第1章

CHAPTERI

\"Truthisstrange，Strangerthanfiction。\"

IthinkitbutrightthatinmakingmyappearancebeforethepublicIshouldatonceacquaintthemwithmytitlesandname。Mycard，asIleaveitatthehousesofthenobility，myfriends，isasfollows：—

MAJORGOLIAHO’GRADYGAHAGAN，H。E。I。C。S。，CommandingBattalionofIrregularHorse，AHMEDNUGGAR。

Seeing，Isay，thissimplevisitingticket，theworldwillavoidanyofthoseawkwardmistakesastomyperson，whichhavebeensofrequentoflate。Therehasbeennoendtotheblundersregardingthishumbletitleofmine，andtheconfusiontherebycreated。WhenIpublishedmyvolumeofpoems，forinstance，theMorningPostnewspaperremarked\"thattheLyricsoftheHeart，byMissGahagan，mayberankedamongthesweetestflowretsofthepresentspringseason。\"TheQuarterlyReview，commentinguponmy\"ObservationsonthePonsAsinorum\"（4to，London，1836），calledme\"DoctorGahagan，\"

andsoon。Itwastimetoputanendtothesemistakes，andIhavetakentheabovesimpleremedy。

Iwasurgedtoitbyaveryexaltedpersonage。DininginAugustlastatthepalaceoftheT—l—r—esatParis，thelovelyyoungDuch—

ssofOrl—ns（who，thoughshedoesnotspeakEnglish，understandsitaswellasIdo），saidtomeinthesoftestTeutonic，\"LieberHerrMajor，habensiedenAhmednuggarischen—jager—battaliongelassen？\"\"Warumdenn？\"saidI，quiteastonishedatherR—lH—

ss’squestion。TheP—cessthenspokeofsometriflefrommypen，whichwassimplysignedGoliahGahagan。

Therewas，unluckily，adeadsilenceasH。R。H。putthisquestion。

\"Commentdonc？\"saidH。M。Lo—isPh—l—ppe，lookinggravelyatCountMole；\"lecherMajoraquittel’armee!Nicolasdoncseramaitredel’Inde!\"H。M—andthePr。M—n—sterpursuedtheirconversationinalowtone，andleftme，asmaybeimagined，inadreadfulstateofconfusion。Iblushedandstuttered，andmurmuredoutafewincoherentwordstoexplain——butitwouldnotdo——Icouldnotrecovermyequanimityduringthecourseofthedinner；andwhileendeavouringtohelpanEnglishduke，myneighbour，topouletal’Austerlitz，fairlysentsevenmushroomsandthreelargegreasycroutesoverhiswhiskersandshirt—frill。Anotherlaughatmyexpense。\"Ah!M。leMajor，\"saidtheQ—oftheB—lg—ns，archly，\"vousn’aurezjamaisvotrebrevetdeColonel。\"HerM—y’sjokewillbebetterunderstoodwhenIstatethathisGraceisthebrotherofaMinister。

Iamnotatlibertytoviolatethesanctityofprivatelife，bymentioningthenamesofthepartiesconcernedinthislittleanecdote。IonlywishtohaveitunderstoodthatIamagentleman，andliveatleastinDECENTsociety。Verbumsat。

Buttobeserious。IamobligedalwaystowritethenameofGoliahinfull，todistinguishmefrommybrother，GregoryGahagan，whowasalsoaMajor（intheKing’sservice），andwhomIkilledinaduel，asthepublicmostlikelyknows。PoorGreg!averytrivialdisputewasthecauseofourquarrel，whichneverwouldhaveoriginatedbutforthesimilarityofournames。Thecircumstancewasthis：IhadbeenluckyenoughtorendertheNawaubofLucknowsometriflingservice（inthenotoriousaffairofChoprasjeeMuckjee），andhisHighnesssentdownagoldtoothpick—casedirectedtoCaptainG。Gahagan，whichIofcoursethoughtwasforme：mybrothermadlyclaimedit；wefought，andtheconsequencewas，thatinaboutthreeminuteshereceivedaslashintherightside（cut6），whicheffectuallydidhisbusiness：—hewasagoodswordsmanenough——IwasTHEBESTintheuniverse。Themostridiculouspartoftheaffairis，thatthetoothpick—casewashis，afterall——hehadleftitontheNawaub’stableattiffin。Ican’tconceivewhatmadnesspromptedhimtofightaboutsuchapaltrybauble；hehadmuchbetterhaveyieldeditatonce，whenhesawIwasdeterminedtohaveit。Fromthisslightspecimenofmyadventures，thereaderwillperceivethatmylifehasbeenoneofnoordinaryinterest；

and，infact，ImaysaythatIhaveledamoreremarkablelifethananymanintheservice——Ihavebeenatmorepitchedbattles，ledmoreforlornhopes，hadmoresuccessamongthefairsex，drunkharder，readmore，beenahandsomermanthananyofficernowservingHerMajesty。

WhenIfirstwenttoIndiain1802，Iwasarawcornetofseventeen，withblazingredhair，sixfeetfourinheight，athleticatallkindsofexercises，owingmoneytomytailorandeverybodyelsewhowouldtrustme，possessinganIrishbrogue，andmyfullpayof120l。ayear。IneednotsaythatwithalltheseadvantagesIdidthatwhichanumberofcleverfellowshavedonebeforeme——I

fellinlove，andproposedtomarryimmediately。

Buthowtoovercomethedifficulty？——ItistruethatIlovedJuliaJowler——lovedhertomadness；butherfatherintendedherforaMemberofCouncilatleast，andnotforabeggarlyIrishensign。

Itwas，however，myfatetomakethepassagetoIndia（onboardofthe\"SamuelSnob\"EastIndiaman，CaptainDuffy）withthislovelycreature，andmymisfortuneinstantaneouslytofallinlovewithher。WewerenotoutoftheChannelbeforeIadoredher，worshippedthedeckwhichshetrodupon，kissedathousandtimesthecuddy—chaironwhichsheusedtosit。Thesamemadnessfelloneverymanintheship。ThetwomatesfoughtaboutherattheCape；

thesurgeon，asoberpiousScotchman，fromdisappointedaffection，tooksodreadfullytodrinkingastothreatenspontaneouscombustion；andoldColonelLilywhite，carryinghiswifeandsevendaughterstoBengal，sworethathewouldhaveadivorcefromMrs。

L。，andmadeanattemptatsuicide；thecaptainhimselftoldme，withtearsinhiseyes，thathehatedhishitherto—adoredMrs。

