I
TOULON
Onthe18thJune，1815，attheverymomentwhenthedestinyofEuropewasbeingdecidedatWaterloo，amandressedlikeabeggarwassilentlyfollowingtheroadfromToulontoMarseilles。
ArrivedattheentranceoftheGorgeofOllioulles，hehaltedonalittleeminencefromwhichhecouldseeallthesurroundingcountry；
theneitherbecausehehadreachedtheendofhisjourney，orbecause，beforeattemptingthatforbidding，sombrepasswhichiscalledtheThermopylaeofProvence，hewishedtoenjoythemagnificentviewwhichspreadtothesouthernhorizonalittlelonger，hewentandsatdownontheedgeoftheditchwhichborderedtheroad，turninghisbackonthemountainswhichriselikeanamphitheatretothenorthofthetown，andhavingathisfeetarichplaincoveredwithtropicalvegetation，exoticsofaconservatory，treesandflowersquiteunknowninanyotherpartofFrance。
Beyondthisplain，glitteringinthelastraysofthesun，paleandmotionlessasamirrorlaythesea，andonthesurfaceofthewaterglidedonebrig-of-war，which，takingadvantageofafreshlandbreeze，hadallsailsspread，andwasbowlingalongrapidly，makingforItalianseas。ThebeggarfollowediteagerlywithhiseyesuntilitdisappearedbetweentheCapeofGienandthefirstoftheislandsofHyeres，thenasthewhiteapparitionvanishedhesigheddeeply，lethisheadfallintohishands，andremainedmotionlessandabsorbedinhisreflectionsuntilthetramplingsofacavalcademadehimstart；helookedup，shookbackhislongblackhair，asifhewishedtogetridofthegloomythoughtswhichwereoverwhelminghim，and，lookingattheentrancetothegorgefromwhencethenoisecame，hesoonsawtworidersappear，whowerenodoubtwellknowntohim，for，drawinghimselfuptohisfullheight，heletfallthestickhewascarrying，andfoldinghisarmsheturnedtowardsthem。Ontheirsidethenew-comershadhardlyseenhimbeforetheyhalted，andtheforemostdismounted，threwhisbridletohiscompanion，anduncovering，thoughfiftypacesfromthemaninrags，advancedrespectfullytowardshim。Thebeggarallowedhimtoapproachwithanairofsombredignityandwithoutasinglemovement；then，whenhewasquitenear——
\"Well，marshal，have，younewsforme？\"saidthebeggar。
\"Yes，sire，\"saidtheothersadly。
\"Andwhatarethey？\"
\"SuchthatIcouldwishitwereanyonebutmyselftoannouncethemtoyourMajesty————\"
\"SotheEmperorrefusesmyservices！HeforgetsthevictoriesofAboukir，Eylau，andMoscow？\"
\"No，sire；butheremembersthetreatyofNaples，thetakingofReggio，andthedeclarationofwaroftheviceroyofItaly。\"
Thebeggarstruckhisforehead。
\"Yes，yes！IdaresayhethinksIdeservehisreproaches，andyetitseemstomethatheoughttorememberthattherearetwomeninme——
thesoldierwhomhemadehisbrother，andthebrotherwhomhemadeaking……Yes，asbrotherIhavetreatedhimill——veryill，butasking，uponmysoul，Icouldnothaveacteddifferently……Ihadtochoosebetweenmyswordandmycrown，andbetweenaregimentandapeople。Listen，Brune：youdonotknowhowitallhappened。TherewasanEnglishfleet，thegunsofwhichweregrowlingintheport，therewasaNeapolitanpopulationhowlinginthestreets。IfIhadbeenalone，Iwouldhavepassedthroughthefleetwithoneboat，throughthecrowdwithmyswordalone，butIhadawifeandchildren。
YetIhesitated；theideaofbeingcalledtraitoranddesertercausedmetoshedmoretearsthanthelossofmythrone，orperhapsthedeathofthoseIlovebest，willeverwringfromme……Andsohewillhavenothingmoretodowithme？Herefusesmeasgeneral，captain，private？Thenwhatisleftformetodo？\"
\"Sire，yourMajestymustleaveFranceimmediately。\"
\"AndifIdon’tobey？\"
\"Myordersaretoarrestyouanddeliveryouuptoacourt-martial！\"
\"Oldcomrade，youwillnotdothat？\"
\"Ishalldoit，prayingGodtostrikemedeadinthemomentIlayhandsonyou！\"
