it was a portrait of him who owned the
+pocket-book, and bore beneath it the name 'Robespierre.'
+
+'Now, sir, for your communication,' said Boivin; 'and take care that
+it is of sufficient importance to warrant the interview you have asked
+for.'
+
+'I have no fears on that score,' said I calmly, still scanning the
+features of the portrait, and satisfying myself of their identity.
+
+'Look at me, sir, and not at that picture,' said Boivin.
+
+'And yet it is of M. Robespierre I have to speak,' said I coolly.
+
+'How so--of M. Robespierre, boy? What is the meaning of this? If it be a
+snare--if this be a trick, you never leave this spot living,' cried
+he, as he placed a massive hand on each of my shoulders and shook me
+violently.
+
+'I am not so easily to be terrified, citizen,' said I; 'nor have I any
+secret cause for fear, whatever you may have. My business is of another
+kind. This morning, in passing out to his carriage, he dropped his
+pocket-book, which I picked up. Its contents may well be of a kind that
+should not be read by other eyes than his own. My request is, then, that
+you will seal it up before me, and then send some one along with me,
+while I restore it to its owner.'
+
+'Is this a snare--what secret mischief have we here?' said Boivin, half
+aloud, as he wiped the cold drops of perspiration from his forehead.
+
+'Any mishap that follows will depend upon your refusal to do what I
+ask.'
+
+'How so--I never refused it; you dare not tell M. Robespierre that I
+refused, sirrah?'
+
+'I will tell him nothing that is untrue,' said I calmly; for already a
+sense of power had gifted me with composure. 'If M. Robespierre----'
+
+[Illustration: 054]
+
+'Who speaks of me here?' cried the identical personage, as he dashed
+hurriedly into the room, and then, not waiting for the reply, went on--'
+You must send out your scouts on every side--I lost my pocket-book as I
+left this a while ago.'
+
+'It is here, sir,' said I, presenting it at once.
+
+'How--where was it found--in whose keeping has it been, boy?'
+
+'In mine only; I took it from the ground the same moment that you
+dropped it, and then came here to place it in M. Boivin's hands.'
+
+'Who has taken care of it since that time?' continued Robespierre, with
+a slow and sneering accentuation on every word.
+
+'The pocket-book has never left my possession since it quitted yours,'
+was my reply.
+
+'Just so,' broke in Boivin, now slowly recovering from his terror. 'Of
+its contents I know nothing; nor have I sought to know anything.'
+
+Robespierre looked at me as if to corroborate this statement, and I
+nodded my head in acquiescence.
+
+'Who is your father, boy?'
+
+'I have none--he was guillotined.'
+
+'His name?'
+
+'Tiernay.'
+
+'Ah, I remember; he was called _l'Irlandais_.'
+
+'The same.'
+
+'A famous Royalist was that same Tiernay, and, doubtless, contrived to
+leave a heritage of his opinions to his son.'
+
+'He left me nothing--I have neither house, nor home, nor even bread to
+eat.'
+
+'But you have a head to plan, and a heart to feel, youngster; and it is
+better that fellows like you should not want a dinner. Boivin, look to
+it that he is taken care of. In a few days I will relieve you of the
+charge. You will remain here, boy; there are worse resting-places, I
+promise you. There are men who call themselves teachers of the people,
+who would ask no better life than free quarters on Boivin.' And so
+saying, he hurriedly withdrew, leaving me face to face with my host.
+
+'So then, youngster,' said Boivin, as he scratched his ear thoughtfully,
+'I have gained a pensioner! _Parbleu!_ if life were not an uncertain
+thing in these times, there's no saying how long we might not be blessed
+with your amiable company.'
+
+'You shall not be burthened heavily, citizen,' said I: 'let me have my
+dinner--I have not eaten since yesterday morning, and I will go my ways
+peacefully.'
+
+'Which means straight to Robespierre's dwelling, to tell him that I have
+turned you out of doors--eh, sirrah?'
+
+'You mistake me much,' said I; 'this would be sorry gratitude for eaten
+bread. I meant what I said--that I will not be an unwelcome guest, even
+though the alternative be, as it is, something very nigh starvation.'
+
+Boivin did not seem clearly to comprehend the meaning of what I said; or
+perhaps my whole conduct and bearing puzzled him, for he made no reply
+for several seconds. At last, with a kind of sigh, he said-- 'Well,
+well, it cannot be helped; it must be even as he wished, though the odds
+are, he 'll never think more about him. Come, lad, you shall have your
+dinner.'
+
+I followed him through a narrow, unlighted passage, which opened into
+a room, where, at a long table, were seated a number of men and boys at
+dinner. Some were dressed as cooks; others wore a kind of grey blouse,
+with a badge upon the arm, bearing the name 'Boivin' in large letters,
+and were, as I afterwards learned, the messengers employed to carry
+refreshments into the prison, and who, by virtue of this sign, were
+freely admitted within the gates.
+
+Taking my place at the board, I proceeded to eat with a voracity that
+only a long fast could have excused; and thus took but little heed of
+my companions, whose solecisms in table etiquette might otherwise have
+amused me.
+
+'Art a Marmiton, thou?' asked an elderly man in a cook's cap, as he
+stared fixedly at me for some seconds.
+
+'No,' said I, helping myself and eating away as before.
+
+'Thou canst never be a commissionaire, friend, with an appetite like
+that,' cried another; 'I wouldn't trust thee to carry a casserole to the
+fire.'
+
+'Nor shall I be,' said I coolly.
+
+'What trade, then, has the good fortune to possess your shining
+abilities.'
+
+'A trade that thrives well just now, friend--pass me the flask.'
+
+'Indeed, and what may it be?'
+
+'Can you not guess, citizen,' said I, 'if I tell you that it was never
+more in vogue; and, if there be some who will not follow it, they'll
+wear their heads just as safely by holding their peace?'
+
+'_Parbleu!_ thou hast puzzled me,' said the chief cook; 'and if thou
+be'st not a coffin-maker----' A roar of merriment cut short his speech,
+in which I myself could not but join heartily.
+
+'That is, I know,' said I, 'a thriving business; but mine is even
+better; and, not to mystify you longer, I 'll just tell you what I am;
+which is, simply, a friend of the Citizen Robespierre.'
+
+The blow told with full force; and I saw, in the terrified looks that
+were interchanged around the table, that my sojourn amongst them,
+whether destined to be of short or long duration, would not be disturbed
+by further liberties. It was truly a reign of terror that same period!
+The great agent of everything was the vague and shadowy dread of some
+terrible vengeance, against which precautions were all in vain. Men met
+each other with secret misgivings, and parted with the same dreadful
+distrust. The ties of kindred were all broken; brotherly affection
+died out. Existence was become like the struggle for life upon some
+shipwrecked raft, where each sought safety by his neighbour's doom! At
+such a time--with such terrible teachings--children became men in
+all the sterner features of character; cruelty is a lesson so easily
+learned.
+
+As for myself, energetic and ambitious by nature, the ascendency my
+first assumption of power suggested was too grateful a passion to be
+relinquished. The name--whose spell was like a talisman, because now the
+secret engine by which I determined to work out my fortune--Robespierre
+had become to my imagination like the slave of Aladdin's lamp; and
+to conjure him up was to be all-powerful Even to Boivin himself this
+influence extended; and it was easy to perceive that he regarded the
+whole narrative of the pocket-book as a mere fable, invented to obtain a
+position as a spy over his household.
+
+I was not unwilling to encourage the belief--it added to my importance,
+by increasing the fear I inspired; and thus I walked indolently about,
+giving myself those airs of _mouchard_ that I deemed most fitting, and
+taking a mischievous delight in the terror I was inspiring.
+
+The indolence of my life, however, soon wearied me, and I began to long
+for some occupation, or some pursuit. Teeming with excitement as the
+world was--every day, every hour, brimful of events--it was impossible
+to sit calmly on the shore, and watch the great, foaming current of
+human passions, without longing to be in the stream. Had I been a man
+at that time, I should have become a furious orator of the Mountain--an
+impassioned leader of the people. The impulse to stand foremost--to take
+a bold and prominent position--would have carried me to any lengths. I
+had caught up enough of the horrid fanaticism of the time to think that
+there was something grand and heroic in contempt for human suffering;
+that a man rose proudly above all the weakness of his nature, when, in
+the pursuit of some great object, he stifled within his breast every
+throb of affection--every sentiment of kindness and mercy. Such were the
+teachings rife at the time--such the first lessons that boyhood
+learned; and oh! what a terrible hour had that been for humanity if
+the generation then born had grown up to manhood unchastened and
+unconverted!
+
+But to return to my daily life. As I perceived that a week had now
+elapsed, and the Citizen Robespierre had not revisited the 'restaurant,'
+nor taken any interest in my fate or fortunes, I began to fear lest
+Boivin should master his terror regarding me, and take heart to put me
+out of doors--an event which, in my present incertitude, would have
+been sorely inconvenient. I resolved, therefore, to practise a petty
+deception on my host, to sustain the influence of terror over him. This
+was, to absent myself every day at a certain hour, under the pretence of
+visiting my patron; letting fall, from time to time, certain indications
+to show in what part of the city I had been, and occasionally, as if
+in an unguarded moment, condescending to relate some piece of popular
+gossip. None ventured to inquire the source of my information--not one
+dared to impugn its veracity. Whatever their misgivings in secret, to
+myself they displayed the most credulous faith. Nor was their trust so
+much misplaced, for I had, in reality, become a perfect chronicle of all
+that went forward in Paris--never missing a debate in the Convention,
+where my retentive memory could carry away almost verbally all that
+I heard--ever present at every public fete or procession, whether the
+occasions were some insulting desecration of their former faith, or some
+tasteless mockery of heathen ceremonial.
+
+My powers of mimicry, too, enabled me to imitate all the famous
+characters of the period; and in my assumed inviolability, I used to
+exhibit the uncouth gestures and spluttering utterance of Marat--the
+wild and terrible ravings of Danton--and even the reedy treble of my own
+patron Robespierre, as he screamed denunciations against the enemies
+of the people. It is true these exhibitions of mine were only given in
+secret to certain parties, who, by a kind of instinct, I felt could be
+trusted.
+
+Such was my life, as one day, returning from the Convention, I beheld
+a man affixing to a wall a great placard, to which the passing crowd
+seemed to pay deep attention. It was a decree of the Committee of Public
+Safety, containing the names of above seven hundred Royalists, who were
+condemned to death, and who were to be executed in three _tournees_, on
+three successive days.
+
+For sometime back the mob had not been gratified with a spectacle of
+this nature. In the ribald language of the day, the 'holy guillotine had
+grown thirsty from long drought'; and they read the announcement
+with greedy eyes, commenting as they went upon those whose names were
+familiar to them. There were many of noble birth among the proscribed,
+but by far the greater number were priests, the whole sum of whose
+offending seemed written in the simple and touching words, _ancien
+cure_, of such a parish! It was strange to mark the bitterness of
+invective with which the people loaded these poor and innocent men, as
+though they were the source of all their misfortunes. The lazy indolence
+with which they reproached them seemed ten times more offensive in their
+eyes than the lives of ease and affluence led by the nobility. The fact
+was, they could not forgive men of their own rank and condition what
+they pardoned in the well born and the noble! an inconsistency that has
+characterised democracy in other situations beside this.
+
+As I ran my eyes down the list of those confined in the Temple, I came
+to a name which smote my heart with a pang of ingratitude as well as
+sorrow--the 'Pere Michel Delannois, soi disant cure de St. Blois'--my
+poor friend and protector was there among the doomed! If, up to that
+moment, I had made no effort to see him, I must own the reason lay in my
+own selfish feeling of shame--the dread that he should mark the change
+that had taken place in me, a change that I felt extended to all about
+me, and showed itself in my manner as it influenced my every action. It
+was not alone that I lost the obedient air and quiet submissiveness of
+the child, but I had assumed the very extravagance of that democratic
+insolence which was the mode among the leading characters of the time.
+
+How should I present myself before him, the very impersonation of
+all the vices against which he used to warn me--how exhibit the utter
+failure of all his teachings and his hopes? What would this be but to
+embitter his reflections needlessly. Such were the specious reasons with
+which I fed my self-love, and satisfied my conscience; but now, as I
+read his name in that terrible catalogue, their plausibility served me
+no longer, and at last I forgot myself to remember only him.
+
+'I will see him at once,' thought I, 'whatever it may cost me--I will
+stay beside him for his last few hours of life; and when he carries
+with him from this world many an evil memory of shame and treachery,
+ingratitude from me shall not increase the burthen.' And with this
+resolve I turned my steps homeward.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III. THE 'TEMPLE'
+
+At the time of which I write, there was but one motive principle
+throughout France--'Terror.' By the agency of terror and the threat
+of denunciation was everything carried on, not only in the public
+departments of the state, but in all the common occurrences of everyday
+life. Fathers used it towards their children--children towards their
+parents; mothers coerced their daughters--daughters, in turn, braved the
+authority of their mothers. The tribunal of public opinion, open to all,
+scattered its decrees with a reckless cruelty--denying to-day what
+it had decreed but yesterday, and at last obliterating every trace of
+'right' or 'principle' in a people who now only lived for the passing
+hour, and who had no faith in the future, even of this world.
+
+Among the very children at play, this horrible doctrine had gained a
+footing: the tyrant urchin, whose ingenuity enabled him to terrorise,
+became the master of his playfellows. I was not slow in acquiring the
+popular education of the period, and soon learned that fear was a 'Bank'
+on which one might draw at will. Already the domineering habit had given
+to my air and manner all the insolence of seeming power, and, while a
+mere boy in years, I was a man in all the easy assumption of a certain
+importance.
+
+It was with a bold and resolute air I entered the restaurant, and
+calling Boivin aside, said--
+
+'I have business in the Temple this morning, Boivin; see to it that I
+shall not be denied admittance.'
+
+'I am not governor of the gaol,' grunted Boivin sulkily, 'nor have I the
+privilege to pass any one.'
+
+'But your boys have the entree; the "rats" (so were they called) are
+free to pass in and out.'
+
+'Ay, and I'm responsible for the young rascals, too, and for anything
+that may be laid to their charge.'
+
+'And you shall extend this same protection to me, Master Boivin, for one
+day, at least--nay, my good friend, there's no use in sulking about it.
+A certain friend of ours, whose name I need not speak aloud, is
+little in the habit of being denied anything; are you prepared for the
+consequence of disobeying his orders?'
+
+'Let me see that they are his orders,' said he sturdily--'who tells me
+that such is his will?'
+
+'I do,' was my brief reply, as, with a look of consummate effrontery, I
+drew myself up and stared him insolently in the face.
+
+'Suppose, then, that I have my doubts on the matter--suppose----'
+
+'I will suppose all you wish, Boivin,' said I interrupting, 'and even
+something more; for I will suppose myself returning to the quarter
+whence I have just come, and within one hour--ay, within one hour,
+Boivin--bringing back with me a written order, not to pass me into the
+Temple, but to receive the body of the Citizen Jean Baptiste Boivin, and
+be accountable for the same to the Committee of Public Safety.'
+
+He trembled from head to foot as I said these words, and in his shaking
+cheeks and fallen jaw I saw that my spell was working.
+
+'And now, I ask for the last time, do you consent or not?'
+
+'How is it to be done?' cried he, in a voice of downright wretchedness.
+'You are not "inscribed" at the secretaries' office as one of the
+"rats."'
+
+'I should hope not,' said I, cutting him short; 'but I may take the
+place of one for an hour or so. Tristan is about my own size; his blouse
+and badge will just suit me.'
+
+'Ay, leave me to a fine of a thousand francs, if you should be found
+out,' muttered Boivin, 'not to speak of a worse mayhap.'
+
+'Exactly so--far worse in case of your refusing; but there sounds the
+bell for mustering the prisoners--it is now too late.'
+
+'Not so--not so,' cried Boivin, eagerly, as he saw me prepared to leave
+the house. 'You shall go in Tristan's place. Send him here, that he may
+tell you everything about the "service," and give you his blouse and
+badge.'
+
+I was not slow in availing myself of the permission, nor was Tristan
+sorry to find a substitute. He was a dull, depressed-looking boy, not
+over communicative as to his functions, merely telling me that I was
+to follow the others--that I came fourth in the line--to answer when
+my name was called 'Tristan,' and to put the money I received in my
+leathern pocket, without uttering a word, lest the gaolers should notice
+it.
+
+To accoutre myself in the white cotton nightcap and the blouse of the
+craft was the work of a few seconds; and then, with a great knife in my
+girdle, and a capacious pocket slung at my side, I looked every inch a
+'Marmiton.'
+
+In the kitchen the bustle had already begun, and half-a-dozen cooks,
+with as many under-cooks, were dealing out 'portions' with all the speed
+of a well-practised performance. Nothing short of great habit could
+have prevented the confusion degenerating into downright anarchy. The
+'service' was, indeed, effected with a wonderful rapidity; and certain
+phrases, uttered with speed, showed how it progressed. 'Maigre des
+Cures,'--'finished.' 'Bouillon for the "expectants,'"--'ready here.'
+'Canards aux olives des condamnees,'--'all served.' 'Red partridges for
+the reprieved at the upper table,'--'despatched.' Such were the quick
+demands, and no less quick replies, that rung out, amidst the crash of
+plates, knives, and glasses, and the incessant movement of feet, until,
+at last, we were all marshalled in a long line, and, preceded by a drum,
+set out for the prison.
+
+As we drew near, the heavy gates opened to receive, and closed behind us
+with a loud bang that I could not help feeling must have smote heavily
+on many a heart that had passed there. We were now in a large courtyard,
+where several doors led off, each guarded by a sentinel, whose ragged
+clothes and rusty accoutrements proclaimed a true soldier of the
+Republic. One of the large hurdles used for carrying the prisoners to
+the Place stood in one corner, and two or three workmen were busied in
+repairing it for the coming occasion.
+
+So much I had time to observe, as we passed along; and now we entered a
+dimly lighted corridor of great extent; passing down which, we emerged
+into a second _cour_, traversed by a species of canal or river, over
+which a bridge led. In the middle of this was a strongly barred iron
+gate, guarded by two sentries. As we arrived here, our names were called
+aloud by a species of turnkey; and at the call 'Tristan,' I advanced,
+and, removing the covers from the different dishes, submitted them for
+inspection to an old, savage-looking fellow, who, with a long steel
+fork, pricked the pieces of meat, as though anything could have been
+concealed within them. Meanwhile, another fellow examined my cotton cap
+and pocket, and passed his hands along my arms and body. The whole did
+not last more than a few minutes, and the word 'forward' was given to
+pass on. The gloom of the place---the silence, only broken by the heavy
+bang of an iron-barred door, or the clank of chains, the sad thoughts
+of the many who trod these corridors on their way to death--depressed me
+greatly, and equally unprepared me for what was to come; for as we drew
+near the great hall, the busy hum of voices, the sound of laughter, and
+the noises of a large assembly in full converse, suddenly burst upon the
+ear; and as the wide doors were thrown open, I beheld above a hundred
+people, who, either gathered in single groups, or walking up and down in
+parties, seemed all in the fullest enjoyment of social intercourse.
+
+A great table, with here and there a large flagon of water, or a huge
+loaf of the coarse bread used by the peasantry, ran from end to end of
+the chamber. A few had already taken their places at this, but some were
+satisfied with laying a cap or a kerchief on the bench opposite their
+accustomed seat; while others again had retired into windows and
+corners, as if to escape the general gaze, and partake of their humble
+meal in solitude.
+
+Whatever restrictions prison discipline might have exercised elsewhere,
+here the widest liberty seemed to prevail. The talk was loud, and even
+boisterous; the manner to the turnkeys exhibited nothing of fear: the
+whole assemblage presented rather the aspect of a gathering of riotous
+republicans than of a band of prisoners under sentence. And yet such
+were the greater number, and the terrible slip of paper attached to the
+back of each, with a date, told the day on which he was to die.
+
+As I lingered to gaze on this strange gathering, I was admonished to
+move on, and now perceived that my companion had advanced to the end
+of the hall, by which a small flight of stone steps led out upon a
+terrace--at the end of which we entered another and not less spacious
+chamber, equally crowded and noisy. Here the company were of both sexes,
+and of every grade and condition of rank--from the highest noble of the
+former Court, to the humblest peasant of La Vendee. If the sounds of
+mirth and levity were less frequent, the buzz of conversation was,
+to the full, as loud as in the lower hall, where, from difference
+of condition in life, the scenes passing presented stranger and more
+curious contrasts. In one corner a group of peasants were gathered
+around a white-haired priest, who, in a low but earnest voice, was
+uttering his last exhortation to them; in another, some young and
+fashionably dressed men were exhibiting to a party of ladies the very
+airs and graces by which they would have adorned a saloon; here, was a
+party at piquet--there, a little group, arranging, for the last time,
+their household cares, and settling, with a few small coins, the
+account of mutual expenditure. Of the ladies, several were engaged at
+needlework--some little preparation for the morrow--the last demand that
+ever vanity was to make of them!
+
+Although there was matter of curiosity in all around me, my eyes sought
+for hut one object, the cure of St. Blois. Twice or thrice, from the
+similarity of dress, I was deceived, and, at last, when I really did
+behold him, as he sat alone in a window, reading, I could scarcely
+satisfy myself of the reality, he was lividly pale, his eyes deep sunk,
+and surrounded with two dark circles, while along his worn cheek
+the tears had marked two channels of purple colour. What need of the
+guillotine there--the lamp of life was in its last flicker without it.
+
+Our names were called, and the meats placed upon the table. Just as the
+head-turnkey was about to give the order to be seated, a loud commotion,
+and a terrible uproar in the court beneath, drew every one to the
+window. It was a hurdle which, emerging from an archway, broke down from
+overcrowding; and now the confusion of prisoners, gaolers, and sentries,
+with plunging horses and screaming sufferers, made a scene of the
+wildest uproar. Chained two by two, the prisoners were almost helpless,
+and in their efforts to escape injury made the most terrific struggle.
+Such were the instincts of life in those on the very road to death!
+
+Resolving to profit by the moment of confusion, I hastened to the
+window, where alone, unmoved by the general commotion, sat the Pere
+Michel. He lifted his glassy eyes as I came near, and in a low, mild
+voice said--
+
+'Thanks, my good boy, but I have no money to pay thee; nor does it
+matter much now--it is but another day.
+
+I could have cried as I heard these sad words; but mastering emotions
+which would have lost time so precious, I drew close, and whispered--
+
+'Pere Michel, it is I, your own Maurice.'
+
+He started, and a deep flush suffused his cheek; and then stretching out
+his hand, he pushed back my cap, and parted the hair of my forehead, as
+if doubting the reality of what he saw; when with a weak voice he said--
+
+'No, no, thou art not my own Maurice. His eyes shone not with that
+worldly lustre--thine do; his brow was calm, and fair as children's
+should be--thine is marked with manhood's craft and subtlety; and yet,
+thou art like him.'
+
+A low sob broke from me as I listened to his words, and the tears gushed
+forth, and rolled in torrents down my cheeks.
+
+'Yes,' cried he, clasping me in his arms, 'thou art my own dear boy.
+I know thee now; but how art thou here, and thus?' and he touched my
+blouse as he spoke.
+
+'I came to see and to save you, pere,' said I. 'Nay, do not try to
+discourage me, but rather give me all your aid. I saw her--I was with
+her in her last moments at the guillotine; she gave me a message for
+you, but this you shall never hear till we are without these walls.'
+
+'It cannot be, it cannot be,' said he sorrowfully.
+
+'It can and shall be,' said I resolutely. 'I have merely assumed this
+dress for the occasion; I have friends, powerful and willing to protect
+me. Let us change robes--give me that "soutane," and put on the blouse.
+When you leave this, hasten to the old garden of the chapel, and wait
+for my coming--I will join you there before night.'
+
+'It cannot be,' replied he again.
+
+'Again I say, it shall, and must be. Nay, if you still refuse, there
+shall be two victims, for I will tear off the dress here where I stand,
+and openly declare myself the son of the Royalist Tiernay.'
+
+Already the commotion in the court beneath was beginning to subside, and
+even now the turnkeys' voices were heard in the refectory, recalling the
+prisoners to table--another moment and it would have been too late: it
+was, then, less by persuasion than by actual force I compelled him to
+yield, and, pulling off his black serge gown, drew over his shoulders my
+yellow blouse, and placed upon his head the white cap of the 'Marmiton.'
+The look of shame and sorrow of the poor cure would have betrayed him at
+once, if any had given themselves the trouble to look at him.
+
+'And thou, my poor child,' said he, as he saw me array myself in his
+priestly dress, 'what is to be thy fate?'
+
+'All will depend upon you, Pere Michel,' said I, holding him by the
+arm, and trying to fix his wandering attention. 'Once out of the prison,
+write to Boivin, the restaurateur of the "Scelerat," and tell him that
+an escaped convict has scruples for the danger into which he has brought
+a poor boy, one of his "Marmitons," and whom by a noxious drug he has
+lulled into insensibility, while, having exchanged clothes, he has
+managed his escape. Boivin will comprehend the danger he himself runs
+by leaving me here. All will go well---and now there's not a moment to
+lose. Take up your basket, and follow the others.'
+
+'But the falsehood of all this,' cried the pere.
+
+'But your life, and mine, too, lost, if you refuse,' said I, pushing him
+away.
+
+'Oh, Maurice, how changed have you become!' cried he sorrowfully.
+
+'You will see a greater change in me yet, as I lie in the sawdust
+beneath the scaffold,' said I hastily. 'Go, go.'
+
+There was, indeed, no more time to lose. The muster of the prisoners was
+forming at one end of the chamber, while the 'Marmitons' were gathering
+up their plates and dishes, previous to departure, at the other; and it
+was only by the decisive step of laying myself down within the recesses
+of the window, in the attitude of one overcome by sleep, that I could
+force him to obey my direction. I could feel his presence as he bent
+over me, and muttered something that must have been a prayer. I could
+know, without seeing, that he still lingered near me, but as I never
+stirred, he seemed to feel that my resolve was not to be shaken, and at
+last he moved slowly away.
+
+At first the noise and clamour sounded like the crash of some desperate
+conflict, but by degrees this subsided, and I could hear the names
+called aloud and the responses of the prisoners, as they were 'told off'
+in parties from the different parts of the prison. Tender leave-takings
+and affectionate farewells from many who never expected to meet again,
+accompanied these, and the low sobs of anguish were mingled with the
+terrible chaos of voices; and at last I heard the name of 'Michel
+Delannois': I felt as if my death-summons was in the words 'Michel
+Delannois,'
+
+'That crazy priest can neither hear nor see, I believe,' said the gaoler
+savagely. 'Will no one answer for him?'
+
+'He is asleep yonder in the window,' replied a voice from the crowd.
+
+'Let him sleep then,' said the turnkey; 'when awake he gives us no peace
+with his prayers and exhortations.'
+
+'He has eaten nothing for three days,' observed another; 'he is,
+perhaps, overcome by weakness more than by sleep.'
+
+'Be it so! if he only lie quiet, I care not,' rejoined the gaoler, and
+proceeded to the next name on the list.
+
+The monotonous roll-call, the heat, the attitude in which I was lying,
+all conspired to make me drowsy: even the very press of sensations that
+crowded to my brain lent their aid, and at last I slept as soundly as
+ever I had done in my bed at night. I was dreaming of the dark alleys in
+the wood of Belleville, where so often I had strolled of an evening with
+Pere Michel: I was fancying that we were gathering the fresh violets
+beneath the old trees, when a rude hand shook my shoulder, and I awoke.
+One of the turnkeys and Boivin stood over me, and I saw at once that my
+plan had worked well.
+
+'Is this the fellow?' said the turnkey, pushing me rudely with his foot.
+
+'Yes,' replied Boivin, white with fear; 'this is the boy; his name
+is Tristan.' The latter words were accompanied with a look of great
+significance towards me.
+
+'What care we how he is called! let us hear in what manner he came
+here.'
+
+'I can tell you little,' said I, staring and looking wildly around; 'I
+must have been asleep, and dreaming, too.'
+
+'The letter,' whispered Boivin to the turnkey--'the letter says that he
+was made to inhale some poisonous drug, and that while insensible----'
+
+'Bah,' said the other derisively, 'this will not gain credit here; there
+has been complicity in the affair, Master Boivin. The commissaire is not
+the man to believe a trumped-up tale of the sort; besides, you are
+well aware that you are responsible for these "rats" of yours. It is a
+private arrangement between you and the commissaire, and it is not very
+probable that he'll get himself into a scrape for you.'
+
+'Then what are we to do?' cried Boivin passionately, as he wrung his
+hands in despair.
+
+'I know what I should, in a like case,' was the dry reply.
+
+'And that is?-----'
+
+'_Laisser aller!_ was the curt rejoinder. 'The young rogue has passed
+for a cure for the last afternoon; I'd even let him keep up the disguise
+a little longer, and it will be all the same by this time to-morrow.'
+
+'You'd send me to the guillotine for another?' said I boldly; 'thanks
+for the good intention, my friend; but Boivin knows better than to
+follow your counsel. Hear me one moment,' said I, addressing the latter,
+and drawing him to one side--'if you don't liberate me within a quarter
+of an hour, I'll denounce you and yours to the commissary. I know well
+enough what goes on at the "Scelerat,"--you understand me well. If
+a priest has really made his escape from the prison, you are not
+clean-handed enough to meet the accusation; see to it then, Boivin, that
+I may be free at once.'
+
+'Imp of Satan,' exclaimed Boivin, grinding his teeth, 'I have never
+enjoyed ease or quietness since the first hour I saw you.'
+
+'It may cost a couple of thousand francs, Boivin,' said I calmly; 'but
+what then? Better that than take your seat along with us to-morrow in
+the _Charrette Rouge_.'
+
+'Maybe he's right, after all,' muttered the turnkey in a half-whisper;
+'speak to the commissary.'
+
+'Yes,' said I, affecting an air of great innocence and simplicity--'tell
+him that a poor orphan boy, without friends or home, claims his pity.'
+
+'_Scelerat infame!_' cried Boivin, as he shook his fist at me, and then
+followed the turnkey to the commissary's apartment.
+
+In less time than I could have believed possible, Boivin returned with
+one of the upper gaolers, and told me, in a few dry words, that I was
+free. 'But, mark me,' added he, 'we part here--come what may, you never
+shall plant foot within my doors again.'
+
+'Agreed,' said I gaily; 'the world has other dupes as easy to play upon,
+and I was getting well nigh weary of you.'
+
+'Listen to the scoundrel!' muttered Boivin; 'what will he say next?'
+
+'Simply this,' rejoined I--'that as these are not becoming garments for
+me to wear--for I'm neither _pere_ nor _frere_--I must have others ere I
+quit this.'
+
+If the insolence of my demand occasioned some surprise at first, a
+little cool persistence on my part showed that compliance would be the
+better policy; and, after conferring together for a few minutes, during
+which I heard the sound of money, the turnkey retired, and came back
+speedily with a jacket and cap belonging to one of the drummers of the
+Republican Guard--a gaudy, tasteless affair enough, but, as a disguise,
+nothing could have been more perfect.
+
+'Have you not a drum to give him?' said Boivin, with a most malignant
+sneer at my equipment.
+
+'He 'll make a noise in the world without that,' muttered the gaoler,
+half soliloquising; and the words fell upon my heart with a strange
+significance.
+
+'Your blessing, Boivin,' said I, 'and we part.' '_Le te_----'
+
+'No, no; don't curse the boy,' interposed the gaoler good-humouredly.
+
+'Then, move off, youngster; I've lost too much time with you already.'
+
+The next moment I was in the Place; a light misty rain was falling, and
+the night was dark and starless. The 'Scelerat' was brilliant with lamps
+and candles, and crowds were passing in and out; but it was no longer a
+home for me, so I passed on, and continued my way towards the Boulevard.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV. 'THE NIGHT OF THE NINTH THERMIDOR'
+
+I had agreed with the Pere Michel to rendezvous at the garden of the
+little chapel of St. Blois, and thitherward I now turned my steps.
+
+The success which followed this my first enterprise in life had already
+worked a wondrous change in all my feelings. Instead of looking up to
+the poor cure for advice and guidance, I felt as though our parts were
+exchanged, and that it was I who was now the protector of the other. The
+oft-repeated sneers at _les bons Pretres_, who were good for nothing,
+must have had a share in this new estimate of my friend, but a certain
+self-reliance just then springing up in my heart effectually completed
+the change.
+
+The period was essentially one of action and not of reflection. Events
+seemed to fashion themselves at the will of him who had daring and
+courage to confront them, and they alone appeared weak and poor-spirited
+who would not stem the tide of fortune. Sentiments like these were not,
+as may be supposed, best calculated to elevate the worthy pere in my
+esteem, and I already began to feel how unsuited was such companionship
+for me, whose secret promptings whispered ever, 'Go forward.'
+
+The very vagueness of my hopes served but to extend the horizon of
+futurity before me, and I fancied a thousand situations of distinction
+that might yet be mine. Fame--or its poor counterfeit, notoriety--seemed
+the most enviable of all possessions. It mattered little by what merits
+it was won, for, in that fickle mood of popular opinion, great vices
+were as highly prized as transcendent abilities, and one might be as
+illustrious by crime as by genius. Such were not the teachings of
+the pere; but they were the lessons that Paris dinned into my ears
+unceasingly. Reputation, character, was of no avail, in a social
+condition where all was change and vacillation. What was idolised one
+day was execrated the next day. The hero of yesterday was the object
+of popular vengeance to-day. The success of the passing hour was
+everything.
+
+The streets were crowded as I passed along; although a drizzling rain
+was falling, groups and knots of people were gathered together at every
+corner, and, by their eager looks and gestures, showed that some event
+of great moment had occurred. I stopped to ask what it meant, and
+learned that Robespierre had been denounced in the Assembly, and that
+his followers were hastening, in arms, to the Place de Greve. As yet,
+men spoke in whispers, or broken phrases. Many were seen affectionately
+embracing and clasping each other's hands in passionate emotion; but
+few dared to trust themselves to words, for none knew if the peril were
+really passed, or if the power of the tyrant might not become greater
+than ever. While I yet listened to the tidings, which, in half-sentences
+and broken words, reached my ears, the roll of drums, beating the
+_generale_, was heard, and suddenly the head of a column appeared,
+carrying torches, and seated upon ammunition-waggons and caissons, and
+chanting in wild chorus the words of the 'Marseillaise.' On they came,
+a terrible host of half-naked wretches, their heads bound in
+handkerchiefs, and their brawny arms bare to the shoulders.
+
+The artillery of the Municipale followed, many of the magistrates riding
+amongst them dressed in the tricoloured scarfs of officers. As the
+procession advanced, the crowds receded, and gradually the streets were
+left free to the armed force.
+
+While, terror-struck, I continued to gaze at the countenances over
+which the lurid torchlight cast a horrid glare, a strong hand grasped my
+collar, and by a jerk swung me up to a seat on one of the caissons; and
+at the same time a deep voice said, 'Come, youngster, this is more in
+thy way than mine,' and a black-bearded _sapeur_ pushed a drum before
+me, and ordered me to beat the _generale_. Such was the din and uproar
+that my performance did not belie my uniform, and I beat away manfully,
+scarcely sorry, amid all my fears, at the elevated position from which I
+now surveyed the exciting scene around me.
+
+As we passed, the shops were closed on either side in haste, and across
+the windows of the upper storeys beds and mattresses were speedily
+drawn, in preparation for the state of siege now so imminent. Lights
+flickered from room to room, and all betokened a degree of alarm and
+terror. Louder and louder pealed the 'Marseillaise,' as the columns
+deployed into the open Place, from which every street and lane
+now poured its crowds of armed men. The line was now formed by the
+artillery, which, to the number of sixteen pieces, ranged from end to
+end of the square, the dense crowd of horse and foot forming behind, the
+mass dimly lighted by the waving torches that here and there marked the
+presence of an officer. Gradually the sounds of the 'Marseillaise' grew
+fainter and fainter, and soon a dreary silence pervaded that varied
+host, more terrible now, as they stood speechless, than in all the
+tumultuous din of the wildest uproar. Meanwhile, from the streets which
+opened into the Place at the farthest ends, the columns of the National
+Guard began to move up, the leading files carrying torches; behind
+them came ten pieces of artillery, which, as they issued, were speedily
+placed in battery, and flanked by the heavy dragoons of the Guard; and
+now, in breathless silence, the two forces stood regarding each other,
+the cannoniers with lighted matches in their hands, the dragoons firmly
+clasping their sabres--all but waiting for the word to plunge into the
+deadliest strife. It was a terrible moment--the slightest stir in the
+ranks--the rattling of a horse's panoply--the clank of a sabre--fell
+upon the heart like the toll of a death-bell. It was then that two or
+three horsemen were seen to advance from the troops of the Convention,
+and, approaching the others, were speedily lost among their ranks. A
+low and indistinct murmur ran along the lines, which each moment
+grew louder, till at last it burst forth into a cry of '_Vive la
+Convention!_' Quitting their ranks, the men gathered around a general of
+the National Guard, who addressed them in words of passionate eloquence,
+but of which I was too distant to hear anything. Suddenly the ranks
+began to thin; some were seen to pile their arms, and move away in
+silence; others marched across the Place, and took up their position
+beside the troops of the National Guard; of the cannoniers, many threw
+down their matches, and extinguished the flame with their feet, while
+others again, limbering up their guns, slowly retired to the barracks.
+
+As for myself, too much interested in the scene to remember that I was,
+in some sort, an actor in it, I sat upon the caisson, watching all
+that went forward so eagerly, that I never noticed the departure of my
+companions, nor perceived that I was left by myself. I know not how much
+later this discovery might have been deferred to me had not an officer
+of the Guard ridden up to where I was, and said, 'Move up, move up, my
+lad; keep close to the battery.' He pointed at the same time with his
+sabre in the direction where a number of guns and carriages were already
+proceeding.
+
+Not a little flattered by the order, I gathered up reins and whip, and,
+thanks to the good drilling of the beasts, who readily took their proper
+places, soon found myself in the line, which now drew up in the rear of
+the artillery of the Guard, separated from the front by a great mass of
+horse and foot. I knew nothing of what went forward in the Place;
+from what I gathered, however, I could learn that the artillery was
+in position, the matches burning, and everything in readiness for a
+cannonade. Thus we remained for above an hour, when the order was given
+to march. Little knew I that, in that brief interval, the whole fortunes
+of France--ay, of humanity itself--had undergone a mighty change--that
+the terrible reign of blood, the tyranny of Robespierre, had closed,
+and that he who had sent so many to the scaffold now lay bleeding and
+mutilated upon the very table where he had signed the death-warrants.
+
+The day was just beginning to dawn as we entered the barracks of the
+Conciergerie, and drew up in a double line along its spacious square.
+The men dismounted, and stood 'at ease,' awaiting the arrival of the
+staff of the National Guard, which, it was said, was coming; and now the
+thought occurred to me of what I should best do, whether make my escape
+while it was yet time, or remain to see by what accident I had come
+there. If a sense of duty to the Pere Michel urged me on one side, the
+glimmering hope of some opening to fortune swayed me on the other. I
+tried to persuade myself that my fate was bound up with his, and that
+he should be my guide through the wild waste before me; but these
+convictions could not stand against the very scene in which I stood. The
+glorious panoply of war--the harnessed team--the helmeted dragoon--the
+proud steed in all the trappings of battle! How faint were the pleadings
+of duty against such arguments! The pere, too, designed me for a priest.
+The life of a seminarist in a convent was to be mine! I was to wear the
+red gown and the white cape of an acolyte!--to be taught how to swing a
+censer, or snuff the candles of the high altar--to be a train-bearer
+in a procession, or carry a relic in a glass-case! The hoarse bray of a
+trumpet that then rung through the court routed these ignoble fancies,
+and as the staff rode proudly in, my resolve was taken. I was determined
+to be a soldier.
+
+The day, I have said, was just breaking, and the officers wore their
+dark-grey capotes over their uniforms. One, however, had his coat partly
+open, and I could see the blue and silver beneath, which, tarnished and
+worn as it was, had to my eyes all the brilliancy of a splendid uniform.
+He was an old man, and by his position in advance of the others showed
+that he was the chief of the staff. This was General Lacoste, at that
+time _en mission_ from the army of the Rhine, and now sent by the
+Convention to report upon the state of events among the troops. Slowly
+passing along the line, the old general halted before each gun, pointing
+out to his staff certain minutiae, which, from his gestures and manner,
+it was easy to see were not the subject of eulogy. Many of the pieces
+were ill slung, and badly balanced on the trucks; the wheels, in some
+cases, were carelessly put on, their tires worn, and the iron shoeing
+defective. The harnessing, too, was patched and mended in a slovenly
+fashion; the horses lean and out of condition; the drivers awkward and
+inexperienced.
+
+'This is all bad, gentlemen,' said he, addressing the officers, but in a
+tone to be easily heard all around him, 'and reflects but little credit
+upon the state of your discipline in the capital. We have been now
+seventeen months in the field before the enemy, and not idle either; and
+yet I would take shame to myself if the worst battery in our artillery
+were not better equipped, better horsed, better driven, and better
+served, than any I see here.'
+
+One who seemed a superior officer here appeared to interpose some
+explanation or excuse, but the general would not listen to him, and
+continued his way along the line--passing around which he now entered
+the space between the guns and the caissons. At last he stopped directly
+in front of where I was, and fixed his dark and penetrating eyes
+steadily on me. Such was their fascination that I could not look from
+him, but continued to stare as fixedly at him.
+
+[Illustration: 80]
+
+'Look here, for instance,' cried he, as he pointed to me with his
+sword, 'is that _gamin_ yonder like an artillery-driver? or is it to a
+drummer-boy you intrust the caisson of an eight-pounder gun? Dismount,
+sirrah, and come hither,' cried he to me, in a voice that sounded like
+an order for instant execution. 'This popinjay dress of yours must have
+been the fancy of some worthy shopkeeper of the 'Quai Lepelletier'; it
+never could belong to any regular corps. Who are you?'
+
+'Maurice Tiernay, sir,' said I, bringing my hand to my cap in military
+salute.
+
+'Maurice Tiernay,' repeated he, slowly, after me. 'And have you no more
+to say for yourself than your name?'
+
+'Very little, sir,' said I, taking courage from the difficulty in which
+I found myself.
+
+'What of your father, boy?--is he a soldier?'
+
+'He was, sir,' replied I, with firmness.
+
+'Then he is dead? In what corps did he serve?'
+
+'In the Garde du Corps,' said I proudly.
+
+The old general gave a short cough, and seemed to search for his
+snuff-box to cover his confusion; the next moment, however, he had
+regained his self-possession, and continued: 'And since that event--I
+mean since you lost your father--what have you been doing? How have you
+supported yourself?'
+
+'In various ways, sir, said I, with a shrug of the shoulders, to imply
+that the answer was too tedious to listen to. 'I have studied to be a
+priest, and I have served as a "rat" in the Prison du Temple.'
+
+'You have certainly tried the extremes of life,' said he, laughing;
+'and now you wish, probably, to hit the _juste milieu_, by becoming a
+soldier?'
+
+'Even so, sir,' said I easily. 'It was a mere accident that mounted me
+upon this caisson, but I am quite ready to believe that Fortune intended
+me kindly when she did so.'
+
+'These _gredins_ fancy that they are all born to be generals of France,
+said the old man, laughing; 'but, after all, it is a harmless delusion,
+and easily curable by a campaign or two. Come, sirrah, I'll find out a
+place for you, where, if you cannot serve the Republic better, you
+will, at least, do her less injury than as a driver in her artillery.
+Bertholet, let him be enrolled in your detachment of the gendarme, and
+give him my address--I wish to speak to him to-morrow.'
+
+'At what hour, general?' said I promptly.
+
+'At eight, or half-past--after breakfast,' replied he.
+
+'It may easily be before mine,' muttered I to myself.
+
+'What says he?' cried the general sharply.
+
+The aide-de-camp whispered a few words in answer, at which the other
+smiled, and said, 'Let him come somewhat earlier--say eight o'clock.'
+
+'You hear that, boy?' said the aide-de-camp to me, while with a
+slight gesture he intimated that I might retire. Then, as if suddenly
+remembering that he had not given me the address of the general, he took
+a scrap of crumpled paper from his pocket-book, and wrote a few words
+hastily on it with his pencil. 'There,' cried he, throwing it towards
+me, 'there is your billet for this day, at least.' I caught the scrap
+of paper, and, after deciphering the words, perceived that they were
+written on the back of an assignat for forty sous.
+
+It was a large sum to one who had not wherewithal to buy a morsel of
+bread; and as I looked at it over and over, I fancied there would be no
+end to the pleasures such wealth could purchase. I can breakfast on
+the Quai Voltaire, thought I--ay, and sumptuously too, with coffee and
+chestnuts, and a slice of melon, and another of cheese, and a _petite
+goutte_ to finish, for five sous. The panther, at the corner of the
+Pont Neuf, costs but a sou; and for three one can see the brown bear
+of America, the hyaena, and another beast whose name I forget, but whose
+image, as he is represented outside, carrying off a man in his teeth, I
+shall retain to my last hour. Then there is the panorama of Dunkirk,
+at the Rue Chopart, with the Duke of York begging his life from a
+terrible-looking soldier in a red cap and a tricoloured scarf. After
+that, there's the parade at the 'Carrousel'; and mayhap something more
+solemn still at the 'Greve'; but there was no limit to the throng of
+enjoyments which came rushing to my imagination, and it was in a kind of
+ecstasy of delight I set forth on my voyage of pleasure.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V. THE CHOICE OF A LIFE
+
+In looking back, after a long lapse of years, I cannot refrain from a
+feeling of astonishment to think how little remembrance I possess of the
+occurrences of that day--one of the most memorable that ever dawned for
+France--the eventful 29th of July, that closed the reign of terror
+by the death of the tyrant! It is true, that all Paris was astir at
+daybreak; that a sense of national vengeance seemed to pervade the
+vast masses that filled the streets, which now were scenes of the most
+exciting emotion. I can only account for the strange indifference that I
+felt about these stirring themes by the frequency with which similar, or
+what to me at least appeared similar, scenes had already passed before
+my eyes.
+
+One of the most remarkable phases of the revolution was the change
+it produced in all the social relations by substituting an assumed
+nationality for the closer and dearer ties of kindred and affection.
+France was everything--the family nothing; every generous wish, every
+proud thought, every high ambition or noble endeavour, belonged to the
+country. In this way, whatever patriotism may have gained, certainly
+all the home affections were utterly wrecked; the humble and unobtrusive
+virtues of domestic life seemed mean and insignificant beside the grand
+displays of patriotic devotion which each day exhibited.
+
+Hence grew the taste for that 'life of the streets' then so
+popular--everything should be en _evidence_. All the emotions which
+delicacy would render sacred to the seclusion of home were now to be
+paraded to the noonday. Fathers were reconciled to rebellious children
+before the eyes of multitudes; wives received forgiveness from their
+husbands in the midst of approving crowds; leave-takings the most
+affecting; partings, for those never to meet again; the last utterings
+of the death-bed; the faint whispers of expiring affection; the
+imprecations of undying hate--all, all were exhibited in public, and the
+gaze of the low, the vulgar, and the debauched associated with the most
+agonising griefs that ever the heart endured. The scenes, which now are
+shrouded in all the secrecy of domestic privacy, were then the daily
+life of Paris; and to this cause alone can I attribute the hardened
+indifference with which events the most terrible and heart-rending were
+witnessed. Bred up amidst such examples, I saw little matter for emotion
+in scenes of harrowing interest. An air of mockery was on everything,
+and a bastard classicality destroyed every semblance of truth in
+whatever would have been touching and affecting.
+
+The commotion of Paris on that memorable morning was, then, to my
+thinking, little more than usual If the crowds who pressed their way to
+the Place de la Revolution were greater--if the cries of vengeance
+were in louder utterance--if the imprecations were deeper and more
+terrible--the ready answer that satisfied all curiosity was--it was
+Robespierre who was on his way to be executed. Little knew I what hung
+upon that life! and how the fate of millions depended upon the blood
+that morning was to shed! Too full of myself and my own projects, I
+disengaged myself from the crowds that pressed eagerly towards the
+Tuileries, and took my way by less-frequented streets in the direction
+of the Boulevard Mont Parnasse.
+
+I wished, if possible, to see the pere once more, to take a last
+farewell of him, and ask his blessing, too; for still a lingering faith
+in the lessons he had taught me continued to haunt my mind amidst
+all the evil influences with which my wayward life surrounded me. The
+further I went from the quarter of the Tuileries, the more deserted
+and solitary grew the streets. Not a carriage or horseman was to be
+seen--scarcely a foot-passenger. All Paris had, apparently, assembled
+on the Place de la Revolution; and the very beggars had quitted their
+accustomed haunts to repair thither. Even the distant hum of the vast
+multitude faded away, and it was only as the wind bore them that I could
+catch the sounds of the hoarse cries that bespoke a people's vengeance.
+And now I found myself in the little silent street which once had been
+my home. I stood opposite the house where we used to live, afraid to
+enter it lest I might compromise the safety of her I wished to save,
+and yet longing once more to see the little chamber where we once sat
+together--the chimney-corner where, in the dark nights of winter, I
+nestled, with my hymn-book, and tried to learn the rhymes that every
+plash of the falling hail against the windows routed--to lie down once
+more in the little bed, where so often I had passed whole nights of
+happy imaginings--bright thoughts of a peaceful future that were never
+to be realised!
+
+Half choking with my emotion, I passed on, and soon saw the green
+fields, and the windmill-covered hill of Montmartre rising above the
+embankment of the Boulevards--and now the ivy-clothed wall of the
+garden, within which stood the chapel of St. Blois. The gate lay ajar as
+of old, and, pushing it open, I entered. Everything was exactly as I had
+left it--the same desolation and desertion everywhere--so much so, that
+I almost fancied no human foot had crossed its dreary precincts since
+last I was there. On drawing nigh to the chapel, I found the door fast
+barred and barricaded as before; but a window lay open, and on examining
+it closer I discovered the marks of a recent foot-track on the ground
+and the window-sill. Could the Pere Michel have been there? was the
+question that at once occurred to my mind. Had the poor priest come
+to take a last look and a farewell of a spot so dear to him? It could
+scarcely have been any other. There was nothing to tempt cupidity in
+that humble little church; an image of the 'Virgin and Child' in wax
+was the only ornament of the altar. No, no; pillage had never been the
+motive of him who entered here.
+
+Thus reasoning, I climbed up to the window, and entered the chapel. As
+my footsteps echoed through the silent building, I felt that sense of
+awe and reverence so inseparably connected with a place of worship,
+and which is ever more impressive still as we stand in it alone. The
+present, however, was less before me than the past, of which everything
+reminded me. There was the seat the marquise used to sit in--there the
+footstool I had so often placed at her feet. How different was the last
+service I had rendered her! There the pillar, beside which I have
+stood spell-bound, gazing at that fair face, whose beauty arrested
+the thoughts that should have wended heavenward, and made my muttered
+prayers like offerings to herself. The very bouquet of flowers some
+pious hand had placed beneath the shrine--withered and faded--was there
+still. But where were they whose beating hearts had throbbed with deep
+devotion? How many had died upon the scaffold!--how many were still
+lingering in imprisonment, some in exile, some in concealment, dragging
+out lives of misery and anxiety! What was the sustaining spirit of
+such martyrdom? I asked myself again and again. Was it the zeal of true
+religion, or was it the energy of loyalty that bore them up against
+every danger, and enabled them to brave death itself with firmness?--and
+if this faith of theirs was thus ennobling, why could not France be of
+one mind and heart? There came no answer to these doubts of mine, and I
+slowly advanced towards the altar, still deeply buried in thought. What
+was my surprise to see that two candles stood there, which bore signs
+of having been recently lighted. At once the whole truth flashed across
+me--the pere had been there; he had come to celebrate a mass--the last,
+perhaps, he was ever to offer up at that altar. I knew with what warm
+affection he loved every object and every spot endeared to him by long
+time, and I fancied to myself the overflowing of his heart as he entered
+once more, and for the last time, the little temple, associated with
+all the joys and sorrows of his existence. Doubtless, too, he had waited
+anxiously for my coming; mayhap in the prayers he offered I was not
+forgotten. I thought of him kneeling there, in the silence of the night,
+alone, as he was, his gentle voice the only sound in the stillness of
+the hour, his pure heart throbbing with gratitude for his deliverance,
+and prayerful hopes for those who had been his persecutors. I thought
+over all this, and, in a torrent of emotions, I knelt down before
+the altar to pray. I know not what words I uttered, but his name must
+somehow have escaped my lips, for suddenly a door opened beside the
+altar, and the Pere Michel, dressed in his full vestments, stood before
+me. His features, wan and wasted as they were, had regained their wonted
+expression of calm dignity, and by his look I saw that he would not
+suffer the sacred spot to be profaned by any outburst of feeling on
+either side.
+
+'Those dreadful shouts tell of another massacre,' said he solemnly, as
+the wind bore towards us the deafening cries of the angry multitude.
+'Let us pray for the souls' rest of the departed.'
+
+'Then will your prayers be offered for Robespierre, for Couthon, and St.
+Just,' said I boldly.
+
+'And who are they who need more the saints' intercession--who have ever
+been called to judgment with such crimes to expiate--who have ever so
+widowed France, and so desecrated her altars? Happily, a few yet remain
+where piety may kneel to implore pardon for their iniquity. Let us
+recite the Litany for the Dead,' said he solemnly, and at once began the
+impressive service.
+
+As I knelt beside the rails of the altar, and heard the prayers which,
+with deep devotion, he uttered, I could not help feeling the contrast
+between that touching evidence of Christian charity and the tumultuous
+joy of the populace, whose frantic bursts of triumph were borne on the
+air.
+
+'And now come with me, Maurice,' said he, as the Litany was concluded.
+'Here, in this little sacristy, we are safe from all molestation; none
+will think of us on such a day as this.'
+
+And as he spoke he drew his arm around me, and led me into the little
+chamber where once the precious vessels and the decorations of the
+church were kept.
+
+'Here we are safe,' said he, as he drew me to his side on the oaken
+bench, which formed all the furniture of the room. 'To-morrow, Maurice,
+we must leave this, and seek an asylum in another land; but we are not
+friendless, my child--the brothers of the "Sacred Heart" will receive
+us. Their convent is in the wilds of the Ardennes, beyond the frontiers
+of France, and there, beloved by the faithful peasantry, they live in
+security and peace. We need not take the vows of their order, which is
+one of the strictest of all religious houses; but we may claim their
+hospitality and protection, and neither will be denied us. Think what a
+blessed existence will that be, Maurice, my son, to dwell under the same
+roof with these holy men, and to imbibe from them the peace of mind
+that holiness alone bestows; to awake at the solemn notes of the pealing
+organ, and to sink to rest with the glorious liturgies still chanting
+around you; to feel an atmosphere of devotion on every side, and to see
+the sacred relics whose miracles have attested the true faith in ages
+long past. Does it not stir thy heart, my child, to know that such
+blessed privileges may be thine?'
+
+I hung my head in silence, for, in truth, I felt nothing of the
+enthusiasm with which he sought to inspire me. The pere quickly saw what
+passed in my mind, and endeavoured to depict the life of the monastery
+as a delicious existence, embellished by all the graces of literature,
+and adorned by the pleasures of intellectual converse. Poetry, romance,
+scenery, all were pressed into the service of his persuasions; but how
+weak were such arguments to one like me, the boy whose only education
+had been what the streets of Paris afforded--whose notions of eloquence
+were formed on the insane ravings of 'The Mountain,' and whose idea of
+greatness was centred in mere notoriety!
+
+My dreamy look of inattention showed him again that he had failed; and I
+could see, in the increased pallor of his face, the quivering motion of
+his lip, the agitation the defeat was costing him.
+
+'Alas! alas!' cried he passionately, 'the work of ruin is perfect; the
+mind of youth is corrupted, and the fountain of virtue denied at the
+very source. O Maurice, I had never thought this possible of thee, the
+child of my heart!'
+
+A burst of grief here overcame him; for some minutes he could not speak.
+At last he arose from his seat, and wiping off the tears that covered
+his cheeks with his robe, spoke, but in a voice whose full round tones
+contrasted strongly with his former weak accents.
+
+'The life I have pictured seems to thee ignoble and unworthy, boy. So
+did it not appear to Chrysostom, to Origen, and to Augustine--to the
+blessed saints of our Church, the eldest-born of Christianity. Be it so.
+Thine, mayhap, is not the age, nor this the era, in which to hope for
+better things. Thy heart yearns for heroic actions--thy spirit is set
+upon high ambitions--be it so. I say, never was the time more fitting
+for thee. The enemy is up; his armies are in the field; thousands and
+tens of thousands swell the ranks, already flushed with victory. Be
+a soldier, then. Ay, Maurice, buckle on the sword--the battlefield is
+before thee. Thou hast made choice to seek the enemy in the far-away
+countries of heathen darkness, or here in our own native France, where
+his camp is already spread. If danger be the lure that tempts thee--if
+to confront peril be thy wish--there is enough of it. Be a soldier,
+then, and gird thee for the great battle that is at hand. Ay, boy, if
+thou feelest within thee the proud darings that foreshadow success,
+speak the word, and thou shalt be a standard-bearer in the very van.'
+
+I waited not for more; but springing up, I clasped my arms around his
+neck, and cried, in ecstasy, 'Yes! Pere Michel, you have guessed aright,
+my heart's ambition is to be a soldier, and I want but your blessing to
+be a brave one.'
+
+'And thou shalt have it. A thousand blessings follow those who go forth
+to the good fight. But thou art yet young, Maurice--too young for this.
+Thou needest time, and much teaching, too. He who would brave the enemy
+before us, must be skilful as well as courageous. Thou art as yet but a
+child.'
+
+'The general said he liked boy-soldiers,' said I promptly; 'he told me
+so himself.'
+
+'What general--who told thee?' cried the pere, in trembling eagerness.
+
+'General Lacoste, the Chef d'Etat-major of the army of the Rhine; the
+same who gave me a rendezvous for to-morrow at his quarters.'
+
+It was not till I had repeated my explanation again and again, nor,
+indeed, until I had recounted all the circumstances of my last night's
+adventure, that the poor pere could be brought to see his way through a
+mystery that had almost become equally embarrassing to myself. When he
+did, however, detect the clue, and when he had perceived the different
+tracks on which our minds were travelling, his grief burst all bounds.
+He inveighed against the armies of the Republic as hordes of pillagers
+and bandits, the sworn enemies of the Church, the desecrators of her
+altars. Their patriotism he called a mere pretence to shroud their
+infidelity. Their heroism was the bloodthirstiness of democratic
+cruelty. Seeing me still unmoved by all this passionate declamation,
+he adopted another tactic, and suddenly asked me if it were for such a
+cause as this my father had been a soldier?
+
+'No!' replied I firmly; 'for when my father was alive, the soil of
+France had not been desecrated by the foot of the invader. The Austrian,
+the Prussian, the Englishman, had not yet dared to dictate the laws
+under which we were to live.'
+
+He appeared thunderstruck at my reply, revealing, as it seemed to him,
+the extent of those teachings, whose corruptions he trembled at.
+
+'I knew it, I knew it!' cried he bitterly, as he wrung his hands. 'The
+seed of the iniquity is sown--the harvest-time will not be long in
+coming! And so, boy, thou hast spoken with one of these men--these
+generals, as they call themselves, of that republican horde?'
+
+'The officer who commands the artillery of the army of the Rhine may
+write himself general with little presumption,' said I, almost angrily.
+
+'They who once led our armies to battle were the nobles of France--men
+whose proud station was the pledge for their chivalrous devotion. But
+why do I discuss the question with thee? He who deserts his faith may
+well forget that his birth was noble. Go, boy, join those with whom
+your heart is already linked. Tour lesson will be an easy one--you have
+nothing to unlearn. The songs of the Girondins are already more grateful
+to your ear than our sacred canticles. Go, I say, since between us
+henceforth there can be no companionship.'
+
+'Will you not bless me, pere,' said I, approaching him in deep humility;
+'will you not let me carry with me thy benediction?'
+
+'How shall I bless the arm that is lifted to wound the Holy Church?--how
+shall I pray for one whose place is in the ranks of the infidel? Hadst
+thou faith in my blessing, boy, thou hadst never implored it in such a
+cause. Renounce thy treason--and not alone my blessing, but thou shalt
+have a 'Novena' to celebrate thy fidelity. Be of us, Maurice, and thy
+name shall be honoured where honour is immortality.'
+
+The look of beaming affection with which he uttered this, more than the
+words themselves, now shook my courage, and, in a conflict of doubt and
+indecision, I held down my head without speaking. What might have been
+my ultimate resolve, if left completely to myself, I know not; but at
+that very moment a detachment of soldiers marched past in the street
+without. They were setting off to join the army of the Rhine, and were
+singing in joyous chorus the celebrated song of the day, 'Le chant du
+depart.' The tramp of their feet--the clank of their weapons--their
+mellow voices--but, more than all, the associations that thronged to my
+mind, routed every other thought, and I darted from the spot, and never
+stopped till I reached the street.
+
+A great crowd followed the detachment, composed partly of friends of the
+soldiers, partly of the idle loungers of the capital. Mixing with these,
+I moved onward, and speedily passed the outer boulevard and gained the
+open country.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI. 'THE ARMY SIXTY YEARS SINCE'
+
+I followed the soldiers as they marched beyond the outer boulevard and
+gained the open country. Many of the idlers dropped off here; others
+accompanied us a little farther; but at length, when the drums ceased
+to beat, and were slung in marching order on the backs of the
+drummers, when the men broke into the open order that French soldiers
+instinctively assume on a march, the curiosity of the gazers appeared
+to have nothing more to feed upon, and one by one they returned to the
+capital, leaving me the only lingerer.
+
+To any one accustomed to military display, there was little to attract
+notice in the column, which consisted of detachments from various corps,
+horse, foot, and artillery; some were returning to their regiments after
+a furlough; some had just issued from the hospitals, and were seated in
+_charrettes_, or country cars; and others, again, were peasant boys only
+a few days before drawn in the conscription. There was every variety of
+uniform, and, I may add, of raggedness, too--a coarse blouse and a pair
+of worn shoes, with a red or blue handkerchief on the head, being the
+dress of many among them. The Republic was not rich in those days,
+and cared little for the costume in which her victories were won. The
+artillery alone seemed to preserve anything like uniformity in dress.
+They wore a plain uniform of blue, with long white gaiters coming
+half-way up the thigh; a low cocked-hat, without feather, but with the
+tricoloured cockade in front. They were mostly men middle aged, or past
+the prime of life, bronzed, weather-beaten, hardy-looking fellows, whose
+white moustaches contrasted well with their sun-burned faces. All their
+weapons and equipments were of a superior kind, and showed the care
+bestowed upon an arm whose efficiency was the first discovery of the
+republican generals. The greater number of these were Bretons, and
+several of them had served in the fleet, still bearing in their looks
+and carriage something of that air which seems inherent in the seaman.
+They were grave, serious, and almost stern in manner, and very unlike
+the young cavalry soldiers, who, mostly recruited from the south of
+France, many of them Gascons, had all the high-hearted gaiety and
+reckless levity of their own peculiar land. A campaign to these fellows
+seemed a pleasant excursion; they made a jest of everything, from the
+wan faces of the invalids to the black bread of the commissary; they
+quizzed the new 'Tourlerous,' as the recruits were styled, and the old
+'Grumblers,' as it was the fashion to call the veterans of the army;
+they passed their jokes on the Republic, and even their own officers
+came in for a share of their ridicule. The Grenadiers, however, were
+those who especially were made the subject of their sarcasm. They were
+generally from the north of France, and the frontier country toward
+Flanders, whence they probably imbibed a portion of that phlegm and
+moroseness so very unlike the general gaiety of French nature; and
+when assailed by such adversaries, were perfectly incapable of reply or
+retaliation.
+
+They all belonged to the army of the 'Sambre et Meuse,' which, although
+at the beginning of the campaign highly distinguished for its successes,
+had been latterly eclipsed by the extraordinary victories on the Upper
+Rhine and in Western Germany; and it was curious to hear with what
+intelligence and interest the greater questions of strategy were
+discussed by those who carried their packs as common soldiers in the
+ranks. Movements and manoeuvres were criticised, attacked, defended,
+ridiculed, and condemned, with a degree of acuteness and knowledge that
+showed the enormous progress the nation had made in military science,
+and with what ease the Republic could recruit her officers from the
+ranks of her soldiers.
+
+At noon the column halted in the wood of Belleville; and while the men
+were resting, an express arrived announcing that a fresh body of troops
+would soon arrive, and ordering the others to delay their march till
+they came up. The orderly who brought the tidings could only say that
+he believed some hurried news had come from Germany, for before he left
+Paris the rappel was beating in different quarters, and the rumour
+ran that reinforcements were to set out for Strasbourg with the utmost
+despatch.
+
+'And what troops are coming to join us?' said an old artillery sergeant,
+in evident disbelief of the tidings.
+
+'Two batteries of artillery and the voltigeurs of the 4th, I know for
+certain are coming,' said the orderly, 'and they spoke of a battalion of
+grenadiers.'
+
+'What! do these Germans need another lesson?' said the cannonier. 'I
+thought Fleurus had taught them what our troops were made of.'
+
+'How you talk of Fleurus!' interrupted a young hussar of the south. 'I
+have just come from the army of Italy, and, _ma foi!_ we should never
+have mentioned such a battle as Fleurus in a despatch. Campaigning
+amongst dikes and hedges--fighting with a river on one flank and a
+fortress on t'other--parade manoeuvres--where, at the first check, the
+enemy retreats, and leaves you free, for the whole afternoon, to write
+off your successes to the Directory. Had you seen our fellows scaling
+the Alps, with avalanches of snow descending at every fire of the great
+guns--forcing pass after pass against an enemy, posted on every cliff
+and crag above us--cutting our way to victory by roads the hardiest
+hunter had seldom trod--I call that war.'
+
+'And I call it the skirmish of an outpost!' said the gruff veteran, as
+he smoked away in thorough contempt for the enthusiasm of the other. 'I
+have served under Kleber, Hoche, and Moreau, and I believe they are the
+first generals of France.'
+
+'There is a name greater than them all,' cried the hussar, with
+eagerness.
+
+'Let us hear it, then--you mean Pichegru, perhaps, or Massena?'
+
+'No, I mean Bonaparte!' said the hussar triumphantly.
+
+'A good officer, and one of us,' said the artilleryman, touching his
+belt to intimate the arm of the service the general belonged to. 'He
+commanded the siege-train at Toulon.'
+
+'He belongs to all,' said the other. 'He is a dragoon, a voltigeur, an
+artillerist, a pontonnier--what you will--he knows everything, as I know
+my horse's saddle, and cloak-bag.'
+
+Both parties now grew warm; and as each was not only an eager partisan,
+but well acquainted with the leading events of the two campaigns they
+undertook to defend, the dispute attracted a large circle of listeners,
+who, either seated on the green sward, or lying at full length, formed
+a picturesque group under the shadow of the spreading oak-trees.
+Meanwhile, the cooking went speedily forward, and the camp-kettles
+smoked with a steam whose savoury odour was not a little tantalising to
+one who, like myself, felt that he did not belong to the company.
+
+'What's thy mess, boy?' said an old grenadier to me, as I sat at
+a little distance off, and affecting--but I fear very ill--a total
+indifference to what went forward.
+
+'He is asking to what corps thou belong'st?' said another, seeing that
+the question puzzled me.
+
+'I Unfortunately I have none,' said I. 'I merely followed the march for
+curiosity.'
+
+'And thy father and mother, child--what will they say to thee on thy
+return home?'
+
+'I have neither father, mother, nor home,' said I promptly.
+
+'Just like myself,' said an old red-whiskered sapeur; 'or if I ever had
+parents they never had the grace to own me. Come over here, child, and
+take share of my dinner.'
+
+'No, _parbleu!_ I 'll have him for my comrade,' cried the young hussar.
+'I was made a corporal yesterday, and have a larger ration. Sit here, my
+boy, and tell us how art called.'
+
+'Maurice Tiernay.'
+
+'Maurice will do; few of us care for more than one name, except in the
+dead muster they like to have it in full. Help thyself, my lad, and
+here's the wine-flask beside thee.'
+
+'How comes it thou hast this old uniform, boy?' said he, pointing to my
+sleeve.
+
+'It was one they gave me in the Temple,' said I. 'I was a _rat du
+prison_ for some time.'
+
+'Thunder of war!' exclaimed the cannonier, 'I had rather stand a whole
+platoon-fire than see what thou must have seen, child.'
+
+'And hast heart to go back there, boy,' said the corporal, 'and live the
+same life again?'
+
+'No, I 'll never go back,' said I. 'I 'll be a soldier.'
+
+'Well said, _mon brave_--thou'lt be a hussar, I know.'
+
+'If nature has given thee a good head, and a quick eye, my boy, thou
+might even do better, and in time, perhaps, wear a coat like mine,' said
+the cannonier.
+
+'_Sacrebleu!_ cried a little fellow, whose age might have been anything
+from boyhood to manhood--for while small of stature, he was shrivelled
+and wrinkled like a mummy--'why not be satisfied with the coat he
+wears?'
+
+'And be a drummer, like thee?' said the cannonier.
+
+'Just so, like me, and like Massena--he was a drummer, too.'
+
+'No, no!' cried a dozen voices together; 'that's not true.'
+
+'He's right; Massena was a drummer in the Eighth,' said the cannonier;
+'I remember him when he was like that boy yonder.'
+
+'To be sure,' said the little fellow, who, I now perceived, wore the
+dress of a _tambour_; and is it a disgrace to be the first to face the
+enemy?'
+
+'And the first to turn his back to him, comrade,' cried another.
+
+'Not always---not always,' said the little fellow, regardless of the
+laugh against him. 'Had it been so, I had not gained the battle of
+Grandrengs on the Sambre.'
+
+'Thou gain a battle!' shouted half a dozen, in derisive laughter.
+
+'What, Petit Pierre gained the day at Grandrengs!' said the cannonier;
+'why, I was there myself, and never heard of that till now.'
+
+'I can believe it well,' replied Pierre; 'many a man's merits go
+unacknowledged--and Kleber got all the credit that belonged to Pierre
+Canot.'
+
+'Let us hear about it, Pierre, for even thy victory is unknown by name
+to us poor devils of the army of Italy. How call'st thou the place?'
+
+'Grandrengs,' said Pierre proudly. 'It's name will live as long,
+perhaps, as many of those high-sounding ones you have favoured us with.
+Mayhap, thou hast heard of Cambray?'
+
+'Never!' said the hussar, shaking his head.
+
+'Nor of Mons, either, I'll be sworn?' continued Pierre.
+
+'Quite true, I never heard of it before.'
+
+'_Voila!_ exclaimed Pierre, in contemptuous triumph. 'And these are the
+fellows that pretend to feel their country's glory, and take pride in
+her conquests. Where hast thou been, lad, not to hear of places that
+every child syllables nowadays?'
+
+'I will tell you where I've been,' said the hussar haughtily, and
+dropping at the same time the familiar 'thee' and 'thou' of soldier
+intercourse--'I've been at Montenotte, at Millesimo, at Mondove---
+
+'_Allons, donc!_ with your disputes,' broke in an old grenadier; 'as if
+France was not victorious whether the enemies were English or German.
+Let us hear how Pierre won his battle at--at----'
+
+'At Grandrengs,' said Pierre. 'They call it in the despatch the "action
+of the Sambre," because Kleber came up there--and Kleber being a great
+man, and Pierre Canot a little one, you understand, the glory attaches
+to the place where the bullion epaulettes are found--just as the old
+King of Prussia used to say, "Le bon Dieu est toujours a cote des gros
+bataillons."'
+
+'I see we'll never come to this same victory of Grandrengs, with all
+these turnings and twistings,' muttered the artillery sergeant.
+
+'Thou art very near it now, comrade, if thou'lt listen,' said Pierre,
+as he wiped his mouth after a long draught of the wine-flask. 'I'll
+not weary the honourable company with any description of the battle
+generally, but just confine myself to that part of it in which I was
+myself in action. It is well known, that though we claimed the victory
+of the 10th May, we did little more than keep our own, and were obliged
+to cross the Sambre, and be satisfied with such a position as enabled us
+to hold the two bridges over the river--and there we remained for four
+days; some said preparing for a fresh attack upon Kaunitz, who commanded
+the allies; some, and I believe they were right, alleging that
+our generals were squabbling all day, and all night, too, with two
+commissaries that the Government had sent down to teach us how to win
+battles. _Ma foi!_ we had had some experience in that way ourselves,
+without learning the art from two citizens with tricoloured scarfs round
+their waists, and yellow tops to their boots! However that might be,
+early on the morning of the 20th we received orders to cross the river
+in two strong columns, and form on the opposite side; at the same time
+that a division was to pass the stream by boat two miles higher up,
+and, concealing themselves in a pine wood, be ready to take the enemy in
+flank, when they believed that all the force was in the front.'
+
+'_Sacre tonnerre!_ I believe that our armies of the Sambre and the
+Rhine never have any other notion of battles than that eternal flank
+movement!' cried a young sergeant of the voltigeurs, who had just come
+up from the army of Italy. 'Our general used to split the enemy by the
+centre, cut him piecemeal by attack in columns, and then mow him down
+with artillery at short range--not leaving him time for a retreat in
+heavy masses----'
+
+'Silence, silence, and let us hear Petit Pierre!' shouted a dozen
+voices, who cared far more for an incident than a scientific discussion
+about manoeuvres.
+
+'The plan I speak of was General Moreau's,' continued Pierre; 'and I
+fancy that your Bonaparte has something to learn ere he be his equal!'
+
+This rebuke seeming to have engaged the suffrages of the company, he
+went on: 'The boat division consisted of four battalions of infantry,
+two batteries of light artillery, and a voltigeur company of the
+"Regiment de Marboeuf"--to which I was then, for the time, attached as
+_tambour en chef_. What fellows they were--the greatest devils in
+the whole army! They came from the Faubourg St. Antoine, and were as
+reckless and undisciplined as when they strutted the streets of Paris.
+When they were thrown out to skirmish, they used to play as many tricks
+as schoolboys: sometimes they 'd run up to the roof of a cabin or a
+hut--and they could climb like cats--and, sitting down on the chimney,
+begin firing away at the enemy as coolly as if from a battery; sometimes
+they'd capture half-a-dozen asses, and ride forward as if to charge, and
+then, affecting to tumble off, the fellows would pick down any of the
+enemy's officers that were fools enough to come near--scampering back to
+the cover of the line, laughing and joking as if the whole were sport.
+I saw one when his wrist was shattered by a shot, and he couldn't fire,
+take a comrade on his back and caper away like a horse, just to tempt
+the Germans to come out of their lines. It was with these blessed youths
+I was now to serve, for the _tambour_ of the "Marboeuf" was drowned in
+crossing the Sambre a few days before. Well, we passed the river safely,
+and, unperceived by the enemy, gained the pine wood, where we formed
+in two columns, one of attack, and the other of support--the voltigeurs
+about five hundred paces in advance of the leading files. The morning
+was dull and hazy, for a heavy rain had fallen during the night; and
+the country is flat, and so much intersected with drains, and dikes, and
+ditches, that, after rain, the vapour is too thick to see twenty yards
+on any side. Our business was to make a counter-march to the right,
+and, guided by the noise of the cannonade, to come down upon the enemy's
+flank in the thickest of the engagement. As we advanced, we found
+ourselves in a kind of marshy plain, planted with willows, and so
+thick that it was often difficult for three men to march abreast. This
+extended for a considerable distance; and on escaping from it we saw
+that we were not above a mile from the enemy's left, which rested on a
+little village.'
+
+'I know it well,' broke in the cannonier; 'it's called Huyningen.'
+
+'Just so. There was a formidable battery in position there; and part of
+the place was stockaded, as if they expected an attack. Still, there
+are no vedettes, nor any lookout party, so far as we could see; and our
+commanding officer didn't well know what to make of it, whether it was
+a point of concealed strength, or a position they were about to withdraw
+from. At all events, it required caution; and, although the battle had
+already begun on the right--as a loud cannonade and a heavy smoke
+told us--he halted the brigade in the wood, and held a council of his
+officers to see what was to be done. The resolution come to was, that
+the voltigeurs should advance alone to explore the way, the rest of the
+force remaining in ambush. We were to go out in sections of companies,
+and, spreading over a wide surface, see what we could of the place.
+
+'Scarcely was the order given, when away we went--and it was now a race
+who should be earliest up and exchange first shot with the enemy. Some
+dashed forward over the open field in front; others skulked along by
+dikes and ditches; some, again, dodged here and there, as cover offered
+its shelter; but about a dozen, of whom I was one, kept the track of a
+little cart-road, which, half concealed by high banks and furze, ran in
+a zigzag line towards the village. I was always smart of foot; and now,
+having newly joined the voltigeurs, was naturally eager to show myself
+not unworthy of my new associates. I went on at my best pace, and being
+lightly equipped--neither musket nor ball cartridge to carry--I soon
+outstripped them all; and, after about twenty minutes' brisk running,
+saw in front of me a long, low farmhouse, the walls all pierced for
+musketry, and two small eight-pounders in battery at the gate. I looked
+back for my companions, but they were not up--not a man of them to be
+seen. "No matter," thought I, "they'll be here soon; meanwhile, I'll
+make for that little copse of brushwood"; for a small clump of low furze
+and broom was standing at a little distance in front of the farm.
+All this time, I ought to say, not a man of the enemy was to be seen,
+although I, from where I stood, could see the crenelated walls, and
+the guns, as they were pointed. At a distance all would seem like an
+ordinary peasant house.
+
+'As I crossed the open space to gain the copse, piff! came a bullet,
+whizzing past me; and just as I reached the cover, piff! came another.
+I ducked my head and made for the thicket; but just as I did so, my foot
+caught in a branch. I stumbled and pitched forward; and trying to save
+myself, I grasped a bough above me; it smashed suddenly, and down I
+went. Ay! down sure enough--for I went right through the furze, and into
+a well--one of those old, walled wells they have in these countries,
+with a huge bucket that fills up the whole space, and is worked by a
+chain. Luckily, the bucket was linked up near the top, and caught me, or
+I should have gone where there would have been no more heard of Pierre
+Canot; as it was, I was sorely bruised by the fall, and didn't recover
+myself for full ten minutes after. Then I discovered that I was sitting
+in a large wooden trough, hooped with iron, and supported by two heavy
+chains that passed over a windlass, about ten feet above my head.
+
+'I was safe enough for the matter of that; at least, none were likely
+to discover me, as I could easily see by the rust of the chain and the
+grass-grown edges, that the well had been long disused. Now the position
+was far from being pleasant. There stood the farmhouse full of soldiers,
+the muskets ranging over every approach to where I lay. Of my comrades
+there was nothing to be seen--they had either missed the way or
+retreated; and so time crept on, and I pondered on what might be going
+forward elsewhere, and whether it would ever be my own fortune to see my
+comrades again.
+
+'It might be an hour--it seemed three or four to me--after this, as I
+looked over the plain, I saw the caps of our infantry just issuing
+over the brushwood, and a glancing lustre of their bayonets, as the sun
+tipped them. They were advancing, but, as it seemed, slowly--halting
+at times, and then moving forward again--just like a force waiting for
+others to come up. At last they debouched into the plain; but, to my
+surprise, they wheeled about to the right, leaving the farmhouse on
+their flank, as if to march beyond it. This was to lose their way
+totally; nothing would be easier than to carry the position of the
+farm, for the Germans were evidently few, had no vedettes, and thought
+themselves in perfect security. I crept out from my ambush, and, holding
+my cap on a stick, tried to attract notice from our fellows, but none
+saw me. I ventured at last to shout aloud, but with no better success;
+so that, driven to the end of my resources, I set to and beat a
+_roulade_ on the drum, thundering away with all my might, and not caring
+what might come of it, for I was half mad with vexation as well as
+despair. They heard me now; I saw a staff-officer gallop up to the head
+of the leading division and halt them; a volley came peppering from
+behind me, but without doing me any injury, for I was safe once more in
+my bucket. Then came another pause, and again I repeated my manouvre,
+and to my delight perceived that our fellows were advancing at quick
+march. I beat harder, and the drums of the grenadiers answered me. All
+right now, thought I, as, springing forward, I called out--"This way,
+boys, the wall of the orchard has scarcely a man to defend it!" and I
+rattled out the _pas de charge_ with all my force. One crashing fire of
+guns and small-arms answered me from the farmhouse, and then away went
+the Germans as hard as they could!--such running never was seen! One of
+the guns they carried off with them; the tackle of the other broke, and
+the drivers, jumping off their saddles, took to their legs at once. Our
+lads were over the walls, through the windows, between the stockades,
+everywhere, in fact, in a minute, and, once inside, they carried all
+before them. The village was taken at the point of the bayonet, and in
+less than an hour the whole force of the brigade was advancing in full
+march on the enemy's flank. There was little resistance made after that,
+and Kaunitz only saved his artillery by leaving his rear-guard to be cut
+to pieces.'
+
+The cannonier nodded, as if in full assent, and Pierre looked around him
+with the air of a man who has vindicated his claim to greatness.
+
+'Of course,' said he, 'the despatch said little about Pierre Canot, but
+a great deal about Moreau, and Kleber, and the rest of them.'
+
+While some were well satisfied that Pierre had well established his
+merits as the conqueror of 'Grandrengs,' others quizzed him about the
+heroism of lying hid in a well, and owing all his glory to a skin of
+parchment.
+
+'An' thou wert with the army of Italy, Pierre,' said the hussar, 'thou
+'d have seen men march boldly to victory, and not skulk underground like
+a mole.'
+
+'I am tired of your song about this army of Italy,' broke in the
+cannonier; 'we who have served in La Vendee and the North know what
+fighting means as well, mayhap, as men whose boldest feats are scaling
+rocks and clambering up precipices. Your Bonaparte is more like one of
+those Guerilla chiefs they have in the "Basque," than the general of a
+French army.'
+
+'The man who insults the army of Italy, or its chief, insults me!'
+said the corporal, springing up, and casting a sort of haughty defiance
+around him.
+
+'And then?'--asked the other.
+
+'And then--if he be a French soldier, he knows what should follow.'
+
+'_Parbleu!_' said the cannonier coolly, 'there would be little glory in
+cutting you down, and even less in being wounded by you; but if you
+will have it so, it's not an old soldier of the artillery will balk your
+humour.'
+
+As he spoke, he slowly arose from the ground, and tightening his
+waist-belt, seemed prepared to follow the other. The rest sprang to
+their feet at the same time, but not, as I anticipated, to offer a
+friendly mediation between the angry parties, but in full approval of
+their readiness to decide by the sword a matter too trivial to be called
+a quarrel.
+
+In the midst of the whispering conferences as to place and weapons--for
+the short straight sword of the artillery was very unlike the curved
+sabre of the hussar--the quick tramp of horses was heard, and suddenly
+the head of a squadron was seen, as, with glancing helmets and
+glittering equipments, they turned off the highroad and entered the
+wood.
+
+'Here they come!--here come the troops!' was now heard on every side;
+and all question of the duel was forgotten in the greater interest
+inspired by the arrival of the others. The sight was strikingly
+picturesque; for, as they rode up, the order to dismount was given, and
+in an instant the whole squadron was at work picketing and unsaddling
+their horses; forage was shaken out before the weary and hungry beasts,
+kits were unpacked, cooking utensils produced, and every one busy in
+preparing for the bivouac. An infantry column followed close upon the
+others, which was again succeeded by two batteries of field-artillery
+and some squadrons of heavy dragoons; and now the whole wood, far and
+near, was crammed with soldiers, waggons, caissons, and camp equipage.
+To me the interest of the scene was never-ending--life, bustle, and
+gaiety on every side. The reckless pleasantry of the camp, too, seemed
+elevated by the warlike accompaniments of the picture--the caparisoned
+horses, the brass guns, blackened on many a battlefield, the
+weather-seamed faces of the hardy soldiers themselves, all conspiring to
+excite a high enthusiasm for the career.
+
+Most of the equipments were new and strange to my eyes. I had never
+before seen the grenadiers of the Republican Guard, with their enormous
+shakos, and their long-flapped vests, descending to the middle of the
+thigh; neither had I seen the 'Hussars de la mort,' in their richly
+braided uniform of black, and their long hair curled in ringlets
+at either side of the face. The cuirassiers, too, with their
+low cocked-hats, and straight black feathers, as well as the
+'Porte-drapeaux,' whose brilliant uniforms, all slashed with gold,
+seemed scarcely in keeping with yellow-topped boots; all were now seen
+by me for the first time. But of all the figures which amused me most by
+its singularity, was that of a woman, who, in a short frock-coat and
+a low-crowned hat, carried a little barrel at her side, and led an ass
+loaded with two similar but rather larger casks. Her air and gait
+were perfectly soldierlike; and as she passed the different posts and
+sentries, she saluted them in true military fashion. I was not long to
+remain in ignorance of her vocation nor her name; for scarcely did she
+pass a group without stopping to dispense a wonderful cordial that she
+carried; and then I heard the familiar title of 'La Mere Madou,' uttered
+in every form of panegyric.
+
+She was a short, stoutly built figure, somewhat past the middle of life,
+but without any impairment of activity in her movements. A pleasing
+countenance, with good teeth, and black eyes, a merry voice, and a ready
+tongue, were qualities more than sufficient to make her a favourite
+with the soldiers, whom I found she had followed to more than one
+battlefield.
+
+'_Peste!_ cried an old grenadier, as he spat out the liquor on the
+ground. 'This is one of those sweet things they make in Holland; it
+smacks of treacle and bad lemons.'
+
+'Ah, Grognard!' said she, laughing, 'thou art more used to corn-brandy,
+with a clove of garlick in't, than to good curacoa.'
+
+'What, curacoa! Mere Madou, has got curacoa there?' cried a
+grey-whiskered captain, as he turned on his saddle at the word.
+
+'Yes, _mon capitaine_, and such as no burgomaster ever drank better';
+and she filled out a little glass and presented it gracefully to him.
+
+'_Encore! ma bonne mere_,' said he, as he wiped his thick moustache;
+'that liquor is another reason for extending the blessings of liberty to
+the brave Dutch.'
+
+'Didn't I tell you so?' said she, refilling the glass; 'but, holloa,
+there goes Gregoire at full speed. Ah, scoundrels that ye are, I see
+what ye 've done.' And so was it; some of the wild young voltigeur
+fellows had fastened a lighted furze-bush to the beast's tail, and had
+set him at a gallop through the very middle of the encampment, upsetting
+tents, scattering cooking-pans, and tumbling the groups, as they sat, in
+every direction.
+
+The confusion was tremendous, for the picketed horses jumped about, and
+some, breaking loose, galloped here and there, while others set off with
+half-unpacked waggons, scattering their loading as they went.
+
+It was only when the blazing furze had dropped off, that the whole cause
+of the mischance would suffer himself to be captured and led quietly
+back to his mistress. Half crying with joy, and still wild with anger,
+she kissed the beast and abused her tormentors by turns.
+
+'Cannoniers that ye are,' she cried, '_ma foi_! you'll have little taste
+for fire when the day comes that ye should face it! _Pauvre_ Gregoire,
+they've left thee a tail like a tirailleur's feather! Plagues light
+on the thieves that did it! Come here, boy,' said she, addressing me,
+'hold, the bridle; what's thy corps, lad?'
+
+'I have none now; I only followed the soldiers from Paris.'
+
+'Away with thee, street runner; away with thee, then,' said she
+contemptuously; 'there are no pockets to pick here; and if there were,
+thou 'd lose thy ears for the doing it. Be off, then--back with thee
+to Paris and all its villainies. There are twenty thousand of thy trade
+there, but there's work for ye all.'
+
+'Nay, mere, don't be harsh with the boy,' said a soldier; 'you can see
+by his coat that his heart is with us.'
+
+'And he stole that, I'll be sworn,' said she, pulling me round, by the
+arm, full in front of her. 'Answer me, _gamin_, where didst find that
+old tawdry jacket?'
+
+'I got it in a place where, if they had hold of thee and thy bad tongue,
+it would fare worse with thee than thou thinkest,' said I, maddened by
+the imputed theft and insolence together.
+
+'And where may that be, young slip of the galleys?' cried she angrily.
+
+'In the "Prison du Temple."'
+
+'Is that their livery, then?' said she, laughing and pointing at me with
+ridicule, 'or is it a family dress made after thy father's?'
+
+'My father wore a soldier's coat, and bravely, too,' said I, with
+difficulty restraining the tears that rose to my eyes.
+
+'In what regiment, boy?' asked the soldier who spoke before.
+
+'In one that exists no longer,' said I sadly, and not wishing to allude
+to a service that would find but slight favour in republican ears.
+
+'That must be the 24th of the Line; they were cut to pieces at
+"Tongres."'
+
+'No--no, he 's thinking of the 9th, that got so roughly handled at
+Fontenoy,' said another.
+
+'Of neither,' said I; 'I am speaking of those who have left nothing but
+a name behind them--the Garde du Corps of the king.'
+
+'_Voila!_ cried Madou, clapping her hands in astonishment at my
+impertinence; 'there's an aristocrat for you! Look at him, _mes braves!_
+it's not every day we have the grand seigneurs condescending to come
+amongst us! You can learn something of courtly manners from the polished
+descendant of our nobility. Say, boy, art a count, or a baron, or
+perhaps a duke?'
+
+'Make way there--out of the road, Mere Madou,' cried a dragoon,
+curveting his horse in such a fashion as almost to upset ass and
+_cantiniere_ together, 'the staff is coming.'
+
+The mere mention of the word sent numbers off in full speed to their
+quarters; and now all was haste and bustle to prepare for the coming
+inspection. The mere's endeavours to drag her beast along were not very
+successful, for, with the peculiar instinct of his species, the more
+necessity there was of speed, the lazier he became; and as every one had
+his own concerns to look after, she was left to her own unaided efforts
+to drive him forward.
+
+'Thou'lt have a day in prison if thou'rt found here, Mere Madou,' said a
+dragoon, as he struck the ass with the flat of his sabre.
+
+'I know it well,' cried she passionately; 'but I have none to help me.
+Come here, lad; be good-natured, and forget what passed. Take his bridle
+while I whip him on.'
+
+I was at first disposed to refuse, but her pitiful face and sad plight
+made me think better of it, and I seized the bridle at once; but just as
+I had done so, the escort galloped forward, and the dragoons coming
+on the flank of the miserable beast, over he went, barrels and all,
+crushing me beneath him as he fell.
+
+[Illustration: 111]
+
+'Is the boy hurt?' were the last words I heard, as I fainted; but a few
+minutes after I found myself seated on the grass, while a soldier was
+stanching the blood that ran freely from a cut in my forehead.
+
+'It is a trifle, general--a mere scratch,' said a young officer to an
+old man on horseback beside him, 'and the leg is not broken.'
+
+'Glad of it,' said the old officer; 'casualties are insufferable, except
+before an enemy. Send the lad to his regiment.'
+
+'He's only a camp-follower, general. He does not belong to us.'
+
+'There, my lad, take this, then, and make thy way back to Paris,' said
+the old general, as he threw me a small piece of money.
+
+I looked up, and, straight before me, saw the same officer who had given
+me the assignat the night before.
+
+'General Lacoste!' cried I, in delight, for I thought him already a
+friend.
+
+'How is this--have I an acquaintance here?' said he, smiling; 'on my
+life! it's the young rogue I met this morning. Eh! art not thou the
+artillery-driver I spoke to at the barrack?'
+
+'Yes, general, the same.'
+
+'_Diantre!_ It seems fated, then, that we are not to part company so
+easily; for hadst thou remained in Paris, lad, we had most probably
+never met again.'
+
+'_Ainsi, je suis bien tombe, general?_ said I, punning upon my accident.
+
+He laughed heartily, less, I suppose, at the jest, which was a poor one,
+than at the cool impudence with which I uttered it, and then turning to
+one of the staff, said--
+
+'I spoke to Bertholet about this boy already; see that they take him in
+the 9th. I say, my lad, what's thy name?'
+
+'Tiernay, sir.'
+
+'Ay, to be sure, Tiernay. Well, Tiernay, thou shalt be a hussar, my man.
+See that I get no disgrace by the appointment.'
+
+I kissed his hand fervently, and the staff rode forward, leaving me the
+happiest heart that beat in all the crowded host.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII. A PASSING ACQUAINTANCE
+
+If the guide who is to lead us on a long and devious track stops at
+every byway, following out each path that seems to invite a ramble or
+suggest a halt, we naturally might feel distrustful of his safe conduct,
+and uneasy at the prospect of the road before us. In the same way
+may the reader be disposed to fear that he who descends to slight and
+trivial circumstances will scarcely have time for events which ought
+to occupy a wider space in his reminiscences; and for this reason I am
+bound to apologise for the seeming transgression of my last chapter.
+Most true it is, that were I to relate the entire of my life with a
+similar diffuseness, my memoir would extend to a length far beyond what
+I intend it to occupy. Such, however, is very remote from my thoughts.
+I have dwelt with, perhaps, something of prolixity upon the soldier-life
+and characteristics of a past day, because I shall yet have to speak of
+changes, without which the contrast would be inappreciable; but I have
+also laid stress upon an incident trivial in itself, because it formed
+an event in my own fortunes. It was thus, in fact, that I became a
+soldier.
+
+Now, the man who carries a musket in the ranks may very reasonably be
+deemed but a small ingredient of the mass that forms an army; and in our
+day his thoughts, hopes, fears, and ambitions are probably as unknown
+and uncared for as the precise spot of earth that yielded the ore from
+which his own weapon was smelted. This is not only reasonable, but it is
+right in the time of which I am now speaking it was far otherwise. The
+Republic, in extinguishing a class, had elevated the individual; and
+now each, in whatever station he occupied, felt himself qualified to
+entertain opinions and express sentiments which, because they were his
+own, he presumed them to be national The idlers of the streets discussed
+the deepest questions of politics; the soldiers talked of war with all
+the presumption of consummate generalship. The great operations of a
+campaign, and the various qualities of different commanders, were the
+daily subjects of dispute in the camp. Upon one topic only were
+all agreed; and there, indeed, our unanimity repaid all previous
+discordance. We deemed France the only civilised nation of the globe,
+and reckoned that people thrice happy who, by any contingency of
+fortune, engaged our sympathy, or procured the distinction of our
+presence in arms. We were the heaven-born disseminators of freedom
+throughout Europe, the sworn enemies of kingly domination, and the
+missionaries of a political creed, which was not alone to ennoble
+mankind, but to render its condition eminently happy and prosperous.
+
+There could not be an easier lesson to learn than this, and particularly
+when dinned into your ears all day, and from every rank and grade around
+you. It was the programme of every message from the Directory; it
+was the opening of every general order from the general; it was the
+table-talk of your mess. The burthen of every song, the title of every
+military march performed by the regimental band, recalled it; even the
+riding-master, as he followed the recruit around the weary circle,
+whip in hand, mingled the orders he uttered with apposite axioms upon
+republican grandeur. How I think I hear it still! as the grim old
+quartermaster-sergeant, with his Alsatian accent and deep-toned voice,
+would call out--
+
+'Elbows back!--wrist lower and free from the side--free, I say, as every
+citizen of a great Republic!--head erect, as a Frenchman has a right to
+carry it!--chest full out, like one who can breathe the air of heaven,
+and ask no leave from king or despot!--down with your heel, sir; think
+that you crush a tyrant beneath it!'
+
+Such and such like were the running commentaries on equitation, till
+often I forgot whether the lesson had more concern with a seat on
+horseback or the great cause of monarchy throughout Europe. I suppose,
+to use a popular phrase of our own day, 'the system worked well';
+certainly the spirit of the army was unquestionable. From the grim old
+veteran, with snow-white moustache, to the beardless, boy, there was but
+one hope and wish--the glory of France. How they understood that glory,
+or in what it essentially consisted, is another and very different
+question.
+
+Enrolled as a soldier in the ninth regiment of Hussars, I accompanied
+that corps to Nancy, where, at that time, a large cavalry school was
+formed, and where the recruits from the different regiments were trained
+and managed before being sent forward to their destination.
+
+A taste for equitation, and a certain aptitude for catching up the
+peculiar character of the different horses, at once distinguished me in
+the riding-school, and I was at last adopted by the riding-master of the
+regiment as a kind of aide to him in his walk. When I thus became a bold
+and skilful horseman, my proficiency interfered with my promotion,
+for instead of accompanying my regiment I was detained at Nancy, and
+attached to the permanent staff of the cavalry school there.
+
+At first I asked for nothing better. It was a life of continued pleasure
+and excitement, and while I daily acquired knowledge of a subject which
+interested me deeply, I grew tall and strong of limb, and with
+that readiness in danger, and that cool collectedness in moments of
+difficulty, that are so admirably taught by the accidents and mischances
+of a cavalry riding-school.
+
+The most vicious and unmanageable beasts from the Limousin were often
+sent to us, and when any one of these was deemed peculiarly untractable,
+'Give him to Tiernay' was the last appeal, before abandoning him as
+hopeless. I'm certain I owe much of the formation of my character to
+my life at this period, and that my love of adventure, my taste
+for excitement, my obstinate resolution to conquer a difficulty, my
+inflexible perseverance when thwarted, and my eager anxiety for praise,
+were all picked up amid the sawdust and tan of the riding-school. How
+long I might have continued satisfied with such triumphs, and content
+to be the wonder of the freshly joined conscripts, I know not, when
+accident, or something very like it, decided the question.
+
+It was a calm, delicious evening in April, in the year after I had
+entered the school, that I was strolling alone on the old fortified
+wall, which, once a strong redoubt, was the favourite walk of the good
+citizens of Nancy. I was somewhat tired with the fatigues of the day,
+and sat down to rest under one of the acacia-trees, whose delicious
+blossom was already scenting the air. The night was still and noiseless;
+not a man moved along the wall; the hum of the city was gradually
+subsiding, and the lights in the cottages over the plain told that the
+labourer was turning homeward from his toil. It was an hour to invite
+calm thoughts, and so I fell a-dreaming over the tranquil pleasures of
+a peasant's life, and the unruffled peace of an existence passed amid
+scenes that were endeared by years of intimacy. 'How happily,' thought
+I, 'time must steal on in these quiet spots, where the strife and
+struggle of war are unknown, and even the sounds of conflict never
+reach!' Suddenly my musings were broken in upon by hearing the measured
+tramp of cavalry, as at a walk; a long column wound their way along
+the zigzag approaches, which by many a redoubt and fosse, over many a
+drawbridge, and beneath many a strong arch, led to the gates of Nancy.
+The loud, sharp call of a trumpet was soon heard, and, after a brief
+parley, the massive gates of the fortress were opened for the troops to
+enter. From the position I occupied exactly over the gate, I could not
+only see the long, dark line of armed men as they passed, but also hear
+the colloquy which took place as they entered--
+
+'What regiment?*
+
+'Detachments of the 12th Dragoons and the 22nd Chasseurs a cheval.'
+
+'Where from?'
+
+'Valence.'
+
+'Whereto?'
+
+'The army of the Rhine.'
+
+'Pass on!'
+
+And with the words the ringing sound of the iron-shod horses was heard
+beneath the vaulted entrance. As they issued from beneath the long deep
+arch, the men were formed in line along two sides of a wide 'Place'
+inside the walls, where, with that despatch that habit teaches, the
+billets were speedily distributed, and the parties 'told off' in squads
+for different parts of the city. The force seemed a considerable one,
+and with all the celerity they could employ, the billeting occupied a
+long time. As I watched the groups moving off, I heard the direction
+given to one party, 'Cavalry School--Rue de Lorraine.' The young officer
+who commanded the group took a direction exactly the reverse of the
+right one; and hastening down from the rampart, I at once overtook them,
+and explained the mistake. I offered them my guidance to the place,
+which being willingly accepted, I walked along at their side.
+
+Chatting as we went, I heard that the dragoons were hastily withdrawn
+from La Vendee to form part of the force under General Hoche. The young
+sous-lieutenant, a mere boy of my own age, had already served in two
+campaigns in Holland and the south of France; had been wounded in the
+Loire, and received his grade of officer at the hands of Hoche himself
+on the field of battle.
+
+He could speak of no other name--Hoche was the hero of all his thoughts;
+his gallantry, his daring, his military knowledge, his coolness in
+danger, his impetuosity in attack, his personal amiability, the mild
+gentleness of his manner, were themes the young soldier loved to
+dwell on; and however pressed by me to talk of war and its chances, he
+inevitably came back to the one loved theme--his general.
+
+When the men were safely housed for the night, I invited my new friend
+to my own quarters, where, having provided the best entertainment I
+could afford, we passed more than half the night in chatting. There
+was nothing above mediocrity in the look or manner of the youth; his
+descriptions of what he had seen were unmarked by anything glowing
+or picturesque; his observations did not evince either a quick or a
+reflective mind, and yet, over this mass of commonplace, enthusiasm
+for his leader had shed a rich glow, like a gorgeous sunlight on a
+landscape, that made all beneath it seem brilliant and splendid.
+
+'And now,' said he, after an account of the last action he had seen,
+'and now, enough of myself; let's talk of thee. Where hast thou been?'
+
+'Here!' said I, with a sigh, and in a voice that shame had almost made
+inaudible. 'Here, here, at Nancy.'
+
+'Not always here?'
+
+'Just so. Always here.'
+
+'And what doing, _mon cher_? Thou art not one of the Municipal Guard,
+surely?'
+
+'No,' said I, smiling sadly, 'I belong to the "Ecole d'Equitation.'"
+
+'Ah, that's it,' said he, in somewhat of confusion; 'I always thought
+they selected old Serjeants _en retraite_, worn-out veterans, and
+wounded fellows, for riding-school duty.'
+
+'Most of ours are such,' said I, my shame increasing at every word--'but
+somehow they chose me also, and I had no will in the matter----'
+
+'No will in the matter, _parbleu!_ and why not? Every man in France has
+a right to meet the enemy in the field. Thou art a soldier, a hussar of
+the 9th, a brave and gallant corps, and art to be told that thy comrades
+have the road to fame and honour open to them, whilst thou art to mope
+away life like an invalided drummer? It is too gross an indignity, my
+boy, and must not be borne. Away with you to-morrow at daybreak to the
+etat-major; ask to see the Commandant. You're in luck, too, for our
+colonel is with him now, and he is sure to back your request. Say that
+you served in the school to oblige your superiors, but that you cannot
+see all chances of distinction lost to you for ever by remaining there.
+They've given you no grade yet, I see,' continued he, looking at my arm.
+
+'None; I am still a private.'
+
+'And I a sous-lieutenant, just because I have been where powder was
+flashing! You can ride well, of course?'
+
+'I defy the wildest Limousin to shake me in my saddle.'
+
+'And, as a swordsman, what are you?'
+
+'Gros Jean calls me his best pupil.'
+
+'Ah, true! you have Gros Jean here, the best _sabreur_ in France! And
+here you are--a horseman, and one of Gros Jean's _eleves_--rotting away
+life in Nancy! Have you any friends in the service?'
+
+'Not one.'
+
+'Not one! Nor relations, nor connections?'
+
+'None. I am Irish by descent. My family are only French by one
+generation.'
+
+'Irish! Ah! that's lucky too,' said he. 'Our colonel is an Irishman. His
+name is Mahon. You're certain of getting your leave now. I'll present
+you to him to-morrow. We are to halt two days here, and before that is
+over, I hope you'll have made your last caracole in the riding-school of
+Nancy.'
+
+'But remember,' cried I, 'that although Irish by family, I have never
+been there. I know nothing of either the people or the language--and do
+not present me to the general as his countryman.'
+
+'I'll call you by your name, as a soldier of the 9th Hussars, and leave
+you to make out your claim as countrymen, if you please, together.'
+
+This course was now agreed upon, and after some further talking, my
+friend, refusing all my offers of a bed, coolly wrapped his cloak about
+him, and, with his head on the table, fell fast asleep, long before
+I had ceased thinking over his stories and his adventures in camp and
+battlefield.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII. 'TRONCHON'
+
+My duties in the riding-school were always over before mid-day, and as
+noon was the hour appointed by the young lieutenant to present me to his
+colonel, I was ready by that time, and anxiously awaiting his arrival. I
+had done my best to smarten up my uniform, and make all my accoutrements
+bright and glistening. My scabbard was polished like silver, the steel
+front of my shako shone like a mirror, and the tinsel lace of my jacket
+had undergone a process of scrubbing and cleaning that threatened its
+very existence. My smooth chin and beardless upper-lip, however, gave
+me a degree of distress that all other deficiencies failed to inflict.
+I can dare to say, that no mediaeval gentleman's bald spot ever cost him
+one-half the misery as did my lack of moustache occasion me. 'A hussar
+without beard, as well without spurs or sabretache'; a tambour major
+without his staff, a cavalry charger without a tail, couldn't be more
+ridiculous; and there was that old serjeant of the riding-school,
+'Tron-chon,' with a beard that might have made a mattress! How the goods
+of this world are unequally distributed! thought I; still why might he
+not spare me a little--a very little would suffice--just enough to give
+the 'air hussar' to my countenance. He's an excellent creature, the
+kindest old fellow in the world. I 'm certain he 'd not refuse me. To
+be sure, the beard is a red one, and pretty much like bell-wire in
+consistence; no matter, better that than this girlish smooth chin I now
+wear.
+
+Tronchon was spelling out the _Moniteurs_ account of the Italian
+campaign as I entered his room, and found it excessively difficult to
+get back from the Alps and Apennines to the humble request I preferred.
+
+'Poor fellows!' muttered he--'four battles in seven days, without stores
+of any kind or rations--almost without bread; and here comest thou,
+whining because thou hasn't a beard.'
+
+'If I were not a hussar----'
+
+'Bah!' said he, interrupting, 'what of that? Where shouldst thou have
+had thy baptism of blood, boy? Art a child--nothing more.'
+
+'I shared my quarters last night with one, not older, Tronchon, and he
+was an officer, and had seen many a battlefield.'
+
+'I know that, too,' said the veteran, with an expression of
+impatience--'and that General Bonaparte will give every boy his
+epaulettes before an old and tried soldier.'
+
+'It was not Bonaparte. It was----'
+
+'I care not who promoted the lad; the system is just the same with them
+all. It is no longer, "Where have you served?--what have you seen?"
+but, "Can you read glibly?--can you write faster than speak?--have you
+learned to take towns upon paper, and attack a breastwork with a rule
+and a pair of compasses?" This is what they called "_le genie_" "_le
+genie_"--ha! ha! ha!' cried he, laughing heartily; 'that's the name old
+women used to give the devil when I was a boy.'
+
+It was with the greatest difficulty I could get him back from these
+disagreeable reminiscences to the object of my visit, and, even then,
+I could hardly persuade him that I was serious in asking the loan of a
+beard. The prayer of my petition being once understood, he discussed the
+project gravely enough; but to my surprise he was far more struck by the
+absurd figure _he_ should cut with his diminished mane, than _I_ with my
+mock moustache.
+
+'There's not a child in Nancy won't laugh at me--they'll cry, "There
+goes old Tronchon--he's like Kleber's charger, which the German cut the
+tail off, to make a shako plume!"'
+
+'I assured him that he might as well pretend to miss one tree in the
+forest of Fontainebleau--that after furnishing a squadron like myself,
+his would be still the first beard in the Republic; and at last he
+yielded, and gave in.
+
+Never did a little damsel of the nursery array her doll with
+more delighted looks, and gaze upon her handiwork with more
+self-satisfaction, than did old Tronchon survey me, as, with the aid
+of a little gum, he decorated my lip with a stiff line of his iron-red
+beard.
+
+'_Diantre!_' cried he, in ecstasy, 'if thou ben't something like a man
+after all. Who would have thought it would have made such a change? Thou
+might pass for one that saw real smoke and real fire, any day, lad. Ay!
+thou hast another look in thine eye, and another way to carry thy
+head, now! Trust me, thou'lt look a different fellow on the left of the
+squadron.'
+
+I began to think so too, as I looked at myself in the small triangle
+of a looking-glass which decorated Tronchon's wall, under a picture of
+Kellermann, his first captain. I fancied that the improvement was most
+decided. I thought that, bating a little over-ferocity, a something
+verging upon the cruel, I was about as perfect a type of the hussar
+as need be. My jacket seemed to fit tighter--my pelisse hung more
+jauntily--my shako sat more saucily on one side of my head--my sabre
+banged more proudly against my boot--my very spurs jangled with a
+pleasanter music--and all because a little hair bristled over my lip,
+and curled in two spiral flourishes across my cheek! I longed to see the
+effect of my changed appearance, as I walked down the 'Place Carriere,'
+or sauntered into the cafe where my comrades used to assemble. What will
+Mademoiselle Josephine say, thought I, as I ask for my _petit verre_,
+caressing my moustache thus! Not a doubt of it, what a fan is to a
+woman a beard is to a soldier!--a something to fill up the pauses in
+conversation, by blandly smoothing with the finger, or fiercely curling
+at the point.
+
+'And so thou art going to ask for thy grade, Maurice?' broke in
+Tronchon, after a long silence.
+
+'Not at all. I am about to petition for employment upon active service.
+I don't seek promotion till I have deserved it.'
+
+'Better still, lad. I was eight years myself in the ranks before they
+gave me the stripe on my arm. _Parbleu!_ the Germans had given me some
+three or four with the sabre before that time.'
+
+'Do you think they 'll refuse me, Tronchon?'
+
+'Not if thou go the right way about it, lad. Thou mustn't fancy
+it's like asking leave from the captain to spend the evening in a
+_guinguette_, or to go to the play with thy sweetheart. No, no, boy.
+It must be done _en regle_. Thou'lt have to wait on the general at his
+quarters at four o'clock, when he "receives," as they call it. Thou'lt
+be there, mayhap, an hour, ay, two or three belike, and after all,
+perhaps, won't see him that day at all! I was a week trying to catch
+Kellermann, and, at last, he only spoke to me going downstairs with his
+staff--
+
+'"Eh, Tronchon, another bullet in thy old carcass; want a furlough to
+get strong again, eh?"
+
+'"No, colonel; all sound this time. I want to be a sergeant--I'm twelve
+years and four months corporal."
+
+'"Slow work, too," said he, laughing; "ain't it, Charles?" and he
+pinched one of his young officers by the cheek. "Let old Tronchon
+have his grade; and I say, my good fellow," said he to me, "don't come
+plaguing me any more about promotion till I'm General of Division. You
+hear that?"
+
+'Well, he's got his step since; but I never teased him after.'
+
+'And why so, Tronchon?' said L
+
+'I'll tell thee, lad,' whispered he, in a low, confidential tone, as if
+imparting a secret well worth the hearing. 'They can find fellows every
+day fit for lieutenants and _chefs d'escadron. Parbleu!_ they meet
+with them in every cafe, in every "billiard" you enter; but a sergeant!
+Maurice, one that drills his men on parade--can dress them like a
+wall--see that every kit is well packed, and every cartouch well
+filled--who knows every soul in his company as he knows the buckles of
+his own sword-belt--that's what one should not chance upon in haste.
+It's easy enough to manoeuvre the men, Maurice; but to make them,
+boy, to fashion the fellows so that they be like the pieces of a great
+machine, that's the real labour--that's soldiering indeed.'
+
+'And you say I must write a petition, Tronchon?' said I, more anxious
+to bring him back to my own affairs than listen to these speculations of
+his. 'How shall I do it?'
+
+'Sit down there, lad, and I'll tell thee. I've done the thing some
+scores of times, and know the words as well as I once knew my "Pater."
+_Parbleu!_ I often wish I could remember that now, just to keep me from
+gloomy thoughts when I sit alone of an evening.'
+
+It was not a little to his astonishment, but still more to his delight,
+that I told the poor fellow I could help to refresh his memory, knowing,
+as I did, every word of the litanies by heart; and, accordingly, it was
+agreed on that I should impart religious instruction in exchange for the
+secular knowledge he was conferring upon me.
+
+'As for the petition,' said Tronchon, seating himself opposite to me at
+the table, 'it is soon done; for mark me, lad, these things must always
+be short; if thou be long-winded, they put thee away, and tell some
+of the clerks to look after thee--and there's an end of it. Be brief,
+therefore, and next--be legible--write in a good, large, round hand;
+just as, if thou wert speaking, thou wouldst talk with a fine, clear,
+distinct voice. Well, then, begin thus:--"Republic of France, one and
+indivisible!" Make a flourish round that, lad, as if it came freely from
+the pen. When a man writes--"France!" he should do it as he whirls his
+sabre round his head in a charge! Ay, just so.'
+
+'I 'm ready, Tronchon, go on.'
+
+'"_Mon General!_" Nay, nay--_General_ mustn't be as large as
+_France_--yes, that's better. "The undersigned, whose certificates
+of service and conduct are herewith inclosed." Stay, stop a moment,
+Tronchon; don't forget that I have got neither one nor t'other. No
+matter; I'll make thee out both. Where was I?--Ay, "herewith inclosed;
+and whose wounds, as the accompanying report will show----"'
+
+'Wounds! I never received one.'
+
+'No matter, I'll--eh--what? _Feu d'enfer!_ how stupid I am! What have
+I been thinking of? Why, boy, it was a sick-furlough I was about to ask
+for--the only kind of petition I have ever had to write in a life long.'
+
+'And _I_ am asking for active service.'
+
+'Ha! That came without asking for in my case.'
+
+'Then what's to be done, Tronchon?--clearly this won't do!'
+
+He nodded sententiously an assent, and, after a moment's rumination,
+said--
+
+'It strikes me, lad, there can be no need of begging for that which
+usually comes unlooked for; but if thou don't choose to wait for thy
+billet for t'other world, but must go and seek it, the best way will be
+to up and tell the general as much.'
+
+'That was exactly my intention.'
+
+'If he asks thee, "Canst ride?" just say, "Old Tronchon taught me"; he
+'ll be one of the young hands, indeed, if he don't know that name! And,
+mind, lad, have no whims or caprices about whatever service he names
+thee for, even were 't the infantry itself! It's a hard word, that--I
+know it well; but a man must make up his mind for anything and
+everything. Wear any coat, go anywhere, face any enemy thou 'rt ordered,
+and have none of those newfangled notions about this general, or that
+army. Be a good soldier and a good comrade. Share thy kit and thy purse
+to the last sou, for it will not only be generous in thee, but that so
+long as thou hoardest not, thou'lt never be over-eager for pillage. Mind
+these things, and with a stout heart and a sharp sabre, Maurice, _tu
+iras loin_. Yes, I tell thee again, lad, _tu iras loin_.'
+
+I give these three words as he said them, for they have rung in my ears
+throughout all my life long. In moments of gratified ambition, in the
+glorious triumph of success, they have sounded to me like the confirmed
+predictions of one who foresaw my elevation in less prosperous hours.
+When fortune has looked dark and lowering, they have been my comforter
+and support, telling me not to be downcast or depressed, that the season
+of sadness would pass away, and the road to fame and honour again open
+before me.
+
+'You really think so, Tronchon? You think that I shall be something
+yet?'
+
+'_Tu iras loin_, I say,' repeated he emphatically, and with the air of
+an oracle who would not suffer further interrogation. I therefore shook
+his hand cordially, and set out to pay my visit to the general.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX. A SCRAPE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES
+
+When I reached the quarters of the etat-major, I found the great
+courtyard of the 'hotel' crowded with soldiers of every rank and arm of
+the service. Some were newly joined recruits waiting for the orders
+to be forwarded to their respective regiments, some were invalids
+just issued from the hospital, some were sick and wounded on their way
+homeward. There were sergeants with their billet-rolls, and returns, and
+court-martial sentences. Adjutants with regimental documents hastening
+hither and thither. Mounted orderlies, too, continually came and went;
+all was bustle, movement, and confusion. Officers in staff uniforms
+called out the orders from the different windows, and despatches were
+sent off here and there with hot haste. The building was the ancient
+palace of the Dukes of Lorraine, and a splendid fountain of white marble
+in the centre of the _cour_, still showed the proud armorial bearings of
+that princely house. Around the sculptured base of this now were seated
+groups of soldiers, their war-worn looks and piled arms contrasting
+strangely enough with the great porcelain vases of flowering plants that
+still decorated the rich plateau. Shakos, helmets, and greatcoats were
+hung upon the orange-trees. The heavy boots of the cuirassier, the white
+leather apron of the sapeur, were drying along the marble benches of the
+terrace. The richly traceried veining of gilt iron-work, which separated
+the court from the garden, was actually covered with belts, swords,
+bayonets, and horse-gear, in every stage and process of cleaning. Within
+the garden itself, however, all was silent and still--two sentries, who
+paced backwards and forwards beneath the grille, showing that the spot
+was to be respected by those whose careless gestures and reckless air
+betrayed how little influence the mere 'genius of the place' would
+exercise over them.