Duffy，althoughhehadhadnineteenchildrenbyher。

Weusedtocallherthewitch——therewasmagicinherbeautyandinhervoice。Iwasspell—boundwhenIlookedather，andstarkstaringmadwhenshelookedatme!Olustrousblackeyes!——O

glossynight—blackringlets!——Olips!——Odaintyfrocksofwhitemuslin!——Otinykidslippers!——thougholdandgouty，Gahaganseesyoustill!Irecollect，offAscension，shelookedatmeinherparticularwayonedayatdinner，justasIhappenedtobeblowingonapieceofscaldinghotgreenfat。Iwasstupefiedatonce——I

thrusttheentiremorsel（abouthalfapound）intomymouth。I

madenoattempttoswallow，ortomasticateit，butleftitthereformanyminutes，burning，burning!Ihadnoskintomypalateforsevenweeksafter，andlivedonrice—waterduringtherestofthevoyage。Theanecdoteistrivial，butitshowsthepowerofJuliaJowleroverme。

Thewritersofmarinenovelshavesoexhaustedthesubjectofstorms，shipwrecks，mutinies，engagements，sea—sickness，andsoforth，that（althoughIhaveexperiencedeachoftheseinmanyvarieties）Ithinkitquiteunnecessarytorecountsuchtriflingadventures；sufficeittosay，thatduringourfivemonths’trajet，mymadpassionforJuliadailyincreased；sodidthecaptain’sandthesurgeon’s；sodidColonelLilywhite’s；sodidthedoctor’s，themate’s——thatofmostpartofthepassengers，andaconsiderablenumberofthecrew。Formyself，Iswore——ensignasIwas——Iwouldwinherformywife；IvowedthatIwouldmakehergloriouswithmysword——thatassoonasIhadmadeafavourableimpressiononmycommandingofficer（whichIdidnotdoubttocreate），Iwouldlayopentohimthestateofmyaffections，anddemandhisdaughter’shand。Withsuchsentimentaloutpouringsdidourvoyagecontinueandconclude。

WelandedattheSunderbundsonagrillinghotdayinDecember1802，andthenforthemomentJuliaandIseparated。Shewascarriedofftoherpapa’sarmsinapalankeen，surroundedbyatleastfortyhookahbadars；whilstthepoorcornet，attendedbutbytwodandiesandasolitarybeasty（bywhichunnaturalnametheseblackamoorsarecalled），madehiswayhumblytojointheregimentatheadquarters。

The—’thRegimentofBengalCavalry，thenunderthecommandofLieut。—ColonelJuliusJowler，C。B。，wasknownthroughoutAsiaandEuropebytheproudtitleoftheBundelcundInvincibles——sogreatwasitscharacterforbravery，soremarkablewereitsservicesinthatdelightfuldistrictofIndia。MajorSirGeorgeGutchwasnextincommand，andTomThrupp，askindafellowaseverranaMahrattathroughthebody，wassecondMajor。WewereontheeveofthatremarkablewarwhichwasspeedilytospreadthroughoutthewholeofIndia，tocallforththevalourofaWellesley，andtheindomitablegallantryofaGahagan；whichwasillustratedbyourvictoriesatAhmednuggar（whereIwasthefirstoverthebarricadeatthestormingofthePettah）；atArgaum，whereIslewwithmyownswordtwenty—threematchlock—men，andcutadromedaryintwo；andbythatterribledayofAssaye，whereWellesleywouldhavebeenbeatenbutforme——mealone：Iheadednineteenchargesofcavalry，took（aidedbyonlyfourmenofmyowntroop）seventeenfield—pieces，killingthescoundrellyFrenchartillerymen；onthatdayIhadelevenelephantsshotunderme，andcarriedawayScindiah’snose—

ringwithapistol—ball。WellesleyisaDukeandaMarshal，IbutasimpleMajorofIrregulars。Suchisfortuneandwar!Butmyfeelingscarrymeawayfrommynarrative，whichhadbetterproceedwithmoreorder。

Onarriving，Isay，atourbarracksatDumDum，IforthefirsttimeputonthebeautifuluniformoftheInvincibles：alightblueswallow—tailedjacketwithsilverlaceandwings，ornamentedwithabout3，000sugar—loafbuttons，rhubarb—colouredleatherinexpressibles（tights），andredmoroccobootswithsilverspursandtassels，setofftoadmirationthehandsomepersonsoftheofficersofourcorps。Weworepowderinthosedays；andaregulationpigtailofseventeeninches，abrasshelmetsurroundedbyleopardskin，withabearskintopandahorsetailfeather，gavetheheadafierceandchivalrousappearance，whichisfarmoreeasilyimaginedthandescribed。

Attiredinthismagnificentcostume，IfirstpresentedmyselfbeforeColonelJowler。Hewashabitedinamannerpreciselysimilar，butnotbeingmorethanfivefeetinheight，andweighingatleastfifteenstone，thedressheworedidnotbecomehimquitesomuchasslimmerandtallermen。FlankedbyhistallMajors，ThruppandGutch，helookedlikeastumpyskittle—ballbetweentwoattenuatedskittles。TheplumplittleColonelreceivedmewithvastcordiality，andIspeedilybecameaprimefavouritewithhimselfandtheotherofficersofthecorps。Jowlerwasthemosthospitableofmen；andgratifyingmyappetiteandmylovetogether，Icontinuallypartookofhisdinners，andfeastedonthesweetpresenceofJulia。

Icanseenow，whatIwouldnotandcouldnotperceiveinthoseearlydays，thatthisMissJowler——onwhomIhadlavishedmyfirstandwarmestlove，whomIhadendowedwithallperfectionandpurity——wasnobetterthanalittleimpudentflirt，whoplayedwithmyfeelings，becauseduringthemonotonyofaseavoyageshehadnoothertoytoplaywith；andwhodesertedothersforme，andmeforothers，justasherwhimorherinterestmightguideher。Shehadnotbeenthreeweeksatheadquarterswhenhalftheregimentwasinlovewithher。Eachandallofthecandidateshadsomefavourtoboastof，orsomeencouraginghopesonwhichtobuild。Itwasthesceneofthe\"SamuelSnob\"overagain，onlyheightenedininterestbyanumberofduels。Thefollowinglistwillgivethereaderanotionofsomeofthem：—

1。CornetGahagan……EnsignHicks，oftheSappersandMiners。

Hicksreceivedaballinhisjaw，andwashalfchokedbyaquantityofcarrotywhiskerforceddownhisthroatwiththeball。

2。CaptainMacgillicuddy，B。N。I。CornetGahagan。Iwasrunthroughthebody，buttheswordpassedbetweentheribs，andinjuredmeveryslightly。

3。CaptainMacgillicuddy，B。N。I。Mr。Mulligatawny，B。C。S。，Deputy—

AssistantViceSub—ControlleroftheBoggleywollahIndigogrounds，Ramgollybranch。

Macgillicuddyshouldhavestucktosword’splay，andhemighthavecomeoffinhissecondduelaswellasinhisfirst；asitwas，thecivilianplacedaballandapartofMac’sgoldrepeaterinhisstomach。Aremarkablecircumstanceattendedthisshot，anaccountofwhichIsenthometothe\"PhilosophicalTransactions：\"thesurgeonhadextractedtheball，andwasgoingoff，thinkingthatallwaswell，whenthegoldrepeaterstruckthirteeninpoorMacgillicuddy’sabdomen。Isupposethattheworksmusthavebeendisarrangedinsomewaybythebullet，fortherepeaterwasoneofBarraud’s，neverknowntofailbefore，andthecircumstanceoccurredatseveno’clock。{1}