\"That’syouallover，Brune。Youhavebeenabletoremainagood，loyalfellow。Hedidnotgiveyouakingdom，hedidnotencircleyourbrowwithabandofironwhichmencallacrownandwhichdrivesonemad；hedidnotplaceyoubetweenyourconscienceandyourfamily。SoImustleaveFrance，beginmyvagabondlifeagain，andsayfarewelltoToulon，whichrecallssomanymemoriestome！See，Brune，\"continuedMurat，leaningonthearmofthemarshal，\"arenotthepinesyonderasfineasanyattheVillaPamfili，thepalmsasimposingasanyatCairo，themountainsasgrandasanyrangeintheTyrol？Looktoyourleft，isnotCapeGiensomethinglikeCastellamareandSorrento——leavingoutVesuvius？Andsee，Saint-
Mandrieratthefarthestpointofthegulf，isitnotlikemyrockofCapri，whichLamarquejuggledawaysocleverlyfromthatidiotofaSirHudsonLowe？MyGod！andImustleaveallthis！IstherenowayofremainingonthislittlecornerofFrenchground——tellme，Brune！\"
\"You’llbreakmyheart，sire！\"answeredthemarshal。
\"Well，we’llsaynomoreaboutit。Whatnews？\"
\"TheEmperorhasleftParistojointhearmy。Theymustbefightingnow。\"
\"FightingnowandInotthere！Oh，IfeelIcouldhavebeenofusetohimonthisbattlefield。HowIwouldhavegloriedinchargingthosemiserablePrussiansanddastardlyEnglish！Brune，givemeapassport，I’llgoatfullspeed，I’llreachthearmy，Iwillmakemyselfknowntosomecolonel，Ishallsay，’Givemeyourregiment。’
I’llchargeatitshead，andiftheEmperordoesnotclaspmyhandto-night，I’llblowmybrainsout，IswearIwill。DowhatIask，Brune，andhoweveritmayend，myeternalgratitudewillbeyours！\"
\"Icannot，sire。\"
\"Well，well，saynomoreaboutit。\"
\"AndyourMajestyisgoingtoleaveFrance？\"
\"Idon’tknow。Obeyyourorders，marshal，andifyoucomeacrossmeagain，havemearrested。That’sanotherwayofdoingsomethingforme。Lifeisaheavyburdennowadays。Hewhowillrelievemeofitwillbewelcome……Good-bye，Brune。\"
Heheldouthishandtothemarshal，whotriedtokissit；butMuratopenedhisarms，thetwooldcomradesheldeachotherfastforamoment，withswellingheartsandeyesfulloftears；thenatlasttheyparted。Bruneremountedhishorse，Muratpickeduphisstickagain，andthetwomenwentawayinoppositedirections，onetomeethisdeathbyassassinationatAvignon，theothertobeshotatPizzo。
Meanwhile，likeRichardIII，NapoleonwasbarteringhiscrownagainstahorseatWaterloo。
Aftertheinterviewthathasjustbeenrelated，Murattookrefugewithhisnephew，whowascalledBonafoux，andwhowascaptainofafrigate；butthisretreatcouldonlybetemporary，fortherelationshipwouldinevitablyawakethesuspicionsoftheauthorities。Inconsequence，Bonafouxsetaboutfindingamoresecretplaceofrefugeforhisuncle。Hehitononeofhisfriends，anavocat，amanfamedforhisintegrity，andthatveryeveningBonafouxwenttoseehim。
Afterchattingongeneralsubjects，heaskedhisfriendifhehadnotahouseattheseaside，andreceivinganaffirmativeanswer，heinvitedhimselftobreakfasttherethenextday；theproposalnaturallyenoughwasagreedtowithpleasure。ThenextdayattheappointedhourBonafouxarrivedatBonette，whichwasthenameofthecountryhousewhereM。Marouin’swifeanddaughterwerestaying。
M。MarouinhimselfwaskeptbyhisworkatToulon。Aftertheordinarygreetings，Bonafouxsteppedtothewindow，beckoningtoMarouintorejoinhim。
\"Ithought，\"hesaiduneasily，\"thatyourhousewasbythesea。\"
\"Wearehardlytenminutes’walkfromit。\"
\"Butitisnotinsight。\"
\"Thathillpreventsyoufromseeingit。\"
\"Maywegoforastrollonthebeachbeforebreakfastisserved？\"
\"Byallmeans。Well，yourhorseisstillsaddled。Iwillordermine——Iwillcomebackforyou。\"