+
+To me the interest of everything was increasing; and whether I lingered
+to listen to the raw remarks of the new recruit, in wonder at all he
+saw, or stopped to hear the campaigning stories of the old soldiers
+of the army, I never wearied. Few, if any, knew whither they were
+going--perhaps to the north to join the army of the Sambre; perhaps
+to the east to the force upon the Rhine. It might be that they were
+destined for Italy--none cared! Meanwhile, at every moment, detachments
+moved off, and their places were filled by fresh arrivals--all dusty and
+wayworn from the march. Some had scarcely time to eat a hurried morsel,
+when they were called on to 'fall in,' and again the word 'forward' was
+given. Such of the infantry as appeared too weary for the march were
+sent on in great charrettes drawn by six or eight horses, and capable of
+carrying forty men in each; and of these there seemed to be no end. No
+sooner was one detachment away than another succeeded. Whatever their
+destination, one thing seemed evident, the urgency that called them was
+beyond the common. For a while I forgot all about myself in the greater
+interest of the scene; but then came the thought that I too should have
+my share in this onward movement, and now I set out to seek for my young
+friend, the sous-lieutenant. I had not asked his name, but his regiment
+I knew to be the 22nd Chasseurs a cheval. The uniform was light green,
+and easily enough to be recognised; yet nowhere was it to be seen.
+There were cuirassiers, and hussars, heavy dragoons, and carabiniers in
+abundance--everything, in short, but what I sought.
+
+At last I asked of an old quartermaster where the 22nd were quartered,
+and heard, to my utter dismay, that they had marched that morning at
+eight o'clock. There were two more squadrons expected to arrive at noon,
+but the orders were that they were to proceed without further halt.
+
+'And whither to,' asked I.
+
+'To Treves, on the Moselle,' said he, and turned away as if he would not
+be questioned further. It was true that my young friend could not have
+been much of a patron, yet the loss of him was deeply felt by me. He was
+to have introduced me to his colonel, who probably might have obtained
+the leave I desired at once; and now I knew no one, not one even to
+advise me how to act. I sat down upon a bench to think, but could
+resolve on nothing; the very sight of that busy scene had now become a
+reproach to me. There were the veterans of a hundred battles hastening
+forward again to the field; there were the young soldiers just flushed
+with recent victory; even the peasant boys were 'eager for the fray';
+but I alone was to have no part in the coming glory. The enthusiasm of
+all around only served to increase and deepen my depression. There was
+not one there, from the old and war-worn veteran of the ranks to the
+merest boy, with whom I would not gladly have exchanged fortunes. Some
+hours passed over in these gloomy reveries, and when I looked up from
+the stupor my own thoughts had thrown over me, the _cour_ was almost
+empty. A few sick soldiers, waiting for their billets of leave, a few
+recruits not yet named to any corps, and a stray orderly or two standing
+beside his horse, were all that remained.
+
+I arose to go away, but in my preoccupation of mind, instead of turning
+toward the street, I passed beneath a large archway into another court
+of the building, somewhat smaller, but much richer in decoration and
+ornament than the outer one. After spending some time admiring the
+quaint devices and grim heads which peeped out from all the architraves
+and friezes, my eye was caught by a low, arched doorway, in the middle
+of which was a small railed window, like the grille of a convent. I
+approached, and perceived that it led into a garden, by a long, narrow
+walk of clipped yew, dense and upright as a wall The trimly raked
+gravel, and the smooth surface of the hedge, showed the care bestowed
+on the grounds to be a wide contrast to the neglect exhibited in the
+mansion itself; a narrow border of hyacinths and carnations ran along
+either side of the walk, the gorgeous blossoms appearing in strong
+relief against the background of dark foliage.
+
+The door, as I leaned against it, gently yielded to the pressure of my
+arm, and almost without knowing it, I found myself standing within the
+precincts of the garden. My first impulse, of course, was to retire and
+close the door again, but somehow, I never knew exactly why, I could not
+resist the desire to see a little more of a scene so tempting. There was
+no mark of footsteps on the gravel, and I thought it likely the garden
+was empty. On I went, therefore, at first with cautious and uncertain
+steps, at last with more confidence, for as I issued from the
+hedge-walk, and reached an open space beyond, the solitude seemed
+unbroken. Fruit-trees, loaded with blossom, stood in a closely shaven
+lawn, through which a small stream meandered, its banks planted with
+daffodils and water-lilies. Some pheasants moved about through the
+grass, but without alarm at my presence; while a young fawn boldly came
+over to me, and although in seeming disappointment at not finding an old
+friend, continued to walk beside me as I went.
+
+The grounds appeared of great extent: paths led off in every direction;
+and while, in some places, I could perceive the glittering roof and
+sides of a conservatory, in others the humble culture of a vegetable
+garden was to be seen. There was a wondrous fascination in the calm and
+tranquil solitude around; and coming, as it did, so immediately after
+the busy bustle of the 'soldiering,' I soon not only forgot that I was
+an intruder there, but suffered myself to wander 'fancy free,' following
+out the thoughts each object suggested. I believe at that moment, if the
+choice were given me, I would rather have been the 'Adam of that Eden'
+than the proudest of those generals that ever led a column to victory!
+Fortunately, or unfortunately--it would not be easy to decide which--the
+alternative was not open to me. It was while I was still musing, I found
+myself at the foot of a little eminence, on which stood a tower whose
+height and position showed it had been built for the view it afforded
+over a vast tract of country. Even from where I stood, at its base, I
+could see over miles and miles of a great plain, with the main roads
+leading towards the north and eastward. This spot was also the boundary
+of the grounds, and a portion of the old boulevard of the town formed
+the defence against the open country beyond. It was a deep ditch, with
+sides of sloping sward, cropped neatly, and kept in trimmest order, but,
+from its depth and width, forming a fence of a formidable kind. I was
+peering cautiously down into the abyss, when I heard a voice so close to
+my ear that I started with surprise. I listened, and perceived that the
+speaker was directly above me, and leaning over the battlements at the
+top of the tower.
+
+'You're quite right,' cried he, as he adjusted a telescope to his eye,
+and directed his view towards the plain. 'He has gone wrong! He has
+taken the Strasbourg road, instead of the northern one.'
+
+An exclamation of anger followed these words; and now I saw the
+telescope passed to another hand, and, to my astonishment, that of a
+lady.
+
+'Was there ever stupidity like that? He saw the map like the others, and
+yet---- _Parbleu!_ it's too bad!'
+
+I could perceive that a female voice made some rejoinder, but did not
+distinguish the words; when the man again spoke--
+
+'No, no; it's all a blunder of that old major; and here am I without an
+orderly to send after him. _Diable!_ it is provoking.'
+
+'Isn't that one of your people at the foot of the tower?' said the lady,
+as she pointed to where I stood, praying for the earth to open and close
+over me; for, as he moved his head to look down, I saw the epaulettes of
+a staff-officer.
+
+'Holloa!' cried he, 'are you on duty?'
+
+'No, sir; I was----'
+
+Not waiting for me to finish an explanation, he went on--
+
+'Follow that division of cavalry that has taken the Strasbourg road, and
+tell Major Roquelard that he has gone wrong; he should have turned off
+to the left at the suburbs. Lose no time, but away at once. You are
+mounted, of course?'
+
+'No, sir, my horse is at quarters; but I can----'
+
+'No, no; it will be too late,' he broke in again. 'Take my troop-horse,
+and be off. You'll find him in the stable to your left.'
+
+Then turning to the lady I heard him say--
+
+'It may save Roquelard from an arrest.'
+
+I did not wait for more, but hurried off in the direction he had
+pointed. A short gravel walk brought me in front of a low building, in
+the cottage style, but which, decorated with emblems of the chase, I
+guessed to be the stable. Not a groom was to be seen; but the door being
+unlatched I entered freely. Four large and handsome horses were feeding
+at the racks, their glossy coats and long silken manes showing the care
+bestowed upon them. Which is the trooper? thought I, as I surveyed them
+all with keen and scrutinising eye. All my skill in such matters
+was unable to decide the point; they seemed all alike valuable and
+handsome--in equally high condition, and exhibiting equal marks of
+careful treatment. Two were stamped on the haunches with the letters 'R.
+F.'; and these, of course, were cavalry horses. One was a powerful black
+horse, whose strong quarters and deep chest bespoke great action, while
+the backward glances of his eye indicated the temper of a 'tartar.'
+Making choice of him without an instant's hesitation, I threw on the
+saddle, adjusted the stirrups to my own length, buckled the bridle, and
+led him forth. In all my 'school experience' I had never seen an animal
+that pleased me so much; his well-arched neck and slightly dipped back
+showed that an Arab cross had mingled with the stronger qualities of the
+Norman horse. I sprang to my saddle with delight; to be astride such a
+beast was to kindle up all the enthusiasm of my nature; and as I grasped
+the reins, and urged him forward, I was half wild with excitement.
+
+Apparently the animal was accustomed to more gentle treatment, for he
+gave a loud snort, such as a surprised or frightened horse will give,
+and then bounded forward once or twice, as if to dismount me. This
+failing, he reared up perfectly straight, pawing madly, and threatening
+even to fall backwards. I saw that I had, indeed, selected a wicked one;
+for in every bound and spring, in every curvet and leap, the object was
+clearly to unseat the rider. At one instant he would crouch, as if to
+lie down, and then bound up several feet in the air, with a toss up
+of his haunches that almost sent me over the head. At another he would
+spring from side to side, writhing and twisting like a fish, till the
+saddle seemed actually slipping away from his lithe body. Not only did
+I resist all these attacks, but vigorously continued to punish with whip
+and spur the entire time--a proceeding, I could easily see, he was not
+prepared for. At last, actually maddened with his inability to throw
+me, and enraged by my continuing to spur him, he broke away, and
+dashing headlong forward, rushed into the very thickest of the grove.
+Fortunately for me, the trees were either shrubs or of stunted growth,
+so that I had only to keep my saddle to escape danger; but suddenly
+emerging from this, he gained the open sward, and as if his passion
+became more furious as he indulged in it, he threw up his head, and
+struck out in full gallop. I had but time to see that he was heading for
+the great fosse of the boulevard, when we were already on its brink. A
+shout, and a cry of I know not what, came from the tower; but I heard
+nothing more. Mad as the maddened animal himself, perhaps at that moment
+just as indifferent to life, I dashed the spurs into his flanks, and
+oyer we went, lighting on the green sward as easily as a seagull on a
+wave. To all seeming, the terrible leap had somewhat sobered him; but
+on me it had produced the very opposite effect. I felt that I had gained
+the mastery, and resolved to use it. With unrelenting punishment, then,
+I rode him forward, taking the country as it lay straight before me. The
+few fences which divided the great fields were too insignificant to be
+called leaps, and he took them in the 'sling' of his stretching gallop.
+He was now subdued, yielding to every turn of my wrist, and obeying
+every motive of my will like an instinct. It may read like a petty
+victory; but he who has ever experienced the triumph over an enraged
+and powerful horse, well knows that few sensations are more pleasurably
+exciting. High as is the excitement of being borne along in full speed,
+leaving village and spire, glen and river, bridge and mill behind
+you--now careering up the mountain-side, with the fresh breeze upon
+your brow; now diving into the dark forest, startling the hare from
+her cover, and sending the wild deer scampering before you--it is still
+increased by the sense of a victory; by feeling that the mastery is with
+you, and that each bound of the noble beast beneath you has its impulse
+in your own heart.
+
+Although the cavalry squadrons I was despatched to overtake had quitted
+Nancy four hours before, I came up with them in less than an hour,
+and inquiring for the officer in command, rode up to the head of the
+division. He was a thin, gaunt-looking, stern-featured man, who listened
+to my message without changing a muscle.
+
+'Who sent you with this order?' said he.
+
+'A general officer, sir, whose name I don't know, but who told me to
+take his own horse and follow you.'
+
+'Did he tell you to kill the animal, sir?' said he, pointing to the
+heaving flanks and shaking tail of the exhausted beast.
+
+'He bolted with me at first, major, and having cleared the ditch of the
+boulevard, rode away with me.'
+
+'Why, it's Colonel Mahon's Arab, Aleppo,' said another officer; 'what
+could have persuaded him to mount an orderly on a beast worth ten
+thousand francs?'
+
+I thought I'd have fainted, as I heard these words; the whole
+consequences of my act revealed themselves before me, and I saw arrest,
+trial, sentence, imprisonment, and Heaven knew what afterwards, like a
+panorama rolling out to my view.
+
+'Tell the colonel, sir,' said the major, 'that I have taken the north
+road, intending to cross over at Beaumont; that the artillery trains
+have cut up the Metz road so deeply, cavalry cannot travel; tell him I
+thank him much for his politeness in forwarding this despatch to me; and
+tell him, that I regret the rules of active service should prevent my
+sending back an escort to place yourself under arrest for the manner in
+which you have ridden--you hear, sir?'
+
+I touched my cap in salute.
+
+'Are you certain, sir, that you have my answer correctly?'
+
+'I am, sir.'
+
+'Repeat it, then.'
+
+I repeated the reply, word for word, as he spoke it.
+
+'No, sir,' said he as I concluded; 'I said for unsoldier-like and cruel
+treatment to your horse.'
+
+One of his officers whispered something in his ear, and he quietly
+added--
+
+'I find that I had not used these words, but I ought to have done so;
+give the message, therefore, as you heard it at first.'
+
+'Mahon will shoot him, to a certainty,' muttered one of the captains.
+
+'I'd not blame him,' joined another; 'that horse saved his life at
+Quiberon, when he fell in with a patrol; and look at him now!'
+
+The major made a sign for me to retire, and I turned and set ont towards
+Nancy, with the feelings of a convict on the way to his fate.
+
+If I did not feel that these brief records of a humble career were
+'upon honour,' and that the only useful lesson a life so unimportant can
+teach, is the conflict between opposing influences, I might possibly
+be disposed to blink the avowal, that, as I rode along towards Nancy, a
+very great doubt occurred to me as to whether I ought not to desert!
+It is a very ignoble expression; but it must out. There were not in
+the French service any of those ignominious punishments which, once
+undergone, a man is dishonoured for ever, and no more admissible to rank
+with men of character than if convicted of actual crime; but there were
+marks of degradation, almost as severe, then in vogue, and which men
+dreaded with a fear nearly as acute--such, for instance, as being
+ordered for service at the Bagne de Brest, in Toulon--the arduous duty
+of guarding the galley-slaves, and which was scarcely a degree above the
+condition of the condemned themselves. Than such a fate as this, I
+would willingly have preferred death. It was, then, this thought that
+suggested desertion; but I soon rejected the unworthy temptation, and
+held on my way towards Nancy.
+
+Aleppo, if at first wearied by the severe burst, soon rallied, while he
+showed no traces of his fiery temper, and exhibited few of fatigue; and
+as I walked along at his side, washing his mouth and nostrils at each
+fountain I passed, and slackening his saddle-girths to give him freedom,
+long before we arrived at the suburbs he had regained all his looks and
+much of his spirit.
+
+At last we entered Nancy about nightfall, and, with a failing heart, I
+found myself at the gate of the ducal palace. The sentries suffered me
+to pass unmolested, and entering, I took my way through the courtyard,
+towards the small gate of the garden, which, as I had left it, was
+unlatched.
+
+It was strange enough, the nearer I drew towards the eventful moment of
+my fate, the more resolute and composed my heart became. It is possible,
+thought I, that in a fit of passion he will send a ball through me, as
+the officer said. Be it so--the matter is the sooner ended. If, however,
+he will condescend to listen to my explanation, I may be able to assert
+my innocence, at least so far as intention went. With this comforting
+conclusion, I descended at the stable door. Two dragoons in undress were
+smoking, as they lay at full length upon a bench, and speedily arose as
+I came up.
+
+'Tell the colonel he's come, Jacques,' said one, in a loud voice, and
+the other retired; while the speaker, turning towards me, took the
+bridle from my hand, and led the animal in, without vouchsafing a word
+to me.
+
+'An active beast that,' said I, affecting the easiest and coolest
+indifference. The soldier gave me a look of undisguised amazement, and I
+continued--
+
+'He has had a bad hand on him, I should say--some one too flurried and
+too fidgety to give confidence to a hot-tempered horse.'
+
+Another stare was all the reply.
+
+'In a little time, and with a little patience, I'd make him as gentle as
+a lamb.'
+
+'I'm afraid you'll not have the opportunity,' replied he significantly;
+'but the colonel, I see, is waiting for you, and you can discuss the
+matter together.'
+
+The other dragoon had just then returned, and made me a sign to follow
+him. A few paces brought us to the door of a small pavilion, at which a
+sentry stood; and having motioned to me to pass in, my guide left me.
+An orderly sergeant at the same instant appeared, and beckoning to me to
+advance, he drew aside a curtain, and pushing me forward, let the heavy
+folds close behind me; and now I found myself in a richly furnished
+chamber, at the farther end of which an officer was at supper with a
+young and handsome woman. The profusion of wax-lights on the table--the
+glitter of plate, and glass, and porcelain--the richness of the lady's
+dress, which seemed like the costume of a ball--were all objects
+distracting enough, but they could not turn me from the thought of my
+own condition; and I stood motionless, while the officer, a man of about
+fifty, with dark and stern features, deliberately scanned me from head
+to foot. Not a word did he speak, not a gesture did he make, but sat,
+with his black eyes actually piercing me. I would have given anything
+for some outbreak of anger, some burst of passion, that would have put
+an end to this horrible suspense, but none came; and there he remained
+several minutes, as if contemplating something too new and strange for
+utterance. 'This must have an end,' thought I--'here goes'; and so, with
+my hand in salute, I drew myself full up, and said--
+
+'I carried your orders, sir, and received for answer that Major
+Roquelard had taken the north road advisedly, as that by Beaumont was
+cut up by the artillery trains; that he would cross over to the Metz
+Chaussee as soon as possible; that he thanked you for the kindness of
+your warning, and regretted that the rules of active service precluded
+his despatching an escort of arrest along with me, for the manner in
+which I had ridden with the order.'
+
+'Anything more?' asked the colonel, in a voice that sounded thick and
+guttural with passion.
+
+'Nothing more, sir.'
+
+'No further remark or observation?' 'None, sir--at least from the
+major.'
+
+'What then--from any other?'
+
+'A captain, sir, whose name I do not know, did say something.'
+
+'What was it?'
+
+'I forget the precise words, sir, but their purport was, that Colonel
+Mahon would certainly shoot me when I got back.'
+
+'And you replied?'
+
+'I don't believe I made any reply at the time, sir.'
+
+'But you thought, sir--what were your thoughts?'
+
+'I thought it very like what I'd have done myself in a like case,
+although certain to be sorry for it afterwards.'
+
+Whether the emotion had been one for some time previous restrained, or
+that my last words had provoked it suddenly, I cannot tell, but the lady
+here burst out into a fit of laughter, but which was as suddenly checked
+by some sharp observation of the colonel, whose stern features grew
+sterner and darker every moment.
+
+'There we differ, sir,' said he, 'for I should not' At the same
+instant he pushed his plate away, to make room on the table for a small
+portfolio, opening which, he prepared to write.
+
+'You will bring this paper,' continued he, 'to the provost-marshal.
+To-morrow morning you shall be tried by a regimental court-martial, and
+as your sentence may probably be the galleys and hard labour----'
+
+'I 'll save them the trouble,' said I, quietly drawing my sword; but
+scarcely was it clear of the scabbard when a shriek broke from the lady,
+who possibly knew not the object of my act; at the same instant the
+colonel bounded across the chamber, and striking me a severe blow upon
+the arm, dashed the weapon from my hand to the ground.
+
+'You want the fusillade--is that what you want?' cried he, as, in a
+towering fit of passion, he dragged me forward to the light. I was now
+standing close to the table; the lady raised her eyes towards me, and
+at once broke out into a burst of laughter--such hearty, merry laughter,
+that, even with the fear of death before me, I could almost have joined
+in it.
+
+'What is it--what do you mean, Laure?' cried the colonel angrily.
+
+'Don't you see it?' said she, still holding her kerchief to her
+face--'can't you perceive it yourself? He has only one moustache!'
+
+I turned hastily towards the mirror beside me, and there was the fatal
+fact revealed--one gallant curl disported proudly over the left cheek,
+while the other was left bare.
+
+'Is the fellow mad--a mountebank?' said the colonel, whose anger was now
+at its white heat.
+
+'Neither, sir,' said I, tearing off my remaining moustache, in shame
+and passion together. 'Among my other misfortunes I have that of being
+young; and what's worse, I was ashamed of it; but I begin to see my
+error, and know that a man may be old without gaining either in dignity
+or temper.'
+
+With a stroke of his closed fist upon the table, the colonel made every
+glass and decanter spring from their places, while he uttered an oath
+that was only current in the days of that army. 'This is beyond belief,'
+cried he. 'Come, _gredin_, you have at least had one piece of good
+fortune: you've fallen precisely into the hands of one who can deal with
+you.--Your regiment?'
+
+'The Ninth Hussars.'
+
+'Your name?'
+
+'Tiernay.'
+
+'Tiernay; that's not a French name?'
+
+'Not originally; we were Irish once.'
+
+'Irish,' said he, in a different tone from what he had hitherto used.
+'Any relative of a certain Comte Maurice de Tiernay, who once served in
+the Royal Guard?'
+
+'His son, sir.'
+
+'What--his son! Art certain of this, lad? You remember your mother's
+name then--what was it?'
+
+'I never knew which was my mother,' said I. 'Mademoiselle de la Lasterie
+or----'
+
+He did not suffer me to finish, but throwing his arms around my neck,
+pressed me to his bosom.
+
+'You are little Maurice, then,' said he, 'the son of my old and valued
+comrade! Only think of it, Laure--I was that boy's godfather.'
+
+Here was a sudden change in my fortunes; nor was it without a great
+effort that I could credit the reality of it, as I saw myself seated
+between the colonel and his fair companion, both of whom overwhelmed me
+with attention.
+
+It turned out that Colonel Mahon had been a fellow-guardsman with my
+father, for whom he had ever preserved the warmest attachment. One of
+the few survivors of the Garde du Corps, he had taken service with
+the Republic, and was already reputed as one of the most distinguished
+cavalry officers.
+
+'Strange enough, Maurice,' said he to me, 'there was something in your
+look and manner, as you spoke to me there, that recalled your poor
+father to my memory; and without knowing or suspecting why, I suffered
+you to bandy words with me, while at another moment I would have ordered
+you to be ironed and sent to prison.'
+
+Of my mother, of whom I wished much to learn something, he would not
+speak, but adroitly changed the conversation to the subject of my own
+adventures, and these he made me recount from the beginning. If the lady
+enjoyed all the absurdities of my chequered fortune with a keen sense of
+the ridiculous, the colonel apparently could trace in them but so many
+resemblances to my father's character, and constantly broke out into
+exclamations of 'How like him!' 'Just what he would have done himself!'
+'His own very words! 'and so on.
+
+It was only in a pause of the conversation, as the clock on the
+mantelpiece struck eleven, that I was aware of the lateness of the hour,
+and remembered that I should be on the punishment-roll the next morning
+for absence from quarters.
+
+'Never fret about that, Maurice--I 'll return your name as on a special
+service; and to have the benefit of truth on our side, you shall be
+named one of my orderlies, with the grade of corporal.'
+
+'Why not make him a sous-lieutenant?' said the lady, in a half-whisper.
+'I'm sure he is better worth his epaulettes than any I have seen on your
+staff.'
+
+'Nay, nay,' muttered the colonel, 'the rules of the service forbid it.
+He'll win his spurs time enough, or I 'm much mistaken.'
+
+While I thanked my new and kind patron for his goodness, I could not
+help saying that my heart was eagerly set upon the prospect of actual
+service; and that proud as I should be of his protection, I would rather
+merit it by my conduct than owe my advancement to favour.
+
+'Which simply means that you are tired of Nancy, and riding drill, and
+want to see how men comport themselves where the manoeuvres are not
+arranged beforehand. Well, so far you are right, boy. I shall, in all
+likelihood, be stationed here for three or four months, during which
+you might have advanced a stage or so towards those epaulettes my fair
+friend desires to see upon your shoulders. You shall, therefore, be sent
+forward to your own corps. I'll write to the colonel to confirm the
+rank of corporal; the regiment is at present on the Moselle, and, if I
+mistake not, will soon be actively employed Come to me to-morrow before
+noon, and be prepared to march with the first detachments that are sent
+forward.'
+
+A cordial shake of the hand followed these words; and the lady having
+also vouchsafed me an equal token of her good-will, I took my leave, the
+happiest fellow that ever betook himself to quarters after hours, and as
+indifferent to the penalties annexed to the breach of discipline as if
+the whole code of martial law were a mere fable.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X. AN ARISTOCRATIC REPUBLICAN
+
+If the worthy reader would wish to fancy the happiest of all youthful
+beings, let him imagine what I must have been, as, mounted upon Aleppo,
+a present from my godfather, with a purse of six shining louis in
+my pocket, and a letter to my colonel, I set forth for Metz. I had
+breakfasted with Colonel Mahon, who, amid much good advice for my future
+guidance, gave me, half slyly, to understand that the days of Jacobinism
+had almost run their course, and that a reactionary movement had already
+set in. The Republic, he added, was as strong, perhaps stronger, than
+ever, but that men had grown weary of mob tyranny, and were, day by
+day, reverting to the old loyalty, in respect for whatever pretended to
+culture, good-breeding, and superior intelligence. 'As, in a shipwreck,
+the crew instinctively turn for counsel and direction to the officers,
+you will see that France will, notwithstanding all the libertinism of
+our age, place her confidence in the men who have been the tried and
+worthy servants of former governments. So far, then, from suffering on
+account of your gentle blood, Maurice, the time is not distant when it
+will do you good service, and when every association that links you with
+family and fortune will be deemed an additional guarantee of your good
+conduct. I mention these things,' continued he, 'because your colonel
+is what they call a "Grosbleu "--that is, a coarse-minded, inveterate
+republican, detesting aristocracy and all that belongs to it. Take care,
+therefore, to give him no just cause for discontent, but be just as
+steady in maintaining your position as the descendant of a noble house,
+who has not forgotten what were once the privileges of his rank. Write
+to me frequently and freely, and I'll take care that you want for
+nothing, so far as my small means go, to sustain whatever grade you
+occupy. Your own conduct shall decide whether I ever desire to have any
+other inheritor than the son of my oldest friend in the world.'
+
+Such were his last words to me as I set forth, in company with a large
+party, consisting for the most part of under-officers and employes
+attached to the medical staff of the army. It was a very joyous and
+merry fraternity, and, consisting of ingredients drawn from different
+pursuits and arms of the service, infinitely amusing from contrast
+of character and habits. My chief associate amongst them was a young
+sous-lieutenant of dragoons, whose age, scarcely much above my own,
+joined to a joyous, reckless temperament, soon pointed him out as the
+character to suit me; his name was Eugene Santron. In appearance he was
+slightly formed, and somewhat undersized, but with handsome features,
+their animation rendered sparkling by two of the wickedest black eyes
+that ever glistened and glittered in a human head. I soon saw that,
+under the mask of affected fraternity and equality, he nourished the
+most profound contempt for the greater number of associates, who, in
+truth, were, however _braves gens_, the very roughest and least-polished
+specimens of the polite nation. In all his intercourse with them, Eugene
+affected the easiest tone of camaraderie and equality, never assuming
+in the slightest, nor making any pretensions to the least superiority
+on the score of position or acquirements, but on the whole consoling
+himself, as it were, by 'playing them off' in their several
+eccentricities, and rendering every trait of their vulgarity and
+ignorance tributary to his own amusement. Partly from seeing that he
+made me an exception to this practice, and partly from his perceiving
+the amusement it afforded me, we drew closer towards each other, and
+before many days elapsed, had become sworn friends.
+
+There is probably no feature of character so very attractive to a
+young man as frankness. The most artful of all flatteries is that which
+addresses itself by candour, and seems at once to select, as it were by
+intuition, the object most suited for a confidence. Santron carried me
+by a _coup de main_ of this kind, as, taking my arm one evening as I was
+strolling along the banks of the Moselle, he said--
+
+'My dear Maurice, it's very easy to see that the society of our
+excellent friends yonder is just as distasteful to you as to me. One
+cannot always be satisfied laughing at their solecisms in breeding
+and propriety. One grows weary at last of ridiculing their thousand
+absurdities; and then there comes the terrible retribution in the
+reflection of what the devil brought me into such company? a question
+that, however easily answered, grows more and more intolerable the
+oftener it is asked. To be sure, in my case there was little choice in
+the matter, for I was not in any way the arbiter of my own fortune. I
+saw myself converted from a royal page to a printer's devil by a kind
+old fellow, who saved my life by smearing my face with ink, and covering
+my scarlet uniform with a filthy blouse; and since that day I have taken
+the hint, and often found the lesson a good one--the dirtier the safer!
+
+'We were of the old nobility of France, but as the name of our family
+was the cause of its extinction, I took care to change it. I see you
+don't clearly comprehend me, and so I'll explain myself better. My
+father lived unmolested during the earlier days of the Revolution,
+and might so have continued to the end, if a detachment of the Garde
+Republicaine had not been despatched to our neighbourhood of Saarlouis,
+where it was supposed some lurking regard for royalty yet lingered.
+These fellows neither knew nor cared for the ancient noblesse of the
+country, and one evening a patrol of them stopped my father as he was
+taking his evening walk along the ramparts. He would scarcely deign to
+notice the insolent '_Qui va la?_ of the sentry, a summons he at least
+thought superfluous in a town which had known his ancestry for eight or
+nine generations. At the repetition of the cry, accompanied by something
+that sounded ominous, in the sharp click of a gun-lock, he replied
+haughtily, "Je suis le Marquis de Saint-Trone."
+
+'"There are no more marquises in France!" was the savage answer.
+
+'My father smiled contemptuously, and briefly said "Saint-Trone."
+
+'"We have no saints either," cried another.
+
+'"Be it so, my friend," said he, with mingled pity and disgust. "I
+suppose some designation may at least be left to me, and that I may call
+myself Trone."
+
+'"We are done with thrones long ago," shouted they in chorus, "and we
+'ll finish you also."
+
+'Ay, and they kept their word, too. They shot him that same evening, on
+very little other charge than his own name! If I have retained the old
+sound of my name, I have given it a more plebeian spelling, which is,
+perhaps, just as much of an alteration as any man need submit to for a
+period that will pass away so soon.'
+
+'How so, Eugene? you fancy the Republic will not endure in France. What,
+then, can replace it?'
+
+'Anything, everything; for the future all is possible. We have
+annihilated legitimacy, it is true, just as the Indians destroy a
+forest, by burning the trees; but the roots remain; and if the soil is
+incapable of sending up the giant stems as before, it is equally unable
+to furnish a new and different culture. Monarchy is just as firmly
+rooted in a Frenchman's heart, but he will have neither patience for its
+tedious growth, nor can he submit to restore what has cost him so dearly
+to destroy. The consequences will, therefore, be a long and continued
+struggle between parties, each imposing upon the nation the form, of
+government that pleases it in turn. Meanwhile you and I, and others like
+us, must serve whatever is uppermost--the cleverest fellow he who sees
+the coming change, and prepares to take advantage of it.'
+
+'Then you are a Royalist?' asked I.
+
+'A Royalist! What! stand by a monarch who deserted his aristocracy,
+and forgot his own order; defend a throne that he had reduced to the
+condition of a _fauteuil de Bourgeois?_'
+
+'You are then for the Republic?'
+
+'For what robbed me of my inheritance--what degraded me from my rank,
+and reduced me to a state below that of my own vassals! Is this a cause
+to uphold?'
+
+'You are satisfied with military glory, perhaps,' said I, scarcely
+knowing what form of faith to attribute to him.
+
+'In an army where my superiors are the very dregs of the people; where
+the canaille have the command, and the chivalry of France is represented
+by a sans-culotte!'
+
+'The cause of the Church----'
+
+A hurst of ribald laughter cut me short, and laying his hand on my
+shoulder he looked me full in the face; while with a struggle to recover
+his gravity, he said--
+
+'I hope, my dear Maurice, you are not serious, and that you do not mean
+this for earnest. Why, my dear boy, don't you talk of the Eleusinian
+Mysteries, the Delphic Oracle of Alchemy, Astrology--of anything, in
+short, of which the world, having amused itself, has at length grown
+weary? Can't you see that the Church has passed away, and these good
+priests have gone the same road as their predecessors? Is any acuteness
+wanting to show that there is an end of this superstition that has
+enthralled men's minds for a couple of thousand years? No, no, their
+game is up, and for ever. These pious men, who despised this world, and
+yet had no other hold upon the minds of others than by the very craft
+and subtlety that world taught them--these heavenly souls, whose whole
+machinations revolved about earthy objects and the successes of this
+grovelling planet! Fight for them! No, _parbleu!_ we owe them but little
+love or affection. Their whole aim in life has been to disgust one
+with whatever is enjoyable, and the best boon they have conferred upon
+humanity, that bright thought of locking up the softest eyes and fairest
+cheeks of France in cloisters and nunneries! I can forgive our glorious
+Revolution much of its wrong when I think of the Pretre; not but that
+they could have knocked down the church without suffering the ruins to
+crush the chateau!'
+
+Such, in brief, were the opinions my companion held, and of which I was
+accustomed to hear specimens every day; at first, with displeasure and
+repugnance; later on, with more of toleration; and at last, with a sense
+of amusement at the singularity of the notions, or the dexterity
+with which he defended them. The poison of his doctrines was the more
+insidious, because it was mingled with a certain dash of good-nature,
+and a reckless, careless easiness of disposition always attractive to
+very young men. His reputation for courage, of which he had given signal
+proofs, elevated him in my esteem; and, ere long, all my misgivings
+about him, in regard of certain blemishes, gave way before my admiration
+of his heroic bearing and a readiness to confront peril, wherever to be
+found.
+
+I had made him the confidant of my own history, of which I told him
+everything, save the passages which related to the Pere Michel. These
+I either entirely glossed over, or touched so lightly as to render
+unimportant--a dread of ridicule restraining me from any mention of
+those earlier scenes of my life, which were alone of all those I should
+have avowed with pride. Perhaps it was from mere accident--perhaps some
+secret shame to conceal my forlorn and destitute condition may have had
+its share in the motive; but, for some cause or other, I gave him to
+understand that my acquaintance with Colonel Mahon had dated back to
+a much earlier period than a few days before, and, the impression once
+made, a sense of false shame led me to support it.
+
+'Mahon can be a good friend to you,' said Eugene; 'he stands well with
+all parties. The Convention trust him, the sans-culottes are afraid of
+him, and the few men of family whom the guillotine has left look up to
+him as one of their stanchest adherents. Depend upon it, therefore, your
+promotion is safe enough, even if there were not a field open for every
+man who seeks the path to eminence. The great point, however, is to get
+service with the army of Italy. These campaigns here are as barren and
+profitless as the soil they are fought over; but, in the south, Maurice,
+in the land of dark eyes and tresses, under the blue skies, or beneath
+the trellised vines, there are rewards of victory more glorious than a
+grateful country, as they call it, ever bestowed. Never forget, my boy,
+that you or I have no cause! It is to us a matter of indifference
+what party triumphs, or who is uppermost. The Government may change
+to-morrow, and the day after, and so on for a month long, and yet we
+remain just as we were. Monarchy, Commonwealth, Democracy--what you
+will--may rule the hour, but the sous-lieutenant is but the servant
+who changes his master. Now, in revenge for all this, we have one
+compensation, which is, to "live for the day"--to make the most of that
+brief hour of sunshine granted us, and to taste of every pleasure, to
+mingle in every dissipation, and enjoy every excitement that we can.
+This is my philosophy, Maurice, and just try it.'
+
+Such was the companion with whom chance threw me in contact, and I
+grieve to think how rapidly his influence gained the mastery over me.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI. 'THE PASSAGE OP THE RHINE'
+
+I parted from my friend Eugene at Treves, where he remained in garrison,
+while I was sent forward to Coblentz to join my regiment, at that time
+forming part of Ney's division.
+
+Were I to adhere in my narrative to the broad current of great events,
+I should here have to speak of that grand scheme of tactics by which
+Kleber, advancing from the Lower Rhine, engaged the attention of the
+Austrian Grand-Duke, in order to give time and opportunity for Hoche's
+passage of the river at Strasbourg, and the commencement of that
+campaign which had for its object the subjugation of Germany. I have
+not, however, the pretension to chronicle those passages which history
+has for ever made memorable, even were my own share in them of a
+more distinguished character. The insignificance of my station must,
+therefore, be my apology if I turn from the description of great and
+eventful incidents to the humble narrative of my own career.
+
+Whatever the contents of Colonel Mahon's letter, they did not plead
+very favourably for me with Colonel Hacque, my new commanding officer;
+neither, to all seeming, did my own appearance weigh anything in my
+favour. Raising his eyes at intervals from the letter to stare at me,
+he uttered some broken phrases of discontent and displeasure; at last
+he said--'What's the object of this letter, sir; to what end have you
+presented it to me?'
+
+'As I am ignorant of its contents, mon colonel,' said I calmly, 'I can
+scarcely answer the question.'
+
+'Well, sir, it informs me that you are the son of a certain Count
+Tiernay, who has long since paid the price of his nobility; and that,
+being an especial protege of the writer, he takes occasion to present
+you to me; now I ask again, with what object?'
+
+'I presume, sir, to obtain for me the honour which I now enjoy--to
+become personally known to you.'
+
+'I know every soldier under my command, sir,' said he rebukingly, 'as
+you will soon learn if you remain in my regiment. I have no need of
+recommendatory letters on that score. As to your grade of corporal, it
+is not confirmed; time enough when your services shall have shown that
+you deserve promotion. _Parbleu!_ sir, you'll have to show other claims
+than your ci-devant countship.'
+
+Colonel Mahon gave me a horse, sir; may I be permitted to retain him as
+a regimental mount?' asked I timidly.
+
+'We want horses--what is he like?'
+
+'Three-quarters Arab, and splendid in action, sir.'
+
+'Then, of course, unfit for service and field manoeuvres.
+
+Send him to the etat-major. The Republic will find a fitting mount for
+you; you may retire.'
+
+And I did retire, with a heart almost bursting between anger and
+disappointment. What a future did this opening present to me! What a
+realisation this of all my flattering hopes!
+
+This sudden reverse of fortune, for it was nothing less, did not render
+me more disposed to make the best of my new condition, nor see in the
+most pleasing light the rough and rude fraternity among which I was
+thrown. The Ninth Hussars were reputed to be an excellent service-corps,
+but, off duty, contained some of the worst ingredients of the army.
+Play, and its consequence, duelling, filled up every hour not devoted to
+regimental duty; and low as the tone of manners and morals stood in the
+service generally, 'Hacque's Tapageurs,' as they were called, enjoyed
+the unflattering distinction of being the leaders. Self-respect was a
+quality utterly unknown amongst them--none felt ashamed at the disgrace
+of punishment; and as all knew that, at the approach of the enemy,
+prison-doors would open, and handcuffs fall off, they affected to think
+the 'Salle de Police' was a pleasant alternative to the fatigue and
+worry of duty. These habits not only stripped soldiering of all its
+chivalry, but robbed freedom itself of all its nobility. These men saw
+nothing but licentiousness in their newly won liberty. Their 'Equality'
+was the permission to bring everything down to a base and unworthy
+standard; their 'Fraternity,' the appropriation of what belonged to one
+richer than themselves.
+
+It would give me little pleasure to recount, and the reader, in all
+likelihood, as little to hear, the details of my life among such
+associates. They are the passages of my history most painful to recall,
+and least worthy of being remembered; nor can I even yet write without
+shame the confession, how rapidly their habits became my own. Eugene's
+teachings had prepared me, in a manner, for their lessons. His
+scepticism, extending to everything and every one, had made me
+distrustful of all friendship, and suspicious of whatever appeared a
+kindness. Vulgar association, and daily intimacy with coarsely minded
+men, soon finished what he had begun; and in less time than it took me
+to break my troop-horse to regimental drill, I had been myself 'broke
+in' to every vice and abandoned habit of my companions. It was not in my
+nature to do things by halves; and thus I became, and in a brief space,
+too, the most inveterate Tapageur of the whole regiment. There was not
+a wild prank or plot in which I was not foremost, not a breach of
+discipline unaccompanied by my name or presence, and more than half the
+time of our march to meet the enemy, I passed in double irons under the
+guard of the provost-marshal.
+
+It was at this pleasant stage of my education that our brigade arrived
+at Strasbourg, as part of the _corps d'armee_, under the command of
+General Moreau.
+
+He had just succeeded to the command on the dismissal of Pichegru, and
+found the army not only dispirited by the defeats of the past campaign,
+but in a state of rudest indiscipline and disorganisation. If left to
+himself, he would have trusted much to time and circumstances for the
+reform of abuses that had been the growth of many months long. But
+Regnier, the second in command, was made of 'different stuff'; he was
+a harsh and stern disciplinarian, who rarely forgave a first, never
+a second, offence, and who, deeming the 'Salle de Police' as an
+encumbrance to an army on service, which, besides, required a guard of
+picked men, that might be better employed elsewhere, usually gave the
+preference to the shorter sentence of 'four paces and a fusillade.'
+Nor was he particular in the classification of those crimes he thus
+expiated: from the most trivial excess to the wildest scheme of
+insubordination, all came under the one category. More than once, as we
+drew near to Strasbourg, I heard the project of a mutiny discussed, day
+after day. Some one or other would denounce the '_scelerat_ Regnier,'
+and proclaim his readiness to be the executioner; but the closer we drew
+to headquarters, the more hushed and subdued became these mutterings,
+till at last they ceased altogether, and a dark and foreboding dread
+succeeded to all our late boastings and denunciations.
+
+This at first surprised and then utterly disgusted me with my
+companions. Brave as they were before the enemy, had they no courage for
+their own countrymen? Was all their valour the offspring of security, or
+could they only be rebellious when the penalty had no terrors for them?
+Alas! I was very young, and did not then know that men are never strong
+against the right, and that a bad cause is always a weak one.
+
+It was about the middle of June when we reached Strasbourg, where now
+about forty thousand troops were assembled. I shall not readily forget
+the mingled astonishment and disappointment our appearance excited as
+the regiment entered the town. The Tapageurs, so celebrated for all
+their terrible excesses and insubordination, were seen to be a fine
+corps of soldierlike fellows, their horses in high condition, their
+equipments and arms in the very best order. Neither did our conduct
+at all tally with the reputation that preceded us. All was orderly and
+regular in the several billets; the parade was particularly observed;
+not a man late at the night muster. What was the cause of this sudden
+and remarkable change? Some said that we were marching against the
+enemy; but the real explanation lay in the few words of a general order
+read to us by our colonel the day before we entered the city:--
+
+     'The 9th Hussars have obtained the unworthy reputation of
+     being an ill-disciplined and ill-conducted regiment, relying
+     upon their soldierlike qualities in face of the enemy to
+     cover the disgrace of their misconduct in quarters. This is
+     a mistake that must be corrected. All Frenchmen are brave;
+     none can arrogate to themselves any prerogative of valour.
+     If any wish to establish such a belief, a campaign can
+     always attest it. If any profess to think so without such
+     proof, and, acting in conformity with this impression,
+     disobey their orders or infringe regimental discipline, I
+     will have them shot.
+
+     'Regnier, Adjutant-General.'
+
+
+This was, at least, a very straightforward and intelligible
+announcement, and as such my comrades generally acknowledged it. I,
+however, regarded it as a piece of monstrous and intolerable tyranny,
+and sought to make converts to my opinion by declaiming about the rights
+of Frenchmen, the liberty of free discussion, the glorious privilege of
+equality, and so on; but these arguments sounded faint in presence
+of the drumhead; and while some slunk away from the circle around me,
+others significantly hinted that they would accept no part of the danger
+my doctrines might originate.
+
+However I might have respected my comrades had they been always the
+well-disciplined body I now saw them, I confess that this sudden
+conversion through fear was in nowise to my taste, and rashly confounded
+their dread of punishment with a base and ignoble fear of death. 'And
+these are the men,' thought I, 'who talk of their charging home through
+the dense squares of Austria--who have hunted the leopard into the sea,
+and have carried the flag of France over the high Alps?'
+
+A bold rebel, whatever may be the cause against which he revolts, will
+always be sure of a certain ascendency. Men are prone to attribute power
+to pretension, and he who stands foremost in the breach will at least
+win the suffrages of those whose cause he assumes to defend. In this
+way it happened that exactly, as my comrades fell in my esteem, I was
+elevated in theirs; and while I took a very depreciating estimate of
+their courage, they conceived a very exalted opinion of mine.
+
+It was altogether inexplicable to see these men, many of them the
+bronzed veterans of a dozen campaigns--the wounded and distinguished
+soldiers in many a hard-fought field, yielding up their opinions and
+sacrificing their convictions to a raw and untried stripling who had
+never yet seen an enemy.
+
+With a certain fluency of speech I possessed also a readiness at picking
+up information, and arraying the scattered fragments of news into a
+certain consistence, which greatly imposed upon my comrades. A quick
+eye for manoeuvres, and a shrewd habit of combining in my own mind the
+various facts that came before me, made me appear to them a perfect
+authority on military matters, of which I talked, I shame to say, with
+all the confidence and presumption of an accomplished general. A few
+lucky guesses, and a few half hints, accidentally confirmed, completed
+all that was wanting; and what says 'Le Jeune Maurice,' was the
+inevitable question that followed each piece of flying gossip, or every
+rumour that rose of a projected movement.
+
+I have seen a good deal of the world since that time, and I am bound to
+confess, that not a few of the great reputations I have witnessed have
+stood upon grounds very similar, and not a whit more stable than my
+own. A bold face, a ready tongue, a promptness to support, with my right
+hand, whatever my lips were pledged to, and, above all, good-luck, made
+me the king of my company; and although that sovereignty only extended
+to half a squadron of hussars, it was a whole universe to me.
+
+So stood matters when, on the 23rd of June, orders came for the whole
+_corps d'armee_ to hold itself in readiness for a forward movement.
+Rations for two days were distributed, and ammunition given out as if
+for an attack of some duration. Meanwhile, to obviate any suspicion
+of our intentions, the gates of Strasbourg, on the eastern side,
+were closed--all egress in that direction forbidden--and couriers and
+_estafettes_ sent off towards the north, as if to provide for the march
+of our force in that direction. The arrival of various orderly dragoons
+during the previous night, and on that morning early, told of a great
+attack in force on Mannheim, about sixty miles lower down the Rhine,
+and the cannonade of which some avowed that they could hear at that
+distance. The rumour, therefore, seemed confirmed, that we were ordered
+to move to the north, to support this assault.
+
+The secret despatch of a few dismounted dragoons and some riflemen to
+the hanks of the Rhine, however, did not strike me as according with
+this view, and particularly as I saw that, although all were equipped,
+and in readiness to move, the order to march was not given, a delay very
+unlikely to be incurred if we were destined to act as the reserve of the
+force already engaged.
+
+Directly opposite to us, on the right bank of the river, and separated
+from it by a low flat of about two miles in extent, stood the fortress
+of Kehl, at that time garrisoned by a strong Austrian force; the banks
+of the river, and the wooded islands in the stream, which communicated
+with the right by bridges, or fordable passes, being also held by the
+enemy in force.
+
+These we had often seen, by the aid of telescopes, from the towers and
+spires of Strasbourg; and now I remarked that the general and his staff
+seemed more than usually intent on observing their movements. This fact,
+coupled with the not less significant one that no preparations for a
+defence of Strasbourg were in progress, convinced me that, instead of
+moving down the Rhine to the attack on Mannheim, the plan of our general
+was to cross the river where we were, and make a dash at the fortress
+of Kehl. I was soon to receive the confirmation of my suspicion, as the
+orders came for two squadrons of the 9th to proceed, dismounted, to
+the bank of the Rhine, and, under shelter of the willows, to conceal
+themselves there. Taking possession of the various skiffs and
+fishing-boats along the bank, we were distributed in small parties, to
+one of which, consisting of eight men under the orders of a corporal, I
+belonged.
+
+About an hour's march brought us to the river-side, in a little clump
+of alder willows, where, moored to a stake, lay a fishing-boat with two
+short oars in her. Lying down beneath the shade, for the afternoon was
+hot and sultry, some of us smoked, some chatted, and a few dozed away
+the hours that somehow seemed unusually slow in passing.
+
+There was a certain dogged sullenness about my companions, which
+proceeded from their belief that we and all who remained at Strasbourg
+were merely left to occupy the enemy's attention, while greater
+operations were to be carried on elsewhere.
+
+'You see what it is to be a condemned corps,' muttered one; 'it's little
+matter what befalls the old 9th, even should they be cut to pieces.'
+
+'They didn't think so at Enghien,' said another, 'when we rode down the
+Austrian cuirassiers.'
+
+'Plain enough,' cried a third, 'we are to have skirmishers' duty here,
+without skirmishers' fortune in having a force to fall back upon.'
+
+'Eh! Maurice, is not this very like what you predicted for us?' broke in
+a fourth ironically.
+
+'I'm of the same mind still,' rejoined I coolly: 'the general is
+not thinking of a retreat; he has no intention of deserting a
+well-garrisoned, well-provisioned fortress. Let the attack on Mannheim
+have what success it may, Strasbourg will be held still. I overheard
+Colonel Guyon remark that the waters of the Rhine have fallen three
+feet since the drought set in, and Regnier replied 'that we must lose no
+time, for there will come rain and floods ere long.' Now what could that
+mean but the intention to cross over yonder?'
+
+'Cross the Rhine in face of the fort of Kehl!' broke in the corporal.
+
+'The French army have done bolder things before now!' was my reply;
+and, whatever the opinion of my comrades, the flattery ranged them on
+my side. Perhaps the corporal felt it beneath his dignity to discuss
+tactics with an inferior, or perhaps he felt unable to refute the
+specious pretensions I advanced; in any case he turned away, and either
+slept, or affected sleep, while I strenuously laboured to convince my
+companions that my surmise was correct.
+
+I repeated all my former arguments about the decrease in the Rhine,
+showing that the river was scarcely two-thirds of its habitual breadth,
+that the nights were now dark, and well suited for a surprise, that the
+columns which issued from the town took their departure with a pomp and
+parade far more likely to attract the enemy's attention than escape his
+notice, and were, therefore, the more likely to be destined for some
+secret expedition, of which all this display was but the blind. These,
+and similar facts, I grouped together with a certain ingenuity, which,
+if it failed to convince, at least silenced my opponents. And now the
+brief twilight, if so short a struggle between day and darkness deserved
+the name, passed off, and night suddenly closed around us--a night black
+and starless, for a heavy mass of lowering cloud seemed to unite with
+the dense vapour that arose from the river, and the low-lying grounds
+alongside of it. The air was hot and sultry, too, like the precursor
+of a thunderstorm, and the rush of the stream as it washed among the
+willows sounded preternaturally loud.
+
+A hazy, indistinct flame, the watch-fire of the enemy, on the island of
+Eslar, was the only object visible in the murky darkness. After a while,
+however, we could detect another fire on a smaller island, a short
+distance higher up the stream. This, at first dim and uncertain, blazed
+up after a while, and at length we descried the dark shadows of men as
+they stood around it.
+
+It was but the day before that I had been looking on a map of the Rhine,
+and remarked to myself that this small island, little more than a mere
+rock in the stream, was so situated as to command the bridge between
+Eslar and the German bank, and I could not help wondering that the
+Austrians had never taken the precaution to strengthen it, or at
+least place a gun there, to enfilade the bridge. Now, to my extreme
+astonishment, I saw it occupied by the soldiery, who, doubtless, were
+artillery, as in such a position small arms would prove of slight
+efficiency. As I reflected over this, wondering within myself if any
+intimation of our movements could have reached the enemy, I heard along
+the ground on which I was lying the peculiar tremulous, dull sound
+communicated by a large body of men marching. The measured tramp could
+not be mistaken, and as I listened I could perceive that a force was
+moving towards the river from different quarters. The rumbling roll
+of heavy guns and the clattering noise of cavalry were also easily
+distinguished, and awaking one of my comrades I called his attention to
+the sounds.
+
+'_Parbleu!_' said he, 'thou'rt right; they're going to make a dash at
+the fortress, and there will be hot work ere morning. What say you now,
+corporal? has Maurice hit it off this time?'
+
+'That's as it may be,' growled the other sulkily; 'guessing is easy work
+ever for such as thee! but if he be so clever, let him tell us why are
+we stationed along the river's bank in small detachments. We have had no
+orders to observe the enemy, nor to report upon anything that might
+go forward; nor do I see with what object we were to secure the
+fishing-boats; troops could never be conveyed across the Rhine in skiffs
+like these!'
+
+'I think that this order was given to prevent any of the fishermen
+giving information to the enemy in case of a sudden attack,' replied I.
+
+'Mayhap thou wert at the council of war when the plan was decided on,'
+said he contemptuously. 'For a fellow that never saw the smoke of an
+enemy's gun, thou hast a rare audacity in talking of war!'
+
+'Yonder is the best answer to your taunt,' said I, as, in a little bend
+of the stream beside us, two boats were seen to pull under the shelter
+of the tall alders, from which the clank of arms could be plainly heard;
+and now another larger launch swept past, the dark shadows of a dense
+crowd of men showing above the gunwale.
+
+'They are embarking--they are certainly embarking,' now ran from mouth
+to mouth. As the troops arrived at the river's bank they were speedily
+'told off' in separate divisions, of which some were to lead the attack,
+others to follow, and a third portion to remain as a reserve in the
+event of a repulse.
+
+The leading boat was manned entirely by volunteers, and I could hear
+from where I lay the names called aloud as the men stepped out from the
+ranks. I could hear that the first point of attack was the island of
+Eslar. So far there was a confirmation of my own guessing, and I did
+not hesitate to assume the full credit of my skill from my comrades. In
+truth, they willingly conceded all or even more than I asked for. Not a
+stir was heard, not a sight seen, not a movement made of which I was not
+expected to tell the cause and the import; and knowing that to
+sustain my influence there was nothing for it but to affect a thorough
+acquaintance with everything, I answered all their questions boldly and
+unhesitatingly. I need scarcely observe that the corporal in comparison
+sank into downright insignificance. He had already shown himself a
+false guide, and none asked his opinion further, and I became the ruling
+genius of the hour. The embarkation now went briskly forward; several
+light field-guns were placed in the boats, and two or three large rafts,
+capable of containing two companies each, were prepared to be towed
+across by boats.
+
+Exactly as the heavy hammer of the cathedral struck one, the first boat
+emerged from the willows, and darting rapidly forward, headed for the
+middle of the stream; another and another in quick succession followed,
+and speedily were lost to us in the gloom; and now two four-oared
+skiffs stood out together, having a raft, with two guns, in tow; by some
+mischance, however, they got entangled in a side current, and the raft
+swerving to one side, swept past the boats, carrying them down the
+stream along with it. Our attention was not suffered to dwell on this
+mishap, for at the same moment the flash and rattle of firearms told us
+the battle had begun. Two or three isolated shots were first heard, and
+then a sharp platoon-fire, accompanied by a wild cheer, that we well
+knew came from our own fellows. One deep mellow boom of a large gun
+resounded amidst the crash, and a slight streak of flame, higher up the
+stream, showed that the shot came from the small island I have already
+spoken of.
+
+'Listen, lads,' said I; 'that came from the "Fels Insel." If they are
+firing grape yonder, our poor fellows in the boats will suffer sorely
+from it. By Jove, there is a crash!'
+
+As I was speaking, a rattling noise like the sound of clattering timber
+was heard, and with it a sharp, shrill cry of agony, and all was hushed.
+
+'Let's at them, boys: they can't be much above our own number. The
+island is a mere rock,' cried I to my comrades.
+
+'Who commands this party,' said the corporal--'you or I?'
+
+'You, if you lead us against the enemy,' said I; 'but I'll take it if my
+comrades will follow me. There goes another shot, lads--yes or no--now
+is the time to speak.'
+
+'We're ready,' cried three, springing forward with one impulse.
+
+At the instant I jumped into the skiff, the others took their places,
+and then come a fourth, a fifth, a sixth, and a seventh, leaving the
+corporal alone on the bank.
+
+'Come along, corporal,' cried I, 'we'll win your epaulettes for you';
+but he turned away without a word; and, not waiting further, I pushed
+out the skiff, and sent her skimming down the stream.
+
+'Pull steady, boys, and silently,' said I; 'we must gain the middle of
+the current, and then drop down the river without the least noise.
+Once beneath the trees, we'll give them a volley, and then the bayonet.
+Remember, lads, no flinching; it's as well to die here as be shot by old
+Regnier to-morrow.'
+
+The conflict on the Eslar island was now, to all seeming, at its height.
+The roll of musketry was incessant, and sheets of flame, from time to
+time, streaked the darkness above the river.
+
+'Stronger and together, boys--once more--there it is--we are in the
+current now; in with you, men, and look to your carbines; see that the
+priming is safe; every shot soon will be worth a fusillade. Lie still
+now, and wait for the word to fire.'
+
+The spreading foliage of the nut-trees was rustling over our heads as
+I spoke, and the sharp skiff, borne on the current, glided smoothly on
+till her bow struck the rock. With high-beating hearts we clambered up
+the little cliff, and, as we reached the top, beheld immediately beneath
+us, in a slight dip of the ground, several figures around a gun, which
+they were busy adjusting. I looked right and left to see that my
+little party were all assembled, and without waiting for more, gave the
+order--fire!
+
+We were within pistol range, and the discharge was a deadly one. The
+terror, however, was not less complete; for all who escaped death fled
+from the spot, and dashing through the brushwood, made for the shallow
+part of the stream, between the island and the right bank.
+
+Our prize was a brass eight-pounder, and an ample supply of ammunition.
+The gun was pointed towards the middle of the stream, where the current
+being strongest, the boats would necessarily be delayed; and in all
+likelihood some of our gallant comrades had already experienced its
+fatal fire. To wheel it right about, and point it on the Eslar bridge,
+was the work of a couple of minutes; and while three of our little party
+kept up a steady fire on the retreating enemy, the others loaded the gun
+and prepared to fire.
+
+Our distance from the Eslar island and bridge, as well as I could judge
+from the darkness, might be about two hundred and fifty yards, and, as
+we had the advantage of a slight elevation of ground, our position was
+admirable.
+
+'Wait patiently, lads,' said I, restraining, with difficulty, the
+burning ardour of my men. 'Wait patiently, till the retreat has
+commenced over the bridge. The work is too hot to last much longer on
+the island; to fire upon them there would be to risk our own men as
+much as the enemy. See what long flashes of flame break forth among the
+brushwood; and listen to the cheering now. That was a French cheer!--and
+there goes another. Look!--look, the bridge is darkening already! That
+was a bugle-call, and they are in full retreat. Now, lads--now!'
+
+As I spoke, the gun exploded, and the instant after we heard the
+crashing rattle of the timber, as the shot struck the bridge, and
+splintered the wood-work in all directions.
+
+'The range is perfect, lads,' cried I. 'Load and fire with all speed.'
+
+Another shot, followed by a terrific scream from the bridge, told how
+the work was doing. Oh! the savage exultation, the fiendish joy of my
+heart, as I drank in that cry of agony, and called upon my men to load
+faster.
+
+Six shots were poured in with tremendous precision and effect, and the
+seventh tore away one of the main supports of the bridge, and down went
+the densely crowded column into the Rhine. At the same instant the guns
+of our launches opened a destructive fire upon the banks, which soon
+were swept clean of the enemy.
+
+High up on the stream, and for nearly a mile below also, we could see
+the boats of our army pulling in for shore; the crossing of the Rhine
+had been effected, and we now prepared to follow.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII. 'A GLANCE AT STAFF-DUTY'
+
+Although the passage of the Rhine was but the prelude to the attack on
+the fortress, that exploit being accomplished, Kehl was carried at the
+point of the bayonet, the French troops entering the outworks pell-mell
+with the retreating enemy, and in less than two hours after the landing
+of our first detachments, the tricolour waved over the walls of the
+fortress.
+
+Lost amid the greater and more important successes which since that time
+have immortalised the glory of the French arms, it is almost impossible
+to credit the celebrity attached at that time to this brilliant
+achievement, whose highest merits probably were rapidity and resolution.
+Moreau had long been jealous of the fame of his great rival, Bonaparte,
+whose tactics, rejecting the colder dictates of prudent strategy, and
+the slow progress of scientific manouvres, seemed to place all his
+confidence in the sudden inspirations of his genius, and the indomitable
+bravery of his troops. It was necessary, then, to raise the morale of
+the army of the Rhine, to accomplish some great feat similar in boldness
+and heroism to the wonderful achievements of the Italian army. Such was
+the passage of the Rhine at Strasbourg, effected in the face of a great
+enemy, advantageously posted, and supported by one of the strongest of
+all the frontier fortresses.
+
+The morning broke upon us in all the exultation of our triumph, and as
+our cheers rose high over the field of the late struggle, each heart
+beat proudly with the thought of how that news would be received in
+Paris.
+
+'You 'll see how the bulletin will spoil all,' said a young officer of
+the army of Italy, as he was getting his wound dressed on the field.
+'There will be such a long narrative of irrelevant matter--such details
+of this, that, and t' other--that the public will scarce know whether
+the placard announces a defeat or a victory.'
+
+'_Parbleu!_' replied an old veteran of the Rhine army, 'what would you
+have? You'd not desire to omit the military facts of such an exploit?'
+
+'To be sure I would,' rejoined the other. 'Give me one of our young
+general's bulletins, short, stirring, and effective:--"Soldiers! you
+have crossed the Rhine against an army double your own in numbers and
+munitions of war. You have carried a fortress, believed impregnable, at
+the bayonet. Already the great flag of our nation waves over the citadel
+you have won. Forward, then, and cease not till it floats over the
+cities of conquered Germany, and let the name of France be that of
+Empire over the continent of Europe.'"
+
+'Ha! I like that, cried I enthusiastically; 'that's the bulletin to my
+fancy. Repeat it once more, mon lieutenant, that I may write it in my
+note-book.'
+
+'What! hast thou a note-book?' cried an old staff-officer, who was
+preparing to mount his horse; 'let's see it, lad.'
+
+With a burning cheek and trembling hand I drew my little journal from
+the breast of my jacket, and gave it to him.
+
+'_Sacrebleu!_' exclaimed he, in a burst of laughter, 'what have we
+here? Why, this is a portrait of old General Moricier, and although a
+caricature, a perfect likeness. And here comes a plan for manoeuvring a
+squadron by threes from the left. This is better--it is a receipt for
+an "Omelette a la Hussard"; and here we have a love-song, and a
+moustache-paste, with some hints about devotion, and diseased frog
+in horses. Most versatile genius, certainly!' And so he went on,
+occasionally laughing at my rude sketches and ruder remarks, till he
+came to a page headed 'Equitation, as practised by Officers of the
+Staff,' and followed by a series of caricatures of bad riding, in all
+its moods and tenses. The flush of anger which instantly coloured
+his face soon attracted the notice of those about him, and one of the
+bystanders quickly snatched the book from his fingers, and, in the midst
+of a group all convulsed with laughter, proceeded to expatiate upon
+my illustrations. To be sure, they were absurd enough. Some were
+represented sketching on horseback, under shelter of an umbrella;
+others were 'taking the depth of a stream' by a 'header' from their own
+saddles; some again were 'exploring ground for an attack in line,' by a
+measurement of the rider's own length over the head of his horse.
+Then there were ridiculous situations, such as 'sitting down before a
+fortress,' 'taking an angle of incidence,' and so on. Sorry jests all of
+them, but sufficient to amuse those with whose daily associations they
+chimed in, and to whom certain traits of portraiture gave all the zest
+of a personality.
+
+My shame at the exposure, and my terror for its consequences,
+gradually yielded to a feeling of flattered vanity at the success of
+my lucubrations; and I never remarked that the staff-officer had ridden
+away from the group till I saw him galloping back at the top of his
+speed.
+
+'Is your name Tiernay, my good fellow?' cried he, riding close up to my
+side, and with an expression on his features I did not half like.
+
+'Yes, sir,' replied I.
+
+'Hussar of the Ninth, I believe?' repeated he, reading from a paper in
+his hand.
+
+'The same, sir.'
+
+'Well, your talents as a draughtsman have procured you promotion, my
+friend; I have obtained your discharge from your regiment, and you are
+now my orderly--orderly on the staff, do you mind; so mount, sir, and
+follow me.'
+
+I saluted him respectfully, and prepared to obey his orders. Already
+I foresaw the downfall of all the hopes I had been cherishing, and
+anticipated the life of tyranny and oppression that lay before me. It
+was clear to me that my discharge had been obtained solely as a means
+of punishing me, and that Captain Discau, as the officer was called,
+had destined me to a pleasant expiation of my note-book The savage
+exultation with which he watched me, as I made up my kit and saddled
+my horse--the cool malice with which he handed me back the accursed
+journal, the cause of all my disasters--gave me a dark foreboding of
+what was to follow; and as I mounted my saddle, my woeful face and
+miserable look brought forth a perfect shout of laughter from the
+bystanders.
+
+Captain Discau's duty was to visit the banks of the Rhine and the Eslar
+island, to take certain measurements of distances, and obtain accurate
+information on various minute points respecting the late engagement;
+for, while a brief announcement of the victory would suffice for the
+bulletin, a detailed narrative of the event in all its bearings must be
+drawn up for the minister of war, and for this latter purpose various
+staff-officers were then employed in different parts of the field.
+
+As we issued from the fortress, and took our way over the plain, we
+struck out into a sharp gallop; but as we drew near the river, our
+passage became so obstructed by lines of baggage-waggons, tumbrils, and
+ammunition-carts, that we were obliged to dismount and proceed on foot;
+and now I was to see for the first time that dreadful picture which, on
+the day after a battle, forms the reverse of the great medal of glory.
+Huge litters of wounded men, on their way back to Strasbourg, were drawn
+by six or eight horses, their jolting motion increasing the agony of
+sufferings that found their vent in terrific cries and screams; oaths,
+yells, and blasphemies, the ravings of madness, and the wild shouts of
+infuriated suffering, filled the air on every side. As if to give the
+force of contrast to this uproar of misery, two regiments of Swabian
+infantry marched past as prisoners. Silent, crest-fallen, and
+wretched-looking, they never raised their eyes from the ground, but
+moved, or halted, wheeled, or stood at ease, as though by some impulse
+of mechanism; a cord coupled the wrists of the outer files one with
+another, which struck me less as a measure of security against escape,
+than as a mark of indignity.
+
+Carts and charrettes with wounded officers, in which oftentimes the
+uniform of the enemy appeared side by side with our own, followed
+in long procession; and thus were these two great currents--the one
+hurrying forward, ardent, high-hearted, and enthusiastic; the other
+returning maimed, shattered, and dying!
+
+It was an affecting scene to see the hurried gestures, and hear the few
+words of adieu, as they passed each other. Old comrades who were never
+to meet again, parted with a little motion of the hand; sometimes a mere
+look was all their leave-taking, save when, now and then, a halt would
+for a few seconds bring the lines together, and then many a bronzed and
+rugged cheek was pressed upon the faces of the dying, and many a tear
+fell from eyes bloodshot with the fury of the battle! Wending our way on
+foot slowly along, we at last reached the river-side, and having secured
+a small skiff, made for the Eslar island--our first business being to
+ascertain some details respecting the intrenchments there, and the depth
+and strength of the stream between it and the left bank. Discau, who
+was a distinguished officer, rapidly possessed himself of the principal
+facts he wanted, and then, having given me his portfolio, he seated
+himself under the shelter of a broken waggon, and opening a napkin,
+began his breakfast off a portion of a chicken and some bread-viands
+which, I own, more than once made my lips water as I watched him.
+
+'You've eaten nothing to-day, Tiernay?' asked he, as he wiped his lips
+with the air of a man that feels satisfied.
+
+'Nothing, _mon capitaine?_ replied I.
+
+'That's bad,' said he, shaking his head; 'a soldier cannot do his duty
+if his rations be neglected. I have always maintained the principle:
+Look to the men's necessaries--take care of their food and clothing. Is
+there anything on that bone there?'
+
+'Nothing, _mon capitaine_.'
+
+'I'm sorry for it--I meant it for you. Put up that bread, and the
+remainder of that flask of wine. Bourdeaux is not to be had every day.
+We shall want it for supper, Tiernay.'
+
+I did as I was bid, wondering not a little why he said 'we,' seeing how
+little a share I occupied in the copartnery.
+
+'Always be careful of the morrow on a campaign, Tiernay--no squandering,
+no waste; that's one of my principles,' said he gravely, as he watched
+me while I tied up the bread and wine in the napkin. 'You'll soon see
+the advantage of serving under an old soldier.'
+
+I confess the great benefit had not already struck me, but I held my
+peace and waited; meanwhile he continued--
+
+'I have studied my profession from my boyhood, and one thing I have
+acquired that all experience has confirmed--the knowledge that men must
+neither be taxed beyond their ability nor their endurance. A French
+soldier, after all, is human; eh, is't not so?'
+
+'I feel it most profoundly, _mon capitaine_,' replied I, with my hand on
+my empty stomach.
+
+'Just so,' rejoined he; 'every man of sense and discretion must confess
+it. Happily for you, too, I know it; ay, Tiernay I know it, and practise
+it. When a young fellow has acquitted himself to my satisfaction during
+the day--not that I mean to say that the performance has not its fair
+share of activity and zeal--when evening comes and stable duty finished,
+arms burnished, and accoutrements cleaned, what do you think I say to
+him?--eh, Tiernay--just guess now?'
+
+'Probably, sir, you tell him he is free to spend an hour at the canteen,
+or take his sweetheart to the theatre.'
+
+'What! more fatigue! more exhaustion to an already tired and worn-out
+nature!'
+
+'I ask pardon, sir, I see I was wrong; but I had forgotten how
+thoroughly the poor fellow was done up. I now see that you told him to
+go to bed.'
+
+'To bed! to bed! Is it that he might writhe in the nightmare, or suffer
+agony from cramps? To bed after fatigue like this! No, no, Tiernay; that
+was not the school in which I was brought up; we were taught to think of
+the men under our command; to remember that they had wants, sympathies,
+hopes, fears, and emotions like our own. I tell him to seat himself
+at the table, and with pen, ink, and paper before him, to write up the
+blanks. I see you don't quite understand me, Tiernay, as to the meaning
+of the phrase, but I'll let you into the secret. You have been kind
+enough to give me a peep at your note-book, and you shall in return have
+a look at mine. Open that volume, and tell me what you find in it.'
+
+I obeyed the direction, and read at the top of a page the words,
+'Skeleton, 5th Prarial,' in large characters, followed by several
+isolated words, denoting the strength of a brigade, the number of guns
+in a battery, the depth of a fosse, the height of a parapet, and such
+like. These were usually followed by a flourish of the pen, or sometimes
+by the word 'Bom.,' which singular monosyllable always occurred at the
+foot of the pages.
+
+'Well, have you caught the key to the cipher?' said he, after a pause.
+
+'Not quite, sir,' said I, pondering; 'I can perceive that the chief
+facts stand prominently forward, in a fair round hand; I can also guess
+that the flourishes may be spaces left for detail; but this word "Bom."
+puzzles me completely.'
+
+'Quite correct, as to the first part,' said he approvingly; 'and as to
+the mysterious monosyllable, it is nothing more than an abbreviation for
+"Bombaste," which is always to be done to the taste of each particular
+commanding officer.'
+
+'I perceive, sir,' said I quickly; 'like the wadding of a gun, which may
+increase the loudness, but never affect the strength of the shot.'
+
+'Precisely, Tiernay; you have hit it exactly. Now I hope that, with a
+little practice, you may be able to acquit yourself respectably in this
+walk; and now to begin our skeleton. Turn over to a fresh page, and
+write as I dictate to you.'
+
+So saying, he filled his pipe and lighted it, and disposing his limbs in
+an attitude of perfect ease, he began:--
+
+'"8th Thermidor, midnight--twelve battalions, and two batteries
+of field--boats and rafts--Eslar Island--stockades--eight
+guns--Swabian infantry--sharp firing, and a flourish--strong
+current--flourish--detachment of the 28th carried down--'Bom.
+
+'"Let me see it now--all right--nothing could be better--proceed. "The
+10th, 45th, and 48th landing together--more firing--flourish--first gun
+captured--Bom.--bayonet charges--Bom. Bom.--three guns taken--Bom. Bom.
+Bom.--Swabs in retreat--flourish. The bridge eighty toises in length--
+flanking fire--heavy loss--flourish."'
+
+'You go a little too fast, _mon capitaine_,' said I, for a sudden bright
+thought just flashed across me.
+
+'Very well,' said he, shaking the ashes of his pipe out upon the rock,
+'I'll take my doze, and you may awaken me when you've filled in those
+details--it will be a very fair exercise for you'; and with this he
+threw his handkerchief over his face, and without any other preparation
+was soon fast asleep.
+
+I own that, if I had not been a spectator of the action, it would have
+been very difficult, if not impossible, for me to draw up anything like
+a narrative of it from the meagre details of the captain's note-book.
+My personal observations, however, assisted by an easy imagination,
+suggested quite enough to make at least a plausible story, and I wrote
+away without impediment and halt till I came to that part of the action
+in which the retreat over the bridge commenced. There I stopped. Was I
+to remain satisfied with such a crude and one-sided explanation as
+the notebook afforded, and merely say that the retreating forces were
+harassed by a strong flank fire from our batteries? Was I to omit the
+whole of the great incident, the occupation of the 'Fels Insel,' and the
+damaging discharges of grape and round shot which plunged through the
+crowded ranks, and ultimately destroyed the bridge? Could I--to use
+the phrase so popular--could I, in the 'interests of truth,' forget the
+brilliant achievement of a gallant band of heroes who, led on by a young
+hussar of the 9th, threw themselves into the 'Fels Insel,' routed
+the garrison, captured the artillery, and directing its fire upon the
+retiring enemy, contributed most essentially to the victory. Ought I,
+in a word, to suffer a name so associated with a glorious action to sink
+into oblivion? Should Maurice Tiernay be lost to fame out of any neglect
+or false shame on my part? Forbid it all truth and justice! cried I, as
+I set myself down to relate the whole adventure most circumstantially.
+Looking up from time to time at my officer, who slept soundly, I
+suffered myself to dilate upon a theme in which somehow I felt a more
+than ordinary degree of interest. The more I dwelt upon the incident,
+the more brilliant and striking did it seem like the appetite,
+which the proverb tells us comes by eating, my enthusiasm grew under
+indulgence, so that, had a little more time been granted me, I verily
+believe I should have forgotten Moreau altogether, and coupled only
+Maurice Tiernay with the passage of the Rhine, and the capture of the
+fortress of Kehl. Fortunately, Captain Discau awoke, and cut short my
+historic recollections by asking me how much I had done, and telling me
+to read it aloud to him.
+
+I accordingly began to read my narrative slowly and deliberately,
+thereby giving myself time to think what I should best do when I came to
+that part which became purely personal To omit it altogether would have
+been dangerous, as the slightest glance at the mass of writing would
+have shown the deception. There was, then, nothing left, but to invent
+at the moment another version, in which Maurice Tiernay never occurred,
+and the incident of the 'Fels Insel' should figure as unobtrusively as
+possible. I was always a better improvisatore than amanuensis; so that
+without a moment's loss of time I fashioned a new and very different
+narrative, and detailing the battle tolerably accurately, minus the
+share my own heroism had taken in it. The captain made a few, a very
+few corrections of my style, in which the 'flourish' and 'bom.' figured,
+perhaps, too conspicuously; and then told me frankly, that once upon a
+time he had been fool enough to give himself great trouble in framing
+these kind of reports, but that having served for a short period in the
+'bureau' of the minister of war, he had learned better--'In fact,' said
+he, 'a district report is never read! Some hundreds of them reach
+the office of the minister every day, and are safely deposited in the
+"archives" of the department. They have all, besides, such a family
+resemblance, that with a few changes in the name of the commanding
+officer, any battle in the Netherlands would do equally well for one
+fought beyond the Alps! Since I became acquainted with this fact,
+Tiernay, I have bestowed less pains upon the matter, and usually deputed
+the task to some smart orderly of the staff.'
+
+So, thought I, I have been writing history for nothing; and Maurice
+Tiernay, the real hero of the passage of the Rhine, will be unrecorded
+and unremembered, just for want of one honest and impartial scribe
+to transmit his name to posterity. The reflection was not a very
+encouraging one; nor did it serve to lighten the toil in which I passed
+many weary hours, copying out my own precious manuscript. Again and
+again during that night did I wonder at my own diffuseness--again and
+again did I curse the prolix accuracy of a description that cost such
+labour to reiterate. It was like a species of poetical justice on me
+for my own amplifications; and when the day broke, and I still sat at my
+table writing on, at the third copy of this precious document, I vowed a
+vow of brevity, should I ever survive to indite similar compositions.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII. A FAREWELL LETTER
+
+It was in something less than a week after that I entered upon my new
+career as orderly in the staff, when I began to believe myself the
+most miserable of all human beings. On the saddle at sunrise, I never
+dismounted, except to carry a measuring chain, 'to step distances,'
+mark out intrenchments, and then write away, for hours, long
+enormous reports, that were to be models of caligraphy, neatness and
+elegance--and never to be read. Nothing could be less like soldiering
+than the life I led; and were it not for the clanking sabre I wore at
+my side, and the jingling spurs that decorated my heels, I might have
+fancied myself a notary's clerk. It was part of General Moreau's plan to
+strengthen the defences of Kehl before he advanced farther into Germany;
+and to this end repairs were begun upon a line of earthworks, about
+two leagues to the northward of the fortress, at a small village called
+'Ekheim.' In this miserable little hole, one of the dreariest spots
+imaginable, we were quartered, with two companies of sapeurs and some of
+the waggon-train, trenching, digging, carting earth, sinking wells, and
+in fact engaged in every kind of labour save that which seemed to be
+characteristic of a soldier.
+
+I used to think that Nancy and the riding-school were the most dreary
+and tiresome of all destinies, but they were enjoyments and delight
+compared with this. Now it very often happens in life that when a man
+grows discontented and dissatisfied with mere monotony, when he chafes
+at the sameness of a tiresome and unexciting existence, he is rapidly
+approaching to some critical or eventful point, where actual peril and
+real danger assail him, and from which he would willingly buy his escape
+by falling back upon that wearisome and plodding life he had so often
+deplored before. This case was my own. Just as I had convinced myself
+that I was exceedingly wretched and miserable, I was to know there are
+worse things in this world than a life of mere uniform stupidity. I was
+waiting outside my captain's door for orders one morning, when at
+the tinkle of his little hand-bell I entered the room where he sat at
+breakfast, with an open despatch before him.
+
+'Tiernay,' said he, in his usual quiet tone, 'here is an order from the
+adjutant-general to send you back under an escort to headquarters. Are
+you aware of any reason for it, or is there any charge against you which
+warrants this?'
+
+'Not to my knowledge, _mon capitaine_,' said I, trembling with fright,
+for I well knew with what severity discipline was exercised in that
+army, and how any, even the slightest, infractions met the heaviest
+penalties.
+
+'I have never known you to pillage,' continued he, 'have never seen you
+drink, nor have you been disobedient while under my command; yet this
+order could not be issued on light grounds; there must be some grave
+accusation against you, and in any case you must go; therefore arrange
+all my papers, put everything to rights, and be ready to return with the
+orderly.'
+
+'You'll give me a good character, _mon capitaine_,' said I, trembling
+more than ever--'you'll say what you can for me, I'm sure.'
+
+'Willingly, if the general or chief were here,' replied he; 'but that's
+not so. General Moreau is at Strasbourg. It is General Regnier that is
+in command of the army, and unless specially applied to, I could not
+venture upon the liberty of obtruding my opinion upon him.'
+
+'Is he so severe, sir?' asked I timidly.
+
+'The general is a good disciplinarian,' said he cautiously, while he
+motioned with his hand towards the door, and accepting the hint, I
+retired.
+
+It was evening when I re-entered Kehl, under an escort of two of my own
+regiment, and was conducted to the 'Salle de Police.' At the door stood
+my old corporal, whose malicious grin, as I alighted, revealed the whole
+story of my arrest; and I now knew the charge that would be preferred
+against me--a heavier there could not be made--was, 'disobedience in the
+field.' I slept very little that night, and when I did close my eyes, it
+was to awake with a sudden start, and believe myself in presence of
+the court-martial, or listening to my sentence, as read out by the
+president. Towards day, however, I sank into a heavy, deep slumber, from
+which I was aroused by the reveille of the barracks.
+
+I had barely time to dress when I was summoned before the 'Tribunale
+Militaire'--a sort of permanent court-martial, whose sittings were held
+in one of the churches of the town. Not even all the terror of my own
+precarious position could overcome the effect of old prejudices in my
+mind, as I saw myself led up the dim aisle of the church towards the
+altar rails, within which, around a large table, were seated a number of
+officers, whose manner and bearing evinced but little reverence for the
+sacred character of the spot.
+
+Stationed in a group of poor wretches whose wan looks and anxious
+glances told that they were prisoners like myself, I had time to see
+what was going forward around me. The president, who alone wore his hat,
+read from a sort of list before him the name of a prisoner and that of
+the witnesses in the cause. In an instant they were all drawn up and
+sworn. A few questions followed, rapidly put, and almost as rapidly
+replied to. The prisoner was called on then for his defence: if this
+occupied many minutes, he was sure to be interrupted by an order to be
+brief. Then came the command to 'stand by'; and after a few seconds'
+consultation together, in which many times a burst of laughter might be
+heard, the Court agreed upon the sentence, recorded and signed it, and
+then proceeded with the next case.
+
+If nothing in the procedure imposed reverence or respect, there was that
+in the despatch which suggested terror, for it was plain to see that the
+Court thought more of the cost of their own precious minutes than of the
+years of those on whose fate they were deciding. I was sufficiently near
+to hear the charges of those who were arraigned, and, for the greater
+number, they were all alike. Pillage, in one form or another, was the
+universal offending, and from the burning of a peasant's cottage, to the
+theft of his dog or his _poulet_, all came under this head. At last came
+number 82--'Maurice Tiernay, hussar of the Ninth.' I stepped forward to
+the rails.
+
+'Maurice Tiernay,' read the president hurriedly, 'accused by Louis
+Gaussin, corporal of the same regiment, "of wilfully deserting his post
+while on duty in the field, and in the face of direct orders to the
+contrary, inducing others to a similar breach of discipline." Make the
+charge, Gaussin.'
+
+The corporal stepped forward, and began--
+
+'We were stationed in detachment on the bank of the Rhine, on the
+evening of the 23rd----'
+
+'The Court has too many duties to lose its time for nothing,'
+interrupted I. 'It is all true. I did desert my post, I did disobey
+orders; and, seeing a weak point in the enemy's line, attacked and
+carried it with success. The charge is, therefore, admitted by me, and
+it only remains for the Court to decide how far a soldier's zeal for his
+country may be deserving of punishment. Whatever the result, one thing
+is perfectly clear, Corporal Gaussin will never be indicted for a
+similar misdemeanour.'
+
+A murmur of voices and suppressed laughter followed this impertinent and
+not over-discreet sally of mine, and the president, calling out, 'Proven
+by acknowledgment,' told me to 'stand by.' I now fell back to my
+former place, to be interrogated by my comrades on the result of my
+examination, and hear their exclamations of surprise and terror at the
+rashness of my conduct. A little reflection of the circumstances would
+probably have brought me over to their opinion, and shown me that I had
+gratuitously thrown away an opportunity of self-defence; but my temper
+could not brook the indignity of listening to the tiresome accusation
+and the stupid malevolence of the corporal, whose hatred was excited by
+the influence I wielded over my comrades.
+
+It was long past noon ere the proceedings terminated, for the list was a
+full one, and at length the Court rose, apparently not sorry to exchange
+their tiresome duties for the pleasant offices of the dinner-table. No
+sentences had been pronounced, but one very striking incident seemed
+to shadow forth a gloomy future. Three, of whom I was one, were marched
+off, doubly guarded, before the rest, and confined in separate cells of
+the 'Salle,' where every precaution against escape too plainly showed
+the importance attached to our safe keeping.
+
+At about eight o'clock, as I was sitting on my bed--if that inclined
+plane of wood, worn by the form of many a former prisoner, could deserve
+the name--a sergeant entered with the prison allowance of bread and
+water. He placed it beside me without speaking, and stood for a few
+seconds gazing at me.
+
+'What age art thou, lad?' said he, in a voice of compassionate interest.
+
+'Something over fifteen, I believe,' replied I.
+
+'Hast father and mother?'
+
+'Both are dead!'
+
+'Uncles or aunts living?'
+
+'Neither.'
+
+'Hast any friends who could help thee?'
+
+'That might depend on what the occasion for help should prove, for I
+have one friend in the world.'
+
+'Who is he?'
+
+'Colonel Mahon, of the Cuirassiers.'
+
+'I never heard of him--is he here?'
+
+'No, I left him at Nancy; but I could write to him.'
+
+'It would be too late, much too late.'
+
+'How do you mean--too late?' asked I tremblingly.
+
+'Because it is fixed for to-morrow evening,' replied he in a low,
+hesitating voice.
+
+'What? the--the----' I could not say the word, but merely imitated the
+motion of presenting and firing. He nodded gravely in acquiescence.
+
+'What hour is it to take place?' asked I.
+
+'After evening parade. The sentence must be signed by General Berthier,
+and he will not be here before that time.'
+
+'It would be too late then, sergeant,' said I, musing, 'far too late.
+Still I should like to write the letter; I should like to thank him for
+his kindness in the past, and show him, too, that I have not been either
+unworthy or ungrateful. Could you let me have paper and pen, sergeant?'
+
+'I can venture so far, lad; but I cannot let thee have a light, it is
+against orders; and during the day, thou 'll be too strictly watched.*
+
+'No matter; let me have the paper, and I'll try to scratch a few lines
+in the dark; and thou 'lt post it for me, sergeant? I ask thee as a last
+favour to do this.'
+
+'I promise it,' said he, laying his hand on my shoulder. After standing
+for a few minutes thus in silence, he started suddenly and left the
+cell.
+
+I now tried to eat my supper, but although resolved on behaving with a
+stout and unflinching courage throughout the whole sad event, I could
+not swallow a mouthful. A sense of choking stopped me at every attempt,
+and even the water I could only get down by gulps. The efforts I made
+to bear up seemed to have caused a species of hysterical excitement that
+actually rose to the height of intoxication, for I talked away loudly to
+myself, laughed and sung. I even jested and mocked myself on this sudden
+termination of a career that I used to anticipate as stored with future
+fame and rewards. At intervals, I have no doubt that my mind wandered
+far beyond the control of reason, but as constantly came back again to a
+full consciousness of my melancholy position, and the fate that awaited
+me. The noise of the key in the door silenced my ravings, and I sat
+motionless as the sergeant entered with the pen, ink, and paper, which
+he laid down upon the bed, and then as silently withdrew.
+
+A long interval of stupor, a state of dreary half consciousness, now
+came over me, from which I aroused myself with great difficulty to write
+the few lines I destined for Colonel Mahon. I remember even now, long
+as has been the space of years since that event, full as it has been of
+stirring and strange incidents, I remember perfectly the thought which
+flashed across me, as I sat, pen in hand, before the paper. It was the
+notion of a certain resemblance between our actions in this world with
+the characters I was about to inscribe upon that paper. Written in
+darkness and in doubt, thought I, how shall they appear when brought to
+the light! Perhaps those I have deemed the best and fairest shall seem
+but to be the weakest or the worst! What need of kindness to forgive the
+errors, and of patience to endure the ignorance! At last I began: 'Mon
+Colonel,--Forgive, I pray you, the errors of these lines, penned in the
+darkness of my cell, and the night before my death. They are written
+to thank you ere I go hence, and to tell you that the poor heart whose
+beating will soon be still, throbbed gratefully towards you to the last!
+I have been sentenced to death for a breach of discipline of which I was
+guilty. Had I failed in the achievement of my enterprise by the bullet
+of an enemy, they would have named me with honour; but I have had the
+misfortune of success, and to-morrow am I to pay its penalty. I have the
+satisfaction, however, of knowing that my share in that great day can
+neither be denied nor evaded; it is already on record, and the time may
+yet come when my memory will be vindicated. I know not if these lines
+be legible, nor if I have crossed or recrossed them. If they are blotted
+they are not my tears have done it, for I have a firm heart and a good
+courage; and when the moment comes----' Here my hand trembled so much,
+and my brain grew so dizzy, that I lost the thread of my meaning,
+and merely jotted down at random a few words, vague, unconnected, and
+unintelligible, after which, and by an effort that cost all my strength,
+I wrote 'Maurice Tiernay, late Hussar of the 9th Regiment.'
+
+A hearty burst of tears followed the conclusion of this letter; all the
+pent-up emotion with which my heart was charged broke out at last, and
+I cried bitterly. Intense passions are, happily, never of long duration,
+and, better still, they are always the precursors of calm. Thus,
+tranquil, the dawn of morn broke upon me, when the sergeant came to
+take my letter, and apprise me that the adjutant would appear in a few
+moments to read my sentence, and inform me when it was to be executed.
+
+'Thou'It bear up well, lad; I know thou wilt,' said the poor fellow,
+with tears in his eyes. 'Thou hast no mother, and thou 'lt not have to
+grieve for her.'
+
+'Don't be afraid, sergeant; I'll not disgrace the old 9th. Tell my
+comrades I said so.'
+
+'I will. I will tell them all! Is this thy jacket, lad?'
+
+'Yes; what do you want it for?'
+
+'I must take it away with me. Thou art not to wear it more?'
+
+'Not wear it, nor die in it! and why not?'
+
+'That is the sentence, lad; I cannot help it. It's very hard, very
+cruel; but so it is.'
+
+'Then I am to die dishonoured, sergeant; is that the sentence?'
+
+He dropped his head, and I could see that he moved his sleeve across his
+eyes; and then, taking up my jacket, he came towards me.
+
+'Remember, lad, a stout heart; no flinching. Adieu--God bless thee.' He
+kissed me on either cheek, and went out.
+
+He had not been gone many minutes, when the tramp of marching outside
+apprised me of the coming of the adjutant, and the door of my cell being
+thrown open, I was ordered to walk forth into the court of the prison.
+Two squadrons of my own regiment, all who were not on duty, were
+drawn up, dismounted, and without arms; beside them stood a company
+of grenadiers and a half battalion of the line, the corps to which the
+other two prisoners belonged, and who now came forward, in shirtsleeves
+like myself, into the middle of the court.
+
+One of my fellow-sufferers was a very old soldier, whose hair and
+beard were white as snow; the other was a middle-aged man, of a dark and
+forbidding aspect, who scowled at me angrily as I came up to his side,
+and seemed as if he scorned the companionship. I returned a glance,
+haughty and as full of defiance as his own, and never noticed him after.
+
+The drum beat a roll, and the word was given for silence in the
+ranks--an order so strictly obeyed, that even the clash of a weapon was
+unheard, and, stepping in front of the line, the Auditeur Militaire read
+out the sentences. As for me, I heard but the words '_Peine afflictive
+et infamante'_; all the rest became confusion, shame, and terror
+commingled; nor did I know that the ceremonial was over when the troops
+began to defile, and we were marched back again to our prison quarters.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV. A SURPRISE AND AN ESCAPE
+
+It is a very common subject of remark in newspapers, and as invariably
+repeated with astonishment by the readers, how well and soundly such
+a criminal slept on the night before his execution. It reads like a
+wonderful evidence of composure, or some not less surprising proof of
+apathy or indifference. I really believe it has as little relation to
+one feeling as to the other, and is simply the natural consequence of
+faculties overstrained, and a brain surcharged with blood; sleep being
+induced by causes purely physical in their nature. For myself, I can say
+that I was by no means indifferent to life, nor had I any contempt for
+the form of death that awaited me. As localities which have failed to
+inspire a strong attachment become endowed with a certain degree of
+interest when we are about to part from them for ever, I never held
+life so desirable as now that I was going to leave it; and yet, with all
+this, I fell into a sleep so heavy and profound, that I never awoke
+till late in the evening. Twice was I shaken by the shoulder ere I could
+throw off the heavy weight of slumber; and even when I looked up, and
+saw the armed figures around me, I could have lain down once more and
+composed myself to another sleep.
+
+The first thing which thoroughly aroused me, and at once brightened up
+my slumbering senses, was missing my jacket, for which I searched every
+corner of my cell, forgetting that it had been taken away, as the
+nature of my sentence was declared _infamante_. The next shock was still
+greater, when two sapeurs came forward to tie my wrists together behind
+my back; I neither spoke nor resisted, but in silent submission complied
+with each order given me.
+
+All preliminaries being completed, I was led forward, preceded by a
+pioneer, and guarded on either side by two sapeurs of 'the guard'; a
+muffled drum, ten paces in advance, keeping up a low monotonous rumble
+as we went.
+
+Our way led along the ramparts, beside which ran a row of little
+gardens, in which the children of the officers were at play. They ceased
+their childish gambols as we drew near, and came closer up to watch us.
+I could mark the terror and pity in their little faces as they gazed at
+me; I could see the traits of compassion with which they pointed me out
+to each other, and my heart swelled with gratitude for even so slight
+a sympathy. It was with difficulty I could restrain the emotion of that
+moment, but with a great effort I did subdue it, and marched on, to all
+seeming, unmoved. A little farther on, as we turned the angle of the
+wall, I looked back to catch one last look at them. Would that I had
+never done so! They had quitted the railings, and were now standing in
+a group, in the act of performing a mimic execution. One, without his
+jacket, was kneeling on the grass. But I could not bear the sight, and
+in scornful anger I closed my eyes, and saw no more.
+
+A low whispering conversation was kept up by the soldiers around me.
+They were grumbling at the long distance they had to march, as the
+'affair' might just as well have taken place on the glacis as two miles
+away. How different were my feelings--how dear to me was now every
+minute, every second of existence; how my heart leaped at each turn of
+the way, as I still saw a space to traverse and some little interval
+longer to live!
+
+'And mayhap after all,' muttered one dark-faced fellow, 'we shall have
+come all this way for nothing. There can be no fusillade without the
+general's signature, so I heard the adjutant say; and who's to promise
+that he 'll be at his quarters?'
+
+'Very true,' said another; 'he may be absent, or at table.'
+
+'At table!' cried two or three together; 'and what if he were?'
+
+'If he be,' rejoined the former speaker, 'we may go back again for our
+pains! I ought to know him well; I was his orderly for eight months,
+when I served in the "Legers," and can tell you, my lads, I wouldn't be
+the officer who would bring him a report or a return to sign when once
+he had opened out his napkin on his knee; and it's not very far from his
+dinner-hour now.'
+
+What a sudden thrill of hope ran through me! Perhaps I should be spared
+for another day.
+
+'No, no we're all in time,' exclaimed the sergeant; 'I can see the
+general's tent from this; and there he stands, with all his staff around
+him.'
+
+'Yes; and there go the other escorts--they will be up before us if we
+don't make haste; quick-time, lads. Come along, _mon cher,_' said he,
+addressing me--'thou'rt not tired, I hope?'
+
+'Not tired!' replied I; 'but remember, sergeant, what a long journey I
+have before me.'
+
+'_Pardi!_ I don't believe all that rhodomontade about another world,'
+said he gruffly; 'the Republic settled that question.'
+
+I made no reply, for such words, at such a moment, were the most
+terrible of tortures to me. And now we moved on at a brisker pace, and
+crossing a little wooden bridge, entered a kind of esplanade of closely
+shaven turf, at one corner of which stood the capacious tent of the
+Commander-in-chief, for such, in Moreau's absence, was General Berthier.
+Numbers of staff-officers were riding about on duty, and a large
+travelling-carriage, from which the horses seemed recently detached,
+stood before the tent.
+
+We halted as we crossed the bridge, while the adjutant advanced to
+obtain the signature to the sentence. My eyes followed him till they
+swam with rising tears, and I could not wipe them away, as my hands were
+fettered. How rapidly did my thoughts travel during those few moments.
+The good old Pere Michel came back to me in memory, and I tried to think
+of the consolation his presence would have afforded me; but I could do
+no more than think of them.
+
+'Which is the prisoner Tiernay?' cried a young aide-decamp, cantering up
+to where I was standing.
+
+'Here, sir,' replied the sergeant, pushing me forward.
+
+'So,' rejoined the officer angrily, 'this fellow has been writing
+letters, it would seem, reflecting upon the justice of his sentence, and
+arraigning the conduct of his judges. Your epistolary tastes are like to
+cost you dearly, my lad; it had been better for you if writing had been
+omitted in your education. Reconduct the others, sergeant, they are
+respited; this fellow alone is to undergo his sentence.'
+
+The other two prisoners gave a short and simultaneous cry of joy as they
+fell back, and I stood alone in front of the escort.
+
+'_Parbleu!_ he has forgotten the signature,' said the adjutant, casting
+his eye over the paper: 'he was chattering and laughing all the time,
+with the pen in his hand, and I suppose fancied that he had signed it.'
+
+'Nathalie was there, perhaps,' said the aide-de-camp significantly.
+
+'She was, and I never saw her looking better. It's something like eight
+years since I saw her last; and I vow she seems not only handsomer but
+fresher, and more youthful, to-day than then.'
+
+'Where is she going?--have you heard?'
+
+'Who can tell? Her passport is like a firman--she may travel where she
+pleases. The rumour of the day says Italy.'
+
+'I thought she looked provoked at Moreau's absence; it seemed like want
+of attention on his part, a lack of courtesy she's not used to.'
+
+'Very true; and her reception of Berthier was anything but gracious,
+although he certainly displayed all his civilities in her behalf.'
+
+'Strange days we live in!' sighed the other; 'when a man's promotion
+hangs upon the favourable word of a----'
+
+'Hush!--take care!--be cautious!' whispered the other. 'Let us not
+forget this poor fellow's business. How are you to settle it? Is the
+signature of any consequence? The whole sentence is all right and
+regular.'
+
+'I shouldn't like to omit the signature,' said the other cautiously; 'it
+looks like carelessness, and might involve us in trouble hereafter.'
+
+'Then we must wait some time, for I see they are gone to dinner.'
+
+'So I perceive,' replied the former, as he lighted his cigar, and seated
+himself on a bank. 'You may let the prisoner sit down, sergeant, and
+leave his hands free; he looks wearied and exhausted.'
+
+I was too weak to speak, but I looked my gratitude; and sitting down
+upon the grass, covered my face and wept heartily.
+
+Although quite close to where the officers sat together chatting and
+jesting, I heard little or nothing of what they said. Already the things
+of life had ceased to have any hold upon me; and I could have heard of
+the greatest victory, or listened to a story of the most fatal defeat,
+without the slightest interest or emotion. An occasional word or a name
+would strike upon my ear, but leave no impression nor any memory behind
+it.
+
+The military band was performing various marches and opera airs before
+the tent where the general dined, and in the melody, softened by
+distance, I felt a kind of calm and sleepy repose that lulled me into a
+species of ecstasy.
+
+At last the music ceased to play, and the adjutant, starting hurriedly
+up, called on the sergeant to move forward.
+
+'By Jove!' cried he, 'they seem preparing for a promenade, and we shall
+get into a scrape if Berthier sees us here. Keep your party yonder,
+sergeant, out of sight, till I obtain the signature.'
+
+And so saying, away he went towards the tent at a sharp gallop.
+
+A few seconds, and I watched him crossing the esplanade; he dismounted
+and disappeared. A terrible choking sensation was over me, and I
+scarcely was conscious that they were again tying my hands. The adjutant
+came out again, and made a sign with his sword.
+
+'We are to move on!' said the sergeant, half in doubt.
+
+'Not at all,' broke in the aide-de-camp; 'he is making a sign for you
+to bring up the prisoner! There, he is repeating the signal--lead him
+forward.'
+
+I knew very little of how--less still of why--but we moved on in the
+direction of the tent, and in a few minutes stood before it. The
+sounds of revelry and laughter--the hum of voices, and the clink of
+glasses-together with the hoarse bray of a brass band, which again
+struck up--all were commingled in my brain, as, taking me by the arm, I
+was led forward within the tent, and found myself at the foot of a table
+covered with all the gorgeousness of silver plate, and glowing with
+bouquets of flowers and fruits. In the one hasty glance I gave, before
+my lids fell over my swimming eyes, I could see the splendid uniforms of
+the guests as they sat around the board, and the magnificent costume of
+a lady in the place of honour next the head.
+
+Several of those who sat at the lower end of the table drew back their
+seats as I came forward, and seemed as if desirous to give the general a
+better view of me.
+
+Overwhelmed by the misery of my fate, as I stood awaiting my death, I
+felt as though a mere word, a look, would have crushed me but one moment
+back; but now, as I stood there before that group of gazers, whose
+eyes scanned me with looks of insolent disdain, or still more insulting
+curiosity, a sense of proud defiance seized me, to confront and dare
+them with glances haughty and scornful as their own. It seemed to me so
+base and unworthy a part to summon a poor wretch before them, as if to
+whet their new appetite for enjoyment by the aspect of his misery, that
+an indignant anger took possession of me, and I drew myself up to my
+full height, and stared at them calm and steadily.
+
+'So, then!' cried a deep soldierlike voice from the far end of the
+table, which I at once recognised as the general-in-chief s--'so, then,
+gentlemen, we have now the honour of seeing amongst us the hero of the
+Rhine! This is the distinguished individual by whose prowess the passage
+of the river was effected, and the Swabian infantry cut off in their
+retreat! Is it not true, sir?' said he, addressing me with a savage
+scowl.
+
+'I have had my share in the achievement,' said I, with the cool air of
+defiance.
+
+'_Parbleu!_ you are modest, sir. So had every drummer-boy that beat his
+tattoo! But yours was the part of a great leader, if I err not?'
+
+I made no answer, but stood firm and unmoved.
+
+'How do you call the island which you have immortalised by your valour?'
+
+'The Fels Insel, sir.'
+
+[Illustration:  190]
+
+'Gentlemen, let us drink to the hero of the Fels Insel,' said he,
+holding up his glass for the servant to fill it. 'A bumper--a full, a
+flowing bumper! And let him also pledge a toast in which his interest
+must be so brief. Give him a glass, Contard.'
+
+The order was obeyed in a second; and I, summoning up all my courage to
+seem as easy and indifferent as they were, lifted the glass to my lips,
+and drained it off.
+
+'Another glass now to the health of this fair lady, through whose
+intercession we owe the pleasure of your company,' said the general.
+
+'Willingly,' said I; 'and may one so beautiful seldom find herself in a
+society so unworthy of her!'
+
+A perfect roar of laughter succeeded the insolence of this speech; amid
+which I was half pushed, half dragged, up to the end of the table where
+the general sat.
+
+'How so, _coquin_; do you dare to insult a French general at the head of
+his own staff!'
+
+'If I did, sir, it were quite as brave as to mock a poor criminal on his
+way to his execution!'
+
+'That is the boy!--I know him now!--the very same lad!' cried the lady,
+as, stooping behind Berthier's chair, she stretched out her hand towards
+me. 'Come here; are you not Colonel Mahon's godson?'
+
+I looked her full in the face; and whether her own thoughts gave the
+impulse, or that something in my stare suggested it, she blushed till
+her cheeks grew crimson.
+
+'Poor Charles was so fond of him!' whispered she in Berthier's ear; and
+as she spoke, the expression of her face at once recalled where I had
+seen her, and I now perceived that she was the same person I had seen at
+table with Colonel Mahon, and whom I believed to be his wife.
+
+A low whispering conversation now ensued between the general and her, at
+the close of which he turned to me and said--
+
+'Madame Merlancourt has deigned to take an interest in you--you are
+pardoned. Remember, sir, to whom you owe your life, and be grateful to
+her for it.'
+
+I took the hand she extended towards me, and pressed it to my lips.
+
+'Madame,' said I, 'there is but one favour more I would ask in this
+world, and with it I could think myself happy.'
+
+'But can I grant it, _mon cher_?' said she, smiling.
+
+'If I am to judge from the influence I have seen you wield, madame, here
+and elsewhere, this petition will easily be accorded.'
+
+A slight flush coloured the lady's cheek, while that of the general
+became dyed red with anger. I saw that I had committed some terrible
+blunder, but how, or in what, I knew not.
+
+'Well, sir,' said Madame Merlancourt, addressing me with a stately
+coldness of manner, very different from her former tone, 'let us hear
+what you ask, for we are already taking up a vast deal of time that our
+host would prefer devoting to his friends--what is it you wish?'
+
+'My discharge from a service, madame, where zeal and enthusiasm are
+rewarded with infamy and disgrace; my freedom to be anything but a
+French soldier.'
+
+'You are resolved, sir, that I am not to be proud of my protege,' said
+she haughtily; 'what words are these to speak in presence of a general
+and his officers?'
+
+'I am bold, madame, as you say, but I am wronged.'
+
+'How so, sir--in what have you been injured?' cried the general hastily,
+'except in the excessive condescension which has stimulated your
+presumption. But we are really two indulgent in this long parley.
+Madame, permit me to offer you some coffee under the trees. Contardo,
+tell the band to follow us. Gentlemen, we expect the pleasure of your
+society.'
+
+And so' saying, Berthier presented his arm to the lady, who swept
+proudly past without deigning to notice me. In a few minutes the tent
+was cleared of all, except the servants occupied in removing the remains
+of the dessert, and I fell back, unremarked and unobserved, to take my
+way homeward to the barracks, more indifferent to life than ever I had
+been afraid of death.
+
+As I am not likely to recur at any length to the somewhat famous person
+to whom I owed my life, I may as well state that her name has since
+occupied no inconsiderable share of attention in France, and her
+history, under the title of _Memoires d'une Contemporaine_, excited a
+degree of interest and anxiety in quarters which one might have fancied
+far above the reach of her revelations. At the time I speak of, I
+little knew the character of the age in which such influences were
+all powerful, nor how destinies very different from mine hung upon the
+favouritism of 'La belle Nathalie.' Had I known these things, and, still
+more, had I known the sad fate to which she brought my poor friend,
+Colonel Mahon, I might have scrupled to accept my life at such hands,
+or involved myself in a debt of gratitude to one for whom I was
+subsequently to feel nothing but hatred and aversion. It was indeed
+a terrible period, and in nothing more so than the fact that acts of
+benevolence and charity were blended up with features of falsehood,
+treachery, and baseness, which made one despair of humanity, and think
+the very worst of their species.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV. SCRAPS OF HISTORY
+
+Nothing displays more powerfully the force of egotism than the simple
+truth that, when any man sits himself down to write the events of his
+life, the really momentous occurrences in which he may have borne a part
+occupy a conspicuously small place, when each petty incident of a merely
+personal nature is dilated and extended beyond all bounds. In one sense,
+the reader benefits by this, since there are few impertinences less
+forgivable than the obtrusion of some insignificant name into the
+narrative of facts that are meet for history. I have made these remarks
+in a spirit of apology to my reader; not alone for the accuracy of my
+late detail, but also, if I should seem in future to dwell but passingly
+on the truly important facts of a great campaign, in which my own part
+was so humble.
+
+I was a soldier in that glorious army which Moreau led into the heart
+of Germany, and whose victorious career would only have ceased when
+they entered the capital of the Empire, had it not been for the unhappy
+mistakes of Jourdan, who commanded the auxiliary forces in the north.
+For nigh three months we advanced steadily and successfully, superior
+in every engagement; we only waited for the moment of junction with
+Jourdan's army, to declare the Empire our own; when at last came the
+terrible tidings that he had been beaten, and that Latour was advancing
+from Ulm to turn our left flank, and cut off our communications with
+France.
+
+Two hundred miles from our own frontiers--separated from the Rhine by
+that terrible Black Forest whose defiles are mere gorges between vast
+mountains--with an army fifty thousand strong on one flank, and the
+Archduke Charles commanding a force of nigh thirty thousand on the
+other--such were the dreadful combinations which now threatened us with
+a defeat not less signal than Jourdan's own. Our strength, however, lay
+in a superb army of seventy thousand unbeaten men, led on by one whose
+name alone was victory.
+
+On the 24th of September the order for retreat was given; the army began
+to retire by slow marches, prepared to contest every inch of ground, and
+make every available spot a battlefield. The baggage and ammunition were
+sent on in front, and two days' march in advance. Behind, a formidable
+rear-guard was ready to repulse every attack of the enemy. Before,
+however, entering those close defiles by which his retreat lay, Moreau
+determined to give one terrible lesson to his enemy, like the hunted
+tiger turning upon his pursuers, he suddenly halted at Biberach, and ere
+Latour, who commanded the Austrians, was aware of his purpose, assailed
+the Imperial forces with an attack on right, centre, and left together.
+Four thousand prisoners and eighteen pieces of cannon were the trophies
+of the victory.
+
+The day after this decisive battle our march was resumed, and the
+advanced-guard entered that narrow and dismal defile which goes by the
+name of the 'Valley of Hell,' when our left and right flanks, stationed
+at the entrance of the pass, effectually secured the retreat against
+molestation. The voltigeurs of St. Cyr crowning the heights as we
+went, swept away the light troops which were scattered along the rocky
+eminences, and in less than a fortnight our army debouched by Fribourg
+and Oppenheim into the valley of the Rhine, not a gun having been lost,
+not a caisson deserted, during that perilous movement.
+
+The Archduke, however, having ascertained the direction of Moreau's
+retreat, advanced by a parallel pass through the Kinzigthal, and
+attacked St. Cyr at Nauen-dorf, and defeated him. Our right flank,
+severely handled at Emmendingen, the whole force was obliged to retreat
+on Hueningen, and once more we found ourselves upon the banks of the
+Rhine, no longer an advancing army, high in hope, and flushed with
+victory--but beaten, harassed, and retreating!
+
+The last few days of that retreat presented a scene of disaster such
+as I can never forget. To avoid the furious charges of the Austrian
+cavalry, against which our own could no longer make resistance, we
+had fallen back upon a line of country cut up into rocky cliffs and
+precipices, and covered by a dense pine forest. Here, necessarily broken
+up into small parties, we were assailed by the light troops of the
+enemy, led on through the various passes by the peasantry, whose
+animosity our own severity had excited. It was, therefore, a continual
+hand-to-hand struggle, in which, opposed as we were to overpowering
+numbers acquainted with every advantage of the ground, our loss was
+terrific. It is said that nigh seven thousand men fell---an immense
+number, when no general action had occurred. Whatever the actual loss,
+such were the circumstances of our army, that Moreau hastened to propose
+an armistice, on the condition of the Rhine being the boundary between
+the two armies, while Kehl was still to be held by the French.
+
+The proposal was rejected by the Austrians, who at once commenced
+preparations for a siege of the fortress with forty thousand troops,
+under Latour's command. The earlier months of winter now passed in the
+labours of the siege, and on the morning of New-year's Day the first
+attack was made; the second line was carried a few days after, and,
+after a glorious defence by Desaix, the garrison capitulated, and
+evacuated the fortress on the 9th of the month. Thus, in the space of
+six short months, had we advanced with a conquering army into the very
+heart of the Empire, and now we were back again within our own frontier,
+not one single trophy of all our victories remaining, two-thirds of our
+army dead or wounded--more than all, the prestige of our superiority
+fatally injured, and that of the enemy's valour and prowess as signally
+elevated.
+
+The short annals of a successful soldier are often comprised in the few
+words which state how he was made lieutenant at such a date, promoted to
+his company here, obtained his majority there, succeeded to the command
+of his regiment at such a place, and so on. Now my exploits may even be
+more briefly written as regards this campaign--for, whether at Kehl,
+at Nauendorf, on the Elz, or at Huningen, I ended as I began--a
+simple soldier of the ranks. A few slight wounds, a few still more
+insignificant words of praise, were all that I brought back with me; but
+if my trophies were small, I had gained considerably both in habits
+of discipline and obedience. I had learned to endure, ably and without
+complaining, the inevitable hardships of a campaign, and, better still,
+to see that the irrepressible impulses of the soldier, however prompted
+by zeal or heroism, may oftener mar than promote the more mature plans
+of his general. Scarcely had my feet once more touched French ground,
+than I was seized with the ague, then raging as an epidemic among the
+troops, and sent forward with a large detachment of sick to the Military
+Hospital of Strasbourg.
+
+Here I bethought me of my patron, Colonel Mahon, and determined to
+write to him. For this purpose I addressed a question to the
+Adjutant-General's office to ascertain the colonel's address. The reply
+was a brief and stunning one--he had been dismissed the service. No
+personal calamity could have thrown me into deeper affliction; nor had
+I even the sad consolation of learning any of the circumstances of this
+misfortune. His death, even though thereby I should have lost my only
+friend, would have been a lighter evil than this disgrace; and coming as
+did the tidings when I was already broken by sickness and defeat, more
+than ever disgusted me with a soldier's life. It was then with a feeling
+of total indifference that I heard a rumour which at another moment
+would have filled me with enthusiasm--the order for all invalids
+sufficiently well to be removed, to be drafted into regiments serving in
+Italy. The fame of Bonaparte, who commanded that army, had now surpassed
+that of all the other generals; his victories paled the glory of their
+successes, and it was already a mark of distinction to have served under
+his command.
+
+The walls of the hospital were scrawled over with the names of his
+victories; rude sketches of Alpine passes, terrible ravines, or
+snow-clad peaks, met the eye everywhere; and the one magical name,
+'Bonaparte,' written beneath, seemed the key to all their meaning. With
+him war seemed to assume all the charms of romance. Each action was
+illustrated by feats of valour or heroism, and a halo of glory seemed to
+shine over all the achievements of his genius.
+
+It was a clear, bright morning of March, when a light frost sharpened
+the air, and a fair, blue sky overhead showed a cloudless elastic
+atmosphere, that the 'invalides,' as we were all called, were drawn
+up in the great square of the hospital for inspection. Two superior
+officers of the staff, attended by several surgeons and an adjutant,
+sat at a table in front of us, on which lay the regimental books and
+conduct-rolls of the different corps. Such of the sick as had received
+severe wounds, incapacitating them for further service, were presented
+with some slight reward--a few francs in money, a greatcoat, or a pair
+of shoes, and obtained their freedom. Others, whose injuries were less
+important, received their promotion, or some slight increase of pay,
+these favours being all measured by the character the individual bore
+in his regiment, and the opinion certified of him by his commanding
+officer. When my turn came, and I stood forward, I felt a kind of
+shame to think how little claim I could prefer either to honour or
+advancement.
+
+'Maurice Tiernay, slightly wounded by a sabre at Nauendorf--flesh-wound
+at Biberach--enterprising and active, but presumptuous and overbearing
+with his comrades,' read out the adjutant, while he added a few words I
+could not hear, but at which the superior laughed heartily.
+
+'What says the doctor?' asked he, after a pause.
+
+'This has been a bad case of ague, and I doubt if the young fellow will
+ever be fit for active service--certainly not at present.'
+
+'Is there a vacancy at Saumur?' asked the general. 'I see he has been
+employed in the school at Nancy.'
+
+'Tes, sir; for the third class there is one.'
+
+'Let him have it, then. Tiernay, you are appointed as aspirant of the
+third class at the College of Saumur. Take care that the report of your
+conduct be more creditable than what is written here. Your opportunities
+will now be considerable, and, if well employed, may lead to further
+honour and distinction; if neglected or abused, your chances are
+forfeited for ever.'
+
+I bowed and retired, as little satisfied with the admonition as elated
+with a prospect which converted me from a soldier into a scholar,
+and, in the first verge of manhood, threw me back once more into the
+condition of a mere boy.
+
+Eighteen months of my life--not the least happy, perhaps, since in the
+peaceful portion I can trace so little to be sorry for--glided over
+beside the banks of the beautiful Loire, the intervals in the hour of
+study being spent either in the riding-school, or the river, where, in
+addition to swimming and diving, we were instructed in pontooning and
+rafting, the modes of transporting ammunition and artillery, and the
+attacks of infantry by cavalry pickets.