Icouldcontinue，almostadinfinitum，anaccountofthewarswhichthisHelenoccasioned，buttheabovethreespecimenswill，Ishouldthink，satisfythepeacefulreader。Idelightnotinscenesofblood，Heavenknows，butIwascompelledinthecourseofafewweeks，andforthesakeofthisonewoman，tofightnineduelsmyself，andIknowthatfourtimesasmanymoretookplaceconcerningher。

IforgottosaythatJowler’swifewasahalf—castewoman，whohadbeenbornandbredentirelyinIndia，andwhomtheColonelhadmarriedfromthehouseofhermother，anative。Thereweresomesingularrumoursabroadregardingthislatterlady’shistory：itwasreportedthatshewasthedaughterofanativeRajah，andhadbeencarriedoffbyapoorEnglishsubalterninLordClive’stime。

Theyoungmanwaskilledverysoonafter，andlefthischildwithitsmother。TheblackPrinceforgavehisdaughterandbequeathedtoherahandsomesumofmoney。IsupposethatitwasonthisaccountthatJowlermarriedMrs。J。，acreaturewhohadnot，Idobelieve，aChristianname，orasingleChristianquality：shewasahideous，bloated，yellowcreature，withabeard，blackteeth，andredeyes：shewasfat，lying，ugly，andstingy——shehatedandwashatedbyalltheworld，andbyherjollyhusbandasdevoutlyasbyanyother。Shedidnotpassamonthintheyearwithhim，butspentmostofhertimewithhernativefriends。Iwonderhowshecouldhavegivenbirthtosolovelyacreatureasherdaughter。

ThiswomanwasofcoursewiththeColonelwhenJuliaarrived，andthespiceofthedevilinherdaughter’scompositionwasmostcarefullynourishedandfedbyher。IfJuliahadbeenaflirtbefore，shewasadownrightjiltnow；shesetthewholecantonmentbytheears；shemadewivesjealousandhusbandsmiserable；shecausedallthoseduelsofwhichIhavediscoursedalready，andyetsuchwasthefascinationofTHEWITCHthatIstillthoughtheranangel。Imadecourttothenastymotherinordertobenearthedaughter；andIlisteneduntiringlytoJowler’sinterminabledullstories，becauseIwasoccupiedallthetimeinwatchingthegracefulmovementsofMissJulia。

Butthetrumpetofwarwassoonringinginourears；andonthebattle—fieldGahaganisaman!TheBundelcundInvinciblesreceivedorderstomarch，andJowler，Hector—like，donnedhishelmetandpreparedtopartfromhisAndromache。Andnowarosehisperplexity：whatmustbedonewithhisdaughter，hisJulia？Heknewhiswife’speculiaritiesofliving，anddidnotmuchcaretotrusthisdaughtertoherkeeping；butinvainhetriedtofindheranasylumamongtherespectableladiesofhisregiment。LadyGutchofferedtoreceiveher，butwouldhavenothingtodowithMrs。

Jowler；thesurgeon’swife，Mrs。Sawbone，wouldhaveneithermothernordaughter：therewasnohelpforit，Juliaandhermothermusthaveahousetogether，andJowlerknewthathiswifewouldfillitwithherodiousblackamoorfriends。

Icouldnot，however，goforthsatisfiedtothecampaignuntilI

learnedfromJuliamyfate。Iwatchedtwentyopportunitiestoseeheralone，andwanderedabouttheColonel’sbungalowasaninformerdoesaboutapublic—house，markingtheincomingsandtheoutgoingsofthefamily，andlongingtoseizethemomentwhenMissJowler，unbiassedbyhermotherorherpapa，mightlisten，perhaps，tomyeloquence，andmeltatthetaleofmylove。

Butitwouldnotdo——oldJowlerseemedtohavetakenallofasuddentosuchafitofdomesticity，thattherewasnofindinghimoutofdoors，andhisrhubarb—colouredwife（Ibelievethatherskingavethefirstideaofourregimentalbreeches），whobeforehadbeengaddingceaselesslyabroad，andpokingherbroadnoseintoeverymenageinthecantonment，stoppedfaithfullyathomewithherspouse。Myonlychancewastobeardtheoldcoupleintheirden，andaskthematoncefortheircub。

SoIcalledonedayattiffin：—oldJowlerwasalwayshappytohavemycompanyatthismeal；itamusedhim，hesaid，toseemedrinkHodgson’spaleale（Idranktwohundredandthirty—fourdozenthefirstyearIwasinBengal）——anditwasnosmallpieceoffun，certainly，toseeoldMrs。Jowlerattackthecurrie—bhaut；——shewasexactlythecolourofit，asIhavehadalreadythehonourtoremark，andsheswallowedthemixturewithagustowhichwasneverequalled，exceptbymypoorfriendDandoaproposd’huitres。Sheconsumedthefirstthreeplatefulswithaforkandspoon，likeaChristian；butasshewarmedtoherwork，theoldhagwouldthrowawayhersilverimplements，anddraggingthedishestowardsher，gotoworkwithherhands，flipthericeintohermouthwithherfingers，andstowawayaquantityofeatablessufficientforasepoycompany。ButwhydoIdivergefromthemainpointofmystory？

Julia，then，Jowler，andMrs。J。，wereatluncheon；thedeargirlwasintheacttosableraglassofHodgsonasIentered。\"Howdoyoudo，Mr。Gagin？\"saidtheoldhag，leeringly。\"Eatabito’

currie—bhaut，\"——andshethrustthedishtowardsme，securingaheapasitpassed。\"What!Gagymyboy，howdo，howdo？\"saidthefatColonel。\"What!runthroughthebody？——gotwellagain——havesomeHodgson——runthroughyourbodytoo!\"——andatthis，Imaysay，coarsejoke（alludingtothefactthatinthesehotclimatesthealeoozesoutasitwerefromtheporesoftheskin）oldJowlerlaughed：ahostofswarthychobdars，kitmatgars，sices，consomahs，andbobbychieslaughedtoo，astheyprovidedme，unasked，withthegratefulfluid。Swallowingsixtumblersofit，Ipausednervouslyforamoment，andthensaid—

\"Bobbachy，consomah，ballybaloohoga。\"