+
+I also learned to speak and write English and German with great ease
+and fluency, besides acquiring some skill in military drawing and
+engineering.
+
+It is true that the imprisonment chafed sorely against us, as we read of
+the great achievements of our armies in various parts of the world--of
+the great battles of Cairo and the Pyramids, of Acre and Mount Thabor,
+and of which a holiday and a fete were to be our only share.
+
+The terrible storms which shook Europe from end to end only reached us
+in the bulletins of new victories, and we panted for the time when we,
+too, should be actors in the glorious exploits of France.
+
+It is already known to the reader that of the country from which my
+family came I myself knew nothing. The very little I had ever learned of
+it from my father was also a mere tradition; still was I known among my
+comrades only as 'the Irishman,' and by that name was I recognised,
+even in the record of the school, where I was inscribed thus--'Maurice
+Tiernay, _dit l'Irlandais_.' It was on this very simple and seemingly
+unimportant fact my whole fate in life was to turn; and in this wise-But
+the explanation deserves a chapter of its own, and shall have it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI. AN OLD GENERAL OF THE IRISH BRIGADE
+
+In obedience to an order which arrived at Saumur one morning in the July
+of 1788,1 was summoned before the commandant of the school, when the
+following brief colloquy ensued:--
+
+'Maurice Tiernay,' said he, reading from the record of the school, why
+are you called _l'Irlandais?_'
+
+'I am Irish by descent, sir.'
+
+'Ha! by descent. Your father was, then, an _emigre?_
+
+'No, sir--my great-grandfather.'
+
+'_Parbleu!_ that is going very far back. Are you aware of the causes
+which induced him to leave his native country?'
+
+'They were connected with political trouble, I've heard, sir. He took
+part against the English, my father told me, and was obliged to make his
+escape to save his life.' 'You, then, hate the English, Maurice?' 'My
+ancestor certainly did not love them, sir.'
+
+'Nor can you, boy, ever forgive their having exiled your family from
+country and home; every man of honour retains the memory of such
+injuries.'
+
+'I can scarcely deem that an injury, sir, which has made me a French
+citizen,' said I proudly.
+
+'True, boy--you say what is perfectly true and just; any sacrifice of
+fortune or patrimony is cheap at such a price; still you have suffered a
+wrong--a deep and irreparable wrong--and as a Frenchman you are ready to
+avenge it.'
+
+Although I had no very precise notion, either as to the extent of the
+hardships done me, nor in what way I was to demand the reparation, I
+gave the assent he seemed to expect.
+
+'You are well acquainted with the language, I believe?' continued he.
+
+'I can read and speak English tolerably well, sir.'
+
+'But I speak of Irish, boy--of the language which is spoken by your
+fellow-countrymen,' said he rebukingly.
+
+'I have always heard, sir, that this has fallen into disuse, and is
+little known save among the peasantry in a few secluded districts.'
+
+He seemed impatient as I said this, and referred once more to the paper
+before him, from whose minutes he appeared to have been speaking.
+
+'You must be in error, boy. I find here that the nation is devotedly
+attached to its traditions and literature, and feels no injury deeper
+than the insulting substitution of a foreign tongue for their own noble
+language.'
+
+'Of myself I know nothing, sir; the little I have learned was acquired
+when a mere child.'
+
+'Ah, then, you probably forget, or may never have heard the fact; but
+it is as I tell you. This, which I hold here, is the report of a highly
+distinguished and most influential personage, who lays great stress
+upon the circumstance. I am sorry, Tiernay, very sorry, that you are
+unacquainted with the language.'
+
+He continued for some minutes to brood over this disappointment, and at
+last returned to the paper before him.
+
+'The geography of the country--what knowledge have you on that subject?'
+
+'No more, sir, than I may possess of other countries, and merely learned
+from maps.'
+
+'Bad again,' muttered he to himself. 'Madgett calls these "essentials";
+but we shall see.' Then addressing me, he said, 'Tiernay, the object of
+my present interrogatory is to inform you that the Directory is about
+to send an expedition to Ireland to assist in the liberation of that
+enslaved people. It has been suggested that young officers and soldiers
+of Irish descent might render peculiar service to the cause, and I
+have selected you for an opportunity which will convert these worsted
+epaulettes into bullion.'
+
+This at least was intelligible news, and now I began to listen with more
+attention.
+
+'There is a report,' said he, laying down before me a very capacious
+manuscript, 'which you will carefully peruse. Here are the latest
+pamphlets setting forth the state of public opinion in Ireland; and here
+are various maps of the coast, the harbours, and the strongholds of that
+country, with all of which you may employ yourself advantageously; and
+if, on considering the subject, you feel disposed to volunteer--for as a
+volunteer only could your services be accepted--I will willingly support
+your request by all the influence in my power.'
+
+'I am ready to do so at once, sir,' said I eagerly; 'I have no need to
+know any more than you have told me.'
+
+'Well said, boy; I like your ardour. Write your petition and it shall be
+forwarded to-day. I will also try and obtain for you the same regimental
+rank you hold in the school'--I was a sergeant--'it will depend upon
+yourself afterwards to secure a further advancement. You are now free
+from duty; lose no time, therefore, in storing your mind with every
+possible information, and be ready to set out at a moment's notice.'
+
+'Is the expedition so nearly ready, sir?' asked I eagerly.
+
+He nodded, and with a significant admonition as to secrecy, dismissed
+me, bursting with anxiety to examine the stores of knowledge before me,
+and prepare myself with all the details of a plan in which already I
+took the liveliest interest. Before the week expired, I received an
+answer from the Minister, accepting the offer of my services. The reply
+found me deep in those studies, which I scarcely could bear to quit even
+at meal-times. Never did I experience such an all-devouring passion
+for a theme as on that occasion. 'Ireland' never left my thoughts; her
+wrongs and sufferings were everlastingly before me; all the cruelties of
+centuries--all the hard tyranny of the penal laws--the dire injustice
+of caste oppression--filled me with indignation and anger; while, on
+the other hand, I conceived the highest admiration of a people who,
+undeterred by the might and power of England, resolved to strike a great
+blow for liberty.
+
+The enthusiasm of the people--the ardent daring of a valour whose
+impetuosity was its greatest difficulty--their high romantic
+temperament--their devotion--their gratitude--the childlike trustfulness
+of their natures, were all traits, scattered through the various
+narratives, which invariably attracted me, and drew me more strongly to
+their cause--more from affection than reason.
+
+Madgett's memoir was filled with these; and he, I concluded, must know
+them well, being, as it was asserted, one of the ancient nobility of the
+land, and who now desired nothing better than to throw rank, privilege,
+and title into the scale, and do battle for the liberty and equality
+of his countrymen. How I longed to see this great man, whom my fancy
+arrayed in all the attributes he so lavished upon his countrymen, for
+they were not only, in his description, the boldest and the bravest, but
+the handsomest people of Europe.
+
+As to the success of the enterprise, whatever doubts I had at first
+conceived, from an estimate of the immense resources of England, were
+speedily solved, as I read of the enormous preparations the Irish had
+made for the struggle. The Roman Catholics, Madgett said, were three
+millions, the Dissenters another million, all eager for freedom and
+French alliance, wanting nothing but the appearance of a small armed
+force to give them the necessary organisation and discipline. They were
+somewhat deficient, he acknowledged, in firearms--cannon they had
+none whatever; but the character of the country, which consisted
+of mountains, valleys, ravines and gorges, reduced war to the
+mere chivalrous features of personal encounter. What interminable
+descriptions did I wade through of clubs and associations, the very
+names of which were a puzzle to me--the great union of all appearing to
+be a society called 'Defenders,' whose oath bound them to 'fidelity to
+the united nations of France and Ireland!'
+
+So much for the one side. For the other, it was asserted that the
+English forces then in garrison in Ireland were beneath contempt; the
+militia, being principally Irish, might be relied on for taking the
+popular side; and as to the Regulars, they were either 'old men or
+boys,' incapable of active service; and several of the regiments being
+Scotch, greatly disaffected to the Government. Then, again, as to
+the navy, the sailors in the English fleet were more than two-thirds
+Irishmen, all Catholics, and all disaffected.
+
+That the enterprise contained every element of success, then, who
+could doubt? The nation, in the proportion of ten to one, were for the
+movement. On their side lay not alone the wrongs to avenge, but the
+courage, the energy, and the daring. Their oppressors were as weak as
+tyrannical, their cause was a bad one, and their support of it a hollow
+semblance of superiority.
+
+If I read these statements with ardour and avidity, one lurking sense
+of doubt alone obtruded itself on my reasonings. Why, with all these
+guarantees of victory, with everything that can hallow a cause, and give
+it stability and strength--why did the Irish ask for aid? If they were,
+as they alleged, an immense majority--if there was all the heroism and
+the daring--if the struggle was to be maintained against a miserably
+inferior force, weakened by age, incapacity, and disaffection--what
+need had they of Frenchmen on their side? The answer to all such doubts,
+however, was 'the Irish were deficient in organisation.'
+
+Not only was the explanation a very sufficient one, but it served in a
+high degree to flatter our vanity. We were, then, to be organisers of
+Ireland; from us were they to take the lessons of civilisation, which
+should prepare them for freedom--ours was the task to discipline their
+valour, and train their untaught intelligence. Once landed in the
+country, it was to our standard they were to rally; from us were to go
+forth the orders of every movement and measure; to us this new land
+was to be an El Dorado. Madgett significantly hinted everywhere at the
+unbounded gratitude of Irishmen, and more than hinted at the future fate
+of certain confiscated estates. One phrase, ostentatiously set forth in
+capitals, asserted that the best general of the French Republic could
+not be anywhere employed with so much reputation and profit. There was,
+then, everything to stimulate the soldier in such an enterprise--honour,
+fame, glory, and rich rewards were all among the prizes.
+
+It was when deep in the midst of these studies, poring over maps and
+reports, taxing my memory with hard names, and getting off by heart
+dates, distances, and numbers, that the order came for me to repair at
+once to Paris, where the volunteers of the expedition were to assemble.
+My rank of sergeant had been confirmed, and in this capacity, as
+_sous-officier_, I was ordered to report myself to General Kilmaine, the
+adjutant-general of the expedition, then living in the Rue Ghantereine.
+I was also given the address of a certain Lestaing--Rue Tailbout--a
+tailor, from whom, on producing a certificate, I was to obtain my new
+uniform.
+
+Full as I was of the whole theme, thinking of the expedition by day, and
+dreaming of it by night, I was still little prepared for the enthusiasm
+it was at that very moment exciting in every society of the capital. For
+some time previously a great number of Irish emigrants had made Paris
+their residence; some were men of good position and ample fortune; some
+were individuals of considerable ability and intelligence. All were
+enthusiastic, and ardent in temperament--devotedly attached to their
+country--hearty haters of England, and proportionally attached to
+all that was French. These sentiments, coupled with a certain ease of
+manner, and a faculty of adaptation, so peculiarly Irish, made them
+general favourites in society; and long before the Irish question had
+found any favour with the public, its national supporters had won over
+the hearts and good wishes of all Paris to the cause.
+
+Well pleased, then, as I was with my handsome uniform of green and gold,
+my small chapeau, with its plume of cock's feathers, and the embroidered
+shamrock on my collar, I was not a little struck by the excitement my
+first appearance in the street created. Accustomed to see a hundred
+strange military costumes--the greater number, I own, more singular than
+tasteful--the Parisians, I concluded, would scarcely notice mine in the
+crowd. Not so, however; the print-shops had already given the impulse to
+the admiration, and the 'Irish Volunteer of the Guard' was to be seen in
+every window, in all the 'glory of his bravery.' The heroic character of
+the expedition, too, was typified by a great variety of scenes, in which
+the artist's imagination had all the credit. In one picture the _jeune
+Irlandais_ was planting a national flag of very capacious dimensions on
+the summit of his native mountains; here he was storming _Le Chateau de
+Dublin_, a most formidable fortress, perched on a rock above the sea;
+here he was crowning the heights of _La Citadelle de Cork_, a very
+Gibraltar in strength; or he was haranguing the native chieftains,
+a highly picturesque group--a cross between a knight crusader and a
+South-sea islander.
+
+My appearance, therefore, in the streets was the signal for general
+notice and admiration, and more than one compliment was uttered,
+purposely loud enough to reach me, on the elegance and style of my
+equipment. In the pleasant flurry of spirits excited by this flattery,
+I arrived at the general's quarters in the Rue Chantereine. It was
+considerably before the time of his usual receptions, but the glitter
+of my epaulettes, and the air of assurance I had assumed, so far imposed
+upon the old servant who acted as valet, that he at once introduced
+me into a small saloon, and after a brief pause presented me to the
+general, who was reclining on a sofa at his breakfast. Although far
+advanced in years, and evidently broken by bad health, General Kilmaine
+still preserved traces of great personal advantages, while his manner
+exhibited all that polished ease and courtesy which was said to be
+peculiar to the Irish gentleman of the French Court. Addressing me in
+English, he invited me to join his meal, and on my declining, as having
+already breakfasted, he said, 'I perceive, from your name, we are
+countrymen, and as your uniform tells me the service in which you are
+engaged, we may speak with entire confidence. Tell me then, frankly, all
+that you know of the actual condition of Ireland.'
+
+Conceiving that this question applied to the result of my late studies,
+and was meant to elicit the amount of my information, I at once began
+a recital of what I had learned from the books and reports I had been
+reading, My statistics were perfect--they had been gotten off by heart;
+my sympathies were, for the same reason, most eloquent; my indignation
+was boundless on the wrongs I deplored, and in fact, in the fifteen
+minutes during which he permitted me to declaim without interruption, I
+had gone through the whole 'cause of Ireland,' from Henry n. to George
+n.
+
+'You have been reading Mr. Madgett, I perceive,' said he, with a smile;
+'but I would rather hear something of your own actual experience. Tell
+me, therefore, in what condition are the people at this moment, as
+regards poverty?'
+
+'I have never been in Ireland, general,' said I, not without some shame
+at the avowal coming so soon after my eloquent exhortation.
+
+'Ah, I perceive,' said he blandly, 'of Irish origin, and a relative
+probably of that very distinguished soldier, Count Maurice de Tiernay,
+who served in the Garde du Corps.'
+
+'His only son, general,' said I, blushing with eagerness and pleasure at
+the praise of my father.
+
+'Indeed!' said he, smiling courteously, and seeming to meditate on my
+words. 'There was not a better nor a braver sabre in the corps than your
+father--a very few more of such men might have saved the monarchy--as it
+was, they dignified its fall. And to whose guidance and care did you owe
+your early training, for I see you have not been neglected?'
+
+A few words told him the principal events of my early years, to which he
+listened with deep attention. At length he said, 'And now you are about
+to devote your acquirements and energy to this new expedition?'
+
+'All, general! Everything that I have is too little for such a cause.'
+
+'You say truly, boy,' said he warmly; 'would that so good a cause had
+better leaders. I mean,' added he hurriedly, 'wiser ones. Men more
+conversant with the actual state of events, more fit to cope with
+the great difficulties before them, more ready to take advantage of
+circumstances, whose outward meaning will often prove deceptive. In
+fact, Irishmen of character and capacity, tried soldiers and good
+patriots. Well, well, let us hope the best. In whose division are you?'
+
+'I have not yet heard, sir. I have presented myself here to-day to
+receive your orders.'
+
+'There again is another instance of their incapacity,' cried he
+passionately. 'Why, boy, I have no command, nor any function. I did
+accept office under General Hoche, but he is not to lead the present
+expedition.'
+
+'And who is, sir?'
+
+'I cannot tell you. A week ago they talked of Grouchy, then of Hardy;
+yesterday it was Humbert; to-day it may be Bonaparte, and to-morrow
+yourself! Ay, Tiernay, this great and good cause has its national
+fatality attached to it, and is so wrapped up in low intrigue and
+falsehood, that every Minister becomes in turn disgusted with the
+treachery and mendacity he meets with, and bequeaths the question to
+some official underling, meet partisan for the mock patriot he treats
+with.'
+
+'But the expedition will sail, general?' asked I, sadly discomfited by
+this tone of despondency.
+
+He made me no answer, but sat for some time absorbed in his own
+thoughts. At last he looked up, and said, 'You ought to be in the army
+of Italy, boy; the great teacher of war is there.'
+
+'I know it, sir, but my whole heart is in this struggle. I feel that
+Ireland has a claim on all who derived even a name from her soil. Do you
+not believe that the expedition will sail?'
+
+Again he was silent and thoughtful.
+
+'Mr. Madgett would say yes,' said he scornfully, 'though, certes, he
+would not volunteer to bear it company.'
+
+'Colonel Cherin, general!' said the valet, as he flung open the door for
+a young officer in a staff uniform. I arose at once to withdraw, but the
+general motioned to me to wait in an adjoining room, as he desired to
+speak with me again.
+
+Scarcely five minutes had elapsed when I was summoned once more before
+him.
+
+'You have come at a most opportune moment, Tiernay,' said he; 'Colonel
+Cherin informs me that an expedition is ready to sail from Rochelle at
+the first favourable wind. General Humbert has the command; and if you
+are disposed to join him I will give you a letter of presentation.'
+
+Of course I did not hesitate in accepting the offer; and while the
+general drew over his desk to write the letter, I withdrew towards the
+window to converse with Colonel Cherin.
+
+'You might have waited long enough,' said he, laughing, 'if the affair
+had been in other hands than Humbert's. The delays and discussions of
+the official people, the difficulty of anything like agreement, the want
+of money, and fifty other causes, would have detained the fleet till the
+English got scent of the whole. But Humbert has taken the short road in
+the matter. He only arrived at La Rochelle five days ago, and now he is
+ready to weigh anchor.'
+
+'And in what way has he accomplished this?' asked I, in some curiosity.
+
+'By a method,' replied he, laughing again, 'which is usually reserved
+for an enemy's country. Growing weary of a correspondence with the
+Minister, which seemed to make little progress, and urged on by the
+enthusiastic stories of the Irish refugees, he resolved to wait no
+longer; and so he has called on the merchants and magistrates to
+advance him a sum on military requisition, together with such stores and
+necessaries as he stands in need of.'
+
+'And they have complied?' asked I.
+
+'_Parbleu!_ that have they. In the first place, they had no other
+choice; and in the second, they are but too happy to get rid of him and
+his 'Legion Noir,' as they are called, so cheaply. A thousand louis and
+a thousand muskets would not pay for the damage of these vagabonds each
+night they spent in the town.'
+
+I confess that this description did not tend to exalt the enthusiasm
+I had conceived for the expedition; but it was too late for
+hesitation--too late for even a doubt. Go forward I should, whatever
+might come of it. And now the general had finished his letter, which,
+having sealed and addressed, he gave into my hand, saying--'This will
+very probably obtain your promotion, if not at once, at least on the
+first vacancy. Good-bye, my lad; there may be hard knocks going where
+you will be, but I'm certain you'll not disgrace the good name you bear,
+nor the true cause for which you are fighting. I would that I had youth
+and strength to stand beside you in the struggle!
+
+'Good-bye.' He shook me affectionately by both hands; the colonel,
+too, bade me adieu not less cordially; and I took my leave with a heart
+overflowing with gratitude and delight.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII. LA ROCHELLE
+
+La Rochelle is a quiet little town at the bottom of a small bay, the
+mouth of which is almost closed up by two islands. There is a sleepy,
+peaceful air about the place--a sort of drowsy languor pervades
+everything and everybody about it, that tells of a town whose days of
+busy prosperity have long since passed by, and which is dragging out
+life, like some retired tradesman--too poor for splendour, but rich
+enough to be idle. A long avenue of lime-trees incloses the harbour;
+and here the merchants conduct their bargains, while their wives, seated
+beneath the shade, discuss the gossip of the place over their work. All
+is patriarchal and primitive as Holland itself; the very courtesies of
+life exhibiting that ponderous stateliness which insensibly reminds one
+of the land of dikes and broad breeches. It is the least 'French' of any
+town I have ever seen in France; none of that light merriment, that gay
+volatility of voice and air which form the usual atmosphere of a
+French town. All is still, orderly, and sombre; and yet on the night in
+which--something more than fifty years back--I first entered it, a very
+different scene was presented to my eyes.
+
+It was about ten o'clock, and by a moon nearly full, the diligence
+rattled along the covered ways of the old fortress, and crossing many a
+moat and drawbridge, the scenes of a once glorious struggle, entered
+the narrow streets, traversed a wide place, and drew up within the ample
+portals of 'La Poste.'
+
+Before I could remove the wide capote which I wore, the waiter ushered
+me into a large salon where a party of about forty persons were seated
+at supper. With a few exceptions they were all military officers, and
+_sous-officiers_ of the expedition, whose noisy gaiety and boisterous
+mirth sufficiently attested that the entertainment had begun a
+considerable time before.
+
+A profusion of bottles, some empty, others in the way to become
+so, covered the table, amidst which lay the fragments of a common
+table-d'hote supper--large dishes of cigars and basins of tobacco
+figuring beside the omelettes and the salad.
+
+The noise, the heat, the smoke, and the confusion--the clinking of
+glasses, the singing, and the speech-making, made a scene of such
+turmoil and uproar, that I would gladly have retired to some quieter
+atmosphere, when suddenly an accidental glimpse of my uniform caught
+some eyes among the revellers, and a shout was raised of 'Holloa,
+comrades! here's one of the "Guides" among us.' And at once the whole
+assembly rose up to greet me. For full ten minutes I had to submit to
+a series of salutations, which led to every form, from hand-shaking and
+embracing to kissing; while, perfectly unconscious of any cause for my
+popularity, I went through the ceremonies like one in a dream.
+
+'Where's Kilmaine?' 'What of Hardy?' 'Is Grouchy coming?' 'Can the Brest
+fleet sail?' 'How many line-of-battle ships have they?' 'What's the
+artillery force?' 'Have you brought any money?' This last question,
+the most frequent of all, was suddenly poured in upon me, and with a
+fortunate degree of rapidity, that I had no time for a reply, had I even
+the means of making one.
+
+'Let the lad have a seat and a glass of wine before he submits to this
+interrogatory,' said a fine, jolly-looking old _chef d'escadron_ at the
+head of the table, while he made a place for me at his side. 'Now tell
+us, boy, what number of the "Guides" are to be of our party?'
+
+I looked a little blank at the question, for in truth I had not heard of
+the corps before, nor was I aware that it was their uniform I was then
+wearing.
+
+'Come, come, be frank with us, lad,' said he; 'we are all comrades here.
+Confound secrecy, say I.'
+
+'Ay, ay,' cried the whole assembly together--'confound secrecy. We are
+not bandits nor highwaymen; we have no need of concealment.'
+
+'I'll be as frank as you can wish, comrades,' said I; 'and if I lose
+some importance in your eyes by owning that I am not the master of a
+single state secret, I prefer to tell you so, to attempting any unworthy
+disguise. I come here, by orders from General Kilmaine, to join your
+expedition; and except this letter for General Humbert, I have no claim
+to any consideration whatever.'
+
+The old _chef_ took the letter from my hands and examined the seal and
+superscription carefully, and then passed the document down the table
+for the satisfaction of the rest.
+
+While I continued to watch with anxious eyes the letter on which so much
+of my own fate depended, a low whispering conversation went on at my
+side, at the end of which the _chef_ said--
+
+'It's more than likely, lad, that your regiment is not coming; but our
+general is not to be balked for that. Go he will; and let the Government
+look to themselves if he is not supported. At all events you had better
+see General Humbert at once; there's no saying what that despatch may
+contain. Santerre, conduct him upstairs.'
+
+A smart young fellow arose at the bidding, and beckoned me to follow
+him.
+
+It was not without difficulty that we forced our way upstairs, down
+which porters, and sailors, and soldiers were now carrying a number of
+heavy trunks and packing-cases. At last we gained an anteroom, where
+confusion seemed at its highest, crowded as it was by soldiers, the
+greater number of them intoxicated, and all in a state of riotous
+and insolent insubordination. Amongst these were a number of the
+townspeople, eager to prefer complaints for outrage and robbery, but
+whose subdued voices were drowned amid the clamour of their oppressors.
+Meanwhile, clerks were writing away receipts for stolen and pillaged
+articles, and which, signed with the name of the general, were grasped
+at with eager avidity. Even personal injuries were requited in the same
+cheap fashion, orders on the national treasury being freely issued
+for damaged noses and smashed heads, and gratefully received by the
+confiding populace.
+
+'If the wind draws a little more to the southward before morning, we'll
+pay our debts with the topsail sheet, and it will be somewhat shorter,
+and to the full as honest,' said a man in a naval uniform.
+
+'Where's the officer of the "Regiment des Guides?"' cried a soldier from
+the door at the farther end of the room; and before I had time to think
+over the designation of rank given me, I was hurried into the general's
+presence.
+
+General Humbert, whose age might have been thirty-eight or forty, was
+a tall, well-built, but somewhat over-corpulent man; his features
+frank and manly, but with a dash of coarseness in their expression,
+particularly about the mouth; a sabre-cut, which had divided the upper
+lip, and whose cicatrix was then seen through his moustache, heightening
+the effect of his sinister look; his carriage was singularly erect and
+soldierlike, but all his gestures betrayed the habits of one who had
+risen from the ranks, and was not unwilling to revive the recollection.
+
+He was parading the room from end to end when I entered, stopping
+occasionally to look out from an open window upon the bay, where by
+the clear moonlight might be seen the ships of the fleet at anchor.
+Two officers of his staff were writing busily at a table, whence the
+materials of a supper had not yet been removed. They did not look up
+as I came forward, nor did he notice me in any way for several minutes.
+Suddenly he turned towards me, and snatching the letter I held in my
+hand, proceeded to read it. A burst of coarse laughter broke from him as
+he perused the lines; and then throwing down the paper on the table, he
+cried out--
+
+'So much for Kilmaine's contingent. I asked for a company of
+engineers and a squadron of "Guides," and they send me a boy from
+the cavalry-school of Saumur. I tell them that I want some fellows
+conversant with the language and the people, able to treat with the
+peasantry, and acquainted with their habits, and here I have got a raw
+youth whose highest acquirement in all likelihood is to daub a map with
+water-colours, or take fortifications with a pair of compasses! I wish
+I had some of these learned gentlemen in the trenches for a few hours.
+_Parbleu!_ I think I could teach them something they don't learn from
+Citizen Carnot.--Well, sir,' said he, turning abruptly towards me, 'how
+many squadrons of the "Guides" are completed?'
+
+'I cannot tell, general,' was my timid answer.
+
+'Where are they stationed?'
+
+'Of that also I am ignorant, sir.'
+
+'_Peste!_' cried he, stamping his foot passionately; then suddenly
+checking his anger, he asked, 'How many are coming to join this
+expedition? Is there a regiment, a division, a troop? Can you tell me
+with certainty that a sergeant's guard is on the way hither?'
+
+'I cannot, sir; I know nothing whatever about the regiment in question.'
+
+'You have never seen it?' cried he vehemently.
+
+'Never, sir.'
+
+'This exceeds all belief,' exclaimed he, with a crash of his closed fist
+upon the table. 'Three weeks letter-writing! Estafettes, orderlies, and
+special couriers to no end! And here we have an unfledged cur from a
+cavalry institute, when I asked for a strong reinforcement. Then what
+brought you here, boy?'
+
+'To join your expedition, general.'
+
+'Have they told you it was a holiday-party that we had planned? Did they
+say it was a junketing we were bent upon?'
+
+'If they had, sir, I would not have come.'
+
+'The greater fool you, then, that's all,' cried he, laughing; 'when I
+was your age I'd not have hesitated twice between a merry-making and a
+bayonet charge.'
+
+While he was thus speaking, he never ceased to sign his name to every
+paper placed before him by one or other of the secretaries.
+
+'No, _parbleu!_ he went on, '_La maitresse_ before the _mitraille_ any
+day for me. But what's all this, Girard? Here I'm issuing orders
+upon the national treasury for hundreds of thousands without let or
+compunction.'
+
+The aide-de-camp whispered a word or two in a low tone.
+
+'I know it, lad; I know it well,' said the general, laughing heartily;
+'I only pray that all our requisitions may be as easily obtained in
+future.--Well, Monsieur le Guide, what are we to do with you?'
+
+'Not refuse me, I hope, general,' said I diffidently.
+
+'Not refuse you, certainly; but in what capacity to take you, lad,
+that's the question. If you had served--if you had even walked a
+campaign----'
+
+'So I have, general--this will show you where I have been'; and I handed
+him the _livret_ which every soldier carries of his conduct and career.
+
+He took the book, and casting his eyes hastily over it, exclaimed--
+
+'Why, what's this, lad? You've been at Kehl, at Emmendingen, at
+Rorschach, at Huningen, through all that Black Forest affair with
+Moreau! You have seen smoke, then. Ay! I see honourable mention of you
+besides, for readiness in the field and zeal during action. What!
+more brandy, Girard. Why, our Irish friends must have been exceedingly
+thirsty. I've given them credit for something like ten thousand "velts"
+already! No matter, the poor fellows may have to put up with short
+rations for all this yet--and there goes my signature once more. What
+does that blue light mean, Girard?' said he, pointing to a bright blue
+star that shone from a mast of one of the ships of war.
+
+'That is the signal, general, that the embarkation of the artillery is
+complete.'
+
+'_Parbleu!_' said he with a laugh, 'it need not have taken long; they've
+given in two batteries of eights, and one of them has not a gun fit for
+service. There goes a rocket, now. Isn't that a signal to heave short on
+the anchors? Yes, to be sure. And now it is answered by the other! Ha!
+lads, this does look like business at last!'
+
+The door opened as he spoke, and a naval officer entered.
+
+'The wind is drawing round to the south, general; we can weigh with the
+ebb if you wish it.'
+
+'Wish it!--if I wish it! Yes, with my whole heart and soul I do! I am
+just as sick of La Rochelle as is La Rochelle of me. The salute that
+announces our departure will be a _feu de joie_ to both of us! Ay, sir,
+tell your captain that I need no further notice than that he is ready.
+Girard, see to it that the marauders are sent on board in irons. The
+fellows must learn at once that discipline begins when we trip our
+anchors. As for you,' said he, turning to me, 'you shall act upon my
+staff with provisional rank as sous-lieutenant: time will show if the
+grade should be confirmed. And now hasten down to the quay, and put
+yourself under Colonel Serasin's orders.'
+
+Colonel Serasin, the second in command, was, in many respects, the very
+opposite of Humbert Sharp, petulant, and irascible, he seemed quite to
+overlook the fact, that, in an expedition which was little better than
+a foray, there must necessarily be a great relaxation of the rules
+of discipline, and many irregularities at least winked at, which, in
+stricter seasons, would call for punishment. The consequence was, that
+a large proportion of our force went on board under arrest, and many
+actually in irons. The Irish were, without a single exception, all
+drunk; and the English soldiers, who had procured their liberation
+from imprisonment on condition of joining the expedition, had made
+sufficiently free with the brandy-bottle, to forget their new alliance,
+and vent their hatred of France and Frenchmen in expressions whose only
+alleviation was, that they were nearly unintelligible.
+
+Such a scene of uproar, discord, and insubordination never was seen. The
+relative conditions of guard and prisoner elicited national animosities
+that were scarcely even dormant, and many a bloody encounter took
+place between those whose instinct was too powerful to feel themselves
+anything but enemies. A cry, too, was raised, that it was meant
+to betray the whole expedition to the English, whose fleet, it was
+asserted, had been seen off Oleron that morning; and although there
+was not even the shadow of a foundation for the belief, it served to
+increase the alarm and confusion. Whether originating or not with the
+Irish, I cannot say, but certainly they took advantage of it to avoid
+embarking; and now began a schism which threatened to wreck the whole
+expedition, even in the harbour.
+
+The Irish, as indifferent to the call of discipline as they were
+ignorant of French, refused to obey orders save from officers of their
+own country; and although Serasin ordered two companies to 'load with
+ball and fire low,' the similar note for preparation from the insurgents
+induced him to rescind the command and try a compromise.
+
+In this crisis I was sent by Serasin to fetch what was called the
+'Committee,' the three Irish deputies who accompanied the force.
+They had already gone aboard of the _Dedalus_, little foreseeing the
+difficulties that were to arise on shore.
+
+Seated in a small cabin next the wardroom, I found these three
+gentlemen, whose names were Tone, Teel-ing, and Sullivan. Their
+attitudes were gloomy and despondent, and their looks anything but
+encouraging as I entered. A paper on which a few words had been
+scrawled, and signed with their three names underneath, lay before them,
+and on this their eyes were bent with a sad and deep meaning. I knew
+not then what it meant, but I afterwards learned that it was a compact
+formally entered into and drawn up, that if, by the chance of war, they
+should fall into the enemy's hands, they would anticipate their fate
+by suicide, but leave to the English Government all the ignominy and
+disgrace of their death.
+
+They seemed scarcely to notice me as I came forward, and even when I
+delivered my message they heard it with a half indifference.
+
+'What do you want us to do, sir?' said Teeling, the eldest of the
+party. 'We hold no command in the service. It was against our advice and
+counsel that you accepted these volunteers at all We have no influence
+over them.'
+
+'Not the slightest,' broke in Tone. 'These fellows are bad soldiers and
+worse Irishmen. The expedition will do better without them.'
+
+'And they better without the expedition,' muttered Sullivan dryly.
+
+'But you will come, gentlemen, and speak to them,' said I. 'You can at
+least assure them that their suspicions are unfounded.'
+
+'Very true, sir,' replied Sullivan, 'we can do so, but with what
+success? No, no. If you can't maintain discipline here on your own soil,
+you'll make a bad hand of doing it when you have your foot on Irish
+ground.
+
+And, after all, I for one am not surprised at the report gaining
+credence.'
+
+'How so, sir?' asked I indignantly.
+
+'Simply that when a promise of fifteen thousand men dwindles down to a
+force of eight hundred; when a hundred thousand stand of arms come to
+be represented by a couple of thousand; when an expedition, pledged by
+a Government, has fallen down to a marauding party; when Hoche or
+Kleber---- But never mind, I always swore that if you sent but a
+corporal's guard that I 'd go with them.'
+
+A musket-shot here was heard, followed by a sharp volley and a cheer,
+and, in an agony of anxiety, I rushed to the deck. Although above half
+a mile from the shore, we could see the movement of troops hither and
+thither, and hear the loud words of command. Whatever the struggle, it
+was over in a moment, and now we saw the troops descending the steps to
+the boats. With an inconceivable speed the men fell into their places,
+and, urged on by the long sweeps, the heavy launches swept across the
+calm water of the bay.
+
+If a cautious reserve prevented any open questioning as to the late
+affray, the second boat which came alongside revealed some of its
+terrible consequences. Seven wounded soldiers were assisted up the
+side by their comrades, and in total silence conveyed to their station
+between decks.
+
+'A bad augury this!' muttered Sullivan, as his eye followed them. 'They
+might as well have left that work for the English!'
+
+A swift six-oar boat, with the tricolour flag floating from a flagstaff
+at her stern, now skimmed along towards us, and as she came nearer we
+could recognise the uniforms of the officers of Humbert's staff, while
+the burly figure of the general himself was soon distinguishable in the
+midst of them.
+
+As he stepped up the ladder, not a trace of displeasure could be seen on
+his broad bold features. Greeting the assembled officers with a smile,
+he asked how the wind was.
+
+'All fair, and freshening at every moment,' was the answer.
+
+'May it continue!' cried he fervently. 'Welcome a hurricane, if it only
+waft us westward!'
+
+The foresail filled out as he spoke, the heavy ship heaved over to the
+wind, and we began our voyage.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII. 'THE BAY OF BATHFRAN'
+
+Our voyage was very uneventful, but not without anxiety, since, to avoid
+the English cruisers and the Channel fleet, we were obliged to hold
+a southerly course for several days, making a great circuit before we
+could venture to bear up for the place of our destination. The weather
+alternated between light winds and a dead calm, which usually came on
+every day at noon, and lasted till about sunset. As to me, there was
+an unceasing novelty in everything about a ship; her mechanism, her
+discipline, her progress, furnished abundant occupation for all my
+thoughts, and I never wearied of acquiring knowledge of a theme so
+deeply interesting. My intercourse with the naval officers, too,
+impressed me strongly in their favour in comparison with their comrades
+of the land service. In the former case, all was zeal, activity, and
+watchfulness. The lookout never slumbered at his post; and an unceasing
+anxiety to promote the success of the expedition manifested itself in
+all their words and actions. This, of course, was all to be expected in
+the discharge of the duties peculiarly their own; but I also looked for
+something which should denote preparation and forethought in the
+others; yet nothing of the kind was to be seen. The expedition was never
+discussed even as table-talk; and for anything that fell from the party
+in conversation, it would have been impossible to say if our destination
+were China or Ireland. Not a book nor a map, not a pamphlet nor a paper
+that bore upon the country whose destinies were about to be committed to
+us, ever appeared on the tables. A vague and listless doubt how long
+the voyage might last was the extent of interest any one condescended to
+exhibit; but as to what was to follow after--what new chapter of events
+should open when this first had closed, none vouchsafed to inquire.
+
+Even to this hour I am puzzled whether to attribute this strange conduct
+to the careless levity of national character, or to a studied and well
+'got up' affectation. In all probability both influences were at work;
+while a third, not less powerful, assisted them--this was the gross
+ignorance and shameless falsehood of some of the Irish leaders of the
+expedition, whose boastful and absurd histories ended by disgusting
+every one. Among the projects discussed at the time, I well remember one
+which was often gravely talked over, and the utter absurdity of which
+certainly struck none amongst us. This was no less than the intention
+of demanding the West India Islands from England as an indemnity for
+the past woes and bygone misgovernment of Ireland. If this seem barely
+credible now, I can only repeat my faithful assurance of the fact, and I
+believe that some of the memoirs of the time will confirm my assertion.
+
+The French officers listened to these and similar speculations with
+utter indifference; probably to many of them the geographical question
+was a difficulty that stopped any further inquiry, while others felt
+no further interest than what a campaign promised. All the enthusiastic
+narratives, then, of high rewards and splendid trophies that awaited us,
+fell upon inattentive ears, and at last the word Ireland ceased to be
+heard amongst us. Play of various kinds occupied us when not engaged on
+duty. There was little discipline maintained on board, and none of that
+strictness which is the habitual rule of a ship-of-war. The lights were
+suffered to burn during the greater part of the night in the cabins;
+gambling went on usually till daybreak; and the quarter-deck, that most
+reverential of spots to every sailor-mind, was often covered by lounging
+groups, who smoked, chatted, or played at chess, in all the cool apathy
+of men indifferent to its claim for respect.
+
+Now and then, the appearance of a strange sail afar off, or some dim
+object in the horizon, would create a momentary degree of excitement and
+anxiety; but when the 'lookout' from the mast-head had proclaimed her a
+'schooner from Brest,' or a 'Spanish fruit-vessel,' the sense of danger
+passed away at once, and none ever reverted to the subject.
+
+With General Humbert I usually passed the greater part of each
+forenoon--a distinction, I must confess, I owed to my skill as a
+chess-player, a game of which he was particularly fond, and in which I
+had attained no small proficiency. I was too young and too unpractised
+in the world to make my skill subordinate to my chiefs, and beat him at
+every game with as little compunction as though he were only my equal,
+till, at last, vexed at his want of success, and tired of a contest that
+offered no vicissitude of fortune, he would frequently cease playing to
+chat over the events of the time, and the chances of the expedition.
+
+It was with no slight mixture of surprise and dismay that I now detected
+his utter despair of all success, and that he regarded the whole as a
+complete forlorn-hope. He had merely taken the command to involve the
+French Government in the cause, and so far compromise the national
+character that all retreat would be impossible. We shall be all cut
+to pieces or taken prisoners the day after we land,' was his constant
+exclamation, 'and then, but not till then, will they think seriously in
+France of a suitable expedition.' There was no heroism, still less was
+there any affectation of recklessness in this avowal. By nature he was a
+rough, easy, good-tempered fellow, who liked his profession less for
+its rewards than for its changeful scenes and moving incidents--his one
+predominating feeling being that France should give rule to the whole
+world, and the principles of her Revolution he everywhere pre-eminent.
+To promote this consummation the loss of an army was of little moment.
+Let the cause but triumph in the end, and the cost was not worth
+fretting about.
+
+Next to this sentiment was his hatred of England, and all that was
+English. Treachery, falsehood, pride, avarice, grasping covetousness,
+and unscrupulous aggression, were the characteristics by which he
+described the nation; and he made the little knowledge he had gleaned
+from newspapers and intercourse so subservient to this theory, that I
+was an easy convert to his opinion; so that, ere long, my compassion for
+the wrongs of Ireland was associated with the most profound hatred of
+her oppressors.
+
+To be sure, I should have liked the notion that we ourselves were to
+have some more active share in the liberation of Irishmen than the mere
+act of heralding another and more successful expedition; but even in
+this thought there was romantic self-devotion, not unpleasing to the
+mind of a boy; but, strange enough, I was the only one who felt it.
+
+The first sight of land to one on sea is always an event of uncommon
+interest; but how greatly increased is the feeling when that land is
+to be the scene of a perilous exploit--the cradle of his ambition, or
+perhaps his grave! All my speculations about the expedition--all my
+daydreams of success, or my anxious hours of dark forebodings--never
+brought the matter so palpably before me as the dim outline of a distant
+headland, which, I was told, was part of the Irish coast.
+
+This was on the 17th of August, but on the following day we stood
+further out to sea again, and saw no more of it.
+
+The three succeeding ones we continued to beat up slowly to the
+northward against a head wind and a heavy sea; but on the evening of
+the 21st the sun went down in mellow splendour, and a light air from the
+south springing up, the sailors pronounced a most favourable change of
+weather--a prophecy that a starry night and a calm sea soon confirmed.
+
+The morning of the 22nd broke splendidly--a gentle breeze from the
+south-west slightly curled the blue waves, and filled the canvas of
+the three frigates, as in close order they sailed along under the tall
+cliffs of Ireland. We were about three miles from the shore, on which
+now every telescope and glass was eagerly directed. As the light
+and fleeting clouds of early morning passed away we could descry the
+outlines of the bold coast, indented with many a bay and creek, while
+rocky promontories and grassy slopes succeeded each other in endless
+variety of contrast. Towns, or even villages, we could see none--a few
+small wretched-looking hovels were dotted over the hills, and here and
+there a thin wreath of blue smoke bespoke habitation, but, save these
+signs, there was an air of loneliness and solitude which increased the
+solemn feelings of the scene.
+
+All these objects of interest, however, soon gave way before another
+to the contemplation of which every eye was turned. This was a small
+fishing-boat, which, with a low mast and ragged piece of canvas, was
+seen standing boldly out for us: a red handkerchief was fastened to a
+stick in the stern, as if for a signal, and on our shortening sail,
+to admit of her overtaking us, the ensign was lowered as though in
+acknowledgment of our meaning.
+
+The boat was soon alongside, and we now perceived that her crew
+consisted of a man and a boy, the former of whom, a powerfully built,
+loose fellow, of about five-and-forty, dressed in a light-blue frieze
+jacket and trousers, adroitly caught at the cast of rope thrown out to
+him, and having made fast his skiff, clambered up the ship's side at
+once, gaily, as though he were an old friend coming to welcome us.
+
+'Is he a pilot?' asked the officer of the watch, addressing one of the
+Irish officers.
+
+'No; he's only a fisherman, but he knows the coast perfectly, and says
+there is deep water within twenty fathoms of the shore.'
+
+An animated conversation in Irish now ensued between the peasant and
+Captain Madgett, during which a wondering and somewhat impatient group
+stood around, speedily increased by the presence of General Humbert
+himself and his staff.
+
+'He tells me, general,' said Madgett, 'that we are in the Bay of
+Killala, a good and safe anchorage, and, during the southerly winds, the
+best on all the coast.'
+
+'What news has he from the shore?' asked Humbert sharply, as if the care
+of the ship was a very secondary consideration.
+
+'They have been expecting us with the greatest impatience, general; he
+says the most intense anxiety for our coming is abroad.'
+
+'What of the people themselves? Where are the national forces? Have they
+any headquarters near this? Eh, what says he? What is that? Why does he
+laugh?' asked Humbert, in impatient rapidity, as he watched the changes
+in the peasant's face.
+
+'He was laughing at the strange sound of a foreign language, so odd and
+singular to his ears,' said Madgett; but for all his readiness, a slight
+flushing of the cheek showed that he was ill at ease.
+
+'Well, but what of the Irish forces? Where are they?'
+
+For some minutes the dialogue continued in an animated strain between
+the two; the vehement tone and gestures of each bespeaking what sounded
+at least like altercation; and Madgett at last turned half angrily away,
+saying, 'The fellow is too ignorant; he actually knows nothing of what
+is passing before his eyes.'
+
+[Illustration: 229]
+
+'Is there no one else on board can speak this _barargouinage_?' cried
+Humbert, in anger.
+
+'Yes, general, I can interrogate him,' cried a young lad named Conolly,
+who had only joined us on the day before we sailed.
+
+And now as the youth addressed the fisherman in a few rapid sentences,
+the other answered as quickly, making a gesture with his hands that
+implied grief, or even despair.
+
+'We can interpret that for ourselves,' broke in Humbert; 'he is telling
+you that the game is up.'
+
+'Exactly so, general; he says that the insurrection has been completely
+put down, that the Irish forces are scattered or disbanded, and all the
+leaders taken.'
+
+'The fellow is just as likely to be an English spy,' said Madgett, in a
+whisper; but Humbert's gesture of impatience showed how little trust he
+reposed in the allegation.
+
+'Ask him what English troops are quartered in this part of the country,'
+said the general.
+
+'A few militia, and two squadrons of dragoons,' was the prompt reply.
+
+'No artillery?'
+
+'None.'
+
+'Is there any rumour of our coming abroad, or have the frigates been
+seen?' asked Humbert.
+
+'They were seen last night from the church steeple of Killala, general,'
+said Conolly, translating, 'but believed to be English.'
+
+'Come; that is the best news he has brought us yet,' said Humbert,
+laughing; 'we shall at least surprise them a little. Ask him what men of
+rank or consequence live in the neighbourhood, and how are they affected
+towards the expedition?'
+
+A few words, and a low dry laugh, made all the peasant's reply.
+
+'Eh, what says he?' asked Humbert.
+
+'He says, sir, that, except a Protestant bishop, there's nothing of the
+rank of gentry here.'
+
+'I suppose we need scarcely expect his blessing on our efforts,' said
+Humbert, with a hearty laugh. 'What is he saying now?--what is he
+looking at?'
+
+'He says that we are now in the very best anchorage of the bay,' said
+Conolly, 'and that on the whole coast there's not a safer spot.'
+
+A brief consultation now took place between the general and naval
+officers, and in a few seconds the word was given to take in all sail
+and anchor.
+
+'I wish I could speak to that honest fellow myself,' said Humbert, as
+he stood watching the fisherman, who, with a peasant curiosity, had now
+approached the mast, and was passing his fingers across the blades of
+the cutlasses as they stood in the sword-rack.
+
+'Sharp enough for the English, eh?' cried Humbert, in French, but with
+a gesture that seemed at once intelligible. A dry nod of the head gave
+assent to the remark.
+
+'If I understand him aright,' said Humbert, in a half-whisper to
+Conolly, 'we are as little expected by our friends as by our enemies;
+and that there is little or no force in arms among the Irish.'
+
+'There are plenty ready to fight, he says, sir, but none accustomed to
+discipline.'
+
+A gesture, half contemptuous, was all Humbert's reply, and he now turned
+away and walked the deck alone and in silence. Meanwhile the bustle and
+movements of the crew continued, and soon the great ships, their sails
+all coiled, lay tranquilly at anchor in a sea without a ripple.
+
+'A boat is coming out from the shore, general,' whispered the lieutenant
+on duty.
+
+'Ask the fisherman if he knows it.'
+
+Conolly drew the peasant's attention to the object, and the man, after
+looking steadily for a few seconds, became terribly agitated.
+
+'What is it, man--can't you tell who it is?' asked Conolly.
+
+But although so composed before, so ready with all his replies, he
+seemed now totally unmanned--his frank and easy features being struck
+with the signs of palpable terror. At last, and with an effort that
+bespoke all his fears, he muttered--' 'Tis the king's boat is coming,
+and 'tis the collector's on board of her!'
+
+'Is that all?' cried Conolly, laughing, as he translated the reply to
+the general.
+
+'Won't you say that I'm a prisoner, sir; won't you tell them that you
+"took" me?' said the fisherman, in an accent of fervent entreaty, for
+already his mind anticipated the casualty of a failure, and what might
+betide him afterwards; but no one now had any care for him or his
+fortunes--all was in preparation to conceal the national character of
+the ships. The marines were ordered below, and all others whose uniforms
+might betray their country, while the English colours floated from every
+mast-head.
+
+General Humbert, with Serasin and two others, remained on the poop-deck,
+where they continued to walk, apparently devoid of any peculiar interest
+or anxiety in the scene. Madgett alone betrayed agitation at this
+moment, his pale face was paler than ever, and there seemed to me a kind
+of studious care in the way he covered himself up with his cloak, so
+that not a vestige of his uniform could be seen.
+
+The boat now came close under our lee, and Conolly being ordered to
+challenge her in English, the collector, standing up in the stern,
+touched his hat, and announced his rank. The gangway-ladder was
+immediately lowered, and three gentlemen ascended the ship's side and
+walked aft to the poop. I was standing near the bulwark at the time,
+watching the scene with intense interest. As General Humbert stood a
+little in advance of the rest, the collector, probably taking him for
+the captain, addressed him with some courteous expressions of welcome,
+and was proceeding to speak of the weather, when the general gently
+stopped him by asking if he spoke French.
+
+I shall never forget the terror of face that question evoked. At first,
+looking at his two companions, the collector turned his eyes to the
+gaff, where the English flag was flying; but still unable to utter a
+word, he stood like one entranced.
+
+'You have been asked if you can speak French, sir?' said Conolly, at a
+sign from the general.
+
+'No--very little--very badly--not at all; but isn't this--am I not on
+board of----'
+
+'Can none of them speak French?' said Humbert shortly.
+
+'Yes, sir,' said a young man on the collector's right; 'I can make
+myself intelligible in that language, although no great proficient.'
+
+'Who are you, monsieur?--are you a civilian?' asked Humbert.
+
+'Yes, sir. I am the son of the Bishop of Killala, and this young
+gentleman is my brother.'
+
+'What is the amount of the force in this neighbourhood?'
+
+'You will pardon me, sir,' said the youth, 'if I ask, first, who it is
+puts this question, and under what circumstances I am expected to answer
+it.'
+
+'All frank and open, sir,' said Humbert, good-humouredly. 'I 'm the
+General Humbert, commanding the army for the liberation of Ireland--so
+much for your first question. As to your second one, I believe that if
+you have any concern for yourself, or those belonging to you, you will
+find that nothing will serve your interest so much as truth and plain
+dealing.'
+
+'Fortunately, then, for me,' said the youth, laughing, 'I cannot
+betray my king's cause, for I know nothing, nothing whatever, about the
+movement of troops. I seldom go ten miles from home, and have not been
+even at Ballina since last winter.'
+
+'Why so cautious about your information, then, sir,' broke in Serasin
+roughly, 'since you have none to give?'
+
+'Because I had some to receive, sir, and was curious to know where I was
+standing,' said the young man boldly.
+
+While these few sentences were being interchanged, Madgett had
+learned from the collector that, except a few companies of militia and
+fencibles, the country was totally unprovided with troops; but he also
+learned that the people were so crest-fallen and subdued in courage from
+the late failure of the rebellion, that it was very doubtful whether
+our coming would arouse them to another effort. This information,
+particularly the latter part of it, Madgett imparted to Humbert at once,
+and I thought, by his manner, and the eagerness with which he spoke,
+that he seemed to use all his powers to dissuade the general from a
+landing; at least I overheard him more than once say--'Had we been
+farther north, sir-----'
+
+Humbert quickly stopped him by the words--
+
+'And what prevents us, when we have landed, sir, in extending our line
+north'ard?--the winds cannot surely master us, when we have our feet
+on the sward. Enough of all this; let these gentlemen be placed in
+security, and none have access to them without my orders. Make signal
+for the commanding-officers to come on board here. We've had too much of
+speculation--a little action now will be more profitable.'
+
+'So, we are prisoners, it seems!' said the young man who spoke French,
+as he moved away with the others, who, far more depressed in spirit,
+hung their heads in silence, as they descended between decks.
+
+Scarcely was the signal for a council of war seen from the mast-head,
+when the different boats might be descried stretching across the bay
+with speed. And now all were assembled in General Humbert's cabin whose
+rank and station in the service entitled them to the honour of being
+consulted.
+
+To such of us as held inferior 'grade,' the time passed tediously enough
+as we paced the deck, now turning from the aspect of the silent and
+seemingly uninhabited cliffs along shore to listen if no sign betokened
+the breaking up of the council; nor were we without serious fears that
+the expedition would be abandoned altogether. This suspicion originated
+with some of the Irish themselves, who, however confident of success,
+and boastful of their country's resources before we sailed, now made no
+scruple of averring that everything was the exact reverse of what they
+had stated, for that the people were dispirited, the national forces
+disbanded, neither arms, money, nor organisation anywhere--in fact, that
+a more hopeless scheme could not be thought of than the attempt, and
+that its result could not fail to be defeat and ruin to all concerned.
+
+Shall I own that the bleak and lonely aspect of the hills along shore,
+the dreary character of the landscape, the almost deathlike stillness
+of the scene, aided these gloomy impressions, and made it seem as if we
+were about to try our fortune on some desolate spot, without one look of
+encouragement, or one word of welcome to greet us? The sight of even an
+enemy's force would have been a relief to this solitude--the stir and
+movement of a rival army would have given spirit to our daring, and
+nerved our courage, but there was something inexpressibly sad in this
+unbroken monotony.
+
+A few tried to jest upon the idea of liberating a land that had no
+inhabitants--the emancipation of a country without people; but even
+French flippancy failed to be witty on a theme so linked with all our
+hopes and fears, and at last a dreary silence fell upon all, and we
+walked the deck without speaking, waiting and watching for the result of
+that deliberation which already had lasted above four mortal hours.
+
+Twice was the young man who spoke French summoned to the cabin, but,
+from the briefness of his stay, apparently with little profit; and
+now the day began to wane, and the tall cliffs threw their lengthened
+shadows over the still waters of the bay, and yet nothing was resolved
+on. To the quiet and respectful silence of expectation, now succeeded
+a low and half-subdued muttering of discontent; groups of five or six
+together were seen along the deck, talking with eagerness and animation,
+and it was easy to see that whatever prudential or cautious reasons
+dictated to the leaders, their arguments found little sympathy with
+the soldiers of the expedition. I almost began to fear that if a
+determination to abandon the exploit were come to, a mutiny might break
+out, when my attention was drawn off by an order to accompany Colonel
+Gharost on shore to reconnoitre. This at least looked like business, and
+I jumped into the small boat with alacrity.
+
+With the speed of four oars stoutly plied, we skimmed along the calm
+surface, and soon saw ourselves close in to the shore. Some little time
+was spent in looking for a good place to land, for although not the
+slightest air of wind was blowing, the long swell of the Atlantic broke
+upon the rocks with a noise like thunder. At last we shot into a little
+creek with a shelving gravelly beach, and completely concealed by the
+tall rocks on every side; and now we sprang out, and stood upon Irish
+ground!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX. A RECONNAISSANCE
+
+From the little creek where we landed, a small zigzag path led up the
+sides of the cliff, the track by which the peasants carried the sea-weed
+which they gathered for manure, and up this we now slowly wended our
+way.
+
+Stopping for some time to gaze at the ample bay beneath us, the
+tall-masted frigates floating so majestically on its glassy surface--it
+was a scene of tranquil and picturesque beauty with which it would have
+been almost impossible to associate the idea of war and invasion. In
+the lazy bunting that hung listlessly from peak and mast-head--in the
+cheerful voices of the sailors, heard afar off in the stillness--in
+the measured plash of the sea itself, and the fearless daring of the
+sea-gulls, as they soared slowly above our heads--there seemed
+something so suggestive of peace and tranquillity, that it struck us as
+profanation to disturb it.
+
+As we gained the top and looked around us, our astonishment became even
+greater. A long succession of low hills, covered with tall ferns or
+heath, stretched away on every side; not a house, nor a hovel, nor a
+living thing to be seen. Had the country been one uninhabited since
+the Creation, it could not have presented an aspect of more thorough
+desolation! No road-track, nor even a footpath, led through the dreary
+waste before us, on which, to all seeming, the foot of man had never
+fallen. And as we stood for some moments, uncertain which way to turn, a
+sense of the ridiculous suddenly burst upon the party, and we all broke
+into a hearty roar of laughter.
+
+'I little thought,' cried Charost, 'that I should ever emulate "La
+Perouse," but it strikes me that I am destined to become a great
+discoverer.'
+
+'How so, colonel?' asked his aide-de-camp.
+
+'Why, it is quite clear that this same island is uninhabited; and if it
+be all like this, I own I'm scarcely surprised at it.'
+
+'Still, there must be a town not far off, and the residence of that
+bishop we heard of this morning.'
+
+A half-incredulous shrug of the shoulders was all his reply, as he
+sauntered along with his hands behind his back, apparently lost in
+thought; while we, as if instinctively partaking of his gloom, followed
+him in total silence.
+
+'Do you know, gentlemen, what I'm thinking?' said he, stopping suddenly
+and facing about. 'My notion is, that the best thing to do here would be
+to plant our tricolour, proclaim the land a colony of France, and take
+to our boats again.'
+
+This speech, delivered with an air of great gravity, imposed upon us
+for an instant; but the moment after, the speaker breaking into a hearty
+laugh, we all joined him, as much amused by the strangeness of our
+situation, as by anything in his remark.
+
+'We never could bring our guns through a soil like this, colonel,'
+said the aide-de-camp, as he struck his heel into the soft and clayey
+surface.
+
+'If we could ever land them at all!' muttered he, half aloud; then
+added, 'But for what object should we? Believe me, gentlemen, if we are
+to have a campaign here, bows and arrows are the true weapons.'
+
+'Ah! what do I see yonder?' cried the aide-de-camp; 'are not those sheep
+feeding in that little glen?'
+
+'Yes,' cried I, 'and a man herding them, too. See, the fellow has caught
+sight of us, and he's off as fast as his legs can carry him.' And so was
+it: the man had no sooner seen us than he sprang to his feet and hurried
+down the mountain at full speed.
+
+Our first impulse was to follow and give him chase, and even without a
+word we all started off in pursuit; but we soon saw how fruitless would
+be the attempt, for, even independent of the start he had got of us, the
+peasant's speed was more than the double of our own.
+
+'No matter,' said the colonel, 'if we have lost the shepherd we have
+at least gained the sheep, and so I recommend you to secure mutton for
+dinner to-morrow.'
+
+With this piece of advice, down the hill he darted as hard as he could;
+Briolle, the aide-de-camp, and myself following at our best pace. We
+were reckoning without our host, however, for the animals, after one
+stupid stare at us, set off in a scamper that soon showed their mountain
+breeding, keeping all together like a pack of hounds, and really not
+very inferior in the speed they displayed.
+
+A little gorge led between the hills, and through this they rushed
+madly, and with a clatter like a charge of cavalry. Excited by the
+chase, and emulous each to outrun the other, the colonel threw off his
+shako, and Briolle his sword, in the ardour of pursuit. We now gained
+on them rapidly, and though, from a winding in the glen, they had
+momentarily got out of sight, we knew that we were close upon them. I
+was about thirty paces in advance of my comrades, when, on turning an
+angle of the gorge, I found myself directly in front of a group of mud
+hovels, near which were standing about a dozen ragged, miserable-looking
+men, armed with pitchforks and scythes, while in the rear stood the
+sheep, blowing and panting from the chase.
+
+I came to a dead stop; and although I would have given worlds to have
+had my comrades at my side, I never once looked back to see if they were
+coming; but, putting a bold face on the matter, called out the only few
+words I knew of Irish, 'Go de-mat ha tu.'
+
+The peasants looked at each other; and whether it was my accent, my
+impudence, or my strange dress and appearance, or altogether, I cannot
+say, but after a few seconds' pause they burst out into a roar of
+laughter, in the midst of which my two comrades came up.
+
+'We saw the sheep feeding on the hills yonder,' said I, recovering
+self-possession, 'and guessed that by giving them chase they'd lead us
+to some inhabited spot. What is this place called?'
+
+'Shindrennin,' said a man who seemed to be the chief of the party; 'and,
+if I might make so bould, who are you, yourselves?'
+
+'French officers; this is my colonel,' said I, pointing to Charost, who
+was wiping his forehead and face after his late exertion.
+
+The information, far from producing the electric effect of pleasure I
+had anticipated, was received with a coldness almost amounting to fear,
+and they spoke eagerly together for some minutes in Irish.
+
+'Our allies evidently don't like the look of us,' said Charost,
+laughing;' and if the truth must be told, I own the disappointment is
+mutual.'
+
+'Tis too late you come, sir,' said the peasant, addressing the colonel,
+while he removed his hat, and assumed an air of respectful deference.
+''Tis all over with poor Ireland this time.'
+
+'Tell him,' said Charost, to whom I translated the speech, 'that it's
+never too late to assert a good cause; that we have got arms for twenty
+thousand, if they have but hands and hearts to use them. Tell him that
+a French army is now lying in that bay yonder, ready and able to
+accomplish the independence of Ireland.'
+
+I delivered my speech as pompously as it was briefed to me; and although
+I was listened to in silence, and respectfully, it was plain my words
+carried little or no conviction with them. Not caring to waste more of
+our time in such discourse, I now inquired about the country--in what
+directions lay the highroads, and the relative situations of the towns
+of Killala, Gastlebar, and Ballina, the only places of comparative
+importance in the neighbourhood. I next asked about the landing-places,
+and learned that a small fishing-harbour existed, not more than half a
+mile from the spot where we had landed, from which a little country
+road lay to the village of Palmerstown. As to the means of transporting
+baggage, guns, and ammunition, there were few horses to be had, but
+with money we might get all we wanted; indeed, the peasants constantly
+referred to this means of success, even to asking 'What the French would
+give a man that was to join them?' If I did not translate the demand
+with fidelity to my colonel, it was really that a sense of shame
+prevented me. My whole heart was in the cause; and I could not endure
+the thought of its being degraded in this way. It was growing duskish,
+and the colonel proposed that the peasant should show us the way to
+the fishing-harbour he spoke of, while some other of the party might go
+round to our boat, and direct them to follow us thither. The arrangement
+was soon made, and we all sauntered down towards the shore, chatting
+over the state of the country, and the chances of a successful rising.
+From the specimen before me, I was not disposed to be over sanguine
+about the peasantry. The man was evidently disaffected towards England.
+He bore her neither good-will nor love, but his fears were greater than
+all else. He had never heard of anything but failure in all attempts
+against her, and he could not believe in any other result. Even the aid
+and alliance of France inspired no other feeling than distrust, for
+he said more than once, 'Sure what can harm yez? Haven't ye yer ships
+beyant, to take yez away, if things goes bad?'
+
+I was heartily glad that Colonel Charost knew so little English, that
+the greater part of the peasant's conversation was unintelligible to
+him, since, from the first, he had always spoken of the expedition in
+terms of disparagement; and certainly what we were now to hear was not
+of a nature to controvert the prediction.
+
+In our ignorance as to the habits and modes of thought of the people,
+we were much surprised at the greater interest the peasant betrayed when
+asking us about France and her prospects, than when the conversation
+concerned his own country. It appeared as though, in the one case,
+distance gave grandeur and dimensions to all his conceptions, while
+familiarity with home scenes and native politics had robbed them of
+all their illusions. He knew well that there were plenty of hardships,
+abundance of evils, to deplore in Ireland: rents were high, taxes and
+tithes oppressive, agents were severe, bailiffs were cruel Social wrongs
+he could discuss for hours, but of political woes, the only ones we
+could be expected to relieve or care for, he really knew nothing. ''Tis
+true,' he repeated, 'that what my honour said was all right, Ireland was
+badly treated,' and so on; 'liberty was an elegant thing if a body had
+it,' and such like; but there ended his patriotism.
+
+Accustomed for many a day to the habits of a people where all were
+politicians, where the rights of man and the grand principles of
+equality and self-government were everlastingly under discussion, I was,
+I confess it, sorely disappointed at this worse than apathy.
+
+'Will they fight?--ask him that,' said Gharost, to whom I had been
+conveying a rather rose-coloured version of my friend's talk.
+
+'Oh, begorra! we 'll fight sure enough!' said he, with a half-dogged
+scowl beneath his brows.
+
+'What number of them may we reckon on in the neighbourhood?' repeated
+the colonel.
+
+''Tis mighty hard to say; many of the boys were gone over to England for
+the harvest; some were away to the counties inland, others were working
+on the roads; but if they knew, sure they 'd be soon back again.'
+
+'Might they calculate on a thousand stout, effective men?' asked
+Charost.
+
+'Ay, twenty, if they were at home,' said the peasant, less a liar by
+intention than from the vague and careless disregard of truth so common
+in all their own intercourse with each other.
+
+I must own that the degree of credit we reposed in the worthy man's
+information was considerably influenced by the state of facts before
+us, inasmuch as that the 'elegant, fine harbour' he had so gloriously
+described--'the beautiful road'--'the neat little quay' to land upon,
+and the other advantages of the spot, all turned out to be most grievous
+disappointments. That the people were not of our own mind on these
+matters, was plain enough from the looks of astonishment our discontent
+provoked; and now a lively discussion ensued on the relative merits of
+various bays, creeks, and inlets along the coast, each of which, with
+some unpronounceable name or other, was seen to have a special advocate
+in its favour, till at last the colonel lost all patience, and jumping
+into the boat, ordered the men to push off for the frigate.
+
+Evidently out of temper at the non-success of his reconnaissance, and as
+little pleased with the country as the people, Gharost did not speak a
+word as we rowed back to the ship. Our failure, as it happened, was of
+little moment, for another party, under the guidance of Madgett, had
+already discovered a good landing-place at the bottom of the Bay of
+Rathfran, and arrangements were already in progress to disembark the
+troops at daybreak. We also found that, during our absence, some of the
+'chiefs' had come off from shore, one of whom, named Neal Kerrigan, was
+destined to attain considerable celebrity in the rebel army. He was a
+talkative, vulgar, presumptuous fellow, who, without any knowledge or
+experience whatever, took upon him to discuss military measures and
+strategy with all the assurance of an old commander.
+
+Singularly enough, Humbert suffered this man to influence him in a great
+degree, and yielded opinion to him on points even where his own judgment
+was directly opposed to the advice he gave.
+
+If Kerrigan's language and bearing were directly the reverse of
+soldierlike, his tawdry uniform of green and gold, with massive
+epaulettes and a profusion of lace, were no less absurd in our eyes,
+accustomed as we were to the almost puritan plainness of military
+costume. His rank, too, seemed as undefined as his information; for
+while he called himself 'General,' his companions as often addressed
+him by the title of 'Captain.' Upon some points his counsels, indeed,
+alarmed and astonished us.
+
+'It was of no use whatever,' he said, 'to attempt to discipline the
+peasantry, or reduce them to anything like habits of military obedience.
+Were the effort to be made, it would prove a total failure; for they
+would either grow disgusted with the restraint, and desert altogether,
+or so infect the other troops with their own habits of disorder, that
+the whole force would become a mere rabble. Arm them well, let them have
+plenty of ammunition, and free liberty to use it in their own way and
+their own time, and we should soon see that they would prove a greater
+terror to the English than double the number of trained and disciplined
+troops.'
+
+In some respects this view was a correct one; but whether it was a
+wise counsel to have followed, subsequent events gave us ample cause to
+doubt.
+
+Kerrigan, however, had a specious, reckless, go-a-head way with him that
+suited well the tone and temper of Humbert's mind. He never looked too
+far into consequences, but trusted that the eventualities of the morrow
+would always suggest the best course for the day after; and this alone
+was so akin to our own general's mode of proceeding, that he speedily
+won his confidence.
+
+The last evening on board was spent merrily on all sides. In the general
+cabin, where the staff and all the _chefs de brigade_ were assembled,
+gay songs, and toasts, and speeches succeeded each other till nigh
+morning. The printed proclamations, meant for circulation among the
+people, were read out, with droll commentaries; and all imaginable
+quizzing and jesting went on about the new government to be established
+in Ireland, and the various offices to be bestowed upon each. Had the
+whole expedition been a joke, the tone of levity could not have been
+greater. Not a thought was bestowed, not a word wasted, upon any of
+the graver incidents that might ensue. All were, if not hopeful and
+sanguine, utterly reckless, and thoroughly indifferent to the future.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX. KILLALA
+
+I will not weary my reader with an account of our debarkation, less
+remarkable as it was for the 'pomp and circumstance of war' than for
+incidents and accidents the most absurd and ridiculous--the miserable
+boats of the peasantry, the still more wretched cattle employed to drag
+our artillery and train-waggons, involving us in innumerable misfortunes
+and mischances. Never were the heroic illusions of war more thoroughly
+dissipated than by the scenes which accompanied our landing! Boats and
+baggage-waggons upset; here, a wild, half savage-looking fellow swimming
+after a cocked-hat--there, a group of ragged wretches scraping sea-weed
+from a dripping officer of the staff; noise, uproar, and confusion
+everywhere; smart aides-de-camp mounted on donkeys; trim field-pieces
+'horsed' by a promiscuous assemblage of men, women, cows, ponies, and
+asses. Crowds of idle country-people thronged the little quay, and,
+obstructing the passages, gazed upon the whole with eyes of wonderment
+and surprise, but evidently enjoying all the drollery of the scene with
+higher relish than they felt interest in its object or success. This
+trait in them soon attracted all our notice, for they laughed at
+everything: not a caisson tumbled into the sea, not a donkey brought his
+rider to the ground, but one general shout shook the entire assemblage.
+
+If want and privation had impressed themselves by every external sign on
+this singular people, they seemed to possess inexhaustible resources of
+good-humour and good spirits within. No impatience or rudeness on
+our part could irritate them; and even to the wildest and least
+civilised-looking fellow around, there was a kind of native courtesy and
+kindliness that could not fail to strike us.
+
+A vague notion prevailed that we were their 'friends'; and although
+many of them did not clearly comprehend why we had come, or what was
+the origin of the warm attachment between us, they were too lazy and too
+indifferent to trouble their heads about the matter. They were satisfied
+that there would be a 'shindy' somewhere, and somebody's bones would get
+broken, and even that much was a pleasant and reassuring consideration;
+while others of keener mould revelled in plans of private vengeance
+against this landlord or that agent--small debts of hatred to be paid
+off in the day of general reckoning.
+
+From the first moment nothing could exceed the tone of fraternal feeling
+between our soldiers and the people. Without any means of communicating
+their thoughts by speech, they seemed to acquire an instinctive
+knowledge of each other in an instant. If the peasant was poor, there
+was no limit to his liberality in the little he had. He dug up his
+half-ripe potatoes, he unroofed his cabin to furnish straw for litter,
+he gave up his only beast, and was ready to kill his cow, if asked,
+to welcome us. Much of this was from the native, warm, and impulsive
+generosity of their nature, and much, doubtless, had its origin in the
+bright hopes of future recompense inspired by the eloquent appeals of
+Neal Kerrigan, who, mounted on an old white mare, rode about on every
+side, addressing the people in Irish, and calling upon them to give all
+aid and assistance to 'the expedition.'
+
+The difficulty of the landing was much increased by the small space of
+level ground which intervened between the cliffs and the sea, and of
+which now the thickening crowd filled every spot. This and the miserable
+means of conveyance for our baggage delayed us greatly, so that, with
+a comparatively small force, it was late in the afternoon before we had
+all reached the shore.
+
+We had none of us eaten since morning, and were not sorry, as we crowned
+the heights, to hear the drums beat for 'cooking.' In an inconceivably
+short, time fires blazed along the hills, around which, in motley
+groups, stood soldiers and peasantry mingled together, while the work
+of cooking and eating went briskly on, amid hearty laughter and all the
+merriment that mutual mistakes and misconceptions occasioned. It was a
+new thing for French soldiers to bivouac in a friendly country, and find
+themselves the welcome guests of a foreign people; and certainly, the
+honours of hospitality, however limited the means, could not have been
+performed with more of courtesy or good-will. Paddy gave his 'all,' with
+a generosity that might have shamed many a richer donor.
+
+While the events I have mentioned were going forward, and a considerable
+crowd of fishermen and peasants had gathered about us, still it was
+remarkable that, except immediately on the coast itself, no suspicion of
+our arrival had gained currency, and even the country-people who lived a
+mile from the shore did not know who we were. The few who, from distant
+heights and headlands, had seen the ships, mistook them for English, and
+as all those who were out with fish or vegetables to sell were detained
+by the frigates, any direct information about us was impossible. So far,
+therefore, all might be said to have gone most favourably with us. We
+had safely escaped the often-menaced dangers of the Channel fleet; we
+had gained a secure and well-sheltered harbour; and we had landed our
+force not only without opposition, but in perfect secrecy. There were,
+I will not deny, certain little counterbalancing circumstances on the
+other side of the account not exactly so satisfactory. The patriot
+forces upon which we had calculated had no existence. There were neither
+money, nor stores, nor means of conveyance to be had; even accurate
+information as to the strength and position of the English was
+unattainable; and as to generals and leaders, the effective staff had
+but a most sorry representative in the person of Neal Kerrigan. This
+man's influence over our general increased with every hour, and one of
+the first orders issued after our landing contained his appointment as
+an extra aide-de-camp on General Humbert's staff.
+
+In one capacity Neal was most useful. All the available sources of
+pillage for a wide circuit of country he knew by heart, and it was
+plain, from the accurate character of his information, varying, as it
+did, from the chattels of the rich landed proprietor to the cocks
+and hens of the cottier, that he had taken great pains to master his
+subject. At his suggestion it was decided that we should march that
+evening on Killala, where little or more likely no resistance would
+be met with, and General Humbert should take up his quarters in the
+'Castle,' as the palace of the bishop was styled. There, he said,
+we should not only find ample accommodation for the staff, but good
+stabling, well filled, and plenty of forage, while the bishop himself
+might be a most useful hostage to have in our keeping. From thence, too,
+as a place of some note, general orders and proclamations would issue,
+with a kind of notoriety and importance necessary at the outset of an
+undertaking like ours; and truly never was an expedition more loaded
+with this species of missive than ours--whole cart-loads of printed
+papers, decrees, placards, and such like, followed us. If our object had
+been to drive out the English by big type and a flaming letterpress, we
+could not have gone more vigorously to work. Fifty thousand broadsheet
+announcements of Irish independence were backed by as many proud
+declarations of victory, some dated from Limerick, Cashel, or Dublin
+itself.
+
+Here, a great placard gave the details of the new Provincial Government
+of Western Ireland, with the name of the 'Prefect' a blank. There was
+another, containing the police regulations for the 'arrondissements' of
+Connaught, 'et ses dependances.' Every imaginable step of conquest
+and occupation was anticipated and provided for in these wise and
+considerate protocols, from the 'enthusiastic welcome of the French on
+the western coast' to the hour of 'General Humbert's triumphal entry
+into Dublin!' Nor was it prose alone, but even poetry did service in
+our cause. Songs, not, I own, conspicuous for any great metrical beauty,
+commemorated our battles and our bravery; so that we entered upon the
+campaign as deeply pledged to victory as any force I ever heard or read
+of in history.
+
+Neal, who was, I believe, originally a schoolmaster, had great
+confidence in this arsenal of 'black and white,' and soon persuaded
+General Humbert that a bold face and a loud tongue would do more in
+Ireland than in any country under heaven; and, indeed, if his own career
+might be called a success, the theory deserved some consideration.
+A great part of our afternoon was then spent in distributing these
+documents to the people, not one in a hundred of whom could read, but
+who treasured the placards with a reverence nothing diminished by
+their ignorance. Emissaries, too, were appointed to post them up in
+conspicuous places through the country, on the doors of the chapels,
+at the smiths' forges, at cross-roads--everywhere, in short, where they
+might attract notice. The most important and business-like of all these,
+however, was one headed 'Arms!'--'Arms!' and which went on to say that
+no man who wished to lift his hand for old Ireland need do so without
+a weapon, and that a general distribution of guns, swords, and bayonets
+would take place at noon the following day at the Palace of Killala.
+
+Serasint and, I believe, Madgett, were strongly opposed to this
+indiscriminate arming of the people; but Neal's counsels were now in the
+ascendant, and Humbert gave an implicit confidence to all he suggested.
+
+It was four o'clock in the evening when the word to march was given, and
+our gallant little force began its advance movement. Still attached to
+Colonel Charost's staff, and being, as chasseurs, in the advance, I had
+a good opportunity of seeing the line of march from an eminence about
+half a mile in front. Grander and more imposing displays I have indeed
+often witnessed. As a great military 'spectacle' it could not, of
+course, be compared with those mighty armies I had seen deploying
+through the defiles of the Black Forest, or spreading like a sea over
+the wide plain of Germany; but in purely picturesque effect, this scene
+surpassed all I had ever beheld at the time, nor do I think that, in
+after-life, I can recall one more striking.
+
+The winding road, which led over hill and valley, now disappearing,
+now emerging, with the undulations of the soil, was covered by troops
+marching in a firm, compact order--the grenadiers in front, after which
+came the artillery, and then the regiments of the line. Watching the
+dark column, occasionally saluting it as it went with a cheer, stood
+thousands of country-people on every hill-top and eminence, while far
+away in the distance the frigates lay at anchor in the bay, the guns at
+intervals thundering out a solemn 'boom' of welcome and encouragement to
+their comrades.
+
+There was something so heroic in the notion of that little band of
+warriors throwing themselves fearlessly into a strange land, to contest
+its claim for liberty with one of the most powerful nations of the
+world; there was a character of daring intrepidity in this bold advance,
+they knew not whither, nor against what force, that gave the whole an
+air of glorious chivalry.
+
+I must own that distance lent its wonted illusion to the scene, and
+proximity, like its twin-brother familiarity, destroyed much of the
+prestige my fancy had conjured up. The line of march, so imposing when
+seen from afar, was neither regular nor well kept. The peasantry were
+permitted to mingle with the troops; ponies, mules, and asses, loaded
+with camp-kettles and cooking-vessels, were to be met with everywhere.
+The baggage-waggons were crowded with officers and _sous-officiers_ who,
+disappointed in obtaining horses, were too indolent to walk. Even the
+gun-carriages, and the guns themselves, were similarly loaded, while, at
+the head of the infantry column, in an old rickety gig, the ancient mail
+conveyance between Ballina and the coast, came General Humbert, Neal
+Kerrigan capering at his side on the old grey, whose flanks were now
+tastefully covered by the tricolour ensign of one of the boats as a
+saddle-cloth.
+
+This nearer and less enchanting prospect of my gallant comrades I was
+enabled to obtain on being despatched to the rear by Colonel Charost, to
+say that we were now within less than a mile of the town of Killala, its
+venerable steeple and the tall chimneys of the palace being easily seen
+above the low hills in front. Neal Kerrigan passed me as I rode back
+with my message, galloping to the front with all the speed he could
+muster; but while I was talking to the general he came back to say that
+the beating of drums could be heard from the town, and that by the rapid
+movements here and there of people, it was evident the defence was being
+prepared. There was a lookout, too, from the steeple, that showed our
+approach was already known. The general was not slow in adopting his
+measures, and the word was given for quick-march, the artillery to
+deploy right and left of the road, two companies of grenadiers forming
+on the flanks. 'As for you, sir,' said Humbert to me, 'take that horse,'
+pointing to a mountain pony, fastened behind the gig, 'ride forward to
+the town, and make a reconnaissance. You are to report to me,' cried he,
+as I rode away, and was soon out of hearing.
+
+Quitting the road, I took a foot-track across the fields, and which the
+pony seemed to know well, and after a sharp canter reached a small, poor
+suburb of the town, if a few straggling wretched cabins can deserve the
+name. A group of countrymen stood in the middle of the road, about fifty
+yards in front of me; and while I was deliberating whether to advance
+or retire, a joyous cry of 'Hurrah for the French!' decided me, and I
+touched my cap in salute and rode forward.
+
+Other groups saluted me with a similar cheer, as I went on; and now
+windows were flung open, and glad cries and shouts of welcome rang out
+from every side. These signs were too encouraging to turn my back upon,
+so I dashed forward through a narrow street in front, and soon found
+myself in a kind of square or 'Place,' the doors and windows of which
+were all closed, and not a human being to be seen anywhere. As I
+hesitated what next to do, I saw a soldier in a red coat rapidly turn
+the corner--'What do you want here, you spy?' he cried out in a loud
+voice, and at the same instant his bullet rang past my ear with a
+whistle. I drove in the spurs at once, and just as he had gained a
+doorway, I clove his head open with my sabre--he fell dead on the spot
+before me. Wheeling my horse round, I now rode back, as I had come, at
+full speed, the same welcome cries accompanying me as before.
+
+Short as had been my absence, it was sufficient to have brought the
+advanced guard close up with the town; and just as I emerged from the
+little suburb, a quick, sharp firing drew my attention towards the left
+of the wall, and there I saw our fellows advancing at a trot, while
+about twenty red-coats were in full flight before them, the wild cries
+of the country-people following them as they went.
+
+I had but time to see thus much, and to remark that two or three English
+prisoners were taken, when the general came up. He had now abandoned
+the gig, and was mounted on a large, powerful black horse, which I
+afterwards learned was one of the bishop's. My tidings were soon told,
+and, indeed, but indifferently attended to, for it was evident enough
+that the place was our own.
+
+'This way, general--follow me,' cried Kerrigan. 'If the light companies
+will take the road down to the "Acres," they'll catch the yeomen as they
+retreat by that way, and we have the town our own.'
+
+The counsel was speedily adopted; and although a dropping fire here and
+there showed that some slight resistance was still being made, it was
+plain enough that all real opposition was impossible.
+
+'Forward!' was now the word; and the chasseurs, with their muskets 'in
+sling,' advanced at a trot up the main street. At a little distance the
+grenadiers followed, and, debouching into the square, were received
+by an ill-directed volley from a few of the militia, who took to their
+heels after they fired. Three or four red-coats were killed, but the
+remainder made their escape through the churchyard, and, gaining the
+open country, scattered and fled as best they could.
+
+Humbert, who had seen war on a very different scale, could not help
+laughing at the absurdity of the skirmish, and was greatly amused with
+the want of all discipline and 'accord' exhibited by the English troops.
+
+'I foresee, gentlemen,' said he jocularly, 'that we may have abundance
+of success, but gain very little glory, in the same campaign. Now for a
+blessing upon our labours--where shall we find our friend the bishop?'
+
+'This way, general,' cried Neal, leading down a narrow street, at the
+end of which stood a high wall, with an iron gate. This was locked, and
+some efforts at barricading it showed the intention of a defence; but
+a few strokes of a pioneer s hammer smashed the lock, and we entered
+a kind of pleasure-ground, neatly and trimly kept. We had not
+advanced many paces when the bishop, followed by a great number of his
+clergy--for it happened to be the period of his annual visitation--came
+forward to meet us.
+
+Humbert dismounted, and removing his chapeau, saluted the dignitary
+with a most finished courtesy. I could see, too, by his gesture, that he
+presented General Serasin, the second in command; and, in fact, all his
+motions were those of a well-bred guest at the moment of being received
+by his host. Nor was the bishop, on his side, wanting either in ease or
+dignity; his manner, not without the appearance of deep sorrow, was yet
+that of a polished gentleman doing the honours of his house to a number
+of strangers.
+
+As I drew nearer I could hear that the bishop spoke French fluently,
+but with a strong foreign accent. This facility, however, enabled him
+to converse with ease on every subject, and to hold intercourse directly
+with our general, a matter of no small moment to either party. It is
+probable that the other clergy did not possess this gift, for assuredly
+their manner towards us inferiors of the staff was neither gracious nor
+conciliating; and as for myself, the few efforts I made to express, in
+English, my admiration for the coast scenery, or the picturesque
+beauty of the neighbourhood, were met in any rather than a spirit of
+politeness.
+
+The generals accompanied the bishop into the castle, leaving myself
+and three or four others on the outside. Colonel Charost soon made
+his appearance, and a guard was stationed at the entrance gate, with a
+strong picket in the garden. Two sentries were placed at the hall door,
+and the words 'Quartier General' written up over the portico. A small
+garden pavilion was appropriated to the colonel's use, and made the
+office of the adjutant-general, and in less than half an hour after
+our arrival, eight _sous-officiers_ were hard at work under the trees,
+writing away at billets, contribution orders, and forage rations; while
+I, from my supposed fluency in English, was engaged in carrying messages
+to and from the staff to the various shopkeepers and tradesmen of the
+town, numbers of whom now flocked around us with expressions of welcome
+and rejoicing.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI. OUR ALLIES
+
+I have spent pleasanter, but I greatly doubt if I ever knew busier days,
+than those I passed at the Bishop's Palace at Killala; and now, as I
+look upon the event, I cannot help wondering that we could seriously
+have played out a farce so full of absurdity and nonsense! There was a
+gross mockery of all the usages of war, which, had it not been for the
+serious interests at stake, would have been highly amusing.
+
+Whether it was the important functions of civil government, the details
+of police regulation, the imposition of contributions, the appointment
+of officers, or the arming of the volunteers, all was done with a
+pretentious affectation of order that was extremely ludicrous. The very
+institutions which were laughingly agreed to overnight, as the wine went
+briskly round, were solemnly ratified in the morning, and, still more
+strange, apparently believed in by those whose ingenuity devised them;
+and thus the 'Irish Directory,' as we styled the imaginary government,
+the National Treasury, the Pension Fund, were talked of with all the
+seriousness of facts! As to the commissariat, to which I was for the
+time attached, we never ceased writing receipts and acknowledgments
+for stores and munitions of war, all of which were to be honourably
+acquitted by the Treasury of the Irish Republic.
+
+No people could have better fallen in with the humour of this delusion
+than the Irish. They seemed to believe everything, and yet there was a
+reckless, headlong indifference about them, which appeared to say, that
+they were equally prepared for any turn fortune might take, and if the
+worst should happen, they would never reproach us for having misled
+them. The real truth was--but we only learned it too late--all those
+who joined us were utterly indifferent to the great cause of Irish
+independence; their thoughts never rose above a row and a pillage. It
+was to be a season of sack, plunder, and outrage, but nothing more! That
+such were the general sentiments of the volunteers, I believe none will
+dispute. We, however, in our ignorance of the people and their language,
+interpreted all the harum-scarum wildness we saw as the buoyant
+temperament of a high-spirited nation, who, after centuries of
+degradation and ill-usage, saw the dawning of liberty at last.
+
+Had we possessed any real knowledge of the country, we should at once
+have seen that, of those who joined us, none were men of any influence
+or station. If, now and then, a man of any name strayed into the camp,
+he was sure to be one whose misconduct or bad character had driven
+him from associating with his equals; and, even of the peasantry, our
+followers were of the very lowest order. Whether General Humbert was
+the first to notice the fact, I know not; but Charost, I am certain,
+remarked it, and even thus early predicted the utter failure of the
+expedition.
+
+I must confess the volunteers were the least imposing of allies. I think
+I have the whole scene before my eyes this moment, as I saw it each
+morning in the palace garden.
+
+The inclosure, which, more orchard than garden, occupied a space of a
+couple of acres, was the headquarters of Colonel Charost; and here, in
+a pavilion formerly dedicated to hoes, rakes, rolling-stones, and
+garden-tools, we were now established to the number of fourteen. As the
+space beneath the roof was barely sufficient for the colonel's personal
+use, the officers of his staff occupied convenient spots in the
+vicinity. My station was under a large damson-tree, the fruit of which
+afforded me, more than once, the only meal I tasted from early morning
+till late at night; not, I must say, from any lack of provisions, for
+the palace abounded with every requisite of the table, but that, such
+was the pressure of business, we were not able to leave off work even
+for half an hour during the day.
+
+A subaltern's guard of grenadiers, divided into small parties, did duty
+in the garden; and it was striking to mark the contrast between these
+bronzed and war-worn figures, and the reckless tatterdemalion host
+around us. Never was seen such a scarecrow set! Wild-looking, ragged
+wretches, their long lank hair hanging down their necks and shoulders,
+usually barefooted, and with every sign of starvation in their features;
+they stood in groups and knots, gesticulating, screaming, hurrahing, and
+singing, in all the exuberance of a joy that caught some, at least, of
+its inspiration from whisky.
+
+It was utterly vain to attempt to keep order amongst them; even the
+effort to make them defile singly through the gate into the garden was
+soon found impracticable, without the employment of a degree of force
+that our adviser, Kerrigan, pronounced would be injudicious. Not only
+the men made their way in, but great numbers of women, and even children
+also; and there they were, seated around fires, roasting their potatoes
+in this bivouac fashion, as though they had deserted hearth and home to
+follow us.
+
+Such was the avidity to get arms--of which the distribution was
+announced to take place here--that several had scaled the wall in their
+impatience, and as they were more or less in drink, some disastrous
+accidents were momentarily occurring, adding the cries and exclamations
+of suffering to the ruder chorus of joy and revelry that went on
+unceasingly.
+
+The impression--we soon saw how absurd it was--the impression that
+we should do nothing that might hurt the national sensibilities, but
+concede all to the exuberant ardour of a bold people, eager to be led
+against their enemies, induced us to submit to every imaginable breach
+of order and discipline.
+
+'In a day or two, they 'll he like your own men; you 'll not know them
+from a battalion of the line. Those fellows will be like a wall under
+fire.'
+
+Such and such like were the assurances we were listening to all day,
+and it would have been like treason to the cause to have refused them
+credence.
+
+Perhaps I might have been longer a believer in this theory, had I not
+perceived signs of a deceptive character in these our worthy allies;
+many who, to our faces, wore nothing but looks of gratitude and delight,
+no sooner mixed with their fellows than their downcast faces and dogged
+expression betrayed some inward sense of disappointment.
+
+One very general source of dissatisfaction arose from the discovery,
+that we were not prepared to pay our allies! We had simply come to arm
+and lead them, to shed our own blood, and pledge our fortunes in their
+cause; but we certainly had brought no military chest to bribe their
+patriotism, nor stimulate their nationality; and this I soon saw was a
+grievous disappointment.
+
+In virtue of this shameful omission on our part, they deemed the
+only resource was to be made officers, and thus crowds of uneducated,
+semi-civilised vagabonds were every hour assailing us with their claims
+to the epaulette. Of the whole number of these, I remember but three who
+had ever served at all; two were notorious drunkards, and the third
+a confirmed madman, from a scalp wound he had received when fighting
+against the Turks. Many, however, boasted high-sounding names, and were,
+at least so Kerrigan said, men of the first families in the land.
+
+Our general-in-chief saw little of them while at Killala, his principal
+intercourse being with the bishop and his family; but Colonel Charost
+soon learned to read their true character, and from that moment
+conceived the most disastrous issue to our plans. The most trustworthy
+of them was a certain O'Donnell, who, although not a soldier, was
+remarked to possess a greater influence over the rabble volunteers
+than any of the others. He was a young man of the half-squire class, an
+ardent and sincere patriot, after his fashion; but that fashion, it must
+be owned, rather partook of the character of class-hatred and
+religious animosity than the features of a great struggle for national
+independence. He took a very low estimate of the fighting qualities of
+his countrymen, and made no secret of declaring it.
+
+'You would be better without them altogether,' said he one day to
+Charost; 'but if you must have allies, draw them up in line, select
+one-third of the best, and arm them.'
+
+'And the rest?' asked Charost. 'Shoot them,' was the answer.
+
+This conversation is on record--indeed, I believe there is yet one
+witness living to corroborate it.
+
+I have said that we were very hard worked, but I must fain acknowledge
+that the real amount of business done was very insignificant, so many
+were the mistakes, misconceptions, and interruptions, not to speak of
+the time lost by that system of conciliation of which I have already
+made mention. In our distribution of arms there was little selection
+practised or possible. The process was a brief one, but it might have
+been briefer.
+
+Thomas Colooney, of Banmayroo, was called, and not usually being
+present, the name would be passed on, from post to post, till it swelled
+into a general shout of Colooney.
+
+'Tom Colooney, you're wanted; Tom, run for it, man, there's a price bid
+for you! Here's Mickey, his brother, maybe he 'll do as well.'
+
+And so on: all this accompanied by shouts of laughter, and a running
+fire of jokes, which, being in the vernacular, was lost to us.
+
+At last the real Colooney was found, maybe eating his dinner of
+potatoes, maybe discussing his poteen with a friend---sometimes engaged
+in the domestic duties of washing his shirt or his small-clothes,
+fitting a new crown to his hat, or a sole to his brogues--whatever his
+occupation, he was urged forward by his friends and the public, with
+many a push, drive, and even a kick, into our presence, where, from the
+turmoil, uproar, and confusion, he appeared to have fought his way by
+main force, and very often, indeed, this was literally the fact, as his
+bleeding nose, torn coat, and bare head attested.
+
+'Thomas Colooney--are you the man?' asked one of our Irish officers of
+the staff.
+
+'Yis, yer honour, I 'm that same!'
+
+'You've come here, Colooney, to offer yourself as a volunteer in the
+cause of your country?'
+
+Here a yell of 'Ireland for ever!' was always raised by the bystanders,
+which drowned the reply in its enthusiasm, and the examination went
+on:--
+
+'You'll be true and faithful to that cause till you secure for your
+country the freedom of America and the happiness of France? Kiss the
+cross. Are you used to firearms?'
+
+'Isn't he?--maybe not! I'll be bound he knows a musket from a mealy
+pratie!'
+
+Such and such like were the comments that rang on all sides, so that the
+modest 'Yis, sir,' of the patriot was completely lost.
+
+'Load that gun, Tom,' said the officer.
+
+Here Colooney, deeming that so simple a request must necessarily be only
+a cover for something underhand--a little clever surprise or so--takes
+up the piece in a very gingerly manner, and examines it all round,
+noticing that there is nothing, so far as he can discover, unusual nor
+uncommon about it.
+
+'Load that gun, I say.'
+
+Sharper and more angrily is the command given this time.
+
+'Yis, sir, immadiately.'
+
+And now Tom tries the barrel with the ramrod, lest there should be
+already a charge there--a piece of forethought that is sure to be loudly
+applauded by the public, not the less so because the impatience of the
+French officers is making itself manifest in various ways.
+
+At length he rams down the cartridge, and returns the ramrod; which
+piece of adroitness, if done with a certain air of display and flourish,
+is unfailingly saluted by another cheer. He now primes and cocks the
+piece, and assumes a look of what he believes to be most soldierlike
+severity.
+
+As he stands thus for scrutiny, a rather lively debate gets up as to
+whether or not Tom bit off the end of the cartridge before he rammed it
+down. The biters and anti-biters being equally divided, the discussion
+waxes strong. The French officers, eagerly asking what may be the
+disputed point, laugh very heartily on hearing it.
+
+'I'll lay ye a pint of sperits she won't go off,' cries one.
+
+'Done! for two naggins, if he pulls strong,' rejoins another.
+
+'Devil fear the same gun,' cries a third; 'she shot Mr. Sloan at fifty
+paces, and killed him dead.'
+
+'Tisn't the same gun--that's a Frinch one--a bran-new one!'
+
+'She isn't.'
+
+'She is.'
+
+'No, she isn't.'
+
+'Yes, but she is.' 'What is't you say?' 'Hould your prate.'
+
+'Arrah, teach your mother to feed ducks.'
+
+'Silence in the ranks. Keep silence there. Attention, Colooney!'
+
+'Yis, sir.'
+
+'Fire!'
+
+'What at, sir?' asks Tom, taking an amateur glance of the company, who
+look not over satisfied at his scrutiny.
+
+'Fire in the air!'
+
+[Illustration: 260]
+
+Bang goes the piece, and a yell follows the explosion, while cries of
+'Well done, Tom,' 'Begorra, if a Protestant got that!' and so on, greet
+the performance.
+
+'Stand by, Colooney!' and the volunteer falls back to make way for
+another and similar exhibition, occasionally varied by the humour of the
+blunders of the new candidate.
+
+As to the Treasury orders, as we somewhat ludicrously styled the cheques
+upon our imaginary bank, the scenes they led to were still more absurd
+and complicated. We paid liberally, that is to say in promises, for
+everything, and our generosity saved us a good deal of time, for it was
+astonishing how little the owners disputed our solvency when the price
+was left to themselves. But the rations were indeed the most difficult
+matter of all; it being impossible to convince our allies of the fact
+that the compact was one of trust, and the ration was not his own to
+dispose of in any manner that might seem fit.
+
+'Sure, if I don't like to ate it--if I haven't an appetite for it--if
+I'd rather have a pint of sperits, or a flannel waistcoat, or a pair of
+stockings, than a piece of mate, what harm is that to any one?'
+
+This process of reasoning was much harder of answer than is usually
+supposed, and even when replied to, another difficulty arose in its
+place. Unaccustomed to flesh diet, when they tasted they could not
+refrain from it, and the whole week's rations of beef, amounting to
+eight pounds, were frequently consumed in the first twenty-four hours.
+
+Such instances of gormandising were by no means unfrequent, and,
+stranger still, in no one case, so far as I knew, followed by any ill
+consequences.
+
+The leaders were still more difficult to manage than the people. Without
+military knowledge or experience of any kind, they presumed to dictate
+the plan of a campaign to old and distinguished officers like Humbert
+and Serasin, and when overruled by argument or ridicule, invariably fell
+back upon their superior knowledge of Ireland and her people, a defence
+for which, of course, we were quite unprepared, and unable to oppose
+anything. From these and similar causes it may well be believed that
+our labours were not light, and yet somehow, with all the vexations and
+difficulties around us, there was a congenial tone of levity, an easy
+recklessness, and a careless freedom in the Irish character that suited
+us well There was but one single point whereupon we were not thoroughly
+together, and this was religion. They were a nation of most zealous
+Catholics; and as for us, the revolution had not left the vestige of a
+belief amongst us.
+
+A reconnaissance in Ballina, meant rather to discover the strength
+of the garrison than of the place itself, having shown that the royal
+forces were inconsiderable in number, and mostly militia, General
+Humbert moved forward, on Sunday morning the 26th, with nine hundred men
+of our own force, and about three thousand 'volunteers,' leaving Colonel
+Charost and his staff, with two companies of foot, at Killala, to
+protect the town, and organise the new levies as they were formed.
+
+We saw our companions defile from the town with heavy hearts. The small
+body of real soldiers seemed even smaller still from being enveloped
+by that mass of peasants who accompanied them, and who marched on the
+flanks or in the rear, promiscuously, without discipline or order--a
+noisy, half-drunken rabble, firing off their muskets at random, and
+yelling as they went, in savage glee and exultation. Our sole comfort
+was in the belief, that, when the hour of combat did arrive, they would
+fight to the very last. Such were the assurances of their own officers,
+and made so seriously and confidently, that we never thought of
+mistrusting them.
+
+'If they be but steady under fire,' said Charost, 'a month will make
+them good soldiers. Ours is an easy drill, and soon learned; but I own,'
+he added, 'they do not give me this impression.'
+
+Such was the reflection of one who watched them as they went past, and
+with sorrow we saw ourselves concurring in the sentiment.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII. THE DAY OF 'CASTLEBAR'
+
+We were all occupied with our drill at daybreak on the morning of the
+27th of August, when a mounted orderly arrived at full gallop, with
+news that our troops were in motion for Castlebar, and orders for us
+immediately to march to their support, leaving only one subaltern and
+twenty men in 'the Castle.'
+
+The worthy bishop was thunderstruck at the tidings. It is more than
+probable that he never entertained any grave fears of our ultimate
+success; still he saw that in the struggle, brief as it might be,
+rapine, murder, and pillage would spread over the country, and that
+crime of every sort would be certain to prevail during the short
+interval of anarchy.
+
+As our drums were beating the 'rally,' he entered the garden, and
+with hurried steps came forward to where Colonel Charost was standing
+delivering his orders.
+
+'Good-day, Mons. l'Eveque,' said the colonel, removing his hat, and
+bowing low. You see us in a moment of haste. The campaign has opened,
+and we are about to march.'
+
+'Have you made any provision for the garrison of this town, colonel?'
+said the bishop, in terror. 'Your presence alone here restrained the
+population hitherto. If you leave us-----'
+
+'We shall leave you a strong force of our faithful allies, sir,' said
+Charost; 'Irishmen could scarcely desire better defenders than their
+countrymen.'
+
+'You forget, colonel, that some of us here are averse to this cause,
+but, as non-combatants, lay claim to protection.'
+
+'You shall have it, too, Mons. l'Eveque; we leave an officer and twenty
+men.'
+
+'An officer and twenty men!' echoed the bishop, in dismay.
+
+'Quite sufficient, I assure you,' said Charost coldly; 'and if a hair
+of one of their heads be injured by the populace, trust me, sir, that we
+shall take a terrible vengeance.'
+
+'You do not know these people, sir, as I know them,' said the bishop
+eagerly. 'The same hour that you march out, will the town of Killala be
+given up to pillage. As for your retributive justice, I may be pardoned
+for not feeling any consolation in the pledge, for certes neither I nor
+mine will live to witness it.'
+
+As the bishop was speaking, a crowd of volunteers, some in uniform and
+all armed, drew nearer and nearer to the place of colloquy; and although
+understanding nothing of what went forward in the foreign language,
+seemed to watch the expressions of the speakers' faces with a most keen
+interest. To look at the countenances of these fellows, truly one would
+not have called the bishop's fears exaggerated; their expression was
+that of demoniac passion and hatred.
+
+'Look, sir,' said the bishop, turning round, and facing the mob, 'look
+at the men to whose safeguard you propose to leave us.'
+
+Charost made no reply; but making a sign for the bishop to remain where
+he was, re-entered the pavilion hastily. I could see, through the window
+that he was reading his despatches over again, and evidently taking
+counsel with himself how to act. The determination was quickly come to.
+
+'Mons. l'Eveque,' said he, laying his hand on the bishop's arm, 'I find
+that my orders admit of a choice on my part. I will, therefore, remain
+with you myself, and keep a sufficient force of my own men. It is not
+impossible, however, that in taking this step I may be perilling my
+own safety. You will, therefore, consent that one of your sons shall
+accompany the force now about to march, as a hostage. This is not an
+unreasonable request on my part.'
+
+'Very well, sir,' said the bishop sadly. 'When do they leave?'
+
+'Within half an hour,' said Charost.
+
+The bishop, bowing, retraced his steps through the garden back to the
+house. Our preparations for the road were by this time far advanced. The
+command said, 'Light marching order, and no rations'; so that we
+foresaw that there was sharp work before us. Our men--part of the 12th
+demi-brigade, and a half company of grenadiers--were, indeed, ready on
+the instant; but the Irish were not so easily equipped. Many had strayed
+into the town; some, early as it was, were dead drunk; and not a few had
+mislaid their arms or their ammunition, secretly preferring the chance
+of a foray of their own to the prospect of a regular engagement with the
+Royalist troops.
+
+Our force was still a considerable one, numbering at least fifteen
+hundred volunteers, besides about eighty of our men. By seven o'clock
+we were under march, and with drums beating, defiled from the narrow
+streets of Killala into the mountain-road that leads to Cloonagh; it
+being our object to form a junction with the main body at the foot of
+the mountain.
+
+Two roads led from Ballina to Castlebar--one to the eastward, the other
+to the west of Lough Con. The former was a level road, easily passable
+by wheel carriages, and without any obstacle or difficulty whatever;
+the other took a straight direction over lofty mountains, and in one
+spot--the Pass of Barnageeragh--traversed a narrow defile, shut in
+between steep cliffs, where a small force, assisted by artillery, could
+have arrested the advance of a great army. The road itself, too, was
+in disrepair; the rains of autumn had torn and fissured it, while heavy
+sandslips and fallen rocks in many places rendered it almost impassable.
+
+The Royalist generals had reconnoitred it two days before, and were so
+convinced that all approach in this direction was out of the
+question, that a small picket of observation, posted near the Pass of
+Barnageeragh, was withdrawn as useless, and the few stockades they had
+fixed were still standing as we marched through.
+
+General Humbert had acquired all the details of these separate lines of
+attack, and at once decided for the mountain-road, which, besides the
+advantage of a surprise, was in reality four miles shorter.
+
+The only difficulty was the transport of our artillery, but as we merely
+carried those light field-pieces called 'curricle guns,' and had no want
+of numbers to draw them, this was not an obstacle of much moment. With
+fifty, sometimes sixty, peasants to a gun, they advanced at a run, up
+places where our infantry found the ascent sufficiently toilsome. Here,
+indeed, our allies showed in the most favourable colours we had yet seen
+them. The prospect of a fight seemed to excite their spirits almost
+to madness; every height they surmounted they would break into a wild
+cheer, and the vigour with which they tugged the heavy ammunition-carts
+through the deep and spongy soil never interfered with the joyous shouts
+they gave, and the merry songs they chanted in rude chorus.
+
+     'Tra, la, la! the French is comin',
+          What 'll now the red-coats do?
+     Maybe they won't get a drubbin'!
+          Sure we 'll lick them black and blue!
+
+     'Ye little knew the day was near ye,
+          Ye little thought they 'd come so far;
+     But here's the boys that never fear ye--
+          Run, yer sowls, for Castlebar!'
+
+To this measure they stepped in time, and although the poetry was
+lost upon our ignorance, the rattling joyousness of the air sounded
+pleasantly, and our men, soon catching up the tune, joined heartily in
+the chorus. Another very popular melody ran somewhat thus:--
+
+     'Our day is now begun,
+     Says the Shan van voght,
+     Our day is now begun,
+     Says the Shan van voght.
+     Our day is now begun,
+     And ours is all the fun!
+     Be my sowl ye 'd better run!
+     Says the Shan van voght!'
+
+There were something like a hundred verses to this famous air, but it
+is more than likely, from the specimen given above, that my reader will
+forgive the want of memory that leaves me unable to quote the remaining
+ninety-nine; nor is it necessary that I should add, that the merit of
+these canticles lay in the hoarse accord of a thousand rude voices,
+heard in the stillness of a wild mountain region, and at a time when
+an eventful struggle was before us; such were the circumstances which
+possibly made these savage rhymes assume something of terrible meaning.
+
+We had just arrived at the entrance of Barnageeragh, when one of our
+mounted scouts rode up to say, that a peasant, who tended cattle on
+the mountains, had evidently observed our approach, and hastened into
+Castlebar with the tidings.
+
+It was difficult to make General Humbert understand this fact.
+
+'Is this the patriotism we have heard so much of? Are these the people
+who would welcome us as deliverers?! _Parbleu!_ I've seen nothing but
+lukewarmness or downright opposition since I landed! In that same town
+we have just quitted--a miserable hole, too, was it--what was the
+first sight that greeted us? a fellow in our uniform hanging from
+the stanchion of a window, with an inscription round his neck, to the
+purport that he was a traitor! This is the fraternity which our Irish
+friends never wearied to speak of!'
+
+Our march was now hastened, and in less than an hour we debouched from
+the narrow gorge into the open plain before the town of Castlebar. A few
+shots in our front told us that the advanced picket had fallen in with
+the enemy, but a French cheer also proclaimed that the Royalists had
+fallen back, and our march continued unmolested. The road, which was
+wide and level here, traversed a flat country, without hedgerow or
+cover, so that we were able to advance in close column, without any
+precaution for our flanks; but before us there was a considerable
+ascent, which shut out all view of the track beyond it. Up this our
+advanced guard was toiling, somewhat wearied with a seven hours' march
+and the heat of a warm morning, when scarcely had the leading files
+topped the ridge, than plump went a round shot over their heads, which,
+after describing a fine curve, plunged into the soft surface of a newly
+ploughed field. The troops were instantly retired behind the crest of
+the hill, and an orderly despatched to inform the general that we
+were in face of the enemy. He had already seen the shot and marked its
+direction. The main body was accordingly halted, and defiling from the
+centre, the troops extended on either side into the fields. While this
+movement was being effected Humbert rode forward, and crossing the
+ridge, reconnoitred the enemy.
+
+It was, as he afterwards observed, a stronger force than he had
+anticipated, consisting of between three and four thousand bayonets,
+with four squadrons of horse, and two batteries of eight guns, the
+whole admirably posted on a range of heights, in front of the town, and
+completely covering it.
+
+The ridge was scarcely eight hundred yards' distance, and so distinctly
+was every object seen, that Humbert and his two aides-de-camp were
+at once marked and fired at, even in the few minutes during which the
+reconnaissance lasted.
+
+As the general retired the firing ceased, and now all our arrangements
+were made without molestation of any kind. They were, indeed, of the
+simplest and speediest Two companies of our grenadiers were marched to
+the front, and in advance of them, about twenty paces, were posted a
+body of Irish in French uniforms. This place being assigned them, it was
+said, as a mark of honour, but in reality for no other purpose than to
+draw on them the Royalist artillery, and thus screen the grenadiers.
+
+Under cover of this force came two light six-pounder guns, loaded
+with grape, and intended to be discharged at point-blank distance. The
+infantry brought up the rear in three compact columns, ready to deploy
+into line at a moment.
+
+In these very simple tactics no notice whatever was taken of the great
+rabble of Irish who hung upon our flanks and rear in disorderly
+masses, cursing, swearing, and vociferating in all the license
+of insubordination; and O'Donnell, whose showy uniform contrasted
+strikingly with the dark-blue coat and low glazed cocked-hat of Humbert,
+was now appealed to by his countrymen as to the reason of this palpable
+slight.
+
+'What does he want? what does the fellow say?' asked Humbert, as he
+noticed his excited gestures and passionate manner.
+
+'He is remonstrating, sir,' replied I, 'on the neglect of his
+countrymen; he says that they do not seem treated like soldiers; no post
+has been assigned, nor any order given them.'
+
+'Tell him, sir,' said Humbert, with a savage grin, 'that the discipline
+we have tried in vain to teach them hitherto, we'll not venture to
+rehearse under an enemy's fire; and tell him also that he and his ragged
+followers are free to leave us, or, if they like better, to turn against
+us, at a moment's warning.'
+
+I was saved the unpleasant task of interpreting this civil message by
+Conolly, who, taking O'Donnell aside, appeared endeavouring to reason
+with him, and reduce him to something like moderation.
+
+'There, look at them, they're running like sheep!' cried Humbert,
+laughing, as he pointed to an indiscriminate rabble, some hundred yards
+off, in a meadow, and who had taken to their heels on seeing a round
+shot plunge into the earth near them. 'Come along, sir: come with me,
+and when you have seen what fire is, you may go back and tell your
+countrymen! Serasin, is all ready? Well then, forward, march!'
+
+'March!' was now re-echoed along the line, and steadily, as on a parade,
+our hardy infantry stepped out, while the drums kept up a continued roll
+as we mounted the hill.
+
+The first to cross the crest of the ascent were the 'Legion,' as the
+Irish were called, who, dressed like French soldiers, were selected for
+some slight superiority in discipline and bearing. They had but gained
+the ridge, however, when a well-directed shot from a six-pounder smashed
+in amongst them, killing two, and wounding six or seven others. The
+whole mass immediately fell back on our grenadiers. The confusion
+compelled the supporting column to halt, and once more the troops were
+retired behind the hill.
+
+'Forward, men, forward!' cried Humbert, riding up to the front, and
+in evident impatience at these repeated checks; and now the grenadiers
+passed to the front, and, mounting the height, passed over, while a
+shower of balls flew over and around them. A small slated house stood
+half-way down the hill, and for this the leading files made a dash and
+gained it, just as the main body were, for the third time, driven back
+to re-form.
+
+It was now evident that an attack in column could not succeed against a
+fire so admirably directed, and Humbert quickly deployed into line, and
+prepared to storm the enemy's position.
+
+Up to this the conduct of the Royalists had been marked by the greatest
+steadiness and determination. Every shot from their batteries had told,
+and all promised an easy and complete success to their arms. No
+sooner, however, had our infantry extended into line, than the militia,
+unaccustomed to see an enemy before them, and unable to calculate
+distance, opened a useless, dropping fire, at a range where not a bullet
+could reach!
+
+The ignorance of this movement, and the irregularity of the discharge,
+were not lost upon our fellows, most of whom were veterans of the army
+of the Rhine, and, with a loud cheer of derision, our troops advanced
+to meet them, while a cloud of skirmishers dashed forward and secured
+themselves under cover of a hedge.
+
+Even yet, however, no important advantage had been gained by us, and if
+the Royalists had kept their ground in support of their artillery,
+we must have been driven back with loss; but, fortunately for us, a
+movement we made to keep open order was mistaken by some of the militia
+officers for the preparation to outflank them, a panic seized the
+whole line, and they fell back, leaving their guns totally exposed and
+unprotected.
+
+'They 're running! they 're running!' was the cry along our line; and
+now a race was seen, which should be first up with the artillery. The
+cheers at this moment were tremendous, for our 'allies,' who had kept
+wide aloof hitherto, were now up with us, and, more lightly equipped
+than we were, soon took the lead. The temerity, however, was costly, for
+three several times did the Royalist artillery load and fire; and each
+discharge, scarcely at half-musket range, was terribly effective.
+
+We were by no means prepared for either so sudden or complete a success,
+and the scene was exciting in the highest degree, as the whole line
+mounted the hill, cheering madly. From the crest of this rising ground
+we could now see the town of Castlebar beneath us, into which the
+Royalists were scampering at full speed. A preparation for defending the
+bridge into the town did not escape the watchful eyes of our general,
+who again gave the word 'Forward!' not by the road alone, but also
+by the fields at either side, so as to occupy the houses that should
+command the bridge, and which, by a palpable neglect, the others had
+forgotten to do.
+
+Our small body of horse, about twenty hussars, were ordered to charge
+the bridge, and had they been even moderately well mounted, must have
+captured the one gun of the enemy at once; but the miserable cattle,
+unable to strike a canter, only exposed them to a sharp musketry; and
+when they did reach the bridge, five of their number had fallen. The
+six-pounder was, however, soon taken, and the gunners sabred at their
+posts, while our advanced guard coming up, completed the victory; and
+nothing now remained but a headlong flight.
+
+Had we possessed a single squadron of dragoons, few could have escaped
+us, for not a vestige of discipline remained. All was wild confusion
+and panic. Such of the officers as had ever seen service, were already
+killed or badly wounded; and the younger ones were perfectly unequal to
+the difficult task of rallying or restoring order to a routed force.
+
+The scene in the market-square, as we rode in, is not easily to be
+forgotten; about two hundred prisoners were standing in a group,
+disarmed, it is true, but quite unguarded, and without any preparation
+or precaution against escape!
+
+Six or seven English officers, amongst whom were two majors, were
+gathered around General Humbert, who was conversing with them in
+tones of easy and jocular familiarity. The captured guns of the enemy
+(fourteen in all) were being ranged on one side of the square, while
+behind them were drawn up a strange-looking line of men, with their
+coats turned. These were part of the Kilkenny militia, who had deserted
+to our ranks after the retreat began.
+
+Such was the 'fight' of Castlebar. It would be absurd to call it a
+'battle'--a day too inglorious for the Royalists to reflect any credit
+upon us; but, such as it was, it raised the spirits of our Irish
+followers to a pitch of madness, and, out of our own ranks, none now
+doubted in the certainty of Irish independence.
+
+Our occupation of the town lasted only a week; but, brief as the time
+was, it was sufficient to widen the breach between ourselves and our
+allies into an open and undisguised hatred. There were, unquestionably,
+wrongs on both sides. As for us, we were thoroughly, bitterly
+disappointed in the character of those we had come to liberate; and,
+making the egregious mistake of confounding these semi-civilised
+peasants with the Irish people, we deeply regretted that ever the French
+army should have been sent on so worthless a mission. As for them, they
+felt insulted and degraded by the offensive tone we assumed towards
+them. Not alone were they never regarded as comrades, but a taunting
+insolence of manner was assumed in all our dealings with them, very
+strikingly in contrast to that with which we conducted ourselves towards
+all the other inhabitants of the island, even those who were avowedly
+inimical to our object and our cause.