Theblackruffianstookthehint，andretired。

\"ColonelandMrs。Jowler，\"saidIsolemnly，\"wearealone；andyou，MissJowler，youarealonetoo；thatis——Imean——Itakethisopportunityto——（anotherglassofale，ifyouplease）——toexpress，onceforall，beforedepartingonadangerouscampaign\"——（Juliaturnedpale）——\"beforeentering，Isay，uponawarwhichmaystretchinthedustmyhigh—raisedhopesandme，toexpressmyhopeswhilelifestillremainstome，andtodeclareinthefaceofheaven，earth，andColonelJowler，thatIloveyou，Julia!\"TheColonel，astonished，letfallasteelfork，whichstuckquiveringforsomeminutesinthecalfofmyleg；butIheedednotthepaltryinterruption。\"Yes，byyonbrightheaven，\"continuedI，\"Iloveyou，Julia!Irespectmycommander，Iesteemyourexcellentandbeauteousmother：tellme，beforeIleaveyou，ifImayhopeforareturnofmyaffection。Saythatyouloveme，andIwilldosuchdeedsinthiscomingwar，asshallmakeyouproudofthenameofyourGahagan。\"

Theoldwoman，asIdeliveredthesetouchingwords，stared，snapped，andgroundherteeth，likeanenragedmonkey。Juliawasnowred，nowwhite；theColonelstretchedforward，tooktheforkoutofthecalfofmyleg，wipedit，andthenseizedabundleofletterswhichIhadremarkedbyhisside。

\"Acornet!\"saidhe，inavoicechokingwithemotion；\"apitifulbeggarlyIrishcornetaspiretothehandofJuliaJowler!Gag——

Gahagan，areyoumad，orlaughingatus？Lookattheseletters，youngman——attheseletters，Isay——onehundredandtwenty—fourepistlesfromeverypartofIndia（notincludingonefromtheGovernor—General，andsixfromhisbrother，ColonelWellesley）——onehundredandtwenty—fourproposalsforthehandofMissJowler!

CornetGahagan，\"hecontinued，\"Iwishtothinkwellofyou：youarethebravest，themostmodest，and，perhaps，thehandsomestmaninourcorps；butyouhavenotgotasinglerupee。YouaskmeforJulia，andyoudonotpossessevenananna!\"——（Heretheoldroguegrinned，asifhehadmadeacapitalpun。）——\"No，no，\"saidhe，waxinggood—natured；\"Gagymyboy，itisnonsense!Julialove，retirewithyourmamma；thissillyyounggentlemanwillremainandsmokeapipewithme。\"

Itookone：itwasthebitterestchillumIeversmokedinmylife。

***

Iamnotgoingtogivehereanaccountofmymilitaryservices；

theywillappearinmygreatnationalautobiography，infortyvolumes，whichIamnowpreparingforthepress。IwaswithmyregimentinallWellesley’sbrilliantcampaigns；thentakingdawk，Itravelledacrossthecountrynorth—eastward，andhadthehonouroffightingbythesideofLordLakeatLaswaree，Degg，Furruckabad，Futtyghur，andBhurtpore：butIwillnotboastofmyactions——themilitarymanknowsthem，MYSOVEREIGNappreciatesthem。IfaskedwhowasthebravestmanoftheIndianarmy，thereisnotanofficerbelongingtoitwhowouldnotcryatonce，GAHAGAN。Thefactis，Iwasdesperate：Icarednotforlife，deprivedofJuliaJowler。

WithJulia’sstonylookseverbeforemyeyes，herfather’ssternrefusalinmyears，Ididnotcare，atthecloseofthecampaign，againtoseekhercompanyortopressmysuit。Wewereeighteenmonthsonservice，marchingandcounter—marching，andfightingalmosteveryotherday：totheworldIdidnotseemaltered；buttheworldonlysawtheface，andnotthesearedandblightedheartwithinme。Myvalour，alwaysdesperate，nowreachedtoapitchofcruelty；Itorturedmygroomsandgrass—cuttersforthemosttriflingoffenceorerror，——Ineverinactionsparedaman，——I

shearedoffthreehundredandnineheadsinthecourseofthatsinglecampaign。

Someinfluence，equallymelancholy，seemedtohavefallenuponpooroldJowler。AboutsixmonthsafterwehadleftDumDum，hereceivedaparceloflettersfromBenares（whitherhiswifehadretiredwithherdaughter），andsodeeplydidtheyseemtoweighuponhisspirits，thatheorderedelevenmenofhisregimenttobefloggedwithintwodays；butitwasagainsttheblacksthathechieflyturnedhiswrath。Ourfellows，intheheatandhurryofthecampaign，wereinthehabitofdealingratherroughlywiththeirprisoners，toextracttreasurefromthem：theyusedtopulltheirnailsoutbytheroot，toboiltheminkedgereepots，toflogthemanddresstheirwoundswithcayennepepper，andsoon。

Jowler，whenheheardoftheseproceedings，whichbeforehadalwaysjustlyexasperatedhim（hewasahumaneandkindlittleman），usednowtosmilefiercelyandsay，\"D—theblackscoundrels!Servethemright，servethemright!\"

Oneday，aboutacoupleofmilesinadvanceofthecolumn，Ihadbeenonaforaging—partywithafewdragoons，andwasreturningpeaceablytocamp，whenofasuddenatroopofMahrattasburstonusfromaneighbouringmango—tope，inwhichtheyhadbeenhidden：

inaninstantthreeofmymen’ssaddleswereempty，andIwasleftwithbutsevenmoretomakeheadagainstatleastthirtyofthesevagabondblackhorsemen。Ineversawinmylifeanoblerfigurethantheleaderofthetroop——mountedonasplendidblackArab；hewasastall，verynearly，asmyself；heworeasteelcapandashirtofmail，andcarriedabeautifulFrenchcarbine，whichhadalreadydoneexecutionupontwoofmymen。Isawthatouronlychanceofsafetylayinthedestructionofthisman。Ishoutedtohiminavoiceofthunder（intheHindustaneetongueofcourse），\"Stop，dog，ifyoudare，andencounteraman!\"

Inreplyhislancecamewhirlingintheairovermyhead，andmortallytransfixedpoorFoggartyofours，whowasbehindme。

Grindingmyteethandswearinghorribly，Idrewthatscimitarwhichneveryetfaileditsblow，{2}andrushedattheIndian。Hecamedownatfullgallop，hisownswordmakingtenthousandgleamingcirclesintheair，shriekinghiscryofbattle。

Thecontestdidnotlastaninstant。WithmyfirstblowIcutoffhissword—armatthewrist；mysecondIlevelledathishead。I

saidthatheworeasteelcap，withagiltironspikeofsixinches，andahoodofchainmail。Iroseinmystirrupsanddelivered\"St。George；\"myswordcaughtthespikeexactlyonthepoint，splititsheerintwo，cutcrashingthroughthesteelcapandhood，andwasonlystoppedbyarubywhichheworeinhisback—

plate。Hishead，cutcleanintwobetweentheeyebrowsandnostrils，evenbetweenthetwofrontteeth，fellonesideoneachshoulder，andhegallopedontillhishorsewasstoppedbymymen，whowerenotalittleamusedatthefeat。

AsIhadexpected，theremainingruffiansfledonseeingtheirleader’sfate。Itookhomehishelmetbywayofcuriosity，andwemadeasingleprisoner，whowasinstantlycarriedbeforeoldJowler。

Weaskedtheprisonerthenameoftheleaderofthetroop：hesaiditwasChowderLoll。

\"ChowderLoll!\"shriekedColonelJowler。\"OFate!thyhandishere!\"Herushedwildlyintohistent——thenextdayappliedforleaveofabsence。Gutchtookthecommandoftheregiment，andI

sawhimnomoreforsometime。

***

AsIhaddistinguishedmyselfnotalittleduringthewar，GeneralLakesentmeupwithdespatchestoCalcutta，whereLordWellesleyreceivedmewiththegreatestdistinction。Fancymysurprise，ongoingtoaballatGovernmentHouse，tomeetmyoldfriendJowler；

mytrembling，blushing，thrillingdelight，whenIsawJuliabyhisside!

Jowlerseemedtoblushtoowhenhebeheldme。Ithoughtofmyformerpassageswithhisdaughter。\"Gagymyboy，\"sayshe，shakinghands，\"gladtoseeyou。Oldfriend，Julia——cometotiffin——

Hodgson’spale——bravefellowGagy。\"Juliadidnotspeak，butsheturnedashypale，andfixeduponmeherawfuleyes!Ifaintedalmost，andutteredsomeincoherentwords。Juliatookmyhand，gazedatmestill，andsaid，\"Come!\"NeedIsayIwent？

Iwillnotgooverthepalealeandcurrie—bhautagain!butthisI

know，thatinhalf—an—hourIwasasmuchinloveasIeverhadbeen：andthatinthreeweeksI——yes，I——wastheacceptedloverofJulia!Ididnotpausetoaskwhereweretheonehundredandtwenty—fouroffers？whyI，refusedbefore，shouldbeacceptednow？

IonlyfeltthatIlovedher，andwashappy!

***

Onenight，onememorablenight，Icouldnotsleep，and，withalover’spardonablepassion，wanderedsolitarythroughtheCityofPalacesuntilIcametothehousewhichcontainedmyJulia。I

peepedintothecompound——allwasstill；Ilookedintotheverandah——allwasdark，exceptalight——yes，onelight——anditwasinJulia’schamber!Myheartthrobbedalmosttostifling。I

would——IWOULDadvance，ifbuttogazeuponherforamoment，andtoblessherassheslept。IDIDlook，IDIDadvance；and，O

Heaven!Isawalampburning，Mrs。Jow。inanight—dress，withaverydarkbabyinherarms，andJulialookingtenderlyatanayah，whowasnursinganother。

\"Oh，Mamma，\"saidJulia，\"whatwouldthatfoolGahagansayifheknewall？\"

\"HEDOESKNOWALL!\"shoutedI，springingforward，andtearingdownthetattiesfromthewindow。Mrs。Jow。ranshriekingoutoftheroom，Juliafainted，thecursedblackchildrensqualled，andtheird—dnursefellonherknees，gabblingsomeinfernaljargonofHindustanee。OldJowleratthisjunctureenteredwithacandleandadrawnsword。

\"Liar!scoundrel!deceiver!\"shoutedI。\"Turn，ruffian，anddefendyourself!\"ButoldJowler，whenhesawme，onlywhistled，lookedathislifelessdaughter，andslowlylefttheroom。

Whycontinuethetale？IneednotnowaccountforJowler’sgloomonreceivinghislettersfromBenares——forhisexclamationuponthedeathoftheIndianchief——forhisdesiretomarryhisdaughter：

thewomanIwaswooingwasnolongerMissJuliaJowler，shewasMrs。ChowderLoll!

CHAPTERII：ALLYGHURANDLASWAREE

Isatdowntowritegravelyandsadly，for（sincetheappearanceofsomeofmyadventuresinamonthlymagazine）unprincipledmenhaveendeavouredtorobmeoftheonlygoodIpossess，toquestionthestatementsthatImake，and，themselveswithoutasparkofhonourorgoodfeeling，tostealfrommethatwhichismysolewealth——mycharacterasatellerofTHETRUTH。

ThereaderwillunderstandthatitistotheilliberalstricturesofaprofligatepressInowallude；amongtheLondonjournalists，none（luckilyforthemselves）havedaredtoquestiontheveracityofmystatements：theyknowme，andtheyknowthatIamINLONDON。

IfIcanusethepen，Icanalsowieldamoremanlyandterribleweapon，andwouldanswertheircontradictionswithmysword!Nogoldorgemsadornthehiltofthatwar—wornscimitar；butthereisbloodupontheblade——thebloodoftheenemiesofmycountry，andthemalignersofmyhonestfame。Thereareothers，however——thedisgraceofadisgracefultrade——who，borrowingfromdistanceadespicablecourage，haveventuredtoassailme。TheinfamouseditorsoftheKelsoChampion，theBungayBeacon，theTipperaryArgus，andtheStokePogisSentinel，andotherdastardlyorgansoftheprovincialpress，have，althoughdifferinginpolitics，agreeduponthisonepoint，and，withascoundrellyunanimity，ventedafloodofabuseupontherevelationsmadebyme。

TheysaythatIhaveassailedprivatecharacters，andwilfullypervertedhistorytoblackenthereputationofpublicmen。Iask，wasanyoneofthesemeninBengalintheyear1803？WasanysingleconductorofanyoneofthesepaltryprintseverinBundelcundortheRohillacountry？DoesthisEXQUISITETipperaryscribeknowthedifferencebetweenHurrygurrybangandBurrumtollah？

Nothe!andbecause，forsooth，inthosestrangeanddistantlandsstrangecircumstanceshavetakenplace，itisinsinuatedthattherelaterisaliar：nay，thattheveryplacesthemselveshavenoexistencebutinmyimagination。Fools!——butIwillnotwastemyangeruponthem，andproceedtorecountsomeotherportionsofmypersonalhistory。

Itis，Ipresume，afactwhichevenTHESEscribblingassassinswillnotventuretodeny，thatbeforethecommencementofthecampaignagainstScindiah，theEnglishGeneralformedacampatKanougeontheJumna，whereheexercisedthatbrilliantlittlearmywhichwasspeedilytoperformsuchwondersintheDooab。ItwillbeaswelltogiveaslightaccountofthecausesofawarwhichwasspeedilytoragethroughsomeofthefairestportionsoftheIndiancontinent。

ShahAllum，thesonofShahLollum，thedescendantbythefemalelineofNadirShah（thatcelebratedToorkomaunadventurer，whohadwell—nighhurledBajazetandSelimtheSecondfromthethroneofBagdad）——ShahAllum，Isay，althoughnominallytheEmperorofDelhi，wasinrealitytheslaveofthevariouswarlikechieftainswholordeditbyturnsoverthecountryandthesovereign，untilconqueredandslainbysomemoresuccessfulrebel。ChowderLollMasolgee，ZubberdustKhan，DowsuntRowScindiah，andthecelebratedBobbachyJungBahawder，hadheldforatimecompletemasteryinDelhi。Thesecondofthese，aruthlessAfghansoldier，hadabruptlyenteredthecapital；norwasheejectedfromituntilhehadseizedupontheprincipaljewels，andlikewiseputouttheeyesofthelastoftheunfortunatefamilyofAfrasiab。ScindiahcametotherescueofthesightlessShahAllum，andthoughhedestroyedhisoppressor，onlyincreasedhisslavery；holdinghiminaspainfulabondageashehadsufferedunderthetyrannousAfghan。