+
+These things, with native quickness, they soon remarked. They saw the
+consideration and politeness with which the bishop and his family were
+treated; they saw several Protestant gentlemen suffered to return to
+their homes 'on parole.' They saw, too--worse grievance of all--how
+all attempts at pillage were restrained, or severely punished, and they
+asked themselves, 'To what end a revolt, if neither massacre nor robbery
+were to follow? If they wanted masters and rulers, sure they had the
+English that they were used to, and could at least understand.'
+
+Such were the causes, and such the reasonings, which gradually ate
+deeper and deeper into their minds, rendering them at first sullen,
+gloomy, and suspicious, and at last insubordinate, and openly insulting
+to us.
+
+Their leaders were the first to exhibit this state of feeling. Affecting
+a haughty disdain for us, they went about with disparaging stories of
+the French soldiery; and at last went even so far as to impugn their
+courage!
+
+In one of the versions of the affair at Castlebar, it was roundly
+asserted that but for the Irish threatening to fire on them, the French
+would have turned and fled; while in another, the tactics of that
+day were all ascribed to the military genius of Neal Kerrigan, who,
+by-the-bye, was never seen from early morning until late the same
+afternoon, when he rode into Castlebar on a fine bay horse that belonged
+to Captain Shortall of the Royal Artillery!
+
+If the feeling between us and our allies was something less than
+cordial, nothing could be more friendly than that which subsisted
+between us and such of the Royalists as we came in contact with. The
+officers who became our prisoners were treated with every deference and
+respect. Two field-officers and a captain of carbineers dined daily
+with the general, and Serasin entertained several others. We liked
+them greatly; and I believe I am not flattering if I say that they
+were equally satisfied with us. _Nos amis l'ennemis_, was the constant
+expression used in talking of them; and every day drew closer the ties
+of this comrade regard and esteem.
+
+Such was the cordial tone of intimacy maintained between us, that I
+remember well, one evening at Humbert's table, an animated discussion
+being carried on between the general and an English staff-officer on
+the campaign itself--the Royalist averring that in marching southward
+at all, a gross and irreparable mistake had been made, and that if the
+French had occupied Sligo, and extended their wings towards the north,
+they would have secured a position of infinitely greater strength, and
+also become the centre for rallying round them a population of a very
+different order from the half-starved tribes of Mayo.
+
+Humbert affected to say that the reason for his actual plan was that
+twenty thousand French were daily expected to land in Lough Swilly, and
+that the western attack was merely to occupy time and attention, while
+the more formidable movement went on elsewhere.
+
+I know not if the English believed this; I rather suspect not. Certes,
+they were too polite to express any semblance of distrust of what was
+told them with all the air of truth.
+
+It was amusing, too, to see the candour with which each party discussed
+the other to his face--the French general criticising all the faulty
+tactics and defective manoeuvres of the Royalists; while the English
+never hesitated to aver that whatever momentary success might wait upon
+the French arms, they were just as certain to be obliged to capitulate
+in the end.
+
+'You know it better than I do, general,' said the major of dragoons. 'It
+may be a day or two earlier or later, but the issue will and must be--a
+surrender.'
+
+'I don't agree with you,' said Humbert, laughing; 'I think there will
+be more than one "Castlebar." But let the worst happen--and you must
+own that your haughty country has received a heavy insult--your great
+England has got a _soufflet_ in the face of all Europe!'
+
+This, which our general regarded as a great compensation--the greatest,
+perhaps, he could receive for all defeat--did not seem to affect the
+English with proportionate dismay, nor even to ruffle the equanimity of
+their calm tempers.
+
+Upon one subject both sides were quite agreed--that the peasantry never
+could aid, but very possibly would always shipwreck, every attempt to
+win national independence.
+
+'I should have one army to fight the English, and two to keep down the
+Irish!' was Humbert's expression; and very little experience served to
+show that there was not much exaggeration in the sentiment.
+
+Our week at Castlebar taught us a good lesson in this respect. The
+troops, wearied with a march that had begun on the midnight of the day
+before, and with an engagement that lasted from eight till two in the
+afternoon, were obliged to be under arms for several hours, to repress
+pillage and massacre. Our allies now filled the town, to the number
+of five thousand, openly demanding that it should be given up to them,
+parading the streets in riotous bands, and displaying banners with long
+lists of names doomed for immediate destruction.
+
+The steadiness and temper of our soldiery were severely tried by these
+factious and insubordinate spirits; but discipline prevailed at last,
+and before the first evening closed in, the town was quiet, and, for the
+time at least, danger over.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII. THE TOWN-MAJOR OF CASTLEBAR
+
+I am at a loss to know whether or not I owe an apology to my reader for
+turning away from the more immediate object of this memoir of a life, to
+speak of events which have assumed an historical reputation. It may be
+thought ill-becoming in one who occupied the subordinate station that
+I did, to express himself on subjects so very far above both his
+experience and acquaintance; but I would premise, that in the opinions I
+may have formed, and the words of praise or censure dropped, I have been
+but retailing the sentiments of those older and wiser than myself, and
+by whose guidance I was mainly led to entertain not only the convictions
+but the prejudices of my early years.
+
+Let the reader bear in mind, too, that I was very early in life thrown
+into the society of men--left self-dependent, in a great measure, and
+obliged to decide for myself on subjects which usually are determined
+by older and more mature heads. So much of excuse, then, if I seem
+presumptuous in saying that I began to conceive a very low opinion
+generally of popular attempts at independence, and a very high one of
+the powers of military skill and discipline. A mob, in my estimation,
+was the very lowest, and an army about the very highest, object I
+could well conceive. My short residence at Castlebar did not tend to
+controvert these impressions. The safety of the town and its inhabitants
+was entirely owing to the handful of French who held it, and who,
+wearied with guards, pickets, and outpost duty, were a mere fraction of
+the small force that had landed a few days before.
+
+Our 'allies' were now our most difficult charge, Abandoning the hopeless
+task of drilling and disciplining them, we confined ourselves to the
+more practical office of restraining pillage and repressing violence--a
+measure, be it said, that was not without peril, and of a very
+serious kind. I remember one incident, which, if not followed by grave
+consequences, yet appeared at the time of a very serious character.
+
+By the accidental misspelling of a name, a man named Dowall, a
+notorious ruffian and demagogue, was appointed _commandant de place_, or
+town-major, instead of a most respectable shopkeeper named Downes, who,
+although soon made aware of the mistake, from natural timidity took
+no steps to undeceive the general. Dowall was haranguing a mob of
+half-drunken vagabonds, when his commission was put into his hands; and,
+accepting the post as an evidence of the fears the French entertained of
+his personal influence, became more overbearing and insolent than ever.
+We had a very gallant officer, the second major of the 12th Regiment
+of the Line, killed in the attack on Castlebar, and this Dowall at once
+took possession of poor Delaitre's horse, arms, and equipment. His coat
+and shako, his very boots and gloves, the scoundrel appropriated; and,
+as if in mockery of us and our poor friend, assumed a habit that he had
+when riding fast, to place his sabre between his leg and the saddle, to
+prevent its striking the horse on the flanks.
+
+I need scarcely say that, thoroughly disgusted by the unsightly
+exhibition, our incessant cares, and the endless round of duty we were
+engaged in, as well as the critical position we occupied, left us no
+time to notice the fellow's conduct by any other than a passing sign
+of anger or contempt--provocations that he certainly gave us back as
+insolently as we offered them. I do not believe that the general ever
+saw him, but I know that incessant complaints were daily made to him
+about the man's rapacity and tyranny, and scarcely a morning passed
+without a dozen remonstrances being preferred against his overbearing
+conduct.
+
+Determined to have his own countrymen on his side, he issued the
+most absurd orders for the billeting of the rabble, the rations and
+allowances of all kinds. He seized upon one of the best houses for his
+own quarters, and three fine saddle-horses for his personal use, besides
+a number of inferior ones for the ruffian following he called his staff!
+
+It was, indeed, enough to excite laughter, had not indignation been the
+more powerful emotion, to see this fellow ride forth of a morning--a
+tawdry scarf of green, with deep gold fringe, thrown over his shoulder,
+and a saddle-cloth of the same colour, profusely studded with gold
+shamrocks, on his horse; a drawn sword in his hand, and his head erect,
+followed by an indiscriminate rabble on foot or horseback--some with
+muskets, some pikes, some with sword blades, bayonets, or even knives
+fastened on sticks, but all alike ferocious-looking.
+
+They affected to march in order, and, with a rude imitation of soldiery,
+carried something like a knapsack on their shoulders, surmounted by a
+kettle or tin cup, or sometimes an iron pot--a grotesque parody on the
+trim cooking equipment of the French soldier. It was evident, from their
+step and bearing, that they thought themselves in the very height of
+discipline; and this very assumption was far more insulting to the real
+soldier than all the licentious irregularity of the marauder. If to us
+they were objects of ridicule and derision, to the townspeople they were
+images of terror and dismay. The miserable shopkeeper who housed one of
+them lived in continual fear; he knew nothing to be his own, and felt
+that his property and family were every moment at the dictate of a
+ruffian gang, who acknowledged no law, nor any rule save their own will
+and convenience. Dowall's squad were indeed as great a terror in that
+little town as I had seen the great name of Robespierre in the proud
+city of Paris.
+
+In my temporary position on General Serasin's staff, I came to hear much
+of this fellow's conduct. The most grievous stories were told me every
+day of his rapacity and cruelty; but, harassed and overworked as the
+general was with duties that would have been overmuch for three or four
+men, I forebore to trouble him with recitals which could only fret and
+distress him without affording the slightest chance of relief to others.
+Perhaps this impunity had rendered him more daring, or, perhaps, the
+immense number of armed Irish in comparison with the small force of
+disciplined soldiers, emboldened the fellow; but certainly he grew day
+by day more presumptuous and insolent, and at last so far forgot himself
+as to countermand one of General Serasin's orders, by which a guard
+was stationed at the Protestant church to prevent its being molested or
+injured by the populace.
+
+General Humbert had already refused the Roman Catholic priest his
+permission to celebrate mass in that building, but Dowall had determined
+otherwise, and that, too, by a written order, under his own hand. The
+French sergeant who commanded the guard of course paid little attention
+to this warrant; and when Father Hennisy wanted to carry the matter with
+a high hand, he coolly tore up the paper, and threw the fragments at
+him.
+
+Dowall was soon informed of the slight offered to his mandate. He was at
+supper at the time, entertaining a party of his friends, who all heard
+the priest's story, and, of course, loudly sympathised with his sorrows,
+and invoked the powerful leader's aid and protection. Affecting to
+believe that the sergeant had merely acted in ignorance, and from not
+being able to read English, Dowall despatched a fellow whom he called
+his aide-de-camp, a schoolmaster named Lowrie, and who spoke a little
+bad French, to interpret his command, and to desire the sergeant to
+withdraw his men, and give up the guard to a party of 'the squad.'
+
+Great was the surprise of the supper-party, when, after the lapse of
+half an hour, a country fellow came in to say that he had seen Lowrie
+led off to prison between two French soldiers. By this time Dowall had
+drunk himself into a state of utter recklessness, while, encouraged by
+his friends' praises, and the arguments of his own passions, he fancied
+that he might dispute ascendency with General Humbert himself. He at
+once ordered out his horse, and gave a command to assemble the 'squad.'
+As they were all billeted in his immediate vicinity, this was speedily
+effected, and their numbers swelled by a vast mass of idle and curious,
+who were eager to see how the matter would end; the whole street was
+crowded, and when Dowall mounted, his followers amounted to above a
+thousand people.
+
+If our sergeant, an old soldier of the 'Sambre et Meuse,' had not
+already enjoyed some experience of our allies, it is more than likely
+that, seeing their hostile advance, he would have fallen back upon the
+main guard, then stationed in the market-square. As it was, he simply
+retired his party within the church, the door of which had already been
+pierced for the use of musketry. This done, and one of his men being
+despatched to headquarters for advice and orders, he waited patiently
+for the attack.
+
+I happened that night to make one of General Serasin's dinner-party,
+and we were sitting over our wine, when the officer of the guard entered
+hastily with the tidings of what was going on in the town.
+
+'Is it the _commandant de place_ himself who is at the head?' exclaimed
+Serasin, in amazement, such a thought being a direct shock to all his
+ideas of military discipline.
+
+'Yes, sir,' said the officer; 'the soldier knows his appearance well,
+and can vouch for its being him.'
+
+'As I know something of him, general,' said I, 'I may as well mention
+that nothing is more likely.'
+
+'Who is he--what is he?' asked Serasin hastily.
+
+A very brief account--I need not say not a nattering one--told all that
+I knew or had ever heard of our worthy town-major--many of the officers
+around corroborating, as I went on, all that I said, and interpolating
+little details of their own about his robberies and exactions.
+
+'And yet I have heard nothing of all this before,' said the general,
+looking sternly around him on every side.
+
+None ventured on a reply; and what might have followed there is no
+guessing, when the sharp rattle of musketry cut short all discussion.
+
+'That fire was not given by soldiers,' said Serasin. 'Go, Tiernay, and
+bring this fellow before me at once.'
+
+I bowed, and was leaving the room, when an officer, having whispered a
+few words in Serasin's ear, the general called me back, saying--
+
+'You are not to incur any risk, Tiernay; I want no struggle, still less
+a rescue. You understand me?'
+
+'Perfectly, general; the matter will, I trust, be easy enough.'
+
+And so I left the room, my heart--shall I avow it?--bumping and
+throbbing in a fashion that gave a very poor corroboration to my words.
+There were always three or four horses ready saddled for duty at each
+general's quarters, and, taking one of them, I ordered a corporal of
+dragoons to follow me, and set out. It was a fine night of autumn; the
+last faint sunlight was yet struggling with the coming darkness, as I
+rode at a brisk trot down the main street towards the scene of action.
+
+I had not proceeded far when the crowds compelled me to slacken my pace
+to a walk, and finding that the people pressed in upon me in such a
+way as to prevent anything like a defence if attacked, still more, any
+chance of an escape by flight, I sent the corporal forward to clear
+a passage, and announce my coming to the redoubted commandant. It was
+curious to see how the old dragoon's tactic effected his object,
+and with what speed the crowd opened and fell back, as, with a flank
+movement of his horse, he 'passaged' up the street, prancing, bounding,
+and back-leaping, yet all the while perfectly obedient to the hand,
+and never deviating from the straight line in the very middle of the
+thoroughfare.
+
+I could catch from the voices around me that the mob had fired a volley
+at the church door, but that our men had never returned the fire; and
+now a great commotion of the crowd, and that swaying, surging motion of
+the mass, which is so peculiarly indicative of a coming event, told that
+something more was in preparation. And such was it; for already numbers
+were hurrying forward with straw faggots, broken furniture, and other
+combustible material, which, in the midst of the wildest cries and
+shouts of triumph, were now being heaped up against the door. Another
+moment, and I should have been too late; as it was, my loud summons to
+'halt,' and a bold command for the mob to fall back, only came at the
+very last minute.
+
+'Where's the commandant?' said I, in an imperious tone.
+
+'Who wants him?' responded a deep, husky voice, which I well knew to be
+Dowall's.
+
+'The general in command of the town,' said I firmly--'General Serasin.'
+
+'Maybe I'm as good a general as himself,' was the answer. 'I never
+called him my superior yet! Did I, boys?'
+
+'Never--devil a bit--why would you?' and such like, were shouted by the
+mob around us, in every accent of drunken defiance.
+
+'You 'll not refuse General Serasin's invitation to confer with your
+commandant, I hope?' said I, affecting a tone of respectful civility,
+while I gradually drew nearer and nearer to him, contriving, at the same
+time, by a dexterous plunging of my horse, to force back the bystanders,
+and thus isolate my friend Dowall.
+
+'Tell him I've work to do here,' said he, 'and can't come; but if he's
+fond of a bonfire he may as well step down this far and see one.'
+
+By this time, at a gesture of command from me, the corporal had placed
+himself on the opposite side of Dowall's horse, and, by a movement
+similar to my own, completely drove back the dense mob, so that we had
+him completely in our power, and could have sabred or shot him at any
+moment.
+
+'General Serasin only wishes to see you on duty, commandant,' said I,
+speaking in a voice that could be heard over the entire assemblage; and
+then, dropping it to a whisper, only audible to himself, I added--
+
+'Come along quietly, sir, and without a word. If you speak, if you
+mutter, or if you lift a finger, I'll run my sabre through your body.'
+
+'Forward, way, there!' shouted I aloud, and the corporal, holding
+Dowall's bridle, pricked the horse with the point of his sword, and
+right through the crowd we went at a pace that defied following, had any
+the daring to think of it.
+
+So sudden was the act and so imminent the peril, for I held the point of
+my weapon within a few inches of his back, and would have kept my word
+most assuredly too, that the fellow never spoke a syllable as we went,
+nor ventured on even a word of remonstrance till we descended at the
+general's door. Then, with a voice tremulous with restrained passion, he
+said--
+
+'If ye think I'll forgive ye this thrick, my fine hoy, may the flames
+and fire be my portion! and if I haven't my revenge on ye yet, my name
+isn't Mick Dowall.'
+
+With a dogged, sulky resolution he mounted the stairs, but as he neared
+the room where the general was, and from which his voice could even now
+be heard, his courage seemed to fail him, and he looked back as though
+to see if no chance of escape remained. The attempt would have been
+hopeless, and he saw it.
+
+'This is the man, general,' said I, half pushing him forward into the
+middle of the room, where he stood with his hat on, and in an attitude
+of mingled defiance and terror.
+
+'Tell him to uncover,' said Serasin; but one of the aides-de-camp, more
+zealous than courteous, stepped forward and knocked the hat off with his
+hand. Dowall never budged an inch, nor moved a muscle, at this insult;
+to look at him you could not have said that he was conscious of it.
+
+'Ask him if it was by his orders that the guard was assailed,' said the
+general.
+
+I put the question in about as many words, but he made no reply.
+
+'Does the man know where he is? does he know who I am?' repeated Serasin
+passionately.
+
+'He knows both well enough, sir,' said I; 'this silence is a mere
+defiance of us.'
+
+'_Parbleu!_' cried an officer, 'that is the _coquin_ took poor
+Delaitre's equipments; the very uniform he has on was his.'
+
+'The fellow was never a soldier,' said another.
+
+'I know him well,' interposed a third--' he is the very terror of the
+townsfolk.'
+
+'Who gave him his commission?--who appointed him?' asked Serasin.
+
+Apparently the fellow could follow some words of French, for as the
+general asked this he drew from his pocket a crumpled and soiled paper,
+which he threw heedlessly upon the table before us.
+
+'Why, this is not his name, sir,' said I; 'this appointment is made out
+in the name of Nicholas Downes, and our friend here is called Dowall.'
+
+'Who knows him? who can identify him?' asked Serasin.
+
+'I can say that his name is Dowall, and that he worked as a porter on
+the quay in this town when I was a boy,' said a young Irishman who was
+copying letters and papers at a side-table. 'Yes, Dowall,' said the
+youth, confronting the look which the other gave him. 'I am neither
+afraid nor ashamed to tell you to your face that I know you well, and
+who you are, and what you are.'
+
+'I'm an officer in the Irish Independent Army now,' said Dowall
+resolutely. 'To the divil I fling the French commission and all that
+belongs to it. Tisn't troops that run and guns that burst we want.
+Let them go back again the way they came--we 're able for the work
+ourselves.*
+
+Before I could translate this rude speech an officer broke into the
+room, with tidings that the streets had been cleared, and the rioters
+dispersed; a few prisoners, too, were taken, whose muskets bore trace of
+being recently discharged.
+
+'They fired upon our pickets, general,' said the officer, whose excited
+look and voice betrayed how deeply he felt the outrage.
+
+The men were introduced; three ragged, ill-looking wretches, apparently
+only roused from intoxication by the terror of their situation, for each
+was guarded by a soldier with a drawn bayonet in his hand.
+
+'We only obeyed ordhers, my lord; we only did what the captain tould
+us,' cried they, in a miserable, whining tone, for the sight of their
+leader in captivity had sapped all their courage.
+
+'What am I here for? who has any business with me?' said Dowall,
+assuming before his followers an attempt at his former tone of bully.
+
+'Tell him,' said Serasin, 'that wherever a French general stands in full
+command he will neither brook insolence nor insubordination. Let those
+fellows be turned out of the town, and warned never to approach the
+quarters of the army under any pretence whatever. As for this scoundrel,
+we'll make an example of him. Order a _peloton_ into the yard, and shoot
+him!'
+
+I rendered this speech into English as the general spoke it, and never
+shall I forget the wild scream of the wretch as he heard the sentence.
+
+'I'm an officer in the army of Ireland. I don't belong to ye at all.
+You've no power over me. Oh, captain, darlin'; oh, gentlemen, speak for
+me! General, dear; general, honey, don't sintince me! don't, for the
+love o' God!' and in grovelling terror the miserable creature threw
+himself on his knees to beg for mercy.
+
+'Tear off his epaulettes,' cried Serasin; 'never let a French uniform be
+so disgraced!'
+
+The soldiers wrenched off the epaulettes at the command, and, not
+satisfied with this, they even tore away the lace from the cuffs of the
+uniform, which now hung in ragged fragments over his trembling hands.
+
+'Oh, sir! oh, general! oh, gentlemen, have marcy!'
+
+'Away with him,' said Serasin contemptuously; 'it is only the cruel can
+be such cowards. Give the fellow his fusillade with blank cartridge,
+and, the chances are, fear will kill him outright.'
+
+The scene that ensued is too shocking, too full of abasement, to record;
+there was nothing that fear of death, nothing that abject terror could
+suggest, that this miserable wretch did not attempt to save his life; he
+wept--he begged in accents that were unworthy of all manhood--he kissed
+the very ground at the general's feet in his abject sorrow; and when at
+last he was dragged from the room, his screams were the most piercing
+and terrific.
+
+Although all my compassion was changed into contempt, I felt that I
+could never have given the word to fire upon him, had such been my
+orders; his fears had placed him below all manhood, but they still
+formed a barrier of defence around him. I accordingly whispered a few
+words to the sergeant, as we passed down the stairs, and then, affecting
+to have forgotten something, I stepped back towards the room, where the
+general and his staff were sitting. The scuffling sound of feet, mingled
+with the crash of firearms, almost drowned the cries of the still
+struggling wretch; his voice, however, burst forth into a wild cry, and
+then there came a pause--a pause that at last became insupportable to my
+anxiety, and I was about to rush downstairs, when a loud yell, a savage
+howl of derision and hate burst forth from the street; and on looking
+out I saw a vast crowd before the door, who were shouting after a man,
+whose speed soon carried him out of reach. This was Dowall, who, thus
+suffered to escape, was told to fly from the town and never to return to
+it.
+
+'Thank Heaven,' muttered I, 'we've seen the last of him.'
+
+The rejoicing was, however, premature.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV. THE MISSION TO THE NORTH
+
+I have never yet been able to discover whether General Humbert really
+did feel the confidence that he assumed at this period, or that he
+merely affected it, the better to sustain the spirits of those around
+him. If our success at Castlebar was undeniable, our loss was also
+great, and far more than proportionate to all the advantages we had
+acquired. Six officers and two hundred and forty men were either
+killed or badly wounded, and as our small force had really acquired no
+reinforcement worth the name, it was evident that another such costly
+victory would be our ruin.
+
+Not one gentleman of rank or influence had yet joined us; few of the
+priesthood; and, even among the farmers and peasantry, it was easy to
+see that our recruits comprised those whose accession could never have
+conferred honour or profit on any cause.
+
+Our situation was anything but promising. The rumours that reached us
+(and we had no other or more accurate information than rumours)
+told that an army of thirty thousand men, under the command of Lord
+Cornwallis, was in march against us; that all the insurrectionary
+movements of the south were completely repressed; that the spirit of
+the Irish was crushed, and their confidence broken, either by defeat or
+internal treachery. In a word, that the expedition had already failed,
+and the sooner we had the means of leaving the land of our disasters the
+better.
+
+Such were the universal feelings of all my comrades; but Humbert, who
+had often told us that we were only here to prepare the way for another
+and more formidable mission, now pretended to think that we were
+progressing most favourably towards a perfect success. Perhaps he firmly
+believed all this, or perhaps he thought that the pretence would give
+more dignity to the finale of an exploit which he already saw was
+nearly played out. I know not which is the true explanation, and am half
+disposed to think that he was actuated as much by one impulse as the
+other.
+
+'The Army of the North' was the talisman, which we now heard of for the
+first time, to repair all our disasters, and ensure complete victory.
+'The Army of the North,' whose strength varied from twenty to
+twenty-five, and sometimes reached even thirty thousand men, and was
+commanded by a distinguished Irish general, was now the centre to which
+all our hopes turned. Whether it had already landed, and where, of what
+it consisted, and how officered, not one of us knew anything; but by
+dint of daily repetition and discussion we had come to believe in its
+existence as certainly as though we had seen it under arms.
+
+The credulous lent their convictions without any trouble to themselves
+whatever; the more sceptical studied the map, and fancied twenty
+different places in which they might have disembarked; and thus the Army
+of the North grew to be a substance and reality, as undoubted as the
+scenes before our eyes.
+
+Never was such a ready solution of all difficulties discovered as this
+same Army of the North. Were we to be beaten by Cornwallis, it was only
+a momentary check, for the Army of the North would come up within a
+few days and turn the whole tide of war. If our Irish allies grew
+insubordinate or disorderly, a little patience and the Army of the North
+would settle all that. Every movement projected was fancied to be in
+concert with this redoubted corps, and at last every trooper that rode
+in from Killala or Ballina was questioned as to whether his despatches
+did not come from the Army of the North.
+
+Frenchmen will believe anything you like for twenty-four hours. They
+can be flattered into a credulity of two days, and, by dint of great
+artifice and much persuasion, will occasionally reach a third; but
+there, faith has its limit; and if nothing palpable, tangible, and real,
+intervene, scepticism ensues; and what with native sarcasm, ridicule,
+and irony, they will demolish the card edifice of credit far more
+rapidly than ever they raised it. For two whole days the Army of the
+North occupied every man amongst us. We toasted it over our wine; we
+discussed it at our quarters; we debated upon its whereabouts, its
+strength, and its probable destination; but on the third morning a
+terrible shock was given to our feelings by a volatile young lieutenant
+of hussars exclaiming--'_Ma foi!_ I wish I could see this same Army of
+the North!'
+
+Now, although nothing was more reasonable than this wish, nor was there
+any one of us who had not felt a similar desire, this sudden expression
+of it struck us all most forcibly, and a shrinking sense of doubt spread
+over every face, and men looked at each other as though to say--'Is the
+fellow capable of supposing that such an army does not exist?' It was a
+very dreadful moment--a terrible interval of struggle between the broad
+daylight of belief and the black darkness of incredulity; and we turned
+glances of actual dislike at the man who had so unwarrantably shaken our
+settled convictions.
+
+'I only said I should like to see them under arms,' stammered he, in the
+confusion of one who saw himself exposed to public obloquy.
+
+This half-apology came too late---the mischief was done! and we shunned
+each other like men who were afraid to read the accusation of even a
+shrewd glance. As for myself, I can compare my feelings only to those of
+the worthy alderman, who broke out into a paroxysm of grief on hearing
+that _Robinson Crusoe_ was a fiction. I believe, on that sudden
+revulsion of feeling, I could have discredited any and everything. If
+there was no Army of the North, was I quite sure that there was any
+expedition at all? Were the generals mere freebooters, the chiefs of a
+marauding venture? Were the patriots anything but a disorderly rabble
+eager for robbery and bloodshed? Was Irish Independence a mere phantom?
+Such were among the shocking terrors that came across my mind as I
+sat in my quarters, far too dispirited and depressed to mix among my
+comrades.
+
+It had been a day of fatiguing duty, and I was not sorry, as night
+fell, that I might betake myself to bed, to forget, if it might be, the
+torturing doubts that troubled me. Suddenly I heard a heavy foot upon
+the stair, and an orderly entered with a command for me to repair to the
+headquarters of the general at once. Never did the call of duty summon
+me less willing, never found me so totally disinclined to obey. I was
+weary and fatigued; but worse, than this, I was out of temper with
+myself, the service, and the whole world. Had I heard that the Royal
+forces were approaching, I was exactly in the humour to have dashed
+into the thick of them, and sold my life as dearly as I could, out of
+desperation.
+
+Discipline is a powerful antagonist to a man's caprices, for with all
+my irritability and discontent I arose, and resuming my uniform, set out
+for General Humbert's quarters. I followed 'the orderly,' as he led the
+way through many a dark street and crooked alley till we reached the
+square. There, too, all was in darkness, save at the mainguard, where,
+as usual, the five windows of the first storey were a blaze of light,
+and the sounds of mirth and revelry, the nightly orgies of our officers,
+were ringing out in the stillness of the quiet hour. The wild chorus
+of a soldier-song, with its rataplan accompaniment of knuckles on the
+table, echoed through the square, and smote upon my ear with anything
+but a congenial sense of pleasure.
+
+In my heart I thought them a senseless, soulless crew, that could give
+themselves to dissipation and excess on the very eve, as it were, of our
+defeat, and with hasty steps I turned away into the side-street, where
+a large lamp, the only light to be seen, proclaimed General Humbert's
+quarters.
+
+A bustle and stir, very unusual at this late hour, pervaded the passages
+and stairs, and it was some time before I could find one of the staff to
+announce my arrival, which at last was done somewhat unceremoniously,
+as an officer hurried me through a large chamber crowded with the staff
+into an inner room, where, on a small field-bed, lay General Humbert,
+without coat or boots, a much-worn scarlet cloak thrown half over him,
+and a black handkerchief tied round his head. I had scarcely seen him
+since our landing, and I could with difficulty recognise the burly,
+high-complexioned soldier of a few days back, in the worn and haggard
+features of the sick man before me. An attack of ague, which he had
+originally contracted in Holland, had relapsed upon him, and he was now
+suffering all the lassitude and sickness of that most depressing of all
+maladies.
+
+Maps, books, plans, and sketches of various kinds scattered the bed,
+the table, and even the floor around him; but his attitude as I entered
+betrayed the exhaustion of one who could labour no longer, and whose
+worn-out faculties demanded rest. He lay flat on his back, his arms
+straight down beside him, and with half-closed eyes, seemed as though
+falling off to sleep.
+
+His first aide-de-camp, Merochamp, was standing with his back to a small
+turf fire, and made a sign to us to be still, and make no noise as we
+came in.
+
+'He 's sleeping,' said he; 'it 's the first time he has closed his eyes
+for ten days.'
+
+We stood for a moment uncertain, and were about to retrace our steps,
+when Humbert said, in a low, weak voice--
+
+'No! I'm not asleep, come in.'
+
+The officer who presented me now retired, and I advanced towards the
+bedside.
+
+'This is Tiernay, general,' said Merochamp, stooping down and speaking
+low; 'you wished to see him.'
+
+'Yes, I wanted him. Ha! Tiernay, you see me a good deal altered since we
+parted last; however, I shall be all right in a day or two, it's a mere
+attack of ague, and will leave when the good weather comes. I wished to
+ask you about your family, Tiernay; was not your father Irish?'
+
+'No, sir; we were Irish two or three generations back, but since that we
+have belonged either to Austria or to France.'
+
+'Then where were you born?'
+
+'In Paris, sir, I believe, but certainly in France.'
+
+'Then I said so, Merochamp; I knew that the boy was French.'
+
+'Still I don't think the precaution worthless,' replied Merochamp;
+'Teeling and the others advise it.'
+
+'I know they do,' said Humbert peevishly, 'and for themselves it may be
+needful; but this lad's case will be injured, not bettered by it. He is
+not an Irishman; he never was at any time a British subject. Have you
+any certificate of birth or baptism, Tiernay?'
+
+'None, sir; but I have my 'livret' for the school of Saumur, which sets
+forth my being a Frenchman by birth.'
+
+'Quite sufficient, boy, let me have it.'
+
+It was a document which I always carried about with me since I landed,
+to enable me any moment, if made prisoner, to prove myself an alien, and
+thus escape the inculpation of fighting against the flag of my country.
+Perhaps there was something of reluctance in my manner as I relinquished
+it, for the general said, 'I'll take good care of it, Tiernay; you shall
+not fare the worse because it is in my keeping. I may as well tell you
+that some of our Irish officers have received threatening letters. It
+is needless to say they are without name, stating that if matters go
+unfortunately with us in this campaign they will meet the fate of men
+taken in open treason; and that their condition of officers in our
+service will avail them nothing. I do not believe this. I cannot believe
+that they will be treated in any respect differently from the rest
+of us. However, it is only just that I should tell you that your name
+figures amongst those so denounced; for this reason I have sent for you
+now. You, at least, have nothing to apprehend on this score. You are as
+much a Frenchman as myself. I know Merochamp thinks differently from me,
+and that your Irish descent and name will be quite enough to involve you
+in the fate of others.'
+
+A gesture, half of assent but half of impatience, from the aide-de-camp,
+here arrested the speaker.
+
+'Why not tell him frankly how he stands?' said Humbert eagerly; 'I see
+no advantage in any concealment.'
+
+Then addressing me, he went on. 'I purpose, Tiernay, to give you the
+same option I gave the others, but which they have declined to accept.
+It is this: we are daily expecting to hear of the arrival of a force in
+the north under the command of Generals Tandy and Rey.'
+
+'The Army of the North?' asked I, in some anxiety. 'Precisely; the Army
+of the North. Now I desire to open a communication with them, and at the
+same time to do so through the means of such officers as, in the event
+of any disaster here, may have the escape to France open to them; which
+this army will have, and which, I need not say, we have no longer.
+Our Irish friends have declined this mission as being more likely to
+compromise them if taken; and also as diminishing and not increasing
+their chance of escape. In my belief that you were placed similarly
+I have sent for you here this evening, and at the same time desire to
+impress upon you that your acceptance or refusal is purely a matter at
+your own volition.'
+
+'Am I to regard the matter simply as one of duty, sir? or as an
+opportunity of consulting my personal safety?'
+
+'What shall I say to this, Merochamp?' asked Humbert bluntly.
+
+'That you are running to the full as many risks of being banged for
+going as by staying; such is my opinion,' said the aide-de-camp. 'Here
+as a rebel, there as a spy.'
+
+'I confess, then,' said I, smiling at the cool brevity of the speech,
+'the choice is somewhat embarrassing! May I ask what you advise me to
+do, general?'
+
+'I should say go, Tiernay.'
+
+'Go, by all means, lad,' broke in the aide-de-camp, who throughout
+assumed a tone of dictation and familiarity most remarkable. 'If a stand
+is to be made in this miserable country it will be with Rey's force;
+here the game will not last much longer. There lies the only man capable
+of conducting such an expedition, and his health cannot stand up against
+its trials!'
+
+'Not so, Merochamp; I 'll be on horseback to-morrow or the day after at
+furthest; and if I never were to take the field again, there are others,
+yourself amongst the number, well able to supply my place: but as to
+Tiernay--what says he?'
+
+'Make it duty, sir, and I shall go, or remain here with an easy
+conscience,' said I.
+
+'Then duty be it, boy,' said he; 'and Merochamp will tell you
+everything, for all this discussion has wearied me much, and I cannot
+endure more talking.'
+
+'Sit down here,' said the aide-de-camp, pointing to a seat at his side,
+'and five minutes will suffice.'
+
+He opened a large map of Ireland before us on the table, and running his
+finger along the coast-line of the western side, stopped abruptly at the
+bay of Lough Swilly.
+
+'There,' said he, 'that is the spot. There, too, should have been our
+own landing! The whole population of the north will be with them--not
+such allies as these fellows, but men accustomed to the use of arms,
+able and willing to take the field. They say that five thousand men
+could hold the passes of those mountains against thirty.'
+
+'Who says this?' said I, for I own it that I had grown marvellously
+sceptical as to testimony.
+
+'Napper Tandy, who is a general of division, and one of the leaders of
+this force'; and he went on: 'The utmost we can do will be to hold these
+towns to the westward till they join us. We may stretch away thus
+far,' and he moved his finger towards the direction of Leitrim, but no
+farther. 'You will have to communicate with them; to explain what we
+have done, where we are, and how we are. Conceal nothing--let them
+hear fairly that this patriot force is worth nothing, and that even to
+garrison the towns we take they are useless. Tell them, too, the sad
+mistake we made by attempting to organise what never can be disciplined,
+and let them not arm a population, as we have done, to commit rapine and
+plunder.'
+
+Two letters were already written--one addressed to Rey, the other to
+Napper Tandy. These I was ordered to destroy if I should happen to
+become a prisoner; and with the map of Ireland, pen-marked in various
+directions, by which I might trace my route, and a few lines to Colonel
+Charost, whom I was to see on passing at Killala, I was dismissed.'
+When I approached the bedside to take leave of the general he was sound
+asleep. The excitement of talking having passed away, he was pale
+as death, and his lips totally colourless. Poor fellow, he was
+exhausted-looking and weary, and I could not help thinking, as I looked
+on him, that he was no bad emblem of the cause he had embarked in!
+
+I was to take my troop-horse as far as Killala, after which I was to
+proceed either on foot, or by such modes of conveyance as I could find,
+keeping as nigh the coast as possible, and acquainting myself, so far as
+I might do, with the temper and disposition of the people as I went. It
+was a great aid to my sinking courage to know that there really was an
+Army of the North, and to feel myself accredited to hold intercourse
+with the generals commanding it.
+
+Such was my exultation at this happy discovery, that I was dying to
+burst in amongst my comrades with the tidings, and proclaim, at the same
+time, my own high mission. Merochamp had strictly enjoined my speedy
+departure without the slightest intimation to any, whither I was going,
+or with what object.
+
+A very small cloak-bag held all my effects, and with this slung at my
+saddle I rode out of the town just as the church clock was striking
+twelve. It was a calm, starlight night, and once a short distance from
+the town, as noiseless and still as possible; a gossoon, one of
+the numerous scouts we employed in conveying letters or bringing
+intelligence, trotted along on foot beside me to show the way, for there
+was a rumour that some of the Royalist cavalry still loitered about
+the passes to capture our despatch bearers, or make prisoners of any
+stragglers from the army.
+
+These gossoons, picked up by chance, and selected for no other
+qualification than because they were keen-eyed and swift of foot, were
+the most faithful and most worthy creatures we met with. In no instance
+were they ever known to desert to the enemy, and, stranger still, they
+were never seen to mix in the debauchery and excesses so common to all
+the volunteers of the rebel camp. Their intelligence was considerable,
+and to such a pitch had emulation stimulated them in the service, that
+there was no danger they would not incur in their peculiar duties.
+
+My companion on the present occasion was a little fellow of about
+thirteen years of age, and small and slight even for that; we knew him
+as 'Peter,' but whether he had any other name, or what, I was ignorant.
+He was wounded by a sabre-cut across the hand, which nearly severed the
+fingers from it, at the bridge of Castlebar, but, with a strip of linen
+bound round it, now he trotted along as happy and careless as if nothing
+ailed him.
+
+I questioned him as we went, and learned that his father had been a herd
+in the service of a certain Sir Roger Palmer, and his mother a dairymaid
+in the same house, but as the patriots had sacked and burned the
+'Castle,' of course they were now upon the world. He was a good deal
+shocked at my asking what part his father took on the occasion of the
+attack, but for a very different reason than that which I suspected.
+
+'For the cause, of course!' replied he, almost indignantly; 'why
+wouldn't he stand up for ould Ireland!'
+
+'And your mother--what did she do?'
+
+He hung down his head, and made no answer till I repeated the question.
+
+'Faix,' said he slowly and sadly, 'she went and towld the young ladies
+what was goin' to be done, and if it hadn't been that the "boys" caught
+Tim Haynes, the groom, going off to Foxford with a letter, we'd have had
+the dragoons down upon us in no time! They hanged Tim, but they let the
+young ladies away, and my mother with them, and off they all went to
+Dublin.'
+
+'And where's your father now?' I asked.
+
+'He was drowned in the bay of Killala four days ago. He went with a
+party of others to take oatmeal from a sloop that was wrecked in the
+bay, and an English cruiser came in at the time and fired on them; at
+the second discharge the wreck and all upon it went down!'
+
+He told all these things without any touch of sorrow in voice or manner.
+They seemed to be the ordinary chances of war, and so he took them. He
+had three brothers and a sister; of the former, two were missing, the
+third was a scout; and the girl--she was but nine years old--was waiting
+on a canteen, and mighty handy, he said, for she knew a little French
+already, and understood the soldiers when they asked for a _goutte_, or
+wanted _du feu_ for their pipes.
+
+Such, then, was the credit side of the account with Fortune, and,
+strange enough, the boy seemed satisfied with it; and although a few
+days had made him an orphan and houseless, he appeared to feel that the
+great things in store for his country were an ample recompense for
+all. Was this, then, patriotism? Was it possible that one, untaught and
+unlettered as he was, could think national freedom cheap at such a cost?
+If I thought so for a moment, a very little further inquiry undeceived
+me. Religious rancour, party feuds, the hate of the Saxon--a blind,
+ill-directed, unthinking hate--were the motives which actuated him. A
+terrible retribution for something upon somebody, an awful wiping out
+of old scores, a reversal of the lot of rich and poor, were the main
+incentives to his actions, and he was satisfied to stand by at the
+drawing of this great lottery, even without holding a ticket in it!
+
+It was almost the first moment of calm reflective thought I had enjoyed,
+as I rode along thus in the quiet stillness of the night, and I own that
+my heart began to misgive me as to the great benefits of our expedition.
+I will not conceal the fact, that I had been disappointed in every
+expectation I had formed of Ireland.
+
+The bleak and barren hills of Mayo, the dreary tracts of mountain and
+morass, were about as unworthy representatives of the boasted beauty and
+fertility, as were the half-clad wretches who flocked around us of that
+warlike people of whom we had heard so much. Where were the chivalrous
+chieftains with their clans behind them? Where the thousands gathering
+around a national standard? Where that high-souled patriotism,
+content to risk fortune, station--all, in the conflict for national
+independence? A rabble led on by a few reckless debauchees, and two or
+three disreputable or degraded priests, were our only allies; and even
+these refused to be guided by our councils, or swayed by our authority.
+I half suspected Serasin was right when he said--'Let the Directory send
+thirty thousand men and make it a French province, but let us not fight
+an enemy to give the victory to the _sans-culottes_.'
+
+As we neared the pass of Barnageeragh, I turned one last look on the
+town of Castlebar, around which, at little intervals of space, the
+watch-fires of our pickets were blazing; all the rest of the place was
+in darkness.
+
+It was a strange and a thrilling thought to think that there, hundreds
+of miles from their home, without one link that could connect them
+to it, lay a little army in the midst of an enemy's country, calm,
+self-possessed, and determined. How many, thought I, are destined to
+leave it? How many will bring back to our dear France the memory of this
+unhappy struggle?
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV. A PASSING VISIT TO KILLALA
+
+I found a very pleasant party assembled around the bishop's
+breakfast-table at Killala. The bishop and his family were all there,
+with Charost and his staff, and some three or four other officers
+from Ballina. Nothing could be less constrained, more easy, or more
+agreeable, than the tone of intimacy which in a few days had grown up
+between them. A cordial good feeling seemed to prevail on every subject,
+and even the reserve which might be thought natural on the momentous
+events then happening was exchanged for a most candid and frank
+discussion of all that was going forward, which, I must own, astonished
+as much as it gratified me.
+
+The march on Castlebar, the choice of the mountain-road, 'which led past
+the position occupied by the Royalists, the attack and capture of the
+artillery, had all to be related by me for the edification of such
+as were not conversant with French; and I could observe that however
+discomfited by the conduct of the militia, they fully relied on the
+regiments of the line and the artillery. It was amusing, too, to see
+with what pleasure they listened to all our disparagement of the Irish
+volunteers.
+
+Every instance we gave of insubordination or disobedience delighted
+them, while our own blundering attempts to manage the people, the absurd
+mistakes we fell into, and the endless misconceptions of their character
+and habits, actually convulsed them with laughter.
+
+'Of course,' said the bishop to us, 'you are prepared to hear that
+there is no love lost between you, and that they are to the full as
+dissatisfied with you as you are dissatisfied with them?'
+
+'Why, what can they complain of?' asked Charost, smiling; 'we gave them
+the place of honour in the very last engagement!'
+
+'Very true, you did so, and they reaped all the profit of the situation.
+Monsieur Tiernay had just told the havoc that grape and round shot
+scattered amongst the poor creatures. However, it is not of this they
+complain--it is their miserable fare, the raw potatoes, their beds in
+open fields and highways, while the French, they say, eat of the best
+and sleep in blankets; they do not understand this inequality, and
+perhaps it is somewhat hard to comprehend.'
+
+'Patriotism ought to be proud of such little sacrifices,' said Charost,
+with an easy laugh; 'besides, it is only a passing endurance: a month
+hence, less, perhaps, will see us dividing the spoils, and revelling in
+the conquest of Irish independence.'
+
+'You think so, colonel?' asked the bishop, half slyly.
+
+'_Parbleu!_ to be sure I do--and you?'
+
+'I'm just as sanguine,' said the bishop, 'and fancy that, about a month
+hence, we shall be talking of all these things as matters of history;
+and while sorrowing over some of the unavoidable calamities of the
+event, preserving a grateful memory of some who came as enemies but left
+us warm friends.'
+
+'If such is to be the turn of fortune,' said Charost, with more
+seriousness than before, 'I can only say that the kindly feelings will
+not be one-sided.'
+
+And now the conversation became an animated discussion on the chances of
+success or failure. Each party supported his opinion ably and eagerly,
+and with a degree of freedom that was not a little singular to the
+bystanders. At last, when Charost was fairly answered by the bishop on
+every point, he asked--
+
+'But what say you to the Army of the North?'
+
+'Simply, that I do not believe in such a force,' rejoined the bishop.
+
+'Not believe it--not believe on what General Humbert relies at this
+moment, and to which that officer yonder is an accredited messenger!
+When I tell you that a most distinguished Irishman, Napper Tandy----'
+
+'Napper Tandy!' repeated the bishop, with a good-humoured smile; 'the
+name is quite enough to relieve one of any fears, if they ever felt
+them. I am not sufficiently acquainted with your language to give him
+the epithet he deserves, but if you can conceive an empty, conceited
+man, as ignorant of war as of politics, rushing into a revolution for
+the sake of a green uniform, and ready to convulse a kingdom that he may
+be called a major-general, only enthusiastic in his personal vanity,
+and wanting even in that heroic daring which occasionally dignifies weak
+capacities--such is Napper Tandy.'
+
+'What in soldier-phrase we call a "Blague,"' said Charost, laughing;
+'I'm sorry for it.'
+
+What turn the conversation was about to take I cannot guess, when it was
+suddenly interrupted by one of the bishop's servants rushing into the
+room, with a face bloodless from terror. He made his way up to where the
+bishop sat, and whispered a few words in his ear.
+
+'And how is the wind blowing, Andrew?' asked the bishop, in a voice that
+all his self-command could not completely steady.
+
+'From the north, or the north-west, and mighty strong, too, my lord,'
+said the man, who trembled in every limb.
+
+The affrighted aspect of the messenger, the excited expression of the
+bishop's face, and the question as to the 'wind,' at once suggested to
+me the idea that a French fleet had arrived in the bay, and that the
+awful tidings were neither more nor less than the announcement of our
+reinforcement.
+
+'From the north-west,' repeated the bishop; 'then, with God's blessing,
+we may be spared.' And so saying, he arose from the table, and with an
+effort that showed that the strength to do so had only just returned to
+him.
+
+'Colonel Charost, a word with you!' said he, leading the way into an
+adjoining room.
+
+'What is it?--what has happened?--what can it be?' was asked by each in
+turn. And now groups gathered at the windows, which all looked into the
+court of the building, now crowded with people, soldiers, servants, and
+country-folk gazing earnestly towards the roof of the castle.
+
+'What's the matter, Terry?' asked one of the bishop's sons, as he threw
+open the window.
+
+'Tis the chimbley on fire, Master Robert,' said the man; 'the kitchen
+chimbley, wid those divils of Frinch!'
+
+I cannot describe the burst of laughter that followed the explanation.
+
+So much terror for so small a catastrophe was inconceivable; and whether
+we thought of Andrew's horrified face, or the worthy bishop's pious
+thanksgiving as to the direction of the wind, we could scarcely refrain
+from another outbreak of mirth. Colonel Charost made his appearance at
+the instant, and although his step was hurried, and his look severe,
+there was nothing of agitation or alarm on his features.
+
+'Turn out the guard, Truchet, without arms,' said he. 'Come with me,
+Tiernay--an awkward business enough,' whispered he, as he led me along.
+'These follows have set fire to the kitchen chimney, and we have three
+hundred barrels of gunpowder in the cave!' Nothing could be more easy
+and unaffected than the way he spoke this; and I actually stared at
+him, to see if his coldness was a mere pretence, but far from it--every
+gesture and every word showed the most perfect self-possession, with a
+prompt readiness for action.
+
+When we reached the court, the bustle and confusion had reached its
+highest, for, as the wind lulled, large masses of inky smoke hung, like
+a canopy, overhead, through which a forked flame darted at intervals,
+with that peculiar furnacelike roar that accompanies a jet of fire in
+confined places. At times, too, as the soot ignited, great showers of
+bright sparks floated upwards, and afterwards fell, like a fiery
+rain, on every side. The country-people, who had flocked in from the
+neighbourhood, were entirely occupied with these signs, and only intent
+upon saving the remainder of the house, which they believed in great
+peril, totally unaware of the greater and more imminent danger close
+beside them.
+
+Already they had placed ladders against the walls, and, with ropes and
+buckets, were preparing to ascend, when Truchet marched in with his
+company, in fatigue-jackets, twenty sappers with shovels accompanying
+them.
+
+'Clear the courtyard, now,' said Charost, 'and leave this matter to us.'
+
+The order was obeyed somewhat reluctantly, it is true, and at last we
+stood the sole occupants of the spot, the bishop being the only civilian
+present, he having refused to quit the spot, unless compelled by force.
+
+The powder was stored in a long shed adjoining the stables, and
+originally used as a shelter for farming tools and utensils. A few
+tarpaulins we had carried with us from the ships were spread over the
+barrels, and on this now some sparks of fire had fallen, as the burning
+soot had been carried in by an eddy of wind.
+
+The first order was, to deluge the tarpaulins with water; and while this
+was being done, the sappers were ordered to dig trenches in the garden,
+to receive the barrels. Every man knew the terrible peril so near him;
+each felt that at any instant a frightful death might overtake him, and
+yet every detail of the duty was carried on with the coldest unconcern;
+and when at last the time came to carry away the barrels, on a species
+of hand-barrow, the fellows stepped in time, as if on the march, and
+moved in measure, a degree of indifference, which, to judge from the
+good bishop's countenance, evidently inspired as many anxieties for
+their spiritual welfare as it suggested astonishment and admiration for
+their courage.
+
+He himself, it must be owned, displayed no sign of trepidation, and in
+the few words he spoke, or the hints he dropped, exhibited every quality
+of a brave man.
+
+At moments the peril seemed very imminent indeed. Some timber having
+caught fire, slender fragments of burning wood fell in masses, covering
+the men as they went, and falling on the barrels, whence the soldiers
+brushed them off with cool indifference. The dense, thick smoke, too,
+obscuring every object a few paces distant, added to the confusion, and
+occasionally bringing the going and returning parties into collision,
+a loud shout, or cry, would ensue; and it is difficult to conceive how
+such a sound thrilled through the heart at such a time. I own that more
+than once I felt a choking fulness in the throat, as I heard a sudden
+yell, it seemed so like a signal for destruction. In removing one of
+the last barrels from the hand-barrow, it slipped, and, falling to the
+ground, the hoops gave way, it burst open, and the powder fell out on
+every side. The moment was critical, for the wind was baffling, now
+wafting the sparks clear away, now whirling them in eddies around us. It
+was then that an old sergeant of grenadiers threw off his upper coat and
+spread it over the broken cask, while, with all the composure of a man
+about to rest himself, he lay down on it, while his comrades went to
+fetch water. Of course his peril was no greater than that of every one
+around him, but there was an air of quick determination in his act which
+showed the training of an old soldier. At length the labour was ended,
+the last barrel was committed to the earth, and the men, formed into
+line, were ordered to wheel and march. Never shall I forget the bishop's
+face as they moved past. The undersized and youthful look of our
+soldiers had acquired for them a kind of depreciating estimate in
+comparison with the more mature and manly stature of the British
+soldier, to whom, indeed, they offered a strong contrast on parade;
+but now, as they were seen in a moment of arduous duty, surrounded
+by danger, the steadiness and courage, the prompt obedience to every
+command, the alacrity of their movements and the fearless intrepidity
+with which they performed every act, impressed the worthy bishop so
+forcibly, that he muttered half aloud, 'Thank Heaven there are so few of
+them!'
+
+Colonel Charost resisted steadily the bishop's proffer to afford the
+men some refreshment; he would not even admit of an extra allowance of
+brandy to their messes. 'If we become too liberal for slight services,
+we shall never be able to reward real ones,' was his answer; and the
+bishop was reduced to the expedient of commemorating what he could not
+reward. This, indeed, he did with the most unqualified praise, relating
+in the drawing-room all that he had witnessed, and lauding French valour
+and heroism to the very highest.
+
+The better to conceal my route, and to avoid the chances of being
+tracked, I sailed that evening in a fishing-boat for Killybegs, a small
+harbour on the coast of Donegal, having previously exchanged my uniform
+for the dress of a sailor, so that if apprehended I should pretend to
+be an Ostend or Antwerp seaman, washed overboard in a gale at sea.
+Fortunately for me I was not called on to perform this part, for as my
+nautical experiences were of the very slightest, I should have made a
+deplorable attempt at the impersonation. Assuredly the fishermen of the
+smack would not have been among the number of the 'imposed upon,' for a
+more sea-sick wretch never masqueraded in a blue jacket.
+
+My only clue, when I touched land, was a certain Father Doogan, who
+lived at the foot of the Bluerock Mountains, about fifteen miles from
+the coast, and to whom I brought a few lines from one of the Irish
+officers, a certain Bourke of Ballina. The road led in this direction,
+and so little intercourse had the shore folk with the interior, that it
+was with difficulty any one could be found to act as a guide thither.
+At last an old fellow was discovered, who used to travel these
+mountains formerly with smuggled tobacco and tea; and although, from
+the discontinuance of the smuggling trade, and increased age, he had for
+some years abandoned the line of business, a liberal offer of payment
+induced him to accompany me as guide.
+
+It was not without great misgivings that I looked at the very old and
+almost decrepit creature who was to be my companion through a solitary
+mountain region.
+
+The few stairs he had to mount in the little inn where I put up seemed
+a sore trial to his strength and chest; but he assured me that, once out
+of the smoke of the town, and with his foot on the 'short grass of the
+sheep-patch,' he'd be like a four-year-old; and his neighbour having
+corroborated the assertion, I was fain to believe him.
+
+Determined, however, to make his excursion subservient to profit in
+his old vocation, he provided himself with some pounds of tobacco and
+a little parcel of silk handkerchiefs, to dispose of amongst the
+country-people, with which, and a little bag of meal slung at his back,
+and a walking-stick in his hand, he presented himself at my door just as
+the day was breaking.
+
+'We 'll have a wet day I fear, Jerry,' said I, looking out.
+
+'Not a bit of it,' replied he. 'Tis the spring-tides makes it cloudy
+there beyant; but when the sun gets up it will be a fine mornin'; but I
+'m thinkin' ye 're strange in them parts'; and this he said with a keen,
+sharp glance under his eyes.
+
+'Donegal is new to me, I confess,' said I guardedly.
+
+'Yes, and the rest of Ireland, too,' said he, with a roguish leer. 'But
+come along, we 've a good step before us;' and with these words he
+led the way down the stairs, holding the balustrade as he went, and
+exhibiting every sign of age and weakness. Once in the street, however,
+he stepped out more freely, and, before we got clear of the town, walked
+at a fair pace, and, to all seeming, with perfect ease.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI. A REMNANT OF 'FONTENOY'
+
+There was no resisting the inquisitive curiosity of my companion. The
+short dry cough, the little husky 'ay,' that sounded like anything
+rather than assent, which followed on my replies to his questions, and,
+more than all, the keen, oblique glances of his shrewd grey eyes, told
+me that I had utterly failed in all my attempts at mystification, and
+that he read me through and through.
+
+'And so,' said he, at last, after a somewhat lengthy narrative of my
+shipwreck, 'and so the Flemish sailors wear spurs?'
+
+'Spurs! of course not; why should they?' asked I, in some astonishment.
+
+'Well, but don't they?' asked he again.
+
+'No such thing; it would be absurd to suppose it.'
+
+'So I thought,' rejoined he; 'and when I looked at yer "honour's" boots'
+(it was the first time he had addressed me by this title of deference),
+'and saw the marks on the heels for spurs, I soon knew how much of a
+sailor you were.'
+
+'And if not a sailor, what am I, then?' asked I; for, in the loneliness
+of the mountain region where we walked, I could afford to throw off my
+disguise without risk.
+
+'Ye're a French officer of dragoons, and God bless ye; but ye 're young
+to be at the trade. Aren't I right, now?'
+
+'Not very far from it, certainly, for I am a lieutenant of hussars,'
+said I, with a little of that pride which we of the loose pelisse always
+feel on the mention of our corps.
+
+'I knew it well all along,' said he coolly; 'the way you stood in the
+room, your step as you walked, and, above all, how you believed me when
+I spoke of the spring-tides, and the moon only in her second quarter,
+I saw you never was a sailor, anyhow. And so I set a-thinking what you
+were. You were too silent for a pedlar, and your hands were too white to
+be in the smuggling trade; but when I saw your boots, I had the secret
+at once, and knew ye were one of the French army that landed the other
+day at Killala.'
+
+'It was stupid enough of me not to have remembered the boots!' said I,
+laughing.
+
+'Arrah, what use would it be,' replied he; 'sure ye 're too straight in
+the back, and your walk is too regular, and your toes turns in too much,
+for a sailor; the very way you hould a switch in your hand would betray
+you!'
+
+'So it seems, then, I must try some other disguise,' said I, 'if I 'm to
+keep company with people as shrewd as you are.'
+
+'You needn't,' said he, shaking his head doubtfully; 'any that wants to
+betray ye wouldn't find it hard.'
+
+I was not much flattered by the depreciating tone in which he dismissed
+my efforts at personation, and walked on for some time without speaking.
+
+'Yez came too late, four months too late,' said he, with a sorrowful
+gesture of the hands. 'When the Wexford boys was up, and the Kildare
+chaps, and plenty more ready to come in from the north, then, indeed, a
+few thousand French down here in the west would have made a differ; but
+what's the good in it now? The best men we had are hanged or in gaol;
+some are frightened; more are traitors! 'Tis too late--too late!'
+
+'But not too late for a large force landing in the north, to rouse the
+island to another effort for liberty.'
+
+'Who would be the gin'ral?' asked he suddenly.
+
+'Napper Tandy, your own countryman,' replied I proudly.
+
+'I wish ye luck of him!' said he, with a bitter laugh; ''tis more like
+mocking us than anything else the French does be, with the chaps they
+sent here to be gin'rals. Sure it isn't Napper Tandy, nor a set of young
+lawyers like Tone and the rest of them, we wanted. It was men that knew
+how to drill and manage troops--fellows that was used to fightin'; so
+that when they said a thing, we might believe that they understhood it,
+at laste. I 'm ould enough to remimber the "Wild Geese," as they used
+to call them--the fellows that ran away from this to take sarvice in
+France; and I remimber, too, the sort of men the French were that came
+over to inspect them--soldiers, real soldiers, every inch of them. And a
+fine sarvice it was. _Volte-face!_ cried he, holding himself erect, and
+shouldering his stick like a musket, _marche!_ Ha, ha! ye didn't think
+that was in me; but I was at the thrade long before you were born.'
+
+'How is this?' said I, in amazement; 'you were not in the French army?'
+
+'Wasn't I, though? maybe I didn't get that stick there.' And he bared
+his breast as he spoke, to show the cicatrix of an old flesh-wound from
+a Highlander's bayonet. 'I was at Fontenoy!'
+
+The last few words he uttered with a triumphant pride that I shall never
+forget. As for me, the mere name was magical. 'Fontenoy' was like one of
+those great words which light up a whole page of history; and it almost
+seemed impossible that I should see before me a soldier of that glorious
+battle.
+
+'Ay, faith!' he added, ''tis more than fifty, 'tis nigh sixty years
+now since that, and I remember it as if it was yesterday. I was in
+the regiment "Tourville"; I was recruited for the "Dillon," but they
+scattered us about among the other corps afterwards, because we used now
+and then to be fighting and quarrellin' among one another. Well, it was
+the Dillons that gained the battle; for after the English was in the
+village of Fontenoy, and the French was falling back upon the heights
+near the wood--arrah, what's the name of the wood? Sure, I'll forget
+my own name next. Ay, to be sure, Verzon--the "Wood of Verzon." Major
+Jodillon--that's what the French called him, but his name was Joe
+Dillon--turned an eight-pounder short round into a little yard of a
+farmhouse, and making a breach for the gun, he opened a dreadful fire on
+the English column. It was loaded with grape, and at half-musket range,
+so you may think what a peppering they got. At last the column halted
+and lay down; and Joe seen an officer ride off to the rear, to bring up
+artillery to silence our guns. A few minutes more and it would be all
+over with us. So Joe shouts out as loud as he could, "Cavalry there!
+tell off by threes, and prepare to charge." I needn't tell you that the
+divil a horse nor a rider was within a mile of us at the time; but the
+English didn't know that, and, hearin' the ordher, up they jumps, and we
+heerd the word passin', "Prepare to receive cavalry." They formed square
+at once, and the same minute we plumped into them with such a charge as
+tore a lane right through the middle of them. Before they could recover,
+we opened a platoon-fire on their flank; they staggered, broke, and at
+last fell back in disorder upon Aeth, with the whole of the French army
+after them. Such firin'--grape, round shot, and musketry--I never seed
+afore, and we all shouting like divils, for it was more like a hunt nor
+anything else; for ye see the Dutch never came up, but left the English
+to do all the work themselves, and that's the reason they couldn't form,
+for they had no supportin' column.
+
+'It was then I got that stick of the bayonet, for there was such runnin'
+that we only thought of pelting after them as hard as we could; but ye
+see, there's nothin' so treacherous as a Highlander. I was just behind
+one, and had my sword-point between his bladebones ready to run him
+through, when he turned short about, and run his bayonet into me under
+the short ribs, and that was all I saw of the battle; for I bled till I
+fainted, and never knew more of what happened. 'Tisn't by way of
+making little of Frenchmen I say it, for I sarved too long wid them for
+that--but sorra taste of that victory ever they'd see if it wasn't for
+the Dillons, and Major Joe that commanded them! The English knows it
+well, too! Maybe they don't do us many a spite for it to this very day!'
+
+'And what became of you after that?'
+
+'That same summer I came over to Scotland with the young Prince Charles,
+and was at the battle of Prestonpans afterwards! and, what's worse, I
+was at Culloden! Oh, that was the terrible day. We were dead bate before
+we began the battle. We were on the march from one o'clock the night
+before, under the most dreadful rain ever ye seen! We lost our way
+twice, and after four hours of hard marching, we found ourselves
+opposite a milldam we crossed early that same morning; for the guides
+led us all astray! Then came ordhers to wheel about face and go back
+again; and back we went, cursing the blaguards that deceived us, and
+almost faintin' with hunger. Some of us had nothing to eat for two days,
+and the Prince, I seen myself, had only a brown bannock to a wooden
+measure of whisky for his own breakfast. Well, it's no use talking; we
+were bate, and we retreated to Inverness that night, and next morning we
+surrendered and laid down our arms--that is, the "Regiment do Tournay"
+and the "Voltigeurs de Metz," the corps I was in myself.'
+
+'And did you return to France?'
+
+'No; I made my way back to Ireland, and after loiterin' about home some
+time, and not liking the ways of turning to work again, I took sarvice
+with one Mister Brooke, of Castle Brooke, in Fermanagh, a young man that
+was just come of age, and as great a divil, God forgive me, as ever was
+spawned. He was a Protestant, but he didn't care much about one side or
+the other, but only wanted diversion and his own fun out of the world;
+and faix he took it, too! He had plenty of money, was a fine man to look
+at, and had courage to face a lion!
+
+'The first place we went to was Aix-la-Chapelle, for Mr. Brooke was
+named something--I forget what--to Lord Sandwich, that was going there
+as an Ambassador.
+
+It was a grand life there while it lasted. Such liveries, such coaches,
+such elegant dinners every day, I never saw even in Paris. But my master
+was soon sent away for a piece of wildness he did. There was an ould
+Austrian there--a Count Riedensegg was his name---and he was always
+plottin' and schamin' with this, that, and the other; buyin' up the
+sacrets of others, and gettin' at their private papers one way or the
+other; and at last he begins to thry the same game with us; and as he
+saw that Mr. Brooke was very fond of high play, and would bet anything
+one offered him, the ould count sends for a great gambler from Vienna,
+the greatest villain, they say, that ever touched a card. Ye may have
+heerd of him, tho' 'twas long ago that he lived, for he was well known
+in them times. He was the Baron von Breokendorf, and a great friend
+afterwards of the Prince Ragint and all the other blaguards in London.
+
+'Well, sir, the baron arrives in great state, with despatches, they
+said, but sorrow other despatch he carried nor some packs of marked
+cards, and a dice-box that could throw sixes whenever ye wanted; and he
+puts up at the Grand Hotel, with all his servants in fine liveries
+and as much state as a prince. That very day Mr. Brooke dined with the
+count, and in the evening himself and the baron sits down to the cards;
+and, pretending to be only playin' for silver, they were bettin' a
+hundred guineas on every game.
+
+'I always heerd that my master was cute with the cards, and that few
+was equal to him in any game with pasteboard or ivory; but, be my
+conscience, he met his match now, for if it was ould Nick was playin' he
+couldn't do the thrick nater nor the baron. He made everything come up
+just like magic: if he wanted a seven of diamonds, or an ace of spades,
+or the knave of clubs, there it was for you.
+
+'Most gentlemen would have lost temper at seein' the luck so dead agin'
+them, and everything goin' so bad; but my master only smiled, and
+kept muttering to himself, "Faix, its beautiful; by my conscience its
+elegant; I never saw anybody could do it like that." At last the baron
+stops and asks, "What is it he's saying to himself?" "I'll tell you
+by-and-by," says my master, "when we're done playing"; and so on they
+went, betting higher and higher, till at last the stakes wasn't very
+far from a thousand pounds on a single card. At the end, Mr. Brooke lost
+everything, and in the last game, by way of generosity, the baron says
+to him, "Double or quit?" and he tuk it.
+
+'This time luck stood to my master, and he turned the queen of hearts;
+and as there was only one card could beat him, the game was all as one
+as his own. The baron takes up the pack, and begins to deal. "Wait,"
+says my master, leaning over the table, and talking in a whisper;
+"wait," says he; "what are ye doin' there wid your thumb?" for sure
+enough he had his thumb dug hard into the middle of the pack.
+
+'"Do you mane to insult me?" says the baron, getting mighty red, and
+throwing down the cards on the table. "Is that what you're at?"
+
+'"Go on with the deal," says Mr. Brooke quietly; "but listen to me," and
+here he dropped his voice to a whisper, "as sure as you turn the king
+of hearts, I'll send a bullet through your skull! Go on, now, and don't
+rise from that seat till you 've finished the game." Faix he just did as
+he was bid; he turned a little two or three of diamonds, and gettin' up
+from the table, he left the room, and the next morning there was no
+more seen of him in Aix-la-Chapelle. But that wasn't the end of it, for
+scarce was the baron two posts on his journey when my master sends in
+his name, and says he wants to speak to Count Riedensegg. There was a
+long time and a great debatin', I believe, whether they'd let him in or
+not; for the count couldn't make if it was mischief he was after; but at
+last he was ushered into the bedroom where the other was in bed.
+
+'"Count," says he, after he fastened the door, and saw that they was
+alone, "Count, you tried a dirty thrick with that dirty spalpeen of a
+baron--an ould blaguard that's as well known as Preney the robber--but
+I forgive you for it all, for you did it in the way of business. I know
+well what you was afther; you wanted a peep at our despatches--there, ye
+needn't look cross and angry--why wouldn't ye do it, just as the baron
+always took a sly glance at my cards before he played his own. Well,
+now, I'm just in the humour to sarve you. They're not trating me as they
+ought here, and I'm going away, and if you'll give me a few letthers
+to some of the pretty women in Vienna, Katinka Batthyani, and Amalia
+Gradoffseky, and one or two men in the best set, I'll send you in return
+something that will surprise you."
+
+'It was after a long time and great batin' about the bush, that the ould
+count came in; but the sight of a sacret cipher did the business, and he
+consented.
+
+'"There it is," says Mr. Brooke, "there's the whole key to our
+correspondence; study it well, and I'll bring you a sacret despatch in
+the evening--something that will surprise you."
+
+'"Ye will--will ye?" says the count.
+
+'"On the honour of an Irish gentleman, I will," says Mr. Brooke.
+
+'The count sits down on the spot and writes the letters to all the
+princesses and countesses in Vienna, saying that Mr. Brooke was the
+elegantest, and politest, and most trusty young gentleman ever he met;
+and telling them to treat him with every consideration.
+
+'"There will be another account of me," says the master to me, "by the
+post; but I 'll travel faster, and give me a fair start, and I ask no
+more."
+
+'And he was as good as his word, for he started that evening for Vienna,
+without lave or license, and that's the way he got dismissed from his
+situation.'
+
+'And did he break his promise to the count, or did he really send him
+any intelligence?'
+
+'He kept his word, like a gentleman; he promised him something
+that would surprise him, and so he did. He sent him "The Weddin' of
+Ballyporeen" in cipher. It took a week to make out, and I suppose they
+'ve never got to the right understandin' it yet.'
+
+'I'm curious to hear how he was received in Vienna, after this,' said I.
+'I suppose you accompanied him to that city?'
+
+'Troth I did, and a short life we led there. But here we are now, at the
+end of our journey. That's Father Doogan's down there, that small, low,
+thatched house in the hollow.'
+
+'A lonely spot, too. I don't see another near it for miles on any side.'
+
+'Nor is there. His chapel is at Murrah, about three miles off. My eyes
+isn't over good; but I don't think there's any smoke coming out of the
+chimley.'
+
+'You are right--there is not.'
+
+'He's not at home, then, and that's a bad job for us, for there's not
+another place to stop the night in.'
+
+'But there will be surely some one in the house.'
+
+'Most likely not; 'tis a brat of a boy from Murrah does be with him when
+he's at home, and I'm sure he's not there now.'
+
+This reply was not very cheering, nor was the prospect itself much
+brighter. The solitary cabin, to which we were approaching, stood in
+a rugged glen, the sides of which were covered with a low furze,
+intermixed here and there with the scrub of what once had been an oak
+forest. A brown, mournful tint was over everything--sky and landscape
+alike; and even the little stream of clear water that wound its twining
+course along took the same colour from the gravelly bed it flowed over.
+Not a cow nor sheep was to be seen, nor even a bird; all was silent and
+still.
+
+'There's few would like to pass their lives down there, then!' said my
+companion, as if speaking to himself.
+
+'I suppose the priest, like a soldier, has no choice in these matters.'
+
+'Sometimes he has, though. Father Doogan might have had the pick of the
+county, they say; but he chose this little quiet spot here. He's a friar
+of some ordher abroad, and when he came over, two or three years ago, he
+could only spake a little Irish, and, I believe, less English; but there
+wasn't his equal for other tongues in all Europe. They wanted him to
+stop and be the head of a college somewhere in Spain, but he wouldn't.
+"There was work to do in Ireland," he said, and there he'd go, and to
+the wildest and laste civilised bit of it besides; and ye see that he
+was not far ont in his choice when he took Murrah.'
+
+'Is he much liked here by the people?'
+
+'They'd worship him, if he'd let them, that's what it is; for if he has
+more larnin' and knowledge in his head than ever a bishop in Ireland,
+there's not a child in the barony his equal for simplicity. He that
+knows the names of the stars, and what they do be doing, and where the
+world's going, and what's comin' afther her, hasn't a thought for the
+wickedness of this life, no more than a sucking infant! He could tell
+you every crop to put in your ground from this to the day of judgment,
+and I don't think he'd know which end of the spade goes into the
+ground.'
+
+While we were thus talking, we reached the door, which, as well as the
+windows, was closely barred and fastened. The great padlock, however,
+on the former, with characteristic acuteness, was looked without being
+hasped, so that, in a few seconds, my old guide had undone all the
+fastenings, and we found ourselves under shelter.
+
+A roomy kitchen, with a few cooking utensils, formed the entrance hall;
+and as a small supply of turf stood in one corner, my companion at once
+proceeded to make a fire, congratulating me as he went on with the fact
+of our being housed, for a long-threatening thunderstorm had already
+burst, and the rain was now swooping along in torrents.
+
+While he was thus busied, I took a ramble through the little cabin,
+curious to see something of the 'interior' of one whose life had already
+interested me. There were but two small chambers, one at either side of
+the kitchen. The first I entered was a bedroom, the only furniture being
+a common bed, or a tressel like that of a hospital, a little coloured
+print of St. Michael adorning the wall overhead. The bed-covering was
+cleanly, but patched in many places, and bespeaking much poverty, and
+the black 'soutane' of silk that hung against the wall seemed to show
+long years of service. The few articles of any pretensions to comfort
+were found in the sitting-room, where a small book-shelf with some
+well-thumbed volumes, and a writing-table covered with papers, maps, and
+a few pencil-drawings, appeared. All seemed as if he had just quitted
+the spot a few minutes before; the pencil lay across a half-finished
+sketch; two or three wild plants were laid within, the leaves of a
+little book on botany; and a chess problem, with an open book beside it,
+still waited for solution on a little board, whose workmanship clearly
+enough betrayed it to be by his own hands.
+
+I inspected everything with an interest inspired by all I had been
+hearing of the poor priest, and turned over the little volumes of his
+humble library, to trace, if I might, some due to his habits in his
+readings. They were all, however, of one cast and character--religious
+tracts and offices, covered with annotations and remarks, and showing
+by many signs the most careful and frequent perusal. It was easy to see
+that his taste for drawing or for chess were the only dissipations he
+permitted himself to indulge. What a strange life of privation, thought
+I, alone and companionless as he must be! and while speculating on the
+sense of duty which impelled such a man to accept a post so humble and
+unpromising, I perceived that on the wall right opposite to me there
+hung a picture, covered by a little curtain of green silk.
+
+Curious to behold the saintly effigy so carefully enshrined, I drew
+aside the curtain, and what was my astonishment to find a little
+coloured sketch of a boy about twelve years old, dressed in the tawdry
+and much-worn uniform of a drummer. I started. Something flashed
+suddenly across my mind, that the features, the dress, the air, were not
+unknown to me. Was I awake, or were my senses misleading me? I took
+it down and held it to the light, and as well as my trembling hands
+permitted, I spelled out at the foot of the drawing, the words 'Le Petit
+Maurice, as I saw him last.' Yes, it was my own portrait, and the words
+were in the writing of my dearest friend in the world, the Pere Michel.
+Scarce knowing what I did, I ransacked books and papers on every side,
+to confirm my suspicions, and although his name was nowhere to be found,
+I had no difficulty in recognising his hand, now so forcibly recalled to
+my memory.
+
+Hastening into the kitchen, I told my guide that I must set out to
+Murrah at once, that it was, above all, important that I should see the
+priest immediately. It was in vain that he told me he was unequal to the
+fatigue of going farther, that the storm was increasing, the mountain
+torrents were swelling to a formidable size, that the path could not be
+discovered after dark; I could not brook the thought of delay, and would
+not listen to the detail of difficulties. 'I must see him and I will,'
+were my answers to every obstacle. If I were resolved on one side, he
+was no less obstinate on the other; and after explaining with patience
+all the dangers and hazards of the attempt, and still finding me
+unconvinced, he boldly declared that I might go alone, if I would, but
+that he would not leave the shelter of a roof, such a night, for any
+one.
+
+There was nothing in the shape of argument I did not essay. I tried
+bribery, I tried menace, flattery, intimidation, all--and all with
+the like result. 'Wherever he is to-night, he'll not leave it, that's
+certain,' was the only satisfaction he would vouchsafe, and I retired
+beaten from the contest, and disheartened. Twice I left the cottage,
+resolved to make the journey alone, but the utter darkness of the night,
+the torrents of rain that beat against my face, soon showed me the
+impracticability of the attempt, and I retraced my steps crest-fallen
+and discomfited. The most intense curiosity to know how and by what
+chances he had come to Ireland mingled with my ardent desire to meet
+him. What stores of reminiscence had we to interchange! Nor was it
+without pride that I bethought me of the position I then held--an
+officer of a hussar regiment, a soldier of more than one campaign, and
+high on the list for promotion. If I hoped, too, that many of the good
+father's prejudices against the career I followed would give way to the
+records of my own past life, I also felt how, in various respects, I
+had myself conformed to many of his notions. We should be dearer, closer
+friends than ever. This I was sure of.
+
+I never slept the whole night through. Tired and weary as the day's
+journey had left me, excitement was still too strong for repose, and I
+walked up and down, lay for half an hour on my bed, rose to look out,
+and peer for coming dawn. Never did hours lag so lazily. The darkness
+seemed to last for an eternity, and when at last day did break, it was
+through the lowering gloom of skies still charged with rain, and an
+atmosphere loaded with vapour.
+
+'This is a day for the chimney-corner, and thankful to have it we ought
+to be,' said my old guide, as he replenished the turf fire, at which
+he was preparing our breakfast. 'Father Doogan will be home here afore
+night, I'm sure, and as we have nothing better to do, I'll tell you some
+of our old adventures when I lived with Mr. Brooke. Twill sarve to pass
+the time, anyway.'
+
+'I'm off to Murrah, as soon as I have eaten something,' replied I.
+
+'Tis little you know what a road it is,' said he, smiling dubiously.
+''Tis four mountain rivers you 'd have to cross, two of them, at least,
+deeper than your head, and there's the pass of Barnascorney, where you
+'d have to turn the side of a mountain, with a precipice hundreds of
+feet below you, and a wind blowing that would wreck a seventy-four!
+There 's never a man in the barony would venture over the same path with
+a storm ragin' from the nor'-west.'
+
+'I never heard of a man being blown away off a mountain,' said I,
+laughing contemptuously.
+
+'Arrah, didn't ye, then? then maybe ye never lived in parts where the
+heaviest ploughs and harrows that can be laid in the thatch of a cabin
+are flung here and there, like straws, and the strongest timbers torn
+out of the walls, and scattered for miles along the coast, like the
+spars of a shipwreck.'
+
+'But so long as a man has hands to grip with----'
+
+'How ye talk! sure, when the wind can tear the strongest trees up by
+the roots; when it rolls big rocks fifty and a hundred feet out of their
+place; when the very shingle on the mountain-side is flying about like
+dust and sand, where would your grip be? It is not only on the mountains
+either, but down in the plains, ay, even in the narrowest glens, that
+the cattle lies down under shelter of the rocks; and many's the time a
+sheep, or even a heifer, is swept away off the cliffs into the sea.'
+
+With many an anecdote of storm and hurricane he seasoned our little
+meal of potatoes. Some curious enough, as illustrating the precautionary
+habits of a peasantry, who, on land, experience many of the vicissitudes
+supposed peculiar to the sea; others too miraculous for easy credence,
+but yet vouched for by him with every affirmative of truth. He displayed
+all his powers of agreeability and amusement, but his tales fell on
+unwilling ears, and when our meal was over I started up and began to
+prepare for the road.
+
+'So you will go, will you?' said he peevishly. ''Tis in your country
+to be obstinate, so I 'll say nothing more; but maybe 'tis only into
+throubles you 'd be running, after all!'
+
+'I'm determined on it,' said I, 'and I only ask you to tell me what road
+to take.'
+
+'There is only one, so there is no mistakin' it; keep to the sheep-path,
+and never leave it except at the torrents; you must pass them how ye
+can. And when ye come to four big rocks in the plain, leave them to your
+left, and keep the side of the mountain for two miles, till ye see the
+smoke of the village underneath you. Murrah is a small place, and ye'll
+have to look out sharp, or maybe ye'll miss it.'
+
+'That's enough,' said I, putting some silver in his hand as I pressed
+it. 'We 'll probably meet no more; good-bye, and many thanks for your
+pleasant company.'
+
+'No, we're not like to meet again,' said he thoughtfully, 'and that's
+the reason I'd like to give you a bit of advice. Hear me, now,' said
+he, drawing closer and talking in a whisper; 'you can't go far in this
+country without being known; 'tisn't your looks alone, but your voice,
+and your tongue, will show what ye are. Get away out of it as fast as
+you can! there's thraitors in every cause, and there's chaps in Ireland
+would rather make money as informers than earn it by honest industry.
+Get over to the Scotch islands; get to Islay or Barra; get anywhere out
+of this for the time.'
+
+'Thanks for the counsel,' said I, somewhat coldly, 'I'll have time to
+think over it as I go along;' and with these words I set forth on my
+journey.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII. THE CRANAGH
+
+I will not weary my reader with a narrative of my mountain walk, nor
+the dangers and difficulties which beset me on that day of storm
+and hurricane. Few as were the miles to travel, what with accidents,
+mistakes of the path, and the halts to take shelter, I only reached
+Murrah as the day was declining.
+
+The little village, which consisted of some twenty cabins, occupied a
+narrow gorge between two mountains, and presented an aspect of greater
+misery than I had ever witnessed before, not affording even the humblest
+specimen of a house of entertainment. From some peasants that were
+lounging in the street I learned that 'Father Doogan' had passed through
+two days before in company with a naval officer, whom they believed to
+be French. At least 'he came from one of the ships in the lough, and
+could speak no English.' Since that the priest had not returned, and
+many thought that he had gone away for ever. This story varied in a few
+unimportant particulars. I also learned that a squadron of several sail
+had, for three or four days, been lying at the entrance of Lough Swilly,
+with, it was said, large reinforcements for the 'army of independence.'
+There was then no time to be lost; here was the very force which I had
+been sent to communicate with; there were the troops that should at that
+moment be disembarking. The success of my mission might all depend now
+on a little extra exertion, and so I at once engaged a guide to conduct
+me to the coast; and having fortified myself with a glass of mountain
+whisky I felt ready for the road.
+
+My guide could only speak a very little English, so that our way was
+passed in almost unbroken silence; and as, for security, he followed the
+least frequented paths, we scarcely met a living creature as we went.
+It was with a strange sense of half pride, half despondency, that I
+bethought me of my own position there--a Frenchman alone, and separated
+from his countrymen--in a wild mountain region of Ireland, carrying
+about him documents that, if detected, might peril his life; involved in
+a cause that had for its object the independence of a nation, and that
+against the power of the mightiest kingdom in Europe. An hour earlier or
+later, an accident by the way, a swollen torrent, a chance impediment of
+any kind that should delay me--and what a change might that produce in
+the whole destiny of the world!
+
+The despatches I carried conveyed instructions the most precise and
+accurate: the places for combined action of the two armies--information
+as to the actual state of parties, and the condition of the native
+forces, was contained in them. All that could instruct the newly-come
+generals, or encourage them to decisive measures, were there; and yet,
+on what narrow contingencies did their safe arrival depend! It was thus,
+in exaggerating to myself the part I played--in elevating my humble
+position into all the importance of a high trust--that I sustained my
+drooping spirits, and acquired energy to carry me through fatigue and
+exhaustion. During that night, and the greater part of the following
+day, we walked on, almost without halt, scarcely eating, and, except by
+an occasional glass of whisky, totally unrefreshed; and, I am free to
+own, that my poor guide--a barelegged youth of about seventeen,
+without any of those high-sustaining illusions which stirred within my
+heart--suffered far less either from hunger or weariness than I did.
+So much for motives. A shilling or two were sufficient to equalise
+the balance against all the weight of my heroism and patriotic ardour
+together.
+
+A bright sun, and a sharp wind from the north, had succeeded to the
+lowering sky and heavy atmosphere of the morning, and we travelled along
+with light hearts and brisk steps, breasting the side of a steep ascent,
+from the summit of which, my guide told me, I should behold the sea--the
+sea! not only the great plain on which I expected to see our armament,
+but the link which bound me to my country! Suddenly, just as I turned
+the angle of a cliff, it burst upon my sight--one vast mirror of golden
+splendour--appearing almost at my feet! In the yellow gleams of a
+setting sun, long columns of azure-coloured light streaked its calm
+surface, and tinged the atmosphere with a warm and rosy hue. While I
+was lost in admiration of the picture, I heard the sound of voices close
+beneath me, and, on looking down, saw two figures who, with telescope
+in hand, were steadily gazing on a little bay that extended towards the
+west.
+
+At first, my attention was more occupied by the strangers than by the
+object of their curiosity, and I remarked that they were dressed and
+equipped like sportsmen, their guns and game-bags lying against the rock
+behind them.
+
+'Do you still think that they are hovering about the coast, Tom?' said
+the elder of the two, 'or are you not convinced, at last, that I am
+right?'
+
+'I believe you are,' replied the other; 'but it certainly did not
+look like it yesterday evening, with their boats rowing ashore every
+half-hour, signals flying, and blue lights burning; all seemed to
+threaten a landing.'
+
+'If they ever thought of it they soon changed their minds,' said the
+former. 'The defeat of their comrades in the west, and the apathy of the
+peasantry here, would have cooled down warmer ardour than theirs. There
+they go, Tom. I only hope that they'll fall in with Warren's squadron,
+and French insolence receive at sea the lesson we failed to give them on
+land.'
+
+'Not so,' rejoined the younger; 'Humbert's capitulation, and the total
+break up of the expedition, ought to satisfy-even your patriotism.'
+
+'It fell far short of it, then!' cried the other. 'I'd never have
+treated those fellows other than as bandits and freebooters. I'd have
+hanged them as highwaymen. Theirs was less war than rapine; but what
+could you expect? I have been assured that Humbert's force consisted of
+little other than liberated felons and galley-slaves--the refuse of the
+worst population of Europe!'
+
+Distracted with the terrible tidings I had overheard--overwhelmed with
+the sight of the ships, now glistening like bright specks on the verge
+of the horizon, I forgot my own position--my safety--everything but the
+insult thus cast upon my gallant comrades.
+
+'Whoever said so was a liar, and a base coward, to boot!' cried I,
+springing down from the height and confronting them both where they
+stood. They started back, and, seizing their guns, assumed an attitude
+of defence, and then, quickly perceiving that I was alone--for the boy
+had taken to flight as fast as he could--they stood regarding me with
+faces of intense astonishment.
+
+'Yes,' said I, still boiling with passion, 'you are two to one, on your
+own soil besides, the odds you are best used to; and yet I repeat it,
+that he who asperses the character of General Humbert's force is a
+liar.'
+
+'He's French.'
+
+'No, he's Irish,' muttered the elder.
+
+'What signifies my country, sirs,' cried I passionately, 'if I demand
+retraction for a falsehood.'
+
+'It signifies more than you think of, young man,' said the elder calmly,
+and without evincing even the slightest irritation in his manner. 'If
+you be a Frenchman born, the lenity of our Government accords you the
+privilege of a prisoner of war. If you be only French by adoption, and a
+uniform, a harsher destiny awaits you.'
+
+'And who says I am a prisoner yet?' asked I, drawing myself up, and
+staring them steadily in the face.
+
+'We should be worse men, and poorer patriots than you give us credit
+for, or we should be able to make you so,' said he quietly; 'but this is
+no time for ill-temper on either side. The expedition has failed. Well,
+if you will not believe me, read that. There, in that paper, you will
+see the official account of General Humbert's surrender at Boyle. The
+news is already over the length and breadth of the island; even if you
+only landed last night I cannot conceive how you should be ignorant of
+it!' I covered my face with my hands to hide my emotion; and he went on:
+'If you be French you have only to claim and prove your nationality, and
+you partake the fortunes of your countrymen.'
+
+'And if he be not,' whispered the other, in a voice which, although low,
+I could still detect, 'why should we give him up?'
+
+'Hush, Tom, be quiet,' replied the elder, 'let him plead for himself.'
+
+'Let me see the newspaper,' said I, endeavouring to seem calm and
+collected; and, taking it at the place he pointed out, I read the
+heading in capitals, 'Capitulation of General Humbert and his whole
+Force.' I could see no more. I could not trace the details of so
+horrible a disaster, nor did I ask to know by what means it occurred.
+My attitude and air of apparent occupation, however, deceived the
+other; and the elder, supposing that I was engaged in considering the
+paragraph, said, 'You'll see the Government proclamation on the other
+side--a general amnesty to all under the rank of officers in the rebel
+army, who give up their arms within six days. The French to be treated
+as prisoners of war.'
+
+'Is he too late to regain the fleet?' whispered the younger.
+
+'Of course he is. They are already hull down; besides, who's to assist
+his escape, Tom? You forget the position he stands in.'
+
+'But I do not forget it,' answered I; 'and you need not be afraid that
+I will seek to compromise you, gentlemen. Tell me where to find the
+nearest justice of the peace, and I will go and surrender myself.'
+
+'It is your wisest and best policy,' said the elder. 'I am not in the
+commission, but a neighbour of mine is, and lives a few miles off, and,
+if you like, we 'll accompany you to his house.'
+
+I accepted the offer, and soon found myself descending the steep path
+of the mountain in perfect good-fellowship with the two strangers. It
+is likely enough, if they had taken any peculiar pains to obliterate the
+memory of our first meeting, or if they had displayed any extraordinary
+efforts of conciliation, that I should have been on my guard against
+them; but their manners, on the contrary, were easy and unaffected
+in every respect. They spoke of the expedition sensibly and
+dispassionately, and while acknowledging that there were many things
+they would like to see altered in the English rule of Ireland, they were
+very averse from the desire of a foreign intervention to rectify them.
+
+I avowed to them that we had been grossly deceived. That all the
+representations made to us depicted Ireland as a nation of soldiers,
+wanting only arms and military stores to rise as a vast army. That the
+peasantry were animated by one spirit, and the majority of the gentry
+willing to hazard everything on the issue of a struggle. Our Killala
+experiences, of which I detailed some, heartily amused them, and it was
+in a merry interchange of opinions that we now walked along together.
+
+A cluster of houses, too small to be called a village, and known as the
+'Cranagh,' stood in a little nook of the bay; and here they lived. They
+were brothers; and the elder held some small appointment in the revenue,
+which maintained them as bachelors in this cheap country. In a low
+conversation that passed between them it was agreed that they would
+detain me as their guest for that evening, and on the morrow accompany
+me to the magistrate's house, about five miles distant. I was not sorry
+to accept their hospitable offer. I longed for a few hours of rest and
+respite before embarking on another sea of troubles. The failure of
+the expedition, and the departure of the fleet, had overwhelmed me with
+grief, and I was in no mood to confront new perils.
+
+If my new acquaintances could have read my inmost thoughts, their manner
+towards me could not have displayed more kindness or good-breeding.
+Not pressing me with questions on subjects where the greatest curiosity
+would have been permissible, they suffered me to tell only so much as I
+wished of our late plans; and, as if purposely to withdraw my thoughts
+from the unhappy theme of our defeat, led me to talk of France, and her
+career in Europe.
+
+It was not without surprise that I saw how conversant the newspapers had
+made them with European politics, nor how widely different did events
+appear when viewed from afar off, and by the lights of another and
+different nationality. Thus all that we were doing on the Continent to
+propagate liberal notions, and promote the spread of freedom, seemed to
+their eyes but the efforts of an ambitious power to crush abroad
+what they had annihilated at home, and extend their own influence in
+disseminating doctrines, all to revert, one day or other, to some grand
+despotism, whenever the man arose capable to exercise it. The elder
+would not even concede to us that we were fit for freedom.
+
+'You are glorious fellows at destroying an old edifice,' said he,
+'but sorry architects when comes the question of rebuilding; and as
+to liberty, your highest notion of it is an occasional anarchy like
+schoolboys, you will bear any tyranny for ten years, to have ten days of
+a "barring out" afterward.'
+
+I was not much flattered by these opinions; and, what was worse, I could
+not get them out of my head all night afterwards. Many things I had
+never doubted about now kept puzzling and confounding me, and I began,
+for the first time, to know the misery of the struggle between implicit
+obedience and conviction.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII. SOME NEW ACQUAINTANCES
+
+I went to bed at night in all apparent health; save from the flurry and
+excitement of an anxious mind, I was in no respect different from my
+usual mood; and yet, when I awoke next morning, my head was distracted
+with a racking pain, cramps were in all my limbs, and I could not turn
+or even move without intense suffering. The long exposure to rain, while
+my mind was in a condition of extreme excitement, had brought on
+an attack of fever, and before evening set in, I was raving in wild
+delirium. Every scene I had passed through, each eventful incident of my
+life, came flashing in disjointed portions through my poor brain, and
+I raved away of France, of Germany, of the dreadful days of terror,
+and the fearful orgies of the 'Revolution.' Scenes of strife and
+struggle--the terrible conflicts of the streets--all rose before me;
+and the names of every blood-stained hero of France now mingled with the
+obscure titles of Irish insurrection.
+
+What narratives of my early life I may have given--what stories I may
+have revealed of my strange career, I cannot tell; but the interest my
+kind hosts took in me grew stronger every day. There was no care nor
+kindness they did not lavish on me. Taking alternate nights to sit up
+with me, they watched beside my bed like brothers. All that affection
+could give they rendered me; and even from their narrow fortunes they
+paid a physician, who came from a distant town to visit me. When I was
+sufficiently recovered to leave my bed, and sit at the window, or stroll
+slowly in the garden, I became aware of the full extent to which their
+kindness had carried them, and in the precautions for secrecy I saw
+the peril to which my presence exposed them. From an excess of delicacy
+towards me, they did not allude to the subject, nor show the slightest
+uneasiness about the matter; but day by day some little circumstance
+would occur, some slight and trivial fact reveal the state of anxiety
+they lived in.
+
+They were averse, too, from all discussion of late events, and either
+answered my questions vaguely or with a certain reserve; and when I
+hinted at my hope of being soon able to appear before a magistrate and
+establish my claim as a French citizen, they replied that the moment
+was an unfavourable one: the lenity of the Government had latterly been
+abused, their gracious intentions misstated and perverted--that, in
+fact, a reaction towards severity had occurred, and military law and
+courts-martial were summarily disposing of cases that a short time back
+would have received the mildest sentences of civil tribunals. It was
+clear, from all they said, that if the rebellion was suppressed, the
+insurrectionary feeling was not extinguished, and that England was the
+very reverse of tranquil on the subject of Ireland.
+
+It was to no purpose that I repeated my personal indifference to all
+these measures of severity, that in my capacity as a Frenchman and an
+officer I stood exempt from all the consequences they alluded to. Their
+reply was, that in times of trouble and alarm things were done which
+quieter periods would never have sanctioned, and that indiscreet and
+over-zealous men would venture on acts that neither law nor justice
+could substantiate. In fact, they gave me to believe, that such was the
+excitement of the moment, such the embittered vengeance of those whose
+families or fortunes had suffered by the rebellion, that no reprisals
+would be thought too heavy, nor any harshness too great, for those who
+aided the movement.
+
+Whatever I might have said against the injustice of this proceeding, in
+my secret heart I had to confess that it was only what might have been
+expected; and coming from a country where it was enough to call a man an
+aristocrat, and then cry _a la lanterne!_ I saw nothing unreasonable in
+it all.
+
+My friends advised me, therefore, instead of preferring any formal claim
+to immunity, to take the first occasion of escaping to America, whence I
+could not fail, later on, of returning to France. At first, the counsel
+only irritated me, but by degrees, as I came to think more calmly and
+seriously of the difficulties, I began to regard it in a different
+light; and at last I fully concurred in the wisdom of the advice, and
+resolved on adopting it.
+
+To sit on the cliffs, and watch the ocean for hours, became now the
+practice of my life--to gaze from daybreak almost to the falling of
+night oyer the wide expanse of sea, straining my eyes at each sail, and
+conjecturing to what distant shore they were tending. The hopes which at
+first sustained at last deserted me, as week after week passed over,
+and no prospect of escape appeared. The life of inactivity gradually
+depressed my spirits, and I fell into a low and moping condition, in
+which my hours rolled over without thought or notice. Still, I returned
+each day to my accustomed spot, a lofty peak of rock that stood over the
+sea, and from which the view extended for miles on every side. There,
+half hid in the wild heath, I used to lie for hours long, my eyes bent
+upon the sea, but my thoughts wandering away to a past that never was to
+be renewed, and a future I was never destined to experience.
+
+Although late in the autumn, the season was mild and genial, and the
+sea calm and waveless, save along the shore, where, even in the stillest
+weather, the great breakers came tumbling in with a force independent of
+storm; and, listening to their booming thunder, I have dreamed away
+hour after hour unconsciously. It was one day, as I lay thus, that my
+attention was caught by the sight of three large vessels on the very
+verge of the horizon. Habit had now given me a certain acuteness, and I
+could perceive from their height and size that they were ships of war.
+For a while they seemed as if steering for the entrance of the lough,
+but afterwards they changed their course, and headed towards the west.
+At length they separated, and one of smaller size, and probably a
+frigate from her speed, shot forward beyond the rest, and, in less
+than half an hour, disappeared from view. The other two gradually
+sank beneath the horizon, and not a sail was to be seen over the
+wide expanse. While speculating on what errand the squadron might be
+employed, I thought I could hear the deep and rolling sound of distant
+cannonading. My ear was too practised in the thundering crash of the
+breakers along shore to confound the noises; and as I listened I fancied
+that I could distinguish the sound of single guns from the louder roar
+of a whole broadside. This could not mean saluting, nor was it likely
+to be a mere exercise of the fleet. They were not times when much powder
+was expended un-profitably. Was it then an engagement? But with what or
+whom? Tandy's expedition, as it was called, had long since sailed, and
+must ere this have been captured or safe in France. I tried a hundred
+conjectures to explain the mystery, which now, from the long continuance
+of the sounds, seemed to denote a desperately contested engagement. It
+was not till after three hours that the cannonading ceased, and then I
+could descry a thick dark canopy of smoke that hung hazily over one spot
+in the horizon, as if marking out the scene of the struggle. With what
+aching, torturing anxiety I burned to know what had happened, and with
+which side rested the victory!
+
+Well habituated to hear of the English as victors in every naval
+engagement, I yet went on hoping against hope itself, that Fortune might
+for once have favoured us; nor was it till the falling night prevented
+my being able to trace out distant objects, that I could leave the spot
+and turn homewards. With wishes so directly opposed to theirs, I did not
+venture to tell my two friends what I had witnessed, nor trust myself
+to speak on a subject where my feelings might have betrayed me into
+unseemly expressions of my hopes. I was glad to find that they knew
+nothing of the matter, and talked away indifferently of other subjects.
+By daybreak the next morning I was at my post, a sharp nor'-wester
+blowing, and a heavy sea rolling in from the Atlantic. Instinctively
+carrying my eyes to the spot where I had heard the cannonade, I could
+distinctly see the tops of spars, as if the upper rigging of some
+vessels beyond the horizon.
+
+Gradually they rose higher and higher, till I could detect the yard-arms
+and cross-trees, and finally the great hulls of five vessels that were
+bearing towards me.
+
+For above an hour I could see their every movement, as with all canvas
+spread they held on majestically towards the land, when at length a
+lofty promontory of the bay intervened, and they were lost to my view.
+I jumped to my legs at once, and set off down the cliff to reach the
+headland, from whence an uninterrupted prospect extended. The distance
+was greater than I had supposed, and in my eagerness to take a direct
+line to it, I got entangled in difficult gorges among the hills, and
+impeded by mountain torrents which often compelled me to go back a
+considerable distance; it was already late in the afternoon as I gained
+the crest of a ridge over the bay of Lough Swilly. Beneath me lay the
+calm surface of the lough, landlocked and still; but farther out seaward
+there was a sight that made my very limbs tremble, and sickened my heart
+as I beheld it. There was a large frigate, that, with studding-sails
+set, stood boldly up the bay, followed by a dismasted three-decker, at
+whose mizzen floated the ensign of England over the French tricolour.
+Several other vessels were grouped about the offing, all of them
+displaying English colours.
+
+The dreadful secret was out. There had been a tremendous sea-fight, and
+the _Hoche_, of seventy-four guns, was the sad spectacle which, with
+shattered sides and ragged rigging, I now beheld entering the bay. Oh,
+the humiliation of that sight! I can never forget it. And although on
+all the surrounding hills scarcely fifty country-people were assembled,
+I felt as if the whole of Europe were spectators of our defeat. The
+flag I had always believed triumphant now hung ignominiously beneath the
+ensign of the enemy, and the decks of our noble ship were crowded with
+the uniforms of English sailors and marines.
+
+The blue water surged and spouted from the shot-holes as the great hull
+loomed heavily from side to side, and broken spars and ropes still
+hung over the side, as she went, a perfect picture of defeat. Never was
+disaster more legibly written. I watched her till the anchor dropped,
+and then, in a burst of emotion, I turned away, unable to endure more.
+As I hastened homeward I met the elder of my two hosts coming to meet
+me, in considerable anxiety. He had heard of the capture of the _Hoche_,
+but his mind was far more intent on another and less important event.
+Two men had just been at his cottage with a warrant for my arrest.
+The document bore my name and rank, as well as a description of my
+appearance, and significantly alleged that, although Irish by birth, I
+affected a foreign accent for the sake of concealment.
+
+'There is no chance of escape now,' said my friend; 'we are surrounded
+with spies on every hand. My advice is, therefore, to hasten to Lord
+Cavan's quarters--he is now at Letterkenny--and give yourself up as a
+prisoner. There is at least the chance of your being treated like the
+rest of your countrymen. I have already provided you with a horse and a
+guide, for I must not accompany you myself. Go, then, Maurice. We shall
+never see each other again; but we'll not forget you, nor do we fear
+that you will forget us. My brother could not trust himself to take
+leave of you, but his best wishes and prayers go with you.'
+
+Such were the last words my kind-hearted friend spoke to me; nor do I
+know what reply I made, as, overcome by emotion, my voice became
+thick and broken. I wanted to tell all my gratitude, and yet could say
+nothing. To this hour I know not with what impression of me he went
+away. I can only assert, that in all the long career of vicissitudes of
+a troubled and adventurous life, these brothers have occupied the chosen
+spot of my affection for everything that was disinterested in kindness
+and generous in good feeling.
+
+They have done more; for they have often reconciled me to a world
+of harsh injustice and illiberality, by remembering that two such
+exceptions existed, and that others may have experienced what fell to my
+lot.
+
+For a mile or two my way lay through the mountains, but after reaching
+the highroad I had not proceeded far when I was overtaken by a
+jaunting-car, on which a gentleman was seated, with his leg supported by
+a cushion, and bearing all the signs of a severe injury.
+
+'Keep the near side of the way, sir, I beg of you,' cried he; 'I have a
+broken leg, and am excessively uneasy when a horse passes close to me.'
+
+I touched my cap in salute, and immediately turned my horse's head to
+comply with his request.
+
+'Did you see that, George?' cried another gentleman, who sat on the
+opposite side of the vehicle; 'did you remark that fellow's salute? My
+life on't he's a French soldier.'
+
+'Nonsense, man; he's the steward of a Clyde smack, or a clerk in a
+counting-house,' said the first, in a voice which, though purposely low,
+my quick hearing could catch perfectly.
+
+'Are we far from Letterkenny just now, sir?' said the other, addressing
+me.
+
+'I believe about five miles,' said I, with a prodigious effort to make
+my pronunciation pass muster.
+
+'You're a stranger in these parts, I see, sir,' rejoined he, with a
+cunning glance at his friend, while he added, lower, 'Was I right,
+Hill?'
+
+Although seeing that all concealment was now hopeless, I was in nowise
+disposed to plead guilty at once, and therefore, with a cut of my
+switch, pushed my beast into a sharp canter to get forward.
+
+My friends, however, gave chase, and now the jaunting-car,
+notwithstanding the sufferings of the invalid, was clattering after me
+at about nine miles an hour. At first I rather enjoyed the malice of
+the penalty their curiosity was costing, but as I remembered that the
+invalid was not the chief offender, I began to feel compunction at the
+severity of the lesson, and drew up to a walk.
+
+They at once shortened their pace, and came up beside me.
+
+'A clever hack you're riding, sir,' said the inquisitive man.
+
+'Not so bad for an animal of this country,' said I superciliously.
+
+'Oh, then, what kind of a horse are you accustomed to?' asked he, half
+insolently.
+
+'The Limousin,' said I coolly, 'what we always mount in our hussar
+regiments in France.'
+
+'And you are a French soldier, then,' cried he, in evident astonishment
+at my frankness.
+
+'At your service, sir,' said I, saluting; 'a lieutenant of hussars; and
+if you are tormented by any further curiosity concerning me, I may
+as well relieve you by stating that I am proceeding to Lord Cavan's
+headquarters to surrender as a prisoner.'
+
+'Frank enough that!' said he of the broken leg, laughing heartily as he
+spoke. 'Well, sir,' said the other, 'you are, as your countrymen would
+call it, _bien venu_, for we are bound in that direction ourselves, and
+will be happy to have your company.'
+
+One piece of tact my worldly experience had profoundly impressed upon
+me, and that was, the necessity of always assuming an air of easy
+unconcern in every circumstance of doubtful issue. There was quite
+enough of difficulty in the present case to excite my anxiety, but I
+rode along beside the jaunting-car, chatting familiarly with my new
+acquaintances, and, I believe, without exhibiting the slightest degree
+of uneasiness regarding my own position.
+
+From them I learned so much as they had heard of the late naval
+engagement. The report was that Bompard's fleet had fallen in with Sir
+John Warren's squadron; and having given orders for his fastest sailers
+to make the best of their way to France, had, with the _Hoche_, the
+_Loire_, and the _Resolve_, given battle to the enemy. These had all
+been captured, as well as four others which fled, two alone of the whole
+succeeding in their escape. I think now, that, grievous as these tidings
+were, there was nothing of either boastfulness or insolence in the tone
+in which they were communicated to me. Every praise was accorded to
+Bompard for skill and bravery, and the defence was spoken of in terms
+of generous eulogy. The only trait of acrimony that showed itself in the
+recital was a regret that a number of Irish rebels should have escaped
+in the _Biche_, one of the smaller frigates; and several emissaries of
+the people, who had been deputed to the admiral, were also alleged to
+have been on board of that vessel.
+
+'You are sorry to have missed your friend the priest of Murrah,' said
+Hill jocularly.
+
+'Yes, by George, that fellow should have graced a gallows if I had been
+lucky enough to have taken him.'
+
+'What was his crime, sir?' asked I, with seeming unconcern.
+
+'Nothing more than exciting to rebellion a people with whom he had no
+tie of blood or kindred! He was a Frenchman, and devoted himself to the
+cause of Ireland,* as they call it, from pure sympathy----'
+
+'And a dash of Popery,' broke in Hill.
+
+'It's hard to say even that; my own opinion is, that French Jacobinism
+cares very little for the Pope. Am I right, young gentleman--you don't
+go very often to confession?'
+
+'I should do so less frequently if I were to be subjected to such a
+system of interrogatory as yours,' said I tartly.
+
+They both took my impertinent speech in good part, and laughed heartily
+at it; and thus, half amicably, half in earnest, we entered the little
+town of Letterkenny, just as night was falling.
+
+'If you'll be our guest for this evening, sir,' said Hill, 'we shall be
+happy to have your company.'
+
+I accepted the invitation, and followed them into the inn.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX. THE BREAKFAST AT LETTERKENNY
+
+Early the next morning, a messenger arrived from the Cranagh, with a
+small packet of my clothes and effects, and a farewell letter from the
+two brothers. I had but time to glance over its contents when the tramp
+of feet and the buzz of voices in the street attracted me to the window,
+and on looking out I saw a long line of men, two abreast, who were
+marching along as prisoners, a party of dismounted dragoons keeping
+guard over them on either side, followed by a strong detachment of
+marines. The poor fellows looked sad and crest-fallen enough. Many of
+them wore bandages on their heads and limbs, the tokens of the late
+struggle. Immediately in front of the inn door stood a group of about
+thirty persons; they were the staff of the English force, and the
+officers of our fleet, all mingled together, and talking away with
+the greatest air of unconcern. I was struck by remarking that all our
+seamen, though prisoners, saluted the officers as they passed, and in
+the glances interchanged I thought I could read a world of sympathy
+and encouragement. As for the officers, like true Frenchmen they bore
+themselves as though it were one of the inevitable chances of war, and,
+however vexatious for the moment, not to be thought of as an event of
+much importance. The greater number of them belonged to the army, and I
+could see the uniforms of the staff, artillery and dragoons, as well as
+the less distinguished costume of the line.
+
+Perhaps they carried the affectation of indifference a little too far,
+and in the lounging ease of their attitude, and the cool unconcern
+with which they puffed their cigars, displayed an over-anxiety to seem
+unconcerned.
+
+That the English were piqued at their bearing was still more plain to
+see; and indeed, in the sullen looks of the one, and the careless gaiety
+of the other party, a stranger might readily have mistaken the captor
+for the captive.
+
+My two friends of the evening before were in the midst of the group. He
+who had questioned me so sharply now wore a general officer's uniform,
+and seemed to be the chief in command. As I watched him I heard him
+addressed by an officer, and now saw that he was no other than Lord
+Cavan himself, while the other was a well-known magistrate and country
+gentleman, Sir George Hill.
+
+The sad procession took almost half an hour to defile; and then came a
+long string of country cars and carts, with sea-chests and other
+stores belonging to our officers, and, last of all, some eight or ten
+ammunition-waggons and gun-carriages, over which an English union-jack
+now floated in token of conquest.
+
+There was nothing like exultation or triumph exhibited by the peasantry
+as this pageant passed. They gazed in silent wonderment at the scene,
+and looked like men who scarcely knew whether the result boded more of
+good or evil to their own fortunes. While keenly scrutinising the looks
+and bearing of the bystanders, I received a summons to meet the general
+and his party at breakfast.
+
+Although the occurrence was one of the most pleasurable incidents of my
+life, which brought me once more into intercourse with my comrades and
+my countrymen, I should perhaps pass it over with slight mention, were
+it not that it made me witness to a scene which has since been recorded
+in various different ways, but of whose exact details I profess to be an
+accurate narrator.
+
+After making a tour of the room, saluting my comrades, answering
+questions here, putting others there, I took my place at the long table,
+which, running the whole length of the apartment, was indiscriminately
+occupied by French and English, and found myself with my back to
+the fireplace, and having directly in front of me a man of about
+thirty-three or thirty-four years of age, dressed in the uniform of a
+_chef de brigade_; light-haired and blue-eyed, he bore no resemblance
+whatever to those around him, whose dark faces and black beards
+proclaimed them of a foreign origin. There was an air of mildness in his
+manner, mingled with a certain impetuosity that betrayed itself in the
+rapid glances of his eye, and I could plainly mark that while the rest
+were perfectly at their ease, he was constrained, restless, watching
+eagerly everything that went forward about him, and showing unmistakably
+a certain anxiety and distrust, widely differing from the gay and
+careless indifference of his comrades. I was curious to hear his name,
+and on asking, learned that he was the _Chef de Brigade_ Smith, an
+Irishman by birth, but holding a command in the French service.
+
+I had but asked the question, when, pushing back his chair from the
+table, he arose suddenly, and stood stiff and erect, like a soldier on
+parade.
+
+'Well, sir, I hope you are satisfied with your inspection of me,' cried
+he, and sternly, addressing himself to some one behind my back. I turned
+and perceived it was Sir George Hill, who stood in front of the fire,
+leaning on his stick. Whether he replied or not to this rude speech I am
+unable to say, but the other walked leisurely round the table and came
+directly in front of him. 'You know me now, sir, I presume,' said he,
+in the same imperious voice, 'or else this uniform has made a greater
+change in my appearance than I knew of.'
+
+'Mr. Tone!' said Sir George, in a voice scarcely above a whisper.
+
+'Ay, sir, Wolfe Tone; there is no need of secrecy here; Wolfe Tone, your
+old college acquaintance in former times, but now _chef de brigade_ in
+the service of France.'
+
+'This is a very unexpected, a very unhappy meeting, Mr. Tone,' said Hill
+feelingly; 'I sincerely wish you had not recalled the memory of our past
+acquaintance. My duty gives me no alternative.'
+
+'Your duty, or I mistake much, can have no concern with me, sir,' cried
+Tone, in a more excited voice.
+
+'I ask for nothing better than to be sure of this, Mr. Tone,' said Sir
+George, moving slowly towards the door.
+
+'You would treat me like an _emigre rentre?_ cried Tone passionately,
+'but I am a French subject and a French officer!'
+
+'I shall be well satisfied if others take the same view of your case, I
+assure you,' said Hill, as he gained the door.
+
+'You 'll not find me unprepared for either event, sir,' rejoined Tone,
+following him out of the room, and banging the door angrily behind him.
+
+For a moment or two the noise of voices was heard from without, and
+several of the guests, English and French, rose from the table, eagerly
+inquiring what had occurred, and asking for an explanation of the scene,
+when suddenly the door was flung wide open, and Tone appeared between
+two policemen, his coat off, and his wrists inclosed in handcuffs.
+
+'Look here, comrades,' he cried in French; 'this is another specimen of
+English politeness and hospitality. After all,' added he, with a bitter
+laugh, 'they have no designation in all their heraldry as honourable as
+these fetters, when worn for the cause of freedom! Good-bye, comrades;
+we may never meet again, but don't forget how we parted.'
+
+These were the last words he uttered, when the door was closed, and he
+was led forward under charge of a strong force of police and military.
+A postchaise was soon seen to pass the windows at speed, escorted by
+dragoons, and we saw no more of our comrade.
+
+The incident passed even more rapidly than I write it. The few words
+spoken, the hurried gestures, the passionate exclamations, are yet all
+deeply graven on my memory; and I can recall every little incident of
+the scene, and every feature of the locality wherein it occurred. With
+true French levity many reseated themselves at the breakfast-table;
+whilst others, with perhaps as little feeling, but more of curiosity,
+discussed the event, and sought for an explanation of its meaning.
+
+'Then what's to become of Tiernay,' cried one, 'if it be so hard
+to throw off this "coil of Englishmen?" His position may be just as
+precarious.'
+
+'That is exactly what has occurred,' said Lord Cavan; 'a warrant for his
+apprehension has just been put into my hands, and I deeply regret
+that the duty should violate that of hospitality, and make my guest my
+prisoner.'
+
+'May I see this warrant, my lord?' asked I.
+
+'Certainly, sir. Here it is; and here is the information on oath through
+which it was issued, sworn to before three justices of the peace by a
+certain Joseph Dowall, late an officer in the rebel forces, but now a
+pardoned approver of the Crown; do you remember such a man, sir?'
+
+I bowed, and he went on.
+
+'He would seem a precious rascal; but such characters become
+indispensable in times like these. After all, M. Tiernay, my orders are
+only to transmit you to Dublin under safe escort, and there is nothing
+either in my duty or in your position to occasion any feeling of
+unpleasantness between us. Let us have a glass of wine together.'
+
+I responded to this civil proposition with politeness, and, after
+a slight interchange of leave-takings with some of my newly-found
+comrades, I set out for Derry on a jaunting-car, accompanied by
+an officer and two policemen, affecting to think very little of a
+circumstance which, in reality, the more I reflected over, the more
+serious I deemed it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX. SCENE IN THE ROYAL BARRACKS
+
+It would afford me little pleasure to write, and doubtless my readers
+less to read, my lucubrations as I journeyed along towards Dublin. My
+thoughts seldom turned from myself and my own fortunes, nor were
+they cheered by the scene through which I travelled. The season was a
+backward and wet one, and the fields, partly from this cause, and partly
+from the people being engaged in the late struggle, lay untilled and
+neglected. Groups of idle, lounging peasants stood in the villages,
+or loitered on the highroads as we passed, sad, ragged-looking, and
+wretched. They seemed as if they had no heart to resume their wonted
+life of labour, but were waiting for some calamity to close their
+miserable existence. Strongly in contrast with this were the air
+and bearing of the yeomanry and militia detachments with whom we
+occasionally came up. Quite forgetting how little creditable to some
+of them, at least, were the events of the late campaign, they gave
+themselves the most intolerable airs of heroism, and in their drunken
+jollity, and reckless abandonment, threatened, I know not what--utter
+ruin to France and all Frenchmen. Bonaparte was the great mark of
+their sarcasms, and, from some cause or other, seemed to enjoy a most
+disproportioned share of their dislike and derision.