Aslongastheseheroeswerebattlingamongthemselves，oraslongratherasitappearedthattheyhadanystrengthtofightabattle，theBritishGovernment，everanxioustoseeitsenemiesbytheears，bynomeansinterferedinthecontest。ButtheFrenchRevolutionbrokeout，andahostofstarvingsans—culottesappearedamongthevariousIndianStates，seekingformilitaryservice，andinflamingthemindsofthevariousnativeprincesagainsttheBritishEastIndiaCompany。AnumberoftheseenteredintoScindiah’sranks：oneofthem，Perron，wascommanderofhisarmy；

andthoughthatchiefwasasyetquiteengagedinhishereditaryquarrelwithJeswuntRowHolkar，andneverthoughtofaninvasionoftheBritishterritory，theCompanyallofasuddendiscoveredthatShahAllum，hissovereign，wasshamefullyill—used，anddeterminedtore—establishtheancientsplendourofhisthrone。

OfcourseitwassheerbenevolenceforpoorShahAllumthatpromptedourgovernorstotakethesekindlymeasuresinhisfavour。

Idon’tknowhowithappenedthat，attheendofthewar，thepoorShahwasnotawhitbetteroffthanatthebeginning；andthatthoughHolkarwasbeaten，andScindiahannihilated，ShahAllumwasmuchsuchapuppetasbefore。Somehow，inthehurryandconfusionofthisstruggle，theoysterremainedwiththeBritishGovernment，whohadsokindlyofferedtodressitfortheEmperor，whileHisMajestywasobligedtobecontentedwiththeshell。

TheforceencampedatKanougeborethetitleoftheGrandArmyoftheGangesandtheJumna；itconsistedofelevenregimentsofcavalryandtwelvebattalionsofinfantry，andwascommandedbyGeneralLakeinperson。

Well，onthe1stofSeptemberwestormedPerron’scampatAllyghur；

onthefourthwetookthatfortressbyassault；andasmynamewasmentionedingeneralorders，ImayaswellquotetheCommander—in—

Chief’swordsregardingme——theywillsparemethetroubleofcomposingmyowneulogium：—

\"TheCommander—in—ChiefisproudthuspubliclytodeclarehishighsenseofthegallantryofLieutenantGahagan，ofthe——Cavalry。

Inthestormingofthefortress，althoughunprovidedwithasingleladder，andaccompaniedbutbyafewbravemen，LieutenantGahagansucceededinescaladingtheinnerandfourteenthwalloftheplace。

Fourteenditcheslinedwithsword—bladesandpoisonedchevaux—de—

frise，fourteenwallsbristlingwithinnumerableartilleryandassmoothaslooking—glasses，wereinturntriumphantlypassedbythatenterprisingofficer。Hiscoursewastobetracedbytheheapsofslaughteredenemieslyingthickupontheplatforms；andalas!bythecorpsesofmostofthegallantmenwhofollowedhim!Whenatlengthheeffectedhislodgment，andthedastardlyenemy，whodarednottoconfronthimwitharms，letlooseuponhimthetigersandlionsofScindiah’smenagerie，thismeritoriousofficerdestroyed，withhisownhand，fourofthelargestandmostferociousanimals，andtherest，awedbytheindomitablemajestyofBRITISHVALOUR，shrankbacktotheirdens。ThomasHiggory，aprivate，andRuntyGoss，havildar，weretheonlytwowhoremainedoutoftheninehundredwhofollowedLieutenantGahagan。Honourtothem!Honourandtearsforthebravemenwhoperishedonthatawfulday!\"

***

Ihavecopiedthis，wordforword，fromtheBengalHurkaruofSeptember24，1803：andanybodywhohastheslightestdoubtastothestatement，mayrefertothepaperitself。

AndhereImustpausetogivethankstoFortune，whichsomarvellouslypreservedme，Sergeant—MajorHiggory，andRuntyGoss。

WereItosaythatanyvalourofourshadcarriedusunhurtthroughthistremendouscombat，thereaderwouldlaughmetoscorn。No：

thoughmynarrativeisextraordinary，itisneverthelessauthentic：

andneverneverwouldIsacrificetruthforthemeresakeofeffect。Thefactisthis：—thecitadelofAllyghurissituateduponarock，aboutathousandfeetabovethelevelofthesea，andissurroundedbyfourteenwalls，ashisExcellencywasgoodenoughtoremarkinhisdespatch。Amanwhowouldmountthesewithoutscaling—ladders，isanass；hewhowouldSAYhemountedthemwithoutsuchassistance，isaliarandaknave。WeHADscaling—

laddersatthecommencementoftheassault，althoughitwasquiteimpossibletocarrythembeyondthefirstlineofbatteries。

Mountedonthem，however，asourtroopswerefallingthickaboutme，Isawthatwemustignominiouslyretreat，unlesssomeotherhelpcouldbefoundforourbravefellowstoescaladethenextwall。Itwasaboutseventyfeethigh。IinstantlyturnedthegunsofwallAonwallB，andpepperedthelattersoastomake，notabreach，butascalingplace；themenmountingintheholesmadebytheshot。Bythissimplestratagem，Imanagedtopasseachsuccessivebarrier——fortoascendawallwhichtheGeneralwaspleasedtocall\"assmoothasglass\"isanabsurdimpossibility：I

seektoachievenonesuch：—

\"Idaredoallthatmaybecomeaman；

Whodaresdomore，isneithermorenorless。\"

Ofcourse，hadtheenemy’sgunsbeencommonlywellserved，notoneofuswouldeverhavebeenaliveoutofthethree；butwhetheritwasowingtofright，ortotheexcessivesmokecausedbysomanypiecesofartillery，arrivewedid。Ontheplatforms，too，ourworkwasnotquitesodifficultasmightbeimagined——killingthesefellowswassheerbutchery。Assoonasweappeared，theyallturnedandfledhelter—skelter，andthereadermayjudgeoftheircouragebythefactthatoutofaboutsevenhundredmenkilledbyus，onlyfortyhadwoundsinfront，therestbeingbayonetedastheyran。

Andbeyondallotherpiecesofgoodfortunewastheverylettingoutofthesetigers；whichwasthedernierressortofBournonville，thesecondcommandantofthefort。Ihadobservedthisman（conspicuousforatricolouredscarfwhichhewore）uponeveryoneofthewallsaswestormedthem，andrunningawaytheveryfirstamongthefugitives。Hehadallthekeysofthegates；andinhistremor，asheopenedthemenagerieportal，leftthewholebunchinthedoor，whichIseizedwhentheanimalswereovercome。RuntyGossthenopenedthemonebyone，ourtroopsentered，andthevictoriousstandardofmycountryfloatedonthewallsofAllyghur!