+
+At first it required some effort of constraint on my part to listen to
+this ribaldry in silence; but prudence, and a little sense, taught me
+the safer lesson of 'never minding,' and so I affected to understand
+nothing that was said in a spirit of insult or offence.
+
+On the night of the 7th of November we drew nigh to Dublin; but instead
+of entering the capital, we halted at a small village outside of it,
+called Ghapelizod. Here a house had been fitted up for the reception of
+French prisoners, and I found myself, if not in company, at least under
+the same roof, with my countrymen.
+
+Nearer intercourse than this, however, I was not destined to enjoy, for
+early on the following morning I was ordered to set out for the Royal
+Barracks, to be tried before a court-martial. It was on a cold, raw
+morning, with a thin, drizzly rain falling, that we drove into the
+barrack-yard, and drew up at the mess-room, then used for the purposes
+of a court. As yet none of the members had assembled, and two or three
+mess-waiters were engaged in removing the signs of last night's
+debauch, and restoring a semblance of decorum to a very rackety-looking
+apartment. The walls were scrawled over with absurd caricatures, in
+charcoal or ink, of notorious characters of the capital, and a very
+striking 'battle-piece' commemorated the 'Races of Castlebar,' as that
+memorable action was called, in a spirit, I am bound to say, of
+little flattery to the British arms. There were, to be sure, little
+compensatory illustrations here and there of French cavalry in Egypt,
+mounted on donkeys, or revolutionary troops on parade, ragged as
+scarecrows, and ill-looking as highwaymen; but a most liberal justice
+characterised all these frescoes, and they treated both Trojan and
+Tyrian alike.
+
+I had abundant time given me to admire them, for although summoned for
+seven o'clock, it was nine before the first officer of the court-martial
+made his appearance, and he having popped in his head, and perceiving
+the room empty, sauntered out again, and disappeared. At last a very
+noisy jaunting-car rattled into the square, and a short, red-faced
+man was assisted down from it, and entered the mess-room. This was Mr.
+Peters, the Deputy Judge Advocate, whose presence was the immediate
+signal for the others, who now came dropping in from every side, the
+President, a Colonel Daly, arriving the last.
+
+A few tradespeople, loungers, it seemed to me, of the barracks, and some
+half-dozen non-commissioned officers off duty, made up the public; and I
+could not but feel a sense of my insignificance in the utter absence of
+interest my fate excited. The listless indolence and informality, too,
+offended and insulted me; and when the President politely told me to
+be seated, for they were obliged to wait for some books or papers left
+behind at his quarters, I actually was indignant at his coolness.
+
+As we thus waited, the officers gathered round the fireplace, chatting
+and laughing pleasantly together, discussing the social events of the
+capital, and the gossip of the day; everything, in fact, but the case of
+the individual on whose future fate they were about to decide.
+
+At length the long-expected books made their appearance, and a few
+well-thumbed volumes were spread over the table, behind which the Court
+took their places, Colonel Daly in the centre, with the judge upon his
+left.
+
+The members being sworn, the Judge Advocate arose, and in a hurried,
+humdrum kind of voice, read out what purported to be the commission
+under which I was to be tried; the charge being, whether I had or had
+not acted treacherously and hostilely to his Majesty, whose natural-born
+subject I was, being born in that kingdom, and, consequently, owing to
+him all allegiance and fidelity. 'Guilty or not guilty, sir?'
+
+'The charge is a falsehood; I am a Frenchman,' was my answer.
+
+'Have respect for the Court, sir,' said Peters; 'you mean that you are a
+French officer, but by birth an Irishman.'
+
+'I mean no such thing--that I am French by birth, as I am in
+feeling--that I never saw Ireland till within a few months back, and
+heartily wish I had never seen it.'
+
+'So would General Humbert, too, perhaps,' said Daly, laughing; and the
+Court seemed to relish the jest.
+
+'Where were you born, then, Tiernay?'
+
+'In Paris, I believe.'
+
+'And your mother's name, what was it?'
+
+'I never knew; I was left an orphan when a mere infant, and can tell
+little of my family.'
+
+'Your father was Irish, then?'
+
+'Only by descent. I have heard that we came from a family who bore the
+title of "Timmahoo"---Lord Tiernay of Timmahoo.'
+
+'There was such a title,' interposed Peters; 'it was one of King James's
+last creations after his flight from the Boyne. Some, indeed, assert
+that it was conferred before the battle. What a strange coincidence, to
+find the descendant, if he be such, labouring in something like the same
+cause as his ancestor.'
+
+'What's your rank, sir?' asked a sharp, severe-looking man, called Major
+Flood.
+
+'First Lieutenant of Hussars.'
+
+'And is it usual for a boy of your years to hold that rank; or was there
+anything peculiar in your case that obtained the promotion?'
+
+'I served in two campaigns, and gained my grade regularly.'
+
+'Your Irish blood, then, had no share in your advancement?' asked he
+again.
+
+'I am a Frenchman, as I said before,' was my answer.
+
+'A Frenchman, who lays claim to an Irish estate and an Irish title,'
+replied Flood. 'Let us hear Dowall's statement.'
+
+And now, to my utter confusion, a man made his way to the table, and,
+taking the book from the Judge Advocate, kissed it in token of an oath.
+
+'Inform the Court of anything you know in connection with the prisoner,'
+said the judge.
+
+And the fellow, not daring even to look towards me, began a long,
+rambling, unconnected narrative of his first meeting with me at Killala,
+affecting that a close intimacy had subsisted between us, and that,
+in the faith of a confidence, I had told him how, being an Irishman by
+birth, I had joined the expedition in the hope that with the expulsion
+of the English I should be able to re-establish my claim to my family
+rank and fortune. There was little coherence in his story, and more
+than one discrepant statement occurred in it; but the fellow's natural
+stupidity imparted a wonderful air of truth to the narrative, and I
+was surprised how naturally it sounded even to my own ears, little
+circumstances of truth being interspersed through the recital, as though
+to season the falsehood into a semblance of fact.
+
+'What have you to reply to this, Tiernay?' asked the colonel.
+
+'Simply, sir, that such a witness, were his assertions even more
+consistent and probable, is utterly unworthy of credit. This fellow was
+one of the greatest marauders of the rebel army; and the last exercise
+of authority I ever witnessed by General Humbert was an order to drive
+him out of the town of Castlebar.'
+
+'Is this the notorious Town-major Dowall?' asked an officer of
+artillery.
+
+'The same, sir.'
+
+'I can answer, then, for his being one of the greatest rascals
+unhanged,' rejoined he.
+
+'This is all very irregular, gentlemen,' interposed the Judge Advocate;
+'the character of a witness cannot be impugned by what is mere desultory
+conversation. Let Dowall withdraw.'
+
+The man retired, and now a whispered conversation was kept up at the
+table for about a quarter of an hour, in which I could distinctly
+separate those who befriended from those who opposed me, the major being
+the chief of the latter party. One speech of his which I overheard made
+a slight impression on me, and for the first time suggested uneasiness
+regarding the event.
+
+'Whatever you do with this lad must have an immense influence on Tone's
+trial. Don't forget that if you acquit him, you'll be sorely puzzled to
+convict the other.'
+
+The colonel promptly overruled this unjust suggestion, and maintained
+that in my accent, manner, and appearance, there was every evidence of
+my French origin.
+
+'Let Wolfe Tone stand upon his own merits,' said he, 'but let us not mix
+this case with his.'
+
+'I'd have treated every man who landed to a rope,' exclaimed the major,
+'Humbert himself among the rest. It was pure "brigandage," and nothing
+less.'
+
+'I hope if I escape, sir, that it will never be my fortune to see you a
+prisoner of France,' said I, forgetting all in my indignation.
+
+'If my voice have any influence, young man, that opportunity is not
+likely to occur to you,' was the reply.
+
+This ungenerous speech found no sympathy with the rest, and I soon saw
+that the major represented a small minority in the Court.
+
+The want of my commission, or of any document suitable to my rank or
+position in the service, was a great drawback; for I had given all my
+papers to Humbert, and had nothing to substantiate my account of myself.
+I saw how unfavourably this acknowledgment was taken by the Court; and
+when I was ordered to withdraw that they might deliberate, I own that I
+felt great misgivings as to the result.
+
+The deliberation was a long, and, as I could overhear, a strongly
+disputed one. Dowall was twice called in for examination, and when he
+retired on the last occasion the discussion grew almost stormy.
+
+As I stood thus awaiting my fate, the public, now removed from the
+court, pressed eagerly to look at me; and while some thronged the
+doorway, and even pressed against the sentry, others crowded at the
+window to peep in. Among these faces, over which my eye ranged in half
+vacancy, one face struck me, for the expression of sincere sympathy and
+interest it bore. It was that of a middle-aged man of a humble walk in
+life, whose dress bespoke him from the country. There was nothing in his
+appearance to have called for attention or notice, and at any other time
+I should have passed him over without remark; but now, as his features
+betokened a feeling almost verging on anxiety, I could not regard him
+without interest.
+
+Whichever way my eyes turned, however my thoughts might take me off,
+whenever I looked towards him I was sure to find his gaze steadily bent
+upon me, and with an expression quite distinct from mere curiosity. At
+last came the summons for me to reappear before the Court, and the crowd
+opened to let me pass in.
+
+The noise, the anxiety of the moment, and the movement of the people
+confused me at first; and when I recovered self-possession, I found
+that the Judge Advocate was reciting the charge under which I was tried.
+There were three distinct counts, on each of which the Court pronounced
+me 'Not Guilty,' but at the same time qualifying the finding by the
+additional words--'by a majority of two'; thus showing me that my escape
+had been a narrow one.
+
+'As a prisoner of war,' said the President, 'you will now receive the
+same treatment as your comrades of the same rank. Some have been already
+exchanged, and some have given bail for their appearance to answer any
+future charges against them.'
+
+'I am quite ready, sir, to accept my freedom on parole,' said I; 'of
+course, in a country where I am an utter stranger, bail is out of the
+question.'
+
+'I'm willing to bail him, your worship; I'll take it on me to be surety
+for him,' cried a coarse, husky voice from the body of the court; and
+at the same time a man dressed in a greatcoat of dark frieze pressed
+through the crowd and approached the table.
+
+'And who are you, my good fellow, so ready to impose yourself on the
+Court?' asked Peters.
+
+'I'm a farmer of eighty acres of land, from the Black Pits, near
+Baldoyle, and the adjutant there, Mr. Moore, knows me well.'
+
+'Yes,' said the adjutant, 'I have known you some years, as supplying
+forage to the cavalry, and always heard you spoken of as honest and
+trustworthy.'
+
+'Thank you, Mr. Moore; that's as much as I want.'
+
+'Yes; but it's not as much as we want, my worthy man,' said Peters; 'we
+require to know that you are a solvent and respectable person.'
+
+'Come out and see my place, then; ride over the land and look at my
+stock; ask my neighbours my character; find out if there's anything
+against me.'
+
+'We prefer to leave all that trouble on your shoulders,' said Peters;
+'show us that we may accept your surety, and we 'll entertain the
+question at once.'
+
+'How much is it?' asked he eagerly.
+
+'We demanded five hundred pounds for a major on the staff; suppose we
+say two, colonel, is that sufficient?' asked Peters of the President.
+
+'I should say quite enough,' was the reply.
+
+'There's eighty of it, anyway,' said the farmer, producing a dirty roll
+of bank-notes, and throwing them on the table; 'I got them from Mr.
+Murphy in Smithfield this morning, and I'll get twice as much more from
+him for asking; so if your honours will wait till I come back, I'll not
+be twenty minutes away.'
+
+'But we can't take your money, my man; we have no right to touch it.'
+
+'Then what are ye talking about two hundred pounds for?' asked he
+sternly.
+
+'We want your promise to pay in the event of this bail being broken.'
+
+'Oh, I see, it's all the same thing in the end; I'll do it either way.'
+
+'We'll accept Mr. Murphy's guarantee for your solvency,' said Peters;
+'obtain that, and you can sign the bond at once.'
+
+''Faith, I'll get it, sure enough, and be here before you've the writing
+drawn out,' said he, buttoning up his coat.
+
+'What name are we to insert in the bond?' 'Tiernay, sir.'
+
+'That's the prisoner's name, but we want yours.' 'Mine's Tiernay, too,
+sir; Pat Tiernay of the Black Pits.'
+
+Before I could recover from my surprise at this announcement he had left
+the court, which in a few minutes afterwards broke up, a clerk alone
+remaining to fill up the necessary documents and complete the bail-bond.
+
+The colonel, as well as two others of his officers, pressed me to join
+them at breakfast, but I declined, resolving to wait for my namesake's
+return, and partake of no other hospitality than his.
+
+It was near one o'clock when he returned, almost worn out with fatigue,
+since he had been in pursuit of Mr. Murphy for several hours, and only
+came upon him by chance at last. His business, however, he had fully
+accomplished; the bail-bond was duly drawn out and signed, and I left
+the barrack in a state of mind very different from the feeling with
+which I had entered it that day.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI. A BRIEF CHANGE OF LIFE AND COUNTRY
+
+My new acquaintance never ceased to congratulate himself on what he
+called the lucky accident that had led him to the barracks that morning,
+and thus brought about our meeting. 'Little as you think of me, my
+dear,' said he, 'I'm one of the Tiernays of Timmahoo myself; faix, until
+I saw you, I thought I was the last of them! There are eight generations
+of us in the churchyard at Kells, and I was looking to the time when
+they'd lay my bones there as the last of the race, but I see there's
+better fortune before us.'
+
+'But you have a family, I hope?'
+
+'Sorrow one belonging to me. I might have married when I was young,
+but there was a pride in me to look for something higher than I had any
+right--except from blood I mean, for a better stock than our own
+isn't to be found; and that's the way years went over and I lost the
+opportunity, and here I am now an old bachelor, without one to stand to
+me, barrin' it be yourself.'
+
+The last words were uttered with a tremulous emotion, and, on turning
+towards him, I saw his eyes swimming with tears, and perceived that some
+strong feeling was working within him.
+
+'You can't suppose I can ever forget what I owe you, Mr. Tiernay.'
+
+'Call me Pat, Pat Tiernay,' interrupted he roughly.
+
+'I 'll call you what you please,' said I, 'if you let me add friend to
+it.'
+
+'That'senough; we understand one another now--no more need be said.
+You'll come home and live with me It's not long, maybe, you'll have to
+do that same; but when I go you 'll be heir to what I have. 'Tis more,
+perhaps, than many supposes, looking at the coat and the gaiters I am
+wearin'. Mind, Maurice, I don't want you, nor I don't expect you, to
+turn farmer like myself. You need never turn a hand to anything. You 'll
+have your horse to ride--two, if you like it. Your time will be all your
+own, so that you spend a little of it now and then with me, and as much
+divarsion as ever you care for.'
+
+I have condensed into a few words the substance of a conversation
+which lasted till we reached Baldoyle; and passing through that not
+over-imposing village, gained the neighbourhood of the sea-shore, along
+which stretched the farm of the 'Black Pits,' a name derived, I was
+told, from certain black holes that were dug in the sands by fishermen
+in former times, when the salt tide washed over the pleasant fields
+where corn was now growing. A long, low, thatched cabin, with far more
+indications of room and comfort than pretension to the picturesque,
+stood facing the sea. There were neither trees nor shrubs around it,
+and the aspect of the spot was bleak and cheerless enough, a colouring a
+dark November day did nothing to dispel.
+
+It possessed one charm, however; and had it been a hundred times
+inferior to what it was, that one would have compensated for all else--a
+hearty welcome met me at the door, and the words, 'This is your home,
+Maurice,' filled my heart with happiness.
+
+Were I to suffer myself to dwell even in thought on this period of my
+life, I feel how insensibly I should be led away into an inexcusable
+prolixity. The little meaningless incidents of my daily life, all so
+engraven on my memory still, occupied me pleasantly from day till
+night. Not only the master of myself and my own time, I was master of
+everything around me. Uncle Pat, as he loved to call himself, treated me
+with a degree of respect that was almost painful to me, and only when
+we were alone together did he relapse into the intimacy of equality. Two
+first-rate hunters stood in my stable; a stout-built half-deck boat lay
+at my command beside the quay; I had my gun and my greyhounds; books,
+journals; everything, in short, that a liberal purse and a kind spirit
+could confer--all but acquaintance. Of these I possessed absolutely
+none. Too proud to descend to intimacy with the farmers and small
+shopkeepers of the neighbourhood, my position excluded me from
+acquaintance with the gentry; and thus I stood between both, unknown to
+either.
+
+For a while my new career was too absorbing to suffer me to dwell on
+this circumstance. The excitement of field-sports sufficed me when
+abroad, and I came home usually so tired at night that I could
+barely keep awake to amuse Uncle Pat with those narratives of war and
+campaigning he was so fond of hearing. To the hunting-field succeeded
+the Bay of Dublin, and I passed days, even weeks, exploring every creek
+and inlet of the coast--now cruising under the dark cliffs of the Welsh
+shore, or, while my boat lay at anchor, wandering among the solitary
+valleys of Lambay, my life, like a dream full of its own imaginings, and
+unbroken by the thoughts or feelings of others! I will not go the length
+of saying that I was self-free from all reproach on the inglorious
+indolence in which my days were passed, or that my thoughts never
+strayed away to that land where my first dreams of ambition were felt.
+But a strange fatuous kind of languor had grown upon me, and the more I
+retired within myself, the less did I wish for a return to that struggle
+with the world which every active life engenders. Perhaps--I cannot now
+say if it were so--perhaps I resented the disdainful distance with
+which the gentry treated me, as we met in the hunting-field or the
+coursing-ground. Some of the isolation I preferred may have had this
+origin, but choice had the greater share in it, until at last my
+greatest pleasure was to absent myself for weeks on a cruise, fancying
+that I was exploring tracts never visited by man, and landing on spots
+where no human foot had ever been known to tread.
+
+If Uncle Pat would occasionally remonstrate on the score of these long
+absences, he never ceased to supply means for them; and my sea-store and
+a well-filled purse were never wanting, when the blue-peter floated from
+_La Hoche_, as in my ardour I had named my cutter. Perhaps at heart
+he was not sorry to see me avoid the capital and its society. The
+bitterness which had succeeded the struggle for independence was now at
+its highest point, and there was what, to my thinking at least, appeared
+something like the cruelty of revenge in the sentences which followed
+the state trials. I will not suffer myself to stray into the debatable
+ground of politics, nor dare I give an opinion on matters, where, with
+all the experience of fifty years superadded, the wisest heads are
+puzzled how to decide; but my impression at the time was that lenity
+would have been a safer and a better policy than severity, and that in
+the momentary prostration of the country, lay the precise conjuncture
+for those measures of grace and favour which were afterwards rather
+wrung from than conceded by the English Government. Be this as it may,
+Dublin offered a strange spectacle at that period. The triumphant joy
+of one party--the discomfiture and depression of the other. All the
+exuberant delight of success here, all the bitterness of failure there.
+On one side, festivities, rejoicings, and public demonstrations; on the
+other, confinement, banishment, or the scaffold.
+
+The excitement was almost madness. The passion for pleasure, restrained
+by the terrible contingencies of the time, now broke forth with
+redoubled force, and the capital was thronged with all its rank, riches,
+and fashion, when its gaols were crowded, and the heaviest sentences of
+the law were in daily execution. The state-trials were crowded by all
+the fashion of the metropolis; and the heart-moving eloquence of Curran
+was succeeded by the strains of a merry concert. It was just then, too,
+that the great lyric poet of Ireland began to appear in society, and
+those songs which were to be known afterwards as 'The Melodies,' _par
+excellence_, were first heard in all the witching enchantment which his
+own taste and voice could lend them. To such as were indifferent to
+or could forget the past, it was a brilliant period. It was the last
+flickering blaze of Irish nationality, before the lamp was extinguished
+for ever.
+
+Of this society I myself saw nothing. But even in the retirement of my
+humble life the sounds of its mirth and pleasure penetrated, and I
+often wished to witness the scenes which even in vague description were
+fascinating. It was, then, in a kind of discontent at my exclusion, that
+I grew from day to day more disposed to solitude, and fonder of
+those excursions which led me out of all reach of companionship or
+acquaintance. In this spirit I planned a long cruise down channel,
+resolving to visit the island of Valentia, or, if the wind and weather
+favoured, to creep around the south-west coast as far as Bantry or
+Kenmare. A man and his son, a boy of about sixteen, formed all my crew,
+and were quite sufficient for the light tackle and easy rig of my craft.
+Uncle Pat was already mounted on his pony, and ready to set out for
+market, as we prepared to start. It was a bright spring morning--such a
+one as now and then the changeful climate of Ireland brings forth in a
+brilliancy of colour and softness of atmosphere that are rare in even
+more favoured lands.
+
+'You have a fine day of it, Maurice, and just enough wind,' said he,
+looking at the point from whence it came. 'I almost wish I was going
+with you.'
+
+'And why not come, then?' asked I. 'You never will give yourself a
+holiday. Do so for once, now.'
+
+'Not to-day, anyhow,' said he, half sighing at his self-denial. 'I have
+a great deal of business on my hands to-day, but the next time--the very
+next you're up to a long cruise, I'll go with you.'
+
+'That's a bargain, then?'
+
+'A bargain. Here's my hand on it.'
+
+We shook hands cordially on the compact. Little knew I it was to be for
+the last time, and that we were never to meet again!
+
+I was soon aboard, and with a free mainsail skimming rapidly over the
+bright waters of the bay. The wind freshened as the day wore on, and
+we quickly passed the Kish light-ship, and held our course boldly down
+channel. The height of my enjoyment in these excursions consisted in
+the unbroken quietude of mind I felt, when removed from all chance
+interruption, and left free to follow out my own fancies and indulge my
+dreamy conceptions to my heart's content. It was then I used to revel in
+imaginings which sometimes soared into the boldest realms of ambition,
+and at others strayed contemplatively in the humblest walks of obscure
+fortune. My crew never broke in upon these musings; indeed, old Tom
+Finerty's low crooning song rather aided than interrupted them. He was
+not much given to talking, and a chance allusion to some vessel afar
+off, or some headland we were passing, were about the extent of his
+communicativeness, and even these often fell on my ear unnoticed.
+
+It was thus, at night, we made the Hook Tower, and on the next day
+passed, in a spanking breeze, under the bold cliffs of Tramore, just
+catching, as the sun was sinking, the sight of Youghal Bay and the tall
+headlands beyond it.
+
+'The wind is drawing more to the nor'ard,' said old Tom, as night closed
+in, 'and the clouds look dirty.'
+
+'Bear her up a point or two,' said I, 'and let us stand in for Cork
+Harbour if it comes on to blow.'
+
+He muttered something in reply, but I did not catch the words, nor,
+indeed, cared I to hear them, for I had just wrapped myself in my
+boat-cloak, and, stretched at full length on the shingle ballast of the
+yawl, was gazing in rapture at the brilliancy of the starry sky above
+me. Light skiffs of feathery cloud would now and then flit past, and
+a peculiar hissing sound of the sea told, at the same time, that the
+breeze was freshening. But old Tom had done his duty in mentioning this
+once, and thus having disburthened his conscience, he closehauled his
+mainsail, shifted the ballast a little to midships, and, putting up the
+collar of his pilot-coat, screwed himself tighter into the corner beside
+the tiller, and chewed his quid in quietness. The boy slept soundly in
+the bow, and I, lulled by the motion and the plashing waves, fell into a
+dreamy stupor, like a pleasant sleep. The pitching of the boat continued
+to increase, and twice or thrice struck by a heavy sea, she lay over,
+till the white waves came tumbling in over her gunwale. I heard Tom call
+to his boy something about the head-sail, but for the life of me I
+could not or would not arouse myself from a train of thought that I was
+following.
+
+'She's a stout boat to stand this,' said Tom, as he rounded her off at a
+coming wave, which, even thus escaped, splashed over us like a cataract.
+'I know many a bigger craft wouldn't hold up her canvas under such a
+gale.'
+
+'Here it comes, father. Here's a squall!' cried the boy; and with a
+crash like thunder, the wind struck the sail, and laid the boat half
+under.
+
+'She'd float if she was full of water,' said the old man, as the craft
+'righted.'
+
+'But maybe the spars wouldn't stand,' said the boy anxiously.
+
+''Tis what I 'm thinking,' rejoined the father. 'There's a shake in the
+mast, below the caps.'
+
+'Tell him it's better to bear up, and go before it,' whispered the lad,
+with a gesture towards where I was lying.
+
+'Troth, it's little he'd care,' said the other; 'besides, he's never
+plazed to be woke up.'
+
+'Here it comes again!' cried the boy. But this time the squall swept
+past ahead of us, and the craft only reeled to the swollen waves, as
+they tore by.
+
+'We 'd better go about, sir,' said Tom to me; 'there's a heavy sea
+outside, and it's blowing hard now.'
+
+'And there's a split in the mast as long as my arm,' cried the boy.
+
+'I thought she'd live through any sea, Tom!' said I, laughing, for it
+was his constant boast that no weather could harm her.
+
+'There goes the spar!' shouted he, while with a loud snap the mast gave
+way, and fell with a crash over the side. The boat immediately came head
+to wind, and sea after sea broke upon her bow, and fell in great floods
+over us.
+
+'Out away the stays--clear the wreck,' cried Tom, 'before the squall
+catches her!'
+
+And although we now laboured like men whose lives depended on the
+exertion, the trailing sail and heavy rigging, shifting the ballast as
+they fell, laid her completely over; and when the first sea struck her,
+over she went. The violence of the gale sent me a considerable distance
+out, and for several seconds I felt as though I should never reach the
+surface again. Wave after wave rolled over me, and seemed bearing me
+downwards with their weight. At last I grasped something; it was a
+rope--a broken halyard; but by its means I gained the mast, which
+floated alongside of the yawl as she now lay keel uppermost. With what
+energy did I struggle to reach her! The space was scarcely a dozen
+feet, and yet it cost me what seemed an age to traverse. Through all the
+roaring of the breakers, and the crashing sounds of storm, I thought I
+could hear my comrades' voices shouting and screaming; but this was in
+all likelihood a mere deception, for I never saw them more!
+
+Grasping with a death-grip the slippery keel, I hung on to the boat
+through all the night. The gale continued to increase, and by daybreak
+it blew a perfect hurricane. With an aching anxiety I watched for light
+to see if I were near the land, or if any ship were in sight; but when
+the sun rose, nothing met my eyes but a vast expanse of waves tumbling
+and tossing in mad confusion, while overhead some streaked and mottled
+clouds were hurried along with the wind. Happily for me, I have no
+correct memory of that long day of suffering. The continual noise, but
+more still, the incessant motion of sea and sky around, brought on
+a vertigo, that seemed like madness; and although the instinct of
+self-preservation remained, the wildest and most incoherent fancies
+filled my brain. Some of these were powerful enough to impress
+themselves upon my memory for years after, and one I have never yet been
+able to dispel. It clings to me in every season of unusual depression
+or dejection; it recurs in the half-nightmare sleep of over-fatigue, and
+even invades me when, restless and feverish, I lie for hours incapable
+of repose. This is the notion that my state was one of afterlife
+punishment; that I had died, and was now expiating a sinful life by the
+everlasting misery of a castaway. The fever brought on by thirst and
+exhaustion, and the burning sun which beamed down upon my uncovered
+head, soon completed the measure of this infatuation, and all sense and
+guidance left me.
+
+By what instinctive impulse I still held on my grasp, I cannot explain;
+but there I clung during the whole of that long dreadful day, and the
+still more dreadful night, when the piercing cold cramped my limbs, and
+seemed as if freezing the very blood within me. It was no wish for life,
+it was no anxiety to save myself, that now filled me. It seemed like a
+vague impulse of necessity that compelled me to hang on. It was, as it
+were, part of that terrible sentence which made this my doom for ever!
+
+An utter unconsciousness must have followed this state, and a dreary
+blank, with flitting shapes of suffering, is all that remains to my
+recollection.
+
+*****
+
+Probably within the whole range of human sensations, there is not one
+so perfect in its calm and soothing influence as the first burst of
+gratitude we feel when recovering from a long and severe illness. There
+is not an object, however humble and insignificant, that is not for
+the time invested with a new interest. The air is balmier, flowers are
+sweeter, the voices of friends, the smiles and kind looks, are dearer
+and fonder than we have ever known them. The whole world has put on a
+new aspect for us, and we have not a thought that is not teeming with
+forgiveness and affection. Such, in all their completeness, were my
+feelings as I lay on the poop-deck of a large three-masted ship, which,
+with studding and topgallant sails all set, proudly held her course up
+the Gulf of St Lawrence.
+
+She was a Danzig barque, the _Hoffnung_, bound for Quebec, her only
+passengers being a Moravian minister and his wife, on their way to join
+a small German colony established near Lake Champlain. To Gottfried
+Kroller and his dear little wife I owe not life alone, but nearly all
+that has made it valuable. With means barely removed from absolute
+poverty, I found that they had spared nothing to assist in my recovery;
+for, when discovered, emaciation and wasting had so far reduced me that
+nothing but the most unremitting care and kindness could have succeeded
+in restoring me. To this end they bestowed not only their whole time and
+attention, but every little delicacy of their humble sea-store. All
+the little cordials and restoratives, meant for a season of sickness
+or debility, were lavished unsparingly on me, and every instinct of
+national thrift and carefulness gave way before the more powerful
+influence of Christian benevolence.
+
+I can think of nothing but that bright morning, as I lay on a mattress
+on the deck, with the 'Pfarrer' on one side of me, and his good little
+wife, Lieschen, on the other; he with his volume of 'Wieland,' and she
+working away with her long knitting-needles, and never raising her head
+save to bestow a glance at the poor sick boy, whose bloodless lips were
+trying to mutter her name in thankfulness. It is like the most delicious
+dream as I think over those hours, when, rocked by the surging motion
+of the large ship, hearing in half distinctness the words of
+the 'Pfarrer's' reading, I followed out little fancies--now
+self-originating, now rising from the theme of the poet's musings.
+
+How softly the cloud-shadows moved over the white sails and swept along
+the bright deck! How pleasantly the water rippled against the vessel's
+side I With what a glad sound the great ensign napped and fluttered in
+the breeze! There was light, and life, and motion on every side, and I
+felt all the intoxication of enjoyment.
+
+And like a dream was the portion of my life which followed. I
+accompanied the Pfarrer to a small settlement near 'Crown Point,'
+where he was to take up his residence as minister. Here we lived amid
+a population of about four or five hundred Germans, principally from
+Pomerania, on the shores of the Baltic, a peaceful, thrifty, quiet
+set of beings, who, content with the little interests revolving around
+themselves, never troubled their heads about the great events of war or
+politics. And here in all likelihood should I have been content to pass
+my days, when an accidental journey I made to Albany, to receive some
+letters for the Pfarrer, once more turned the fortune of my life.
+
+It was a great incident in the quiet monotony of my life, when I set
+out one morning, arrayed in a full suit of coarse, glossy black, with
+buttons like small saucers, and a hat whose brim almost protected my
+shoulders. I was, indeed, an object of very considerable envy to some,
+and I hope, also, not denied the admiring approval of some others. Had
+the respectable city I was about to visit been the chief metropolis of a
+certain destination which I must not name, the warnings I received about
+its dangers, dissipations, and seductions, could scarcely have been more
+earnest or impressive. I was neither to speak with, nor even to look at,
+those I met in the streets. I was carefully to avoid taking my meals
+at any of the public eating-houses, rigidly guarding myself from the
+contamination of even a chance acquaintance. It was deemed as needless
+to caution me against theatres or places of amusement, as to hint to
+me that I should not commit a highway robbery or a murder; and so, in
+sooth, I should myself have felt it. The patriarchal simplicity in which
+I had lived for above a year had not been without its affect in subduing
+exaggerated feeling, or controlling that passion for excitement so
+common to youth. I felt a kind of dreamy, religious languor over me,
+which I sincerely believed represented a pious and well-regulated
+temperament. Perhaps in time it might have become such. Perhaps with
+others, more happily constituted, the impression would have been
+confirmed and fixed; but in my case it was a mere lacquer, that the
+first rubbing in the world was sure to brush off.
+
+I arrived safely at Albany, and having presented myself at the bank of
+Gabriel Shultze, was desired to call the following morning, when all
+the letters and papers of Gottfried Kroeller should be delivered to me. A
+very cold invitation to supper was the only hospitality extended to
+me. This I declined on pretext of weariness, and set out to explore the
+town, to which my long residence in rural life imparted a high degree of
+interest.
+
+I don't know what it may now be--doubtless a great capital, like one of
+the European cities; but at that time I speak of, Albany was a strange,
+incongruous assemblage of stores and wooden houses, great buildings like
+granaries, with whole streets of low sheds around them, where, open to
+the passer-by, men worked at various trades, and people followed out
+the various duties of domestic life in sight of the public: daughters
+knitted and sewed; mothers cooked, and nursed their children; men ate,
+and worked, and smoked, and sang, as if in all the privacy of closed
+dwellings, while a thick current of population poured by, apparently too
+much immersed in their own cares, or too much accustomed to the scene,
+to give it more than passing notice.
+
+It was curious how one bred and born in the great city of Paris, with
+all its sights and sounds, and scenes of excitement and display,
+could have been so rusticated by time as to feel a lively interest in
+surveying the motley aspect of this quaint town. There were, it is
+true, features in the picture very unlike the figures in 'Old-World'
+landscape. A group of 'red men,' seated around a fire in the open
+street, or a squaw carrying on her back a baby, firmly tied to a piece
+of curved bark; a Southern-stater, with a spanking waggon-team, and two
+grinning negroes behind, were new and strange elements in the life of a
+city. Still, the mere movement, the actual busy stir and occupation of
+the inhabitants, attracted me as much as anything else; and the shops
+and stalls, where trades were carried on, were a seduction I could not
+resist.
+
+The strict puritanism in which I had lately lived taught me to regard
+all these things with a certain degree of distrust. They were the
+impulses of that gold-seeking passion of which Gottfried had spoken
+so frequently; they were the great vice of that civilisation, whose
+luxurious tendency he often deplored; and here, now, more than one-half
+around me were arts that only ministered to voluptuous tastes. Brilliant
+articles of jewellery; gay cloaks, worked with wampum, in Indian taste;
+ornamental turning, and costly weapons, inlaid with gold and silver,
+succeeded each other, street after street; and the very sight of them,
+however pleasurable to the eye, set me a-moralising in a strain that
+would have done credit to a son of Geneva. It might have been that, in
+my enthusiasm, I uttered half aloud what I intended for soliloquy; or
+perhaps some gesture, or peculiarity of manner, had the effect; but so
+it was, I found myself an object of notice; and my queer-cut coat and
+wide hat, contrasting so strangely with my youthful appearance and
+slender make, drew many a criticism on me.
+
+'He ain't a Quaker, that's a fact,' cried one, 'for they don't wear
+black.'
+
+'He's a down-easter--a horse-jockey chap, I'll be bound,' cried another.
+'They put on all manner of disguises and "masqueroonings." I know 'em!'
+
+'He's a calf preacher--a young bottle-nosed Gospeller,' broke in a
+thick, short fellow, like the skipper of a merchant-ship. 'Let's have
+him out for a preachment.'
+
+'Ay, you're right,' chimed in another. 'I'll get you a sugar hogshead in
+no time'; and away he ran on the mission.
+
+Between twenty and thirty persons had now collected; and I saw myself,
+to my unspeakable shame and mortification, the centre of all their looks
+and speculations. A little more _aplomb_ or knowledge of life would have
+taught me coolness enough in a few words to undeceive them; but such a
+task was far above me now, and I saw nothing for it but flight. Could I
+only have known which way to take, I need not have feared any pursuer,
+for I was a capital runner, and in high condition; but of the locality
+I was utterly ignorant, and should only surrender myself to mere chance.
+With a bold rush, then, I dashed right through the crowd, and set off
+down the street, the whole crew after me.
+
+[Illustration: 369]
+
+The dusk of the closing evening was in my favour; and although
+volunteers were enlisted in the chase at every corner and turning, I
+distanced them, and held on my way in advance. My great object being not
+to turn on my course, lest I should come back to my starting point,
+I directed my steps nearly straight onward, clearing apple-stalls and
+fruit-tables at a bound, and more than once taking a flying-leap over an
+Indian's fire, when the mad shout of the red man would swell the chorus
+that followed me. At last I reached a network of narrow lanes and
+alleys, by turning and wending through which I speedily found myself
+in a quiet secluded spot, with here and there a flickering candle-light
+from the windows, but no other sign of habitation. I looked anxiously
+about for an open door; but they were all safe barred and fastened; and
+it was only on turning a corner I spied what seemed to me a little shop,
+with a solitary lamp over the entrance. A narrow canal, crossed by a
+rickety old bridge, led to this; and the moment I had crossed over, I
+seized the single plank which formed the footway, and shoved it into the
+stream. My retreat being thus secured, I opened the door, and entered.
+It was a barber's shop; at least, so a great chair before a cracked old
+looking-glass, with some well-worn combs and brushes, bespoke it; but
+the place seemed untenanted, and although I called aloud several times,
+no one came or responded to my summons.
+
+I now took a survey of the spot, which seemed of the poorest imaginable.
+A few empty pomatum pots, a case of razors that might have defied the
+most determined suicide, and a half-finished wig, on a block painted
+like a red man, were the entire stock-in-trade. On the walls, however,
+were some coloured prints of the battles of the French army in Germany
+and Italy. Execrably done things they were, but full of meaning and
+interest to my eyes in spite of that. With all the faults of drawing and
+all the travesties of costume, I could recognise different corps of the
+service, and my heart bounded as I gazed on the tall shakos swarming to
+a breach, or the loose jacket as it floated from the hussar in a charge.
+All the wild pleasures of soldiering rose once more to my mind, and
+I thought over old comrades who doubtless were now earning the high
+rewards of their bravery in the great career of glory. And as I did so,
+my own image confronted me in the glass, as with long lank hair, and
+a great bolster of a white cravat, I stood before it. What a
+contrast!--how unlike the smart hussar, with curling locks and fierce
+moustache! Was I as much changed in heart as in looks? Had my spirit
+died out within me? Would the proud notes of the bugle or the trumpet
+fall meaningless on my ears, or the hoarse cry of 'Charge!' send no
+bursting fulness to my temples? Ay, even these coarse representations
+stirred the blood in my veins, and my step grew firmer as I walked the
+room.
+
+In a passionate burst of enthusiasm, I tore off my slouched hat and
+hurled it from me. It felt like the badge of some ignoble slavery, and
+I determined to endure it no longer. The noise of the act called up a
+voice from the inner room, and a man, to all appearance suddenly roused
+from sleep, stood at the door. He was evidently young, but poverty,
+dissipation, and raggedness made the question of his age a difficult
+one to solve. A light-coloured moustache and beard covered all the
+lower part of his face, and his long blonde hair fell heavily over his
+shoulders.
+
+'Well,' cried he, half angrily, 'what's the matter; are you so impatient
+that you must smash the furniture?'
+
+Although the words were spoken as correctly as I have written them,
+they were uttered with a foreign accent; and, hazarding the stroke, I
+answered him in French by apologising for the noise.
+
+'What! a Frenchman,' exclaimed he, 'and in that dress! what can that
+mean?'
+
+'If you'll shut your door, and cut off pursuit of me, I'll tell you
+everything,' said I, 'for I hear the voices of people coming down that
+street in front.'
+
+'I'll do better,' said he quickly; 'I'll upset the bridge, and they
+cannot come over.'
+
+'That's done already,' replied I; 'I shoved it into the stream as I
+passed.'
+
+He looked at me steadily for a moment without speaking, and then
+approaching close to me, said, '_Parbleu!_ the act was very unlike your
+costume!' At the same time he shut the door, and drew a strong bar
+across it. This done, he turned to me once more--'Now for it: who are
+you, and what has happened to you?'
+
+'As to what I am,' replied I, imitating his own abruptness, 'my dress
+would almost save the trouble of explaining; these Albany folk, however,
+would make a field-preacher of me, and to escape them I took to flight.'
+
+'Well, if a fellow will wear his hair that fashion, he must take the
+consequence,' said he, drawing out my long lank locks as they hung over
+my shoulders. 'And so you wouldn't hold forth for them--not even give
+them a stave of a conventicle chant.' He kept his eyes riveted on me
+as he spoke, and then seizing two pieces of stick from the firewood, he
+beat on the table the rataplan of the French drum. 'That's the music
+you know best, lad, eh?--that's the air, which, if it has not led
+heavenward, has conducted many a brave fellow out of this world at
+least. Do you forget it?'
+
+'Forget it! no,' cried I;' but who are you; and how comes it
+that--that----' I stopped in confusion at the rudeness of the question I
+had begun. 'That I stand here, half fed, and all but naked--a barber in
+a land where men don't shave once a month. _Parbleu!_ they'd come even
+seldomer to my shop if they knew how tempted I feel to draw the razor
+sharp and quick across the gullet of a fellow with a well-stocked
+pouch.'
+
+As he continued to speak, his voice assumed a tone and cadence that
+sounded familiar to my ears as I stared at him in amazement.
+
+'Not know me yet!' exclaimed he, laughing; 'and yet all this poverty and
+squalor isn't as great a disguise as your own, Tiernay. Come, lad, rub
+your eyes a bit, and try if you can't recognise an old comrade.'
+
+'I know you, yet cannot remember how or where we met,' said I, in
+bewilderment.
+
+'I'll refresh your memory,' said he, crossing his arms, and drawing
+himself proudly up. 'If you can trace back in your mind to a certain
+hot and dusty day, on the Metz road, when you, a private in the Ninth
+Hussars, were eating an onion and a slice of black bread for your
+dinner, a young officer, well looking and well mounted, cantered up and
+threw you his brandy flask. Your acknowledgment of the civility showed
+you to be a gentleman; and the acquaintance thus opened soon ripened
+into intimacy.'
+
+'But he was the young Marquis de Saint-Trone,' said I, perfectly
+remembering the incident.
+
+'Or Eugene Santron, of the republican army, or the barber at Albany,
+without any name at all,' said he, laughing. 'What, Maurice, don't you
+know me yet?'
+
+'What! the lieutenant of my regiment? The dashing officer of hussars?'
+
+'Just so, and as ready to resume the old skin as ever,' cried he, 'and
+brandish a weapon somewhat longer, and perhaps somewhat sharper, too,
+than a razor.'
+
+We shook hands with all the cordiality of old comrades, meeting far away
+from home, and in a land of strangers; and although each was full of
+curiosity to learn the other's history, a kind of reserve held back the
+inquiry, till Santron said, 'My confession is soon made, Maurice: I left
+the service in the Meuse, to escape being shot. One day, on returning
+from a field manouvre, I discovered that my portmanteau had been opened,
+and a number of letters and papers taken out. They were part of a
+correspondence I held with old General Lamarre, about the restoration of
+the Bourbons--a subject, I'm certain, that half the officers in the army
+were interested in, and, even to Bonaparte himself, deeply implicated
+in, too. No matter, my treason, as they called it, was too flagrant, and
+I had just twenty minutes' start of the order which was issued for my
+arrest to make my escape into Holland. There I managed to pass several
+months in various disguises, part of the time being employed as a Dutch
+spy, and actually charged with an order to discover tidings of myself,
+until I finally got away in an Antwerp schooner to New York. From that
+time my life has been nothing but a struggle--a hard one, too,
+with actual want, for in this land of enterprise and activity, mere
+intelligence, without some craft or calling, will do nothing.
+
+'I tried fifty things: to teach riding--and when I mounted into the
+saddle, I forgot everything but my own enjoyment, and caracoled, and
+plunged, and passaged, till the poor beast hadn't a leg to stand on;
+fencing--and I got into a duel with a rival teacher, and ran him through
+the neck, and was obliged to fly from Halifax; French--I made love to
+my pupil, a pretty-looking Dutch girl, whose father didn't smile on our
+affection; and so on, I descended from a dancing-master to a waiter,
+a _laquais de place_, and at last settled down as a barber, which
+brilliant speculation I had just determined to abandon this very night,
+for to-morrow morning, Maurice, I start for New York and France again;
+ay, boy, and you'll go with me. This is no land for either of us.'
+
+'But I have found happiness, at least contentment, here,' said I
+gravely.
+
+'What! play the hypocrite with an old comrade! shame on you, Maurice,'
+cried he. 'It is these confounded locks have perverted the boy,' added
+he, jumping up; and before I knew what he was about, he had shorn my
+hair, in two quick cuts of the scissors, close to the head. 'There,'
+said he, throwing the cut-off hair towards me, 'there lies all your
+saintship; depend upon it, boy, they 'd hunt you out of the settlement
+if you came back to them cropped in this fashion.'
+
+'But you return to certain death, Santron,' said I; 'your crime is too
+recent to be forgiven or forgotten.'
+
+'Not a bit of it; Fouche, Cassaubon, and a dozen others, now in office,
+were deeper than I was. There's not a public man in France could stand
+an exposure, or hazard recrimination. It's a thieves' amnesty at this
+moment, and I must not lose the opportunity. I'll show you letters that
+will prove it, Maurice; for, poor and ill-fed as I am, I like life just
+as well as ever I did. I mean to be a general of division one of these
+days, and so will you too, lad, if there's any spirit left in you.'
+
+Thus did Santron rattle on, sometimes of himself and his own future;
+sometimes discussing mine; for while talking, he had contrived to learn
+all the chief particulars of my history, from the time of my sailing
+from La Rochelle for Ireland.
+
+The unlucky expedition afforded him great amusement, and he was never
+weary of laughing at all our adventures and mischances in Ireland. Of
+Humbert, he spoke as a fourth or fifth-rate man, and actually shocked
+me by all the heresies he uttered against our generals, and the plan of
+campaign; but, perhaps, I could have borne even these better than the
+sarcasms and sneers at the little life of 'the settlement.' He treated
+all my efforts at defence as mere hypocrisy, and affected to regard
+me as a mere knave, that had traded on the confiding kindness of these
+simple villagers. I could not undeceive him on this head; nor, what was
+more, could I satisfy my own conscience that he was altogether in the
+wrong; for, with a diabolical ingenuity, he had contrived to hit on some
+of the most vexatious doubts which disturbed my mind, and instinctively
+to detect the secret cares and difficulties that beset me. The lesson
+should never be lost on us, that the devil was depicted as a sneerer!
+I verily believe the powers of temptation have no such advocacy as
+sarcasm. Many can resist the softest seductions of vice; many are proof
+against all the blandishments of mere enjoyment, come in what shape it
+will; but how few can stand firm against the assaults of clever irony,
+or hold fast to their convictions when assailed by the sharp shafts of
+witty depreciation!
+
+I am ashamed to own how little I could oppose to all his impertinences
+about our village and its habits; or how impossible I found it not to
+laugh at his absurd descriptions of a life which, without having ever
+witnessed, he depicted with a rare accuracy. He was shrewd enough not
+to push this ridicule offensively; and long before I knew it, I found
+myself regarding, with his eyes, a picture in which, but a few months
+back, I stood as a foreground figure. I ought to confess, that no
+artificial aid was derived from either good cheer or the graces of
+hospitality; we sat by a miserable lamp, in a wretchedly cold chamber,
+our sole solace some bad cigars, and a can of flat, stale cider.
+
+'I have not a morsel to offer you to eat, Maurice, but to-morrow we'll
+breakfast on my razors, dine on that old looking-glass, and sup on two
+hard brushes and the wig!'
+
+Such were the brilliant pledges, and we closed a talk which the
+nickering lamp at last put an end to.
+
+A broken, unconnected conversation followed for a little time, but at
+length, worn out and wearied, each dropped off to sleep--Eugene on the
+straw settle, and I in the old chair--never to awake till the bright sun
+was streaming in between the shutters, and dancing merrily on the tiled
+floor.
+
+An hour before I awoke, he had completed the sale of all his little
+stock-in-trade, and with a last look round the spot where he had passed
+some months of struggling poverty, out we sailed into the town.
+
+'We'll breakfast at Jonathan Hone's,' said Santron.
+
+'It's the first place here. I'll treat you to rump-steaks, pumpkin pie,
+and a gin twister that will astonish you. Then, while I'm arranging for
+our passage down the Hudson, you'll see the hospitable banker, and tell
+him how to forward all his papers, and so forth, to the settlement, with
+your respectful compliments and regrets, and the rest of it.'
+
+'But am I to take leave of them in this fashion?' asked I.
+
+'Unless you want me to accompany you there, I think it's by far the best
+way,' said he laughingly. 'If, however, you think that my presence and
+companionship will add any lustre to your position, say the word, and
+I'm ready. I know enough of the barber's craft now to make up a head _en
+Puritain_, and, if you wish, I'll pledge myself to impose upon the whole
+colony.'
+
+Here was a threat there was no mistaking; and any imputation of
+ingratitude on my part were far preferable to the thought of such
+an indignity. He saw his advantage at once, and boldly declared that
+nothing should separate us.
+
+'The greatest favour, my dear Maurice, you can ever expect at my hands
+is, never to speak of this freak of yours; or, if I do, to say that you
+performed the part to perfection.'
+
+My mind was in one of those moods of change when the slightest
+impulse is enough to sway it, and, more from this cause, than all his
+persuasion, I yielded; and the same evening saw me gliding down the
+Hudson, and admiring the bold Catskills, on our way to New York.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII. THE 'ATHOL' TENDER
+
+As I cast my eyes over these pages, and see how small a portion of my
+life they embrace, I feel like one who, having a long journey before
+him, perceives that some more speedy means of travel must be adopted, if
+he ever hope to reach his destination. With the instinctive prosiness of
+age I have lingered over the scenes of boyhood, a period which, strange
+to say, is fresher in my memory than many of the events of few years
+back; and were I to continue my narrative as I have begun it, it would
+take more time on my part, and more patience on that of my readers, than
+are likely to be conceded to either of us. Were I to apologise to my
+readers for any abruptness in my transitions, or any want of continuity
+in my story, I should perhaps inadvertently seem to imply a degree of
+interest in my fate which they have never felt; and, on the other
+hand, I would not for a moment be thought to treat slightingly the very
+smallest degree of favour they may feel disposed to show me. With these
+difficulties on either hand, I see nothing for it but to limit myself
+for the future to such incidents and passages of my career as most
+impressed themselves on myself, and to confine my record to the events
+in which I personally took a share.
+
+Santron and I sailed from New York on the 9th of February, and arrived
+in Liverpool on the 14th of March. We landed in as humble a guise as
+need be. One small box contained all our effects, and a little leathern
+purse, with something less than three dollars, all our available wealth.
+The immense movement and stir of the busy town, the din and bustle
+of trade, the roll of waggons, the cranking clatter of cranes and
+windlasses, the incessant flux and reflux of population, all eager and
+intent on business, were strange spectacles to our eyes as we loitered
+houseless and friendless through the streets, staring in wonderment at
+the wealth and prosperity of that land we were taught to believe was
+tottering to bankruptcy.
+
+Santron affected to be pleased with all--talked of the _beau pillage_ it
+would afford one day or other; but in reality this appearance of riches
+and prosperity seemed to depress and discourage him. Both French and
+American writers had agreed in depicting the pauperism and discontent of
+England, and yet where were the signs of it? Not a house was untenanted,
+every street was thronged, every market filled; the equipages of the
+wealthy vied with the loaded waggons in number; and if there were not
+the external evidences of happiness and enjoyment the gayer population
+of other countries display, there was an air of well-being and comfort
+such as no other land could exhibit.
+
+Another very singular trait made a deep impression on us. Here were
+these islanders with a narrow strait only separating them from a land
+bristling with bayonets. The very roar of the artillery at exercise
+might be almost heard across the gulf, and yet not a soldier was to
+be seen about! There were neither forts nor bastions. The harbour, so
+replete with wealth, lay open and unprotected, not even a gunboat or
+a guardship to defend it! There was an insolence in this security that
+Santron could not get over, and he muttered a prayer that the day might
+not be distant that should make them repent it.
+
+He was piqued with everything. While on board ship we had agreed
+together to pass ourselves for Canadians, to avoid all inquiries of the
+authorities! Heaven help us! The authorities never thought of us. We
+were free to go or stay as we pleased. Neither police nor passport
+officers questioned us. We might have been Hoche and Massena for aught
+they either knew or cared. Not a _mouchard_ tracked us; none even looked
+after us as we wont. To me this was all very agreeable and reassuring;
+to my companion it was contumely and insult. All the ingenious fiction
+he had devised of our birth, parentage, and pursuits, was a fine romance
+inedited, and he was left to sneer at the self-sufficiency that would
+not take alarm at the advent of two ragged youths on the quay of
+Liverpool.
+
+'If they but knew who we were, Maurice,' he kept continually muttering
+as we went along--'if these fellows only knew whom they had in their
+town, what a rumpus it would create! How the shops would close! What
+barricading of doors and windows we should see! What bursts of terror
+and patriotism! _Par St. Denis_, I have a mind to throw up my cap in the
+air and cry '_Vive la Republique!_' just to witness the scene that would
+follow.' With all these boastings, it was not very difficult to restrain
+my friend's ardour, and to induce him to defer his invasion of England
+to a more fitting occasion, so that at last he was fain to content
+himself with a sneering commentary on all around him; and in this
+amiable spirit we descended into a very dirty cellar to eat our first
+dinner on shore.
+
+The place was filled with sailors, who, far from indulging in the
+well-known careless gaiety of their class, seemed morose and sulky,
+talking together in low murmurs, and showing unmistakable signs of
+discontent and dissatisfaction. The reason was soon apparent; the
+pressgangs were out to take men off to reinforce the blockading force
+before Genoa, a service of all others the most distasteful to a seaman.
+If Santron at first was ready to flatter himself into the notion that
+very little persuasion would make these fellows take part against
+England, as he listened longer he saw the grievous error of the opinion,
+no epithet of insult or contempt being spared by them when talking of
+France and Frenchmen. Whatever national animosity prevailed at that
+period, sailors enjoyed a high preeminence in feeling. I have heard that
+the spirit was encouraged by those in command, and that narratives
+of French perfidy, treachery, and even cowardice, were the popular
+traditions of the sea-service. We certainly could not controvert the
+old adage as to 'listeners,' for every observation and every anecdote
+conveyed a sneer or an insult on our country. There could be no reproach
+in listening to these unresented, but Santron assumed a most indignant
+air, and more than once affected to be overcome by a spirit of
+recrimination. What turn his actions might have taken in this wise I
+cannot even guess, for suddenly a rush of fellows took place up the
+ladder, and in less than a minute the whole cellar was cleared, leaving
+none but the hostess and an old lame waiter along with ourselves in the
+place.
+
+'You've got a protection, I suppose, sirs,' said the woman, approaching
+us; 'but still I'll advise you not to trust to it overmuch; they're in
+great want of men just now, and they care little for law or justice when
+once they have them on the high-seas.'
+
+'We have no protection,' said I; 'we are strangers here, and know no
+one.'
+
+'There they come, sir; that's the tramp,' cried the woman; 'there's
+nothing for it now but to stay quiet and hope you 'll not be noticed.
+Take those knives up, will ye,' said she, flinging a napkin towards me,
+and speaking in an altered voice, for already two figures were darkening
+the entrance, and peering down into the depth below, while turning to
+Santron she motioned him to remove the dishes from the table--a service
+in which, to do him justice, he exhibited a zeal more flattering to his
+tact than his spirit of resistance.
+
+'Tripped their anchors already, Mother Martin?' said a large-whiskered
+man, with a black belt round his waist; while, passing round the tables,
+he crammed into his mouth several fragments of the late feast.
+
+'You wouldn't have 'em wait for you, Captain John,' said she, laughing.
+
+'It's just what I would, then,' replied he. 'The Admiralty has put
+thirty shillings more on the bounty, and where will these fellows get
+the like of that? It isn't a West India service, neither, nor a coastin'
+cruise off Newfoundland, but all as one as a pleasure-trip up the
+Mediterranean, and nothing to fight but Frenchmen. Eh, younker, that
+tickles your fancy,' cried he to Santron, who, in spite of himself, made
+some gesture of impatience.
+
+'Handy chaps, those, Mother Martin; where did you chance on'em?'
+
+'They're sons of a Canada skipper in the river yonder,' said she calmly.
+
+'They aren't over like to be brothers,' said he, with the grin of one
+too well accustomed to knavery to trust anything opposed to his own
+observation. 'I suppose them's things happens in Canada as elsewhere,'
+said he, laughing, and hoping the jest might turn her flank. Meanwhile
+the press leader never took his eyes off me, as I arranged plates and
+folded napkins with all the skill which my early education in Boivin's
+restaurant had taught me.
+
+'He is a smart one,' said he, half musingly. 'I say, boy, would you like
+to go as cook's aid on board a king's ship? I know of one as would just
+suit you.'
+
+'I'd rather not, sir; I'd not like to leave my father,' said I, backing
+up Mrs. Martin's narrative.
+
+'Nor that brother, there; wouldn't he like it?'
+
+I shook my head negatively.
+
+'Suppose I have a talk with the skipper about it,' said he, looking at
+me steadily for some seconds. 'Suppose I was to tell him what a good
+berth you 'd have, eh?'
+
+'Oh, if he wished it, I'd make no objection,' said I, assuming all the
+calmness I could.
+
+'That chap ain't your brother--and he's no sailor neither. Show me your
+hands, youngster,' cried he to Santron, who at once complied with the
+order, and the press captain bent over and scanned them narrowly. As he
+thus stood with his back to me, the woman shook her head significantly,
+and pointed to the ladder. If ever a glance conveyed a whole story
+of terror hers did. I looked at my companion as though to say, 'Can I
+desert him?' and the expression of her features seemed to imply utter
+despair. This pantomime did not occupy half a minute. And now, with
+noiseless step, I gained the ladder, and crept cautiously up it. My
+fears were how to escape those who waited outside; but as I ascended I
+could see that they were loitering about in groups, inattentive to all
+that was going on below. The shame at deserting my comrade so nearly
+overcame me, that, when almost at the top, I was about to turn back
+again. I even looked round to see him; but, as I did so, I saw the press
+leader draw a pair of handcuffs from his pocket and throw them on the
+table. The instincts of safety were too strong, and with a spring I
+gained the street, and, slipping noiselessly along the wall, escaped the
+'lookout.' Without a thought of where I was going to, or what to do, I
+ran at the very top of my speed directly onwards, my only impulse being
+to get away from the spot. Could I reach the open country I thought
+it would be my best chance. As I fled, however, no signs of a suburb
+appeared; the streets, on the contrary, grew narrower and more
+intricate; huge warehouses, seven or eight storeys high, loomed at
+either side of me; and at last, on turning an angle, a fresh sea-breeze
+met me, and showed that I was near the harbour. I avow that the sight of
+shipping, the tall and taper spars that streaked the sky of night, the
+clank of chain-cables, and the heavy surging sound of the looming hulls,
+were anything but encouraging, longing as I did for the rustling leaves
+of some green lane; but still, all was quiet. A few flickering lights
+twinkled here and there from a cabin window, but everything seemed sunk
+in repose.
+
+The quay was thickly studded with hogsheads and bales of merchandise, so
+that I could easily have found a safe resting-place for the night, but
+a sense of danger banished all wish for sleep, and I wandered out,
+restless and uncertain, framing a hundred plans, and abandoning them
+when formed.
+
+So long as I kept company with Santron, I never thought of returning to
+'Uncle Pat'; my reckless spendthrift companion had too often avowed
+the pleasure he would feel in quartering himself on my kind friend,
+dissipating his hard-earned gains, and squandering the fruits of all his
+toil. Deterred by such a prospect, I resolved rather never to revisit
+him than in such company. Now, however, I was again alone, and all my
+hopes and wishes turned towards him. A few hours' sail might again bring
+me beneath his roof, and once more should I find myself at home. The
+thought was calming to all my excitement; I forgot every danger I had
+passed through, I lost all memory of every vicissitude I had escaped,
+and had only the little low parlour in the 'Black Pits' before my mind's
+eye, the wild, unweeded garden, and the sandy, sunny beach before the
+door. It was as though all that nigh a year had compassed had never
+occurred, and that my life at Crown Point and my return to England were
+only a dream. Sleep overcame me as I thus lay pondering, and when I
+awoke the sun was glittering in the bright waves of the Mersey, a fresh
+breeze was flaunting and fluttering the half-loosened sails, and
+the joyous sounds of seamen's voices were mingling with the clank of
+capstans, and the measured stroke of oars.
+
+It was full ten minutes after I awoke before I could remember how I came
+there, and what had befallen me. Poor Santron, where is he now? was my
+first thought, and it came with all the bitterness of self-reproach.
+
+Could I have parted company with him under other circumstances, it would
+not have grieved me deeply. His mocking, sarcastic spirit, the tone of
+depreciation which he used towards everything and everybody, had gone
+far to sour me with the world, and day by day I felt within me the
+evil influences of his teachings. How different were they from poor
+Gottfried's lessons, and the humble habits of those who lived beneath
+them! Yet I was sorry, deeply sorry, that our separation should have
+been thus, and almost wished I had stayed to share his fate, whatever it
+might be.
+
+While thus swayed by different impulses, now thinking of my old home at
+Crown Point, now of Uncle Pat's thatched cabin, and again of Santron, I
+strolled down to the wharf, and found myself in a considerable crowd of
+people, who were all eagerly pressing forward to witness the embarkation
+of several boatfuls of pressed seamen, who, strongly guarded and ironed,
+were being conveyed to the _Athol_ tender, a large three-master, about a
+mile off, down the river. To judge from the cut faces and bandaged heads
+and arms, the capture had not been effected without resistance. Many of
+the poor fellows appeared more suited to a hospital than the duties of
+active service, and several lay with bloodless faces and white lips, the
+handcuffed wrists seeming a very mockery of a condition so destitute of
+all chance of resistance.
+
+The sympathies of the bystanders were very varied regarding them. Some
+were full of tender pity and compassion; some denounced the system as
+a cruel 'and oppressive tyranny; others deplored it as an unhappy
+necessity; and a few well-to-do-looking old citizens, in drab shorts
+and wide-brimmed hats, grew marvellously indignant at the recreant
+poltroonery of 'the scoundrels who were not proud to fight their
+country's battles.'
+
+As I was wondering within myself how it happened that men thus coerced
+could ever be depended on in moments of peril and difficulty, and
+by what magic the mere exercise of discipline was able to merge the
+feelings of the man in the sailor, the crowd was rudely driven back by
+policemen, and a cry of 'Make way,' 'Fall back there,' given. In the
+sudden retiring of the mass I found myself standing on the very edge
+of the line along which a new body of impressed men were about to pass.
+Guarded front, flank, and rear, by a strong party of marines, the poor
+fellows came along slowly enough. Many were badly wounded, and walked
+lamely; some were bleeding profusely from cuts on the face and temples;
+and one, at the very tail of the procession, was actually carried in
+a blanket by four sailors. A low murmur ran through the crowd at the
+spectacle, which gradually swelled louder and fuller till it burst forth
+into a deep groan of indignation, and a cry of 'Shame I Shame!' Too much
+used to such ebullitions of public feeling, or too proud to care for
+them, the officer in command of the party never seemed to hear the angry
+cries and shouts around him; and I was even more struck by his cool
+self-possession than by their enthusiasm. For a moment or two I was
+convinced that a rescue would be attempted. I had no conception that so
+much excitement could evaporate innocuously, and was preparing myself
+to take part in the struggle when the line halted as the leading files
+gained the stairs, and, to my wonderment, the crowd became hushed and
+still. Then, one burst of excited pity over, not a thought occurred to
+any to offer resistance to the law, or dare to oppose the constituted
+authorities. How unlike Frenchmen! thought I; nor am I certain whether I
+deemed the disparity to their credit!
+
+'Give him a glass of water!' I heard the officer say, as he leaned over
+the litter; and the crowd at once opened to permit some one to fetch
+it. Before I believed it were possible to have procured it, a tumbler of
+water was passed from hand to hand till it reached mine, and, stepping
+forwards, I bent down to give it to the sick man. The end of a coarse
+sheet was thrown over his face, and as it was removed I almost fell over
+him, for it was Santron. His face was covered with a cold sweat, which
+lay in great drops all over it, and his lips were slightly frothed. As
+he looked up I could see that he was just rallying from a fainting-fit,
+and could mark in the change that came over his glassy eye that he had
+recognised me. He made a faint effort at a smile, and, in a voice barely
+a whisper, said, 'I knew thou'd not leave me, Maurice.'
+
+'You are his countryman?' said the officer, addressing me in French.
+
+'Yes, sir,' was my reply.
+
+'You are both Canadians, then?'
+
+'Frenchmen, sir, and officers in the service. We only landed from an
+American ship yesterday, and were trying to make our way to France.'
+
+'I'm sorry for you,' said he compassionately; 'nor do I know how to help
+you. Come on board the tender, however, and we'll see if they'll not
+give you a passage with your friend to the Nore. I'll speak to my
+commanding officer for you.'
+
+This scene all passed in a very few minutes, and before I well knew how
+or why, I found myself on board of a ship's longboat, sweeping along
+over the Mersey, with Santron's head in my lap, and his cold, clammy
+fingers grasped in mine. He was either unaware of my presence or too
+weak to recognise me, for he gave no sign of knowing me; and during our
+brief passage down the river, and when lifted up the ship's side, seemed
+totally insensible to everything.
+
+The scene of uproar, noise, and confusion on board the _Athol_ is
+far beyond my ability to convey. A shipwreck, a fire, and mutiny, all
+combined, could scarcely have collected greater elements of discord. Two
+large detachments of marines, many of whom, fresh from furlough, were
+too drunk for duty, and were either lying asleep along the deck, or
+riotously interfering with everybody; a company of Sappers _en route_
+to Woolwich, who would obey none but their own officer, and he was still
+ashore; detachments of able-bodied seamen from the _Jupiter_, full of
+grog and prize-money; four hundred and seventy impressed men, cursing,
+blaspheming, and imprecating every species of calamity on their captors;
+added to which, a crowd of Jews, bumboat women, and slop-sellers of all
+kinds, with the crews of two ballast-lighters, fighting for additional
+pay, being the chief actors in a scene whose discord I never
+saw equalled. Drunkenness, suffering, hopeless misery, and even
+insubordination, all lent their voices to a tumult, amid which the words
+of command seemed lost, and all effort at discipline vain.
+
+How we were ever to go to sea in this state, I could not even imagine.
+The ship's crew seemed inextricably mingled with the rioters, many of
+whom were just sufficiently sober to be eternally meddling with the
+ship's tackle; belaying what ought to be 'free,' and loosening what
+should have been 'fast'; getting their fingers jammed in blocks, and
+their limbs crushed by spars, till the cries of agony rose high
+above every other confusion. Turning with disgust from a spectacle so
+discordant and disgraceful, I descended the ladders, which led, by many
+a successive flight, into the dark, low-ceilinged chamber called the
+'sick bay,' where poor Santron was lying in, what I almost envied,
+insensibility to the scene around him. A severe blow from the hilt of a
+cutlass had caused a concussion of the brain, and, save in the momentary
+excitement which a sudden question might cause, left him totally
+unconscious. His head had been already shaved before I descended, and
+I found the assistant-surgeon, an Irishman, Mr. Peter Colhayne,
+experimenting a new mode of cupping as I entered. By some mischance
+of the machinery, the lancets of the cupping instrument had remained
+permanently fixed, refusing to obey the spring, and standing all
+straight outside the surface. In this dilemma, Peter's ingenuity saw
+nothing for it but to press them down vigorously into the scalp, and
+then saw them backwards the whole length of the head--a performance the
+originality of which, in all probability, was derived from the operation
+of a harrow in agriculture. He had just completed a third track when I
+came in, and, by great remonstrance and no small flattery, induced him
+to desist. 'We have glasses,' said he, 'but they were all broke in
+the cock-pit; but a tin porringer is just as good.' And so saying, he
+lighted a little pledget of tow, previously steeped in turpentine, and,
+popping it into the tin vessel, clapped it on the head. This was meant
+to exhaust the air within, and thus draw the blood to the surface--a
+scientific process he was good enough to explain most minutely for my
+benefit, and the good results of which he most confidently vouched for.
+
+'They've a hundred new conthrivances,' said Mr. Colhayne, 'for doing
+that simple thing ye see there. They've pumps, and screws, and hydraulic
+devilments as much complicated as a watch that's always getting out of
+order and going wrong; but with that ye'll see what good 'twill do him;
+he'll he as lively as a lark in ten minutes.'
+
+The prophecy was destined to a perfect fulfilment, for poor Santron, who
+lay motionless and unconscious up to that moment, suddenly gave signs
+of life by moving his features, and jerking his limbs to this side and
+that. The doctor's self-satisfaction took the very proudest form. He
+expatiated on the grandeur of medical science, the wonderful advancement
+it was making, and the astonishing progress the curative art had made
+even within his own time. I must own that I should have lent a more
+implicit credence to this paean if I had not waited for the removal
+of the cupping-vessel, which, instead of blood, contained merely the
+charred ashes of the burnt tow, while the scalp beneath it presented
+a blackened, seared aspect, like burnt leather. Such was literally
+the effect of the operation; but as from that period the patient began
+steadily to improve, I must leave to more scientific inquirers the task
+of explaining through what agency, and on what principles.
+
+Santron's condition, although no longer dangerous, presented little hope
+of speedy recovery. His faculties were clouded and obscured, and the
+mere effort at recognition seemed to occasion him great subsequent
+disturbance. Colhayne, who, whatever may have been his scientific
+deficiencies, was good-nature and kindness itself, saw nothing for him
+but removal to Haslar, and we now only waited for the ship's arrival at
+the Nore to obtain the order for his transmission.
+
+If the _Athol_ was a scene of the wildest confusion and uproar when
+we tripped our anchor, we had not been six hours at sea when all was a
+picture of order and propriety. The decks were cleared of every one
+not actually engaged in the ship's working, or specially permitted to
+remain; ropes were coiled, boats hauled up, sails trimmed, hatches down,
+sentinels paced the deck in appointed places, and all was discipline and
+regularity. From the decorous silence that prevailed, none could have
+supposed so many hundred living beings were aboard, still less, that
+they were the same disorderly mob who sailed from the Mersey a few short
+hours before. From the surprise which all this caused me I was speedily
+aroused by an order more immediately interesting, being summoned on
+the poop-deck to attend the general muster. Up they came from holes and
+hatchways, a vast host, no longer brawling and insubordinate, but quiet,
+submissive, and civil. Such as were wounded had been placed under the
+doctor's care, and all those now present were orderly and servicelike.
+With a very few exceptions they were all sailors, a few having already
+served in a king's ship. The first lieutenant, who first inspected
+us, was a grim, greyheaded man past the prime of life, with features
+hardened by disappointment and long service, but who still retained an
+expression of kindliness and good-nature. His duty he despatched with
+all the speed of long habit--read the name, looked at the bearer of it,
+asked a few routine questions, and then cried 'Stand by,' even ere the
+answers were finished. When he came to me he said--
+
+'Abraham Hackett. Is that your name, lad?'
+
+'No, sir. I 'm called Maurice Tiernay.'
+
+'Tiernay, Tiernay,' said he a couple of times over. 'No such name here.'
+
+'Where's Tiernay's name, Cottle?' asked he of a subordinate behind him.
+
+The fellow looked down the list--then at me--then at the list again--and
+then back to me, puzzled excessively by the difficulty, but not seeing
+how to explain it.
+
+'Perhaps I can set the matter right, sir,' said I. 'I came aboard along
+with a wounded countryman of mine--the young Frenchman who is now in the
+sick bay.'
+
+'Ay, to be sure; I remember all about it now,' said the lieutenant, 'You
+call yourselves French officers?' 'And such are we, sir.'
+
+'Then how the devil came ye here? Mother Martin's cellar is, to say the
+least of it, an unlikely spot to select as a restaurant.'
+
+'The story is a somewhat long one, sir.'
+
+'Then I haven't time for it, lad,' he broke in. 'We've rather too much
+on hand just now for that. If you 've got your papers, or anything to
+prove what you assert, I'll land you when I come into the Downs, and
+you'll, of course, be treated as your rank in the service requires. If
+you have not, I must only take the responsibility on myself to regard
+you as an impressed man. Very hard, I know, but can't help it. Stand
+by.'
+
+These few words were uttered with a most impetuous speed; and as all
+reply to them was impossible, I saw my case decided and my fate decreed,
+even before I knew they were under litigation.
+
+As we were marched forwards to go below, I overheard an officer say to
+another--
+
+'Hay will get into a scrape about those French fellows; they may turn
+out to be officers, after all.'
+
+'What matter?' cried the other. 'One is dying; and the other Hay means
+to draft on board the _Temeraire_. Depend upon it, we'll never hear more
+of either of them.'
+
+This was far from pleasant tidings; and yet I knew not any remedy for
+the mishap. I had never seen the officer who spoke to me ashore since we
+came on board. I knew of none to intercede for me; and as I sat down on
+the bench beside poor Santron's cot, I felt my heart lower than it
+had ever been before. I was never enamoured of the sea-service; and
+certainly the way to overcome my dislike was not by engaging against
+my own country; and yet this, in all likelihood, was now to be my fate.
+These were my last waking thoughts the first night I passed on board the
+_Athol_.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIII. A BOLD STROKE FOR FAME AND FORTUNE
+
+To be awakened suddenly from a sound sleep, hurried half-dressed up a
+gangway, and, ere your faculties have acquired free play, be passed over
+a ship's side, on a dark and stormy night, into a boat wildly tossed
+here and there, with spray showering over you, and a chorus of loud
+voices about you, is an event not easily forgotten. Such a scene still
+dwells in my memory, every incident of it as clear and distinct as
+though it had occurred only yesterday. In this way was I 'passed,' with
+twelve others, on board his Majesty's frigate, _Temeraire_, a vessel
+which, in the sea-service, represented what a well-known regiment did
+on shore, and bore the reputation of being a 'condemned ship'--this
+depreciating epithet having no relation to the qualities of the vessel
+herself, which was a singularly beautiful French model, but only to that
+of the crew and officers, it being the policy of the day to isolate the
+blackguards of both services, confining them to particular crafts and
+corps, making, as it were, a kind of _index expurgatorius_, where all
+the rascality was available at a moment's notice.
+
+It would be neither agreeable to my reader nor myself, if I should
+dwell on this theme, nor linger on a description where cruelty,
+crime, heartless tyranny, and reckless insubordination made up all
+the elements. A vessel that floated the seas only as a vast
+penitentiary--the 'cats,' the 'yard-arm,' and the 'gangway,' comprising
+its scheme of discipline--would scarcely be an agreeable subject. And,
+in reality, my memory retains of the life aboard little else than scenes
+of suffering and sorrow. Captain Gesbrook had the name of being able to
+reduce any, the most insubordinate, to discipline. The veriest rascals
+of the fleet, the consummate scoundrels, one of whom was deemed
+pollution to an ordinary crew, were said to come from his hands models
+of seamanship and good conduct; and it must be owned, that if the
+character was deserved, it was not obtained without some sacrifice. Many
+died under punishment; many carried away with them diseases under
+which they lingered on to death; and not a few preferred suicide to the
+terrible existence on board. And although a 'Temeraire'--as a man who
+had served in her was always afterwards called--was now and then shown
+as an example of sailorlike smartness and activity, very few knew
+how dearly that one success had been purchased, nor by what terrible
+examples of agony and woe that solitary conversion was obtained.
+
+To me the short time I spent on board of her is a dreadful dream. We
+were bound for the Mediterranean, to touch at Malta and Gibraltar, and
+then join the blockading squadron before Genoa. What might have been
+my fate, to what excess passionate indignation might have carried
+me, revolted as I was by tyranny and injustice, I know not, when an
+accident, happily for me, rescued me from all temptation. We lost our
+mizzen-mast, in a storm, in the Bay of Biscay, and a dreadful blow on
+the head, from the spanker-boom, felled me to the deck, with a fracture
+of the skull.
+
+From that moment I know of nothing till the time when I lay in my cot,
+beside a port-hole of the maindeck, gazing at the bright blue waters
+that flashed and rippled beside me, or straining my strength to rest on
+my elbow, when I caught sight of the glorious city of Genoa, with its
+grand mountain background, about three miles from where I lay. Whether
+from a due deference to the imposing strength of the vast fortress,
+or that the line of duty prescribed our action, I cannot say, but the
+British squadron almost exclusively confined its operations to the act
+of blockade. Extending far across the bay, the English ensign was seen
+floating from many a taper mast, while boats of every shape and size
+plied incessantly from ship to ship, their course marked out at night by
+the meteorlike light that glittered in them; not, indeed, that the eye
+often turned in that direction, all the absorbing interest of the
+scene lying inshore. Genoa was, at that time, surrounded by an immense
+Austrian force, under the command of General Melas, who, occupying all
+the valleys and deep passes of the Apennines, were imperceptible during
+the day; but no sooner had night closed in, than a tremendous cannonade
+began, the balls describing great semicircles in the air ere they fell
+to scatter death and ruin on the devoted city. The spectacle was grand
+beyond description, for while the distance at which we lay dulled and
+subdued the sound of the artillery to a hollow booming, like far-off
+thunder, the whole sky was streaked by the course of the shot, and, at
+intervals, lighted up by the splendour of a great fire, as the red shot
+fell into and ignited some large building or other.
+
+As, night after night, the cannonade increased in power and intensity,
+and the terrible effects showed themselves in flames which burst out
+from different quarters of the city, I used to long for morning, to see
+if the tricolour still floated on the walls; and when my eye caught the
+well-known ensign, I could have wept with joy as I beheld it.
+
+High up, too, on the cliffs of the rugged Apennines, from many a craggy
+eminence, where perhaps a solitary gun was stationed, I could see the
+beloved flag of France, the emblem of liberty and glory!
+
+In the day the scene was one of calm and tranquil beauty. It would have
+seemed impossible to connect it with war and battle. The glorious city,
+rising in terraces of palaces, lay reflected in the mirrorlike waters of
+the bay, blue as the deep sky above them. The orange-trees, loaded with
+golden fruit, shed their perfume over marble fountains, amid gardens
+of every varied hue; bands of military music were heard from the public
+promenades--all the signs of joy and festivity which betokened a happy
+and pleasure-seeking population. But at night the 'red artillery' again
+flashed forth, and the wild cries of strife and battle rose through
+the beleaguered city. The English spies reported that a famine and a
+dreadful fever were raging within the walls, and that all Massena's
+efforts were needed to repress an open mutiny of the garrison; but the
+mere aspect of the 'proud city' seemed to refute the assertion. The gay
+carolling of church bells vied with the lively strains of martial music,
+and the imposing pomp of military array, which could be seen from the
+walls, bespoke a joyous confidence, the very reverse of this depression.
+
+From the 'tops,' and high up in the rigging, the movements inshore
+could be descried; and frequently, when an officer came down to visit
+a comrade, I could hear of the progress of the siege, and learn, I need
+not say with what delight, that the Austrians had made little or no way
+in the reduction of the place, and that every stronghold and bastion was
+still held by Frenchmen.
+
+At first, as I listened, the names of new places and new generals
+confused me; but by daily familiarity with the topic, I began to
+perceive that the Austrians had interposed a portion of their force
+between Massena's division and that of Suchet, cutting off the latter
+from Genoa, and compelling him to fall back towards Chiavari and
+Borghetto, along the coast of the Gulf. This was the first success of
+any importance obtained; and it was soon followed by others of equal
+significance, Soult being driven from ridge to ridge of the Apennines,
+until he was forced back within the second line of defences.
+
+The English officers were loud in condemning Austrian slowness--the
+inaptitude they exhibited to profit by a success, and the over-caution
+which made them, even in victory, so careful of their own safety. From
+what I overheard, it seemed plain that Genoa was untenable by any troops
+but French, or opposed to any other adversaries than their present ones.
+
+The bad tidings--such I deemed them--came quicker and heavier. Now,
+Soult was driven from Monte Notte. Now, the great advance post of Monte
+Faccio was stormed and carried. Now, the double eagle was floating from
+San Tecla, a fort within cannon-shot of Genoa, A vast semicircle
+of bivouac fires stretched from the Apennines to the sea, and their
+reflected glare from the sky lit up the battlements and ramparts of the
+city.
+
+'Even yet, if Massena would make a dash at them,' said a young English
+lieutenant,' the white-coats would fallback.'
+
+'My life on 't he 'd cut his way through, if he knew they were only two
+to one!'
+
+And this sentiment met no dissentient. All agreed that French heroism
+was still equal to the overthrow of a force double its own.
+
+It was evident that all hope of reinforcement from France was vain.
+Before they could have begun their march southward, the question must be
+decided one way or other.
+
+'There's little doing to-night,' said an officer, as he descended the
+ladder to the sick bay. 'Melas is waiting for some heavy mortars that
+are coming up; and then there will be a long code of instructions from
+the Aulic Council, and a whole treatise on gunnery to be read, before
+he can use them. Trust me, if Massena knew his man, he 'd be up and at
+him.'
+
+Much discussion followed this speech, but all more or less agreed in its
+sentiment. Weak as were the French, lowered by fever and by famine, they
+were still an overmatch for their adversaries. What a glorious avowal
+from the lips of an enemy was this! The words did more for my recovery
+than all the cares and skill of physic Oh, if my countrymen but knew! if
+Massena could but hear it! was my next thought; and I turned my eyes to
+the ramparts, whose line was marked out by the bivouac fires, through
+the darkness. How short the distance seemed, and yet it was a whole
+world of separation. Had it been a great plain in a mountain tract, the
+attempt might almost have appeared practicable; at least, I had often
+seen fellows who would have tried it. Such were the ready roads, the
+royal paths, to promotion, and he who trod them saved miles of weary
+journey. I fell asleep, still thinking on these things; but they haunted
+my dreams. A voice seemed ever to whisper in my ear--'If Massena but
+knew, he would attack them. One bold dash, and the Austrians would fall
+back.' At one instant, I thought myself brought before a court-martial
+of English officers, for attempting to carry these tidings; and proudly
+avowing the endeavour, I fancied I was braving the accusation. At
+another, I was wandering through the streets of Genoa, gazing on the
+terrible scenes of famine I had heard of. And lastly, I was marching
+with a night party to attack the enemy. The stealthy footfall of the
+column appeared suddenly to cease; we were discovered; the Austrian
+cavalry were upon us! I started and awoke, and found myself in the dim,
+half-lighted chamber, with pain and suffering around me, and where,
+even in this midnight hour, the restless tortures of disease were yet
+wakeful.
+
+'The silence is more oppressive to me than the roll of artillery,'
+said one, a sick midshipman, to his comrade. 'I grew accustomed to the
+clatter of the guns, and slept all the better for it.'
+
+'You 'll scarcely hear much more of that music,' replied his friend.
+'The French must capitulate to-morrow or next day.'
+
+'Not if Massena would make a dash at them,' thought I; and with
+difficulty could I refrain from uttering the words aloud.
+
+They continued to talk to each other in low whispers, and, lulled by the
+drowsy tones, I fell asleep once more, again to dream of my comrades and
+their fortunes. A heavy bang like a cannon-shot awoke me; but whether
+this were real or not I never knew; most probably, however, it was the
+mere creation of my brain, for all were now in deep slumber around me,
+and even the marine on duty had seated himself on the ladder, and with
+his musket between his legs, seemed dozing away peacefully. I looked out
+through the little window beside my berth. A light breeze was
+faintly rippling the dark water beneath me. It was the beginning of a
+'Levanter,' and scarcely ruffled the surface as it swept along.
+
+'Oh, if it would but bear the tidings I am full of!' thought I. 'But why
+not dare the attempt myself?' While in America I had learned to become
+a good swimmer. Under Indian teaching, I had often passed hours in the
+water; and though now debilitated by long sickness, I felt that the
+cause would supply me with the strength I needed. From the instant that
+I conceived the thought, till I found myself descending the ship's side,
+was scarcely a minute. Stripping off my woollen shirt, and with nothing
+but my loose trousers, I crept through the little window, and lowering
+myself gently by the rattlin of my hammock, descended slowly and
+noiselessly into the sea. I hung on thus for a couple of seconds, half
+fearing the attempt, and irresolute of purpose. Should strength fail, or
+even a cramp seize me, I must be lost, and none would ever know in what
+an enterprise I had perished. It would be set down as a mere attempt
+at escape. This notion almost staggered my resolution, but only for a
+second or so; and with a short prayer, I slowly let slip the rope, and
+struck out to swim.
+
+The immense efforts required to get clear of the ship's side discouraged
+me dreadfully, nor probably without the aid of the 'Levanter' should I
+have succeeded in doing so, the suction of the water along the sides was
+so powerful. At last, however, I gained the open space, and found myself
+stretching away towards shore rapidly. The night was so dark that I had
+nothing to guide me save the lights on the ramparts; but in this lay my
+safety. Swimming is, after all, but a slow means of progression. After
+what I judged to be an hour in the water, as I turned my head to look
+back, I almost fancied that the great bowsprit of the _Temeraire_ was
+over me, and that the figure who leaned over the taffrail was steadily
+gazing on me. How little way had I made, and what a vast reach of water
+lay between me and the shore! I tried to animate my courage by thinking
+of the cause, how my comrades would greet me, the honour in which they
+would hold me for the exploit, and such like; but the terror of failure
+damped this ardour, and hope sank every moment lower and lower.
+
+For some time I resolved within myself not to look back--the
+discouragement was too great; but the impulse to do so became all the
+greater, and the only means of resisting was by counting the strokes,
+and determining not to turn my head before I had made a thousand. The
+monotony of this last, and the ceaseless effort to advance, threw me
+into a kind of dreamy state, wherein mere mechanical effort remained.
+A few vague impressions are all that remain to me of what followed. I
+remember the sound of the morning guns from the fleet; I remember, too,
+the hoisting of the French standard at daybreak on the fort of the Mole;
+I have some recollection of a bastion crowded with people, and hearing
+shouts and cheers like voices of welcome and encouragement; and then
+a whole fleet of small boats issuing from the harbour, as if by one
+impulse; and then there comes a bright blaze of light over one incident,
+for I saw myself, dripping and almost dead, lifted on the shoulders of
+strong men, and carried along a wide street filled with people. I was in
+Genoa!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIV. GENOA IN THE SIEGE
+
+Up a straight street, so steep and so narrow that it seemed a stair,
+with hundreds of men crowding around me, I was borne along. Now, they
+were sailors who carried me; now, white-bearded grenadiers, with their
+bronzed, bold faces; now, they were the wild-looking Faquini of the
+Mole, with long-tasselled red caps, and gaudy sashes around their
+waists. Windows were opened on either side as we went, and eager faces
+protruded to stare at me; and then there were shouts and cries of
+triumphant joy bursting forth at every moment, amidst which I could hear
+the ever-recurring words--'Escaped from the English fleet.'
+
+By what means, or when, I had exchanged my dripping trousers of coarse
+sailcloth for the striped gear of our republican mode--how one had given
+me his jacket, another a cap, and a third a shirt--I knew not; but there
+I was, carried along in triumph, half fainting from exhaustion, and
+almost maddened by excitement. That I must have told something of my
+history--Heaven knows how incoherently and unconnectedly--is plain
+enough, for I could hear them repeating one to the other--'Had served
+with Moreau's corps in the Black Forest;' 'A hussar of the Ninth;' 'One
+of Humbert's fellows'; and so on.
+
+As we turned into a species of 'Place,' a discussion arose as to whither
+they should convey me. Some were for the 'Cavalry Barracks,' that I
+might be once more with those who resembled my old comrades. Others,
+more considerate, were for the hospital; but a staff-officer decided the
+question by stating that the general was at that very moment receiving
+the report in the church of the Annunziata, and that he ought to see me
+at once.
+
+'Let the poor fellow have some refreshment,' cried one. 'Here, take
+this, it's coffee.' 'No, no, the _petite goutte_ is hotter--try that
+flask.' 'He shall have my chocolate,' said an old major, from the door
+of a cafe; and thus they pressed and solicited me with a generosity that
+I had yet to learn how dear it cost.
+
+'He ought to be dressed'; 'He should be in uniform'; 'Is better as he
+is'; 'The general will not speak to him thus'; 'He will'; 'He must.'
+
+Such, and such like, kept buzzing around me, as with reeling brain and
+confused vision they bore me up the great steps, and carried me into
+a gorgeous church, the most splendidly ornamented building I had ever
+beheld. Except, however, in the decorations of the ceiling, and the
+images of saints which figured in niches high up, every trace of a
+religious edifice had disappeared. The pulpit had gone--the chairs and
+seats for the choir, the confessionals, the shrines, altars--all had
+been uprooted, and a large table, at which some twenty officers were
+seated writing, now occupied the elevated platform of the high altar,
+while here and there stood groups of officers, with their reports from
+their various corps or parties in out-stations. Many of these drew near
+to me as I entered, and now the buzz of voices in question and rejoinder
+swelled into a loud noise; and while some were recounting my feat with
+all the seeming accuracy of eye-witnesses, others were as resolutely
+protesting it all to be impossible. Suddenly the tumult was hushed, the
+crowd fell back, and as the clanking muskets proclaimed 'a salute,' a
+whispered murmur announced the 'general.'
+
+I could just see the waving plumes of his staff, as they passed up; and
+then, as they were disappearing in the distance, they stopped, and one
+hastily returned to the entrance of the church.
+
+'Where is this fellow? let me see him,' cried he hurriedly, brushing his
+way through the crowd. 'Let him stand down; set him on his legs.'
+
+'He is too weak, _capitaine_,' said a soldier.
+
+'Place him in a chair, then,' said the aide-de-camp, for such he was.
+'You have made your escape from the English fleet, my man?' continued
+he, addressing me.
+
+'I am an officer, and your comrade,' replied I proudly; for with all my
+debility, the tone of his address stung me to the quick.
+
+'In what service, pray?' asked he, with a sneering look at my motley
+costume.
+
+'Your general shall hear where I have served, and how, whenever he is
+pleased to ask me,' was my answer.
+
+'Ay, _parbleu!_, cried three or four _sous-officiers_ in a breath, 'the
+general shall see him himself.'
+
+And with a jerk they hoisted me once more on their shoulders, and with a
+run--the regular storming tramp of the line--they advanced up the aisle
+of the church, and never halted till within a few feet of where the
+staff were gathered around the general. A few words--they sounded like a
+reprimand--followed; a severe voice bade the soldiers 'fall back,' and
+I found myself standing alone before a tall and very strongly built
+man, with a large, red-brown beard; he wore a grey upper coat over his
+uniform, and carried a riding-whip in his hand.
+
+'Get him a seat. Let him have a glass of wine,' cried he quickly, as he
+saw the tottering efforts I was making to keep my legs. 'Are you better
+now?' asked he, in a voice which, rough as it was, sounded kindly.
+
+Seeing me so far restored, he desired me to recount my late adventure,
+which I did in the fewest words, and the most concise fashion, I could.
+Although never interrupting, I could mark that particular portions of
+my narrative made much impression on him, and he could not repress a
+gesture of impatience when I told him that I was impressed as a seaman
+to fight against the flag of my own country.
+
+'Of course, then,' cried he, 'you were driven to the alternative of this
+attempt.'
+
+'Not so, general,' said I, interrupting; 'I had grown to be very
+indifferent about my own fortunes. I had become half fatalist as to
+myself. It was on very different grounds, indeed, that I dared this
+danger. It was to tell you, for if I mistake not I am addressing General
+Massvna, tidings of deep importance.'
+
+I said these words slowly and deliberately, and giving them all the
+impressiveness I was able.
+
+'Come this way, friend,' said he, and, assisting me to arise, he led me
+a short distance off, and desired me to sit down on the steps in front
+of the altar railing. 'Now, you may speak freely. I am the General
+Massena, and I have only to say, that if you really have intelligence of
+any value for me, you shall be liberally rewarded; but if you have not,
+and if the pretence be merely an effort to impose on one whose cares
+and anxieties are already hard to bear, it would be better that you had
+perished on sea than tried to attempt it.'
+
+There was a stern severity in the way he said this, which for a moment
+or two actually overpowered me. It was quite clear that he looked for
+some positive fact, some direct piece of information on which he might
+implicitly rely; and here was I now with nothing save the gossip of some
+English lieutenants, the idle talk of inexperienced young officers.
+I was silent. From the bottom of my heart I wished that I had never
+reached the shore, to stand in a position of such humiliation as this.
+
+'So, then, my caution was not unneeded,' said the general, as he bent
+his heavy brows upon me. 'Now, sir, there is but one amende you can make
+for this; tell me frankly, have others sent you on this errand, or is
+the scheme entirely of your own devising? Is this an English plot, or is
+there a Bourbon element in it?'
+
+'Neither one nor the other,' said I boldly, for indignation at last gave
+me courage. 'I hazarded my life to tell you what I overheard among the
+officers of the fleet yonder; you may hold their judgment cheap; you may
+not think their counsels worth the pains of listening to; but I could
+form no opinion of this, and only thought if these tidings could reach
+you, you might profit by them.'
+
+'And what are they?' asked he bluntly.
+
+'They said that your force was wasting away by famine and disease; that
+your supplies could not hold out above a fortnight; that your granaries
+were empty, and your hospitals filled.'
+
+'They scarcely wanted the gift of second-sight to see this,' said he
+bitterly. 'A garrison in close siege for four months may be suspected of
+as much.'
+
+'Yes; but they said that as Soult's force fell back upon the city, your
+position would be rendered worse.'
+
+'Fell back from where?' asked he, with a searching look at me.
+
+'As I understood, from the Apennines,' replied I, growing more confident
+as I saw that he became more attentive. 'If I understood them aright,
+Soult held a position called the "Monte Faccio." Is there such a name?'
+
+'Go on,' said he, with a nod of assent.
+
+'That this could not long be tenable without gaining the highest
+fortified point of the mountain. The "Monte Creto" they named it.'
+
+'The attempt on which has failed!' said Massena, as if carried away by
+the subject; 'and Soult himself is a prisoner! Go on.'
+
+'They added, that now but one hope remained for this army.'
+
+'And what was that, sir?' said he fiercely. 'What suggestion of cunning
+strategy did these sea-wolves intimate?'
+
+'To cut your way through the blockade, and join Suchet's corps,
+attacking the Austrians at the Monte Ratte, and by the sea-road gaining
+the heights of Bochetta.'
+
+'Do these heroic spirits know the strength of the same Austrian corps?
+did they tell you that it numbered fifty-four thousand bayonets?'
+
+'They called them below forty thousand; and that now that Bonaparte was
+on his way through the Alps, perhaps by this over the Mount Cenis----'
+
+'What! did they say this? Is Bonaparte so near us?' cried he, placing a
+hand on either shoulder, as he stared me in the face.
+
+'Yes; there is no doubt of that. The despatch to Lord Keith brought the
+news a week ago, and there is no secret made about it in the fleet.'
+
+'Over Mount Cenis!' repeated he to himself. 'Already in Italy!'
+
+'Holding straight for Milan, Lord Keith thinks,' added I.
+
+'No, sir, straight for the Tuileries,' cried Massena sternly; and
+then correcting himself suddenly, he burst into a forced laugh. I must
+confess that the speech puzzled me sorely at the time, but I lived
+to learn its meaning; and many a time have I wondered at the shrewd
+foresight which even then read the ambitious character of the future
+Emperor.
+
+'Of this fact, then, you are quite certain. Bonaparte is on his march
+hither?'
+
+'I have heard it spoken of every day for the last week,' replied I; 'and
+it was in consequence of this that the English officers used to remark,
+if Massena but knew it, he'd make a dash at them, and clear his way
+through at once.'
+
+'They said this, did they?' said he, in a low voice, and as if pondering
+over it.
+
+'Yes; one and all agreed in thinking there could not be a doubt of the
+result.'
+
+'Where have you served, sir?' asked he, suddenly turning on me, and with
+a look that showed he was resolved to test the character of the witness.
+
+'With Moreau, sir, on the Rhine and the Schwarz-wald; in Ireland with
+Humbert.'
+
+'Your regiment?'
+
+'The Ninth Hussar.'
+
+'The "Tapageurs"' said he, laughing. 'I know them, and glad I am not to
+have their company here at this moment; you were a lieutenant?'
+
+'Yes, sir.'
+
+'Well, supposing that, on the faith of what you have told me, I was
+to follow the wise counsel of these gentlemen, would you like the
+alternative of gaining your promotion in the event of success, or being
+shot by a _peloton_ if we fail.'
+
+'They seem sharp terms, sir,' said I, smiling, 'when it is remembered
+that no individual efforts of mine can either promote one result or the
+other.'
+
+'Ay, but they can, sir,' cried he quickly. 'If you should turn out to
+be an Austro-English spy; if these tidings be of a character to lead
+my troops into danger; if, in reliance on you, I should be led to
+compromise the honour and safety of a French army--your life, were it
+worth ten thousand times over your own value of it, would be a sorry
+recompense. Is this intelligible?'
+
+'Far more intelligible than flattering,' said I, laughing; for I saw
+that the best mode to treat him was by an imitation of his own frank and
+careless humour. 'I have already risked that life you hold so cheaply to
+convey this information, but I am still ready to accept the conditions
+you offer me, if, in the event of success, my name appear in the
+despatch.'
+
+He again stared at me with his dark and piercing eyes; but I stood
+the glance with a calm conscience, and he seemed so to read it, for he
+said--
+
+'Be it so. I will, meanwhile, test your prudence. Let nothing of this
+interview transpire--not a word of it among the officers and comrades
+you shall make acquaintance with. You shall serve on my own staff. Go
+now, and recruit your strength for a couple of days, and then report
+yourself at headquarters when ready for duty.--Latrobe, look to the
+Lieutenant Tiernay; see that he wants for nothing, and let him have a
+horse and a uniform as soon as may be.'
+
+Captain Latrobe, the future General of Division, was then a young gay
+officer of about five-and-twenty, very good-looking, and full of life
+and spirits--a buoyancy which the terrible uncertainties of the siege
+could not repress.
+
+'Our general talks nobly, Tiernay,' said he, as he gave me his arm to
+assist me; 'but you 'll stare when I tell you that "wanting for nothing"
+means, having four ounces of black bread, and ditto of blue cheese, per
+diem; and as to a horse, if I possessed such an animal, I'd have given
+a dinner-party yesterday and eaten him. You look surprised, but when you
+see a little more of us here, you'll begin to think that prison rations
+in the fleet yonder were luxuries compared to what we have. No matter,
+you shall take share of my superabundance; and if I have little else to
+offer, I'll show you a view from my window, finer than anything you ever
+looked on in your life, and with a sea-breeze that would be glorious if
+it didn't make one hungry.'
+
+While he thus rattled on, we reached the street, and there, calling a
+couple of soldiers forward, he directed them to carry me along to his
+quarters, which lay in the upper town, on an elevated plateau that
+overlooked the city and the bay together.
+
+From the narrow lanes, flanked with tall, gloomy houses, and steep,
+ill-paved streets, exhibiting poverty and privation of every kind, we
+suddenly emerged into an open space of grass, at one side of which a
+handsome iron railing stood, with a richly ornamented gate, gorgeously
+gilded. Within this was a garden and a fish-pond, surrounded with
+statues, and farther on, a long, low villa, whose windows reached to
+the ground, and were shaded by a deep awning of striped blue and white
+canvas.
+
+Camellias, orange-trees, cactuses, and magnolias abounded everywhere;
+tulips and hyacinths seemed to grow wild; and there was in the
+half-neglected look of the spot something of savage luxuriance that
+heightened the effect immensely.
+
+'This is my Paradise, Tiernay, only wanting an Eve to be perfect,' said
+Latrobe, as he set me down beneath a spreading lime-tree. 'Yonder are
+your English friends; there they stretch away for miles beyond that
+point. That's the Monte Creto, you may have heard of; and there's
+the Bochetta. In that valley, to the left, the Austrian outposts are
+stationed; and from those two heights closer to the shore, they are
+gracious enough to salute us every evening after sunset, and even
+prolong the attention sometimes the whole night through. Turn your eyes
+in this direction, and you'll see the "cornice" road, that leads to la
+belle France, but of which we see as much from this spot as we are ever
+like to do. So much for the geography of our position; and now to look
+after your breakfast. You have, of course, heard that we do not revel in
+superfluities. Never was the boasted excellence of our national cookery
+more severely tested, for we have successively descended from cows and
+sheep to goats, horses, donkeys, dogs, occasionally experimenting on
+hides and shoe-leather, till we ended by regarding a rat as a rarity,
+and deeming a mouse a delicacy of the season. As for vegetables,
+there would not have been a flowering plant in all Genoa, if tulip
+and ranunculus roots had not been bitter as aloes. These seem very
+inhospitable confessions, but I make them the more freely since I am
+about to treat you _en gourmet_. Come in now, and acknowledge that
+juniper bark isn't bad coffee, and that commissary bread is not to be
+thought of "lightly."'
+
+In this fashion did my comrade invite me to a meal, which, even with
+this preface, was far more miserable and scanty than I looked for.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXV. A NOVEL COUNCIL OP WAR
+
+I had scarcely finished my breakfast, when a group of officers rode up
+to our quarters to visit me. My arrival had already created an immense
+sensation in the city, and all kinds of rumours were afloat as to the
+tidings I had brought. The meagreness of the information would, indeed,
+have seemed in strong contrast to the enterprise and hazard of the
+escape, had I not the craft to eke it out by that process of suggestion
+and speculation in which I was rather an adept.
+
+Little in substance as my information was, all the younger officers
+were in favour of acting upon it. The English are no bad judges of our
+position and chances, was the constant argument. They see exactly how we
+stand; they know the relative forces of our army and the enemy's; and if
+the 'cautious islanders'--such was the phrase--advised a _coup de main_,
+it surely must have much in its favour. I lay stress upon the remark,
+trifling as it may seem; but it is curious to know, that with all the
+immense successes of England on sea, her reputation at that time among
+Frenchmen was rather for prudent and well-matured undertaking than for
+those daring enterprises which are as much the character of her courage.
+
+My visitors continued to pour in during the morning--officers of every
+arm and rank, some from mere idle curiosity, some to question and
+interrogate, and not a few to solve doubts in their mind as to my being
+really French, and a soldier, and not an agent of that 'perfide Albion,'
+whose treachery was become a proverb amongst us. Many were disappointed
+at my knowing so little. I neither could tell the date of Napoleon's
+passing St. Gothard, nor the amount of his force; neither knew I whether
+he meant to turn eastward towards the plains of Lombardy, or march
+direct to the relief of Genoa. Of Moreau's successes in Germany, too, I
+had only heard vaguely, and, of course, could recount nothing. I
+could overhear, occasionally, around and about me, the murmurs of
+dissatisfaction my ignorance called forth, and was not a little grateful
+to an old artillery captain for saying, 'That's the very best thing
+about the lad; a spy would have had his whole lesson by heart.'
+
+'You are right, sir,' cried I, catching at the words; 'I may know but
+little, and that little, perhaps, valueless and insignificant, but my
+truth no man shall gainsay.'
+
+The boldness of this speech from one wasted and miserable as I was, with
+tattered shoes and ragged clothes, caused a hearty laugh, in which, as
+much from policy as feeling, I joined myself.
+
+'Come here, _mon cher_,' said an infantry colonel, as, walking to the
+door of the room, he drew his telescope from his pocket; 'you tell us of
+a _coup de main_--on the Monte Faccio, is it not?'
+
+'Yes,' replied I promptly, 'so I understand the name.'
+
+'Well, have you ever seen the place?'
+
+'Never.'
+
+'Well, there it is yonder'; and he handed me his glass as he spoke. 'You
+see that large beetling cliff, with the olives at the foot? There, on
+the summit, stands the Monte Faccio. The road--the pathway rather, and a
+steep one it is--leads up where you see those goats feeding, and crosses
+in front of the crag, directly beneath the fire of the batteries.
+There's not a spot on the whole ascent where three men could march
+abreast; and wherever there is any shelter from fire, the guns of the
+"Sprona," that small fort to the right, take the whole position. What do
+you think of your counsel now?'
+
+'You forget, sir, it is not my counsel. I merely repeat what I
+overheard.'
+
+'And do you mean to say, that the men who gave that advice were serious,
+or capable of adopting it themselves?'
+
+'Most assuredly; they would never recommend to others what they felt
+unequal to themselves. I know these English well, and so much will I say
+of them.'
+
+'Bah!' cried he, with an insolent gesture of his hand, and turned
+away; and I could plainly see that my praises of the enemy were very
+ill-taken. In fact, my unlucky burst of generosity had done more to
+damage my credit than all the dangerous or impracticable features of
+my scheme. Every eye was turned to the bold precipice, and the stern
+fortress that crowned it, and all agreed that an attack must be
+hopeless.
+
+I saw, too late, the great fault I had committed, and that nothing could
+be more wanting in tact than to suggest to Frenchmen an enterprise which
+Englishmen deemed practicable, and which yet, to the former, seemed
+beyond all reach of success. The insult was too palpable and too direct;
+but to retract was impossible, and I had now to sustain a proposition
+which gave offence on every side.
+
+It was very mortifying to me to see how soon all my personal credit
+was merged in this unhappy theory. No one thought more of my hazardous
+escape, the perils I encountered, or the sufferings I had undergone. All
+that was remembered of me was the affront I had offered to the national
+courage, and the preference I had implied to English bravery.
+
+Never did I pass a more tormenting day. New arrivals continually
+refreshed the discussion, and always with the same results. And although
+some were satisfied to convey their opinions by a shake of the head or a
+dubious smile, others, more candid than civil, plainly intimated that if
+I had nothing of more consequence to tell, I might as well have stayed
+where I was, and not added one more to a garrison so closely pressed by
+hunger. Very little more of such reasoning would have persuaded myself
+of its truth, and I almost began to wish that I was once more back in
+the 'sick bay' of the frigate.
+
+Towards evening I was left alone. My host went down to the town on
+duty; and after the visit of a tailor, who came to try on me a staff
+uniform--a distinction, I afterwards learned, owing to the abundance
+of this class of costume, and not to any claims I could prefer to the
+rank--I was perfectly free to stroll about where I pleased unmolested,
+and, no small blessing, unquestioned.
+
+On following along the walls for some distance, I came to a part where
+a succession of deep ravines opened at the foot of the bastions,
+conducting by many a tortuous and rocky glen to the Apennines. The
+sides of these gorges were dotted here and there with wild hollies and
+fig-trees, stunted and ill-thriven, as the nature of the soil might
+imply. Still, for the sake of the few berries, or the sapless fruit they
+bore, the soldiers of the garrison were accustomed to creep out from the
+embrasures and descend the steep cliffs--a peril great enough in
+itself, but terribly increased by the risk of exposure to the enemy's
+tirailleurs, as well as the consequences such indiscipline would bring
+down on them.
+
+So frequent, however, had been these infractions, that little footpaths
+were worn bare along the face of the cliff, traversing in many a zigzag
+a surface that seemed like a wall. It was almost incredible that men
+would brave such peril for so little, but famine had rendered them
+indifferent to death; and although debility exhibited itself in every
+motion and gesture, the men would stand unshrinking and undismayed
+beneath the fire of a battery. At one spot, near the angle of a bastion,
+and where some shelter from the north winds protected the place, a
+little clump of orange-trees stood; and towards these, though fully
+a mile off, many a foot-track led, showing how strong had been the
+temptation in that quarter. To reach it, the precipice should be
+traversed, the gorge beneath and a considerable ascent of the opposite
+mountain accomplished; and yet all these dangers had been successfully
+encountered, merely instigated by hunger!
+
+High above this very spot, at a distance of perhaps eight hundred feet,
+stood the Monte Faccio--the large black and yellow banner of Austria
+floating from its walls, as if amid the clouds. I could see the muzzles
+of the great guns protruding from the embrasures; and I could even catch
+glances of a tall bearskin, as some soldier passed or repassed behind
+the parapet, and I thought how terrible would be the attempt to
+storm such a position. It was, indeed, true, that if I had the least
+conception of the strength of the fort, I never should have dared
+to talk of a _coup de main_. Still I was in a manner pledged to the
+suggestion. I had perilled my life for it, and few men do as much for
+an opinion; for this reason I resolved, come what would, to maintain my
+ground, and hold fast to my conviction. I never could be called upon to
+plan the expedition, nor could it by any possibility be confided to my
+guidance; responsibility could not, therefore, attach to me. All these
+were strong arguments, at least quite strong enough to decide a wavering
+judgment.
+
+Meditating on these things, I strolled back to my quarters. As I entered
+the garden, I found that several officers were assembled, among whom was
+Colonel de Barre, the brother of the general of that name who afterwards
+fell at the Borodino. He was _chef d'etat-major_ to Massena, and a most
+distinguished and brave soldier. Unlike the fashion of the day, which
+made the military man affect the rough coarseness of a savage, seasoning
+his talk with oaths, and curses, and low expressions, De Barre had
+something of the _petit-maitre_ in his address, which nothing short of
+his well-proved courage would have saved from ridicule. His voice was
+low and soft, his smile perpetual; and although well bred enough to have
+been dignified and easy, a certain fidgety impulse to be pleasing
+made him always appear affected and unnatural. Never was there such
+a contrast to his chief; but indeed it was said, that to this very
+disparity of temperament he owed all the influence he possessed over
+Massena's mind.
+
+I might have been a general of division at the very least, to judge from
+the courteous deference of the salute with which he approached me--a
+politeness the more striking, as all the others immediately fell back,
+to leave us to converse together. I was actually overcome with the
+flattering terms in which he addressed me on the subject of my escape.
+
+'I could scarcely at first credit the story,' said he, 'but when they
+told me that you were a "Ninth man," one of the old Tapageurs, I never
+doubted it more. You see what a bad character is, Monsieur de Tiernay!'
+It was the first time I had ever heard the prefix to my name, and I
+own the sound was pleasurable. 'I served a few months with your corps
+myself, but I soon saw there was no chance of promotion among fellows
+all more eager than myself for distinction. Well, sir, it is precisely
+to this reputation I have yielded my credit, and to which General
+Massena is kind enough to concede his own confidence. Your advice is
+about to be acted on, Monsieur de Tiernay.'
+
+'The _coup de main_----'
+
+'A little lower, if you please, my dear sir. The expedition is to be
+conducted with every secrecy, even from the officers of every rank
+below a command. Have the goodness to walk along with me this way. If I
+understand General Massena aright, your information conveys no details,
+nor any particular suggestions as to the attack.'
+
+'None whatever, sir. It was the mere talk of a gunroom--the popular
+opinion among a set of young officers.'
+
+'I understand,' said he, with a bow and a smile--'the suggestion of
+a number of high-minded and daring soldiers, as to what they deemed
+practicable.'
+
+'Precisely, sir.'
+
+'Neither could you collect from their conversation anything which
+bore upon the number of the Austrian advance guard, or their state of
+preparation?'
+
+'Nothing, sir. The opinion of the English was, I suspect, mainly founded
+on the great superiority of our forces to the enemy's in all attacks of
+this kind.'
+
+'Our _esprit "tapageur"_ eh?' said he, laughing, and pinching my arm
+familiarly, and I joined in the laugh with pleasure. 'Well, Monsieur de
+Tiernay, let us endeavour to sustain this good impression. The attempt
+is to be made to-night.'
+
+'To-night!' exclaimed I, in amazement, for everything within the city
+seemed tranquil and still.
+
+'To-night, sir; and, by the kind favour of General Massena, I am to lead
+the attack--the reserve, if we are ever to want it, being under his own
+command It is to be at your own option on which staff you will serve.'
+
+'On yours, of course, sir,' cried I hastily. 'A man who stands unknown
+and unvouched for among his comrades, as I do, has but one way to
+vindicate his claim to credit--by partaking the peril he counsels.'
+
+'There could be no doubt either of your judgment, or the sound reasons
+for it,' replied the colonel; 'the only question was, whether you might
+be unequal to the fatigue.'
+
+'Trust me, sir, you'll not have to send me to the rear,' said I,
+laughing.
+
+'Then you are extra on my staff, Monsieur de Tiernay.'
+
+As we walked along, he proceeded to give me the details of our
+expedition, which was to be on a far stronger scale than I anticipated.
+Three battalions of infantry, with four light batteries, and as many
+squadrons of dragoons, were to form the advance.
+
+'We shall neither want the artillery nor cavalry, except to cover a
+retreat,' said he; 'I trust, if it come to that, there will not be many
+of us to protect; but such are the general's orders, and we have but to
+obey them.'
+
+With the great events of that night on my memory, it is strange that
+I should retain so accurately in my mind the trivial and slight
+circumstances, which are as fresh before me as if they had occurred but
+yesterday.
+
+It was about eleven o'clock, of a dark but starry night, not a breath of
+wind blowing, that, passing through a number of gloomy, narrow streets,
+I suddenly found myself in the courtyard of the Balbe Palace. A large
+marble fountain was playing in the centre, around which several lamps
+were lighted; by these I could see that the place was crowded with
+officers, some seated at tables drinking, some smoking, and others
+lounging up and down in conversation. Huge loaves of black bread, and
+wicker-covered flasks of country wine, formed the entertainment;
+but even these, to judge from the zest of the guests, were no common
+delicacies. At the foot of a little marble group, and before a small
+table, with a map on it, sat General Massena himself, in his grey
+overcoat, cutting his bread with a case-knife, while he talked away to
+his staff.
+
+'These maps are good for nothing, Bressi,' cried he. 'To look at them,
+you 'd say that every road was practicable for artillery, and every
+river passable, and you find afterwards that all these fine _chaussees_
+are bypaths, and the rivulets downright torrents. Who knows the Chiavari
+road?'
+
+'Giorgio knows it well, sir,' said the officer addressed, and who was a
+young Piedmontese from Massena's own village.
+
+'Ah, Birbante!' cried the general, 'are you here again?' and he turned
+laughingly towards a little bandy-legged monster, of less than three
+feet high, who, with a cap stuck jauntily on one side of his head, and a
+wooden sword at his side, stepped forward with all the confidence of an
+equal.
+
+'Ay, here I am,' said he, raising his hand to his cap, soldier fashion;
+'there was nothing else for it but this trade,' and he placed his hand
+on the hilt of his wooden weapon. 'You cut down all the mulberries and
+left us no silkworms; you burned all the olives, and left us no oil;
+you trampled down our maize crops and our vines. _Per Baccho!_ the only
+thing left was to turn brigand like yourself, and see what would come of
+it.'
+
+'Is he not cool to talk thus to a general at the head of his staff?'
+said Massena, with an assumed gravity.
+
+'I knew you when you wore a different-looking epaulette than that
+there,' said Giorgio, 'and when you carried one of your father's
+meal-sacks on your shoulder instead of all that bravery.'
+
+'_Parbleu!_ so he did,' cried Massena, laughing heartily. 'That
+scoundrel was always about our mill, and, I believe, lived by thieving!'
+added he, pointing to the dwarf.
+
+'Every one did a little that way in our village,' said the dwarf; 'but
+none ever profited by his education like yourself.'
+
+If the general and some of the younger officers seemed highly amused at
+the fellow's impudence and effrontery, some of the others looked angry
+and indignant. A few were really well born, and could afford to smile at
+these recognitions; but many who sprung from an origin even more humble
+than the general's could not conceal their angry indignation at the
+scene.
+
+'I see that these gentlemen are impatient of our vulgar recollections,'
+said Massena, with a sardonic grin; 'so now to business, Giorgio. You
+know the Chiavari road--what is't like?'
+
+'Good enough to look at, but mined in four places.'
+
+The general gave a significant glance at the staff, and bade him go on.
+
+'The white-coats are strong in that quarter, and have eight guns to bear
+upon the road, where it passes beneath Monte Ratte.'
+
+'Why, I was told that the pass was undefended!' cried Massena
+angrily--'that a few skirmishers were all that could be seen near it.'
+
+'All that could be seen!--so they are; but there are eight
+twelve-pounder guns in the brushwood, with shot and shell enough to be
+seen, and felt too.'
+
+Massena now turned to the officers near him, and conversed with them
+eagerly for some time. The debated point I subsequently heard was how
+to make a feint attack on the Chiavari road, to mask the _coup de main_
+intended for the Monte Faccio. To give the false attack any colour of
+reality, required a larger force and greater preparation than they could
+afford, and this was now the great difficulty. At last it was resolved
+that this should be a mere demonstration, not to push far beyond the
+walls, but, by all the semblance of a serious advance, to attract as
+much attention as possible from the enemy.
+
+Another and a greater embarrassment lay in the fact, that the troops
+intended for the _coup de main_ had no other exit than the gate which
+led to Chiavari, so that the two lines of march would intersect and
+interfere with each other. Could we even have passed out our tirailleurs
+in advance, the support would easily follow; but the enemy would, of
+course, notice the direction our advance would take, and our object be
+immediately detected.
+
+'Why not pass the skirmishers out by the embrasures, to the left
+yonder,' said I; 'I see many a track where men have gone already.'
+
+'It is steep as a wall,' cried one.
+
+'And there's a breast of rock in front that no foot could scale.'
+
+'You have at least a thousand feet of precipice above you, when you
+reach the glen, if ever you do reach it alive.'
+
+'And this to be done in the darkness of a night!' Such were the
+discouraging comments which rattled, quick as musketry, around me.
+
+'The lieutenant's right, nevertheless,' said Giorgio. 'Half the
+voltigeurs of the garrison know the path well already; and as to
+darkness--if there were a moon you dared not attempt it.'
+
+'There's some truth in that,' observed an old major.
+
+'Could you promise to guide them, Giorgio?' said Massena.
+
+'Yes, every step of the way--up to the very walls of the fort.'
+
+'There, then,' cried the general, 'one great difficulty is got over
+already.*
+
+'Not so fast, _generale mio_,' said the dwarf; 'I said I could, but I
+never said that I would.'
+
+'Not for a liberal present, Giorgio; not if I filled that leather pouch
+of yours with five-franc pieces, man?'
+
+'I might not live to spend it, and I care little for my next of kin,'
+said the dwarf dryly.
+
+'I don't think that we need his services, general,' said I; 'I saw
+the place this evening, and however steep it seems from the walls,
+the descent is practicable enough--at least I am certain that our
+tirailleurs, in the Black Forest, would never have hesitated about it.'
+
+I little knew that when I uttered this speech I had sent a shot into the
+very heart of the magazine, the ruling passion of Massena's mind being
+an almost insane jealousy of Moreau's military fame--his famous campaign
+of Southern Germany, and his wonderful retreat upon the Rhine, being
+regarded as achievements of the highest order.
+
+'I've got some of those regiments you speak of in my brigade here, sir,'
+said he, addressing himself directly to me, and I must own that their
+discipline reflects but little credit on the skill of so great an
+officer as General Moreau; and as to light troops, I fancy Colonel de
+Vallence yonder would scarcely feel it a flattery were you to tell him
+to take a lesson from them.'
+
+'I have just been speaking to Colonel de Vallence, general,' said
+Colonel de Barre. 'He confirms everything Monsieur de Tiernay tells us
+of the practicable nature of these paths; his fellows have tracked them
+at all hours, and neither want guidance nor direction to go.'
+
+'In that case I may as well offer my services,' said Giorgio, tightening
+his belt; 'but I must tell you that it is too late to begin to-night--we
+must start immediately after nightfall. It will take from forty to fifty
+minutes to descend the cliff, a good two hours to climb the ascent, so
+that you 'll not have much time to spare before daybreak.'
+
+Giorgio's opinion was backed by several others, and it was finally
+resolved upon that the attempt should be made on the following evening.
+Meanwhile, the dwarf was committed to the safe custody of a sergeant,
+affectedly to look to his proper care and treatment, but really to guard
+against any imprudent revelations that he might make respecting the
+intended attack.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVI. GENOA DURING THE SIEGE
+
+If the natural perils of the expedition were sufficient to suggest
+grave thoughts, the sight of the troops that were to form it was even
+a stronger incentive to fear. I could not believe my eyes, as I watched
+the battalions which now deployed before me. Always accustomed,
+whatever the hardships they were opposed to, to see French soldiers
+light-hearted, gay, and agile, performing their duties in a spirit of
+sportive pleasure, as if soldiering were but fun, what was the shock I
+received at sight of these careworn, downcast, hollow-cheeked fellows,
+dragging their legs wearily along, and scarcely seeming to hear the
+words of command; their clothes, patched and mended, sometimes too big,
+sometimes too little, showing that they had changed wearers without
+being altered; their tattered shoes, tied on with strings round the
+ankles; their very weapons dirty and uncared for; they resembled rather
+a horde of bandits than the troops of the first army of Europe. There
+was, besides, an expression of stealthy, treacherous ferocity in their
+faces, such as I never saw before. To this pitiable condition had they
+been brought by starvation. Not alone the horses had been eaten, but
+dogs and cats; even the vermin of the cellars and sewers was consumed as
+food. Leather and skins were all eagerly devoured; and there is but too
+terrible reason to believe that human flesh itself was used to prolong
+for a few hours this existence of misery.
+
+As they defiled into the 'Piazza,' there seemed a kind of effort to
+assume the port and bearing of their craft; and although many stumbled,
+and some actually fell, from weakness, there was an evident attempt to
+put on a military appearance. The manner of the adjutant, as he passed
+down the line, revealed at once the exact position of affairs. No
+longer inspecting every little detail of equipment, criticising this, or
+remarking on that, his whole attention was given to the condition of
+the musket, whose lock he closely scrutinised, and then turned to the
+cartouch-box. The ragged uniforms, the uncouth shakos, the belts dirty
+and awry, never called forth a word of rebuke. Too glad, as it seemed,
+to recognise even the remnants of discipline, he came back from his
+inspection apparently well satisfied and content.
+
+'These fellows turn out well,' said Colonel de Barre, as he looked along
+the line; and I started to see if the speech were an unfeeling jest.
+Far from it; he spoke in all seriousness. The terrible scenes he had for
+months been witnessing; the men dropping from hunger at their posts; the
+sentries fainting as they carried arms, and borne away to the hospital
+to die; the bursts of madness that would now and then break forth from
+men whose agony became unendurable, had so steeled him to horrors, that
+even this poor shadow of military display seemed orderly and imposing.
+
+'They are the 22nd, colonel,' replied the adjutant, proudly, 'a corps
+that always have maintained their character, whether on parade or under
+fire!'
+
+'Ah! the 22nd, are they? They have come up from Ronco, then?'
+
+'Yes, sir; they were all that General Soult could spare us.'
+
+'Fine-looking fellows they are,' said De Barre, scanning them through
+his glass. 'The third company is a little, a very little to the
+rear--don't you perceive it?--and the flank is a thought or so restless
+and unsteady.'
+
+'A sergeant has just been carried to the rear ill, sir,' said a young
+officer, in a low voice.
+
+'The heat, I have no douht; a _colpo di sole_, as they tell us
+everything is,' said De Barre. 'By the way, is not this the regiment
+that boasts the pretty vivandiere? What's this her name is?'
+
+'Lela, sir.'
+
+'Yes, to be sure, Lela. I'm sure I've heard her toasted often enough at
+cafes and restaurants.'
+
+'There she is, sir, yonder, sitting on the steps of the fountain'; and
+the officer made a sign with his sword for the girl to come over. She
+made an effort to arise at the order, but tottered back, and would have
+fallen if a soldier had not caught her. Then suddenly collecting
+her strength, she arranged the folds of her short scarlet jupe, and
+smoothing down the braids of her fair hair, came forward, at that
+sliding, half-skipping pace that is the wont of her craft.
+
+The exertion, and possibly the excitement, had flushed her cheek, so
+that as she came forward her look was brilliantly handsome; but as the
+colour died away, and a livid pallor spread over her jaws, lank and
+drawn in by famine, her expression was dreadful. The large eyes,
+lustrous and wild-looking, gleaming with the fire of fever, while her
+thin nostrils quivered at each respiration.
+
+Poor girl, even then, with famine and fever eating within her, the
+traits of womanly vanity still survived, and as she carried her hand to
+her cap in salute, she made a faint attempt at a smile.
+
+'The 22nd may indeed be proud of their vivandiere,* said De Barre
+gallantly.
+
+'What hast in the _tonnslet_, Lela?' continued he, tapping the little
+silver-hooped barrel she carried at her back.
+
+'_Ah, que voulez-vous?_ cried she laughing, with a low, husky sound, the
+laugh of famine.
+
+'I must have a glass of it to your health, _ma belle_ Lela, if it cost
+me a crown-piece'; and he drew forth the coin as he spoke.
+
+'For such a toast, the liquor is quite good enough,' said Lela, drawing
+back at the offer of money; while slinging the little cask in front, she
+unhooked a small silver cup, and filled it with water.
+
+'No brandy, Lela?'
+
+'None, colonel,' said she, shaking her head; 'and if I had, those poor
+fellows yonder would not like it so well.'
+
+'I understand,' said he significantly; 'theirs is the thirst of fever.'
+
+A short, dry cough, and a barely perceptible nod of the head, was all
+her reply; but their eyes met, and any so sad an expression as they
+interchanged I never beheld! it was a confession in full of all each had
+seen of sorrow, of suffering, and of death--the terrible events three
+months of famine had revealed, and all the agonies of pestilence and
+madness.
+
+'That is delicious water, Tiernay,' said the colonel, as he passed me
+the cup, and thus trying to get away from the sad theme of his thoughts.
+
+'I fetch it from a well outside the walls every morning,' said Lela;
+'ay, and within gunshot of the Austrian sentries, too.'
+
+'There's coolness for you, Tiernay,' said the colonel; 'think what the
+22nd are made of when their vivandiere dares to do this!'
+
+'They'll not astonish him,' said Lela, looking steadily at me
+
+'And why not, _ma belle?_' cried De Barre. 'He was a Tapageur, one of
+the "Naughty Ninth," as they called them.'
+
+'How do you know that, Lela? Have we ever met before?' cried I eagerly.
+
+'I've seen you, sir,' said she slyly. 'They used to call you the
+corporal that won the battle of Kehl. I know my father always said so.'
+
+I would have given worlds to have interrogated her further; so
+fascinating is selfishness, that already at least a hundred questions
+were presenting themselves to my mind. Who could Lela be? and who was
+her father? and what were these reports about me? Had I really won fame
+without knowing it? and did my comrades indeed speak of me with honour?
+All these, and many more inquiries, were pressing for utterance, as
+General Massena walked up with his staff. The general fully corroborated
+De Barre's opinion of the '22nd.' They were, as he expressed it, a
+'magnificent body.' It was a perfect pleasure to see such troops under
+arms.' 'Those fellows certainly exhibited few traces of a starved-out
+garrison.'
+
+Such and such like were the observations bandied from one to the other,
+in all the earnest seriousness of truth What more terrible evidence of
+the scenes they had passed through, than these convictions! What more
+stunning proof of the condition to which long suffering had reduced
+them!
+
+'Where is our pleasant friend, who talked to us of the Black Forest last
+night? Ah, there he is; well, Monsieur Tiernay, do you think General
+Moreau's people turned out better than that after the retreat from
+Donau-eschingen?'
+
+There was no need for any reply, since the scornful burst of laughter of
+the staff already gave the answer he wanted; and now he walked forward
+to the centre of the piazza, while the troops proceeded to march past.
+
+The band, a miserable group, reduced from fifty to thirteen in number,
+struck up a quick step, and the troops, animated by the sounds, and more
+still, perhaps, by Massena's presence, made an effort to step out in
+quick time; but the rocking, wavering motion, the clinking muskets and
+uncertain gait, were indescribably painful to a soldier's eye. Their
+colonel, De Vallence, however, evidently did not regard them thus, for
+as he joined the staff, he received the general's compliments with all
+the good faith and composure in the world.
+
+The battalions were marched off to barracks, and the group of officers
+broke up to repair to their several quarters. It was the hour of dinner,
+but it had been many a day since that meal had been heard of amongst
+them. A stray cafe here and there was open in the city, but a cup of
+coffee, without milk, and a small roll of black bread, a horrid compound
+of rye and cocoa, was all the refreshment obtainable; and yet, I am bold
+to say that a murmur or a complaint was unheard against the general
+or the Government. The heaviest reverses, the gloomiest hours of ill
+fortune, never extinguished the hope that Genoa was to be relieved
+at last, and that all we had to do was to hold out for the arrival of
+Bonaparte. To the extent of this conviction is to be attributed the
+wide disparity between the feeling displayed by the military and the
+townsfolk.
+
+The latter, unsustained by hope, without one spark of speculation to
+cheer their gloomy destiny, starved, and sickened, and died in masses.
+The very requirements of discipline were useful in averting the
+despondent vacuity which comes of hunger. Of the sanguine confidence of
+the soldiery in the coming of their comrades, I was to witness a strong
+illustration on the very day of which I have been speaking.
+
+It was about four o'clock in the afternoon, the weather had been heavy
+and overcast, and the heat excessive, so that all who were free from
+duty had either lain down to sleep, or were quietly resting within
+doors, when a certain stir and movement in the streets, a rare event
+during the hours of the siesta, drew many a head to the windows. The
+report ran, and like wildfire it spread through the city, that the
+advanced guard of Bonaparte had reached Ronco that morning, and were
+already in march on Genoa. Although nobody could trace this story to
+any direct source, each believed and repeated it; the tale growing more
+consistent and fuller at every repetition. I need not weary my reader
+with all the additions and corrections the narrative received, nor
+recount how now it was Moreau with the right wing of the army of the
+Rhine; now it was Kellermann's brigade; now it was Macdonald, who had
+passed the Ticino; and last of all, Bonaparte. The controversy was
+often even an angry one, when, finally, all speculation was met by the
+official report, that all that was known lay in the simple fact, that
+heavy guns had been heard that morning, near Ronco, and as the Austrians
+held no position with artillery there, the firing must needs be French.
+
+This very bare announcement was, of course, a great 'come down' for all
+the circumstantial detail with which we had been amusing ourselves and
+each other, but yet it nourished hope, and the hope that was nearest to
+all our hearts, too! The streets were soon filled; officers and soldiers
+hastily dressed, and with many a fault of costume were all
+commingled, exchanging opinions, resolving doubts, and even bandying
+congratulations. The starved and hungry faces were lighted up with an
+expression of savage glee. It was like the last flickering gleam of
+passion in men whose whole vitality was the energy of fever! The heavy
+debt they owed their enemy was at last to be paid, and all the insulting
+injury of a besieged and famine-stricken garrison to be avenged. A
+surging movement in the crowd told that some event had occurred; it
+was Massena and his staff, who were proceeding to a watch-tower in the
+bastion, from whence a wide range of country could be seen. This was
+reassuring. The general himself entertained the story, and here was
+proof that there was 'something in it.' All the population now made
+for the walls; every spot from which the view towards Ronco could
+be obtained was speedily crowded, every window filled, and all the
+housetops crammed. A dark mass of inky cloud covered the tops of the
+Apennines, and even descended to some distance down the sides. With what
+shapes and forms of military splendour did our imaginations people the
+space behind that sombre curtain! What columns of stern warriors, what
+prancing squadrons, what earth-shaking masses of heavy artillery! How
+longingly each eye grew weary watching--waiting for the veil to be rent,
+and the glancing steel to be seen glistening bright in the sun-rays!
+
+As if to torture our anxieties, the lowering mass grew darker and
+heavier, and, rolling lazily adown the mountain, it filled up the
+valley, wrapping earth and sky in one murky mantle.
+
+'There, did you hear that?' cried one; 'that was artillery.'
+
+A pause followed, each ear was bent to listen, and not a word was
+uttered for full a minute or more; the immense host, as if swayed by
+the one impulse, strained to catch the sounds, when suddenly, from the
+direction of the mountain top, there came a rattling, crashing noise,
+followed by the dull, deep booming that every soldier's heart responds
+to What a cheer then burst forth! never did I hear--never may I
+hear--such a cry as that was; it was like the wild yell of a shipwrecked
+crew, as some distant sail hove in sight; and yet, through its cadence,
+there rang the mad lust for vengeance! Yes, in all the agonies of
+sinking strength, with fever in their hearts, and the death sweat on
+their cheeks, their cry was Blood! The puny shout, for such it seemed
+now, was drowned in the deafening crash that now was heard; peal after
+peal shook the air, the same rattling, peppering noise of musketry
+continuing through all.
+
+That the French were in strong force, as well as the enemy, there could
+now be no doubt. Nothing but a serious affair and a stubborn resistance
+could warrant such a fire. It had every semblance of an attack with all
+arms. The roar of the heavy guns made the air vibrate, and the clatter
+of small-arms was incessant. How each of us filled up the picture from
+the impulses of his own fancy! Some said that the French were still
+behind the mountain, and storming the heights of the Borghetto; others
+thought that they had gained the summit, but not _en force_, and were
+only contesting their position there; and a few, more sanguine, of whom
+I was one myself, imagined that they were driving the Austrians down the
+Apennines, cleaving their ranks, as they went, with their artillery.
+
+Each new crash, every momentary change of direction of the sounds,
+favoured this opinion or that, and the excitement of partisanship rose
+to an immense height. What added indescribably to the interest of the
+scene, was a group of Austrian officers on horseback, who, in their
+eagerness to obtain tidings, had ridden beyond their lines, and were
+now standing almost within musket range of us. We could see that their
+telescopes were turned to the eventful spot, and we gloried to think of
+the effect the scene must have been producing on them.
+
+'They've seen enough!' cried one of our fellows, laughing, while he
+pointed to the horsemen, who, suddenly wheeling about, galloped back to
+their camp at full speed.
+
+'You 'll have the drums beat to arms now; there's little time to lose.
+Our cuirassiers will soon be upon them,' cried another, in ecstasy.
+
+'No, but the rain will, and upon us, too,' said Giorgio, who had
+now come up; 'don't you see that it's not a battle yonder, it's a
+_burrasca_. There it comes.' And as if the outstretched finger of the
+dwarf had been the wand of a magician, the great cloud was suddenly torn
+open with a crash, and the rain descended like a deluge, swept along by
+a hurricane wind, and came in vast sheets of water, while high over our
+heads, and moving onward towards the sea, growled the distant thunder.
+The great mountain was now visible from base to summit, but not a
+soldier, not a gun, to be seen! Swollen and yellow, the gushing torrents
+leaped madly from crag to crag, and crashing trees, and falling rocks,
+added their wild sounds to the tumult.
+
+There we stood, mute and sorrow-struck, regardless of the seething rain,
+unconscious of anything save our disappointment. The hope we built upon
+had left us, and the dreary scene of storm around seemed but a type of
+our own future! And yet we could not turn away, but with eyes strained
+and aching, gazed at the spot from where our succour should have come.
+
+I looked up at the watch-tower, and there was Massena still, his arms
+folded, on a battlement; he seemed to be deep in thought. At last
+he arose, and, drawing his cloak across his face, descended the
+winding-stair outside the tower. His step was slow, and more than once
+he halted, as if to think. When he reached the walls, he walked rapidly
+on, his suite following him.
+
+'Ah, Monsieur Tiernay,' said he, as he passed me, 'you know what an
+Apennine storm is now; but it will cool the air and give us delicious
+weather'; and so he passed on with an easy smile.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVII. MONTE DI PACCIO
+
+The disappointment we had suffered was not the only circumstance adverse
+to our expedition. The rain had now swollen the smallest rivulets to
+the size of torrents; in many places the paths would be torn away and
+obliterated, and everywhere the difficulty of a night march enormously
+increased. Giorgio, however, who was, perhaps, afraid of forfeiting his
+reward, assured the general that these mountain streams subside even
+more rapidly than they rise; that such was the dryness of the soil, no
+trace of rain would be seen by sunset, and that we should have a calm,
+starry night; the very thing we wanted for our enterprise.
+
+We did not need persuasion to believe all he said--the opinion chimed in
+with our own wishes, and, better still, was verified to the very
+letter by a glorious afternoon. Landward, the spectacle was perfectly
+enchanting; the varied foliage of the Apennines, refreshed by the rain,
+glittered and shone in the sun's rays, while in the bay, the fleet, with
+sails hung out to dry, presented a grand and an imposing sight. Better
+than all, Monte Faccio now appeared quite near us; we could, even with
+the naked eye, perceive all the defences, and were able to detect a
+party of soldiers at work outside the walls, clearing, as it seemed,
+some watercourse that had been impeded by the storm. Unimportant as the
+labour was, we watched it anxiously, for we thought that perhaps before
+another sunset many a brave fellow's blood might dye that earth. During
+the whole of that day, from some cause or other, not a shot had been
+fired either from the land-batteries or the fleet, and as though a truce
+had been agreed to, we sat watching each other's movements peacefully
+and calmly.
+
+'The Austrians would seem to have been as much deceived as ourselves,
+sir,' said an old artillery sergeant to me, as I strolled along the
+walls at nightfall. 'The pickets last night were close to the glacis,
+but see, now they have fallen back a gunshot or more.'
+
+'But they had time enough since to have resumed their old position,'
+said I, half doubting the accuracy of the surmise.
+
+'Time enough, _parbleu!_ I should think so too! but when the white-coats
+manoeuvre, they write to Vienna to ask, "What's to be done next?"'
+
+This passing remark, in which, with all its exaggeration, there lay a
+germ of truth, was the universal judgment of our soldiers on those of
+the Imperial army; and to the prevalence of the notion may be ascribed
+much of that fearless indifference with which small divisions of ours
+attacked whole army corps of the enemy. Bonaparte was the first to point
+out this slowness, and to turn it to the best advantage.
+
+'If our general ever intended a sortie, this would be the night for it,
+sir,' resumed he; 'the noise of those mountain streams would mask the
+sounds of a march, and even cavalry, if led with caution, might be in
+upon them before they were aware.'
+
+This speech pleased me, not only for the judgment it conveyed, but as an
+assurance that our expedition was still a secret in the garrison.
+
+On questioning the sergeant further, I was struck to find that he had
+abandoned utterly all hope of ever seeing France again; such, he told
+me, was the universal feeling of the soldiery. 'We know well, sir,
+that Massena is not the man to capitulate, and we cannot expect to
+be relieved' And yet with this stern, comfortless conviction on their
+minds--with hunger, and famine, and pestilence on every side--they never
+uttered one word of complaint, not even a murmur of remonstrance. What
+would Moreau's fellows say of us? What would the army of the Meuse
+think? These were the ever-present arguments against surrender; and
+the judgment of their comrades was far more terrible to them than the
+grapeshot of the enemy.
+
+'But do you not think, when Bonaparte crosses the Alps, he will hasten
+to our relief?'
+
+'Not he, sir! I know him well. I was in the same troop with him, a
+bombardier at the same gun. Bonaparte will never go after small game
+where there's a nobler prey before him. If he does cross the Alps, he'll
+be for a great battle under Milan; or, mayhap, march on Venice. He's
+not thinking of our starved battalions here; he's planning some great
+campaign, depend on it. He never faced the Alps to succour Genoa.'
+
+How true was this appreciation of the great general's ambition, I need
+scarcely repeat; but so it was at the time; many were able to guess the
+bold aspirings of one who, to the nation, seemed merely one among the
+numerous candidates for fame and honours.
+
+It was about an hour after my conversation with the sergeant, that an
+orderly came to summon me to Colonel de Barres quarters; and with all
+my haste to obey, I only arrived as the column was formed. The plan of
+attack was simple enough. Three Voltigeur companies were to attempt the
+assault of the Monte Facoio, under De Barre; while, to engage attention,
+and draw off the enemy's force, a strong body of infantry and cavalry
+was to debouch on the Chiavari road, as though to force a passage in
+that direction. In all that regarded secrecy and despatch our expedition
+was perfect; and as we moved silently through the streets, the sleeping
+citizens never knew of our march. Arrived at the gate, the column
+halted, to give us time to pass along the walls and descend the glen, an
+operation which, it was estimated, would take forty-five minutes; at the
+expiration of this they were to issue forth to the feint attack.
+
+At a quick step we now pressed forward towards the angle of the bastion,
+whence many a path led down the cliff in all directions. Half a dozen of
+our men, well acquainted with the spot, volunteered as guides, and the
+muskets being slung on the back, the word was given to 'move on,' the
+rallying-place being the plateau of the orange-trees I have already
+mentioned.
+
+'Steep enough this,' said De Barre to me, as, holding on by briers and
+brambles, we slowly descended the gorge; 'but few of us will ever climb
+it again.'
+
+'You think so?' asked I, in some surprise.
+
+'Of course, I know it,' said he. 'Vallence, who commands the battalions
+below, always condemned the scheme; rely on it, he's not the man to make
+himself out a false prophet. I don't pretend to tell you that in our
+days of monarchy there were neither jealousies nor party grudges, and
+that men were above all small and ungenerous rivalry; but, assuredly, we
+had less of them than now. If the field of competition is more open to
+every one, so are the arts by which success is won; a preeminence in a
+republic means always the ruin of a rival If we fail, as fail we must,
+he'll be a general.'
+
+'But why must we fail?'
+
+'For every reason; we are not in force; we know nothing of what we are
+about to attack; and, if repulsed, have no retreat behind us.'
+
+'Then why----?' I stopped, for already I saw the impropriety of my
+question.
+
+'Why did I advise the attack?' said he mildly, taking up my half-uttered
+question. 'Simply because death outside these walls is quicker and more
+glorious than within them. There's scarcely a man who follows us has not
+the same sentiment in his heart. The terrible scenes of the last
+five weeks have driven our fellows to all but mutiny. Nothing indeed
+maintained discipline but a kind of tigerish thirst for vengeance--a
+hope that the day of reckoning would come round, and one fearful lesson
+teach these same white-coats how dangerous it is to drive a brave enemy
+to despair.'
+
+De Barre continued to talk in this strain as we descended, every remark
+he made being uttered with all the coolness of one who talked of a
+matter indifferent to him. At length the way became too steep for much
+converse, and slipping and scrambling we now only interchanged a chance
+word as we went. Although two hundred and fifty men were around and
+about us, not a voice was heard; and, except the occasional breaking of
+a branch, or the occasional fall of some heavy stone into the valley,
+not a sound was heard. At length a long, shrill whistle announced that
+the first man had reached the bottom, which, to judge from the faintness
+of the sound, appeared yet a considerable distance off. The excessive
+darkness increased the difficulty of the way, and De Barre continued
+to repeat--'that we had certainly been misinformed, and that even in
+daylight the descent would take an hour.'
+
+It was full half an hour after this when we came to a small rivulet, the
+little boundary line between the two steep cliffs. Here our men were all
+assembled, refreshing themselves with the water, still muddy from recent
+rain, and endeavouring to arrange equipments and arms, damaged and
+displaced by many a fall.
+
+'We 've taken an hour and twenty-eight minutes,' said De Barre, as he
+placed a firefly on the glass of his watch, to see the hour. 'Now, men,
+let us make up for lost time. _En avant!_
+
+'_En avant!_,' was quickly passed from mouth to mouth, and never was
+a word more spirit-stirring to Frenchmen! With all the alacrity of men
+fresh and 'eager for the fray,' they began the ascent, and such was the
+emulous ardour to be first, that it assumed all the features of a race.
+
+A close pine wood greatly aided us now, and, in less time than we
+could believe it possible, we reached the plateau appointed for our
+rendezvous. This being the last spot of meeting before our attack on the
+fort, the final dispositions were here settled on, and the orders for
+the assault arranged. With daylight, the view from this terrace, for
+such it was in reality, would have been magnificent, for even now, in
+the darkness, we could track out the great thoroughfares of the city,
+follow the windings of the bay and harbour, and, by the lights on board,
+detect the fleet as it lay at anchor. To the left, and for many a mile,
+as it seemed, were seen twinkling the bivouac fires of the Austrian
+army; while directly above our heads, glittering like a red star, shone
+the solitary gleam that marked out the 'Monte Faccio.'
+
+I was standing silently at De Barre's side, looking on this sombre
+scene, so full of terrible interest, when he clutched my arm violently,
+and whispered--'Look yonder; see, the attack has begun.'
+
+The fire of the artillery had flashed as he spoke, and now, with his
+very words, the deafening roar of the guns was heard from below.
+
+'I told you he'd not wait for us, Tiernay. I told you how it would
+happen!' cried he; then suddenly recovering his habitual composure of
+voice and manner, he said, 'Now for our part, men; forwards!'
+
+And away went the brave fellows, tearing up the steep mountain-side,
+like an assault party at a breach. Though hidden from our view by the
+darkness and the dense wood, we could hear the incessant din of large
+and small arms; the roll of the drums summoning men to their quarters,
+and what we thought were the cheers of charging squadrons.
+
+Such was the mad feeling of excitement these sounds produced, that I
+cannot guess what time elapsed before we found ourselves on the crest of
+the mountain, and not above three hundred paces from the outworks of
+the fort. The trees had been cut away on either side, so as to offer
+a species of glacis, and this must be crossed under the fire of the
+batteries, before an attack could be commenced. Fortunately for us,
+however, the garrison was too confident of its security to dread a _coup
+de main_ from the side of the town, and had placed all their guns along
+the bastion, towards Borghetto, and this De Barre immediately detected.
+A certain 'alert' on the walls, however, and a quick movement of lights
+here and there, showed that they had become aware of the sortie from
+the town, and gradually we could see figure after figure ascending the
+walls, as if to peer down into the valley beneath.
+
+'You see what Vallence has done for us,' said De Barre bitterly; 'but
+for him we should have taken these fellows, _en flagrant delit_, and
+carried their walls before they could turn out a captain's guard.'
+
+As he spoke a heavy crashing sound was heard, and a wild cheer. Already
+our pioneers had gained the gate, and were battering away at it; another
+party had reached the walls, and thrown up their rope-ladders, and
+the attack was opened. In fact, Giorgio had led one division by a path
+somewhat shorter than ours, and they had begun the assault before we
+issued from the pine wood.
+
+We now came up at a run, but under a smart fire from the walls, already
+fast crowding with men. Defiling close beneath the wall, we gained the
+gate, just as it had fallen beneath the assaults of our men. A steep
+covered way led up from it, and along this our fellows rushed madly;
+but suddenly from the gloom a red glare flashed out, and a terrible
+discharge of grape swept all before it. 'Lie down!' was now shouted from
+front to rear, but even before the order could be obeyed another and
+more fatal volley followed.
+
+Twice we attempted to storm the ascent; but wearied by the labour of the
+mountain pass--worn out by fatigue--and, worse still, weak from actual
+starvation, our men faltered! It was not fear, nor was there anything
+akin to it; for even as they fell under the thick fire their shrill
+cheers breathed stern defiance. They were utterly exhausted, and failing
+strength could do no more! De Barre took the lead, sword in hand,
+and with one of those wild appeals that soldiers never hear in vain,
+addressed them; but the next moment his shattered corpse was carried
+to the rear. The scaling party, alike repulsed, had now defiled to
+our support; but the death-dealing artillery swept through us without
+ceasing. Never was there a spectacle so terrible as to see men, animated
+by courageous devotion, burning with glorious zeal, and yet powerless
+from very debility--actually dropping from the weakness of famine! The
+staggering step--the faint shout--the powerless charge--all showing the
+ravages of pestilence and want!
+
+Some sentiment of compassion must have engaged our enemies' sympathy,
+for twice they relaxed their fire, and only resumed it as we returned to
+the attack. One fearful discharge of grape, at pistol range, now seemed
+to have closed the struggle; and as the smoke cleared away, the earth
+was seen crowded with dead and dying. The broken ranks no longer showed
+discipline--men gathered in groups around their wounded comrades, and,
+to all seeming, indifferent to the death that menaced them. Scarcely an
+officer survived, and, among the dead beside me, I recognised
+Giorgio, who still knelt in the attitude in which he had received his
+death-wound.
+
+I was like one in some terrible dream, powerless and terror-stricken, as
+I stood thus amid the slaughtered and the wounded.
+
+'You are my prisoner,' said a gruff-looking old Groat grenadier, as
+he snatched my sword from my hand by a smart blow on the wrist; and I
+yielded without a word.
+
+'Is it over?' said I; 'is it over?'
+
+'Yes, _parbleu!_ I think it is,' said a comrade, whose cheek was hanging
+down from a bayonet wound. 'There are not twenty of us remaining, and
+they will do very little for the service of the "Great Republic'"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVIII. A ROYALIST 'DE LA VIEILLE ROCHE'
+
+On a hot and sultry day of June I found myself seated in a country cart,
+and under the guard of two mounted dragoons, wending my way towards
+Kuffstein, a Tyrol fortress, to which I was sentenced as a prisoner. A
+weary journey was it; for in addition to my now sad thoughts I had to
+contend against an attack of ague, which I had just caught, and which
+was then raging like a plague in the Austrian camp. One solitary
+reminiscence, and that far from a pleasant one, clings to this period.
+We had halted on the outskirts of a little village called 'Broletto,'
+for the siesta, and there, in a clump of olives, were quietly dozing
+away the sultry hours, when the clatter of horsemen awoke us; and on
+looking up, we saw a cavalry escort sweep past at a gallop. The corporal
+who commanded our party hurried into the village to learn the news, and
+soon returned with the tidings that 'a great victory had been gained
+over the French, commanded by Bonaparte in person; that the army was in
+full retreat; and this was the despatch an officer of Melas' staff was
+now hastening to lay at the feet of the emperor.'
+
+'I thought several times this morning,' said the corporal, 'that I heard
+artillery; and so it seems I might, for we are not above twenty miles
+from where the battle was fought.'
+
+'And how is the place called?' asked I, in a tone sceptical enough to be
+offensive.
+
+'Marengo,' replied he; 'mayhap, the name will not escape your memory.'
+
+How true was the surmise, but in how different a sense from what he
+uttered it! But so it was; even as late as four o'clock the victory
+was with the Austrians. Three separate envoys had left the field with
+tidings of success; and it was only late at night that the general,
+exhausted by a disastrous day, and almost broken-hearted, could write to
+tell his master that 'Italy was lost.'
+
+I have many a temptation here to diverge from a line that I set down for
+myself in these memoirs, and from which as yet I have not wandered--I
+mean, not to dwell upon events wherein I was not myself an actor; but
+I am determined still to adhere to my rule, and, leaving that glorious
+event behind me, plod wearily along my journey.
+
+Day after day we journeyed through a country teeming with abundance:
+vast plains of corn and maize, olives and vines, everywhere--on the
+mountains, the crags, the rocks, festooned over cliffs, and spreading
+their tangled networks over cottages; and yet everywhere poverty,
+misery, and debasement, ruined villages, and a half-naked, starving
+populace, met the eye at every turn. There was the stamp of slavery on
+all, and still more palpably was there the stamp of despotism in the air
+of their rulers.
+
+If any spot can impress the notion of impregnability it is Kuffstein.
+Situated on an eminence of rock over the Inn, three sides of the base
+are washed by that rapid river. A little village occupies the fourth;
+and from this the supplies are hoisted up to the garrison above by
+cranes and pulleys--the only approach being by a path wide enough for
+a single man, and far too steep and difficult of access to admit of his
+carrying any burthen, however light. All that science and skill could do
+is added to the natural strength of the position, and from every surface
+of the vast rock itself the projecting mouths of guns and mortars show
+resources of defence it would seem madness to attack.
+
+Three thousand men, under the command of General Urleben, held this
+fortress at the time I speak of, and by their habits of discipline
+and vigilance showed that no over-security would make them neglect the
+charge of so important a trust. I was the first French prisoner that had
+ever been confined within the walls, and to the accident of my uniform
+was I indebted for this distinction. I have mentioned that in Genoa they
+gave me a staff-officer's dress and appointments, and from this
+casual circumstance it was supposed that I should know a great deal of
+Massena's movements and intentions, and that by judicious management I
+might be induced to reveal it.
+
+General Urleben, who had been brought up in France, was admirably
+calculated to have promoted such an object were it practicable. He
+possessed the most winning address as well as great personal advantages,
+and although now past the middle of life, was reputed one of the
+handsomest men in Austria. He at once invited me to his table, and
+having provided me with a delightful little chamber, from whence the
+view extended for miles along the Inn, he sent me stores of books,
+journals, and newspapers, French, English, and German, showing by the
+very candour of their tidings a most flattering degree of confidence and
+trust.
+
+If imprisonment could ever be endurable with resignation, mine ought to
+have been so. My mornings were passed in weeding or gardening a little
+plot of ground outside my window, giving me ample occupation in that
+way, and rendering carnations and roses dearer to me, through all my
+after-life, than without such associations they would ever have been.
+Then I used to sketch for hours, from the walls, bird's-eye views,
+prisoner's glimpses, of the glorious Tyrol scenery below us. Early
+in the afternoon came dinner; and then, with the general's pleasant
+converse, a cigar, and a chess-board, the time wore smoothly on till
+nightfall.
+
+An occasional thunderstorm, grander and more sublime than anything I
+have ever seen elsewhere, would now and then vary a life of calm but not
+unpleasant monotony; and occasionally, too, some passing escort, on
+the way to or from Vienna, would give tidings of the war; but except in
+these, each day was precisely like the other, so that when the almanac
+told me it was autumn, I could scarcely believe a single month had
+glided over. I will not attempt to conceal the fact, that the inglorious
+idleness of my life, this term of inactivity at an age when hope, and
+vigour, and energy were highest within me, was a grievous privation;
+but, except in these regrets, I could almost call this time a happy
+one. The unfortunate position in which I started in life gave me little
+opportunity, or even inclination for learning. Except the little Pere
+Michel had taught me, I knew nothing. I need not say that this was but
+a sorry stock of education, even at that period, when, I must say, the
+sabre was more in vogue than the grammar.
+
+I now set steadily about repairing this deficiency. General Urleben lent
+me all his aid, directing my studies, supplying me with books, and
+at times affording me the still greater assistance of his counsel and
+advice. To history generally, but particularly that of France, he made
+me pay the deepest attention, and seemed never to weary while impressing
+upon me the grandeur of our former monarchies, and the happiness of
+France when ruled by her legitimate sovereigns.
+
+I had told him all that I knew myself of my birth and family, and
+frequently would he allude to the subject of my reading, by saying, 'The
+son of an old "Garde du Corps" needs no commentary when perusing such
+details as these. Your own instincts tell you how nobly these servants
+of a monarchy bore themselves--what chivalry lived at that time in men's
+hearts, and how generous and self-denying was their loyalty.'
+
+Such and such like were the expressions which dropped from him from time
+to time; nor was their impression the less deep when supported by the
+testimony of the memoirs with which he supplied me. Even in deeds of
+military glory the Monarchy could compete with the Republic, and Urleben
+took care to insist upon a fact I was never unwilling to concede--that
+the well born were ever foremost in danger, no matter whether the banner
+was a white one or a tricolour.
+
+'Le bon sang ne peut pas mentir' was an adage I never disputed, although
+certainly I never expected to hear it employed to the disparagement of
+those to whom it did not apply.
+
+As the winter set in I saw less of the general. He was usually much
+occupied in the mornings, and at evenings he was accustomed to go
+down to the village, where, of late, some French _emigre_ families
+had settled--unhappy exiles, who had both peril and poverty to contend
+against! Many such were scattered through the Tyrol at that period, both
+for the security and the cheapness it afforded. Of these, Urleben rarely
+spoke; some chance allusion, when borrowing a book or taking away a
+newspaper, being the extent to which he ever referred to them.
+
+One morning, as I sat sketching on the walls, he came up to me and said,
+'Strange enough, Tiernay, last night I was looking at a view of this
+very scene, only taken from another point of sight; both were correct,
+accurate in every detail, and yet most dissimilar--what a singular
+illustration of many of our prejudices and opinions! The sketch I speak
+of was made by a young countrywoman of yours--a highly gifted lady, who
+little thought that the accomplishments of her education were one day
+to be the resources of her livelihood. Even so,' said he, sighing, 'a
+marquise of the best blood of France is reduced to sell her drawings!'
+
+As I expressed a wish to see the sketches in question, he volunteered
+to make the request if I would send some of mine in return; and thus
+accidentally grew up a sort of intercourse between myself and the
+strangers, which gradually extended to books and music, and, lastly, to
+civil messages and inquiries of which the general was ever the bearer.
+
+What a boon was all this to me! What a sun-ray through the bars of
+a prisoner's cell was this gleam of kindness and sympathy! The very
+similarity of our pursuits, too, had something inexpressibly pleasing in
+it, and I bestowed ten times as much pains upon each sketch, now that I
+knew to whose eyes it would be submitted.
+
+'Do you know, Tiernay,' said the general to me, one day, 'I am about to
+incur a very heavy penalty in your behalf--I am going to contravene the
+strict orders of the War Office, and take you along with me this evening
+down to the village.'
+
+I started with surprise and delight together, and could not utter a
+word.
+
+'I know perfectly well,' continued he, 'that you will not abuse my
+confidence. I ask, then, for nothing beyond your word, that you will
+not make any attempt at escape; for this visit may lead to others, and I
+desire, so far as possible, that you should feel as little constraint as
+a prisoner well may.'
+
+I readily gave the pledge required, and he went on--'I have no cautions
+to give you, nor any counsels--Madame d'Aigreville is a Royalist.'
+
+'She is madame, then!' said I, in a voice of some disappointment.
+
+'Yes, she is a widow, but her niece is unmarried,' said he, smiling
+at my eagerness. I affected to hear the tidings with unconcern, but a
+burning flush covered my cheek, and I felt as uncomfortable as possible.
+
+I dined that day as usual with the general, adjourning after dinner to
+the little drawing-room, where we played our chess. Never did he
+appear to me so tedious in his stories, so intolerably tiresome in
+his digressions, as that evening. He halted at every move--he had some
+narrative to recount, or some observation to make, that delayed our
+game to an enormous time; and at last, on looking out of the window, he
+fancied there was a thunderstorm brewing, and that we should do well to
+put off our visit to a more favourable opportunity.
+
+'It is little short of half a league,' said he, 'to the village, and in
+bad weather is worse than double the distance.'
+
+I did not dare to controvert his opinion, but, fortunately, a gleam of
+sunshine shot, the same moment, through the window, and proclaimed a
+fair evening.
+
+Heaven knows I had suffered little of a prisoner's durance--my life had
+been one of comparative freedom and ease; and yet, I cannot tell the
+swelling emotion of my heart with which I emerged from the deep archway
+of the fortress, and heard the bang of the heavy gate as it closed
+behind me. Steep as was the path, I felt as if I could have bounded
+down it without a fear! The sudden sense of liberty was maddening in
+its excitement, and I half suspect that had I been on horseback in that
+moment of wild delight, I should have forgotten all my plighted word and
+parole, though I sincerely trust that the madness would not have endured
+beyond a few minutes. If there be among my readers one who has known
+imprisonment, he will forgive this confession of a weakness, which to
+others of less experience will seem unworthy, perhaps dishonourable.
+
+Dorf Kuffstein was a fair specimen of the picturesque simplicity of
+a Tyrol village. There were the usual number of houses, with carved
+galleries and quaint images in wood, the shrines and altars, the little
+'platz,' for Sunday recreation, and the shady alley for rifle practice.
+
+There were also the trellised walks of vines, and the orchards; in the
+midst of one of which we now approached a long, low farmhouse, whose
+galleries projected over the river. This was the abode of Madame
+d'Aigreville.
+
+A peasant was cleaning a little mountain pony, from which a side-saddle
+had just been removed as we came up, and he, leaving his work, proceeded
+to ask us into the house, informing us, as he went, that the ladies had
+just returned from a long ramble, and would be with us presently.
+
+The drawing-room into which we were shown was a perfect picture of
+cottage elegance; all the furniture was of polished walnut-wood, and
+kept in the very best condition. It opened by three spacious windows
+upon the terrace above the river, and afforded a view of mountain and
+valley for miles on every side. An easel was placed on this gallery, and
+a small sketch in oils of Kuffstein was already nigh completed on it.
+There were books, too, in different languages, and, to my inexpressible
+delight, a piano!
+
+The reader will smile, perhaps, at the degree of pleasure objects so
+familiar and everyday called forth; but let him remember how removed
+were all the passages of my life from such civilising influences--how
+little of the world had I seen beyond camps and barrack-rooms, and how
+ignorant I was of the charm which a female presence can diffuse over
+even the very humblest abode.
+
+Before I had well ceased to wonder, and admire these objects, the
+marquise entered.
+
+A tall and stately old lady, with an air at once haughty and gracious,
+received me with a profound curtsy, while she extended her hand to the
+salute of the general She was dressed in deep mourning, and wore
+her white hair in two braids along her face. The sound of my native
+language, with its native accent, made me forget the almost profound
+reserve of her manner, and I was fast recovering from the constraint her
+coldness imposed, when her niece entered the room. Mademoiselle, who was
+at that time about seventeen, but looked older by a year or two, was the
+very ideal of brunette beauty; she was dark-eyed and black-haired, with
+a mouth the most beautifully formed; her figure was light, and her foot
+a model of shape and symmetry. All this I saw in an instant, as she
+came, half-sliding, half-bounding, to meet the general; and then turning
+to me, welcomed me with a cordial warmth, very different from the
+reception of Madame la Marquise.
+
+Whether it was the influence of her presence, whether it was a partial
+concession of the old lady's own, or whether my own awkwardness was
+wearing off by time, I cannot say--but gradually the stiffness of the
+interview began to diminish. From the scenery around us we grew to talk
+of the Tyrol generally, then of Switzerland, and lastly of France. The
+marquise came from Auvergne, and was justly proud of the lovely scenery
+of her birthplace.
+
+Calmly and tranquilly as the conversation had been carried on up to
+this period, the mention of France seemed to break down the barrier of
+reserve within the old lady's mind, and she burst out in a wild flood
+of reminiscences of the last time she had seen her native village. 'The
+Blues,' as the revolutionary soldiers were called, had come down
+upon the quiet valley, carrying fire and carnage into a once peaceful
+district. The chateau of her family was razed to the ground; her husband
+was shot upon his own terrace; the whole village was put to the sword;
+her own escape was owing to the compassion of the gardener's wife, who
+dressed her like a peasant boy, and employed her in a menial station, a
+condition she was forced to continue so long as the troops remained in
+the neighbourhood. 'Yes,' said she, drawing off her silk mittens, 'these
+hands still witness the hardships I speak of. These are the marks of my
+servitude.'
+
+It was in vain the general tried at first to sympathise, and then
+withdraw her from the theme; in vain her niece endeavoured to suggest
+another topic, or convey a hint that the subject might be unpleasing
+to me. It was the old lady's one absorbing idea, and she could not
+relinquish it. Whole volumes of the atrocities perpetrated by the
+revolutionary soldiery came to her recollection; each moment as she
+talked, memory would recall this fact or the other, and so she continued
+rattling on with the fervour of a heated imagination, and the wild
+impetuosity of a half-crazed intellect. As for myself, I suffered far
+more from witnessing the pain others felt for me, than from any offence
+the topic occasioned me directly. These events were all 'before my
+time.' I was neither a Blue by birth nor by adoption; a child during the
+period of revolution, I had only taken a man's part when the country,
+emerging from its term of anarchy and blood, stood at bay against the
+whole of Europe. These consolations were, however, not known to the
+others, and it was at last, in a moment of unendurable agony, that
+mademoiselle rose and left the room.
+
+The general's eyes followed her as she went, and then sought mine with
+an expression full of deep meaning. If I read his look aright, it
+spoke patience and submission; and the lesson was an easier one than he
+thought.
+
+'They talk of heroism,' cried she frantically--'it was massacre!
+And when they speak of chivalry they mean the slaughter of women and
+children!' She looked round, and seeing that her niece had left the
+room, suddenly dropped her voice to a whisper, and said, 'Think of her
+mother's fate, dragged from her home, her widowed, desolate home, and
+thrown into the Temple, outraged and insulted, condemned on a mock
+trial, and then carried away to the guillotine! Ay, and even then, on
+that spot which coming death might have sanctified, in that moment when
+even fiendish vengeance can turn away and leave its victim at liberty
+to utter a last prayer in peace, even then, these wretches devised an
+anguish greater than all death could compass. You will scarcely believe
+me,' said she, drawing in her breath, and talking with an almost
+convulsive effort, 'you will scarcely believe me in what I am now about
+to tell you, but it is the truth--the simple but horrible truth. When my
+sister mounted the scaffold there was no priest to administer the last
+rites. It was a time, indeed, when few were left; their hallowed heads
+had fallen in thousands before that. She waited for a few minutes,
+hoping that one would appear; and when the mob learned the meaning of
+her delay, they set up a cry of fiendish laughter, and with a blasphemy
+that makes one shudder to think of, they pushed forward a boy, one of
+those blood-stained _gamins_ of the streets, and made him gabble a mock
+litany! Yes, it is true--a horrible mockery of our service, in the ears
+and before the eyes of that dying saint.'
+
+'When? in what year? in what place was that?' cried I, in an agony of
+eagerness.
+
+'I can give you both time and place, sir,' said the marquise, drawing
+herself proudly up, for she construed my question into a doubt of her
+veracity. 'It was in the year 1703, in the month of August; and as for
+the place, it was one well seasoned to blood--the Place de Greve at
+Paris.'
+
+A fainting sickness came over me as I heard these words; the dreadful
+truth flashed across me that the victim was the Marquise d'Estelles, and
+the boy on whose infamy she dwelt so strongly, no other than myself.
+For the moment, it was nothing to me that she had not identified me with
+this atrocity; I felt no consolation in the thought that I was unknown
+and unsuspected. The heavy weight of the indignant accusation almost
+crushed me. Its falsehood I knew, and yet could I dare to disprove it?
+Could I hazard the consequences of an avowal, which all my subsequent
+pleadings could never obliterate. Even were my innocence established in
+one point, what a position did it reduce me to in every other!
+
+These struggles must have manifested themselves strongly in my looks,
+for the marquise, with all her self-occupation, remarked how ill I
+seemed. 'I see sir,' cried she, 'that all the ravages of war have not
+steeled your heart against true piety; my tale has moved you strongly.'
+I muttered something in concurrence, and she went on. 'Happily for you,
+you were but a child when such scenes were happening. Not, indeed, that
+childhood was always unstained in those days of blood; but you were, as
+I understand, the son of a "Garde du Corps," one of those loyal men who
+sealed their devotion with their life. Were you in Paris then?'
+
+'Yes, madam,' said I briefly.
+
+'With your mother, perhaps?'
+
+'I was quite alone, madam--an orphan on both sides.'
+
+'What was your mother's family name?'
+
+Here was a puzzle; but at a hazard I resolved to claim her who should
+sound best to the ears of La Marquise. 'La Lasterie, madam,' said I.
+
+'La Lasterie de la Vignoble--a most distinguished house, sir. Provencal,
+and of the purest blood. Auguste de la Lasterie married the daughter of
+the Duke de Miriancourt, a cousin of my husband's, and there was another
+of them who went as ambassador to Madrid.'
+
+I knew none of them, and I suppose I looked as much.
+
+'Your mother was, probably, of the elder branch, sir?' asked she.
+
+I had to stammer out a most lamentable confession of my ignorance.
+
+'Not know your own kinsfolk, sir--not your nearest of blood!' cried she,
+in amazement. 'General, have you heard this strange avowal? or is it
+possible that my ears have deceived me?'
+
+'Please to remember, madam,' said I submissively, 'the circumstances in
+which I passed my infancy. My father fell by the guillotine.'
+
+'And his son wears the uniform of those who slew him!'
+
+'Of a French soldier, madam, proud of the service he belongs to;
+glorying to be one of the first army in Europe.'
+
+'An army without a cause is a banditti, sir. Your soldiers, without
+loyalty, are without a banner.'
+
+'We have a country, madam.'
+
+'I must protest against this discussion going further,' said the general
+blandly, while in a lower tone he whispered something in her ear.
+
+'Very true, very true,' said she; 'I had forgotten all that. Monsieur
+de Tiernay, you will forgive me this warmth. An old woman, who has lost
+nearly everything in the world, may have the privilege of bad temper
+accorded her. We are friends now, I hope,' added she, extending her
+hand, and, with a smile of most gracious meaning, beckoning to me to sit
+beside her on the sofa.
+
+Once away from the terrible theme of the Revolution, she conversed with
+much agreeability; and her niece having reappeared, the conversation
+became animated and pleasing. Need I say with what interest I now
+regarded mademoiselle--the object of all my boyish devotion, the same
+whose pale features I had watched for many an hour in the dim half-light
+of the little chapel, her whose image was never absent from my thoughts
+waking or sleeping, and now again appearing before me in all the grace
+of coming womanhood!
+
+Perhaps to obliterate any impression of her aunt's severity--perhaps it
+was mere manner--but I thought there was a degree of anxiety to please
+in her bearing towards me. She spoke, too, as though our acquaintance
+was to be continued by frequent meetings, and dropped hints of
+plans that implied constant intercourse. Even excursions into the
+neighbourhood she spoke of; when, suddenly stopping, she said, 'But
+these are for the season of spring, and before that time Monsieur de
+Tiernay will be far away.'
+
+'Who can tell that?' said I. 'I would seem to be forgotten by my
+comrades.'
+
+'Then you must take care to do that which may refresh their memory,'
+said she pointedly; and before I could question her more closely as to
+her meaning, the general had risen to take his leave.
+
+'Madame la Marquise was somewhat more tart than usual,' said he to me,
+as we ascended the cliff; 'but you have passed the ordeal now, and the
+chances are, she will never offend you in the same way again. Great
+allowances must be made for those who have suffered as she has.
+Family--fortune--station--even country--all lost to her; and even hope
+now dashed by many a disappointment.'
+
+Though puzzled by the last few words, I made no remark on them, and he
+resumed--
+
+'She has invited you to come and see her as often as you are at liberty;
+and, for my part, you shall not be restricted in that way. Go and come
+as you please, only do not infringe the hours of the fortress; and if
+you can concede a little now and then to the prejudices of the old lady,
+your intercourse will be all the more agreeable to both parties.'
+
+'I believe, general, that I have little of the Jacobin to recant,' said
+I, laughing.
+
+'I should go further, my dear friend, and say, none,' added he. 'Your
+uniform is the only tint of "blue" about you.' And thus chatting, we
+reached the fortress, and said good-night.
+
+I have been particular, perhaps tiresomely so, in retelling these broken
+phrases and snatches of conversation; but they were the first matches
+applied to a train that was long and artfully laid.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIX. A SORROWFUL PARTING
+
+The general was as good as his word, and I now enjoyed the most
+unrestricted liberty; in fact, the officers of the garrison said truly,
+that they were far more like prisoners than I was. As regularly as
+evening came, I descended the path to the village, and, as the bell
+tolled out the vespers, I was crossing the little grass-plot to the
+cottage. So regularly was I looked for, that the pursuits of each
+evening were resumed as though only accidentally interrupted. The
+unfinished game of chess, the half-read volume, the newly-begun drawing,
+were taken up where we had left them, and life seemed to have centred
+itself in those delightful hours between sunset and midnight.
+
+I suppose there are few young men who have not, at some time or other
+of their lives, enjoyed similar privileges, and known the fascination of
+intimacy in some household, where the affections became engaged as the
+intellect expanded, and, while winning another's heart, have elevated
+their own. But to know the full charm of such intercourse, one must have
+been as I was--a prisoner--an orphan--almost friendless in the world--a
+very 'waif' upon the shore of destiny. I cannot express the intense
+pleasure these evenings afforded me. The cottage was my home, and more
+than my home. It was a shrine at which my heart worshipped--for I was
+in love! Easy as the confession is to make now, tortures would not have
+wrung it from me then!
+
+In good truth, it was long before I knew it; nor can I guess how much
+longer the ignorance might have lasted, when General Urleben suddenly
+dispelled the clouds, by informing me that he had just received from the
+Minister of War at Vienna a demand for the name, rank, and regiment of
+his prisoner, previous to the negotiation for his exchange.
+
+'You will fill up these blanks, Tiernay,' said he, 'and within a month,
+or less, you will be once more free, and say adieu to Kuffstein.'
+
+Had the paper contained my dismissal from the service, I shame to own
+it would have been more welcome! The last few months had changed all the
+character of my life, suggested new hopes and new ambitions. The career
+I used to glory in had grown distasteful; the comrades I once longed to
+rejoin were now become almost repulsive to my imagination. The marquise
+had spoken much of emigrating to some part of the new world beyond seas,
+and thither my fancy alike pointed. Perhaps my dreams of a future were
+not the less rose-coloured that they received no shadow from anything
+like a 'fact.' The old lady's geographical knowledge was neither
+accurate nor extensive, and she contrived to invest this land of promise
+with old associations of what she once heard of Pondicherry--with
+certain features belonging to the United States. A glorious country it
+would indeed have been, which, within a month's voyage, realised all
+the delights of the tropics, with the healthful vigour of the temperate
+zone, and where, without an effort beyond the mere will, men amassed
+enormous fortunes in a year or two. In a calmer mood, I might, indeed
+must, have been struck with the wild inconsistency of the old lady's
+imaginings, and looked with somewhat of scepticism on the map for that
+spot of earth so richly endowed; but now I believed everything, provided
+it only ministered to my new hopes. Laura evidently, too, believed in
+the 'Canaan' of which, at last, we used to discourse as freely as though
+we had been there. Little discussions would, however, now and then vary
+the uniformity of this creed, and I remember once feeling almost hurt at
+Laura's not agreeing with me about zebras, which I assured her were just
+as trainable as horses, but which the marquise flatly refused ever to
+use in any of her carriages. These were mere passing clouds: the regular
+atmosphere of our wishes was bright and transparent. In the midst of
+these delicious daydreams, there came one day a number of letters to
+the marquise by the hands of a courier on his way to Naples. What their
+contents I never knew, but the tidings seemed most joyful, for the old
+lady invited the general and myself to dinner, when the table was decked
+out with white lilies on all sides; she herself, and Laura also, wearing
+them in bouquets on their dresses.
+
+The occasion had, I could see, something of a celebration about it.
+Mysterious hints to circumstances I knew nothing of were constantly
+interchanged, the whole ending with a solemn toast to the memory of the
+'Saint and Martyr'; but who he was, or when he lived, I knew not one
+single fact about.
+
+That evening--I cannot readily forget it--was the first I had ever an
+opportunity of being alone with Laura! Hitherto the marquise had always
+been beside us; now she had all this correspondence to read over
+with the general, and they both retired into a little boudoir for
+the purpose, while Laura and myself wandered out upon the terrace,
+as awkward and constrained as though our situation had been the most
+provoking thing possible. It was on that same morning I had received the
+general's message regarding my situation, and I was burning with anxiety
+to tell it, and yet knew not exactly how. Laura, too, seemed full of her
+own thoughts, and leaned pensively over the balustrade and gazed on the
+stream.
+
+'What are you thinking of so seriously?' asked I, after a long pause.
+
+'Of long, long ago,' said she, sighing, 'when I was a little child. I
+remember a little chapel like that yonder, only that it was not on a
+rock over a river, but stood in a small garden; and though in a great
+city, it was as lonely and solitary as might be--the Chapelle de St.
+Blois.'
+
+'St. Blois, Laura!' cried I; 'oh, tell me about that!'
+
+'Why, you surely never heard of it before,' said she, smiling. 'It was
+in a remote quarter of Paris, nigh the outer Boulevard, and known to but
+a very few. It had once belonged to our family; for in olden times there
+were chateaux and country-houses within that space, which then was part
+of Paris, and one of our ancestors was buried there. How well I remember
+it all! The dim little aisle, supported on wooden pillars; the simple
+altar, with the oaken crucifix, and the calm, gentle features of the
+poor cure.'
+
+'Can you remember all this so well?' asked I eagerly, for the theme was
+stirring my very heart of hearts.
+
+'All--everything--the straggling, weed-grown garden, through which we
+passed to our daily devotions, the congregation standing respectfully to
+let us walk by, for my mother was still the great Marquise d'Estelles,
+although my father had been executed, and our estates confiscated. They
+who had known us in our prosperity were as respectful and devoted as
+ever; and poor old Richard, the lame sacristan, that used to take my
+mother's bouquet from her, and lay it on the altar; how everything
+stands out clear and distinct before my memory! Nay, Maurice, but I can
+tell you more, for strangely enough, certain things, merely trifles in
+themselves, make impressions that even great events fail to do. There
+was a little boy, a child somewhat older than myself, that used to serve
+the mass with the pere, and he always came to place a footstool or a
+cushion for my mother. Poor little fellow, bashful and diffident he was,
+changing colour at every minute, and trembling in every limb; and when
+he had done his duty, and made his little reverence, with his hands
+crossed on his bosom, he used to fall back into some gloomy corner of
+the church, and stand watching us with an expression of intense wonder
+and pleasure! Yes, I think I see his dark eyes, glistening through the
+gloom, ever fixed on me! I am sure, Maurice, that little fellow fancied
+he was in love with me!'
+
+'And why not, Laura? was the thing so very impossible? was it even so
+unlikely?'
+
+'Not that,' said she archly; 'but think of a mere child; we were both
+mere children; and fancy him, the poor little boy, of some humble house,
+perhaps--of course he must have been that--raising his eyes to the
+daughter of the great "marquise"; what energy of character there must
+have been to have suggested the feeling! how daring he was, with all his
+bashfulness!'
+
+'You never saw him afterwards?'
+
+'Never!'
+
+'Never thought of him, perhaps?'
+
+'I'll not say that,' said she, smiling. 'I have often wondered to myself
+if that hardihood I speak of had borne good or evil fruit. Had he
+been daring or enterprising in the right, or had he, as the sad times
+favoured, been only bold and impetuous for the wrong!'
+
+'And how have you pictured him to your imagination?' said I, as if
+merely following out a fanciful vein of thought.
+
+'My fancy would like to have conceived him a chivalrous adherent to our
+ancient royalty, striving nobly in exile to aid the fortunes of some
+honoured house, or daring, as many brave men have dared, the heroic part
+of La Vendee. My reason, however, tells me that he was far more likely
+to have taken the other part.'
+
+'To which you will concede no favour, Laura; not even the love of
+glory.'
+
+'Glory, like honour, should have its fountain in a monarchy,' cried she
+proudly. 'The rude voices of a multitude can confer no meed of praise.
+Their judgments are the impulses of the moment. But why do we speak of
+these things, Maurice? nor have I, who can but breathe my hopes for a
+cause, the just pretension to contend with you, who shed your blood for
+its opposite.'
+
+As she spoke, she hurried from the balcony, and quitted the room. It was
+the first time, as I have said, that we had ever been alone together,
+and it was also the first time she had ever expressed herself strongly
+on the subject of party. What a moment to have declared her opinions,
+and when her reminiscences, too, had recalled our infancy! How often
+was I tempted to interrupt that confession by declaring myself, and how
+strongly was I repelled by the thought that the avowal might sever us
+for ever! While I was thus deliberating, the marquise, with the general,
+entered the room, and Laura followed in a few moments.
+
+The supper that night was a pleasant one to all save me. The rest were
+gay and high-spirited. Allusions, understood by them but not by me, were
+caught up readily, and as quickly responded to. Toasts were uttered, and
+wishes breathed in concert, but all was like a dream to me. Indeed my
+heart grew*heavier at every moment. My coming departure, of which I had
+not yet spoken, lay drearily on my mind, while the bold decision with
+which Laura declared her faith showed that our destinies were separated
+by an impassable barrier.
+
+It may be supposed that my depression was not relieved by discovering
+that the general had already announced my approaching departure, and the
+news, far from being received with anything like regret, was made
+the theme of pleasant allusion, and even congratulation. The marquise
+repeatedly assured me of the delight the tidings gave her, and Laura
+smiled happily towards me, as if echoing the sentiment.
+
+Was this the feeling I had counted on? were these the evidences of
+an affection for which I had given my whole heart? Oh, how bitterly
+I reviled the frivolous ingratitude of woman! how heavily I condemned
+their heartless, unfeeling nature! In a few days, a few hours, perhaps,
+I shall be as totally forgotten here as though I had never been, and yet
+these are the people who parade their devotion to a fallen monarchy, and
+their affection for an exiled house. I tried to arm myself with every
+prejudice against Royalism. I thought of Santron and his selfish,
+sarcastic spirit. I thought of all the stories I used to hear of
+cowardly ingratitude and noble infamy, and tried to persuade myself that
+the blandishments of the well born were but the gloss that covered cruel
+and unfeeling natures.
+
+For very pride s sake, I tried to assume a manner cool and unconcerned
+as their own. I affected to talk of my departure as a pleasant event,
+and even hinted at the career that Fortune might hereafter open to me.
+In this they seemed to take a deeper interest than I anticipated, and I
+could perceive that more than once the general exchanged looks with
+the ladies most significantly. I fear I grew very impatient at last.
+I grieve to think that I fancied a hundred annoyances that were never
+intended for me, and, when we arose to take leave, I made my adieux with
+a cold and stately reserve, intended to be strongly impressive and cut
+them to the quick.
+
+I heard very little of what the general said as we ascended the cliff.
+I was out of temper with him, and myself, and all the world; and it was
+only when he recalled my attention to the fact, for the third or fourth
+time, that I learned how very kindly he meant by me in the matter of my
+liberation; for while he had forwarded all my papers to Vienna, he was
+quite willing to set me at liberty on the following day, in the perfect
+assurance that my exchange would be confirmed.
+
+'You will thus have a full fortnight at your own disposal, Tiernay,'
+said he, 'since the official answer cannot arrive from Vienna before
+that time, and you need not report yourself in Paris for eight or ten
+days after.'
+
+Here was a boon now thrown away! For my part, I would a thousand times
+rather have lingered on at Kuffstein than have been free to travel
+Europe from one end to the other. My outraged pride, however, put this
+out of the question. La Marquise and her niece had both assumed a manner
+of sincere gratification, and I was resolved not to be behindhand in my
+show of joy. I ought to have known it, said I again and again. I ought
+to have known it. These antiquated notions of birth and blood can never
+co-exist with any generous sentiment. These remnants of a worn-out
+monarchy can never forgive the vigorous energy that has dethroned their
+decrepitude. I did not dare to speculate on what a girl Laura might have
+been under other auspices; how nobly her ambition would have soared;
+what high-souled patriotism she could have felt; how gloriously she
+would have adorned the society of a regenerated nation. I thought of her
+as she was, and could have hated myself for the devotion with which my
+heart regarded her.
+
+I never closed my eyes the entire night. I lay down and walked about
+alternately, my mind in a perfect fever of conflict. Pride, a false
+pride, but not the less strong for that, alone sustained me. The general
+had announced to me that I was free. Be it so; I will no longer be a
+burden on his hospitality. La Marquise hears the tidings with pleasure.
+Agreed, then, we part without regret. Very valorous resolutions they
+were, but come to, I must own, with a very sinking heart and a very
+craven spirit.
+
+Instead of my full uniform, that morning, I put on half dress, showing
+that I was ready for the road; a sign, I had hoped, would have spoken
+unutterable things to La Marquise and Laura.
+
+Immediately after breakfast, I set out for the cottage. All the way, as
+I went, I was drilling myself for the interview by assuming a tone of
+the coolest and easiest indifference. They shall have no triumph over me
+in this respect, muttered I. Let us see if I cannot be as unconcerned
+as they are! To such a pitch had I carried my zeal for flippancy, that I
+resolved to ask them whether they had no commission I could execute
+for them in Paris or elsewhere. The idea struck me as excellent, so
+indicative of perfect self-possession and command. I am sure I must
+have rehearsed our interview at least a dozen times, supplying all the
+stately grandeur of the old lady and all the quiet placitude of Laura.
+
+By the time I reached the village I was quite strong in my part, and
+as I crossed the Platz I was eager to begin it. This energetic spirit,
+however, began to waver a little as I entered the lawn before the
+cottage, and a most uncomfortable throbbing at my side made me stand
+for a moment in the porch before I entered. I used always to make my
+appearance unannounced, but now I felt that it would be more dignified
+and distant were I to summon a servant, and yet I could find none. The
+household was on a very simple scale, and in all likelihood the labours
+of the field or the garden were now employing them. I hesitated what to
+do, and after looking in vain around the _cour_ and the stable-yard, I
+turned into the garden to seek for some one.
+
+I had not proceeded many paces along a little alley, flanked by two
+close hedges of yew, when I heard voices, and at the same instant my own
+name uttered.
+
+'You told him to use caution, Laura; that we know little of this Tiernay
+beyond his own narrative----'
+
+'I told him the very reverse, aunt. I said that he was the son of a
+loyal "Garde du Corps," left an orphan in infancy, and thrown by force
+of events into the service of the Republic; but that every sentiment he
+expressed, every ambition he cherished, and every feeling he displayed,
+was that of a gentleman; nay, further----' But
+
+I did not wait for more, for, striking my sabre heavily on the ground
+to announce my coming, I walked hurriedly forward towards a small arbour
+where the ladies were seated at breakfast.
+
+I need not stop to say how completely all my resolves were routed by the
+few words I had overheard from Laura, nor how thoroughly I recanted all
+my expressions concerning her. So full was I of joy and gratitude, that
+I hastened to salute her before ever noticing the marquise, or being
+conscious of her presence.
+
+The old lady, usually the most exacting of all beings, took my omission
+in good part, and most politely made room for me between herself and
+Laura at the breakfast-table.
+
+'You have come most opportunely, Monsieur de Tiernay,' said she; 'for
+not only were we just speaking of you, but discussing whether or not we
+might ask of you a favour.'
+
+'Does the question admit of a discussion, madame?' said I, bowing.
+
+'Perhaps not, in ordinary circumstances, perhaps not; but-----' she
+hesitated, seemed confused, and looked at Laura, who went on--'My aunt
+would say, sir, that we may be possibly asking too much--that we may
+presume too far.'
+
+'Not on my will to serve you,' I broke in, for her looks said much more
+than her words.
+
+'The matter is this, sir,' said the aunt: 'we have a very valued
+relative----'
+
+'Friend,' interposed Laura, 'friend, aunt.'
+
+'We will say friend, then,' resumed she; 'a friend in whose welfare we
+are deeply interested, and whose regard for us is not less powerful, has
+been for some years back separated from us by the force of those unhappy
+circumstances which have made so many of us exiles! No means have
+existed of communicating with each other, nor of interchanging those
+hopes or fears for our country's welfare which are so near to every
+French heart! He is in Germany, we are in the wild Tyrol, one-half the
+world apart, and dare not trust to a correspondence the utterance of
+those sympathies which have brought so many to the scaffold!'
+
+'We would ask of you to see him, Monsieur de Tiernay, to know him,'
+burst out Laura; 'to tell him all that you can of France--above all, of
+the sentiments of the army; he is a soldier himself, and will hear you
+with pleasure.'
+
+'You may speak freely and frankly,' continued the marquise; 'the count
+is man of the world enough to hear the truth even when it gives pain.
+Your own career will interest him deeply; heroism has always had a charm
+for all his house. This letter will introduce you; and as the general
+informs us you have some days at your own disposal, pray give them to
+our service in this cause.'
+
+'Willingly, madame,' replied I, 'only let me understand a little
+better----'
+
+'There is no need to know more,' interrupted Laura; 'the Count de
+Marsanne will himself suggest everything of which you will talk. He will
+speak of us, perhaps--of the Tyrol--of Kuffstein; then he will lead the
+conversation to France--in fact, once acquainted, you will follow the
+dictates of your own fancy.'
+
+'Just so, Monsieur de Tiernay; it will be a visit with as little of
+ceremony as possible----'
+
+'Aunt!' interrupted Laura, as if recalling the marquise to caution; and
+the old lady at once acknowledged the hint by a significant look.
+
+I see it all, thought I De Marsanne is Laura's accepted lover, and I am
+the person to be employed as go-between. This was intolerable, and when
+the thought first struck me, I was beside myself with passion.
+
+'Are we asking too great a favour, Monsieur de Tiernay?' said the
+marquise, whose eyes were fixed upon me during this conflict.
+
+'Of course not, madame,' said I, in an accent of almost sarcastic tone.
+'If I am not wrong in my impressions, the cause might claim a deeper
+devotion; but this is a theme I would not wish to enter upon.'
+
+'We are aware of that,' said Laura quickly; 'we are quite prepared for
+your reserve, which is perfectly proper and becoming.'
+
+'Your position being one of unusual delicacy,' chimed in the marquise.
+
+I bowed haughtily and coldly, while the marquise uttered a thousand
+expressions of gratitude and regard to me.
+
+'We had hoped to have seen you here a few days longer, monsieur,' said
+she, 'but perhaps, under the circumstances, it is better as it is.'
+
+'Under the circumstances, madame,' repeated I, 'I am bound to agree with
+you'; and I turned to say farewell.
+
+'Rather, _au revoir_, Monsieur de Tiernay,' said the marquise;
+'friendship, such as ours, should at least be hopeful; say then _au
+revoir_.'
+
+'Perhaps Monsieur de Tiernay's hopes run not in the same channel as our
+own, aunt,' said Laura, 'and perhaps the days of happiness that we look
+forward to would bring far different feelings to his heart.'
+
+This was too pointed--this was insupportably offensive I and I was only
+able to mutter, 'You are right, mademoiselle'; and then, addressing
+myself to the marquise, I made some blundering apologies about haste
+and so forth; while I promised to fulfil her commission faithfully and
+promptly.
+
+'Shall we not hear from you?' said the old lady, as she gave me her
+hand. I was about to say, 'Under the circumstances, better not'; but I
+hesitated, and Laura, seeing my confusion, said, 'It might be unfair,
+aunt, to expect it; remember how he is placed.'
+
+'Mademoiselle is a miracle of forethought and candour too,' said I.
+'Adieu! adieu for ever!' The last word I uttered in a low whisper.
+
+'Adieu, Maurice,' said she, equally low, and then turned away towards
+the window.
+
+From that moment until the instant when, out of breath and exhausted, I
+halted for a few seconds on the crag below the fortress, I knew nothing;
+my brain was in a whirl of mad, conflicting thought. Every passion
+was working within me, and rage, jealousy, love, and revenge were
+alternately swaying and controlling me. Then, however, as I looked down
+for the last time on the village and the cottage beside the river, my
+heart softened, and I burst into a torrent of tears. There, said I, as
+I arose to resume my way, there! one illusion is dissipated; let me take
+care that life never shall renew the affliction! Henceforth I will be a
+soldier, and only a soldier.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XL. THE CHATEAU OF ETTENHEIM
+
+I now come to an incident in my life, which, however briefly I may
+speak, has left the deepest impression on my memory. I have told the
+reader how I left Kuffstein fully satisfied that the Count de Marsanne
+was Laura's lover, and that in keeping my promise to see and speak with
+him, I was about to furnish an instance of self-denial and fidelity that
+nothing in ancient or modern days could compete with.
+
+The letter was addressed, 'The Count Louis de Marsanne, Chateau
+d'Ettenheim, a Baden,' and thither I accordingly repaired, travelling
+over the Arlberg to Bregenz, and across the Lake of Constance to
+Freyburg; my passport containing a very few words in cipher, which
+always sufficed to afford me free transit and every attention from the
+authorities. I had left the southern Tyrol in the outburst of a glorious
+spring, but as I journeyed northward I found the rivers frozen, the
+roads encumbered with snow, and the fields untilled and dreary-looking.
+Like all countries which derive their charms from the elements of rural
+beauty, foliage and verdure, Germany offers a sad coloured picture to
+the traveller in winter or wintry weather.
+
+It was thus, then, that the Grand-Duchy, so celebrated for its
+picturesque beauty, struck me as a scene of dreary and desolate
+wildness, an impression which continued to increase with every mile I
+travelled from the highroad.
+
+A long unbroken flat, intersected here and there by stunted willows,
+traversed by a narrow earth road, lay between the Rhine and the Taunus
+Mountains, in the midst of which stood the village of 'Ettenheim.'
+Outside the village, about half a mile off, and on the border of a vast
+pine forest, stood the chateau.
+
+It was originally a hunting-seat of the Dukes of Baden, but from
+neglect, and disuse, gradually fell into ruin, from which it was
+reclaimed, imperfectly enough, a year before, and now exhibited some
+remnants of its former taste, along with the evidences of a far less
+decorative spirit; the lower rooms being arranged as a stable, while the
+stair and entrance to the first storey opened from a roomy coach-house.
+Here some four or five conveyances of rude construction were gathered
+together, splashed and unwashed, as if from recent use; and at a small
+stove in a corner was seated a peasant in a blue frock, smoking as he
+affected to clean a bridle which he held before him.
+
+Without rising from his seat he saluted me, with true German phlegm, and
+gave me the 'Guten Tag,' with all the grave unconcern of a 'Badener.' I
+asked if the Count de Marsanne lived there. He said yes, but the 'Graf'
+was out hunting. When would he be back? By nightfall.
+
+Could I remain there till his return? was my next question; and he
+stared at me as I put it, with some surprise. 'Warum nicht?' 'Why not?'
+was at last his sententious answer, as he made way for me beside the
+stove. I saw at once that my appearance had evidently not entitled me to
+any peculiar degree of deference or respect, and that the man regarded
+me as his equal. It was true I had come some miles on foot, and with a
+knapsack on my shoulder, so that the peasant was fully warranted in his
+reception of me. I accordingly seated myself at his side, and lighting
+my pipe from his, proceeded to derive all the profit I could from
+drawing him into conversation. I might have spared myself the trouble.
+Whether the source lay in stupidity or sharpness, he evaded me on every
+point. Not a single particle of information could I obtain about the
+count, his habits, or his history. He would not even tell me how long he
+had resided there, nor whence he had come. He liked hunting, and so did
+the other 'Herren.' There was the whole I could scan; and to the simple
+fact that there were others with him, did I find myself limited.
+
+Curious to see something of the count's 'interior,' I hinted to my
+companion that I had come on purpose to visit his master, and suggested
+the propriety of my awaiting his arrival in a more suitable place; but
+he turned a deaf ear to the hint, and dryly remarked that the 'Graf
+would not be long a-coming now.' This prediction was, however, not to
+be verified; the dreary hours of the dull day stole heavily on, and
+although I tried to beguile the time by lounging about the place,
+the cold ungenial weather drove me back to the stove, or to the dark
+precinct of the stable, tenanted by three coarse ponies of the mountain
+breed.
+
+One of these was the Grafs favourite, the peasant told me; and indeed
+here he showed some disposition to become communicative, narrating
+various gifts and qualities of the unseemly looking animal, which, in
+his eyes, was a paragon of horse-flesh. 'He could travel from here to
+Kehl and back in a day, and has often done it,' was one meed of praise
+that he bestowed; a fact which impressed me more as regarded the rider
+than the beast, and set my curiosity at work to think why any man should
+undertake a journey of nigh seventy miles between two such places and
+with such speed. The problem served to occupy me till dark, and I know
+not how long after. A stormy night of rain and wind set in, and the
+peasant, having bedded and foraged his cattle, lighted a rickety old
+lantern and began to prepare for bed; for such I at last saw was the
+meaning of a long crib, like a coffin, half filled with straw and
+sheep-skins. A coarse loaf of black bread, some black forest cheese, and
+a flask of Kleinthaler, a most candid imitation of vinegar, made their
+appearance from a cupboard, and I did not disdain to partake of these
+delicacies.
+
+My host showed no disposition to become more communicative over his
+wine, and, indeed, the liquor might have excused any degree of reserve;
+and no sooner was our meal over than, drawing a great woollen cap half
+over his face, he rolled himself up in his sheep-skins, and betook
+himself to sleep, if not with a good conscience, at least with a sturdy
+volition that served just as well.
+
+Occasionally snatching a short slumber, or walking to and fro in the
+roomy chamber, I passed several hours, when the splashing sound of
+horses' feet, advancing up the miry road, attracted me. Several times
+before that I had been deceived by noises which turned out to be the
+effects of storm, but now, as I listened, I thought I could hear voices.
+I opened the door, but all was dark outside; it was the inky hour before
+daybreak, when all is wrapped in deepest gloom. The rain, too, was
+sweeping along the ground in torrents. The sounds came nearer every
+instant, and, at last, a deep voice shouted out, 'Jacob.' Before I
+could awaken the sleeping peasant, to whom I judged this summons was
+addressed, a horseman dashed up to the door and rode in; another as
+quickly followed him, and closed the door.
+
+'_Parbleu!_ D'Egville,' said the first who entered, 'we have got a rare
+peppering!'
+
+'Even so,' said the other, as he shook his hat, and threw off a cloak
+perfectly soaked with rain; '_a la guerre comme a la guerre_.'
+
+This was said in French, when, turning towards me, the former said in
+German, 'Be active, Master Jacob; these nags have had a smart ride
+of it.' Then, suddenly, as the light flashed full on my features, he
+started back, and said, 'How is this--who are you?'
+
+A very brief explanation answered this somewhat un-courteous question,
+and, at the same time, I placed the marquise's letter in his hand,
+saying, 'The Count de Marsanne, I presume.'
+
+He took it hastily, and drew nigh to the lantern to peruse it. I had now
+full time to observe him, and saw that he was a tall and well-built
+man, of about seven or eight-and-twenty. His features were remarkably
+handsome, and although slightly flushed by his late exertion, were
+as calm and composed as might be; a short black moustache gave his
+upper-lip a slight character of 'scorn, but the brow, open, frank and
+good-tempered in its expression, redeemed this amply. He had not read
+many lines when, turning about, he apologised in the most courteous
+terms for the manner of my reception. He had been on a shooting
+excursion for a few days back, and taken all his people with him, save
+the peasant, who looked after the cattle. Then, introducing me to his
+friend, whom he called Count d'Egville, he led the way upstairs.
+
+It would be difficult to imagine a greater contrast to the dark and
+dreary coach-house than the comfortable suite of apartments which we now
+traversed on our way to a large, well-furnished room, where a table was
+laid for supper, and a huge wood fire blazed brightly on the hearth. A
+valet, of most respectful manner, received the count's orders to prepare
+a room for me, after which my host and his friend retired to change
+their clothes.
+
+Although D'Egville was many years older, and of a graver, sterner
+fashion than the other, I could detect a degree of deference and respect
+in his manner towards him, which De Marsanne accepted like one well
+accustomed to receive it. It was a time, however, when, in the wreck
+of fortune, so many men lived in a position of mere dependence, that I
+thought nothing of this, nor had I even the time, as Count de Marsanne
+entered. From my own preconceived notions as to his being Laura's lover,
+I was quite prepared to answer a hundred impatient inquiries about the
+marquise and her niece, and as we were now alone, I judged that he would
+deem the time a favourable one to talk of them. What was my surprise,
+however, when he turned the conversation exclusively to the topic of my
+own journey, the route I had travelled. He knew the country perfectly,
+and spoke of the various towns and their inhabitants with acuteness and
+tact.
+
+His Royalist leanings did not, like those of the marquise, debar him
+from feeling a strong interest respecting the success of the Republican
+troops, with whose leaders he was thoroughly acquainted, knowing all
+their peculiar excellences and defaults as though he had lived in
+intimacy with them. Of Bonaparte's genius he was the most enraptured
+admirer, and would not hear of any comparison between him and the other
+great captains of the day. D'Egville at last made his appearance, and
+we sat down to an excellent supper, enlivened by the conversation of our
+host, who, whatever the theme, talked well and pleasingly.
+
+I was in a mood to look for flaws in his character--my jealousy was
+still urging me to seek for whatever I could find fault with; and yet
+all my critical shrewdness could only detect a slight degree of pride in
+his manner, not displaying itself by any presumption, but by a certain
+urbanity that smacked of condescension. But even this at last went off,
+and before I wished him good-night I felt that I had never met any one
+so gifted with agreeable qualities, nor possessed of such captivating
+manners, as himself. Even his Royalism had its fascinations, for it was
+eminently national, and showed at every moment that he was far more of
+a Frenchman than a Monarchist. We parted without one word of allusion to
+the marquise or to Laura! Had this singular fact any influence upon the
+favourable impression I had conceived of him, or was I unconsciously
+grateful for the relief thus given to all my jealous tormentings?
+Certain is it that I felt infinitely happier than I ever fancied I
+should be under his roof, and, as I lay down in my bed, thanked my stars
+that he was not my rival!
+
+When I awoke the next morning it was some minutes before I could
+remember where I was; and as I still lay, gradually recalling myself to
+memory, the valet entered to announce the count.
+
+'I have come to say adieu for a few hours,' said he; a very pressing
+appointment requires me to be at Pforzheim to-day, and I have to ask
+that you will excuse my absence. I know that I may take this liberty
+without any appearance of rudeness, for the marquise has told me all
+about you. Pray, then, try and amuse yourself till evening, and we shall
+meet at supper.'
+
+I was not sorry that D'Egville was to accompany him, and, turning on
+my side, dozed off to sleep away some of the gloomy hours of a winter's
+day.
+
+In this manner several days were passed, the count absenting himself
+each morning, and returning at nightfall, sometimes accompanied by
+D'Egville, sometimes alone. It was evident enough, from the appearance
+of his horses at his return, as well as from his own jaded looks, that
+he had ridden hard and far; but except a chance allusion to the state
+of the roads or the weather, it was a topic to which he never referred,
+nor, of course, did I ever advert. Meanwhile our intimacy grew closer
+and franker. The theme of politics, a forbidden subject between men so
+separated, was constantly discussed between us, and I could not help
+feeling flattered at the deference with which he listened to opinions
+from one so much his junior, and so inferior in knowledge as myself.
+Nothing could be more moderate than his views of government, only
+provided that it was administered by the rightful sovereign. The claim
+of a king to his throne he declared to be the foundation of all the
+rights of property, and which, if once shaken or disputed, would
+inevitably lead to the wildest theories of democratic equality. 'I don't
+want to convert you,' would he say laughingly; 'the son of an old "Garde
+da Corps," the born gentleman, has but to live to learn. It may come a
+little later or a little earlier, but you'll end as a good Monarchist.'
+
+One evening he was unusually late in returning, and when he came was
+accompanied by seven or eight companions, some younger, some older, than
+himself, but all men whose air and bearing bespoke their rank in life,
+while their names recalled the thoughts of old French chivalry. I
+remember among them was a Coigny, a Gramont, and Rochefoucauld--the last
+as lively a specimen of Parisian wit and brilliancy as ever fluttered
+along the sunny Boulevards.
+
+De Marsanne, while endeavouring to enjoy himself and entertain his
+guests, was, to my thinking, more serious than usual, and seemed
+impatient at D'Egville's absence, for whose coming we now waited supper.
+
+'I should not wonder if he was lost in the deep mud of those
+cross-roads,' said Coigny.
+
+'Or perhaps he has fallen into the Republic,' said Rochefoucauld; 'it's
+the only thing dirtier that I know of.'
+
+'Monsieur forgets that I wear its cloth,' said I, in a low whisper to
+him; and low as it was, De Marsanne overheard it.
+
+'Yes, Charles,' cried he, 'you must apologise, and on the spot, for the
+rudeness.'
+
+Rochefoucauld reddened and hesitated.
+
+'I insist, sir,' cried De Marsanne, with a tone of superiority I had
+never seen him assume before.
+
+'Perhaps,' said he, with a half-sneer, 'Monsieur de Tiernay might refuse
+to accept my excuses.'
+
+'In that case, sir,' interposed De Marsanne, 'the quarrel will become
+mine, for he is my guest, and lives here under the safeguard of my
+honour.'
+
+Rochefoucauld bowed submissively, and with the air of a man severely but
+justly rebuked; and then advancing to me said, 'I beg to tender you
+my apology, monsieur, for an expression which should never have been
+uttered by me in your presence.'
+
+'Quite sufficient, sir,' said I, bowing, and anxious to conclude a scene
+which for the first time had disturbed the harmony of our meetings.
+Slight as was the incident, its effects were yet visible in the
+disconcerted looks of the party, and I could see that more than one
+glance was directed towards me with an expression of coldness and
+distrust.
+
+'Here comes D'Egville at last,' said one, throwing open the window
+to listen. The night was starlit, but dark, and the air calm and
+motionless. 'I certainly heard a horses tread on the causeway.'
+
+'I hear distinctly the sound of several,' cried Coigny; 'and, if I
+mistake not much, so does Monsieur de Tiernay.' This sudden allusion
+turned every eye towards me, as I stood still, suffering from the
+confusion of the late scene.
+
+'Yes; I hear the tramp of horses, and cavalry too, I should say, by
+their measured tread.'
+
+'There was a trumpet-call!' cried Coigny; 'what does that mean?'
+
+'It is the signal to take open order,' said I, answering as if
+the question were addressed to myself. 'It is a picket taking a
+reconnaissance.'
+
+'How do you know that, sir?' said Gramont sternly.
+
+'Ay! how does he know that?' cried several passionately, as they closed
+around me.
+
+'You must ask in another tone, messieurs,' said I calmly, 'if you expect
+to be answered.'
+
+'They mean to say, how do you happen to know the German trumpet-calls,
+Tiernay,' said De Marsanne mildly, as he laid his hand on my arm.
+
+'It's a French signal,' said I; 'I ought to know it well.'
+
+Before my words were well uttered the door was thrown open, and
+D'Egville burst into the room, pale as death, his clothes all
+mud-stained and disordered. Making his way through the others, he
+whispered a few words in De Marsanne's ear.
+
+'Impossible!' cried the other; 'we are here in the territory of the
+Margrave.'
+
+'It is as I say,' replied D'Egville; 'there's not a second to lose--it
+may be too late even now--by Heavens it is!--they've drawn a cordon
+round the chateau.'
+
+'What's to be done, gentlemen?' said De Marsanne, seating himself
+calmly, and crossing his arms on his breast.
+
+'What do you say, sir?' cried Gramont, advancing to me with an air
+of insolent menace; 'you, at least, ought to know the way out of this
+difficulty.'
+
+'Or, by Heaven, his own road shall be one of the shortest, considering
+the length of the journey,' muttered another; and I could hear the sharp
+click of a pistol-cock as he spoke the words.
+
+'This is unworthy of you, gentlemen, and of me,' said De Marsanne
+haughtily; and he gazed around him with a look that seemed to abash
+them; 'nor is it a time to hold such disputation. There is another and
+a very difficult call to answer. Are we agreed?' Before he could finish
+the sentence the door was burst open, and several dragoons in French
+uniforms entered, and ranged themselves across the entrance, while a
+colonel, with his sabre drawn, advanced in front of them.
+
+'This is brigandage,' cried De Marsanne passionately, as he drew
+his sword, and seemed meditating a spring through them; but he was
+immediately surrounded by his friends and disarmed. Indeed nothing
+could be more hopeless than resistance; more than double our number were
+already in the room, while the hoarse murmur of voices without, and the
+tramp of heavy feet, announced a strong party.
+
+At a signal from their officers the dragoons unslung their carbines,
+and held them at the cock, when the colonel called out, 'Which of you,
+messieurs, is the Due d'Enghien?'
+
+'If you come to arrest him,' replied De Marsanne, * you ought to have
+his description in your warrant.'
+
+'Is the descendant of a Conde ashamed to own his name?' asked the
+colonel, with a sneer. 'But we 'll make short work of it, sirs; I arrest
+you all My orders are peremptory, messieurs. If you resist, or attempt
+to escape--' and he made a significant sign with his hand to finish. The
+'Duc'---for I need no longer call him De Marsanne--never spoke a word,
+but with folded arms calmly walked forward, followed by his little
+household. As we descended the stairs, we found ourselves in the midst
+of about thirty dismounted dragoons, all on the alert, and prepared for
+any resistance. The remainder of a squadron were on horseback without.
+With a file of soldiers on either hand, we marched for about a quarter
+of a mile across the fields to a small mill, where a general officer and
+his staff seemed awaiting our arrival. Here, too, a picket of gendarmes
+was stationed--a character of force significant enough of the meaning
+of the enterprise. We were hurriedly marched into the court of the mill,
+the owner of which stood between two soldiers, trembling from head to
+foot with terror.
+
+'Which is the Duc d'Enghien?' asked the colonel of the miller.
+
+'That is he with the scarlet vest'; and the prince nodded an assent.
+
+'Your age, monsieur?' asked the colonel of the prince.
+
+'Thirty-two--that is, I should have been so much in August, were it not
+for this visit,' said he, smiling.
+
+The colonel wrote on rapidly for a few minutes, and then showed the
+paper to the general, who briefly said, 'Yes, yes; this does not concern
+you nor me.'
+
+'I wish to ask, sir,' said the prince, addressing the general, 'do you
+make this arrest with the consent of the authorities of this country, or
+do you do so in defiance of them?'
+
+'You must reserve questions like that for the court who will judge
+you, Monsieur de Conde,' said the officer roughly. 'If you wish for any
+articles of dress from your quarters, you had better think of them. My
+orders are to convey you to Strasbourg. Is there anything so singular in
+the fact, sir, that you should look so much astonished?'
+
+'There is, indeed,' said the prince sorrowfully. 'I shall be the first
+of my house who ever crossed that frontier a prisoner.'
+
+'But not the first who carried arms against his country,' rejoined the
+other--a taunt the duke only replied to by a look of infinite scorn
+and contempt. With a speed that told plainly the character of the
+expedition, we were now placed, two together, on country cars, and
+driven at a rapid pace towards Strasbourg. Relays of cattle awaited us
+on the road, and we never halted but for a few minutes during the entire
+journey. My companion on this dreary day was the Baron de St. Jacques,
+the aide-de-camp to the duke; but he never spoke once; indeed he
+scarcely lifted his head during the whole journey.
+
+Heaven knows it was a melancholy journey; and neither the country nor
+the season were such as to lift the mind from sorrow; and yet, strange
+enough, the miles glided over rapidly, and to this hour I cannot
+remember by what magic the way seemed so short. The thought that
+for several days back I had been living in closest intimacy with a
+distinguished prince of the Bourbon family; that we had spent hours
+together discussing themes and questions which were those of his own
+house, canvassing the chances and weighing the claims of which he was
+himself the asserter--was a most exciting feeling. How I recalled now
+all the modest deference of his manner--his patient endurance of my
+crude opinions--his generous admissions regarding his adversaries--and,
+above all, his ardent devotion to France, whatever the hand that swayed
+her destinies; and then the chivalrous boldness of his character,
+blended with an almost girlish gentleness-how princely were such traits!
+
+From these thoughts I wandered on to others about his arrest and
+capture, from which, however, I could not believe any serious issue was
+to come. Bonaparte is too noble-minded not to feel the value of such
+a life as this. Men like the prince can be more heavily fettered by
+generous treatment than by all the chains that ever bound a felon. But
+what will be done with him? what with his followers? and lastly, not at
+all the pleasantest consideration, what is to come of Maurice Tiernay,
+who, to say the least, has been found in very suspicious company, and
+without a shadow of an explanation to account for it? This last thought
+just occurred to me as we crossed over the long bridge of boats, and
+entered Strasbourg.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLI. AN 'ORDINARY' ACQUAINTANCE
+
+The Duc d'Enghien and his aide-de-camp were forwarded with the utmost
+speed to Paris; the remainder of us were imprisoned at Strasbourg. What
+became of my companions I know not; but I was sent on, along with
+a number of others, about a month later, to Nancy, to be tried by
+a military commission. I may mention it here as a singular fact
+illustrating the secrecy of the period, that it was not till long after
+this time I learned the terrible fate of the poor Prince de Conde. Had I
+known it, it is more than probable that I should have utterly despaired
+of my own safety. The dreadful story of Vincennes--the mock trial, and
+the midnight execution, are all too well known to my readers; nor is it
+necessary I should refer to an event on which I myself can throw no new
+light.
+
+That the sentence was determined on before his arrest--and that the
+grave was dug while the victim was still sleeping the last slumber
+before 'the sleep that knows not waking'--the evidences are strong and
+undeniable. But an anecdote which circulated at the time, and which,
+so far as I know, has never appeared in print, would seem to show that
+there was complicity, at least, in the crime, and that the secret was
+not confined to the First Consul's breast.
+
+On that fatal night of the 20th March, Talleyrand was seated at a
+card-table at Caulaincourt's house at Paris. The party was about to rise
+from play, when suddenly the 'pendule' on the chimney-piece struck two.
+It was in one of those accidental pauses in the conversation when any
+sound is heard with unusual distinctness. Talleyrand started as he heard
+it, and then turning to Caulaincourt, whispered, 'Yes; 'tis all over
+now!'--words which, accidentally overheard, without significance, were
+yet to convey a terrible meaning when the dreadful secret of that night
+was disclosed.
+
+If the whole of Europe was convulsed by the enormity of this crime--the
+foulest that stains the name of Bonaparte--the Parisians soon forgot it
+in the deeper interest of the great event that was now approaching--the
+assumption of the Imperial title by Napoleon.
+
+The excitement on this theme was so great and absorbing, that nothing
+else was spoken or thought of. Private sorrows and afflictions were
+disregarded and despised, and to obtrude one's hardships on the notice
+of others, seemed, at this juncture, a most ineffable selfishness. That
+I, a prisoner, friendless and unknown as I was, found none to
+sympathise with me, or take interest in my fate, is, therefore, nothing
+extraordinary. In fact, I appeared to have been entirely forgotten; and
+though still in durance, nothing was said either of the charge to be
+preferred against me, nor the time when I should be brought to trial.
+
+Giacourt, an old lieutenant of the marines, and at that time
+Deputy-Governor of the Temple, was kind and good-natured towards me,
+occasionally telling of the events which were happening without, and
+giving me the hope that some general amnesty would, in all likelihood,
+liberate all those whose crimes were not beyond the reach of mercy.
+The little cell I occupied (and to Giacourt's kindness I owed the sole
+possession of it) looked out upon the tall battlements of the outer
+walls, which excluded all view beyond, and thus drove me within myself
+for occupation and employment. In this emergency, I set about to write
+some notices of my life--some brief memoirs of those changeful fortunes
+which had accompanied me from boyhood. Many of those incidents which I
+relate now, and many of those traits of mind or temper that I recall,
+were then for the first time noted down, and thus graven on my memory.
+
+My early boyhood, my first experience as a soldier, the campaign of the
+'Schwarzwald,' Ireland, and Genoa, all were mentioned; and writing as
+I did solely for myself, and my own eyes, I set down many criticisms on
+the generals, and their plans of campaign, which, if intended for the
+inspection of others, would have been the greatest presumption
+and impertinence. And in this way Moreau, Hoche, Massena, and even
+Bonaparte, came in for a most candid and impartial criticism.
+
+How Germany might have been conquered; how Ireland ought to have been
+invaded; in what way Italy should have been treated; and lastly, the
+grand political error of the seizure of the Duc d'Enghien, were
+subjects that I discussed and determined with consummate boldness and
+self-satisfaction. I am almost overwhelmed with shame, even now, as
+I think of that absurd chronicle, with its rash judgments, its crude
+opinions, and its pretentious decisions.
+
+So fascinated had I become with my task, that I rose early to resume it
+each morning, and used to fall asleep cogitating on the themes for the
+next day, and revolving within myself all the passages of interest I
+should commemorate. A man must have known imprisonment to feel all
+the value that can be attached to any object, no matter how mean or
+insignificant, that can employ the thoughts, amuse the fancy, or engage
+the affections. The narrow cell expands under such magic, the barred
+casement is a free portal to the glorious sun and the free air; the
+captive himself is but the student bending over his allotted task. To
+this happy frame of mind had I come, without a thought or a wish beyond
+the narrow walls at either side of me, when a sad disaster befell me.
+On awaking one morning, as usual, to resume my labour, my manuscript
+was gone! the table and writing materials, all had disappeared, and,
+to increase my discomfiture, the turnkey informed me that Lieutenant
+Giacourt had been removed from his post, and sent off to some inferior
+station in the provinces.
+
+I will not advert to the dreary time which followed this misfortune, a
+time in which the hours passed on unmeasured and almost unfelt. Without
+speculation, without a wish, I passed my days in a stupid indolence akin
+to torpor. Had the prison doors been open, I doubt if I should have had
+the energy to make my escape. Life itself ceased to have any value for
+me, but somehow I did not desire death. I was in this miserable mood
+when the turnkey awoke me one day as I was dozing on my bed. 'Get up,
+and prepare yourself to receive a visitor,' said he. 'There's an officer
+of the staff without, come to see you'; and as he spoke, a young,
+slightly formed man, entered, in the uniform of a captain, who, making a
+sign for the turnkey to withdraw, took his seat at my bedside.
+
+'Don't get up, monsieur; you look ill and weak, so pray let me not
+disturb you,' said he, in a voice of kindly meaning.
+
+'I'm not ill,' said I, with an effort--but my hollow utterance and
+my sunken cheeks contradicted my words; 'but I have been sleeping; I
+usually doze at this hour.'
+
+'The best thing a man can do in prison, I suppose,' said he, smiling
+good-naturedly.
+
+'No, not the best,' said I, catching up his words too literally. 'I
+used to write the whole day long, till they carried away my paper and my
+pens.'
+
+'It is just of that very thing I have come to speak, sir,' resumed he.
+'You intended that memoir for publication?'
+
+'No; never.'
+
+'Then for private perusal among a circle of friends?'
+
+'Just as little. I scarcely know three people in the world who would
+acknowledge that title.'
+
+'You had an object, however, in composing it?'
+
+'Yes; to occupy thought; to save me from--from----'
+
+I hesitated, for I was ashamed of the confession that nearly burst from
+me, and, after a pause, I said, 'from being such as I now am!'
+
+'You wrote it for yourself alone, then?'
+
+'Yes.'
+
+'Unprompted; without any suggestion from another?'
+
+'Is it here,' said I, looking around my cell, 'is it here that I should
+be likely to find a fellow-labourer?'
+
+'No; but I mean to ask, were the sentiments your own, without any
+external influence, or any persuasions from others?'
+
+'Quite my own.'
+
+'And the narrative is true?'
+
+'Strictly so, I believe.'
+
+'Even to your meeting with the Due d'Enghien. It was purely accidental?'
+
+'That is, I never knew him to be the duke till the moment of his
+arrest.'
+
+'Just so; you thought he was merely a Royalist noble. Then, why did you
+not address a memoir to that effect to the Minister?'
+
+'I thought it would be useless; when they made so little of a Conde,
+what right had I to suppose they would think much about me?'
+
+'If he could have proved his innocence----' He stopped, and then in an
+altered voice said--'But as to this memoir; you assume considerable airs
+of military knowledge in it, and many of the opinions smack of heads
+older than yours.'
+
+'They are, I repeat, my own altogether; as to their presumption, I have
+already told you they were intended solely for my own eye.'
+
+'So that you are not a Royalist?'
+
+'No,'
+
+'Never were one?'
+
+'Never.'
+
+'In what way would you employ yourself if set at liberty to-day?'
+
+I stared, and felt confused; for however easy I found it to refer to
+the past, and reason on it, any speculation as to the future was a
+considerable difficulty.
+
+'You hesitate; you have not yet made up your mind, apparently.'
+
+'It is not that; I am trying to think of liberty, trying to fancy myself
+free--but I cannot!' said I, with a weary sigh. 'The air of this cell
+has sapped my courage and my energy--a little more will finish the
+ruin!'
+
+'And yet you are not much above four or five-and-twenty years of age?'
+
+'Not yet twenty!' said I.
+
+'Come, come, Tiernay--this is too early to be sick of life!' said he,
+and the kind tone touched me so that I burst into tears. They were
+bitter tears, too; for while my heart was relieved by this gush of
+feeling, I was ashamed at my own weakness. 'Come, I say,' continued he,
+'this memoir of yours might have done you much mischief--happily it
+has not done so. Give me the permission to throw it in the fire, and,
+instead of it, address a respectful petition to the head of the state,
+setting forth your services, and stating the casualty by which you were
+implicated in Royalism. I will take care that it meets his eye, and, if
+possible, will support its prayer. Above all, ask for reinstalment in
+your grade, and a return to the service. It may be, perhaps, that
+you can mention some superior officer who would vouch for your future
+conduct.'
+
+'Except Colonel Mahon----'
+
+'Not the Colonel Mahon who commanded the 13th Cuirassiers?'
+
+'The same.'
+
+'That name would little serve you,' said he coldly: 'he has been placed
+_en retraite_ some time back; and if your character can call no other
+witness than him, your case is not too favourable.' He saw that the
+speech had disconcerted me, and soon added, 'Never mind--keep to
+the memoir; state your case, and your apology, and leave the rest to
+Fortune. When can you let me have it?'
+
+'By to-morrow--to-night, if necessary.'
+
+'To-morrow will do well, and so good-bye. I will order them to supply
+you with writing materials'; and slapping me good-naturedly on the
+shoulder, he cried, 'Courage, my lad!' and departed.
+
+Before I lay down to sleep that night, I completed my 'memoir,' the
+great difficulty of which I found to consist in giving it that dry
+brevity which I knew Bonaparte would require. In this, however, I
+believe I succeeded at last, making the entire document not to occupy
+one sheet of paper. The officer had left his card of address, which
+I found was inscribed Monsieur Bourrienne, Rue Lafitte, a name that
+subsequently was to be well known to the world.
+
+I directed my manuscript to his care, and lay down with a lighter heart
+than I had known for many a day. I will not weary my reader with the
+tormenting vacillations of hope and fear which followed. Day after day
+went over, and no answer came to me. I addressed two notes, respectful,
+but urgent, begging for some information as to my demand--none came. A
+month passed thus, when, one morning, the governor of the Temple entered
+my room, with an open letter in his hand.
+
+'This is an order for your liberation, Monsieur de Tiernay,' said he;
+'you are free.'
+
+'Am I reinstated in my grade?' asked I eagerly.
+
+He shook his head, and said nothing.
+
+'Is there no mention of my restoration to the service?'
+
+'None, sir.'
+
+'Then what is to become of me--to what end am I liberated?' cried I
+passionately.
+
+'Paris is a great city--there is a wide world beyond it; and a man so
+young as you are must have few resources, or he will carve out a good
+career for himself.'
+
+'Say, rather, he must have few resentments, sir,' cried I bitterly, 'or
+he will easily hit upon a bad one'; and with this, I packed up the few
+articles I possessed, and prepared to depart.
+
+I remember it well: it was between two and three o'clock of the
+afternoon, on a bright day in spring, that I stood on the Quai Voltaire,
+a very small packet of clothes in a bundle in one hand, and a cane
+in the other, something short of three louis in my purse, and as much
+depression in my heart as ever settled down in that of a youth not full
+nineteen. Liberty is a glorious thing, and mine had been perilled often
+enough to give me a hearty appreciation of its blessing; but at that
+moment, as I stood friendless and companionless in a great thoroughfare
+of a great city, I almost wished myself back again within the dreary
+walls of the Temple, for somehow it felt like home! It is true, one must
+have had a lonely lot in life before he could surround the cell of a
+prison with such attributes as these. Perhaps I have more of the catlike
+affection for a particular spot than most men; but I do find that I
+attach myself to walls with a tenacity that strengthens as I grow older,
+and, like my brother parasite, the ivy, my grasp becomes more rigid the
+longer I cling.
+
+If I know of few merely sensual gratifications higher than a lounge
+through Paris, at the flood-tide of its population, watching the varied
+hues and complexions of its strange inhabitants, displaying, as they do,
+in feature, air, and gesture, so much more of character and purpose than
+other people, so also do I feel that there is something indescribably
+miserable in being alone, unknown, and unnoticed in that vast throng,
+destitute of means for the present, and devoid of hope for the future.
+
+Some were bent on business, some on pleasure; some were evidently
+bent on killing time till the hour of more agreeable occupation should
+arrive; some were loitering along, gazing at the prints in shop-windows,
+or half listlessly stopping to read at book-stalls. There was not only
+every condition of mankind, from wealth to mendicancy, but every frame
+of mind, from enjoyment to utter ennui, and yet I thought I could not
+hit upon any one individual who looked as forlorn and cast-away as
+myself; however, there were many who passed me that day who would
+gladly have changed fortune with me, but it would have been difficult to
+persuade me of the fact in the mood I then was.
+
+At the time I speak of, there was a species of cheap ordinary held in
+the open air on the quay, where people of the humblest condition used to
+dine. I need scarcely describe the fare--the reader may conceive what it
+was, which, wine included, cost only four sous. A rude table without a
+cloth, some wooden platters, and an iron rail to which the knives and
+forks were chained, formed the 'equipage,' the cookery bearing a due
+relation to the elegance of these accessories. As for the company, if
+not polite, it was certainly picturesque--consisting of labourers of the
+lowest class, the sweepers of crossings, hackney-cabmen out of employ,
+that poorest of the poor who try to earn a livelihood by dragging the
+Seine for lost articles, and finally, the motley race of idlers who
+vacillate between beggary and ballad-singing, with now and then a dash
+at highway robbery for a 'distraction'; a class, be it said without
+paradox, which in Paris includes a considerable number of tolerably
+honest folk.
+
+The moment was the eventful one in which France was about once more
+to become a monarchy, and as may be inferred from the character of the
+people, it was a time of high excitement and enthusiasm. The nation,
+even in its humblest citizen, seemed to feel some of the reflected glory
+that glanced from the great achievements of Bonaparte, and his elevation
+was little other than a grand manifestation of national self-esteem.
+That he knew how to profit by this sentiment, and incorporate his own
+with the country's glory, so that they seemed to be inseparable, is not
+among the lowest nor the least of the efforts of his genius.
+
+The paroxysm of national vanity, for it was indeed no less, imparted a
+peculiar character to the period. A vainglorious, boastful spirit was
+abroad; men met each other with high-sounding gratulations about French
+greatness and splendour, the sway we wielded over the rest of Europe,
+and the influence with which we impressed our views over the entire
+globe.
+
+Since the fall of the monarchy there had been half-a-dozen national
+fevers! There was the great Fraternal and Equality one; there was
+the era of classical associations, with all their train of trumpery
+affectation in dress and manner. Then came the conquering spirit, with
+the flattering spectacle of great armies; and now, as if to complete
+the cycle, there grew up that exaggerated conception of 'France and
+her Mission,' an unlucky phrase that has since done plenty of mischief,
+which seemed to carry the nation into the seventh heaven of overweening
+self-love.
+
+If I advert to this here, it is but passingly, neither stopping to
+examine its causes, nor seeking to inquire the consequences that ensued
+from it, but, as it were, chronicling the fact as it impressed me as
+I stood that day on the Quai Voltaire, perhaps the only unimpassioned
+lounger along its crowded thoroughfare.
+
+Not even the ordinary 'a quatre sous' claimed exemption from this
+sentiment. It might be supposed that meagre diet and sour wine were but
+sorry provocatives to national enthusiasm, but even they could minister
+to the epidemic ardour, and the humble dishes of that frugal board
+masqueraded under titles that served to feed popular vanity. Of this
+I was made suddenly aware as I stood looking over the parapet into the
+river, and heard the rude voices of the labourers as they called for
+cutlets _a la Caire_, potatoes _en Mamelouques_, or roast beef _a la
+Monte-Notte_, while every goblet of their wine was tossed off to some
+proud sentiment of national supremacy.
+
+Amused by the scene, so novel in all its bearings, I took my place at
+the table, not sorry for the excuse to myself for partaking so humble a
+repast.
+
+'_Sacrebleu!_' cried a rough-looking fellow with a red nightcap set
+on one side of the head, 'make room there, we have the _aristocrates_,
+coming down among us.'
+
+'Monsieur is heartily welcome,' said another, making room for me; 'we
+are only flattered by such proofs of confidence and esteem.'
+
+'Ay, _parbleu!_ cried a third. 'The Empire is coming, and we shall be
+well bred and well mannered. I intend to give up the river, and take to
+some more gentlemanlike trade than dredging for dead men.'
+
+'And I, I'll never sharpen anything under a rapier or a dress sword for
+the Court,' said a knife-grinder; 'we have been living like _canaille_
+hitherto--nothing better.'
+
+'A l'Empire, a l'Empire!' shouted half-a-dozen voices in concert; and
+the glasses were drained to the toast with a loud cheer.
+
+Directly opposite to me sat a thin, pale, mild-looking man, of about
+fifty, in a kind of stuff robe, like the dress of a village curate. His
+appearance, though palpably poor, was venerable and imposing--not the
+less so, perhaps, from its contrast with the faces and gestures at
+either side of him. Once or twice, while these ebullitions of enthusiasm
+burst forth, his eyes met mine, and I read, or fancied that I read,
+a look of kindred appreciation in their mild and gentle glance. The
+expression was less reproachful than compassionate, as though in
+pity for the ignorance rather than in reprobation for the folly. Now,
+strangely enough, this was precisely the very sentiment of my own
+heart at that moment. I remembered a somewhat similar enthusiasm for
+republican liberty, by men just as unfitted to enjoy it; and I thought
+to myself, the Empire, like the Convention, or the Directory, is a mere
+fabulous conception to these poor fellows, who, whatever may be the
+regime, will still be hewers of wood and drawers of water to the end of
+all time.
+
+As I was pondering over this, I felt something touch my arm, and, on
+turning, perceived that my opposite neighbour had now seated himself at
+my side, and, in a low, soft voice, was bidding me 'Good-day.' After one
+or two commonplace remarks upon the weather and the scene, he seemed to
+feel that some apology for his presence in such a place was needful, for
+he said--
+
+'You are here, monsieur, from a feeling of curiosity, that I see well
+enough; but I come for a very different reason. I am the pastor of a
+mountain village of the Ardeche, and have come to Paris in search of a
+young girl, the daughter of one of my flock, who, it is feared, has been
+carried off, by some evil influence, from her home and her friends,
+to seek fortune and fame in this rich capital; for she is singularly
+beautiful, and gifted too; sings divinely, and improvises poetry with a
+genius that seems inspiration.'
+
+There was a degree of enthusiasm, blended with simplicity, in the poor
+cure's admiration of his 'lost sheep' that touched me deeply. He had
+been now three weeks in vain pursuit, and was at last about to turn
+homeward, discomfited and unsuccessful. 'Lisette' was the very soul of
+the little hamlet, and he knew not how life was to be carried on there
+without her. The old loved her as a daughter; the young were rivals for
+her regard.
+
+'And to me,' said the pere, 'whom, in all the solitude of my lonely lot,
+literature and especially poetry, consoles many an hour of sadness or
+melancholy--to me, she was like a good angel, her presence diffusing
+light as she crossed my humble threshold, and elevating my thoughts
+above the little crosses and accidents of daily life.'
+
+So interested had I become in this tale, that I listened while he told
+every circumstance of the little locality; and walking along at his
+side, I wandered out of the city, still hearing of 'La Marche,' as the
+village was called, till I knew the ford where the blacksmith lived, and
+the miller with the cross wife, and the lame schoolmaster, and Pierre
+the postmaster, who read out the _Moniteur_ each evening under the elms,
+even to Jacques Fulgeron the 'Tapageur,' who had served at Jemappes,
+and, with his wounded hand and his waxed moustache, was the terror of
+all peaceable folk.
+
+'You should come and see us, my dear monsieur,' said he to me, as I
+showed some more than common interest in the narrative. 'You, who seem
+to study character, would find something better worth the notice than
+these hardened natures of city life. Come, and spend a week or two with
+me, and if you do not like our people and their ways, I am but a sorry
+physiognomist.'
+
+It is needless to say that I was much flattered by this kind proof of
+confidence and good-will; and finally it was agreed upon between us that
+I should aid him in his search for three days, after which, if still
+unsuccessful, we should set out together for La Marche. It was easy to
+see that the poor cure was pleased at my partnership in the task, for
+there were several public places of resort--theatres, 'spectacles,' and
+the like--to which he scrupled to resort, and these he now willingly
+conceded to my inspection, having previously given me so accurate a
+description of La Lisette, that I fancied I should recognise her
+amongst a thousand. If her long black eyelashes did not betray her,
+her beautiful teeth were sure to do so; or, if I heard her voice,
+there could be no doubt then; and, lastly, her foot would as infallibly
+identify her as did Cinderella's.
+
+For want of better, it was agreed upon that we should make the
+'Restaurant a Quatre Sous' our rendezvous each day, to exchange our
+confidences and report progress. It will scarcely be believed how even
+this much of a pursuit diverted my mind from its own dark dreamings, and
+how eagerly my thoughts pursued the new track that was opened to them.
+It was the utter listlessness, the nothingness of my life, that was
+weighing me down; and already I saw an escape from this in the pursuit
+of a good object. I could wager that the pastor of La Marche never
+thought so intensely, so uninterruptedly, of Lisette as did I for the
+four-and-twenty hours that followed! It was not only that I had created
+her image to suit my fancy, but I had invented a whole narrative of her
+life and adventures since her arrival in Paris.
+
+My firm conviction being that it was lost time to seek for her in
+obscure and out-of-the-way quarters of the city, I thought it best to
+pursue the search in the thronged and fashionable resorts of the gay
+world, the assemblies and theatres. Strong in this conviction, I changed
+one of my three gold pieces to purchase a ticket for the opera. The
+reader may smile at the sacrifice; but when he who thinks four sous
+enough for a dinner, pays twelve francs for the liberty to be crushed in
+the crowded parterre of a playhouse, he is indeed buying pleasure at a
+costly price. It was something more than a fifth of all I possessed in
+the world, but, after all, my chief regret arose from thinking that it
+left me so few remaining 'throws of the dice' for 'Fortune.'