WhentheGeneral，accompaniedbyhisstaff，enteredthelastlineoffortifications，thebraveoldmanraisedmefromthedeadrhinocerosonwhichIwasseated，andpressedmetohisbreast。

Buttheexcitementwhichhadbornemethroughthefatiguesandperilsofthatfearfuldayfailedallofasudden，andIweptlikeachilduponhisshoulder。

Promotion，inourarmy，goesunluckilybyseniority；norisitinthepoweroftheGeneral—in—ChieftoadvanceaCaesar，ifhefindshiminthecapacityofasubaltern：MYrewardfortheaboveexploitwas，therefore，notveryrich。HisExcellencyhadafavouritehornsnuff—box（for，thoughexaltedinstation，hewasinhishabitsmostsimple）：ofthis，andaboutaquarterofanounceofhigh—driedWelsh，whichhealwaystook，hemademeapresent，saying，infrontoftheline，\"Acceptthis，Mr。Gahagan，asatokenofrespectfromthefirsttothebravestofficerinthearmy。\"

Calculatingthesnufftobeworthahalfpenny，Ishouldsaythatfourpencewasaboutthevalueofthisgift：butithasatleastthisgoodeffect——itservestoconvinceanypersonwhodoubtsmystory，thatthefactsofitarereallytrue。Ihaveleftitattheofficeofmypublisher，alongwiththeextractfromtheBengalHurkaru，andanybodymayexaminebothbyapplyinginthecounting—

houseofMr。Cunningham。{3}Thatoncepopularexpression，orproverb，\"Areyouuptosnuff？\"aroseoutoftheabovecircumstance；fortheofficersofmycorps，noneofwhom，exceptmyself，hadventuredonthestormingparty，usedtotwitmeaboutthismodestrewardformylabours。Nevermind!whentheywantmetostormafortAGAIN，Ishallknowbetter。

Well，immediatelyafterthecaptureofthisimportantfortress，Perron，whohadbeenthelifeandsoulofScindiah’sarmy，cameintous，withhisfamilyandtreasure，andwaspassedovertotheFrenchsettlementsatChandernagur。Bourquientookhiscommand，andagainsthimwenowmoved。Themorningofthe11thofSeptemberfoundusupontheplainsofDelhi。

Itwasaburninghotday，andwewereallrefreshingourselvesafterthemorning’smarch，whenI，whowasontheadvancedpicketalongwithO’GawleroftheKing’sDragoons，wasmadeawareoftheenemy’sneighbourhoodinaverysingularmanner。O’GawlerandI

wereseatedunderalittlecanopyofhorse—cloths，whichwehadformedtoshelterusfromtheintolerableheatofthesun，andwerediscussingwithgreatdelightafewManillacheroots，andastonejarofthemostexquisite，cool，weak，refreshingsangaree。Wehadbeenplayingcardsthenightbefore，andO’Gawlerhadlosttomesevenhundredrupees。Iemptiedthelastofthesangareeintothetwopinttumblersoutofwhichweweredrinking，andholdingmineup，said，\"Here’sbetterlucktoyounexttime，O’Gawler!\"

AsIspokethewords——whish!——acannon—ballcutthetumblercleanoutofmyhand，andplumpedintopoorO’Gawler’sstomach。Itsettledhimcompletely，andofcourseInevergotmysevenhundredrupees。Sucharetheuncertaintiesofwar!

Tostraponmysabreandmyaccoutrements——tomountmyArabcharger——todrinkoffwhatO’Gawlerhadleftofthesangaree——andtogalloptotheGeneral，wastheworkofamoment。IfoundhimascomfortablyattiffinasifhewereathisownhouseinLondon。

\"General，\"saidI，assoonasIgotintohispaijamahs（ortent），\"youmustleaveyourlunchifyouwanttofighttheenemy。\"

\"Theenemy——psha!Mr。Gahagan，theenemyisontheothersideoftheriver。\"

\"IcanonlytellyourExcellencythattheenemy’sgunswillhardlycarryfivemiles，andthatCornetO’Gawlerwasthismomentshotdeadatmysidewithacannon—ball。\"

\"Ha!isitso？\"saidhisExcellency，rising，andlayingdownthedrumstickofagrilledchicken。\"Gentlemen，rememberthattheeyesofEuropeareuponus，andfollowme!\"

Eachaide—de—campstartedfromtableandseizedhiscockedhat；

eachBritishheartbeathighatthethoughtsofthecomingmelee。

Wemountedourhorses，andgallopedswiftlyafterthebraveoldGeneral；Inotthelastinthetrain，uponmyfamousblackcharger。

Itwasperfectlytrue，theenemywerepostedinforcewithinthreemilesofourcamp，andfromahillockintheadvancetowhichwegalloped，wewereenabledwithourtelescopestoseethewholeofhisimposingline。Nothingcanbetterdescribeitthanthis：—

___________________A

/……

/。

/。

—Aistheenemy，andthedotsrepresentthehundredandtwentypiecesofartillerywhichdefendedhisline。Hewasmoreover，entrenched；andawidemorassinhisfrontgavehimanadditionalsecurity。

HisExcellencyforamomentsurveyedtheline，andthensaid，turningroundtooneofhisaides—de—camp，\"OrderupMajor—GeneralTinklerandthecavalry。\"

\"HERE，doesyourExcellencymean？\"saidtheaide—de—camp，surprised，fortheenemyhadperceivedus，andthecannon—ballswereflyingaboutasthickaspeas。

\"HERE，SIR!\"saidtheoldGeneral，stampingwithhisfootinapassion，andtheA。D。C。shruggedhisshouldersandgallopedaway。

Infiveminutesweheardthetrumpetsinourcamp，andintwentymorethegreaterpartofthecavalryhadjoinedus。

Uptheycame，fivethousandmen，theirstandardsflappingintheair，theirlonglineofpolishedjack—bootsgleaminginthegoldensunlight。\"Andnowwearehere，\"saidMajor—GeneralSirTheophilusTinkler，\"whatnext？\"\"Oh，d—it，\"saidtheCommander—in—Chief，\"charge，charge——nothinglikecharging——galloping——guns——rascallyblackscoundrels——charge，charge!\"Andthenturningroundtome（perhapshewasgladtochangetheconversation），hesaid，\"LieutenantGahagan，youwillstaywithme。\"

AndwellforhimIdid，forIdonothesitatetosaythatthebattleWASGAINEDBYME。Idonotmeantoinsultthereaderbypretendingthatanypersonalexertionsofmineturnedtheday，——

thatIkilled，forinstance，aregimentofcavalryorswallowedabatteryofguns，——suchabsurdtaleswoulddisgraceboththehearerandtheteller。I，asiswellknown，neversayasinglewordwhichcannotbeproved，andhatemorethanallothervicestheabsurdsinofegotism：IsimplymeanthatmyADVICEtotheGeneral，ataquarter—pasttwoo’clockintheafternoonofthatday，wonthisgreattriumphfortheBritisharmy。

Gleig，Mill，andThornhavealltoldthetaleofthiswar，thoughsomehowtheyhaveomittedallmentionoftheheroofit。GeneralLake，forthevictoryofthatday，becameLordLakeofLaswaree。

Laswaree!andwho，forsooth，wastherealconquerorofLaswaree？I

canlaymyhanduponmyheartandsaythatIwas。Ifanyproofiswantingofthefact，letmegiveitatonce，andfromthehighestmilitarytestimonyintheworld——ImeanthatoftheEmperorNapoleon。

InthemonthofMarch，1817，Iwaspassengeronboardthe\"PrinceRegent，\"CaptainHarris，whichtouchedatSt。HelenaonitspassagefromCalcuttatoEngland。Incompanywiththeotherofficersonboardtheship，IpaidmyrespectstotheillustriousexileofLongwood，whoreceivedusinhisgarden，wherehewaswalkingabout，inanankeendressandalargebroad—brimmedstrawhat，withGeneralMontholon，CountLasCasas，andhissonEmanuel，thenalittleboy；whoIdaresaydoesnotrecollectme，butwhoneverthelessplayedwithmysword—knotandthetasselsofmyHessianbootsduringthewholeofourinterviewwithhisImperialMajesty。

Ournameswerereadout（inaprettyaccent，bytheway!）byGeneralMontholon，andtheEmperor，aseachwaspronounced，madeabowtotheownerofit，butdidnotvouchsafeaword。AtlastMontholoncametomine。TheEmperorlookedmeatonceintheface，tookhishandsoutofhispockets，putthembehindhisback，andcominguptomesmiling，pronouncedthefollowingwords：—

\"Assaye，Delhi，Deeg，Futtyghur？\"

Iblushed，and，takingoffmyhatwithabow，said，\"Sire，c’estmoi。\"

\"Parbleu!jelesavaisbien，\"saidtheEmperor，holdingouthissnuff—box。\"Enusez—vous，Major？\"Itookalargepinch（which，withthehonourofspeakingtosogreataman，broughtthetearsintomyeyes），andhecontinuedasnearlyaspossibleinthefollowingwords：—

\"Sir，youareknown；youcomeofanheroicnation。Yourthirdbrother，theChefdeBataillon，CountGodfreyGahagan，wasinmyIrishBrigade。\"

Gahagan。\"Sire，itistrue。HeandmycountrymeninyourMajesty’sservicestoodunderthegreenflaginthebreachofBurgos，andbeatWellingtonback。Itwastheonlytime，asyourMajestyknows，thatIrishmenandEnglishmenwerebeateninthatwar。\"

Napoleon（lookingasifhewouldsay，\"D—yourcandour，MajorGahagan\"）。\"Well，well；itwasso。YourbrotherwasaCount，anddiedaGeneralinmyservice。\"

Gahagan。\"Hewasfoundlyinguponthebodiesofnine—and—twentyCossacksatBorodino。Theywerealldead，andboretheGahaganmark。\"

Napoleon（toMontholon）。\"C’estvrai，Montholon：jevousdonnemaparoled’honneurlaplussacree，quec’estvrai。Ilsnesontpasd’autres，cesterriblesGa’gans。YoumustknowthatMonsieurgainedthebattleofDelhiascertainlyasIdidthatofAusterlitz。Inthisway：—CebelitredeLorLake，aftercallinguphiscavalry，andplacingtheminfrontofHolkar’sbatteries，quibalayaientlaplaine，wasforchargingtheenemy’sbatterieswithhishorse，whowouldhavebeenecrases，mitrailles，foudroyestoamanbutforthecunningofcegrandroguequevousvoyez。\"

Montholon。\"CoquindeMajor，va!\"

Napoleon。\"Montholon!tais—toi。WhenLordLake，withhisgreatbull—headedEnglishobstinacy，sawthefacheusepositionintowhichhehadbroughthistroops，hewasfordyingonthespot，andwouldinfalliblyhavedoneso——andthelossofhisarmywouldhavebeentheruinoftheEastIndiaCompany——andtheruinoftheEnglishEastIndiaCompanywouldhaveestablishedmyEmpire（bah!itwasarepublicthen!）intheEast——butthatthemanbeforeus，LieutenantGoliahGahagan，wasridingatthesideofGeneralLake。\"

Montholon（withanaccentofdespairandfury）。\"Gredin!centmilletonnerresdeDieu!\"

Napoleon（benignantly）。\"Calme—toi，monfideleami。Whatwillyou？Itwasfate。Gahagan，atthecriticalperiodofthebattle，orratherslaughter（fortheEnglishhadnotslainamanoftheenemy），advisedaretreat。\"

Montholon。\"Lelache!UnFrancaismeurt，maisilnereculejamais。\"

Napoleon。\"Stupide!Don’tyouseewhytheretreatwasordered？——

don’tyouknowthatitwasafeintonthepartofGahagantodrawHolkarfromhisimpregnableentrenchments？Don’tyouknowthattheignorantIndianfellintothesnare，andissuingfrombehindthecoverofhisguns，camedownwithhiscavalryontheplainsinpursuitofLakeandhisdragoons？ThenitwasthattheEnglishmenturneduponhim；thehardychildrenoftheNorthsweptdownhisfeeblehorsemen，borethembacktotheirguns，whichwereuseless，enteredHolkar’sentrenchmentsalongwithhistroops，sabredtheartillerymenattheirpieces，andwonthebattleofDelhi!\"

AstheEmperorspoke，hispalecheekglowedred，hiseyeflashedfire，hisdeepclearvoicerungasofoldwhenhepointedouttheenemyfrombeneaththeshadowofthePyramids，orralliedhisregimentstothechargeuponthedeath—strewnplainofWagram。I

havehadmanyaproudmomentinmylife，butneversuchaproudoneasthis；andIwouldreadilypardontheword\"coward，\"asappliedtomebyMontholon，inconsiderationofthetestimonywhichhismasterboreinmyfavour。

\"Major，\"saidtheEmperortomeinconclusion，\"whyhadInotsuchamanasyouinmyservice？IwouldhavemadeyouaPrinceandaMarshal!\"andherehefellintoareverie，ofwhichIknewandrespectedthepurport。Hewasthinking，doubtless，thatImighthaveretrievedhisfortunes；andindeedIhaveverylittledoubtthatImight。

Verysoonafter，coffeewasbroughtbyMonsieurMarchand，Napoleon’svalet—de—chambre，andafterpartakingofthatbeverage，andtalkinguponthepoliticsoftheday，theEmperorwithdrew，leavingmedeeplyimpressedbythecondescensionhehadshowninthisremarkableinterview。