+
+I have often reflected since that day by what a mere accident I was
+present, and yet the spectacle was one that I have never forgotten.
+It was the last time the First Consul appeared in public, before his
+assumption of the Imperial title; and at no period through all his great
+career was the enthusiasm more impassioned regarding him. He sat in the
+box adjoining the stage--Cambaceres and Lebrun, with a crowd of others,
+standing and not sitting, around and behind his chair. When he appeared,
+the whole theatre rose to greet him, and three several times was he
+obliged to rise and acknowledge the salutations. And with what a
+stately condescension did he make these slight acknowledgments!--what
+haughtiness was there in the glance he threw around him! I have often
+heard it said, and I have seen it also written, that previous to his
+assumption of the crown, Bonaparte's manner exhibited the mean arts
+and subtle devices of a candidate on the hustings, dispensing all the
+flatteries and scattering all the promises that such occasions are so
+prolific of. I cannot, of course, pretend to contradict this statement
+positively; but I can record the impression which that scene made upon
+me, as decidedly the opposite of this assumption. I have repeatedly seen
+him since that event, but never do I remember his calm, cold features
+more impassively stern, more proudly collected, than on that night.
+
+Every allusion of the piece that could apply to him was eagerly caught
+up. Not a phrase nor a chance word that could compliment, was passed
+over in silence; and if greatness and glory were accorded, as if by an
+instinctive reverence, the vast assemblage turned towards him, to lay
+their homage at his feet. I watched him narrowly, and could see that he
+received them all as his rightful tribute, the earnest of the debt the
+nation owed him. Among the incidents of that night, I remember one which
+actually for the moment convulsed the house with its enthusiasm. One of
+the officers of his suite had somehow stumbled against Bonaparte's hat,
+which, on entering, he had thrown carelessly beside his chair. Stooping
+down and lifting it up, he perceived to whom it belonged, and then,
+remarking the mark of a bullet on the edge, he showed it significantly
+to a general near him. Slight and trivial as was the incident, it was
+instantly caught up by the parterre. A low murmur ran quickly around;
+and then a sudden cheer burst forth, for some one remembered it was
+the anniversary of Marengo! And now the excitement became madness, and
+reiterated shouts proclaimed that the glory of that day was among the
+proudest memories of France. For once, and once only, did any trait of
+feeling show itself on that impassive face. I thought I could mark even
+a faint tinge of colour in that sallow cheek, as in recognition he bowed
+a dignified salute to the waving and agitated assembly.
+
+I saw that proud face, at moments when human ambition might have seemed
+to have reached its limit, and yet never with a haughtier look than on
+that night I speak of. His foot was already on the first step of the
+throne, and his spirit seemed to swell with the conscious force of
+coming greatness.
+
+And Lisette, all this time? Alas, I had totally forgotten her! As the
+enthusiasm around me began to subside, I had time to recover myself,
+and look about me. There was much beauty and splendour to admire. Madame
+Junot was there, and Mademoiselle de Bessieres, with a crowd of others
+less known, but scarcely less lovely. Not one, however, could I see that
+corresponded with my mind-drawn portrait of the peasant beauty; and I
+scanned each face closely and critically. There was female loveliness
+of every type, from the dark-eyed beauty of Spanish race, to the almost
+divine regularity of a Raphaelite picture. There was the brilliant
+aspect of fashion, too; but nowhere could I see what I sought for;
+nowhere detect that image which imagination had stamped as that of the
+beauty of 'La Marche.' If disappointed in my great object, I left the
+theatre with my mind full of all I had witnessed. The dreadful event of
+Ettenheim had terribly shaken Bonaparte in my esteem; yet how resist the
+contagious devotion of a whole nation--how remain cold in the midst
+of the burning zeal of all France? These thoughts brought me to the
+consideration of myself. Was I, or was I not, any longer a soldier of
+his army? or was I disqualified for joining in that burst of national
+enthusiasm which proclaimed that all France was ready to march under
+his banner? To-morrow I 'll wait upon the Minister of War, thought I, or
+I'll seek out the commanding officer of some regiment that I know, or at
+least a comrade; and so I went on, endeavouring to frame a plan for
+my guidance, as I strolled along the streets, which were now almost
+deserted. The shops were all closed; of the hotels, such as were yet
+open were far too costly for means like mine; and so, as the night was
+calm and balmy with the fresh air of spring, I resolved to pass it
+out of doors. I loitered then along the Champs-Elysees; and at length
+stretching myself on the grass beneath the trees, lay down to sleep. 'An
+odd bedroom enough,' thought I, 'for one who has passed the evening at
+the opera, and who has feasted his ears at the expense of his stomach.'
+I remembered, too, another night when the sky had been my canopy in
+Paris, when I slept beneath the shadow of the guillotine and the Place
+de Greve. 'Well,' thought I, 'times are at least changed for the better
+since that day; and my own fortunes are certainly not lower.'
+
+This comforting reflection closed my waking memories, and I slept
+soundly till morning.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLII. THE 'COUNT DE MAUREPAS,' ALIAS--------
+
+There is a wide gulf between him who opens his waking eyes in a splendid
+chamber, and with half-drowsy thoughts speculates on the pleasures
+of the coming day, and him, who, rising from the dew-moistened earth,
+stretches his aching limbs for a second or so, and then hurries away to
+make his toilet at the nearest fountain.
+
+I have known both conditions, and yet, without being thought
+paradoxical, I would wish to say that there are some sensations
+attendant on the latter and the humbler lot which I would not exchange
+for all the voluptuous ease of the former. Let there be but youth, and
+there is something of heroism, something adventurous in the notion of
+thus alone and unaided breasting the wide ocean of life, and, like
+a hardy swimmer, daring to stem the roughest breakers without one to
+succour him, that is worth all the security that even wealth can impart,
+all the conscious ease that luxury and affluence can supply. In a world
+and an age like ours, thought I, there must surely be some course for
+one young, active and daring as I am. Even if France reject me, there
+are countries beyond the seas where energy and determination will open
+a path. 'Courage, Maurice,' said I, as I dashed the sparkling water over
+my head, 'the past has not been all inglorious, and the future may prove
+even better.'
+
+A roll and a glass of iced water furnished my breakfast, after which
+I set forth in good earnest on my search. There was a sort of
+self-flattery in the thought that one so destitute as I was could devote
+his thoughts and energies to the service of another, that pleased me
+greatly. It was so 'unselfish'--at least I thought so. Alas and alas!
+how egotistical are we when we fancy ourselves least so. That day I
+visited St. Roch and Notre Dame at early mass, and by noon reached the
+Louvre, the gallery of which occupied me till the hour of meeting the
+cure drew nigh.
+
+Punctual to his appointment, I found him waiting for me at the corner of
+the quay, and although disappointed at the failure of all his efforts,
+he talked away with all the energy of one who would not suffer himself
+to be cast down by adverse fortune. 'I feel,' said he, 'a kind of
+instinctive conviction that we shall find her yet. There is something
+tells me that all our pains shall not go unrewarded. Have you never
+experienced a sensation of this kind,--a species of inward prompting to
+pursue a road, to penetrate into a pass, or to explore a way, without
+exactly knowing why or wherefore?'
+
+This question, vague enough as it seemed, led me to talk about myself
+and my own position; a theme which, however much I might have shrunk
+from introducing, when once opened, I spoke of in all the freedom of old
+friendship.
+
+Nothing could be more delicate than the priest's manner during all this
+time; nor even when his curiosity was highest did he permit himself to
+ask a question or an explanation of any difficulty that occurred; and
+while he followed my recital with a degree of interest that was most
+flattering, he never ventured on a word or dropped a remark that might
+seem to urge me to greater frankness. 'Do you know,' said he, at last,
+'why your story has taken such an uncommon hold upon my attention? It
+is not from its adventurous character, nor from the stirring and strange
+scenes you have passed through; it is because your old pastor and guide,
+the Pere Delamoy, was my own dearest friend, my school companion and
+playfellow from infancy. We were both students at Louvain together; both
+called to the priesthood on the same day. Think, then, of my intense
+delight at hearing his dear name once more--ay, and permit me to say it,
+hearing from the lips of another the very precepts and maxims that I can
+recognise as his own. Ah, yes! _mon cher_ Maurice,' cried he, grasping
+my hand in a burst of enthusiasm, 'disguise it how you may, cover it up
+under the uniform of a "Bleu," bury it beneath the shako of the soldier
+of the Republic, but the head and the heart will turn to the ancient
+altars of the Church and the Monarchy. It is not alone that your good
+blood suggests this, but all your experience of life goes to prove it.
+Think of poor Michel, self-devoted, generous, and noble-hearted; think
+of that dear cottage at Kuffstein, where, even in poverty, the dignity
+of birth and blood threw a grace and an elegance over daily life; think
+of Ettenheim and the glorious prince--the last Conde--and who now sleeps
+in his narrow bed in the fosse of Vincennes!'
+
+'How do you mean?' said I eagerly; for up to this time I knew nothing of
+his fate.
+
+'Come along with me, and you shall know it all,' said he; and, rising,
+he took my arm, and we sauntered along out of the crowded street, till
+we reached the Boulevards. He then narrated to me every incident of the
+midnight trial, the sentence, and the execution. From the death-warrant
+that came down ready filled from Paris, to the grave dug while the
+victim was yet sleeping--he forgot nothing; and I own that my very blood
+ran cold at the terrible atrocity of that dark murder. It was already
+growing dusk when he had finished, and we parted hurriedly, as he was
+obliged to be at a distant quarter of Paris by eight o'clock, again
+agreeing to meet, as before, on the Quai Voltaire.
+
+From that moment till we met the following day, the Duc d'Enghien was
+never out of my thoughts, and I was impatient for the priest's presence
+that I might tell him every little incident of our daily life at
+Ettenheim, the topics we used to discuss, and the opinions he expressed
+on various subjects. The eagerness of the cure to listen stimulated me
+to talk on, and I not only narrated all that I was myself a witness
+of, but various other circumstances which were told to me by the prince
+himself; in particular, an incident he mentioned to me one day of being
+visited by a stranger who came, introduced by a letter from a very
+valued friend; his business being to propose to the duke a scheme for
+the assassination of Bonaparte. At first the prince suspected the whole
+as a plot against himself, but on further questioning he discovered that
+the man's intentions were really such as he professed them, and offered
+his services in the conviction that no price could be deemed too high
+to reward him. It is needless to say that the offer was rejected with
+indignation, and the prince dismissed the fellow with the threat of
+delivering him up to the Government of the First Consul. The pastor
+heard this anecdote with deep attention, and, for the first time,
+diverging from his line of cautious reserve, he asked me various
+questions as to when the occurrence had taken place, and where--if the
+prince had communicated the circumstance to any other than myself, and
+whether he had made it the subject of any correspondence. I knew little
+more than I had already told him: that the offer was made while residing
+at Ettenheim, and during the preceding year, were facts, however, that I
+could remember.
+
+'You are surprised, perhaps,' said he, 'at the interest I feel in all
+this; but, strangely enough, there is here in Paris at this moment one
+of the great 'Seigneurs' of the Ardeche; he has come up to the capital
+for medical advice, and he was a great, perhaps the greatest friend of
+the poor duke. What if you were to come and pay him a visit with me,
+there is not probably one favour the whole world could bestow he would
+value so highly. You must often have heard his name from the prince; has
+he not frequently spoken of the Count de Maurepas?' I could not remember
+having ever heard the name. 'It is historical, however,' said the cure,
+'and even in our own days has not derogated from its ancient chivalry.
+Have you not heard how a noble of the Court rode postillion to the
+king's carriage on the celebrated escape from Varennes? Well, even for
+curiosity's sake, he is worth a visit, for this is the very Count Henri
+de Maurepas, now on the verge of the grave!'
+
+If the good cure had known me all my life, he could not more
+successfully have baited a trap for my curiosity. To see and know
+remarkable people, men who had done something out of the ordinary route
+of everyday life, had been a passion with me from boyhood. Hero-worship
+was, indeed, a great feature in my character, and has more or less
+influenced all my career, nor was I insensible to the pleasure of doing
+a kind action. It was rare, indeed, that one so humbly placed could ever
+confer a favour, and I grasped with eagerness the occasion to do so. We
+agreed, then, on the next afternoon, towards nightfall, to meet at
+the quay, and proceed together to the count's residence. I have often
+reflected, since that day, that Lisette's name was scarcely ever
+mentioned by either of us during this interview; and yet, at the time,
+so preoccupied were my thoughts, I never noticed the omission. The
+Chateau of Ettenheim, and its tragic story, filled my mind to the
+exclusion of all else.
+
+I pass over the long and dreary hours that intervened, and come at
+once to the time, a little after sunset, when we met at our accustomed
+rendezvous.
+
+The cure had provided a _fiacre_ for the occasion, as the count's
+residence was about two leagues from the city, on the way to Belleville.
+As we trotted along, he gave me a most interesting account of the
+old noble, whose life had been one continued act of devotion to the
+monarchy.
+
+'It will be difficult,' said he, 'for you to connect the poor, worn-out,
+shattered wreck before you, with all that was daring in deed and
+chivalrous in sentiment; but the "Maurepas" were well upheld in all
+their glorious renown, by him who is now to be the last of the race! You
+will see him reduced by suffering and sickness, scarcely able to speak,
+but be assured that you will have his gratitude for this act of true
+benevolence. Thus chatting we rattled along over the paved highway, and
+at length entered upon a deep clay road which conducted us to a spacious
+park, with a long straight avenue of trees, at the end of which stood
+what, even in the uncertain light, appeared a spacious chateau. The door
+lay open, and as we descended, a servant in plain clothes received
+us, and, after a whispered word or two from the cure, ushered us along
+through a suite of rooms into a large chamber furnished like a study.
+There were hook-shelves well filled, and a writing-table covered with
+papers and letters, and the whole floor was littered with newspapers and
+journals.
+
+A lamp, shaded by a deep gauze cover, threw a half-light over
+everything, nor was it until we had been nearly a couple of minutes in
+the room that we became aware of the presence of the count, who lay
+upon a sofa, covered up in a fur pelisse, although the season was far
+advanced in spring.
+
+His gentle 'Good-evening, messieurs,' was the first warning we had of
+his presence, and the cure, advancing respectfully, presented me as his
+young friend, Monsieur de Tiernay.
+
+'It is not for the first time that I hear that name,' said the sick man,
+with a voice of singular sweetness. 'It is chronicled in the annals of
+our monarchy. Ay, sir, I knew that faithful servant of his king, who
+followed his master to the scaffold.'
+
+'My father?' cried I eagerly.
+
+'I knew him well,' continued he; 'I may say, without vaunting, that I
+had it in my power to befriend him, too. He made an imprudent marriage;
+he was unfortunate in the society his second wife's family threw him
+amongst. They were not his equals in birth, and far beneath him in
+sentiment and principle. Well, well,' sighed he, 'this is not a theme
+for me to speak of, nor for you to hear; tell me of yourself. The cure
+says that you have had more than your share of worldly vicissitudes.
+There, sit down, and let me hear your story from your own lips.'
+
+He pointed to a seat at his side, and I obeyed him at once; for,
+somehow, there was an air of command even in the gentlest tones of his
+voice, and I felt that his age and his sufferings were not the only
+claims he possessed to influence those around him.
+
+With all the brevity in my power, my story lasted till above an hour,
+during which time the count only interrupted me once or twice by asking
+to which Colonel Mahon I referred, as there were two of the name; and
+again by inquiring to what circumstances the _emigre_ family were living
+as to means, and whether they appeared to derive any of their resources
+from France. These were points I could give no information upon, and I
+plainly perceived that the count had no patience for a conjecture,
+and that, where positive knowledge failed, he instantly passed on to
+something else. When I came to speak of Ettenheim his attention became
+fixed, not suffering the minutest circumstance to escape him, and even
+asking for the exact description of the locality, and its distance from
+the towns in the neighbourhood.
+
+The daily journeys of the prince, too, interested him much, and once
+or twice he made me repeat what the peasant had said of the horse being
+able to travel from Strasbourg without a halt. I vow it puzzled me why
+he should dwell on these points in preference to others of far more
+interest, but I set them down to the caprices of illness, and thought
+no more of them. His daily life, his conversation, the opinions he
+expressed about France, the questions he used to ask, were all matters
+he inquired into, till, finally, we came to the anecdote of the
+meditated assassination of Bonaparte. This he made me tell him twice
+over, each time asking me eagerly whether, by an effort of memory, I
+could not recall the name of the man who had offered his services for
+the deed. This I could not; indeed I knew not if I had ever heard it.
+
+'But the prince rejected the proposal?' said he, peering at me beneath
+the dark shadow of his heavy brow; 'he would not hear of it?'
+
+'Of course not,' cried I; 'he even threatened to denounce the man to the
+Government.'
+
+'And do you think that he would have gone thus far, sir?' asked he
+slowly.
+
+'I am certain of it. The horror and disgust he expressed when reciting
+the story were a guarantee for what he would have done.'
+
+'But yet Bonaparte has been a dreadful enemy to his race.' said the
+count.
+
+'It is not a Conde can right himself by a murder,' said I, as calmly.
+
+'How I like that burst of generous Royalism, young man!' said he,
+grasping my hand and shaking it warmly. 'That steadfast faith in the
+honour of a Bourbon is the very heart and soul of loyalty!'
+
+Now, although I was not, so far as I knew of, anything of a
+Royalist--the cause had neither my sympathy nor my wishes--I did not
+choose to disturb the equanimity of a poor sick man by a needless
+disclaimer, nor induce a discussion which must be both unprofitable and
+painful.
+
+'How did the fellow propose the act? had he any accomplices? or was he
+alone?'
+
+'I believe quite alone.'
+
+'Of course suborned by England? Of that there can be no doubt.'
+
+'The prince never said so.'
+
+'Well, but it is clear enough, the man must have had means; he travelled
+by a very circuitous route; he had come from Hamburg probably?'
+
+'I never heard.'
+
+'He must have done so. The ports of Holland, as those of France, would
+have been too dangerous for him. Italy is out of the question.'
+
+I owned that I had not speculated so deeply in the matter.
+
+'It was strange,' said he, after a pause, 'that the duke never mentioned
+who had introduced the man to him.'
+
+'He merely called him a valued friend.'
+
+'In other words, the Count d'Artois,' said the count; 'did it not strike
+you so?'
+
+I had to confess it had not occurred to me to think so.
+
+'But reflect a little,' said he. 'Is there any other living who could
+have dared to make such a proposal but the count? Who, but the head of
+his house, could have presumed on such a step? No inferior could have
+had the audacity! It must have come from one so highly placed that crime
+paled itself down to a mere measure of expediency under the loftiness of
+the sanction. What think you?'
+
+'I cannot, I will not think so,' was my answer. 'The very indignation of
+the prince's rejection refutes the supposition.'
+
+'What a glorious gift is unsuspectfulness!' said he feelingly. 'I am
+a rich man, and you I believe are not so; and yet, I'd give all the
+wealth, ay, ten times told, not for your vigour of health, not for the
+lightness of your heart, nor the elasticity of your spirits, but for
+that one small quality, defect though it be, that makes you trustful and
+credulous.'
+
+I believe I would just as soon that the old gentleman had thought fit to
+compliment me upon any other quality. Of all my acquisitions there was
+not one I was so vain of as my knowledge of life and character. I had
+seen, as I thought, so much of life I I had peeped at all ranks and
+conditions of men, and it was rather hard to find an old country
+gentleman, a _Seigneur de Village_, calling me credulous and
+unsuspecting!
+
+I was much more pleased when he told the cure that a supper was ready
+for us in the adjoining room, at which he begged we would excuse his
+absence; and truly a most admirable little meal it was, and served with
+great elegance.
+
+'The count expects you to stop here; there is a chamber prepared for
+you,' said the cure as we took our seats at table. 'He has evidently
+taken a fancy to you. I thought, indeed I was quite certain, he would.
+Who can tell what good fortune this chance meeting may lead to, Monsieur
+Maurice! _A votre sante, mon cher!_' cried he, as he clinked his
+champagne glass against mine; and I at last began to think that destiny
+was about to smile on me.
+
+'You should see his chateau in the Ardeche; this is nothing to it! There
+is a forest, too, of native oak, and a _chasse_ such as royalty never
+owned!'
+
+Mine were delightful dreams that night; but I was sorely disappointed
+on waking to find that Laura was not riding at my side through a
+forest-alley, while a crowd of _piqueurs_ and huntsmen galloped to and
+fro, making the air vibrate with their joyous bugles. Still, I opened my
+eyes in a richly furnished chamber, while a lackey handed me my coffee
+on a silver stand, and in a cup of costliest Sevres.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLIII. A FOREST RIDE
+
+While I was dressing, a note was handed to me from the cure, apologising
+for his departure without seeing me, and begging, as a great favour,
+that I would not leave the chateau till his return. He said that the
+count's spirits had benefited greatly by our agreeable converse,
+and that he requested me to be his guest for some time to come. The
+postscript added a suggestion that I should write down some of
+the particulars of my visit to Ettenheim, but particularly of that
+conversation alluding to the meditated assassination of Bonaparte.
+
+There were many points in the arrangement which I did not like. To
+begin, I had no fancy whatever for the condition of a dependant, and
+such my poverty would at once stamp me. Secondly, I was averse to this
+frequent intercourse with men of the Royalist party, whose restless
+character and unceasing schemes were opposed to all the principles of
+those I had served under; and finally, I was growing impatient under the
+listless vacuity of a life that gave no occupation, nor opened any view
+for the future. I sat down to breakfast in a mood very little in unison
+with the material enjoyments around me. The meal was all that could
+tempt appetite; and the view from the open window displayed a beautiful
+flower-garden, imperceptibly fading away into a maze of ornamental
+planting, which was backed again by a deep forest, the well-known wood
+of Belleville. Still I ate on sullenly, scarce noticing any of the
+objects around me. I will see the count, and take leave of him, thought
+I suddenly; I cannot be his guest without sacrificing feeling in a dozen
+ways.
+
+'At what hour does monsieur rise?' asked I of the obsequious valet who
+waited behind my chair.
+
+'Usually at three or four in the afternoon, sir; but to-day he has
+desired me to make his excuses to you. There will be a consultation of
+doctors here; and the likelihood is, that he may not leave his chamber.'
+
+'Will you convey my respectful compliments, then, to him, and my regrets
+that I had not seen him before leaving the chateau?'
+
+'The count charged me, sir, to entreat your remaining here till he had
+seen you. He said you had done him infinite service already; and indeed
+it is long since he has passed a night in such tranquillity.'
+
+There are few slight circumstances which impress a stranger more
+favourably than any semblance of devotion on the part of a servant
+to his master. The friendship of those above one in life is easier to
+acquire than the attachment of those beneath. Love is a plant whose
+tendrils strive ever upwards. I could not help feeling struck at
+the man's manner as he spoke these few words; and insensibly my mind
+reverted to the master who had inspired such sentiments.
+
+'My master gave orders, sir,' continued he, 'that we should do
+everything possible to contribute to your wishes; that the carriage,
+or, if you prefer them, saddle-horses, should be ready at any hour you
+ordered. The wood has a variety of beautiful excursions; there is a
+lake, too, about two leagues away; and the ruins of Monterraye are also
+worth seeing.'
+
+'If I had not engagements in Paris,' muttered I, while I affected to
+mumble over the conclusion of the sentence to myself.
+
+'Monsieur has seldom done a greater kindness than this will be,' added
+he respectfully; 'but if monsieur's business could be deferred for a day
+or two, without inconvenience-----'
+
+'Perhaps that might be managed,' said I, starting up, and walking to the
+window, when, for the first time, the glorious prospect revealed itself
+before me. How delicious, after all, would be a few hours of such a
+retreat!--a morning loitered away in that beautiful garden, and then
+a long ramble through the dark wood till sunset. Oh, if Laura were but
+here! if she could be my companion along those leafy alleys! If not
+with, I can at least think of her, thought I--seek out spots she
+would love to linger in, and points of view she would enjoy with all
+a painter's zest. And this poor count, with all his riches, could not
+derive in a whole lifetime the enjoyment that a few brief hours
+would yield to us! So is it almost ever in this world: to one man the
+appliances, to another the faculties for enjoyment.
+
+'I am so glad monsieur has consented,' said the valet joyously.
+
+'Did I say so? I don't know that I said anything.'
+
+'The count will be so gratified,' added he, and hurried away to convey
+the tidings.
+
+Well, be it so. Heaven knows my business in Paris will scarcely suffer
+by my absence, my chief occupation there being to cheat away the hours
+till meal-time. It is an occupation I can easily resume a few days
+hence. I took a book, and strolled out into the garden; but I could not
+read. There is a gush of pleasure felt at times from the most familiar
+objects, which the most complicated machinery of enjoyment often fails
+to equal; and now the odour of moss-roses and geraniums, the rich
+perfume of orange-flowers, the plash of fountains and the hum of the
+summer insects, steeped my mind in delight; and I lay there in a dream
+of bliss that was like enchantment. I suppose I must have fallen asleep,
+for my thoughts took every form of wildness and incoherency. Ireland;
+the campaign; the Bay of Genoa; the rugged height of Kuff-stein,
+all passed before my mind, peopled with images foreign to all their
+incidents. It was late in the afternoon that I aroused myself, and
+remembered where I was. The shadows of the dark forest were stretching
+over the plain, and I determined on a ride beneath their mellow shade.
+As if in anticipation of my wishes, the horses were already saddled, and
+a groom stood awaiting my orders. Oh, what a glorious thing it is to be
+rich! thought I, as I mounted; from what an eminence does the wealthy
+man view life! No petty cares nor calculations mar the conceptions of
+his fancy. His will, like his imagination, wanders free and unfettered.
+And so thinking, I dashed spurs into my horse, and plunged into the
+dense wood. Perhaps I was better mounted than the groom, or perhaps the
+man was scarcely accustomed to such impetuosity. Whatever the reason, I
+was soon out of sight of him. The trackless grass of the alley, and its
+noiseless turf, made pursuit difficult in a spot where the paths crossed
+and recrossed in a hundred different directions; and so I rode on for
+miles and miles without seeing more of my follower.
+
+Forest riding is particularly seductive; you are insensibly led on to
+see where this alley will open, or how that path will terminate. Some
+of the spirit of discovery seems to seal its attractions to the wild
+and devious track, untrodden as it looks; and you feel all the charm
+of adventure as you advance. The silence, too, is most striking;
+the noiseless footfall of the horse, and the unbroken stillness, add
+indescribable charm to the scene, and the least imaginative cannot fail
+to weave fancies and fictions as he goes.
+
+Near as it was to a great city, not a single rider crossed my path; not
+even a peasant did I meet. A stray bundle of faggots, bound and ready
+to be carried away, showed that the axe of the woodman had been heard
+within the solitude; but not another trace told that human footstep had
+ever pressed the sward.
+
+Although still a couple of hours from sunset, the shade of the wood was
+dense enough to make the path appear uncertain, and I was obliged
+to ride more cautiously than before. I had thought that by steadily
+pursuing one straight track, I should at last gain the open country, and
+easily find some road that would reconduct me to the chateau; but now I
+saw no signs of this. 'The alley' was, to all appearance, exactly as I
+found it--miles before. A long aisle of beech-trees stretched away in
+front and behind me; a short, grassy turf was beneath my feet, and not
+an object to tell me how far I had come, or whither I was tending. If
+now and then another road crossed the path, it was in all respects like
+this one. This was puzzling; and to add to my difficulty, I suddenly
+remembered that I had never thought of learning the name of the chateau,
+and well knew that to ask for it as the residence of the Count de
+Maurepas would be a perfect absurdity. There was something so ludicrous
+in the situation, that I could not refrain from laughing at first; but
+a moment's reconsideration made me regard the incident more gravely. In
+what a position should I stand, if unable to discover the chateau! The
+cure might have left Paris before I could reach it; all clue to the
+count might thus be lost; and although these were but improbable
+circumstances, they came now very forcibly before me, and gave me
+serious uneasiness.
+
+'I have been so often in false positions in life, so frequently
+implicated where no real blame could attach to me, that I shall not be
+in the least surprised if I be arrested as a horse-stealer!' The night
+now began to fall rapidly, so that I was obliged to proceed at a slow
+pace; and at length, as the wood seemed to thicken, I was forced to get
+off, and walk beside my horse. I have often found myself in situations
+of real peril, with far less anxiety than I now felt. My position seemed
+at the time inexplicable and absurd. I suppose, thought I, that no man
+was ever lost in the wood of Belleville; he must find his way out of it
+sooner or later; and then there can be no great difficulty in returning
+to Paris. This was about the extent of the comfort I could afford
+myself; for, once back in the capital, I could not speculate on a single
+step further.
+
+I was at last so weary with the slow and cautious progression I was
+condemned to, that I half determined to picket my horse to a tree, and
+lie down to sleep till daylight. While I sought out a convenient spot
+for my bivouac, a bright twinkling light, like a small star, caught my
+eye. Twice it appeared, and vanished again, so that I was well assured
+of its being real, and no phantom of my now over-excited brain. It
+appeared to proceed from the very densest part of the wood, and whither,
+so far as I could see, no path conducted. As I listened to catch any
+sounds, I again caught sight of the faint star, which now seemed at
+a short distance from the road where I stood. Fastening my horse to a
+branch, I advanced directly through the brushwood for about a hundred
+yards, when I came to a small open space, in which stood one of those
+modest cottages, of rough timber, wherein, at certain seasons, the
+gamekeepers take refuge. A low, square, log-hut, with a single door
+and an unglazed window, comprised the whole edifice, being one of the
+humblest, even of its humble kind, I had ever seen. Stealing cautiously
+to the window, I peeped in. On a stone, in the middle of the earthern
+floor, a small iron lamp stood, which threw a faint and fickle light
+around. There was no furniture of any kind--nothing that bespoke the
+place as inhabited; and it was only as I continued to gaze that I
+detected the figure of a man, who seemed to be sleeping on a heap of
+dried leaves in one corner of the hovel. I own that, with all my anxiety
+to find a guide, I began to feel some scruples about obtruding on
+the sleeper's privacy. He was evidently no _garde-chasse_, who are a
+well-to-do sort of folk, being usually retired _sous-officiers_ of
+the army. He might be a poacher, a robber, or perhaps a dash of both
+together--a trade I had often heard of as being resorted to by the most
+reckless and abandoned of the population of Paris, when their crimes and
+their haunts became too well known in the capital.
+
+I peered eagerly through the chamber to see if he were armed; but not a
+weapon of any kind was to be seen. I next sought to discover if he were
+quite alone; and although one side of the hovel was hidden from my view,
+I was well assured that he had no comrade. Come, said I to myself, man
+to man, if it should come to a struggle, is fair enough; and the chances
+are I shall be able to defend myself.
+
+His sleep was sound and heavy, like that after fatigue; so that I
+thought it would be easy for me to enter the hovel, and secure his arms,
+if he had such, before he should awake. I may seem to my reader, all
+this time, to have been inspired with an undue amount of caution and
+prudence, considering how evenly we were matched; but I would remind
+him that it was a period when the most dreadful crimes were of daily
+occurrence. Not a night went over without some terrible assassination;
+and a number of escaped galley-slaves were known to be at large in the
+suburbs and outskirts of the capital. These men, under the slightest
+provocation, never hesitated at murder; for their lives were already
+forfeited, and they scrupled at nothing which offered a chance of
+escape. To add to the terror their atrocities excited, there was a
+rumour current at the time that the Government itself made use of these
+wretches for its own secret acts of vengeance; and many implicitly
+believed that the dark assassinations of the Temple had no other agency.
+I do not mean to say that these fears were well founded, or that I
+myself partook of them; but such were the reports commonly circulated,
+and the impunity of crime certainly favoured the impression. I know
+not if this will serve as an apology for the circumspection of my
+proceeding, as, cautiously pushing the door, inch by inch, I at length
+threw it wide open. Not the slightest sound escaped as I did so; and yet
+certainly before my hand quitted the latch, the sleeper had sprung to
+his knees, and with his dark eyes glaring wildly at me, crouched like a
+beast about to rush upon an enemy.
+
+His attitude and his whole appearance at that moment are yet before me.
+Long black hair fell in heavy masses at either side of his head; his
+face was pale, haggard, and hunger-stricken; a deep, drooping moustache
+descended from below his chin, and almost touched his collar-bones,
+which were starting from beneath the skin; a ragged cloak, that covered
+him as he lay, had fallen off, and showed that a worn shirt and a
+pair of coarse linen trousers were all his clothing. Such a picture of
+privation and misery I never looked upon before nor since.
+
+'_Qui va la?_' cried he sternly, and with the voice of one not unused
+to command; and although the summons showed his soldier-training, his
+condition of wretchedness suggested deep misgivings.
+
+'Qui _va la?_' shouted he again, louder and more determinedly.
+
+'A friend--perhaps a comrade,' said I boldly.
+
+'Advance, comrade, and give the countersign,' replied he rapidly,
+and like one repeating a phrase of routine; and then, as if suddenly
+remembering himself, he added, with a low sigh, 'There is none!' His
+arms dropped heavily as he spoke, and he fell back against the wall,
+with his head drooping on his chest.
+
+There was something so unutterably forlorn in his look, as he sat thus,
+that all apprehension of personal danger from him left me at the moment,
+and advancing frankly, I told him how I had lost my way in the wood, and
+by a mere accident chanced to descry his light as I wandered along in
+the gloom.
+
+I do not know if he understood me at first, for he gazed half vacantly
+at my face while I was speaking, and often stealthily peered around to
+see if others were coming, so that I had to repeat more than once that
+I was perfectly alone. That the poor fellow was insane seemed but
+too probable; the restless activity of his wild eye, the suspicious
+watchfulness of his glances, all looked like madness, and I thought
+that he had probably made his escape from some military hospital, and
+concealed himself within the recesses of the forest. But even these
+signs of overwrought excitement began to subside soon; and as though the
+momentary effort at vigilance had been too much for his strength, he now
+drew his cloak about him, and lay down once more.
+
+I handed him my brandy flask, which still contained a little, and he
+raised it to his lips with a slight nod of recognition. Invigorated by
+the stimulant, he supped again and again, but always cautiously, and
+with prudent reserve.
+
+'You have been a soldier?' said I, taking my seat at his side.
+
+'I am a soldier,' said he, with a strong emphasis on the verb.
+
+'I too have served,' said I; 'although, probably, neither as long nor as
+creditably as you have.'
+
+He looked at me fixedly for a second or two, and then dropped his eyes
+without a reply.
+
+'You were probably with the army of the Meuse?' said I, hazarding the
+guess, from remembering how many of that army had been invalided by the
+terrible attacks of ague contracted in North Holland.
+
+'I served on the Rhine,' said he briefly; 'but I made the campaign of
+Jemappes, too. I served the king also--King Louis,' cried he sternly.
+'Is that avowal candid enough, or do you want more?'
+
+Another Royalist, thought I, with a sigh. Whichever way I turn they meet
+me--the very ground seems to give them up.
+
+'And could you find no better trade than that of a _mouchard?_ 'asked he
+sneeringly.
+
+'I am not a _mouchard_--I never was one. I am a soldier like yourself;
+and, mayhap, if all were to be told, scarcely a more fortunate one.'
+
+'Dismissed the service--and for what?' asked he bluntly.
+
+'If not broke, at least not employed,' said I bitterly.
+
+'A Royalist?'
+
+'Not the least of one, but suspected.'
+
+'Just so. Your letters--your private papers ransacked, and brought in
+evidence against you. Your conversations with your intimates noted down
+and attested--every word you dropped in a moment of disappointment or
+anger; every chance phrase you uttered when provoked--all quoted; wasn't
+that it?'
+
+As he spoke this, with a rapid and almost impetuous utterance, I, for
+the first time, noticed that both the expressions and the accent implied
+breeding and education. Not all his vehemence could hide the evidences
+of former cultivation.
+
+'How comes it,' asked I eagerly, 'that such a man as you are is to be
+found thus? You certainly did not always serve in the ranks?'
+
+'I had my grade,' was his short, dry reply.
+
+'You were a quartermaster--perhaps a sous-lieutenant?' said I, hoping by
+the flattery of the surmise to lead him to talk further.
+
+'I was the colonel of a dragoon regiment,' said he sternly-- 'and that
+neither the least brave nor the least distinguished in the French army.'
+
+Ah! thought I, my good fellow, you have shot your bolt too high this
+time; and in a careless, easy way, I asked, 'What might have been the
+number of your corps?'
+
+'How can it concern you?' said he, with a savage vehemence. 'You say
+that you are not a spy. To what end these questions? As it is, you
+have made this hovel, which has been my shelter for some weeks back, no
+longer of any service to me. I will not be tracked. I will not suffer
+espionage, by Heaven!' cried he, as he dashed his clenched fist against
+the ground beside him. His eyes, as he spoke, glared with all the
+wildness of insanity, and great drops of sweat hung upon his damp
+forehead.
+
+'Is it too much,' continued he, with all the vehemence of passion, 'is
+it too much that I was master here? Are these walls too luxurious?
+Is there the sign of foreign gold in this tasteful furniture and the
+splendour of these hangings? Or is this'--and he stretched out his lean
+and naked arms as he spoke--'is this the garb--is this the garb of a man
+who can draw at will on the coffers of royalty? Ay!' cried he, with a
+wild laugh, 'if this is the price of my treachery, the treason might
+well be pardoned.'
+
+I did all I could to assuage the violence of his manner. I talked to
+him calmly and soberly of myself and of him, repeating over and over the
+assurance that I had neither the will nor the way to injure him. 'You
+may be poor,' said I, 'and yet scarcely poorer than I am--friendless,
+and have as many to care for you as I have. Believe me, comrade, save
+in the matter of a few years the less on one side, and some services the
+more on the other, there is little to chose between us.'
+
+These few words, wrung from me in sorrowful sincerity, seemed to do more
+than all I had said previously, and he moved the lamp a little to
+one side that he might have a better view of me as I sat; and thus we
+remained for several minutes staring steadfastly at each other, without
+a word spoken on either side. It was in vain that I sought in that face,
+livid and shrunk by famine--in that straggling matted hair, and that
+figure enveloped in rags, for any traces of former condition. Whatever
+might once have been his place in society, now he seemed the very lowest
+of that miserable tribe whose lives are at once the miracle and shame of
+our century.
+
+'Except that my senses are always playing me false,' said he, as he
+passed his hand across his eyes, 'I could say that I have seen your face
+before. What was your corps?'
+
+'The Ninth Hussars, "the Tapageurs," as they called them.'
+
+'When did you join--and where?' said he, with an eagerness that
+surprised me.
+
+'At Nancy,' said I calmly.
+
+'You were there with the advanced guard of Moreau's corps,' said he
+hastily; 'you followed the regiment to the Moselle.'
+
+'How do you know all this?' asked I, in amazement.
+
+'Now for your name; tell me your name,' cried he, grasping my hand in
+both of his--'and I charge you by all you care for here or hereafter,
+no deception with me. It is not a head that has been tried like mine can
+bear a cheat.'
+
+'I have no object in deceiving you; nor am I ashamed to say who I am,'
+replied I, 'My name is Tiernay--Maurice Tiernay.'
+
+The word was but out when the poor fellow threw himself forward, and
+grasping my hands, fell upon and kissed them.
+
+'So, then, cried he passionately, 'I am not friendless--I am not utterly
+deserted in life--you are yet left to me, my dear boy!'
+
+This burst of feeling convinced me that he was deranged; and I was
+speculating in my mind how best to make my escape from him, when he
+pushed back the long and tangled hair from his face, and staring wildly
+at me, said, 'You know me now--don't you? Oh, look again, Maurice, and
+do not let me think that I am forgotten by all the world.
+
+'Good heavens!' cried I, 'it is Colonel Mahon!'
+
+'Ay, "Le Beau Mahon,"' said he, with a burst of wild laughter; 'Le Beau
+Mahon, as they used to call me long ago. Is this a reverse of fortune, I
+ask you?' and he held out the ragged remnants of his miserable clothes.
+'I have not worn shoes for nigh a month. I have tasted food but once in
+the last thirty hours! I, that have led French soldiers to the charge
+full fifty times, up to the very batteries of the enemy, am reduced to
+hide and skulk from place to place like a felon, trembling at the clank
+of a gendarme's boot, as never the thunder of an enemy's squadron made
+me. Think of the persecution that has brought me to this, and made me a
+beggar and a coward together!'
+
+A gush of tears burst from him at these words, and he sobbed for several
+minutes like a child.
+
+Whatever might have been the original source of his misfortunes, I had
+very little doubt that now his mind had been shaken by their influence,
+and that calamity had deranged him. The flighty uncertainty of his
+manner, the incoherent rapidity with which he passed from one topic to
+another, increased with his excitement, and he passed alternately
+from the wildest expressions of delight at our meeting, to the most
+heart-rending descriptions of his own sufferings. By great patience
+and some ingenuity, I learned that he had taken refuge in the wood of
+Belleville, where the kindness of an old soldier of his own brigade--now
+a _garde-chasse_--had saved him from starvation. Jacques Gaillon was
+continually alluded to in his narrative. It was Jacques sheltered him
+when he came first to Belleville. Jacques had afforded him a refuge
+in the different huts of the forest, supplying him with food--acts
+not alone of benevolence, but of daring courage, as Mahon continually
+asserted. If it were but known, 'they 'd give him a _peloton_ and eight
+paces.' The theme of Jacques' heroism was so engrossing, that he could
+not turn from it; every little incident of his kindness, every stratagem
+of his inventive good-nature, he dwelt upon with eager delight, and
+seemed half to forget his own sorrows in recounting the services of his
+benefactor. I saw that it would be fruitless to ask for any account of
+his past calamity, or by what series of mischances he had fallen so low.
+I saw--I will own with some chagrin--that, with the mere selfishness of
+misfortune, he could not speak of anything save what bore upon his own
+daily life, and totally forgot me and all about me.
+
+The most relentless persecution seemed to follow him from place to
+place. Wherever he went, fresh spies started on his track, and the
+history of his escapes was unending. The very faggot-cutters of the
+forest were in league against him, and the high price offered for his
+capture had drawn many into the pursuit. It was curious to mark the
+degree of self-importance all these recitals imparted, and how the poor
+fellow, starving and almost naked as he was, rose into all the imagined
+dignity of martyrdom, as he told of his sorrows. If he ever asked a
+question about Paris, it was to know what people said of himself and of
+his fortunes. He was thoroughly convinced that Bonaparte's thoughts were
+far more occupied about him than on that empire now so nearly in his
+grasp, and he continued to repeat with a proud delight, 'He has caught
+them all but me! I am the only one who has escaped him!' These few words
+suggested to me the impression that Mahon had been engaged in some plot
+or conspiracy, but of what nature, how composed, or how discovered, it
+was impossible to arrive at.
+
+'There!' said he, at last, 'there is the dawn breaking! I must be off. I
+must now make for the thickest part of the wood till nightfall There are
+hiding-places there known to none save myself. The bloodhounds cannot
+track me where I go.'
+
+His impatience became now extreme. Every instant seemed full of peril
+to him now--every rustling leaf and every waving branch a warning. I was
+unable to satisfy myself how far this might be well-founded terror, or a
+vague and causeless fear. At one moment I inclined to this--at another,
+to the opposite impression. Assuredly nothing could be more complete
+than the precautions he took against discovery. His lamp was concealed
+in the hollow of a tree; the leaves that formed his bed he scattered and
+strewed carelessly on every side; he erased even the foot-tracks on the
+clay, and then gathering up his tattered cloak, prepared to set out.
+
+'When are we to meet again, and where?' said I, grasping his hand.
+
+He stopped suddenly, and passed his hand over his brow, as if
+reflecting. 'You must see Caillon; Jacques will tell you all,' said he
+solemnly. 'Good-bye. Do not follow me. I will not be tracked'; and with
+a proud gesture of his hand he motioned me back.
+
+Poor fellow! I saw that any attempt to reason with him would be in vain
+at such a moment; and determining to seek out the _garde-chasse_, I
+turned away slowly and sorrowfully.
+
+'What have been my vicissitudes of fortune compared to his?' thought I.
+'The proud colonel of a cavalry regiment, a beggar and an outcast!'
+The great puzzle to me was, whether insanity had been the cause or the
+consequence of his misfortunes. Caillon will, perhaps, be able to tell
+me his story, said I to myself; and thus ruminating, I returned to where
+I had picketed my horse three hours before. My old dragoon experiences
+had taught me how to 'hobble' a horse, as it is called, by passing the
+bridle beneath the counter before tying it, and so I found him just as I
+left him.
+
+The sun was now up, and I could see that a wide track led off through
+the forest straight before me. I accordingly mounted, and struck into a
+sharp canter. About an hour's riding brought me to a small clearing, in
+the midst of which stood a neat and picturesque cottage, over the door
+of which was painted the words 'Station de Chasse--No. 4.' In a little
+garden in front, a man was working in his shirt sleeves, but his
+military trousers at once proclaimed him the _garde_. He stopped as I
+came up, and eyed me sharply.
+
+'Is this the road to Belleville?' said I.
+
+'You can go this way, but it takes you two miles of a round,' replied
+he, coming closer, and scanning me keenly.
+
+'You can tell me, perhaps, where Jacques Caillon, _garde-chaase_, is to
+be found?'
+
+'I am Jacques Caillon, sir,' was the answer, as he saluted in soldier
+fashion, while a look of anxiety stole over his face.
+
+'I have something to speak to you about,' said I, dismounting, and
+giving him the bridle of my horse. 'Throw him some corn, if you have
+got it, and then let us talk together'; and with this I walked into the
+garden, and seated myself on a bench.
+
+If Jacques be an old soldier, thought I, the only way is to come the
+officer over him; discipline and obedience are never forgotten, and
+whatever chances I may have of his confidence will depend on how much I
+seem his superior. It appeared as if this conjecture was well founded,
+for as Jacques came back, his manner betrayed every sign of respect and
+deference. There was an expression of almost fear in his face as, with
+his hand to his cap, he asked 'What were my orders?'
+
+The very deference of his air was disconcerting, and so, assuming a look
+of easy cordiality, I said--
+
+'First, I will ask you to give me something to eat; and secondly, to
+give me your company for half an hour.'
+
+Jacques promised both, and learning that I preferred my breakfast in
+the open air, proceeded to arrange the table under a blossoming
+chestnut-tree.
+
+'Are you quite alone here?' asked I, as he passed back and forward.
+
+'Quite alone, sir; and except a stray faggot-cutter or a chance
+traveller who may have lost his way, I never see a human face from
+year's end to year's end. It's a lonely thing for an old soldier, too,'
+said he, with a sigh.
+
+'I know more than one who would envy you, Jacques,' said I; and the
+words made him almost start as I spoke them. The coffee was now ready,
+and I proceeded to make my breakfast with all the appetite of a long
+fast.
+
+There was indeed but little to inspire awe, or even deference, in my
+personal appearance--a threadbare undress frock and a worn-out old
+foraging-cap were all the marks of my soldierlike estate; and yet,
+from Jacques's manner, one might have guessed me to be a general at the
+least. He attended me with the stiff propriety of the parade, and when,
+at last, induced to take a seat, he did so full two yards off from the
+table, and arose almost every time he was spoken to. Now it was quite
+clear that the honest soldier did not know me either as the hero of
+Kehl, of Ireland, or of Genoa. Great achievements as they were, they
+were wonderfully little noised about the world, and a man might frequent
+mixed companies every day of the week, and never hear of one of them.
+So far, then, was certain---it could not be my fame had imposed on
+him; and, as I have already hinted, it could scarcely be my general
+appearance. Who knows, thought I, but I owe all this obsequious
+deference to my horse? If Jacques be an old cavalry-man, he will have
+remarked that the beast is of great value, and doubtless argue to the
+worth of the rider from the merits of his 'mount.' If this explanation
+was not the most flattering, it was, at all events, the best I could hit
+on; and with a natural reference to what was passing in my own mind, I
+asked him if he had looked to my horse.
+
+'Oh yes, sir,' said he, reddening suddenly, 'I have taken off the
+saddle, and thrown him his corn.'
+
+What the deuce does his confusion mean? thought I; the fellow looks as
+if he had half a mind to run away, merely because I asked him a simple
+question.
+
+'I 've had a sharp ride,' said I, rather by way of saying something,
+'and I shouldn't wonder if he was a little fatigued.'
+
+'Scarcely so, sir,' said he, with a faint smile; 'he's old, now, but
+it's not a little will tire him.'
+
+'You know him, then?' said I quickly.
+
+'Ay, sir, and have known him for eighteen years. He was in the second
+squadron of our regiment; the major rode him two entire campaigns!'
+
+The reader may guess that his history was interesting to me, from
+perceiving the impression the reminiscence made on the relator, and I
+inquired what became of him after that.
+
+'He was wounded by a shot at Neuwied, and sold into the train, where
+they couldn't manage him; and after three years, when horses grew
+scarce, he came back into the cavalry. A serjeant-major of lancers was
+killed on him at "Zwei Bruecken." That was the fourth rider he brought
+mishap to, not to say a farrier whom he dashed to pieces in his stable.'
+
+Ah, Jack, thought I, I have it; it is a piece of old-soldier
+superstition about this mischievous horse has inspired all the man's
+respect and reverence; and, if a little disappointed in the mystery, I
+was so far pleased at having discovered the clue.
+
+'But I have found him quiet enough,' said I; 'I never backed him till
+yesterday, and he has carried me well and peaceably.'
+
+'Ah, that he will now, I warrant him; since the day a shell burst under
+him at Waitzen he never showed any vice. The wound nearly left the ribs
+bare, and he was for months and months invalided; after that he was sold
+out of the cavalry, I don't know where or to whom. The next I saw of him
+was in his present service.'
+
+'Then you are acquainted with the present owner?' asked I eagerly.
+
+'As every Frenchman is!' was the curt rejoinder.
+
+'_Parbleu!_ it will seem a droll confession, then, when I tell you that
+I myself do not even know his name.'
+
+The look of contempt these words brought to my companion's face could
+not, it seemed, be either repressed or concealed, and although my
+conscience acquitted me of deserving such a glance, I own that I felt
+insulted by it.
+
+'You are pleased to disbelieve me, Master Caillon,' said I sternly,
+'which makes me suppose that you are neither so old nor so good a
+soldier as I fancied; at least in the corps I had the honour to serve
+with, the word of an officer was respected like an "order of the day."'
+
+He stood erect, as if on parade, under this rebuke, but made no answer.
+
+'Had you simply expressed surprise at what I said, I would have given
+you the explanation frankly and freely; as it is, I shall content myself
+with repeating what I said--I do not even know his name.'
+
+The same imperturbable look and the same silence met me as before.
+
+'Now, sir, I ask you how this gentleman is called, whom I, alone of all
+France, am ignorant of?'
+
+'Monsieur Fouche,' said he calmly.
+
+'What! Fouche, the Minister of Police?'
+
+This time, at least, my agitated looks seemed to move him, for he
+replied quietly--
+
+'The same, sir. The horse has the brand of the "Ministere" on his
+haunch.'
+
+'And where is the Ministere?' cried I eagerly.
+
+'In the Rue des Victoires, monsieur.'
+
+'But he lives in the country, in a chateau near this very forest.'
+
+'Where does he not live, monsieur? At Versailles, at St. Germain, in the
+Luxembourg, in the Marais, at Neuilly, the Batignolles. I have carried
+despatches to him in every quarter of Paris. Ah, monsieur, what secret
+are you in possession of, that it was worth while to lay so subtle a
+trap to catch you?'
+
+This question, put in all the frank abruptness of a sudden thought,
+immediately revealed everything before me.
+
+'Is it not as I have said?' resumed he, still looking at my agitated
+face; 'is it not as I have said---monsieur is in the web of the
+_mouchards?_'
+
+'Good heavens! is such baseness possible?' was all that I could utter.
+
+'I'll wager a piece of five francs I can read the mystery,' said
+Jacques. 'You served on Moreau's staff, or with Pichegru in Holland;
+you either have some of the general's letters, or you can be supposed to
+have them, at all events; you remember many private conversations held
+with him on politics; you can charge your memory with a number of strong
+facts; and you can, if needed, draw up a memoir of all your intercourse.
+I know the system well, for I was a _mouchard_ myself.'
+
+'You a police spy, Jacques?'
+
+'Ay, sir; I was appointed without knowing what services were expected
+from me, or the duties of my station. Two months' trial, however, showed
+that I was "incapable," and proved that a smart, _sous-offieier_ is not
+necessarily a scoundrel. They dismissed me as impracticable, and made me
+_garde-chasse_; and they were right, too. Whether I was dressed up in
+a snuff-brown suit, like a bourgeois of the Rue St. Denis; whether they
+attired me as a farmer from the provinces, a retired _maitre de poste_,
+an old officer, or the _conducteur_ of a diligence, I was always Jacques
+Gaillon. Through everything--wigs and beards, lace or rags, jackboots or
+sabots, it was all alike; and while others could pass weeks in the Pays
+Latin as students, country doctors, or _notaires de village_, I was
+certain to be detected by every brat that walked the streets.'
+
+'What a system! And so these fellows assume every disguise?' asked I, my
+mind full of my late rencontre.
+
+'That they do, monsieur. There is one fellow, a Provencal by birth, has
+played more characters than ever did Brunet himself. I have known him as
+a _laquais de place_, a cook to an English nobleman, a letter-carrier,
+a flower-girl, a cornet-a-piston in the opera, and a cure from the
+Ardeche.'
+
+'A cure from the Ardeche!' exclaimed I. 'Then I am a ruined man.'
+
+'What! has monsieur fallen in with Paul?' cried he, laughing. 'Was
+he begging for a small contribution to repair the roof of his little
+chapel, or was it a fire that had devastated his poor village? Did the
+altar want a new covering, or the cure a vestment? Was it a canopy for
+the Fete of the Virgin, or a few sous towards the "Orphelines de St.
+Jude?"'
+
+'None of these,' said I, half angrily, for the theme was no jesting one
+to me. 'It was a poor girl that had been carried away.'
+
+'Lisette, the miller's daughter, or the schoolmaster's niece?' broke he
+in, laughing. 'He must have known you were new to Paris, monsieur, that
+he took so little trouble about a deception. And you met him at the
+"Charrette Rouge" in the Marais?'
+
+'No; at a little ordinary in the Quai Voltaire.'
+
+'Better again. Why, half the company there are _mouchards_. It is one of
+their rallying-points, where they exchange tokens and information. The
+labourers, the beggars, the fishermen of the Seine, the hawkers of old
+books, the vendors of gilt ornaments, are all spies; the most miserable
+creature that implored charity behind your chair as you sat at dinner
+has, perhaps, his ten francs a day on the roll of the Prefecture! Ah,
+monsieur! if I had not been a poor pupil of that school, I 'd have
+at once seen that you were a victim, and not a follower; but I soon
+detected my error--my education taught me at least so much!'
+
+I had no relish for the self-gratulation of honest Jacques, uttered, as
+it was, at my own expense. Indeed I had no thought for anything but the
+entanglement into which I had so stupidly involved myself; and I could
+not endure the recollection of my foolish credulity, now that all the
+paltry machinery of the deceit was brought before me. All my regard,
+dashed as it was with pity for the poor cure; all my compassionate
+interest for the dear Lisette; all my benevolent solicitude for the sick
+count, who was neither more nor less than Monsieur Fouche himself, were
+anything but pleasant reminiscences now, and I cursed my own stupidity
+with an honest sincerity that greatly amused my companion.
+
+'And is France come to this?' cried I passionately, and trying to
+console myself by inveighing against the Government.
+
+'Even so, sir,' said Jacques. 'I heard Monsieur de Talleyrand say as
+much the other day, as I waited behind his chair. It is only _dans les
+bonnes maisons_, said he, "that servants ever listen at the doors."
+Depend upon it, then, that a secret police is a strong symptom that we
+are returning to a monarchy.'
+
+It was plain that even in his short career in the police service,
+Caillon had acquired certain shrewd habits of thought, and some power
+of judgment, and so I freely communicated to him the whole of my late
+adventure, from the moment of my leaving the Temple to the time of my
+setting out for the chateau.
+
+'You have told me everything but one, monsieur,' said he, as I finished.
+'How came you ever to have heard the name of so humble a person as
+Jacques Caillon, for you remember you asked for me as you rode up?'
+
+'I was just coming to that point, Jacques; and, as you will see, it was
+not an omission in my narrative, only that I had not reached so far.'
+
+I then proceeded to recount my night in the forest, and my singular
+meeting with poor Mahon, which he listened to with great attention and
+some anxiety.
+
+'The poor colonel!' said he, breaking in, 'I suppose he is a hopeless
+case; his mind can never come right again.'
+
+'But if the persecution were to cease; if he were at liberty to appear
+once more in the world----'
+
+'What if there was no persecution, sir?' broke in Jacques. 'What if the
+whole were a mere dream or fancy? He is neither tracked nor followed. It
+is not such harmless game the bloodhounds of the Rue des Victoires scent
+out.'
+
+'Was it, then, some mere delusion drove him from the service?' said I,
+surprised.
+
+'I never said so much as that,' replied Jacques. 'Colonel Mahon has foul
+injury to complain of, but his present sufferings are the inflictions of
+his own terror. He fancies that the whole power of France is at war with
+him; that every engine of the Government is directed against him; with
+a restless fear he flies from village to village, fancying pursuit
+everywhere. Even kindness now he is distrustful of; and the chances are,
+that he will quit the forest this very day, merely because he met you
+there.'
+
+From being of all men the most open-hearted and frank, he had become the
+most suspicious; he trusted nothing nor any one; and if for a moment
+a burst of his old generous nature would return, it was sure to be
+followed by some excess of distrust that made him miserable almost
+to despair. Jacques was obliged to fall in with this humour, and only
+assist him by stealth and by stratagem; he was even compelled to chime
+in with all his notions about pursuit and danger, to suggest frequent
+change of place, and endless precautions against discovery.
+
+'Were I for once to treat him frankly, and ask him to share my home with
+me,' said Jacques, 'I should never see him more.'
+
+'What could have poisoned so noble a nature?' cried I. 'When I saw him
+last he was the very type of generous confidence.'
+
+'Where was that, and when?' asked Jacques.
+
+'It was at Nancy, on the march for the Rhine.'
+
+'His calamities had not fallen on him then. He was a proud man in those
+days, but it was a pride that well became him. He was the colonel of a
+great regiment, and for bravery had a reputation second to none.'
+
+'He was married, I think?'
+
+'No, sir; he was never married.'
+
+As Jacques said this, he arose, and moved slowly away, as though he
+would not be questioned further. His mind, too, seemed full of its own
+crowding memories, for he looked completely absorbed in thought, and
+never noticed my presence for a considerable time. At last he appeared
+to have decided some doubtful issue within himself, and said--
+
+'Come, sir, let us stroll into the shade of the wood, and I'll tell you
+in a few words the cause of the poor colonel's ruin--for ruin it is.
+Even were all the injustice to be revoked to-morrow, the wreck of his
+heart could never be repaired.'
+
+We walked along, side by side, for some time, before Jacques spoke
+again, when he gave me, in brief and simple words, the following
+sorrowful story. It was such a type of the age, so pregnant with the
+terrible lessons of the time, that although not without some misgivings,
+I repeat it here as it was told to myself, premising that however
+scant may be the reader's faith in many of the incidents of my own
+narrative--and I neither beg for his trust in me, nor seek to entrap
+it--I implore him to believe that what I am now about to tell was a
+plain matter of fact, and, save in the change of one name, not a single
+circumstance is owing to imagination.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLIV. AN EPISODE OF '94
+
+When the French army fell back across the Sambre, after the battle of
+Mons, a considerable portion of the rear, who covered the retreat,
+were cut off by the enemy, for it became their onerous duty to keep the
+allied forces in check, while the Republicans took measures to secure
+and hold fast the three bridges over the river. In this service many
+distinguished French officers fell, and many more were left badly
+wounded on the field; among the latter was a young captain of dragoons,
+who, with his hand nearly severed by a sabre-cut, yet found strength
+enough to crawl under cover of a hedge, and there lie down in the
+fierce resolve to die where he was, rather than surrender himself as a
+prisoner.
+
+Although the allied forces had gained the battle, they quickly foresaw
+that the ground they had won was untenable; and scarcely had night
+closed in when they began their preparations to fall back. With strong
+pickets of observation to watch the bridges, they slowly withdrew
+their columns towards Mons, posting the artillery on the heights around
+Grandrengs. From these movements, the ground of the late struggle became
+comparatively deserted, and before day began to dawn, not a sound was
+heard over its wide expanse, save the faint moan of a dying soldier, or
+the low rumble of a cart, as some spoiler of the dead stole stealthily
+along. Among the demoralising effects of war, none was more striking
+than the number of the peasantry who betook themselves to this infamous
+trade, and who, neglecting all thoughts of honest industry, devoted
+themselves to robbery and plunder. The lust of gain did not stop with
+the spoil of the dead, but the wounded were often found stripped of
+everything, and in some cases the traces of fierce struggle, and the
+wounds of knives and hatchets, showed that murder had consummated the
+iniquity of these wretches.
+
+In part from motives of pure humanity, in part from feelings of a more
+interested nature--for the terror to what this demoralisation would
+tend was now great and widespread--the nobles and gentry of the land
+instituted a species of society to reward those who might succour the
+wounded, and who displayed any remarkable zest in their care for the
+sufferers after a battle. This generous philanthropy was irrespective of
+country, and extended its benevolence to the soldiers of either army. Of
+course, personal feeling enjoyed all its liberty of preference, but
+it is fair to say that the cases were few where the wounded man could
+detect the political leanings of his benefactor.
+
+The immense granaries, so universal in the Low Countries, were usually
+fitted up as hospitals, and many rooms of the chateau itself were often
+devoted to the same purpose, the various individuals of the household,
+from the 'seigneur' to the lowest menial, assuming some office in
+the great work of charity. And it was a curious thing to see how the
+luxurious indolence of chateau life became converted into the zealous
+activity of useful benevolence; and not less curious to the moralist to
+observe how the emergent pressure of great crime so instinctively, as it
+were, suggested this display of virtuous humanity.
+
+It was a little before daybreak that a small cart drawn by a mule drew
+up beside the spot where the wounded dragoon sat, with his shattered
+arm bound up in his sash, calmly waiting for the death that his sinking
+strength told could not be far distant. As the peasant approached him,
+he grasped his sabre in the left hand, resolved on making a last and
+bold resistance; but the courteous salutation, and the kindly look of
+the honest countryman, soon showed that he was come on no errand of
+plunder, while, in the few words of bad French he could muster, he
+explained his purpose.
+
+'No, no, my kind friend,' said the officer, 'your labour would only be
+lost on me. It is nearly all over already! A little farther on in the
+field, yonder, where that copse stands, you'll find some poor fellow or
+other better worth your care, and more like to benefit by it. Adieu!'
+
+But neither the farewell, nor the abrupt gesture that accompanied it,
+could turn the honest peasant from his purpose. There was something
+that interested him in this very disregard of life, as well as in the
+personal appearance of the sufferer, and, without further colloquy, he
+lifted the half-fainting form into the cart, and disposing the straw
+comfortably on either side of him, set out homeward. The wounded man was
+almost indifferent to what happened, and never spoke a word nor raised
+his head as they went along. About three hours' journey brought them to
+a large old-fashioned chateau beside the Sambre, an immense straggling
+edifice which, with a facade of nearly a hundred windows, looked out
+upon the river. Although now in disrepair and neglect, with ill-trimmed
+alleys and grass-grown terraces, it had been once a place of great
+pretensions, and associated with some of the palmiest days of Flemish
+hospitality. The Chateau d'Overbecque was the property of a certain rich
+merchant of Antwerp, named D' Aerschot, one of the oldest families of
+the land, and was, at the time we speak of, the temporary abode of his
+only son, who had gone there to pass the honeymoon. Except that they
+were both young, neither of them yet twenty, too people could not easily
+be found so discrepant in every circumstance and every quality. He
+the true descendant of a Flemish house, plodding, commonplace, and
+methodical, hating show and detesting expense. She a lively, volatile
+girl, bursting with desire to see and be seen, fresh from the restraint
+of a convent at Bruges, and anxious to mix in all the pleasures and
+dissipations of the world. Like all marriages in their condition, it
+had been arranged without their knowledge or consent. Circumstances of
+fortune made the alliance suitable; so many hundred thousand florins on
+one side were wedded to an equivalent on the other, and the young people
+were married to facilitate the 'transaction.'
+
+That he was not a little shocked at the gay frivolity of his beautiful
+bride, and she as much disappointed at the staid demureness of her
+stolid-looking husband, is not to be wondered at; but their friends knew
+well that time would smooth down greater discrepancies than even these.
+And if ever there was a country, the monotony of whose life could subdue
+all to its own leaden tone, it was Holland in old days. Whether engaged
+in the active pursuit of gain in the great cities, or enjoying the
+luxurious repose of chateau life, a dull, dreary uniformity pervaded
+everything--the same topics, the same people, the same landscape,
+recurred day after day; and save what the season induced, there was
+nothing of change in the whole round of their existence. And what a dull
+honeymoon was it for that young bride at the old Chateau of Overbecque!
+To toil along the deep sandy roads in a lumbering old coach with two
+long-tailed black horses--to halt at some little eminence, and strain
+the eyes over a long unbroken flat, where a windmill, miles off, was an
+object of interest--to loiter beside the bank of a sluggish canal, and
+gaze on some tasteless excrescence of a summer-house, whose owner could
+not be distinguished from the wooden effigy that sat, pipe in mouth,
+beside him--to dine in the unbroken silence of a funeral feast, and doze
+away the afternoon over the _Handelsblatt_, while her husband smoked
+himself into the seventh heaven of a Dutch Elysium--poor Caroline! this
+was a sorry realisation of all her bright dreamings! It ought to be
+borne in mind, that many descendants of high French families, who were
+either too proud or too poor to emigrate to England or America, had
+sought refuge from the Revolution in the convents of the Low Countries;
+where, without entering an order, they lived in all the discipline of a
+religious community. These ladies, many of whom had themselves mixed in
+all the elegant dissipations of the Court, carried with them the most
+fascinating reminiscences of a life of pleasure, and could not readily
+forget the voluptuous enjoyments of Versailles, and the graceful
+caprices of 'Le Petit Trianon.' From such sources as these the young
+pupils drew all their ideas of the world, and assuredly it could have
+scarcely worn colours more likely to fascinate such imaginations.
+
+What a shortcoming was the wearisome routine of Overbecque to a mind
+full of all the refined follies of Marie Antoinette's Court! Even war
+and its chances offered a pleasurable contrast to such dull monotony,
+and the young bride hailed with eagerness the excitement and bustle of
+the moving armies--the long columns which poured along the highroad, and
+the clanking artillery heard for miles off! Monsieur d'Aerschot, like
+all his countrymen who held property near the frontier, was too prudent
+to have any political bias. Madame was, however, violently French. The
+people who had such admirable taste in toilet could scarcely be wrong in
+the theories of government; and a nation so invariably correct in dress,
+could hardly be astray in morals. Besides this, all their notions of
+mortality were as pliant and as easy to wear as their own well-fitting
+garments. Nothing was wrong but what looked ungracefully; everything
+was right that sat becomingly on her who did it--a short code, and
+wonderfully easy to learn. If I have dealt somewhat tediously on these
+tendencies of the time, it is that I may pass the more glibly over the
+consequences, and not pause upon the details by which the young French
+captain's residence at Overbecque gradually grew, from the intercourse
+of kindness and good offices, to be a close friendship with his host,
+and as much of regard and respectful devotion as consisted with the
+position of his young and charming hostess.
+
+He thought her, as she certainly was, very beautiful; she rode to
+perfection, she sang delightfully; she had all the volatile gaiety of
+a happy child, with the graceful ease of coming womanhood. Her very
+passion for excitement gave a kind of life and energy to the dull old
+chateau, and made her momentary absence felt as a dreary blank.
+
+It is not my wish to speak of the feelings suggested by the contrast
+between her husband and the gay and chivalrous young soldier, nor how
+little such comparisons tended to allay the repinings at her lot.
+Their first effect was, however, to estrange her more and more from
+D'Aerschot, a change which he accepted with the most Dutch indifference.
+Possibly, piqued by this, or desirous of awakening his jealousy, she
+made more advances towards the other, selecting him as the companion
+of her walks, and passing the greater part of each day in his society.
+Nothing could be more honourable than the young soldier's conduct
+in this trying position. The qualities of agreeability which he had
+previously displayed to requite, in some sort, the hospitality of his
+hosts, he now gradually restrained, avoiding as far as he could,
+without remark, the society of the young countess, and even feigning
+indisposition to escape from the peril of her intimacy.
+
+He did more--he exerted himself to draw D'Aerschot more out, to make
+him exhibit the shrewd intelligence which lay buried beneath his native
+apathy, and display powers of thought and reflection of no mean order.
+Alas! these very efforts on his part only increased the mischief, by
+adding generosity to his other virtues! He now saw all the danger in
+which he was standing, and, although still weak and suffering, resolved
+to take his departure. There was none of the concealed vanity of a
+coxcomb in this knowledge. He heartily deplored the injury he had
+unwittingly done, and the sorry return he had made for all their
+generous hospitality.
+
+There was not a moment to be lost; but the very evening before, as they
+walked together in the garden, she had confessed to him the misery in
+which she lived by recounting the story of her ill-sorted marriage. What
+it cost him to listen to that sad tale with seeming coldness--to hear
+her afflictions without offering one word of kindness; nay, to proffer
+merely some dry, harsh counsels of patience and submission, while
+he added something very like rebuke for her want of that assiduous
+affection which should have been given to her husband!
+
+Unaccustomed to even the slightest censure, she could scarcely trust her
+ears as she heard him. Had she humiliated herself, by such a confession,
+to be met by advice like this? And was it he that should reproach her
+for the very faults his own intimacy had engendered? She could not
+endure the thought, and she felt that she could hate, just at the very
+moment when she knew she loved him!
+
+They parted in anger--reproaches, the most cutting and bitter, on her
+part; coldness, far more wounding, on his! Sarcastic compliments upon
+his generosity, replied to by as sincere expressions of respectful
+friendship. What hypocrisy and self-deceit together! And yet deep
+beneath all, lay the firm resolve for future victory. Her wounded
+self-love was irritated, and she was not one to turn from an unfinished
+purpose. As for him, he waited till all was still and silent in the
+house, and then seeking out D'Aerschot's chamber, thanked him most
+sincerely for all his kindness, and, affecting a hurried order to join
+his service, departed. While in her morning dreams she was fancying
+conquest, he was already miles away on the road to France.
+
+*****
+
+It was about three years after this, that a number of French officers
+were seated one evening in front of a little cafe in Freyburg. The town
+was then crammed with troops moving down to occupy the passes of the
+Rhine, near the Lake of Constance, and every hour saw fresh arrivals
+pouring in, dusty and wayworn from the march. The necessity for a sudden
+massing of the troops in a particular spot compelled the generals to
+employ every possible means of conveyance to forward the men to their
+destination, and from the lumbering old diligence with ten horses, to
+the light charrette with one, all were engaged in this pressing service.
+
+When men were weary, and unable to march forward, they were taken up
+for twelve or fourteen miles, after which they proceeded on their
+way, making room for others, and thus forty and even fifty miles were
+frequently accomplished in the same day.
+
+The group before the cafe were amusing themselves criticising the
+strange appearance of the new arrivals, many of whom certainly made
+their entry in the least military fashion possible. Here came a great
+country waggon, with forty infantry soldiers all sleeping on the straw.
+Here followed a staff-officer trying to look quite at his ease in a
+donkey-cart. Unwieldy old bullock-carts were filled with men, and a
+half-starved mule tottered along with a drummer-boy in one pannier, and
+camp-kettles in the other.
+
+He who was fortunate enough to secure a horse for himself was obliged
+to carry the swords and weapons of his companions, which were all hung
+around and about him on every side, together with helmets and shakos of
+all shapes and sizes, whose owners were fain to cover their head with
+the less soldierlike appendages of a nightcap or a handkerchief. Nearly
+all who marched carried their caps on their muskets, for in such times
+as these all discipline is relaxed, save such as is indispensable to the
+maintenance of order; and so far was freedom conceded, that some were to
+be seen walking barefoot in the ranks, while their shoes were suspended
+by a string on their backs. The rule seemed to be 'Get forward--it
+matters not how--only get forward!'
+
+And with French troops, such relaxation of strict discipline is always
+practicable; the instincts of obedience return at the first call of the
+bugle or the first roll of the drum; and at the word to 'fall in!' every
+symptom of disorder vanishes, and the mass of seeming confusion becomes
+the steady and silent phalanx.
+
+Many were the strange sights that passed before the eyes of the party at
+the cafe, who, having arrived early in the day, gave themselves all the
+airs of ease and indolence before their wayworn comrades. Now laughing
+heartily at the absurdity of this one, now exchanging some good-humoured
+jest with that, they were in the very full current of their criticism,
+when the sharp, shrill crack of a postillion's whip informed them that
+a traveller of some note was approaching. A mounted courier, all slashed
+with gold lace, came riding up the street at the same moment, and a
+short distance behind followed a handsome equipage, drawn by six horses,
+after which came a heavy fourgon, with four.
+
+One glance showed that the whole equipage betokened a wealthy owner.
+There was all that cumbrous machinery of comfort about it that tells
+of people who will not trust to the chances of the road for their daily
+wants. Every appliance of ease was there; and even in the self-satisfied
+air of the servants who lounged in the rumble might be read habits of
+affluent prosperity. A few short years back, and none would have dared
+to use such an equipage. The sight of so much indulgence would have
+awakened the fiercest rage of popular fury; but already the high fever
+of democracy was gradually subsiding, and, bit by bit, men were found
+reverting to old habits and old usages. Still each new indication of
+these tastes met a certain amount of reprobation. Some blamed openly,
+some condemned in secret; but all felt that there was at least impolicy
+in a display which would serve as pretext for the terrible excesses that
+were committed under the banner of 'Equality.'
+
+'If we lived in the days of princes,' said one of the officers, 'I
+should say there goes one now. Just look at all the dust they are
+kicking up yonder; while, as if to point a moral upon greatness, they
+are actually stuck fast in the narrow street, and unable, from their own
+unwieldiness, to get farther.'
+
+'Just so,' cried another; 'they want to turn down towards the "Swan,"
+and there isn't space enough to wheel the leaders.'
+
+'Who or what are they?' asked a third.
+
+'Some commissary-general, I'll be sworn,' said the first. 'They are the
+most shameless thieves going; for they are never satisfied with robbery,
+if they do not exhibit the spoils in public.'
+
+'I see a bonnet and a lace veil,' said another, rising suddenly, and
+pushing through the crowd. 'I'll wager it's a danseuse of the Grand
+Opera.'
+
+'Look at Merode!' remarked the former, as he pointed to the last
+speaker. 'See how he thrusts himself forward there. 'Watch, and you'll
+see him bow and smile to her, as if they had been old acquaintances.'
+
+The guess was so far unlucky, that Merode had no sooner come within
+sight of the carriage-window, than he was seen to bring his hand to
+the salute, and remain in an attitude of respectful attention till the
+equipage moved on.
+
+'Well, Merode, who is it?--who are they?' cried several together, as he
+fell back among his comrades.
+
+'It's our new adjutant-general, _parbleu!_' said he, 'and he caught me
+staring in at his pretty wife.'
+
+'Colonel Mahon!' said another, laughing. 'I wish you joy of your
+gallantry, Merode.' 'And, worse still,' broke in a third, 'she is not
+his wife. She never could obtain the divorce to allow her to marry
+again. Some said it was the husband--a Dutchman, I believe--refused it;
+but the simple truth is, she never wished it herself.'
+
+'How not wish it?' remarked three or four in a breath.
+
+'Why should she? Has she not every advantage the position could give
+her, and her liberty into the bargain? If we were back again in the old
+days of the Monarchy, I agree with you she could not go to Court; she
+would receive no invitations to the _petits soupers_ of the Trianon, nor
+be asked to join the discreet hunting-parties at Fontainebleau; but we
+live in less polished days; and if we have little virtue, we have less
+hypocrisy.'
+
+'_Voila!_' cried another; 'only I, for one, would never believe that we
+are a jot more wicked or more dissolute than those powdered and perfumed
+scoundrels that played courtier in the king's bedchamber.'
+
+'There, they are getting out, at the "Tour d'Argent!"' cried another.
+'She is a splendid figure, and what magnificence in her dress!'
+
+'Mahon waits on her like a lackey,' muttered a grim old lieutenant of
+infantry.
+
+'Rather like a well-born cavalier, I should say,' interposed a young
+hussar. 'His manner is all that it ought to be--full of devotion and
+respect.'
+
+'Bah!' said the former; 'a soldier's wife, or a soldier's mistress--for
+it's all one--should know how to climb up to her place on the
+baggage-waggon, without three lazy rascals to catch her sleeve or her
+petticoats for her.'
+
+'Mahon is as gallant a soldier as any in this army,' said the hussar;
+'and I'd not be in the man's coat who disparaged him in anything.'
+
+'By St. Denis!' broke in another, 'he's not more brave than he is
+fortunate. Let me tell you, it's no slight luck to chance upon so lovely
+a woman as that, with such an immense fortune, too.'
+
+'Is she rich?'
+
+'Enormously rich. He has nothing. An _emigre_ of good family, I believe,
+but without a sou; and see how he travels yonder!'
+
+While this conversation was going forward, the new arrivals had alighted
+at the chief inn of the town, and were being installed in the principal
+suite of rooms, which opened on a balcony over the 'Place.' The active
+preparations of the host to receive such distinguished guests--the
+hurrying of servants here and there--the blaze of wax-lights that shone
+half-way across the street beneath--and, lastly, the appearance of a
+regimental band to play under the windows--were all circumstances well
+calculated to sustain and stimulate that spirit of sharp criticism which
+the group around the cafe were engaged in.
+
+The discussion was, however, suddenly interrupted by the entrance of an
+officer, at whose appearance every one arose and stood in attitudes
+of respectful attention. Scarcely above the middle size, and more
+remarkable for the calm and intellectual cast of his features, than for
+that, air of military pride then so much in vogue amongst the French
+troops, he took his place at a small table near the door, and called for
+his coffee. It was only when he was seated, and that by a slight gesture
+he intimated his wishes to that effect, that the others resumed their
+places, and continued the conversation, but in a lower, more subdued
+tone.
+
+'What distinguished company have we got yonder?' said he, after about
+half an hour's quiet contemplation of the crowd before the inn, and the
+glaring illumination from the windows.
+
+'Colonel Mahon, of the Fifth Cuirassiers, general,' replied an officer.
+
+'Our Republican simplicity is not so self-denying a system, after all,
+gentlemen,' said the general, smiling half sarcastically. 'Is he very
+rich?'
+
+'His mistress is, general,' was the prompt reply.
+
+'Bah!' said the general, as he threw his cigar away, and, with a
+contemptuous expression of look, arose and walked away.
+
+'_Parbleu!_ he's going to the inn!' cried an officer, who peered out
+after him. 'I'll be sworn Mahon will get a heavy reprimand for all this
+display and ostentation.'
+
+'And why not?' said another. 'Is it when men are arriving half dead with
+fatigue, without rations, without billets, glad to snatch a few hours'
+rest on the stones of the "Place," that the colonel of a regiment should
+travel with all the state of an eastern despot?'
+
+'We might as well have the Monarchy back again,' said an old
+weather-beaten captain; 'I say far better, for their vices sat
+gracefully and becomingly on those essenced scoundrels, whereas they but
+disfigure the plainness of our daily habits.'
+
+'All this is sheer envy, comrades,' broke in a young major of
+hussars--'sheer envy; or what is worse, downright hypocrisy. Not one of
+us is a whit better or more moral than if he wore the livery of a king,
+and carried a crown on his shako instead of that naked damsel that
+represents French Liberty. Mahon is the luckiest fellow going, and, I
+heartily believe, the most deserving of his fortune! And see if General
+Moreau be not of my opinion.
+
+There he is on the balcony, and she is leaning on his arm.'
+
+'_Parbleu!_ the major is right!' said another; 'but, for certain, it was
+not in that humour he left us just now; his lips were closely puckered
+up, and his fingers were twisted into his sword-knot--two signs of anger
+and displeasure there's no mistaking.'
+
+'If he's in a better temper, then,' said another, 'it was never the
+smiles of a pretty woman worked the change. There's not a man in France
+so thoroughly indifferent to such blandishments.'
+
+'_Tant pis pour lui,_' said the major; 'but they're closing the
+window-shutters, and we may as well go home.'
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLV. THE CABINET OF A CHEF DE POLICE
+
+Whatever opinion may be formed of the character of the celebrated
+conspiracy of Georges and Pichegru, the mode of its discovery, and
+the secret rules by which its plans were detected, are among the great
+triumphs of police skill. From the hour when the conspirators first met
+together in London, to that last fatal moment when they expired in the
+Temple, the agents of Fouche never ceased to track them.
+
+Their individual tastes and ambitions were studied; their habits
+carefully investigated; everything that could give a clue to their turn
+of thought or mind well weighed; so that the Consular Government was not
+only in possession of all their names and rank, but knew thoroughly
+the exact amount of complicity attaching to each, and could distinguish
+between the reckless violence of Georges and the more tempered, but
+higher ambition of Moreau. It was a long while doubtful whether the
+great general would be implicated in the scheme. His habitual reserve--a
+habit less of caution than of constitutional delicacy--had led him to
+few intimacies, and nothing like even one close friendship; he moved
+little in society; he corresponded with none, save on the duties of the
+service. Fouche's well-known boast of, 'Give me, two words of a man's
+writing and I'll hang him,' were then scarcely applicable here.
+
+To attack such a man unsuccessfully, to arraign him on a weak
+indictment, would have been ruin; and yet Bonaparte's jealousy of his
+great rival pushed him even to this peril, rather than risk the growing
+popularity of his name with the army.
+
+Fouche, and, it is said also, Talleyrand, did all they could to dissuade
+the First Consul from this attempt, but he was fixed and immutable in
+his resolve, and the Police Minister at once addressed himself to his
+task with all his accustomed cleverness.
+
+High play was one of the great vices of the day. It was a time of wild
+and varied excitement, and men sought even in their dissipations, the
+whirlwind passions that stirred them in active life. Moreau, however,
+was no gambler; it was said that he never could succeed in learning a
+game. He, whose mind could comprehend the most complicated question of
+strategy, was obliged to confess himself conquered by ecarte! So much
+for the vaunted intellectuality of the play-table! Neither was he
+addicted to wine. All his habits were temperate, even to the extent of
+unsociality.
+
+A man who spoke little, and wrote less, who indulged in no dissipations,
+nor seemed to have taste for any, was a difficult subject to treat; and
+so Fouche found, as, day after day, his spies reported to him the utter
+failure of all their schemes to entrap him. Lajolais, the friend of
+Pichegru, and the man who betrayed him, was the chief instrument the
+Police Minister used to obtain secret information. Being well born, and
+possessed of singularly pleasing manners, he had the entree of the best
+society of Paris, where his gay, easy humour made him a great favourite.
+Lajolais, however, could never penetrate into the quiet domesticity
+of Moreau's life, nor make any greater inroad on his intimacy than a
+courteous salutation as they passed each other in the garden of the
+Luxembourg. At the humble restaurant where he dined each day for two
+francs, the 'General,' as he was distinctively called, never spoke to
+any one. Unobtrusive and quiet, he occupied a little table in a recess
+of the window, and arose the moment he finished his humble meal After
+this he was to be seen in the garden of the Luxembourg, with a cigar and
+a book, or sometimes without either, seated pensively under a tree for
+hours together.
+
+If he had been conscious of the espionage established over all
+his actions, he could scarcely have adopted a more guarded or more
+tantalising policy. To the verbal communications of Pichegru and Armand
+Polignac, he returned vague replies; their letters he never answered
+at all; and Lajolais had to confess that, after two months of close
+pursuit, the game was as far from him as ever!
+
+'You have come to repeat the old song to me, Monsieur Lajolais,' said
+Fouche one evening, as his wily subordinate entered the room; 'you have
+nothing to tell me, eh?'
+
+'Very little, Monsieur le Ministre, but still something. I have at last
+found out where Moreau spends all his evenings. I told you that about
+half-past nine o'clock every night all lights were extinguished in his
+quarters, and, from the unbroken stillness, it was conjectured that
+he had retired to bed. Now it seems that about an hour later, he is
+accustomed to leave his house, and, crossing the Place de l'Odeon, to
+enter the little street called the "Allee du Caire," where, in a
+small house next but one to the corner, resides a certain officer, _en
+retraite_--a Colonel Mahon of the Cuirassiers.'
+
+'A Royalist?'
+
+'This is suspected, but not known. His polities, however, are not in
+question here; the attraction is of a different order.'
+
+'Ha! I perceive; he has a wife or a daughter.'
+
+'Better still, a mistress. You may have heard of the famous Caroline de
+Stassart, that married a Dutchman named D'Aersohot.'
+
+'Madame Laure, as they called her.' said Fouche, laughing.
+
+'The same. She has lived as Mahon's wife for some years, and was as
+such introduced into society; in fact, there is no reason, seeing what
+society is in these days, that she should not participate in all its
+pleasures.'
+
+'No matter for that,' broke in Fouche; 'Bonaparte will not have it so.
+He wishes that matters should go back to the old footing, and wisely
+remarks, that it is only in savage life that people or vices go without
+clothing.'
+
+'Be it so, monsieur. In the present case no such step is necessary. I
+know her maid, and from her I have heard that her mistress is heartily
+tired of her protector. It was originally a sudden fancy, taken when she
+knew nothing of life--had neither seen anything, nor been herself seen.
+By the most wasteful habits she has dissipated all, or nearly all, her
+own large fortune, and involved Mahon heavily in debt; and they are thus
+reduced to a life of obscurity and poverty--the very things the least
+endurable to all her notions.'
+
+'Well, does she care for Moreau?' asked Fouche quickly; for all stories
+to his ear only resolved themselves into some question of utility or
+gain.
+
+'No, but he does for her. About a year back she did take a liking to
+him. He was returning from his great German campaign, covered with
+honours and rich in fame; but as her imagination is captivated by
+splendour, while her heart remains perfectly cold and intact, Moreau's
+simple, unpretending habits quickly effaced the memory of his hard-won
+glory, and now she is quite indifferent to him.'
+
+'And who is her idol now, for, of course, she has one?' asked Fouche.
+
+'You would scarcely guess,' said Lajolais. '_Parbleu!_ I hope it is not
+myself,' said Fouche, laughing.
+
+'No, Monsieur le Ministre, her admiration is not so well placed. The
+man who has captivated her present fancy is neither good-looking nor
+well-mannered; he is short and abrupt of speech, careless in dress,
+utterly indifferent to woman's society, and almost rude to them.'
+
+'You have drawn the very picture of a man to be adored by them,' said
+Fouche, with a dry laugh.
+
+'I suppose so,' said the other, with a sigh; 'or General Ney would not
+have made this conquest.'
+
+'Ah! it is Ney, then. And he, what of him?'
+
+'It is hard to say. As long as she lived in a grand house of the Rue St.
+Georges, where he could dine four days a week, and, in his dirty boots
+and unbrushed frock, mix with all the fashion and elegance of the
+capital; while he could stretch full length on a Persian ottoman, and
+brush the cinders from his cigar against a statuette by Canova, or a
+gold embroidered hanging; while in the midst of the most voluptuous
+decorations he alone could be dirty and uncared for, I really believe
+that he did care for her, at least, so far as ministering to his own
+enjoyments; but in a miserable lodging of the "Allee du Caire," without
+equipage, lackeys, liveried footmen----'
+
+'To be sure,' interrupted Fouche, 'one might as well pretend to be
+fascinated by the beauty of a landscape the day after it has been
+desolated by an earthquake. Ney is right! Well, now, Monsieur Lajolais,
+where does all this bring us to?'
+
+'Very near to the end of our journey, Monsieur le Ministre. Madame, or
+mademoiselle, is most anxious to regain her former position; she longs
+for all the luxurious splendour she used to live in. Let us but show her
+this rich reward, and she will be our own!'
+
+'In my trade, Monsieur Lajolais, generalities are worth nothing. Give me
+details; let me know how you would proceed.'
+
+'Easily enough, sir: Mahon must first of all be disposed of, and perhaps
+the best way will be to have him arrested for debt. This will not be
+difficult, for his bills are everywhere. Once in the Temple, she will
+never think more of him. It must then be her task to obtain the most
+complete influence over Moreau. She must affect the deepest interest
+in the Royalist cause--I'll furnish her with all the watchwords of the
+party--and Moreau, who never trusts a man, will open all his confidence
+to a woman.'
+
+'Very good; go on!' cried Fouche, gathering fresh interest as the plot
+began to reveal itself before him.
+
+He hates writing; she will be his secretary, embodying all his thoughts
+and suggestions, and, now and then, for her own guidance, obtaining
+little scraps in his hand. If he be too cautious here, I will advise her
+to remove to Geneva for change of air; he likes Switzerland, and will
+follow her immediately.
+
+'This will do; at least it looks practicable,' said Fouche thoughtfully.
+'Is she equal to the part you would assign her?'
+
+'Ay, sir, and to a higher one, too! She has considerable ability, and
+great ambition. Her present narrow fortune has irritated and disgusted
+her; the moment is most favourable for us.'
+
+'If she should play us false,' said Fouche, half aloud.
+
+'From all I can learn, there is no risk of this; there is a headlong
+determination in her, when once she has conceived a plan, from which
+nothing turns her; overlooking all but her object, she will brave
+anything, do anything, to attain it.'
+
+'Bonaparte was right in what he said of Necker's daughter,' said Fouche
+musingly, 'and there is no doubt it adds wonderfully to a woman's head
+that she has no heart. And now, the price, Monsieur Lajolais? Remember
+that our treasury received some deadly wounds lately--what is to be the
+price?'
+
+'It may be a smart one; she is not likely to be a cheap purchase.'
+
+'In the event of success--I mean of such proof as may enable us to
+arrest Moreau, and commit him to prison----'
+
+He stopped as he got thus far, and paused for some seconds--' Bethink
+you, then, Lajolais,' said he, 'what a grand step this would be, and how
+terrible the consequences if undertaken on rash or insufficient grounds.
+Moreau's popularity with the army is only second to one man's! His
+unambitious character has made him many friends; he has few, very few,
+enemies.'
+
+'But you need not push matters to the last--an implied, but not a proven
+guilt, would be enough; and you can pardon him!'
+
+'Ay, Lajolais, but who would pardon us?' cried Fouche, carried beyond
+all the bounds of his prudence by the thought of a danger so imminent.
+'Well, well, let us come back; the price--will that do?' And taking up a
+pen he scratched some figures on a piece of paper.
+
+Lajolais smiled dubiously, and added a unit to the left of the sum.
+
+'What! a hundred and fifty thousand francs!' cried Fouche.
+
+'And a cheap bargain, too,' said the other; 'for, after all, it is
+only the price of a ticket in the lottery, of which the great prize is
+General Ney!'
+
+'You say truly,' said the Minister; 'be it so.'
+
+'Write your name there, then,' said Lajolais, 'beneath those figures;
+that will be warranty sufficient for my negotiation, and leave the rest
+to me.'
+
+'Nature evidently meant you for a _chef de police_, Master Lajolais.'
+
+'Or a cardinal, Monsieur le Ministre,' said the other, as he folded up
+the paper--a little insignificant slip, scrawled over with a few figures
+and an almost illegible word, and yet pregnant with infamy to one,
+banishment to another, ruin and insanity to a third.
+
+This sad record need not be carried further. It is far from a pleasant
+task to tell of baseness unredeemed by one trait of virtue--of
+treachery, unrepented even by regret. History records Moreau's
+unhappy destiny; the pages of private memoir tell of Ney's disastrous
+connection; our own humble reminiscences speak of poor Mahon's fate,
+the least known of all, but the most sorrowful victim of a woman's
+treachery!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLVI. A GLANCE AT THE 'PREFECTURE DE POLICE'
+
+Poor Mahon's melancholy story made a deep impression upon me, and I
+returned to Paris execrating the whole race of spies and _mouchards_,
+and despising, with a most hearty contempt, a Government compelled
+to use such agencies for its existence. It seemed to me so utterly
+impossible to escape the snares of a system so artfully interwoven,
+and so vain to rely on innocence as a protection, that I felt a kind
+of reckless hardihood as to whatever might betide me, and rode into the
+_cour_ of the Prefecture with a bold indifference as to my fate that I
+have often wondered at since.
+
+The horse on which I was mounted was immediately recognised as I
+entered; and the obsequious salutations that met me showed that I was
+regarded as one of the trusty followers of the Minister; and in this
+capacity was I ushered into a large waiting-room, where a considerable
+number of persons were assembled, whose air and appearance, now that
+necessity for disguise was over, unmistakably pronounced them to be
+spies of the police. Some, indeed, were occupied in taking off their
+false whiskers and moustaches; others were removing shades from their
+eyes; and one was carefully opening what had been the hump on his back
+in search of a paper he was anxious to discover.
+
+I had very little difficulty in ascertaining that these were all the
+very lowest order of _mouchards_, whose sphere of duty rarely led
+beyond the Faubourgs or the Batignolles, and indeed soon saw that my own
+appearance amongst them led to no little surprise and astonishment.
+
+'You are looking for Nicquard, monsieur?' said one, 'but he has not come
+yet.'
+
+'No; monsieur wants to see Boule-de-Fer,' said another.
+
+'Here's Jose can fetch him,' cried a third.
+
+'He 'll have to carry him, then,' growled out another, 'for I saw him in
+the Morgue this morning!' 'What! dead?' exclaimed several together.
+
+'As dead as four stabs in the heart and lungs can make a man! He must
+have been meddling where he had no business, for there was a piece of a
+lace ruffle found in his fingers.'
+
+'Ah, _voila!_, cried another, 'that comes of mixing in high society.'
+
+I did not wait for the discussion that followed, but stole quietly away
+as the disputants were waxing warm. Instead of turning into the _cour_
+again, however, I passed out into a corridor, at the end of which was
+a door of green cloth. Pushing open this, I found myself in a chamber,
+where a single clerk was writing at a table.
+
+'You're late to-day, and he's not in a good-humour,' said he, scarcely
+looking up from his paper. 'Go in!'
+
+Resolving to see my adventure to the end, I asked no further questions,
+but passed on to the room beyond. A person who stood within the doorway
+withdrew as I entered, and I found myself standing face to face with the
+Marquis de Maurepas, or, to speak more properly, the Minister Fouche. He
+was standing at the fireplace as I came in, reading a newspaper, but
+no sooner had he caught sight of me than he laid it down, and, with his
+hands crossed behind his back, continued steadily staring at me.
+
+'_Diable!_ exclaimed he, at last, 'how came you here?' 'Nothing more
+naturally, sir, than from the wish to restore what you were so good
+as to lend me, and express my sincere gratitude for a most hospitable
+reception.' 'But who admitted you?'
+
+'I fancy your saddle-cloth was my introduction, sir, for it was speedily
+recognised. Gesler's cap was never held in greater honour.'
+
+'You are a very courageous young gentleman, I must say--very
+courageous, indeed,' said he, with a sardonic grin that was anything but
+encouraging.
+
+'The better chance that I may find favour with Monsieur de Fouche,'
+replied I.
+
+'That remains to be seen, sir,' said he, seating himself in his chair,
+and motioning me to a spot in front of it. 'Who are you?'
+
+'A lieutenant of the Ninth Hussars, sir; by name Maurice Tiernay.'
+
+'I don't care for that,' said he impatiently; 'what's your
+occupation?--how do you live?--with whom do you associate?'
+
+'I have neither means nor associates. I have been liberated from the
+Temple but a few days back; and what is to be my future, and where, are
+facts of which I know as little as does Monsieur de Fouche of my past
+history.'
+
+'It would seem that every adventurer, every fellow destitute of home,
+family, fortune, and position, thinks that his natural refuge lies in
+this Ministry, and that I must be his guardian.'
+
+'I never thought so, sir.'
+
+'Then why are you here? What other than personal reasons procures me the
+honour of this visit?'
+
+'As Monsieur de Fouche will not believe in my sense of gratitude,
+perhaps he may put some faith in my curiosity, and excuse the natural
+anxiety I feel to know if Monsieur de Maurepas has really benefited by
+the pleasure of my society.'
+
+'_Hardi, monsieur, bien hardi_,' said the minister, with a peculiar
+expression of irony about the mouth that made me almost shudder. He rang
+a little hand-bell as he spoke, and a servant made his appearance.
+
+'You have forgotten to leave me my snuff-box, Geoffroy,' said he mildly
+to the valet, who at once left the room, and speedily returned with a
+magnificently chased gold box, on which the initials of the First Consul
+were embossed in diamonds.
+
+'Arrange those papers, and place those books on the shelves,' said
+the Minister. And then turning to me, as if resuming a previous
+conversation, went on--
+
+'As to that memoir of which we were speaking t' other night, monsieur,
+it would be exceedingly interesting just now; and I have no doubt that
+you will see the propriety of confiding to me what you already promised
+to Monsieur de Maurepas.--That will do, Geoffroy; leave us.'
+
+The servant retired, and we were once more alone.
+
+'I possess no secrets, sir, worthy the notice of the Minister of
+Police,' said I boldly.
+
+'Of that I may presume to be the better judge,' said Fouche calmly. 'But
+waiving this question, there is another of some importance. You have,
+partly by accident, partly by a boldness not devoid of peril, obtained
+some little insight into the habits and details of this Ministry; at
+least, you have seen enough to suspect more, and misrepresent what you
+cannot comprehend. Now, sir, there is an almost universal custom in
+all secret societies of making those who intrude surreptitiously within
+their limits to take every oath and pledge of that society, and to
+assume every responsibility that attaches to its voluntary members----'
+
+'Excuse my interrupting you, sir; but my intrusion was purely
+involuntary; I was made the dupe of a police spy.'
+
+'Having ascertained which,' resumed he coldly, 'your wisest policy
+would have been to have kept the whole incident for yourself alone, and
+neither have uttered one syllable about it, nor ventured to come here,
+as you have done, to display what you fancy to be your power over
+the Minister of Police. You are a very young man, and the lesson may
+possibly be of service to you; and never forget that to attempt a
+contest of address with those whose habits have taught them every wile
+and subtlety of their fellow-men will always be a failure. This Ministry
+would be a sorry engine of government if men of your stamp could outwit
+it.'
+
+I stood abashed and confused under a rebuke which at the same time I
+felt to be but half deserved.
+
+'Do you understand Spanish?' asked he suddenly.
+
+'No, sir, not a word.'
+
+'I'm sorry for it; you should learn that language without loss of time.
+Leave your address with my secretary, and call here by Monday or Tuesday
+next.'
+
+'If I may presume so far, sir,' said I, with a great effort to seem
+collected, 'I would infer that your intention is to employ me in some
+capacity or other. It is, therefore, better I should say at once, I have
+neither the ability nor the desire for such occupation. I have always
+been a soldier. Whatever reverses of fortune I may meet with, I would
+wish still to continue in the same career. At all events, I could never
+become a--a--'
+
+'Spy. Say the word out; its meaning conveys nothing offensive to my
+ears, young man. I may grieve over the corruption that requires such a
+system, but I do not confound the remedy with the disease.'
+
+'My sentiments are different, sir,' said I resolutely, as I moved
+towards the door. 'I have the honour to wish you a good-morning.'
+
+'Stay a moment, Tiernay,' said he, looking for something amongst his
+papers; 'there are, probably, situations where all your scruples could
+find accommodation, and even be serviceable, too.'
+
+'I would rather not place them in peril, Monsieur le Ministre.'
+
+'There are people in this city of Paris who would not despise my
+protection, young man--some of them to the full as well supplied with
+the gifts of fortune as Monsieur Tiernay.'
+
+'And, doubtless, more fitted to deserve it!' said I sarcastically; for
+every moment now rendered me more courageous.
+
+'And, doubtless, more fitted to deserve it,' repeated he after me, with
+a wave of the hand in token of adieu.
+
+I bowed respectfully, and was retiring, when he called out in a low and
+gentle voice--
+
+'Before you go, Monsieur de Tiernay, I will thank you to restore my
+snuff-box.'
+
+'Your snuff-box, sir?' cried I indignantly; 'what do I know of it?'
+
+'In a moment of inadvertence, you may, probably, have placed it in your
+pocket,' said he, smiling; 'do me the favour to search there.'
+
+'This is unnecessary insult, sir,' said I fiercely; 'and you forget that
+I am a French officer!'
+
+'It is of more consequence that you should remember it,' said he calmly.
+'And now, sir, do as I have told you.'
+
+'It is well, sir, that this scene has no witness,' said I, boiling over
+with passion, 'or, by Heaven, all the dignity of your station should not
+save you.'
+
+'Your observation is most just,' said he, with the same coolness. 'It is
+as well that we are quite alone; and for this reason I beg to repeat
+my request. If you persist in a refusal, and force me to ring that
+bell----'
+
+'You would not dare to offer me such an indignity,' said I, trembling
+with rage.
+
+'You leave me no alternative, sir,' said he, rising, and taking the
+hell in his hand. 'My honour is also engaged in this question. I have
+preferred a charge--'
+
+'You have,' cried I, interrupting, 'and for whose falsehood I am
+resolved to hold you responsible.'
+
+'To prove which you must show your innocence.'
+
+'There, then--there are my pockets; here are the few things I possess.
+This is my pocket-book--my purse. Oh, heavens, what is this?' cried
+I, as I drew forth the gold box, along with the other contents of my
+pocket; and then staggering back, I fell, overwhelmed with shame and
+sickness, against the wall. For some seconds I neither saw nor heard
+anything; a vague sense of ineffable disgrace--of some ignominy that
+made life a misery, was over me, and I closed my eyes with the wish
+never to open them more.'
+
+'The box has a peculiar value in my eyes, sir,' said he--'it was a
+present from the First Consul--otherwise I might have hesitated----'
+
+'Oh, sir, you cannot, you dare not, suppose me guilty of a theft. You
+seem bent on being my ruin; but, for mercy's sake, let your hatred of
+me take some other shape than this. Involve me in what snares, what
+conspiracies you will, give me what share you please in any guilt, but
+spare me the degradation of such a shame!'
+
+He seemed to enjoy the torments I was suffering, and actually revel in
+the contemplation of my misery; for he never spoke a word, but continued
+steadily to stare me in the face.
+
+'Sit down here, monsieur,' said he, at length, while he pointed to a
+chair near him; 'I wish to say a few words to you, in all seriousness,
+and in good faith also.'
+
+I seated myself, and he went on.
+
+'The events of the last two days must have made such an impression on
+your mind that even the most remarkable incidents of your life could not
+compete with. You fancied yourself a great discoverer, and that, by
+the happy conjuncture of intelligence and accident, you had actually
+fathomed the depths of that wonderful system of police, which, more
+powerful than armies or councils, is the real government of France! I
+will not stop now to convince you that you have not wandered out of the
+very shallowest channels of this system. It is enough that you have been
+admitted to an audience with me, to suggest an opposite conviction, and
+give to your recital, when you repeat the tale, a species of importance.
+Now, sir, my counsel to you is, never to repeat it; and for this reason:
+nobody possessed of common powers of judgment will ever believe you!
+not one, sir! No one would ever believe that Monsieur Fouche had made so
+grave a mistake, no more than he would believe that a man of good name
+and birth, a French officer, could have stolen a snuff-box. You see,
+Monsieur de Tiernay, that I acquit you of this shameful act. Imitate my
+generosity, sir, and forget all that you have witnessed since Tuesday
+last. I have given you good advice, sir; if I find that you profit by
+it, we may see more of each other.'
+
+Scarcely appreciating the force of his parable, and thinking of nothing
+save the vindication of my honour, I muttered a few unmeaning words, and
+withdrew, glad to escape a presence which had assumed, to my terrified
+senses, all the diabolical subtlety of Satanic influence. Trusting
+that no future accident of my life should ever bring me within such
+precincts, I hurried from the place as though it were contaminated and
+plague-stricken.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLVII. THE VILLAGE OP SCHWARTZ-ACH
+
+I was destitute enough when I quitted the Temple, a few days back; but
+my condition now was sadder still, for, in addition to my poverty and
+friendlessness, I had imbibed a degree of distrust and suspicion that
+made me shun my fellow-men, and actually shrink from the contact of a
+stranger. The commonest show of courtesy, the most ordinary exercise
+of politeness, struck me as the secret wiles of that police whose
+machinations, I fancied, were still spread around me. I had conceived
+a most intense hatred of civilisation, or, at least, of what I rashly
+supposed to be the inherent vices of civilised life. I longed for what
+I deemed must be the glorious independence of a savage. If I could but
+discover this Paradise beyond seas, of which the marquise raved so much;
+if I only could find out that glorious land which neither knew secret
+intrigues nor conspiracies, I should leave France for ever, taking any
+condition, or braving any mischances fate might have in store for me.
+
+There was something peculiarly offensive in the treatment I had
+met with. Imprisoned on suspicion, I was liberated without any
+amende--neither punished like a guilty man, nor absolved as an innocent
+one. I was sent out upon the world as though the State would not own
+nor acknowledge me--a dangerous practice, as I often thought, if
+only adopted on a large scale. It was some days before I could summon
+resolution to ascertain exactly my position. At last I did muster up
+courage, and, under pretence of wishing to address a letter to myself, I
+applied at the Ministry of War for the address of Lieutenant Tiernay,
+of the 9th Hussars. I was one of a large crowd similarly engaged, some
+inquiring for sons that had fallen in battle, or husbands or fathers in
+faraway countries. The office was only open each morning for two hours,
+and consequently, as the expiration of the time drew nigh, the eagerness
+of the inquirers became far greater, and the contrast with the cold
+apathy of the clerks the more strongly marked. I had given way to many,
+who were weaker than myself, and less able to buffet with the crowd
+about them; and at last, when, wearied by waiting, I was drawing nigh
+the table, my attention was struck by an old, a very old man, who,
+with a beard white as snow, and long moustaches of the same colour, was
+making great efforts to gain the front rank. I stretched out my hand,
+and caught his, and by considerable exertion at last succeeded in
+placing him in front of me.
+
+He thanked me fervently, in a strange kind of German, a patois I had
+never heard before, and kissed my hand three or four times over in his
+gratitude; indeed, so absorbed was he for the time in his desire to
+thank me, that I had to recall him to the more pressing reason of his
+presence, and warn him that but a few minutes more of the hour remained
+free.
+
+'Speak up,' cried the clerk, as the old man muttered something in a low
+and very indistinct voice; 'speak up, and remember, my friend, that we
+do not profess to give information further back than the times of "Louis
+Quatorze."'
+
+This allusion to the years of the old man was loudly applauded by his
+colleagues, who drew nigh to stare at the cause of it.
+
+'Sacrebleu! he is talking Hebrew,' said another, 'and asking for a
+friend who fell at Ramoth-Gilead.'
+
+'He is speaking German,' said I peremptorily, 'and asking for a relative
+whom he believes to have embarked with the expedition to Egypt.'
+
+'Are you a sworn interpreter, young man?' asked an older and more
+consequential-looking personage.
+
+I was about to return a hasty reply to this impertinence, but I thought
+of the old man, and the few seconds that still remained for his inquiry,
+and I smothered my anger, and was silent.
+
+'What rank did he hold?' inquired one of the clerks, who had listened
+with rather more patience to the old man. I translated the question for
+the peasant, who, in reply, confessed that he could not tell. The
+youth was his only son, and had left home many years before, and never
+written. A neighbour, however, who had travelled in foreign parts, had
+brought tidings that he had gone with the expedition to Egypt, and was
+already high in the French army.
+
+'You are not quite certain that he did not command the army of Egypt?'
+said one of the clerks, in mockery of the old man's story.
+
+'It is not unlikely,' said the peasant gravely; 'he was a brave and a
+bold youth, and could have lifted two such as you with one hand, and
+hurled you out of that window.'
+
+'Let us hear his name once more,' said the elder clerk--'it is worth
+remembering.'
+
+'I have told you already. It was Karl Kleher.'
+
+'The General--General Kleher!' cried three or four in a breath.
+
+'Mayhap,' was all the reply.
+
+'And are you the father of the great general of Egypt?' asked the elder,
+with an air of deep respect.
+
+'Kleher is my son; and so that he is alive and well, I care little if a
+general or simple soldier.'
+
+Not a word was said in answer to this speech, and each seemed to feel
+reluctant to tell the sad tidings. At last the elder clerk said, 'You
+have lost a good son, and France one of her greatest captains. The
+General Kleher is dead.'
+
+'Dead!' said the old man slowly.
+
+'In the very moment of his greatest glory, too, when he had won the
+country of the Pyramids, and made Egypt a colony of France.'
+
+'When did he die?' said the peasant.
+
+'The last accounts from the East brought the news; and this very day the
+Council of State has accorded a pension to his family of ten thousand
+livres.'
+
+'They may keep their money. I am all that remains, and have no want of
+it; and I should be poorer still before I'd take it.'
+
+These words he uttered in a low, harsh tone, and pushed his way back
+through the crowd.
+
+One moment more was enough for my inquiry.
+
+'Maurice Tiernay, of the 9th--_destitue_,' was the short and stunning
+answer I received.
+
+'Is there any reason alleged---is there any charge imputed to him?'
+asked I timidly.
+
+'_Ma foi!_ you must go to the Minister of War with that question.
+Perhaps he was paymaster, and embezzled the funds of the regiment;
+perhaps he liked Royalist gold better than Republican silver; or perhaps
+he preferred the company of the baggage-train and the ambulances, when
+he should have been at the head of his squadron.'
+
+I did not care to listen longer to this impertinence, and making my way
+out I gained the street. The old peasant was still standing there, like
+one stunned and overwhelmed by some great shock, and neither heeding the
+crowd that passed, nor the groups that halted occasionally to stare at
+him.
+
+'Come along with me,' said I, taking his hand in mine. 'Your calamity is
+a heavy one, but mine is harder to bear up against.'
+
+He suffered himself to be led away like a child, and never spoke a word
+as we walked along towards the _barriere_, beyond which, at a short
+distance, was a little ordinary, where I used to dine. There we had our
+dinner together, and as the evening wore on, the old man rallied enough
+to tell me of his son's early life, and his departure for the army. Of
+his great career I could speak freely, for Kleber's name was, in soldier
+esteem, scarcely second to that of Bonaparte himself. Not all the
+praises I could bestow, however, were sufficient to turn the old man
+from his stern conviction, that a peasant in the 'Lech Thai' was a more
+noble and independent man than the greatest general that ever marched to
+victory.
+
+'We have been some centuries there,' said he, 'and none of our name has
+incurred a shadow of disgrace. Why should not Karl have lived like his
+ancestors?'
+
+It was useless to appeal to the glory his son had gained--the noble
+reputation he had left behind him. The peasant saw in the soldier but
+one who hired out his courage and his blood, and deemed the calling a
+low and unworthy one. I suppose I was not the first who, in the effort
+to convince another, found himself shaken in his own convictions; for I
+own before I lay down that night many of the old man's arguments assumed
+a force and power that I could not resist, and held possession of my
+mind even after I fell asleep. In my dreams I was once more beside the
+American lake, and that little colony of simple people, where I had seen
+all that was best of my life, and learned the few lessons I had ever
+received of charity and good-nature.
+
+From what the peasant said, the primitive habits of the Lech Thai must
+be almost alike those of that little colony, and I willingly assented to
+his offer to accompany him in his journey homeward. He seemed to feel a
+kind of satisfaction in turning my thoughts away from a career that he
+held so cheaply, and talked enthusiastically of the tranquil life of the
+Bregenzerwald.
+
+We left Paris the following morning, and, partly by diligence, partly on
+foot, reached Strasbourg in a few days; thence we proceeded by Kehl to
+Freyburg, and, crossing the Lake of Constance at Rorschach, we entered
+the Bregenzerwald on the twelfth morning of our journey. I suppose that
+most men preserve fresher memory of the stirring and turbulent scenes of
+their lives than of the more peaceful and tranquil ones, and I shall
+not be deemed singular when I say that some years passed over me in
+this quiet spot, and seemed as but a few weeks. The old peasant was the
+_Vorsteher_, or ruler of the village, by whom all disputes were settled,
+and all litigation of a humble kind decided--a species of voluntary
+jurisdiction maintained to this very day in that primitive region. My
+occupation there was as a species of secretary to the court, an office
+quite new to the villagers, but which served to impress them more
+reverentially than ever in favour of this rude justice. My legal duties
+over, I became a vine-dresser, a wood-cutter, or a deer-stalker, as
+season and weather dictated--my evenings being always devoted to the
+task of schoolmaster. A curious seminary was it, too, embracing every
+class from childhood to advanced age, all eager for knowledge, and all
+submitting to the most patient discipline to attain it. There was much
+to make me happy in that humble lot. I had the love and esteem of all
+around me; there was neither a harassing doubt for the future, nor the
+rich man's contumely to oppress me; my life was made up of occupations
+which alternately engaged mind and body, and, above all and worth all
+besides, I had a sense of duty, a feeling that I was doing that which
+was useful to my fellow-men; and however great may be a man's station
+in life, if it want this element, the humblest peasant that rises to his
+daily toil has a nobler and a better part.
+
+As I trace these lines, how many memories of the spot are rising before
+me!--scenes I had long forgotten--faces I had ceased to remember! And
+now I see the little wooden bridge--a giant tree, guarded by a single
+rail, that crossed the torrent in front of our cottage; and I behold
+once more the little waxen image of the Virgin over the door, in whose
+glass shrine at nightfall a candle ever burned! and I hear the low hum
+of the villagers' prayer as the 'Angelus' is singing, and see on every
+crag or cliff the homebound hunter kneeling in his deep devotion!
+
+Happy people, and not less good than happy! Your bold and barren
+mountains have been the safeguard of your virtue and your innocence!
+Long may they prove so, and long may the waves of the world's ambition
+be stayed at their rocky feet!
+
+I was beginning to forget all that I had seen of life, or, if not
+forget, at least to regard it as a wild and troubled dream, when an
+accident, one of those things we always regard as the merest chances,
+once more opened the floodgates of memory, and sent the whole past in a
+strong current through my brain.
+
+In this mountain region the transition from winter to summer is effected
+in a few days. Some hours of a scorching sun and south wind swell the
+torrents with melted snow; the icebergs fall thundering from cliff and
+crag, and the sporting waterfall once more dashes over the precipice.
+The trees burst into leaf, and the grass springs up green and fresh from
+its wintry covering; and from the dreary aspect of snow-capped hills and
+leaden clouds. Nature changes to fertile plains and hills, and a sky of
+almost unbroken blue.
+
+It was on a glorious evening in April, when all these changes were
+passing, that I was descending the mountain above our village after a
+hard day's chamois-hunting. Anxious to reach the plain before nightfall,
+I could not, however, help stopping from time to time to watch the
+golden and ruby tints of the sun upon the snow, or see the turquoise
+blue which occasionally marked the course of a rivulet through the
+glaciers. The Alp-horn was sounding from every cliff and height, and
+the lowing of the cattle swelled into a rich and mellow chorus. It was
+a beautiful picture, realising in every tint and hue, in every sound and
+cadence, all that one can fancy of romantic simplicity, and I surveyed
+it with a swelling and a grateful heart.
+
+As I turned to resume my way, I was struck by the sound of voices
+speaking, as I fancied, in French, and before I could settle the doubt
+with myself, I saw in front of me a party of some six or seven soldiers,
+who, with their muskets slung behind them, were descending the steep
+path by the aid of sticks.
+
+Weary-looking and footsore as they were, their dress, their bearing,
+and their soldierlike air, struck me forcibly, and sent into my heart a
+thrill I had not known for many a day before. I came up quickly behind
+them, and could overhear their complaints at having mistaken the road,
+and their maledictions, uttered in no gentle spirit, on the stupid
+mountaineers who could not understand French.
+
+'Here comes another fellow, let us try him,' said one, as he turned and
+saw me near. 'Schwartz-Ach, Schwartz-Ach,' added he, addressing me, and
+reading the name from a slip of paper in his hand.
+
+'I am going to the village,' said I in French, 'and will show the way
+with pleasure.'
+
+'How! what! are you a Frenchman, then?' cried the corporal, in
+amazement.
+
+'Even so,' said I.
+
+'Then by what chance are you living in this wild spot? How, in the name
+of wonder, can you exist here?'
+
+'With venison like this,' said I, pointing to a chamois buck on my
+shoulder, 'and the red wine of the Lech Thai, a man may manage to forget
+Veray's and the "Dragon Vert," particularly as they are not associated
+with a bill and a waiter!'
+
+'And perhaps you are a Royalist,' cried another, 'and don't like how
+matters are going on at home?'
+
+'I have not that excuse for my exile,' said I coldly.
+
+'Have you served, then?'
+
+I nodded.
+
+'Ah, I see,' said the corporal, 'you grew weary of parade and guard
+mounting.'
+
+'If you mean that I deserted,' said I, 'you are wrong there also; and
+now let it be my turn to ask a few questions. What is France about? Is
+the Republic still as great and victorious as ever?'
+
+'_Sacrebleu_, man, what are you thinking of? We are an Empire some years
+back, and Napoleon has made as many kings as he has got brothers and
+cousins to crown.'
+
+'And the army, where is it?'
+
+'Ask for some half-dozen armies, and you'll still be short of the
+mark. We have one in Hamburg, and another in the far North, holding the
+Russians in check; we have garrisons in every fortress of Prussia and
+the Rhine Land; we have some eighty thousand fellows in Poland and
+Galicia--double as many more in Spain. Italy is our own, and so will he
+Austria ere many days go over.'
+
+Boastfully as all this was spoken, I found it to be not far from truth,
+and learned, as we walked along, that the Emperor was, at that very
+moment, on the march to meet the Archduke Charles, who, with a numerous
+army, was advancing on Ratishon, the little party of soldiers being
+portion of a force despatched to explore the passes of the 'Vorarlberg,'
+and report on how far they might be practicable for the transmission
+of troops to act on the left flank and rear of the Austrian army. Their
+success had up to this time been very slight, and the corporal was
+making for Schwartz-Ach, as a spot where he hoped to rendezvous with
+some of his comrades. They were much disappointed on my telling them
+that I had quitted the village that morning, and that not a soldier had
+been seen there. There was, however, no other spot to pass the night
+in, and they willingly accepted the offer I made them of a shelter and a
+supper in our cottage.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLVIII. A VILLAGE 'SYNDICUS'
+
+I SAT up all night listening to the soldiers' stories of war and
+campaigning. Some had served with Soult's army in the Asturias; some
+made part of Davout's corps in the north of Europe; one had just
+returned from Friedland, and amused us with describing the celebrated
+conference at Tilsit, where he had been a sentinel on the river-side,
+and presented arms to the two emperors as they passed. It will seem
+strange, but it is a fact, that this slight incident attracted towards
+him a greater share of his comrades' admiration than was accorded to
+those who had seen half the battlefields of modern war.
+
+He described the dress, the air, the general bearing of the emperors,
+remarking that although Alexander was taller, and handsomer, and even
+more soldierlike than our own emperor, there was a something of
+calm dignity and conscious majesty in Napoleon that made him appear
+immeasurably the superior. Alexander wore the uniform of the Russian
+guard, one of the most splendid it is possible to conceive. The only
+thing simple about him was his sword, which was a plain sabre with a
+tarnished gilt scabbard, and a very dirty sword-knot; and yet every
+moment he used to look down at it and handle it with great apparent
+admiration; 'and well might he,' added the soldier--'Napoleon had given
+it to him but the day before.'
+
+To listen even to such meagre details as these was to light up again in
+my heart the fire that was only smouldering, and that no life of peasant
+labour or obscurity could ever extinguish. My companions quickly saw the
+interest I took in their narratives, and certainly did their utmost to
+feed the passion--now with some sketch of a Spanish marauding party,
+as full of adventure as a romance; now with a description of northern
+warfare, where artillery thundered on the ice, and men fought behind
+intrenchments of deep snow.
+
+From the North Sea to the Adriatic, all Europe was now in arms. Great
+armies were marching in every direction--some along the deep valley of
+the Danube, others from the rich plains of Poland and Silesia; some were
+passing the Alps into Italy, and some again were pouring down for the
+Tyrol 'Jochs,' to defend the rocky passes of their native land against
+the invader. Patriotism and glory, the spirit of chivalry and conquest,
+all were abroad, and his must indeed have been a cold heart which could
+find within it no response to the stirring sounds around. To the
+intense feeling of shame which I at first felt at my own life of obscure
+inactivity, there now succeeded a feverish desire to be somewhere and
+do something to dispel this worse than lethargy. I had not resolution
+to tell my comrades that I had served--I felt reluctant to speak of
+a career so abortive and unsuccessful; and yet I blushed at the
+half-pitying expressions they bestowed upon my life of inglorious
+adventure.
+
+'You risk life and limb here in these pine forests, and hazard existence
+for a bear or a chamois goat,' cried one, 'and half the peril in real
+war would perhaps make you a _chef d escadron_ or even a general.'
+
+'Ay,' said another, 'we serve in an army where crowns are military
+distinctions, and the epaulette is only the first step to a kingdom.'
+
+'True,' broke in a third, 'Napoleon has changed the whole world,
+and made soldiering the only trade worth following. Massena was a
+drummer-boy within my own memory, and see him now! Ney was not born
+to great wealth and honours. Junot never could learn his trade as a
+cobbler, and for want of better has become a general of division.'
+
+'Yes; and,' said I, following out the theme, 'under that wooden roof
+yonder, through that little diamond-paned window the vine is trained
+across, a greater than any of the last three first saw the light. It was
+there Kleber, the conqueror of Egypt, was born.'
+
+'Honour to the brave dead!' said the soldiers from their places around
+the fire, and carrying their hands to the salute. 'We'll fire a salvo to
+him to-morrow before we set out!' said the corporal. 'And so Kleber
+was born there!' said he, resuming his place, and staring with admiring
+interest at the dark outline of the old house, as it stood out against
+the starry and cloudless sky.
+
+It was somewhat of a delicate task for me to prevent my companions
+offering their tribute of respect, but which the old peasant would have
+received with little gratitude, seeing that he had never yet forgiven
+the country nor the service for the loss of his son. With some
+management I accomplished this duty, however, promising my services at
+the same time to be their guide through the Bregenzerwald, and not to
+part with them till I had seen them safely into Bavaria.
+
+Had it not been for my thorough acquaintance with the Tyroler dialect,
+and all the usages of Tyrol life, their march would have been one
+of great peril, for already the old hatred against their Bavarian
+oppressors was beginning to stir the land, and Austrian agents were
+traversing the mountain districts in every direction, to call forth that
+patriotic ardour which, ill-requited as it has been, has more than once
+come to the rescue of Austria.
+
+So sudden had been the outbreak of this war, and so little aware were
+the peasantry of the frontier of either its object or aim, that we
+frequently passed recruits for both armies on their way to headquarters
+on the same day--honest Bavarians, who were trudging along the road with
+pack on their shoulders, and not knowing, nor indeed much caring, on
+which side they were to combat. My French comrades scorned to report
+themselves to any German officer, and pushed on vigorously in the hope
+of meeting with a French regiment. I had now conducted my little party
+to Immenstadt, at the foot of the Bavarian Alps, and, having completed
+my compact, was about to bid them good-bye.
+
+We were seated around our bivouac fire for the last time, as we deemed
+it, and pledging each other in a parting glass, when suddenly our
+attention was attracted to a bright red tongue of flame that suddenly
+darted up from one of the Alpine summits above our head. Another and
+another followed, till at length every mountain-peak for miles and miles
+away displayed a great signal-fire! Little knew we that behind that
+giant range of mountains, from the icy crags of the Glockner, and from
+the snowy summit of the Orteler itself, similar fires were summoning all
+Tyrol to the combat, while every valley resounded with the war-cry of
+'God and the Emperor!' We were still in busy conjecture what all this
+might portend, when a small party of mounted men rode past us at a
+trot. They carried carbines slung over their peasant frocks, and showed
+unmistakably enough that they were some newly-raised and scarcely
+disciplined force. After proceeding about a hundred yards beyond us,
+they halted, and drew up across the road, unslinging their pieces as if
+to prepare for action.
+
+'Look at those fellows, yonder,' said the old corporal, as he puffed
+his pipe calmly and deliberately; 'they mean mischief, or I 'm much
+mistaken. Speak to them, Tiernay; you know their jargon.'
+
+I accordingly arose and advanced towards them, touching my hat in salute
+as I went forward. They did not give me much time, however, to open
+negotiations, for scarcely had I uttered a word, when bang went a
+shot close beside me; another followed; and then a whole volley was
+discharged, but with such haste and ill direction that not a ball struck
+me. Before I could take advantage of this piece of good fortune to renew
+my advances, a bullet whizzed by my head, and down went the left-hand
+horse of the file, at first on his knees, and then, with a wild plunge
+into the air, he fell, stone-dead, on the road, the rider beneath him.
+As for the rest, throwing off carbines, and cartouch-boxes, they sprang
+from their horses, and took to the mountains with a speed that showed
+how far more they were at home amidst rocks and heather than when seated
+on the saddle. My comrades lost no time in coming up; but while three of
+them kept the fugitives in sight, covering them all the time with their
+muskets, the others secured the cattle, as in amazement and terror they
+stood around the dead horse.
+
+Although the peasant had received no other injuries than a heavy fall
+and his own fears inflicted, he was overcome with terror, and so certain
+of death that he would do nothing but mumble his prayers, totally deaf
+to all the efforts I made to restore his courage. 'That comes of putting
+a man out of his natural bent,' said the old corporal. 'On his native
+mountains, and with his rifle, that fellow would be brave enough; but
+making a dragoon of him is like turning a Cossack into a foot-soldier.
+One thing is clear enough, we've no time to throw away here; these
+peasants will soon alarm the village in our rear, so that we had better
+mount and press forward.'
+
+'But in what direction?' cried another; 'who knows if we shall not be
+rushing into worse danger?'
+
+'Tiernay must look to that,' interposed a third. 'It's clear he can't
+leave us now; his retreat is cut off, at all events.'
+
+'That's the very point I was thinking of, lads,' said I. 'The
+beacon-fires show that "the Tyrol is up"; and safely as I have journeyed
+hither, I know well I dare not venture to retrace my road; I 'd be shot
+in the first Dorf I entered. On one condition, then, I'll join you; and
+short of that, however, I'll take my own path, come what may of it.'
+
+'What's the condition, then?' cried three or four together.
+
+'That you give me the full and absolute command of this party, and
+pledge your honour, as French soldiers, to obey me in everything, till
+the day we arrive at the headquarters of a French corps.'
+
+'What, obey a Pekin! take the _mot d'ordre_ from a civilian that never
+handled a firelock!' shouted three or four in derision.
+
+'I have served, and with distinction, too, my lads,' said I calmly; 'and
+if I have not handled a firelock, it is because I wielded a sabre, as an
+officer of hussars. It is not here, nor now, that I am going to tell
+why I wear the epaulette no longer. I'll render account of that to my
+superiors and yours! If you reject my offer (and I don't press you to
+accept it), let us at least part good friends. As for me, I can take
+care of myself.' As I said this, I slung over my shoulder the cross-belt
+and carbine of one of the fugitives, and selecting a strongly built,
+short-legged black horse as my mount, I adjusted the saddle, and sprang
+on his back.
+
+'That was done like an old hussar, anyhow,' said a soldier, who had
+been a cavalry man, 'and I 'll follow you, whatever the rest may do.' He
+mounted as he spoke, and saluted as if on duty. Slight as the incident
+was, its effect was magical. Old habits of discipline revived at the
+first signal of obedience, and the corporal having made his men fall in,
+came up to my side for orders.
+
+'Select the best of these horses,' said I, 'and let us press forward
+at once. We are about eighteen miles from the village of Wangheim; by
+halting a short distance outside of it, I can enter alone, and learn
+something about the state of the country, and the nearest French post.
+The cattle are all fresh, and we can easily reach the village before
+daybreak.'
+
+Three of my little 'command' were tolerable horsemen, two of them having
+served in the artillery train, and the third being the dragoon I have
+alluded to. I accordingly threw out a couple of these as an advanced
+picket, keeping the last as my aide-de-camp at my side. The remainder
+formed the rear, with orders, if attacked, to dismount at once, and fire
+over the saddle, leaving myself and the others to manoeuvre as cavalry.
+This was the only way to give confidence to those soldiers, who in the
+ranks would have marched up to a battery, but on horseback were totally
+devoid of self-reliance. Meanwhile I imparted such instructions in
+equitation as I could, my own old experience as a riding-master well
+enabling me to select the most necessary and least difficult of a
+horseman's duties. Except the old corporal, all were very creditable
+pupils; but he, possibly deeming it a point of honour not to discredit
+his old career, rejected everything like teaching, and openly protested
+that, save to run away from a victorious enemy, or follow a beaten one,
+he saw no use in cavalry.
+
+Nothing could be in better temper, however, nor more amicable than our
+discourses on this head; and as I let drop, from time to time, little
+hints of my services on the Rhine and in Italy, I gradually perceived
+that I grew higher in the esteem of my companions, so that ere we rode a
+dozen miles together, their confidence in me became complete.
+
+In return for all their anecdotes of 'blood and field,' I told them
+several stories of my own life, and, at least, convinced them that if
+they had not chanced upon the very luckiest of mankind, they had, at
+least, fallen upon one who had seen enough of casualties not to be
+easily baffled, and who felt in every difficulty a self-confidence that
+no amount of discomfiture could ever entirely obliterate. No soldier
+can vie with a Frenchman in tempering respect with familiarity; so
+that while preserving towards me all the freedom of the comrade, they
+recognised in every detail of duty the necessity of prompt obedience,
+and followed every command I gave with implicit submission.
+
+It was thus we rode along, till in the distance I saw the spire of a
+village church, and recognised what I knew to be Dorf Wangheim. It was
+yet an hour before sunrise, and all was tranquil around. I gave the word
+to trot, and after about forty minutes' sharp riding, we gained a small
+pine wood, which skirted the village. Here I dismounted my party, and
+prepared to make my entry alone into the Dorf, carefully arranging my
+costume for that purpose, sticking a large bouquet of wild flowers in my
+hat, and assuming as much as I could of the Tyrol look and lounge in my
+gait. I shortened my stirrups, also, to a most awkward and inconvenient
+length, and gripped my reins into a heap in my hand.
+
+It was thus I rode into Wangheim, saluting the people as I passed up the
+street, and with the short dry greeting of 'Tag,' and a nod as brief,
+playing Tyroler to the top of my bent. The 'Syndicus,' or the ruler of
+the village, lived in a good-sized house in the 'Platz,' which, being
+market-day, was crowded with people, although the articles for sale
+appeared to include little variety, almost every one leading a calf by a
+straw rope, the rest of the population contenting themselves with a wild
+turkey, or sometimes two, which, held under the arms, added the most
+singular element to the general concert of human voices around. Little
+stalls for rustic jewellery and artificial flowers, the latter in great
+request, ran along the sides of the square, with here and there a booth
+where skins and furs were displayed--more, however, as it appeared, to
+give pleasure to a group of sturdy Jagers, who stood around, recognising
+the track of their own bullets, than from any hope of sale. In fact, the
+business of the day was dull, and an experienced eye would have seen at
+a glance that turkeys were 'heavy,' and calves 'looking down.' No wonder
+that it should be so, the interest of the scene being concentrated on a
+little knot of some twenty youths, who, with tickets containing a number
+in their hats, stood before the syndic's door. They were fine-looking,
+stalwart, straight fellows, and became admirably the manly costume
+of their native mountains; but their countenances were not without an
+expression of sadness, the reflection, as I soon saw, of the sadder
+faces around them. For so they stood, mothers, sisters, and sweethearts,
+their tearful eyes turned on the little band. It puzzled me not a
+little at first to see these evidences of a conscription in a land where
+hitherto the population had answered the call to arms by a levy _en
+masse_, while the air of depression and sadness seemed also strange in
+those who gloried in the excitement of war. The first few sentences I
+overheard revealed the mystery. Wangheim was Bavarian; although strictly
+a Tyrol village, and Austrian Tyrol, too, it had been included within
+the Bavarian frontier, and the orders had arrived from Munich at the
+Syndicate to furnish a certain number of men by a certain day. This was
+terrible tidings; for although they did not as yet know that the war
+was against Austria, they had heard that the troops were for foreign
+service, and not for the defence of home and country, the only cause
+which a Tyroler deems worthy of battle. As I listened, I gathered
+that the most complete ignorance prevailed as to the service or the
+destination to which they were intended. The Bavarians had merely issued
+their mandates to the various villages of the border, and neither sent
+emissaries nor officers to carry them out. Having seen how the 'land
+lay,' I pushed my way through the crowd, into the hall of the Syndicate,
+and by dint of a strong will and stout shoulder, at length gained the
+audience-chamber, where, seated behind an elevated bench, the great man
+was dispensing justice. I advanced boldly, and demanded an immediate
+audience in private, stating that my business was most pressing, and not
+admitting of delay. The syndic consulted for a second or two with his
+clerk, and retired, beckoning me to follow.
+
+'You're not a Tyroler,' said he to me, the moment we were alone.
+
+'That is easy to see, Herr Syndicus,' replied I. 'I'm an officer of
+the staff, in disguise, sent to make a hasty inspection of the frontier
+villages, and report upon the state of feeling that prevails amongst
+them, and how they stand affected towards the cause of Bavaria.'
+
+'And what have you found, sir?' said he, with native caution; for
+a Bavarian Tyroler has the quality in a perfection that neither a
+Scotchman nor a Russian can pretend to.
+
+'That you are all Austrian at heart,' said I, determined to dash at
+him with a frankness that I knew he could not resist. 'There's not
+a Bavarian amongst you. I have made the whole tour of the
+Vorarlberg--through the Bregenzer-wald, down the valley of the Lech, by
+Immenstadt, and Wangheim--and it's all the same. I have heard nothing
+but the old cry of "Gott und der Kaiser!"'
+
+'Indeed!' said he, with an accent beautifully balanced between sorrow
+and astonishment.
+
+'Even the men in authority, the syndics, like yourself, have frankly
+told me how difficult it is to preserve allegiance to a Government by
+whom they have been so harshly treated. 'I'm sure I have the "grain
+question," as they call it, and the "Freiwechsel" with South Tyrol,
+off by heart,' said I, laughing. 'However, my business lies in another
+quarter. I have seen enough to show me that save the outcasts from home
+and family, that class so rare in the Tyrol, that men call adventurers,
+we need look for no willing recruits here; and you'll stare when I say
+that I 'm glad of it--heartily glad of it.'
+
+The syndic did, indeed, stare, but he never ventured a word in reply.
+
+'I'll tell you why, then, Herr Syndicus. With a man like yourself one
+can afford to be open-hearted. Wangheim, Luttrich, Kempenfeld, and all
+the other villages at the foot of these mountains, were never other than
+Austrian. Diplomatists and map-makers coloured them pale blue, but
+they were black and yellow underneath; and what's more to the purpose,
+Austrian they must become again. When the real object of this war is
+known, all Tyrol will declare for the House of Hapsburg. We begin to
+perceive this ourselves, and to dread the misfortunes and calamities
+that must fall upon you and the other frontier towns by this divided
+allegiance; for when you have sent off your available youth to the
+Bavarians, down will come Austria to revenge itself upon your undefended
+towns and villages.'
+
+The syndic apparently had thought of all these things exactly with the
+same conclusions, for he shook his head gravely, and uttered a low,
+faint sigh.
+
+'I'm so convinced of what I tell you,' said I, 'that no sooner have I
+conducted to headquarters the force I have under my command----'
+
+'You have a force, then, actually under your orders?' cried he,
+starting.
+
+'The advanced guard is picketed in yonder pine wood, if you have
+any curiosity to inspect them; you'll find them a little disorderly,
+perhaps, like all newly-raised levies, but I hope not discreditable
+allies for the great army.'
+
+The syndic protested his sense of the favour, but begged to take all
+their good qualities on trust.
+
+I then went on to assure him that I should recommend the Government to
+permit the range of frontier towns to preserve a complete neutrality;
+by scarcely any possibility could the war come to their doors; and that
+there was neither sound policy nor humanity in sending them to seek it
+elsewhere. I will not stop to recount all the arguments I employed to
+enforce my opinions, nor how learnedly I discussed every question
+of European politics. The syndic was amazed at the vast range of my
+acquirements, and could not help confessing it.
+
+My interview ended by persuading him not to send on his levies of men
+till he had received further instructions from Munich; to supply my
+advanced guards with the rations and allowances intended for the others;
+and lastly, to advance me the sum of one hundred and seventy crown
+thalers, on the express pledge that the main body of my 'marauders,'
+as I took opportunity to style them, should take the road by Kempen and
+Durcheim, and not touch on the village of Wangheim at all.
+
+When discussing this last point, I declared to the syndic that he was
+depriving himself of a very imposing sight; that the men, whatever might
+be said of them in point of character, were a fine-looking, daring set
+of rascals, neither respecting laws nor fearing punishment, and that our
+band, for a newly-formed one, was by no means contemptible. He resisted
+all these seducing prospects, and counted down his dollars with the air
+of a man who felt he had made a good bargain. I gave him a receipt in
+all form, and signed Maurice Tiernay at the foot of it as stoutly as
+though I had the _Grand Livre de France_ at my back.
+
+Let not the reader rashly condemn me for this fault, nor still more
+rashly conclude that I acted with a heartless and unprincipled spirit
+in this transaction. I own that a species of Jesuistry suggested the
+scheme, and that while providing for the exigencies of my own comrades,
+I satisfied my conscience by rendering a good service in return. The
+course of war, as I suspected it would, did sweep past this portion
+of the Bavarian Tyrol without inflicting any heavy loss. Such of the
+peasantry as joined the army fought under Austrian banners, and Wangheim
+and the other border villages had not to pay the bloody penalty of a
+divided allegiance. I may add, too, for conscience' sake, that while
+travelling this way many years after, I stopped a day at Wangheim to
+point out its picturesque scenery to a fair friend who accompanied me.
+The village inn was kept by an old, venerable-looking man, who also
+discharged the functions of _Vorsteher_--the title Syndicus was
+abolished. He was, although a little cold and reserved at first, very
+communicative after a while, and full of stories of the old campaigns
+of France and Austria; amongst which he related one of a certain set of
+French freebooters that once passed through Wangheim, the captain having
+actually breakfasted with himself, and persuaded him to advance a loan
+of nigh two hundred thalers on the faith of the Bavarian Government.
+
+'He was a good-looking, dashing sort of fellow,' said he, 'that could
+sing French love-songs to the piano and jodle _Tyroler Lieder_ for the
+women. My daughter took a great fancy to him, and wore his sword-knot
+for many a day after, till we found that he had cheated and betrayed us.
+Even then, however, I don't think she gave him up, though she did
+not speak of him as before. This is the fellow's writing,' added he,
+producing a much-worn and much-crumpled scrap of paper from his old
+pocket-book, 'and there's his name. I have never been able to make out
+clearly whether it was Thierray or Iierray.'
+
+'I know something about him,' said I, 'and, with your permission, will
+keep the document and pay the debt. Your daughter is alive still?'
+
+'Ay, and married, too, at Bruck, ten miles from this.'
+
+'Well, if she has thrown away the old sword-knot, tell her to accept
+this one in memory of the French captain, who was not, at least, an
+ungrateful rogue'; and I detached from my sabre the rich gold tassel and
+cord which I wore as a general officer.
+
+This little incident I may be pardoned for interpolating from a portion
+of my life of which I do not intend to speak further, as with the career
+of the Soldier of Fortune I mean to close these memoirs of Maurice
+Tiernay.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLIX. A LUCKY MEETING
+
+The reader will probably not complain if, passing over the manifold
+adventures and hair-breadth 'scapes of my little party, I come to our
+arrival at Ingoldstadt, where the headquarters of General Vandamme were
+stationed. It was just as the recall was beating that we rode into the
+town, where, although nearly eight thousand men were assembled, our
+somewhat singular cavalcade attracted no small share of notice. Fresh
+rations for 'man and beast' slung around our very ragged clothing, and
+four Austrian grenadiers tied by a cord, wrist to wrist, as prisoners
+behind us, we presented, it must be owned, a far more picturesque than
+soldierlike party.
+
+Accepting all the attentions bestowed upon us in the most flattering
+sense, and affecting not to perceive the ridicule we were exciting on
+every hand, I rode up to the etat-major and dismounted. I had obtained
+from 'my prisoners' what I deemed a very important secret, and was
+resolved to make the most of it by asking for an immediate audience of
+the general.
+
+'I am the _officier d ordonnance_,' said a young lieutenant of dragoons,
+stepping forward; 'any communications you have to make must be addressed
+to me.'
+
+'I have taken four prisoners, Monsieur le lieutenant,' said I, 'and
+would wish to inform General Vandamme on certain matters they have
+revealed to me.'
+
+'Are you in the service?' asked he, with a glance at my incongruous
+equipment.
+
+'I have served, sir,' was my reply.
+
+'In what army of brigands was it, then?' said he, laughing, 'for,
+assuredly, you do not recall to my recollection any European force that
+I know of.'
+
+'I may find leisure and inclination to give you the fullest information
+on this point at another moment, sir; for the present, my business is
+more pressing. Can I see General Vandamme?'
+
+'Of course you cannot, my worthy fellow! If you had served, as you say
+you have, you could scarcely have made so absurd a request. A French
+general of division does not give audience to every tatterdemalion who
+picks up a prisoner on the highroad.'
+
+'It is exactly because I have served that I do make the request,' said I
+stoutly.
+
+'How so, pray?' asked he, staring at me.
+
+'Because I know well how often young staff-officers, in their
+self-sufficiency, overlook the most important points, and, from the
+humble character of their informants, frequently despise what their
+superiors, had they known it, would have largely profited by. And, even
+if I did not know this fact, I have the memory of another one scarcely
+less striking, which was, that General Massena himself admitted me to
+an audience when my appearance was not a whit more imposing than at
+present.'
+
+'You knew General Massena, then? Where was it, may I ask?'
+
+'In Genoa, during the siege.'
+
+'And what regiment have you served in?'
+
+'The Ninth Hussars.'
+
+'Quite enough, my good fellow. The Ninth were on the Sambre while that
+siege was going on,' said he, laughing sarcastically.
+
+'I never said that my regiment was at Genoa. I only asserted that _I_
+was,' was my calm reply, for I was anxious to prolong the conversation,
+seeing that directly over our heads, on a balcony, a number of officers
+had just come out to smoke their cigars after dinner, amongst whom I
+recognised two or three in the uniform of generals.
+
+'And now for your name; let us have that,' said he, seating himself, as
+if for a lengthy cross-examination.
+
+I stole a quick glance overhead, and seeing that two of the officers
+were eagerly listening to our colloquy, said aloud--
+
+'I'll tell you no more, sir. You have already heard quite enough to
+know what my business is. I didn't come here to relate my life and
+adventures.'
+
+'I say, Lestocque,' cried a large, burly man, from above, 'have you
+picked up Robinson Crusoe, there?'
+
+'He's far more like the man Friday, _mon general_,' said the young
+lieutenant, laughing, 'although even a savage might have more deference
+for his superiors.'
+
+'What does he want, then?' asked the other.
+
+'An audience of yourself, _mon general_--nothing less.'
+
+'Have you told him how I am accustomed to reward people who occupy my
+time on false pretences, Lestocque?' said the general, with a grin.
+'Does he know that the "Salle de Police" first, and the "Prevot"
+afterwards, comprise my gratitude?'
+
+'He presumes to say, sir, that he knows General Massena,' said the
+lieutenant.
+
+'_Diable!_ He knows me, does he say--he knows me? Who is he--what is
+he?' said a voice I well remembered; and at the same instant the brown,
+dark visage of General Massena peered over the balcony.
+
+'He's a countryman of yours, Massena,' said Vandamme, laughing. 'Eh, are
+you not a Piemontais?'
+
+Up to this moment I had stood silently listening to the dialogue around
+me, without the slightest apparent sign of noticing it. Now, however,
+as I was directly addressed, I drew myself up to a soldierlike attitude,
+and replied--
+
+'No, sir. I am more a Frenchman than General Vandamme, at least.'
+
+'Send that fellow here; send him up, Lestocque, and have a corporal's
+party ready for duty,' cried the general, as he threw the end of his
+cigar into the street, and walked hastily away.
+
+It was not the first time in my life that my tongue had brought peril on
+my head; but I ascended the stairs with a firm step, and if not with a
+light, at least with a resolute, heart, seeing how wonderfully little
+I had to lose, and that few men had a smaller stake in existence than
+myself.
+
+The voices were loud, and in tones of anger, as I stepped out upon the
+terrace.
+
+'So we are acquaintances, it would appear, my friend?' said Massena, as
+he stared fixedly at me.
+
+'If General Massena cannot recall the occasion of our meeting,' said I
+proudly, 'I 'll scarcely remind him of it.'
+
+'Come, come,' said Vandamme angrily, 'I must deal with this _gaillard_
+myself. Are you a French soldier?'
+
+'I was, sir---an officer of cavalry.'
+
+'And were you broke? did you desert? or what was it?' cried he
+impatiently.
+
+'I kept better company than I believe is considered safe in these days,
+and was accidentally admitted to the acquaintance of the Prince de
+Conde----'
+
+'That's it!' said Vandamme, with a long whistle; 'that's the mischief,
+then. You are a Vendean?'
+
+'No, sir; I was never a Royalist, although, as I have said, exposed to
+the very society whose fascinations might have made me one.'
+
+'Your name is Tiernay, monsieur, or I mistake much?* said a
+smart-looking young man in civilian dress.
+
+I bowed in assent, without expressing any sentiment of either fear or
+anxiety.
+
+'I can vouch for the perfect accuracy of that gentleman's narrative,'
+said Monsieur de Bourrienne, for I now saw it was himself. 'You may
+possibly remember a visitor----'
+
+'At the Temple,' said I, interrupting him. 'I recollect you perfectly,
+sir, and thank you for this recognition.'
+
+Monsieur de Bourrienne, however, did not pay much attention to my
+gratitude, but proceeded, in a few hurried words, to give some account
+of me to the bystanders.
+
+'Well, it must be owned that he looks devilish unlike an officer of
+hussars,' said Massena, as he laughed, and made others laugh, at my
+strange equipment.
+
+'And yet you saw me in a worse plight, general,' said I coolly.
+
+'How so--where was that?' cried he.
+
+'It will be a sore wound to my pride, general,' said I slowly, 'if I
+must refresh your memory.'
+
+'You were not at Valenciennes,' said he, musing. 'No, no; that was
+before your day. Were you on the Meuse, then? No. Nor in Spain? I've
+always had hussars in my division, but I confess I do not remember all
+the officers.'
+
+'Will Genoa not give the clue, sir?' said I, glancing at him a keen
+look.
+
+'Least of all,' cried he. 'The cavalry were with Soult. I had nothing
+beyond an escort in the town.'
+
+'So there's no help for it,' said I, with a sigh. 'Do you remember a
+half-drowned wretch that was laid down at your feet in the Annunziata
+Church one morning during the siege?'
+
+'A fellow who had made his escape from the English fleet, and swam
+ashore? What I are you---- By Jove! so it is, the very same. Give me
+your hand, my brave fellow. I've often thought of you, and wondered what
+had befallen you. You joined that unlucky attack on Monte Faccio; and
+we had warm work ourselves on hand the day after. I say, Vandamme,
+the first news I had of our columns crossing the Alps were from this
+officer--for officer he was, and shall be again, if I live to command a
+French division.'
+
+Massena embraced me affectionately, as he said this; and then turning to
+the others, said--
+
+'Gentlemen, you see before you the man you have often heard me speak
+of--a young officer of hussars, who, in the hope of rescuing a division
+of the French army, at that time shut up in a besieged city, performed
+one of the most gallant exploits on record. Within a week after he led a
+storming-party against a mountain fortress; and I don't care if he
+lived in the intimacy of every Bourbon prince, from the Count D'Artois
+downwards, he's a good Frenchman, and a brave soldier. Bourrienne,
+you're starting for headquarters? Well, it is not at such a moment as
+this you can bear these matters in mind, but don't forget my friend
+Tiernay; depend upon it, he'll do you no discredit. The Emperor knows
+well both how to employ and how to reward such men as him.'
+
+I heard these flattering speeches like one in a delicious dream. To
+stand in the midst of a distinguished group, while Massena thus spoke
+of me, seemed too much for reality, for praise had indeed become a rare
+accident to me; but from such a quarter it was less eulogy than fame.
+How hard was it to persuade myself that I was awake, as I found myself
+seated at the table, with a crowd of officers, pledging the toasts they
+gave, and drinking bumpers in friendly recognition with all around me.
+
+Such was the curiosity to hear my story, that numbers of others crowded
+into the room, which gradually assumed the appearance of a theatre.
+There was scarcely an incident to which I referred, that some one or
+other of those present could not vouch for; and whether I alluded to my
+earlier adventures in the Black Forest, or the expedition of Humbert, or
+to the latter scenes of my life, I met corroboration from one quarter or
+another. Away as I was from Paris and its influences, in the midst of my
+comrades, I never hesitated to relate the whole of my acquaintance with
+Fouche--a part of my narrative which, I must own, amused them more than
+all the rest. In the midst of all these intoxicating praises, and of a
+degree of wonder that might have turned wiser heads, I never forgot that
+I was in possession of what seemed to myself at least a very important
+military fact--no less than the mistaken movement of an Austrian
+general, who had marched his division so far to the southward as to
+leave an interval of several miles between himself and the main body of
+the Imperial forces. This fact I had obtained from the grenadiers I had
+made prisoners, and who were stragglers from the corps I alluded to.
+
+The movement in question was doubtless intended to menace the right
+flank of our army, but every soldier of Napoleon well knew that so
+long as he could pierce the enemy's centre such flank attacks were
+ineffectual, the question being already decided before they could be
+undertaken.
+
+My intelligence, important as it appeared to myself, struck the two
+generals as of even greater moment; and Massena, who had arrived only a
+few hours before from his own division to confer with Vandamme, resolved
+to take me with him at once to headquarters.
+
+'You are quite certain of what you assert, Tiernay?' said he; 'doubtful
+information, or a mere surmise, will not do with him before whom you
+will be summoned. You must be clear on every point, and brief--remember
+that--not a word more than is absolutely necessary.'
+
+I repeated that I had taken the utmost precautions to assure myself of
+the truth of the men's statement, and had ridden several leagues between
+the Austrian left and the left centre. The prisoners themselves
+could prove that they had marched from early morning till late in the
+afternoon without coming up with a single Austrian post.
+
+The next question was to equip me with a uniform--but what should it be?
+I was not attached to any corps, nor had I any real rank in the
+army. Massena hesitated about appointing me on his own staff without
+authority, nor could he advise me to assume the dress of my old
+regiment. Time was pressing, and it was decided--I own to my great
+discomfiture--that I should continue to wear my Tyroler costume till my
+restoration to my former rank was fully established.
+
+I was well tired, having already ridden thirteen leagues of a bad road,
+when I was obliged to mount once more, and accompany General Massena in
+his return to headquarters. A good supper, and some excellent Bordeaux,
+and, better than either, a light heart, gave me abundant energy; and
+after the first three or four miles of the way I felt as if I was equal
+to any fatigue.
+
+As we rode along, the general repeated all his cautions to me in the
+event of my being summoned to give information at headquarters--the
+importance of all my replies being short, accurate, and to the purpose;
+and, above all, the avoidance of anything like an opinion or expression
+of my own judgment on passing events. I promised faithfully to observe
+all his counsels, and not bring discredit on his patronage.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER L. THE MARCH ON VIENNA
+
+All General Massena's wise counsels, and my own steady resolves to
+profit by them, were so far thrown away, that, on our arrival at
+Abensberg, we found that the Emperor had left it four hours before, and
+pushed on to Ebersfield, a village about five leagues to the eastward.
+A despatch, however, awaited Massena, telling him to push forward with
+Oudinot's corps to Neustadt, and, with his own division, which comprised
+the whole French right, to manoeuvre so as to menace the archduke's base
+upon the Iser.
+
+Let my reader not fear that I am about to inflict on him a story of the
+great campaign itself, nor compel him to seek refuge in a map from
+the terrible array of hard names of towns and villages for which that
+district is famous. It is enough for my purpose that I recall to his
+memory the striking fact, that when the French sought victory by turning
+and defeating the Austrian left, the Austrians were exactly in march to
+execute a similar movement on the French left wing. Napoleon, however,
+gave the first 'check,' and 'mated' his adversary ere he could open his
+game. By the almost lightning speed of his manouvres, he moved forward
+from Ratisbon with the great bulk of his army; and at the very time that
+the archduke believed him to be awaiting battle around that city, he was
+far on his march to Landshut.
+
+General Massena was taking a hurried cup of coffee, and dictating a few
+lines to his secretary, when a dragoon officer galloped into the town
+with a second despatch, which, whatever its contents, must needs have
+been momentous, for in a few minutes the drums were beating and trumpets
+sounding, and all the stirring signs of an immediate movement visible.
+It was yet an hour before daybreak, and dark as midnight; torches,
+however, blazed everywhere, and by their flaring light the artillery
+trains and waggons drove through the narrow street of the village,
+shaking the frail old houses with their rude trot. Even in a retreating
+army, I have scarcely witnessed such a spectacle of uproar, confusion,
+and chaos; but still, in less than an hour the troops had all defiled
+from the town, the advanced guard was already some miles on its way,
+and, except a small escort of lancers before the little inn where the
+general still remained, there was not a soldier to be seen. It may seem
+absurd to say it, but I must confess that my eagerness to know what was
+'going on' in front was divided by a feeling of painful uneasiness at my
+ridiculous dress, and the shame I experienced at the glances bestowed on
+me by the soldiers of the escort. It was no time, however, to speak of
+myself or attend to my own fortunes, and I loitered about the court of
+the inn wondering if, in the midst of such stirring events, the general
+would chance to remember me. If I had but a frock and a shako, thought
+I, I could make my way. It is this confounded velvet jacket and this
+absurd and tapering hat will be my ruin. If I were to charge a battery,
+I'd only look like a merry-andrew after all; men will not respect what
+is only laughable. Perhaps after all, thought I, it matters little;
+doubtless Massena has forgotten me, and I shall be left behind like a
+broken limber. At one time I blamed myself for not pushing on with some
+detachment--at another I half resolved to put a bold face on it, and
+present myself before the general; and between regrets for the past and
+doubts for the future, I at last worked myself up to a state of anxiety
+little short of fever.
+
+While I walked to and fro in this distracted mood, I perceived, by the
+bustle within-doors, that the general was about to depart; at the
+same time several dismounted dragoons appeared leading saddle-horses,
+tightening girths, and adjusting curb-chains--all tokens of a start.
+While I looked on these preparations, I heard the clatter of a horse's
+hoofs close behind, and the spluttering noise of a struggle. I turned
+and saw it was the general himself, who had just mounted his charger,
+but before catching his right stirrup the horse had plunged, and was
+dragging the orderly across the court by the bridle. Seeing, in an
+instant, that the soldier's effort to hold on was only depriving General
+Massena of all command of the horse, who must probably have fallen on
+his flank, I jumped forward, caught the stirrup, and slipped it over
+the general's foot, and then, with a sharp blow on the soldier's wrist,
+compelled him to relax his grasp. So suddenly were the two movements
+effected, that in less time than I take to relate it, all was over, and
+the general, who, for a heavy man, was a good rider, was fast seated
+in his saddle. I had now no time, however, to bestow on him, for the
+dragoon, stung by the insult of a blow, and from a peasant, as he deemed
+it, rushed at me with his sabre.
+
+'_Halte-la!_, cried Massena in a voice of thunder; 'it was that country
+fellow saved me from a broken bone, which your infernal awkwardness
+might have given me. Throw him a couple of florins for me,' cried he to
+his aide-de-camp, who just rode in; 'and do you, sir, join your ranks; I
+must look for another orderly.'
+
+'I am right glad to have been in the way, general,' said I, springing
+forward, and touching my hat.
+
+'What, Tiernay--this you?' cried he. 'How is this? have I forgotten you
+all this time? What's to be done now? You ought to have gone on with the
+rest, monsieur. You should have volunteered with some corps, eh?'
+
+'I hoped to have been attached to yourself, general. I thought I could
+perhaps have made myself useful.'
+
+'Yes, yes, very true; so you might, I've no doubt; but my staff is
+full--I 've no vacancy. What's to be done now? Lestocque, have we any
+spare cattle?'
+
+'Yes, general; we've your own eight horses, and two of Gambronne's.'
+
+'Ah, poor fellow, he 'll not want them more. I suppose Tiernay may as
+well take one of them, at least.'
+
+'There's an undress uniform, too, of Cambronne's would fit Monsieur
+de Tiernay,' said the officer, who, I saw, had no fancy for my motley
+costume alongside of him.
+
+'Oh, Tiernay doesn't care for that; he's too old a soldier to bestow a
+thought upon the colour of his jacket,' said Massena.
+
+'Pardon me, general, but it is exactly one of my weaknesses; and I feel
+that until I get rid of these trappings I shall never feel myself a
+soldier.'
+
+'I thought you had been made of other stuff,' muttered the general, 'and
+particularly since there's like to be little love-making in the present
+campaign.' And with that he rode forward, leaving me to follow when I
+could.
+
+'These are Cambronne's keys,' said Lestocque, 'and you'll find enough
+for your present wants in the saddlebags. Take the grey, he's the better
+horse, and come up with us as fast as you can.'
+
+I saw that I had forfeited something of General Massena's good opinion
+by my dandyism; but I was consoled in a measure for the loss, as I saw
+the price at which I bought the forfeiture. The young officer, who had
+fallen three days before, and was a nephew of the General Gambronne, was
+a lieutenant in Murat's celebrated corps, the Lancers of 'Berg,' whose
+uniform was the handsomest in the French army. Even the undress scarlet
+frock and small silver helmet were more splendid than many full parade
+uniforms; and as I attired myself in these brilliant trappings, I
+secretly vowed that the Austrians should see them in some conspicuous
+position ere a month was over. If I had but one sigh for the poor fellow
+to whose _galanterie_ I succeeded, I had many a smile for myself as I
+passed and repassed before the glass, adjusting a belt, or training an
+aigrette to fall more gracefully. While thus occupied, I felt something
+heavy clink against my leg, and opening the sabretache, discovered a
+purse containing upwards of forty golden Napoleons and some silver. It
+was a singular way to succeed to a 'heritage' I thought, but, with the
+firm resolve to make honest restitution, I replaced the money where
+I found it, and descended the stairs, my sabre jingling and my spurs
+clanking, to the infinite admiration of the hostess and her handmaiden,
+who looked on my transformation as a veritable piece of magic.
+
+I'm sure Napoleon himself had not framed one-half as many plans for that
+campaign as I did while I rode along. By a close study of the map,
+and the aid of all the oral information in my power, I had at length
+obtained a tolerably accurate notion of the country; and I saw, or I
+thought I saw, at least, half-a-dozen distinct ways of annihilating
+the Austrians. I have often since felt shame, even to myself, at the
+effrontery with which I discussed the great manoeuvres going forward,
+and the unblushing coolness with which I proffered my opinions and
+my criticisms; and I really believe that General Massena tolerated my
+boldness rather for the amusement it afforded him than from any other
+cause.
+
+'Well, Tiernay,' said he, as a fresh order reached him, with the
+most pressing injunction to hurry forward, 'we are to move at once on
+Moosburg--what does that portend?'
+
+'Sharp work, general,' replied I, not noticing the sly malice of the
+question; the Austrians are there in force.'
+
+'So your grenadiers say so?' asked he sarcastically.
+
+'Nor general; but as the base of the operations is the Iser, they must
+needs guard all the bridges over the river, as well as protect the
+highroad to Vienna by Landshut.'
+
+'But you forget that Landshut is a good eight leagues from that!' said
+he, with a laugh.
+
+'They'll have to fall back there, nevertheless,' said I coolly, 'or they
+suffer themselves to be cut off from their own centre.'
+
+'Would you believe it,' whispered Massena to a colonel at his side, 'the
+fellow has just guessed our intended movement?'
+
+Low as he spoke, my quick ears caught the words, and my heart thumped
+with delight as I heard them. This was the Emperor's strategy--Massena
+was to fall impetuously on the enemy's left at Moosburg, and drive them
+to a retreat on Landshut; when, at the moment of the confusion and
+disorder, they were to be attacked by Napoleon himself, with a vastly
+superior force. The game opened even sooner than expected, and a few
+minutes after the conversation I have reported, our tirailleurs were
+exchanging shots with the enemy. These sounds, however, were soon
+drowned in the louder din of artillery, which thundered away at both
+sides till nightfall. It was a strange species of engagement, for we
+continued to march on the entire time, the enemy as steadily retiring
+before us, while the incessant cannonade never ceased.
+
+Although frequently sent to the front with orders, I saw nothing of the
+Austrians; a low line of bluish smoke towards the horizon, now and then
+flashing into flame, denoted their position, and as we were about as
+invisible to them, a less exciting kind of warfare would be difficult
+to conceive. Neither was the destruction important; many of the Austrian
+shot were buried in the deep clay in our front; and considering the
+time, and the number of pieces in action, our loss was insignificant.
+Soldiers, if they be not the trained veterans of a hundred battles, grow
+very impatient in this kind of operation; they cannot conceive why they
+are not led forward, and wonder at the over caution of the general. Ours
+were mostly young levies, and were consequently very profuse of their
+comments and complaints.
+
+'Have patience, my brave boys,' said an old sergeant to some of the
+grumblers; 'I've seen some service, and I never saw a battle open this
+way that there wasn't plenty of fighting ere it was over.'
+
+A long, low range of hills bounds the plain to the west of Moosburg, and
+on these, as night closed, our bivouac fires were lighted, some of them
+extending to nearly half a mile to the left of our real position, and
+giving the Austrians the impression that our force was stationed in that
+direction. A thin drizzly rain, cold enough to be sleet, was falling;
+and as the ground had been greatly cut up by the passage of artillery
+and cavalry, a less comfortable spot to bivouac in could not be
+imagined. It was difficult, too, to obtain wood for our fires, and
+our prospects for the dark hours were scarcely brilliant. The soldiers
+grumbled loudly at being obliged to sit and cook their messes at the
+murky flame of damp straw, while the fires at our left blazed away
+gaily without one to profit by them. Frenchmen, however, are rarely
+ill-humoured in face of the enemy, and their complaints assumed all the
+sarcastic drollery which they so well understand; and even over
+their half-dressed supper they were beginning to grow merry, when
+staff-officers were seen traversing the lines at full speed in all
+directions.
+
+'We are attacked--the Austrians are upon us!' cried two or three
+soldiers, snatching up their muskets.
+
+'No, no, friend,' replied a veteran, 'it's the other way--we are going
+at them.'
+
+This was the true reading of the problem. Orders were sent to every
+brigade to form in close column of attack--artillery and cavalry to
+advance under their cover, and ready to deploy at a moment's notice.
+
+Moosburg lay something short of two miles from us, having the Iser in
+front, over which was a wooden bridge, protected by a strong
+flanking battery. The river was not passable, nor had we any means of
+transporting artillery across it; so that to this spot our main attack
+was at once directed. Had the Austrian general, Heller, who was second
+in command to the Archduke Louis, either cut off the bridge, or taken
+effectual measures to oppose its passage, the great events of the
+campaign might have assumed a very different feature. It is said,
+however, that an entire Austrian brigade was encamped near Freising, and
+that the communication was left open to save them.
+
+Still it must be owned that the Imperialists took few precautions for
+their safety; for, deceived by our line of watch-fires, the pickets
+extended but a short distance into the plain; and when attacked by our
+light cavalry, many of them were cut off at once; and of those who fell
+back, several traversed the bridge, with their pursuers at their heels.
+Such was the impetuosity of the French attack, that although the most
+positive orders had been given by Massena that not more than three guns
+and their caissons should traverse the bridge together, and even these
+at a walk, seven or eight were seen passing at the same instant, and all
+at a gallop, making the old framework so to rock and tremble, that it
+seemed ready to come to pieces. As often happens, the hardihood proved
+our safety. The Austrians counting upon our slow transit, only opened a
+heavy fire after several of our pieces had crossed, and were already in
+a position to reply to them. Their defence, if somewhat late, was a most
+gallant one, and the gunners continued to fire on our advancing columns
+till we captured the block-house and sabred the men at their guns.
+Meanwhile the Imperial Cuirassiers, twelve hundred strong, made a
+succession of furious charges upon us, driving our light cavalry away
+before them, and for a brief space making the fortune of the day almost
+doubtful. It soon appeared, however, that these brave fellows were
+merely covering the retreat of the main body, who in all haste were
+falling back on the villages of Furth and Arth. Some squadrons of
+Kellermann's heavy cavalry gave time for our light artillery to open
+their fire, and the Austrian ranks were rent open with terrific loss.
+
+Day was now dawning, and showed us the Austrian army in retreat by
+the two great roads towards Landshut. Every rising spot of ground was
+occupied by artillery, and in some places defended by stockades, showing
+plainly enough that all hope of saving the guns was abandoned, and that
+they only thought of protecting their flying columns from our attack.
+These dispositions cost us heavily, for as we were obliged to carry each
+of these places before we could advance, the loss in this hand-to-hand
+encounter was very considerable. At length, however, the roads became
+so blocked up by artillery, that the infantry were driven to defile into
+the swampy fields at the roadside, and here our cavalry cut them down
+unmercifully, while grape tore through the dense masses at half-musket
+range.
+
+Had discipline or command been possible, our condition might have been
+made perilous enough, since, in the impetuosity of attack, large masses
+of our cavalry got separated from their support, and were frequently
+seen struggling to cut their way out of the closing columns of the
+enemy. Twice or thrice it actually happened that officers surrendered
+the whole squadron as prisoners, and were rescued by their own
+comrades afterwards. The whole was a scene of pell-mell confusion
+and disorder-some, abandoning positions when successful defence was
+possible; others, obstinately holding their ground when destruction was
+inevitable. Few prisoners were taken; indeed, I believe, quarter was
+little thought of by either side. The terrible excitement had raised
+men's passions to the pitch of madness, and each fought with all the
+animosity of hate.
+
+Massena was always in the front, and, as was his custom, comporting
+himself with a calm steadiness that he rarely displayed in the common
+occurrences of everyday life. Like the English Picton, the crash and
+thunder of conflict seemed to soothe and assuage the asperities of an
+irritable temper, and his mind appeared to find a congenial sphere in
+the turmoil and din of battle. The awkward attempt of a French
+squadron to gallop in a deep marsh, where men and horses were rolling
+indiscriminately together, actually gave him a hearty fit of laughter,
+and he issued his orders for their recall, as though the occurrence
+were a good joke. It was while observing this incident, that an orderly
+delivered into his hands some maps and papers that had just been
+captured from the fourgon of a staff-officer. Turning them rapidly over,
+Massena chanced upon the plan of a bridge, with marks indicative of
+points of defence at either side of it, and the arrangements for mining
+it if necessary. It was too long to represent the bridge of Moosburg,
+and must probably mean that of Landshut; and so thinking, and deeming
+that its possession might be important to the Emperor, he ordered me to
+take a fresh horse, and hasten with it to the headquarters. The orders I
+received were vague enough.
+
+'You 'll come up with the advance guard some eight or nine miles to the
+northward; you 'll chance upon some of the columns near Fleisheim.'
+
+Such were the hurried directions I obtained, in the midst of the
+smoke and din of a battle; but it was no time to ask for more precise
+instructions, and away I went.
+
+In less than twenty minutes' sharp riding I found myself in a little
+valley, inclosed by low hills, and watered by a small tributary of the
+Danube, along whose banks cottages were studded in the midst of what
+seemed one great orchard, since for miles the white and pink blossoms of
+fruit-trees were to be seen extending. The peasants were at work in
+the fields, and oxen were toiling along with the heavy waggons, or the
+scarcely less cumbersome plough, as peacefully as though bloodshed and
+carnage were not within a thousand miles of them. No highroad penetrated
+this secluded spot, and hence it lay secure, while ruin and devastation
+raged at either side of it. As the wind was from the west, nothing could
+be heard of the cannonade towards Moosburg, and the low hills completely
+shut out all signs of the conflict. I halted at a little wayside forge
+to have a loose shoe fastened, and in the crowd of gazers who stood
+around me, wondering at my gay trappings and gaudy uniform, not one
+had the slightest suspicion that I was other than Austrian. One old man
+asked me if it were not true that the 'French were coming?' and another
+laughed, and said, 'They had better not'; and there was all they knew
+of that terrible struggle--the shock that was to rend in twain a great
+empire!
+
+Full of varied thought on this theme I mounted and rode forward. At
+first, the narrow roads were so deep and heavy, that I made little
+progress; occasionally, too, I came to little streams, traversed by
+a bridge of a single plank, and was either compelled to swim my horse
+across, or wander long distances in search of a ford. These obstructions
+made me impatient, and my impatience but served to delay me more, and
+all my efforts to push directly forwards only tended to embarrass me.
+I could not ask for guidance, since I knew not the name of a single
+village or town, and to have inquired for the direction in which the
+troops were stationed might very possibly have brought me into danger.
+
+At last, and after some hours of toilsome wandering, I reached a
+small wayside inn, and, resolving to obtain some information of my
+whereabouts, I asked whither the road led that passed through a long,
+low, swampy plain, and disappeared in a pine wood.
+
+'To Landshut,' was the answer.
+
+'And the distance?'
+
+'Three German miles,' said the host; 'but they are worse than five; for
+since the new line has been opened this road has fallen into neglect.
+Two of the bridges are broken, and a landslip has completely blocked up
+the passage at another place.'
+
+'Then how am I to gain the new road?'
+
+Alas! there was nothing for it but going back to the forge where I had
+stopped three hours and a half before, and whence I could take a narrow
+bridle-path to Fleisheim, that would bring me out on the great road. The
+very thought of retracing my way was intolerable; many of the places I
+had leaped my horse over would have been impossible to cross from the
+opposite side; once I narrowly escaped being carried down by a millrace;
+and, in fact, no dangers nor inconveniences of the road in front of me
+could equal those of the course I had just come. Besides all this,
+to return to Fleisheim would probably bring me far in the rear of the
+advancing columns, while if I pushed on towards Landshut I might catch
+sight of them from some rising spot of ground.
+
+'You will go, I see,' cried the host, as he saw me set out. 'Perhaps
+you're right; the old adage says, "It's often the roughest road leads to
+the smoothest fortune."'
+
+Even that much encouragement was not without its value. I spurred into
+a canter with fresh spirits. The host of the little inn had not
+exaggerated--the road was execrable. Heavy rocks and mounds of earth had
+slipped down with the rains of winter, and remained in the middle of the
+way. The fallen masonry of the bridges had driven the streams into new
+channels with deep pools among them; broken waggons and ruined carts
+marked the misfortunes of some who had ventured on the track; and except
+for a well-mounted and resolute horseman the way was impracticable. I
+was well-nigh overcome by fatigue and exhaustion, as, clambering up a
+steep hill, with the bridle on my arm, I gained the crest of the ridge,
+and suddenly saw Landshut--for it could be no other--before me. I have
+looked at many new pictures and scenes, but I own I never beheld one
+that gave me half the pleasure. The ancient town, with its gaunt old
+belfries, and still more ancient castle, stood on a bend of the Inn,
+which was here crossed by a long wooden bridge, supported on boats, a
+wide track of shingle and gravel on either side showing the course into
+which the melting snows often swelled the stream. From the point where
+I stood I could see into the town. The Platz, the old gardens of the
+nunnery, the terrace of the castle, all were spread out before me; and
+to my utter surprise there seemed little or no movement going forward.
+There were two guns in position at the bridge; some masons were at
+work on the houses, beside the river, piercing the walls for the use of
+musketry, and an infantry battalion was under arms in the market-place.
+These were all the preparations I could discover against the advance of
+a great army. But so it was; the Austrian spies had totally misled them,
+and while they believed that the great bulk of the French lay around
+Ratisbon, the centre of the army, sixty-five thousand strong, and led by
+Napoleon himself, was in march to the southward.
+
+That the attack on Moosburg was still unknown at Landshut seemed
+certain; and I now perceived that, notwithstanding all the delays I had
+met with, I had really come by the most direct line; whereas, on account
+of the bend of the river, no Austrian courier could have brought tidings
+of the engagement up to that time. My attention was next turned towards
+the direction whence our advance might be expected; but although I could
+see nearly four miles of the road, not a man was to be descried along
+it.
+
+I slowly descended the ridge, and, passing through a meadow, was
+approaching the highroad, when suddenly I heard the clattering of a
+horse at full gallop coming along the causeway. I mounted at once, and
+pushed forward to an angle of the road, by which I was concealed from
+all view. The next instant, a Hungarian hussar turned the corner at top
+speed.
+
+'What news?' cried I, in German; 'are they coming?'
+
+'Ay, in force,' shouted he, without stopping.
+
+I at once drew my pistol, and levelled at him. The man's back was
+towards me, and my bullet would have pierced his skull. It was my duty,
+too, to have shot him, for moments were then worth days, or even weeks.
+I couldn't pull the trigger, however, and I replaced my weapon in the
+holster. Another horseman now swept past without perceiving me, and
+quickly behind him came a half squadron of hussars, all riding in mad
+haste and confusion. The horses, though 'blown,' were not sweated, so
+that I conjectured they had ridden fast though not far. Such was the
+eagerness to press on, and so intent were they on the thought of
+their own tidings, that none saw me, and the whole body swept by and
+disappeared. I waited a few minutes to listen, and as the clattering
+towards Landshut died away, all was silent. Trusting to my knowledge of
+German to save me, even if I fell in with the enemy, I now rode forward
+at speed in the direction of our advance. The road was straight as an
+arrow for miles, and a single object coming towards me was all I could
+detect. This proved to be a hussar of the squadron, whose horse, being
+dead lame, could not keep up with the rest, and now the poor fellow was
+making the best of his way back as well as he was able. Of what use,
+thought I, to make him my prisoner--one more or less at such a time can
+be of slight avail; so I merely halted him to ask how near the French
+were. The man could only speak Hungarian, but made signs that the
+lancers were close upon us, and counselled me to make my escape into the
+town with all speed. I intimated by a gesture that I could trust to my
+horse, and we parted. He was scarcely out of sight when the bright gleam
+of brass helmets came into view towards the west, and then I could make
+out the shining cuirasses of the Corps de Guides, as, mounted on their
+powerful horses, they came galloping along.
+
+'I thought I was foremost,' said a young officer to me as he rode up.
+'How came you in advance?'
+
+'Where's the etat-major?' cried I, in haste, and not heeding his
+question. 'I have a despatch for the Emperor.'
+
+'Follow the road,' said he, 'and you'll come up with them in half an
+hour.'
+
+And with these hurried words we passed each other. A sharp pistol report
+a moment after told me what had befallen the poor Hungarian; but I had
+little time to think of his fate. Our squadrons were coming on at a
+sharp pace, while in their rear the jingling clash of horse artillery
+resounded. From a gentle rise of the road I could see a vast distance
+of country, and perceive that the French columns extended for miles
+away--the great chaussee being reserved for the heavy artillery, while
+every byroad and lane were filled with troops of all arms hurrying
+onward. It was one of those precipitous movements by which Napoleon so
+often paralysed an enemy at once, and finished a campaign by one daring
+exploit.
+
+At such a time it was in vain for me to ask in what direction the staff
+might be found. All were eager and intent on their own projects; and as
+squadron after squadron passed, I saw it was a moment for action rather
+than for thought. Still I did not like to abandon all hope of succeeding
+after so much of peril and fatigue, and seeing that it was impossible to
+advance against the flood of horse and artillery that formed along the
+road, I jumped my horse into a field at the side, and pushed forward.
+Even here, however, the passage was not quite clear, since many, in
+their eagerness to get forward, had taken to the same line, and, with
+cheering cries and wild shouts of joy, were galloping on. My showy
+uniform drew many an eye towards me, and at last a staff-officer cried
+out to me to stop, pointing with his sabre as he spoke to a hill a short
+distance off, where a group of officers were standing.
+
+This was General Moulon and his staff, under whose order the advanced
+guard was placed.
+
+'A despatch--whence from?' cried he hastily, as I rode up.
+
+'No, sir; a plan of the bridge of Landshut, taken from the enemy this
+morning at Moosburg.'
+
+'Are they still there?' asked he.
+
+'By this time they must be close upon Landshut; they were in full
+retreat when I left them at daybreak.'
+
+'We 'll be able to speak of the bridge without this,' said he, laughing,
+and turning toward his staff, while he handed the sketch carelessly to
+some one beside him; 'and you'll serve the Emperor quite as well, sir,
+by coming with us as hastening to the rear.'
+
+I professed myself ready and willing to follow his orders, and away I
+went with the staff, well pleased to be once more on active service.
+
+Two cannon shots, and a rattling crash of small-arms, told us that the
+combat had begun; and as we ascended the hill, the bridge of Landshut
+was seen on fire in three places. Either from some mistake of his
+orders, or not daring to assume a responsibility for what was beyond the
+strict line of duty, the French commander of the artillery placed his
+guns in position along the river's bank, and prepared to reply to the
+fire now opening from the town, instead of at once dashing onward within
+the gates. Moulon hastened to repair the error; but by the delay in
+pushing through the dense masses of horse, foot, and artillery that
+crowded the passage, it was full twenty minutes ere he came up. With a
+storm of oaths on the stupidity of the artillery colonel, he ordered the
+firing to cease, commanding both the cavalry and the train waggons to
+move right and left, and give place for a grenadier battalion, who were
+coming briskly on with their muskets at the sling.
+
+The scene was now a madly exciting one. The _chevaux defrise_ at one end
+of the bridge was blazing; but beyond it, on the bridge, the Austrian
+engineer and his men were scattering combustible material, and with
+hempen torches touching the new-pitched timbers. An incessant roll of
+musketry issued from the houses on the river-side, with now and then the
+deeper boom of a large gun, while the roar of voices, and the crashing
+noise of artillery passing through the streets, swelled into a fearful
+chorus. The French sappers quickly removed the burning _chevaux de
+frise_, and hurled the flaming timbers into the stream; and scarcely was
+this done, when Moulon, dismounting, advanced, cheering, at the head of
+his grenadiers. Charging over the burning bridge, they rushed
+forward; but their way was arrested by the strong timbers of a massive
+portcullis, which closed the passage. This had been concealed from our
+view by the smoke and flame; and now, as the press of men from behind
+grew each instant more powerful, a scene of terrible suffering ensued.
+The enemy, too, poured down a deadly discharge, and grapeshot tore
+through us at pistol-range. The onward rush of the columns to the rear
+defied retreat, and in the mad confusion, all orders and command were
+unheard or unheeded. Not knowing what delayed our advance, I was busily
+engaged in suppressing a fire at one of the middle buttresses, when,
+mounting the parapet, I saw the cause of our halt. I happened to have
+caught up one of the pitched torches at the instant, and the thought at
+once struck me how to employ it. To reach the portcullis, no other road
+lay open than the parapet itself--a wooden railing, wide enough for a
+footing, but exposed to the whole fire of the houses. There was little
+time for the choice of alternatives, even had our fate offered any, so I
+dashed on, and, as the balls whizzed and whistled around me, reached the
+front.
+
+It was a terrible thing to touch the timbers against which our men were
+actually flattened, and to set fire to the bars around which their hands
+were clasped; but I saw that the Austrian musketry had already done its
+work on the leading files, and that not one man was living amongst them.
+By a blunder of one of the sappers, the portcullis had been smeared with
+pitch like the bridge; and as I applied the torch, the blaze sprang up,
+and, encouraged by the rush of air between the beams, spread in a second
+over the whole structure. Expecting my death-wound at every instant,
+I never ceased my task, even when it had become no longer necessary,
+impelled by a kind of insane persistence to destroy the barrier. The
+wind carrying the flame inward, however, had compelled the Austrians to
+fall back, and before they could again open a collected fire on us, the
+way was open, and the grenadiers, like enraged tigers, rushed wildly in.
+
+[Illustration: frontispiece]
+
+I remember that my coat was twice on fire as, carried on my comrades'
+shoulders, I was borne along into the town. I recollect, too, the
+fearful scene of suffering that ensued, the mad butchery at each doorway
+as we passed, the piercing cries for mercy, and the groan of dying
+agony.
+
+War has no such terrible spectacle as a town taken by infuriated
+soldiery; and even amongst the best of natures a relentless cruelty
+usurps the place of every chivalrous feeling. When or how I was wounded
+I never could ascertain; but a round shot had penetrated my thigh,
+tearing the muscles into shreds, and giving to the surgeon who saw me
+the simple task of saying, '_Enlevez le--point despair_.'
+
+I heard thus much, and I have some recollection of a comrade having
+kissed my forehead, and there ended my reminiscences of Landshut. Nay, I
+am wrong; I cherish another and a more glorious one.
+
+It was about four days after this occurrence that the surgeon in charge
+of the military hospital was obliged to secure by ligature a branch
+of the femoral artery which had been traversed by the ball through my
+thigh. The operation was a tedious and difficult one, for round shot, it
+would seem, have little respect for anatomy, and occasionally displace
+muscles in a sad fashion. I was very weak after it was over, and orders
+were left to give a spoonful of Bordeaux and water from time to time
+during the evening--a direction which I listened to attentively, and
+never permitted my orderly to neglect. In fact, like a genuine sick
+man's fancy, it caught possession of my mind that this wine and water
+was to save me; and in the momentary rally of excitement it gave, I
+thought I tasted health once more. In this impression I never awoke from
+a short doze without a request for my cordial, and half mechanically
+would make signs to wet my lips as I slept.
+
+It was near sunset, and I was lying with unclosed eyes, not asleep, but
+in that semi-conscious state that great bodily depression and loss of
+blood induce. The ward was unusually quiet, the little buzz of voices
+that generally mingled through the accents of suffering were hushed, and
+I could hear the surgeon's well-known voice as he spoke to some persons
+at the farther end of the chamber.
+
+By their stopping from time to time, I could remark that they were
+inspecting the different beds, but their voices were low and their steps
+cautious and noiseless.
+
+'Tiernay--this is Tiernay,' said some one, reading my name from the
+paper over my head. Some low words which I could not catch followed, and
+then the surgeon replied--
+
+'There is a chance for him yet, though the debility is greatly to be
+feared.'
+
+I made a sign at once to my mouth, and after a second's delay the spoon
+touched my lips; but so awkwardly was it applied, that the fluid ran
+down my chin. With a sickly impatience I turned away, but a mild, low
+voice, soft as a woman's, said--
+
+'_Allons!_--Let me try once more'; and now the spoon met my lips with
+due dexterity.
+
+'Thanks,' said I faintly, and I opened my eyes.
+
+'You'll soon be about again, Tiernay,' said the same voice--as for the
+person, I could distinguish nothing, for there were six or seven around
+me--'and if I know anything of a soldier's heart, this will do just as
+much as the doctor.'
+
+As he spoke he detached from his coat a small enamel cross, and placed
+it in my hand, with a gentle squeeze of the fingers, and then saying
+'_Au revoir_,' moved on.
+
+'Who's that?' cried I suddenly, while a strange thrill ran through me.
+
+'Hush!' whispered the surgeon cautiously; 'hush! it is the Emperor.'
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LI. SCHOeNBRUNN IN 1809
+
+About two months afterwards, on a warm evening of summer, I entered
+Vienna in a litter, along with some twelve hundred other wounded men,
+escorted by a regiment of cuirassiers. I was weak and unable to walk.
+The fever of my wound had reduced me to a skeleton; but I was consoled
+for everything by knowing that I was a captain on the Emperor's own
+staff, and decorated by himself with the Cross of 'the Legion.' Nor
+were these my only distinctions, for my name had been included among
+the lists of the _officiers delite_--a new institution of the Emperor,
+enjoying considerable privileges and increase of pay.
+
+To this latter elevation, too, I owed my handsome quarters in the
+'Raab' Palace at Vienna, and the sentry at my door, like that of a
+field-officer. Fortune, indeed, began to smile upon me, and never are
+her flatteries more welcome than in the first hours of returning health,
+after a long sickness. I was visited by the first men of the army;
+marshals and generals figured among the names of my intimates, and
+invitations flowed in upon me from all that were distinguished by rank
+and station.
+
+Vienna, at that period, presented few features of a city occupied by an
+enemy. The guards, it is true, on all arsenals and forts, were French,
+and the gates were held by them; but there was no interruption to the
+course of trade and commerce. The theatres were open every night, and
+balls and receptions went on with only redoubled frequency. Unlike his
+policy towards Russia, Napoleon abstained from all that might humiliate
+the Austrians. Every possible concession was made to their natural
+tastes and feelings, and officers of all ranks in the French army were
+strictly enjoined to observe a conduct of conciliation and civility
+on every occasion of intercourse with the citizens. Few general orders
+could be more palatable to Frenchmen, and they set about the task of
+cultivating the good esteem of the Viennese with a most honest desire
+for success. Accident, too, aided their efforts not a little; for it
+chanced that a short time before the battle of Aspern, the city had been
+garrisoned by Croat and Wallachian regiments, whose officers, scarcely
+half civilised, and with all the brutal ferocity of barbarian tribes,
+were most favourably supplanted by Frenchmen in the best of possible
+tempers with themselves and the world.
+
+It might be argued, that the Austrians would have shown more patriotism
+in holding themselves aloof, and avoiding all interchange of civilities
+with their conquerors. Perhaps, too, this line of conduct would have
+prevailed to a greater extent, had not those in high places set an
+opposite example. But so it was; and in the hope of obtaining more
+favourable treatment in their last extremity, the princes of the
+Imperial House, and the highest nobles of the land, freely accepted the
+invitations of our marshals, and as freely received them at their own
+tables.
+
+There was something of pride, too, in the way these great families
+continued to keep up the splendour of their households--large retinues
+of servants and gorgeous equipages--when the very empire itself was
+crumbling to pieces. And to the costly expenditure of that fevered
+interval may be dated the ruin of some of the richest of the Austrian
+nobility. To maintain a corresponding style, and to receive the proud
+guests with suitable magnificence, enormous 'allowances' were made to
+the French generals; while in striking contrast to all the splendour,
+the Emperor Napoleon lived at Schoenbrunn with a most simple household
+and restricted retinue.
+
+'Berthier's' Palace, in the 'Graben,' was, by its superior magnificence,
+the recognised centre of French society; and thither flocked every
+evening all that was most distinguished in rank of both nations. Motives
+of policy, or at least the terrible pressure of necessity, filled these
+salons with the highest personages of the empire; while as it accepting,
+as inevitable, the glorious ascendency of Napoleon, many of the French
+_emigre_ families emerged from their retirement to pay their court to
+the favoured lieutenants of Napoleon. Marmont, who was highly connected
+with the French aristocracy, gave no slight aid to this movement, and,
+it was currently believed at the time, was secretly intrusted by the
+Emperor with the task of accomplishing what in modern phrase is styled,
+a 'fusion.'
+
+The real source of all these flattering attentions on the Austrian side,
+however, was the well-founded dread of the partition of the empire--a
+plan over which Napoleon was then hourly in deliberation, and to the
+non-accomplishment of which he ascribed, in the days of his last exile,
+all the calamities of his fall. Be this as it may, few thoughts of
+the graver interests at stake disturbed the pleasure we felt in the
+luxurious life of that delightful city; nor can I, through the whole
+of a long and varied career, call to mind any period of more unmixed
+enjoyment.
+
+Fortune stood by me in everything. Marshal Marmont required as the head
+of his etat-major an officer who could speak and write German, and,
+if possible, who understood the Tyrol dialect. I was selected for the
+appointment; but then there arose a difficulty. The etiquette of the
+service demanded that the _chef d etat-major_ should be at least a
+lieutenant-colonel, and I was but a captain.
+
+'No matter,' said he; 'you are _officier delite_, which always gives
+brevet rank, and so one step more will place you where we want you. Come
+with me to Schonbrunn to-night, and I'll try and arrange it.'
+
+I was still very weak, and unable for any fatigue, as I accompanied
+the marshal to the quaint old palace which, at about a league from the
+capital, formed the headquarters of the Emperor. Up to this time I had
+never been presented to Napoleon, and had formed to myself the most
+gorgeous notions of the state and splendour that should surround such
+majesty. Guess then my astonishment, and, need I own, disappointment, as
+we drove up a straight avenue, very sparingly lighted, and descended at
+a large door, where a lieutenant's guard was stationed. It was customary
+for the marshals and generals of division to present themselves each
+evening at Schoenbrunn, from six to nine o'clock, and we found that eight
+or ten carriages were already in waiting when we arrived. An officer of
+the household recognised the marshal as he alighted, and as we mounted
+the stairs whispered a few words hurriedly in his ear, of which I only
+caught one, 'Komorn,' the name of the Hungarian fortress on the Danube
+where the Imperial family of Vienna and the cabinet had sought refuge.
+
+'_Diantre!_' exclaimed Marmont--'bad news! My dear Tiernay, we have
+fallen on an unlucky moment to ask a favour! The despatches from
+Komorn are, it would seem, unsatisfactory. The Tyrol is far from quiet.
+Kuffstein, I think that's the name, or some such place, is attacked by a
+large force, and likely to fall into their hands from assault.'
+
+'That can scarcely be, sir,' said I, interrupting; 'I know Kuffstein
+well I was two years a prisoner there; and, except by famine, the
+fortress is inaccessible.'
+
+'What! are you certain of this?' cried he eagerly; 'is there not one
+side on which escalade is possible?'
+
+'Quite impracticable on every quarter, believe me, sir. A hundred men of
+the line and twenty gunners might hold Kuffstein against the world.'
+
+You hear what he says, Lefebvre,' said Marmont to the officer; 'I think
+I might venture to bring him up?' The other shook his head doubtfully,
+and said nothing. 'Well, announce me, then,' said the marshal; 'and,
+Tiernay, do you throw yourself on one of those sofas there, and wait for
+me.'
+
+I did as I was bade, and, partly from the unusual fatigue, and in part
+from the warmth of a summer evening, soon fell off into a heavy sleep. I
+was suddenly awakened by a voice saying, 'Come along, captain, be quick,
+your name has been called twice!' I sprang up and looked about me,
+without the very vaguest notion of where I was. 'Where to? Where am I
+going?' asked I, in my confusion. 'Follow that gentleman,' was the brief
+reply; and so I did, in the same dreamy state that a sleep-walker might
+have done. Some confused impression that I was in attendance on General
+Marmont was all that I could collect, when I found myself standing in
+a great room densely crowded with officers of rank. Though gathered
+in groups and knots chatting, there was, from time to time, a sort of
+movement in the mass that seemed communicated by some single impulse;
+and then all would remain watchful and attentive for some seconds,
+their eyes turned in the direction of a large door at the end of the
+apartment. At last this was thrown suddenly open, and a number of
+persons entered, at whose appearance every tongue was hushed, and the
+very slightest gesture subdued. The crowd meanwhile fell back, forming
+a species of circle round the room, in front of which this newly entered
+group walked. I cannot now remember what struggling efforts I made to
+collect my faculties, and think where I was then standing; but if a
+thunderbolt had struck the ground before me, it could not have given
+me a more terrific shock than that I felt on seeing the Emperor himself
+address the general officer beside me.
+
+I cannot pretend to have enjoyed many opportunities of royal notice. At
+the time I speak of, such distinction was altogether unknown to me; but
+even when most highly favoured in that respect, I have never been able
+to divest myself of a most crushing feeling of my inferiority--a sense
+at once so humiliating and painful, that I longed to be away and out
+of a presence where I might dare to look at him who addressed me,
+and venture on something beyond mere replies to interrogatories. This
+situation, good reader, with your courtly breeding and _aplomb_ to boot,
+is never totally free of constraint; but imagine what it can be when,
+instead of standing in the faint sunshine of a royal smile, you find
+yourself cowering under the stern and relentless look of anger, and that
+anger an emperor's.
+
+This was precisely my predicament, for in my confusion I had not noticed
+how, as the Emperor drew near to any individual to converse, the others,
+at either side, immediately retired out of hearing, preserving an air of
+obedient attention, but without in any way obtruding themselves on the
+royal notice. The consequence was, that as his Majesty stood to talk
+with Marshal Oudinot, I maintained my place, never perceiving my
+awkwardness till I saw that I made one of three figures isolated in the
+floor of the chamber. To say that I had rather have stood in face of an
+enemy's battery, is no exaggeration. I'd have walked up to a gun with
+a stouter heart than I felt at this terrible moment; and yet there was
+something in that sidelong glance of angry meaning that actually nailed
+me to the spot, and I could not have fallen back to save my life. There
+were, I afterwards learned, no end of signals and telegraphic notices
+to me from the officers-in-waiting. Gestures and indications for my
+guidance abounded, but I saw none of them. I had drawn myself up in an
+attitude of parade stiffness--neither looked right nor left--and waited
+as a criminal might have waited for the fall of the axe that was to end
+his sufferings for ever.
+
+That the Emperor remained something like two hours and a half in
+conversation with the marshal, I should have been quite ready to verify
+on oath; but the simple fact was, that the interview occupied under four
+minutes, and then General Oudinot backed out of the presence, leaving me
+alone in front of his Majesty.
+
+The silence of the chamber was quite dreadful, as, with his hands
+clasped behind his back, and his head slightly thrown forward, the
+Emperor stared steadily at me. I am more than half ashamed of the
+confession, but, what between the effect of long illness and suffering,
+the length of time I had been standing, and the emotion I experienced,
+I felt myself growing dizzy, and a sickly faintness began to creep over
+me, and, but for the support of my sabre, I should actually have fallen.
+
+'You seem weak; you had better sit down,' said the Emperor, in a soft
+and mild voice.
+
+[Illustration:  606]
+
+'Yes, sire, I have not quite recovered yet,' muttered I indistinctly;
+but before I could well finish the sentence, Marmont was beside the
+Emperor, and speaking rapidly to him.
+
+'Ah, indeed!' cried Napoleon, tapping his snuff-box, and smiling. 'This
+is Tiernay, then. _Parbleu!_ we have heard something of you before.'
+
+Marmont still continued to talk on; and I heard the words, Rhine, Genoa,
+and Kuffstein distinctly fall from him. The Emperor smiled twice, and
+nodded his head slowly, as if assenting to what was said.
+
+'But his wound?' said Napoleon doubtingly. 'He says that your Majesty
+cured him when the doctor despaired,' said Marmont. 'I'm sure, sire, he
+has equal faith in what you still could do for him.'
+
+'Well, sir,' said the Emperor, addressing me, 'if all I hear of you be
+correct, you carry a stouter heart before the enemy than you seem to
+wear here. Your name is high in Marshal Massena's list; and General
+Marmont desires to have your services on his staff. I make no objection;
+you shall have your grade.'
+
+I bowed without speaking; indeed, I could not have uttered a word, even
+if it had been my duty.
+
+'They have extracted the ball, I hope?' said the Emperor to me, and
+pointing to my thigh.
+
+'It never lodged, sire; it was a round shot,' said I. '_Diable!_ a round
+shot! You're a lucky fellow, Colonel Tiernay,' said he, laying a stress
+on the title--'a very lucky fellow.'
+
+'I shall ever think so, sire, since your Majesty has said it,' was my
+answer.
+
+'I was not a lieutenant-colonel at your age,' resumed Napoleon; 'nor
+were you either, Marmont. You see, sir, that we live in better times--at
+least, in times when merit is better rewarded.' And with this he passed
+on; and Marmont, slipping my arm within his own, led me away, down
+the great stair, through crowds of attendant orderlies and groups
+of servants. At last we reached our carriage, and in half an hour
+re-entered Vienna, my heart wild with excitement, and burning with
+zealous ardour to do something for the service of the Emperor.
+
+The next morning I removed to General Marmont's quarters, and for the
+first time put on the golden aigrette of _chef de etat-major_, not a
+little to the astonishment of all who saw the 'boy colonel,' as, half
+in sarcasm, half in praise, they styled me. From an early hour of the
+morning till the time of a late dinner, I was incessantly occupied. The
+staff duties were excessively severe, and the number of letters to be
+read and replied to almost beyond belief. The war had again assumed
+something of importance in the Tyrol. Hofer and Spechbacher were at the
+head of considerable forces, which in the fastnesses of their native
+mountains were more than a match for any regular soldiery. The news
+from Spain was gloomy: England was already threatening her long-planned
+attack on the Scheldt. Whatever real importance might attach to these
+movements, the Austrian cabinet made them the pretext for demanding more
+favourable conditions; and Metternich was emboldened to go so far as to
+ask for the restoration of the Empire in all its former integrity.
+
+These negotiations between the two cabinets at the time assumed the most
+singular form which probably was ever adopted in such intercourse--all
+the disagreeable intelligences and disastrous tidings being communicated
+from one side to the other with the mock politeness of friendly
+relations. As, for instance, the Austrian cabinet would forward an
+extract from one of Hofer's descriptions of a victory; to which the
+French would reply by a bulletin of Eugene Beauharnais, or, as Napoleon
+on one occasion did, by a copy of a letter from the Emperor Alexander,
+filled with expressions of friendship, and professing the most perfect
+confidence in his 'brother of France.' So far was this petty and most
+contemptible warfare carried, that every little gossip and every passing
+story was pressed into the service, and if not directly addressed to the
+cabinet, at least conveyed to its knowledge by some indirect channel.
+
+It is probable I should have forgotten this curious feature of the time,
+if not impressed on my memory by personal circumstances too important
+to be easily obliterated from memory. An Austrian officer arrived one
+morning from Komorn, with an account of the defeat of Lefebvre's force
+before Schenatz, and of a great victory gained by Hofer and Spechbacher
+over the French and Bavarians. Two thousand prisoners were said to have
+been taken, and the French driven across the Inn, and in full retreat on
+Kuffstein. Now, as I had been confined at Kuffstein, and could speak
+of its impregnable character from actual observation, I was immediately
+sent off with despatches, about some indifferent matter, to the cabinet,
+with injunctions to speak freely about the fortress, and declare that
+we were perfectly confident of its security. I may mention incidentally,
+and as showing the real character of my mission, that a secret despatch
+from Lefebvre had already reached Vienna, in which he declared that he
+should be compelled to evacuate the Tyrol, and fall back into Bavaria.
+
+'I have provided you with introductions that will secure your friendly
+reception,' said Marmont to me. 'The replies to these despatches
+will require some days, during which you will have time to make many
+acquaintances about the Court, and, if practicable, to effect a very
+delicate object.'
+
+This, after considerable injunctions as to secrecy, and so forth, was no
+less than to obtain a miniature, or a copy of a miniature, of the young
+archduchess, who had been so dangerously ill during the siege of Vienna,
+and whom report represented as exceedingly handsome. A good-looking
+young fellow, a colonel, of two or three-and-twenty, with unlimited
+bribery, if needed, at command, should find little difficulty in the
+mission; at least, so Marmont assured me; and from his enthusiasm on the
+subject, I saw, or fancied I saw, that he would have had no objection to
+be employed in the service himself. For while professing how absurd
+it was to offer any advice or suggestion on such a subject to one like
+myself, he entered into details, and sketched out a plan of campaign,
+that might well have made a chapter of _Gil Blas_. It would possibly
+happen, he reminded me, that the Austrian Court would grow suspectful of
+me, and not exactly feel at ease were my stay prolonged beyond a day
+or two; in which case it was left entirely to my ingenuity to devise
+reasons for my remaining; and I was at liberty to despatch couriers for
+instructions, and await replies, to any extent I thought requisite. In
+fact, I had a species of general commission to press into the service
+whatever resources could forward the object of my mission, success being
+the only point not to be dispensed with.
+
+'Take a week, if you like--a month, if you must, Tiernay,' said he to me
+at parting; 'but, above all, no failure! mind that--no failure!'
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LII. KOMORN FORTY TEARS AGO
+
+I doubt if our great Emperor dated his first despatch from Schoenbrunn
+with a prouder sense of elevation than did I write 'Komorn' at the
+top of my first letter to Marshal Marmont, detailing, as I had been
+directed, every incident of my reception. I will not pretend to say
+that my communication might be regarded as a model for diplomatic
+correspondence; but, having since that period seen something of the
+lucubrations of great envoys and plenipos, I am only astonished at my
+unconscious imitation of their style--blending, as I did, the objects of
+my mission with every little personal incident, and making each trivial
+circumstance bear upon the fortune of my embassy.
+
+I narrated my morning interview with Prince Metternich, whose courteous
+but haughty politeness was not a whit shaken by the calamitous position
+of his country, and who wished to treat the great events of the campaign
+as among the transient reverses which war deals out, on this side
+to-day, on that to-morrow. I told that my confidence in the impregnable
+character of Kuffstein only raised a smile, for it had already been
+surrendered to the Tyrolese; and I summed up my political conjectures
+by suggesting that there was enough of calm confidence in the Minister's
+manner to induce me to suspect that they were calculating on the support
+of the northern powers, and had not given up the cause for lost. I knew
+for certain that a Russian courier had arrived and departed since my
+own coming; and although the greatest secrecy had attended the event,
+I ascertained the fact, that he had come from St. Petersburg, and was
+returning to Moscow, where the Emperor Alexander then was. Perhaps I was
+a little piqued--I am afraid I was--at the indifference manifested at my
+own presence, and the little, or indeed no, importance, attached to my
+prolonged stay. For when I informed Count Stadion that I should await
+some tidings from Vienna before returning thither, he very politely
+expressed his pleasure at the prospect of my company, and proposed that
+we should have some partridge-shooting, for which the country along the
+Danube is famous. The younger brother of this Minister, Count Ernest
+Stadion, and a young Hungarian magnate, Palakzi, were my constant
+companions. They were both about my own age, but had only joined the
+army that same spring, and were most devoted admirers of one who had
+already won his epaulettes as a colonel in the French service. They
+showed me every object of interest and curiosity in the neighbourhood,
+arranged parties for riding and shooting, and, in fact, treated me in
+all respects like a much-valaed guest--well repaid, as it seemed, by
+those stories of war and battlefields which my own life and memory
+supplied.
+
+My improved health was already noticed by all, when Metternich sent me
+a most polite message, stating, that if my services at Vienna could
+be dispensed with for a while longer, it was hoped I would continue
+to reside where I had derived such benefit, and breathe the cheering
+breezes of Hungary for the remainder of the autumn.
+
+It was full eight-and-twenty years later that I accidentally learned to
+what curious circumstance I owed this invitation. It chanced that the
+young archduchess, who was ill during the siege, was lingering in a slow
+convalescence, and to amuse the tedious hours of her sick couch, Madame
+Palakzi, the mother of my young friend, was accustomed to recount some
+of the stories which I, in the course of the morning, happened to relate
+to her son. So guardedly was all this contrived and carried on, that it
+was not, as I have said, for nearly thirty years after that I knew of
+it; and then, the secret was told me by the chief personage herself, the
+Grand-Duchess of Parma.
+
+Though nothing could better have chimed in with my plans than this
+request, yet, in reality, the secret object of my mission appeared
+just as remote as on the first day of my arrival. My acquaintances were
+limited to some half-dozen gentlemen-in-waiting, and about an equal
+number of young officers of the staff, with whom I dined, rode, hunted,
+and shot--never seeing a single member of the Imperial family, nor,
+stranger still, one lady of the household. In what Turkish seclusion
+they lived! when they ventured out for air and exercise, and where, were
+questions that never ceased to torture me. It was true that all my own
+excursions had been on the left bank of the river, towards which side
+the apartment I occupied looked; but I could scarcely suppose that the
+right presented much attraction, since it appeared to be an impenetrable
+forest of oak; moreover, the bridge which formerly connected it with the
+island of Komorn had been cut off during the war. Of course, this was
+a theme on which I could not dare to touch; and as the reserve of my
+companions was never broken regarding it, I was obliged to be satisfied
+with my own guesses on the subject. I had been about two months at
+Komorn when I was invited to join a shooting-party on the north bank of
+the river at a place called Ercacs, or, as the Hungarians pronounce
+it, Ercacsh, celebrated for the blackcock, or the auerhahn, one of the
+finest birds of the east of Europe. All my companions had been promising
+me great things, when the season for the sport should begin, and I was
+equally anxious to display my skill as a marksman. The scenery, too,
+was represented as surpassingly fine, and I looked forward to the
+expedition, which was to occupy a week, with much interest. One
+circumstance alone damped the ardour of my enjoyment: for some time back
+exercise on horseback had become painful to me, and some of those evil
+consequences which my doctor had speculated on, such as exfoliation of
+the bone, seemed now threatening me. Up to this the inconvenience had
+gone no further than an occasional sharp pang after a hard day's ride,
+or a dull uneasy feeling which prevented my sleeping soundly at night.
+I hoped, however, by time, that these would subside, and the natural
+strength of my constitution carry me safely over every mischance. I was
+ashamed to speak of these symptoms to my companions, lest they should
+imagine that I was only screening myself from the fatigues of which they
+so freely partook; and so I continued, day after day, the same habit of
+severe exercise; while feverish nights, and a failing appetite, made me
+hourly weaker. My spirits never flagged, and perhaps in this way damaged
+me seriously, supplying a false energy long after real strength had
+begun to give way. The world, indeed, 'went so well' with me in all
+other respects, that I felt it would have been the blackest ingratitude
+against Fortune to have given way to anything like discontent or
+repining. It was true, I was far from being a solitary instance of a
+colonel at my age; there were several such in the army, and one or two
+even younger; but they were unexceptionably men of family influence,
+descendants of the ancient nobility of France, for whose chivalric names
+and titles the Emperor had conceived the greatest respect; and never, in
+all the pomp of Louis the Fourteenth's Court, were a Gramont, a Guise, a
+Rochefoucauld, or a Tavanne more certain of his favourable notice. Now,
+I was utterly devoid of all such pretensions; my claims to gentle blood,
+such as they were, derived from another land, and I might even regard
+myself as the maker of my own fortune.
+
+How little thought did I bestow on my wound, as I mounted my horse on
+that mellow day of autumn! How indifferent was I to the pang that shot
+through me as I touched the flank with my leg! Our road led through a
+thick forest, but over a surface of level sward, along which we galloped
+in all the buoyancy of youth and high spirits. An occasional trunk lay
+across our way, and these we cleared at a leap--a feat which I well
+saw my Hungarian friends were somewhat surprised to perceive gave me
+no trouble whatever. My old habits of the riding-school had made me a
+perfect horseman; and rather vain of my accomplishment I rode at the
+highest fences I could find. In one of these exploits an acute pang shot
+through me, and I felt as if something had given way in my leg. The pain
+for some minutes was so intense that I could with difficulty keep the
+saddle, and even when it had partially subsided the suffering was very
+great.
+
+To continue my journey in this agony was impossible; and yet I was
+reluctant to confess that I was overcome by pain. Such an acknowledgment
+seemed unsoldierlike and unworthy, and I determined not to give way. It
+was no use; the suffering brought on a sickly faintness that completely
+overcame me. I had nothing for it but to turn back; so, suddenly
+affecting to recollect a despatch that I ought to have sent off before
+I left, I hastily apologised to my companions, and with many promises to
+overtake them by evening, I returned to Komorn.
+
+A Magyar groom accompanied me to act as my guide; and, attended by this
+man, I slowly retraced my steps towards the fortress, so slowly, indeed,
+that it was within an hour of sunset as we gained the crest of the
+little ridge, from which Komorn might be seen, and the course of the
+Danube as it wound for miles through the plain.
+
+It is always a grand and imposing scene, one of those vast Hungarian
+plains, with waving woods and golden cornfields, bounded by the horizon
+on every side, and marked by those immense villages of twelve or even
+twenty thousand inhabitants. Trees, rivers, plains, even the dwellings
+of the people, are on a scale with which nothing in the Old World can
+vie. But even with this great landscape before me, I was more struck by
+a small object which caught my eye as I looked towards the fortress. It
+was a little boat, covered with an awning, and anchored in the middle of
+the stream, and from which I could hear the sound of a voice, singing to
+the accompaniment of a guitar. There was a stern and solemn quietude in
+the scene; the dark fortress, the darker river, the deep woods casting
+their shadows on the water, all presented a strange contrast to that
+girlish voice and tinkling melody, so light-hearted and so free.
+
+The Magyar seemed to read what was passing in my mind, for he nodded
+significantly, and touching his cap in token of respect, said it was
+the young Archduchess Maria Louisa, who, with one or two of her ladies,
+enjoyed the cool of the evening on the river. This was the very same
+princess for whose likeness I was so eager, and of whom I never could
+obtain the slightest tidings. With what an interest that barque became
+invested from that moment! I had more than suspected, I had divined,
+the reasons of General Marmont's commission to me, and could picture to
+myself the great destiny that in all likelihood awaited her who now,
+in sickly dalliance, moved her hand in the stream, and scattered the
+sparkling drops in merry mood over her companions. Twice or thrice a
+head of light-brown hair peeped from beneath the folds of the awning,
+and I wondered within myself if it were on that same brow that the
+greatest diadem of Europe was to sit.
+
+So intent was I on these fancies, so full of the thousand speculations
+that grew out of them, that I paid no attention to what was passing,
+and never noticed an object on which the Hungarian's eyes were bent in
+earnest contemplation. A quick gesture and a sudden exclamation from the
+man soon attracted me, and I beheld, about a quarter of a mile off, an
+enormous timber raft descending the stream at headlong speed. That
+the great mass had become unmanageable, and was carried along by the
+impetuosity of the current, was plain enough, not only from the zigzag
+course it took, but from the wild cries and frantic gestures of the men
+on board. Though visible to us from the eminence on which we stood, a
+bend of the stream still concealed it from those in the boat. To apprise
+them of their danger, we shouted with all our might, gesticulating at
+the same time, and motioning to them to put in to shore. It was all in
+vain; the roar of the river, which here is almost a torrent, drowned our
+voices, and the little boat still held her place in the middle of the
+stream. Already the huge mass was to be seen emerging from behind a
+wooden promontory of the riverside, and now their destruction seemed
+inevitable. Without waiting to reach the path, I spurred my horse down
+the steep descent, and, half falling and half plunging, gained the bank.
+To all seeming now they heard me, for I saw the curtain of the awning
+suddenly move, and a boatman's red cap peer from beneath it. I screamed
+and shouted with all my might, and called out 'The raft--the raft!' till
+my throat felt bursting. For some seconds the progress of the great mass
+seemed delayed, probably by having become entangled with the trees along
+the shore; but now, borne along by its immense weight, it swung round
+the angle of the bank, and came majestically on, a long, white wave
+marking its course as it breasted the water.
+
+They see it! they see it! Oh, good heavens! are they paralysed with
+terror, for the boatman never moves! A wild shriek rises above the
+roar of the current, and yet they do nothing. What prayers and cries of
+entreaty, what wild imprecations I uttered, I know not; but I am sure
+that reason had already left me, and nothing remained in its place
+except the mad impulse to save them, or perish. There was then so much
+of calculation in my mind that I could balance the chances of breasting
+the stream on horseback, or alone; and this done, I spurred my animal
+over the bank into the Danube. A horse is a noble swimmer when he has
+courage, and a Hungarian horse rarely fails in this quality.
+
+Heading towards the opposite shore, the gallant beast cleared his track
+through the strong current, snorting madly, and seeming to plunge at
+times against the rushing waters. I never turned my eyes from the skiff
+all this time, and now could see the reason of what had seemed their
+apathy. The anchor had become entangled, fouled among some rocks or
+weeds of the river, and the boatman's efforts to lift it were all in
+vain. I screamed and yelled to the man to cut the rope, but my cries
+were unheard, for he bent over the gunwale, and tugged and tore with all
+his might. I was more than fifty yards higher up the stream, and rapidly
+gaining the calmer water under shore, when I tried to turn my horse's
+head down the current; but the instinct of safety rebelled against all
+control, and the animal made straight for the bank. There was, then,
+but one chance left, and, taking my sabre in my mouth, I sprang from his
+back into the stream. In all the terrible excitement of that dreadful
+moment I clung to one firm purpose. The current would surely carry the
+boat into safety, if once free; I had no room for any thought but
+this. The great trees along shore, the great fortress, the very clouds
+overhead, seemed to fly past me, as I was swept along; but I never lost
+sight of my purpose. And now almost within my grasp, I see the boat
+and the three figures, who are bending down over one that seems to have
+fainted. With my last effort, I cry again to cut the rope, but his knife
+has broken at the handle! I touch the side of the skiff, I grasp the
+gunwale with one hand, and seizing my sabre in the other, I make one
+desperate cut. The boat swings round to the current--the boatman's oars
+are out--they are saved. My 'thank God!' is like the cry of a drowning
+man--for I know no more.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LIII. A LOSS AND A GAIN
+
+To apologise to my reader for not strictly tracing out each day of my
+history, would be, in all likelihood, as great an impertinence as that
+of the tiresome guest who, having kept you two hours from your bed by
+his uninteresting twaddle, asks you to forgive him at last for an abrupt
+departure. I am already too full of gratitude for the patience that has
+been conceded to me so far, to desire to trifle with it during the brief
+space that is now to link us together. And believe me, kind reader,
+there is more in that same tie than perhaps you think, especially where
+the intercourse had been carried on, and, as it were, fed from month to
+month. In such cases the relationship between him who writes and him who
+reads assumes something like acquaintanceship, heightened by a greater
+desire on one side to please than is usually felt in the routine
+business of everyday life. Nor is it a light reward, if one can think
+that he has relieved a passing hour of solitude or discomfort, shortened
+a long wintry night, or made a rainy day more endurable. I speak not
+here of the greater happiness in knowing that our inmost thoughts
+have found their echo in far-away hearts, kindling noble emotions, and
+warming generous aspirations--teaching courage and hope, by the very
+commonest of lessons, and showing that, in the moral as in the vegetable
+world, the bane and antidote grow side by side, and, as the eastern poet
+has it, 'He who shakes the tree of sorrow, is often sowing the seeds
+of joy.' Such are the triumphs of very different efforts from mine,
+however, and I come back to the humble theme from which I started.
+
+If I do not chronicle the incidents which succeeded to the events of
+my last chapter, it is, in the first place, because they are most
+imperfectly impressed upon my own memory; and, in the second, they are
+of a nature which, whether in the hearing or the telling, can afford
+little pleasure; for what if I should enlarge upon a text which runs but
+on suffering and sickness, nights of feverish agony, days of anguish,
+terrible alternations of hope and fear, ending, at last, in the sad, sad
+certainty that skill has found its limit? The art of the surgeon can do
+no more, and Maurice Tiernay must consent to lose his leg! Such was
+the cruel news I was compelled to listen to as I awoke one morning,
+dreaming, and for the first time since my accident, of my life in
+Kuffstein. The injuries I had received before being rescued from the
+Danube had completed the mischief already begun, and all chance of
+saving my limb had now fled. I am not sure if I could not have heard a
+sentence of death with more equanimity than the terrible announcement
+that I was to drag out existence maimed and crippled--to endure the
+helplessness of age with the warm blood and daring passions of youth,
+and, worse than all, to forego a career that was already opening with
+such glorious prospects of distinction.
+
+Nothing could be more kindly considerate than the mode of communicating
+this sad announcement; nor was there omitted anything which could
+alleviate the bitterness of the tidings. The undying gratitude of the
+Imperial family, their heartfelt sorrow for my suffering, the pains they
+had taken to communicate the whole story of my adventure to the Emperor
+Napoleon himself, were all insisted on; while the personal visits of the
+archdukes, and even the emperor himself, at my sick-bed, were told to me
+with every flattery such acts of condescension could convey. Let me not
+be thought ungrateful, if all these seemed but a sorry payment for the
+terrible sacrifice I was to suffer; and that the glittering crosses
+which were already sent to me in recognition, and which now sparkled on
+my bed, appeared a poor price for my shattered and wasted limb; and I
+vowed to myself, that to be once more strong and in health I 'd change
+fortunes with the humblest soldier in the grand army.
+
+After all, it is the doubtful alone can break down the mind and waste
+the courage. To the brave man, the inevitable is always the endurable.
+Some hours of solitude and reflection brought this conviction to my
+heart, and I recalled the rash refusal I had already given to submit to
+the amputation, and sent word to the doctors that I was ready. My
+mind once made up, a thousand ingenious suggestions poured in their
+consolations. Instead of incurring my misfortune as I had done, my
+mischance might have originated in some commonplace or inglorious
+accident. In lieu of the proud recognitions I had earned, I might have
+now the mere sympathy of some fellow-sufferer in a hospital; and instead
+of the 'Cross of St. Stephen' and the 'valour medal' of Austria, my
+reward might have been the few sous per day allotted to an invalided
+soldier.
+
+As it was, each post from Vienna brought me nothing but nattering
+recognitions; and one morning a large sealed letter from Duroc conveyed
+the Emperor's own approval of my conduct, with the cross of commander of
+the Legion of Honour. A whole life of arduous services might have
+failed to win such prizes, and so I struck the balance of good and evil
+fortune, and found I was the gainer!
+
+Among the presents which I received from the Imperial family was a
+miniature of the young archduchess, whose life I saved, and which I at
+once despatched by a safe messenger to Marshal Marmont, engaging him to
+have a copy of it made and the original returned to me. I concluded that
+circumstances must have rendered this impossible, for I never beheld the
+portrait again, although I heard of it among the articles bequeathed
+to the Duc de Reichstadt at St. Helena. Maria Louisa was, at that time,
+very handsome; the upper-lip and mouth were, it is true, faulty, and the
+Austrian-heaviness marred the expression of these features; but her
+brow and eyes were singularly fine, and her hair of a luxuriant richness
+rarely to be seen.
+
+Count Palakzi, my young Hungarian friend, who had scarcely ever quitted
+my bedside during my illness, used to jest with me on my admiration of
+the young archduchess, and jokingly compassionate me on the altered age
+we lived in, in contrast to those good old times when a bold feat or
+a heroic action was sure to win the hand of a fair princess. I half
+suspect that he believed me actually in love with her, and deemed that
+this was the best way to treat such an absurd and outrageous ambition.
+To amuse myself with his earnestness, for such had it become, on the
+subject, I affected not to be indifferent to his allusions, and assumed
+all the delicate reserve of devoted admiration. Many an hour have I
+lightened by watching the fidgety uneasiness the young count felt at my
+folly; for now, instead of jesting, as before, he tried to reason me
+out of this insane ambition, and convince me that such pretensions were
+utter madness.
+
+I was slowly convalescing, about five weeks after the amputation of my
+leg, when Polakzi entered my room one morning with an open letter in his
+hand. His cheek was flushed, and his air and manner greatly excited.
+
+'Would you believe it, Tiernay,' said he, 'Stadion writes me word from
+Vienna, that Napoleon has asked for the hand of the young archduchess in
+marriage, and that the emperor has consented.'
+
+'And am I not considered in this negotiation?' asked I, scarcely
+suppressing a laugh.
+
+'This is no time nor theme for jest,' said he passionately; 'nor is
+it easy to keep one's temper at such a moment. A Hapsburgher princess
+married to a low Corsican adventurer! to the----'
+
+'Come, Polakzi,' cried I, 'these are not the words for me to listen to;
+and having heard them, I may be tempted to say, that the honour comes
+all off the other side, and that he who holds all Europe at his feet
+ennobles the dynasty from which he selects his empress.'
+
+'I deny it--fairly and fully deny it!' cried the passionate youth. 'And
+every noble of this land would rather see the provinces of the empire
+torn from us, than a princess of the Imperial House degraded to such an
+alliance!'
+
+'Is the throne of France, then, so low?' said I calmly.
+
+'Not when the rightful sovereign is seated on it,' said he. 'But are
+we, the subjects of a legitimate monarchy, to accept as equals the lucky
+accidents of your revolution? By what claim is a soldier of fortune the
+peer of king or kaiser? I, for one, will never more serve a cause so
+degraded; and the day on which such humiliation is our lot shall be the
+last of my soldiering'; and so saying, he rushed passionately from the
+room, and disappeared.
+
+I mention this little incident here, not as in any way connecting itself
+with my own fortunes, but as illustrating what I afterwards discovered
+to be the universal feeling entertained towards this alliance. Low as
+Austria then was--beaten in every battle, her vast treasury confiscated,
+her capital in the hands of an enemy, her very existence as an empire
+threatened--the thought of this insult--for such they deemed it--to
+the Imperial House, seemed to make the burden unendurable; and many
+who would have sacrificed territory and power for a peace, would have
+scorned to accept it at such a price as this.
+
+I suppose the secret history of the transaction will never be disclosed;
+but living as I did, at the time, under the same roof with the royal
+family, I inclined to think that their counsels were of a divided
+nature; that while the emperor and the younger archdukes gave a
+favourable ear to the project, the empress and the Archduke Charles
+as steadily opposed it. The gossip of the day spoke of dreadful scenes
+between the members of the Imperial House, and some have since asserted
+that the breaches of affection that were then made never were reconciled
+in after-life.
+
+With these events of state or private history I have no concern. My
+position and my nationality of course excluded me from confidential
+intercourse with those capable of giving correct information; nor can I
+record anything beyond the mere current rumours of the time. This much,
+however, I could remark, that all whom conviction, policy, or perhaps
+bribery, inclined to the alliance, were taken into court favour, and
+replaced in the offices of the household those whose opinions were
+adverse. A total change, in fact, took place in the persons of the
+royal suite, and the Hungarian nobles, many of whom filled the 'Hautes
+Charges,' as they are called, now made way for Bohemian grandees, who
+were understood to entertain more favourable sentiments towards France.
+Whether in utter despair of the cause for which they had suffered so
+long and so much, or that they were willing to accept this alliance with
+the oldest dynasty of Europe as a compromise, I am unable to say; but
+so was it. Many of the _emigre_ nobility of France, the unflinching,
+implacable enemies of Bonaparte, consented to bury their ancient
+grudges, and were now seen accepting place and office in the Austrian
+household. This was a most artful flattery of the Austrians, and was
+peculiarly agreeable to Napoleon, who longed to legalise his position by
+a reconciliation with the old followers of the Bourbons, and who dreaded
+their schemes and plots far more than he feared all the turbulent
+violence of the 'Faubourg.' In one day no fewer than three French
+nobles were appointed to places of trust in the household, and a special
+courier was sent off to Gratz to convey the appointment of maid of
+honour to a young French lady who lived there in exile.
+
+Each of my countrymen, on arriving, came to visit me. They had all known
+my father by name, if not personally, and most graciously acknowledged
+me as one of themselves--a flattery they sincerely believed above all
+price.
+
+I had heard much of the overweening vanity and conceit of the
+Legitimists, but the reality far exceeded all my notions of them. There
+was no pretence, no affectation whatever about them. They implicitly
+believed that in 'accepting the Corsican,' as the phrase went, they were
+displaying a condescension and self-negation unparalleled in history.
+The tone of superiority thus assumed of course made them seem supremely
+ridiculous to my eyes--I, who had sacrificed heavily enough for the
+Empire, and yet felt myself amply rewarded. But apart from these
+exaggerated ideas of themselves, they were most amiable, gentle
+mannered, and agreeable.
+
+The ladies and gentlemen of what was called the 'Service' associated
+all together, dining at the same table, and spending each evening in a
+handsome suite appropriated to themselves. Hither some one or other of
+the Imperial family occasionally came to play his whist, or chat away an
+hour in pleasant gossip--these distinguished visitors never disturbing
+in the slightest degree the easy tone of the society, nor exacting any
+extraordinary marks of notice or attention.
+
+The most frequent guest was the Archduke Louis, whose gaiety of
+temperament and easy humour induced him to pass nearly every evening
+with us. He was fond of cards, but liked to talk away over his game, and
+make play merely subsidiary to the pleasure of conversation. As I was
+but an indifferent 'whister,' but a most admirable auditor, I was always
+selected to make one of his party.
+
+It was on one of the evenings when we were so engaged, and the archduke
+had been displaying a more than ordinary flow of good spirits and
+merriment, a sudden lull in the approving laughter, and a general
+subsidence of every murmur, attracted my attention. I turned my head to
+see what had occurred, and perceived that some of the company had risen,
+and were standing with eyes directed to the open door.
+
+'The archduchess, your Imperial Highness!' whispered an aide-de-camp to
+the prince, and he immediately rose from the table, an example speedily
+followed by the others. I grasped my chair with one hand, and, with my
+sword in the other, tried to stand up, an effort which hitherto I had
+never accomplished without aid. It was all in vain--my debility utterly
+denied the attempt. I tried again, but, overcome by pain and weakness, I
+was compelled to abandon the effort, and sink down on my seat, faint and
+trembling. By this time the company had formed into a circle, leaving
+the Archduke Louis alone in the middle of the room--I, to my increasing
+shame and confusion, being seated exactly behind where the prince stood.
+
+There was a hope for me still; the archduchess might pass on through the
+rooms without my being noticed. And this seemed likely enough, since she
+was merely proceeding to the apartments of the empress, and not to delay
+with us. This expectation was soon destined to be extinguished; for,
+leaning on the arm of one of her ladies, the young princess came
+straight over to where Prince Louis stood. She said something in a low
+voice, and he turned immediately to offer her a chair; and there was
+I seated, very pale, and very much shocked at my apparent rudeness.
+Although I had been presented before to the young archduchess, she had
+not seen me in the uniform of the Corps de Guides (in which I now served
+as colonel), and never recognised me. She therefore stared steadily at
+me, and turned towards her brother as if for explanation.
+
+'Don't you know him?' said the archduke, laughing--'it's Colonel de
+Tiernay; and if he cannot stand up, you certainly should be the last
+to find fault with him. Pray sit quiet, Tiernay,' added he, pressing
+me down on my seat; 'and if you won't look so terrified, my sister will
+remember you.'
+
+'We must both be more altered than I ever expect if I cease to remember
+Monsieur de Tiernay,' said the archduchess, with a most courteous smile.
+Then leaning on the back of a chair, she bent forward and inquired after
+my health. There was something so strange in the situation: a young,
+handsome girl condescending to a tone of freedom and intimacy with one
+she had seen but a couple of times, and from whom the difference of
+condition separated her by a gulf wide as the great ocean, that I felt
+a nervous tremor I could not account for. Perhaps, with the tact that
+royalty possesses as its own prerogative, or, perhaps, with mere womanly
+intuition, she saw how the interview agitated me, and, to change the
+topic, she suddenly said--
+
+'I must present you to one of my ladies, Colonel de Tiernay, a
+countrywoman of your own. She already has heard from me the story of
+your noble devotion, and now only has to learn your name. Remember you
+are to sit still.'
+
+As she said this, she turned, and drawing her arm within that of a young
+lady behind her, led her forward.
+
+'It is to this gentleman I owe my life, Mademoiselle d'Estelles.'
+
+I heard no more, nor did she either; for, faltering, she uttered a low,
+faint sigh, and fell into the arms of those behind her.
+
+'What's this, Tiernay!--how is all this?' whispered Prince Louis; 'are
+you acquainted with mademoiselle?'
+
+But I forgot everything--the presence in which I stood, the agony of a
+wounded leg, and all, and with a violent effort sprang from my seat.
+
+Before I could approach her, however, she had risen from the chair, and,
+in a voice broken and interrupted, said--
+
+'You are so changed, Monsieur de Tiernay--so much changed--that the
+shock overpowered me. We became acquainted in the Tyrol, madame,' said
+she to the princess, 'where monsieur was a prisoner.'
+
+What observation the princess made in reply I could not hear, but I saw
+that Laura blushed deeply. To hide her awkwardness perhaps it was, that
+she hurriedly entered into some account of our former intercourse, and
+I could observe that some allusion to the Prince de Conde dropped from
+her.
+
+'How strange, how wonderful is all that you tell me!' said the princess,
+who bent forward and whispered some words to Prince Louis; and then,
+taking Laura's arm, she moved on, saying in a low voice '_Au revoir_,
+monsieur,' as she passed.
+
+'You are to come and drink tea in the archduchess's apartments,
+Tiernay,' said Prince Louis; 'you 'll meet your old friend, Mademoiselle
+d'Estelles, and of course you have a hundred recollections to exchange
+with each other.'
+
+The prince insisted on my accepting his arm, and, as he assisted me
+along, informed me that old Madame d'Aigreville had been dead about
+a year, leaving her niece an immense fortune--at least a claim to
+one--only wanting the sanction of the Emperor Napoleon to become valid;
+for it was one of the estreated but not confiscated estates of La
+Vendee. Every word that dropped from the prince extinguished some
+hope within me. More beautiful than ever, her rank recognised, and
+in possession of a vast fortune, what chance had I, a poor soldier of
+fortune, of success?
+
+'Don't sigh, Tiernay,' said the prince, laughing; 'you've lost a leg for
+us, and we must lend you a hand in return'; and with this we entered the
+salon of the archduchess.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LIV. MAURICE TIERNAY'S 'LAST WORD AND CONFESSION'
+
+I have been very frank with my readers in these memoirs of my life. If
+I have dwelt somewhat vain-gloriously on passing moments of success,
+it must be owned that I have not spared my vanity and self-conceit when
+either betrayed me into any excess of folly. I have neither blinked my
+humble beginnings, nor have I sought to attribute to my own merits those
+happy accidents which made me what I am. I claim nothing but the humble
+character--a Soldier of Fortune. It was my intention to have told the
+reader somewhat more than these twenty odd years of my life embrace.
+Probably, too, my subsequent career, if less marked by adventure,
+was more pregnant with true views of the world and sounder lessons of
+conduct; but I have discovered to my surprise that these revelations
+have extended over a wider surface than I ever destined them to occupy,
+and already I tremble for the loss of that gracious attention that has
+been vouchsafed me hitherto. I will not trust myself to say how much
+regret this abstinence has cost me--enough if I avow that in jotting
+down the past I have lived my youth over again, and in tracing old
+memories, old scenes, and old impressions, the smouldering fire of my
+heart has shot up a transient flame so bright as to throw a glow even
+over the chill of my old age.
+
+It is, after all, no small privilege to have lived and borne one's part
+in stirring times; to have breasted the ocean of life when the winds
+were up and the waves ran high; to have mingled, however humbly, in
+eventful scenes, and had one's share in the mighty deeds that were to
+become history afterwards. It is assuredly in such trials that humanity
+comes out best, and that the character of man displays all its worthiest
+and noblest attributes. Amid such scenes I began my life, and, in the
+midst of similar ones, if my prophetic foresight deceive me not, I am
+like to end it.
+
+Having said this much of and for myself, I am sure the reader will
+pardon me if I am not equally communicative with respect to another, and
+if I pass over the remainder of that interval which I spent at Komorn.
+Even were love-making--which assuredly it is not--as interesting to the
+spectator as to those engaged--I should scruple to recount events which
+delicacy should throw a veil over; nor am I induced, even by the example
+of the wittiest periodical writer of the age, to make a _feuilleton_ of
+my own marriage. Enough that I say, despite my shattered form, my want
+of fortune, my unattested pretension to rank or station, Mademoiselle
+d'Estelles accepted me, and the Emperor most graciously confirmed
+her claims to wealth, thus making me one of the richest and the very
+happiest among the Soldiers of Fortune.
+
+The Pere Delamoy, now superior of a convent at Pisa, came to Komorn to
+perform the ceremony; and if he could not altogether pardon those who
+had uprooted the ancient monarchy of France, yet he did not conceal his
+gratitude to him who had restored the church and rebuilt the altar.
+
+There may be some who may deem this closing abrupt, and who would wish
+for even a word about the bride, her bouquet, and her blushes. I cannot
+afford to gratify so laudable a curiosity, at the same time that a
+lurking vanity induces me to say, that any one wishing to know more
+about the _personnel_ of my wife or myself, has but to look at David's
+picture, or the engraving made from it, of the Emperor's marriage. There
+they will find, in the left-hand corner, partly concealed behind the
+Grand-Duke de Berg, an officer of the 'Guides,' supporting on his arm
+a young and very beautiful girl, herself a bride. If the young lady's
+looks are turned with more interest on her companion than upon the
+gorgeous spectacle, remember that she is but a few weeks married. If the
+soldier carry himself with less of martial vigour or grace, pray bear in
+mind that cork legs had not attained the perfection to which later skill
+has brought them.
+
+I have the scene stronger before me than painting can depict, and my
+eyes fill as I now behold it in my memory!
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Maurice Tiernay Soldier of Fortune, by
+Charles James Lever
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