Marouinwentout。Bonafouxremainedatthewindow，absorbedinhisthoughts。Theladiesofthehouse，occupiedinpreparationsforthemeal，didnotobserve，ordidnotappeartoobserve，hispreoccupation。InfiveminutesMarouincameback。Hewasreadytostart。Theavocatandhisfriendmountedtheirhorsesandrodequicklydowntothesea。Onthebeachthecaptainslackenedhispace，andridingalongtheshoreforabouthalfanhour，heseemedtobeexaminingthebearingsofthecoastwithgreatattention。Marouinfollowedwithoutinquiringintohisinvestigations，whichseemednaturalenoughforanavalofficer。
Afteraboutanhourthetwomenwentbacktothehouse。
Marouinwishedtohavethehorsesunsaddled，butBonafouxobjected，sayingthathemustgobacktoToulonimmediatelyafterlunch。
Indeed，thecoffeewashardlyfinishedbeforeheroseandtookleaveofhishosts。Marouin，calledbacktotownbyhiswork，mountedhishorsetoo，andthetwofriendsrodebacktoToulontogether。Afterridingalongfortenminutes，Bonafouxwentclosetohiscompanionandtouchedhimonthethigh——
\"Marouin，\"hesaid，\"Ihaveanimportantsecrettoconfidetoyou。\"
\"Speak，captain。Afterafatherconfessor，youknowthereisnoonesodiscreetasanotary，andafteranotaryanavocat。\"
\"YoucanquiteunderstandthatIdidnotcometoyourcountryhousejustforthepleasureoftheride。Amoreimportantobject，aseriousresponsibility，preoccupiedme；Ihavechosenyououtofallmyfriends，believingthatyouweredevotedenoughtometorendermeagreatservice。\"
\"Youdidwell，captain。\"
\"Letusgostraighttothepoint，asmenwhorespectandtrusteachothershoulddo。Myuncle，KingJoachim，isproscribed，hehastakenrefugewithme；buthecannotremainthere，forIamthefirstpersontheywillsuspect。Yourhouseisinanisolatedposition，andconsequentlywecouldnotfindabetterretreatforhim。Youmustputitatourdisposaluntileventsenablethekingtocometosomedecision。\"
\"Itisatyourservice，\"saidMarouin。
\"Right。Myuncleshallsleepthereto-night。\"
\"Butatleastgivemetimetomakesomepreparationsworthyofmyroyalguest。\"
\"MypoorMarouin，youaregivingyourselfunnecessarytrouble，andmakingavexatiousdelayforus：KingJoachimisnolongeraccustomedtopalacesandcourtiers；heisonlytoohappynowadaystofindacottagewithafriendinit；besides，Ihavelethimknowaboutit，sosurewasIofyouranswer。Heiscountingonsleepingatyourhouseto-night，andifItrytochangehisdeterminationnowhewillseearefusalinwhatisonlyapostponement，andyouwillloseallthecreditforyourgenerousandnobleaction。There——itisagreed：
to-nightattenattheChampsdeMars。\"
Withthesewordsthecaptainputhishorsetoagallopanddisappeared。Marouinturnedhishorseandwentbacktohiscountryhousetogivethenecessaryordersforthereceptionofastrangerwhosenamehedidnotmention。
Atteno’clockatnight，ashadbeenagreed，MarouinwasontheChampsdeMars，thencoveredwithMarshalBrune’sfield-artillery。
Noonehadarrivedyet。Hewalkedupanddownbetweenthegun-
carriagesuntilafunctionarycametoaskwhathewasdoing。Hewashardputtoittofindananswer：amanishardlylikelytobewanderingaboutinanartilleryparkatteno’clockatnightforthemerepleasureofthething。Heaskedtoseethecommandingofficer。
Theofficercameup：M。Marouininformedhimthathewasanavocat，attachedtothelawcourtsofToulon，andtoldhimthathehadarrangedtomeetsomeoneontheChampsdeMars，notknowingthatitwasprohibited，andthathewasstillwaitingforthatperson。Afterthisexplanation，theofficerauthorisedhimtoremain，andwentbacktohisquarters。Thesentinel，afaithfuladherenttodiscipline，continuedtopaceupanddownwithhismeasuredstep，withouttroublinganymoreaboutthestranger’spresence。
AfewmomentslateragroupofseveralpersonsappearedfromthedirectionofLesLices。Thenightwasmagnificent，andthemoonbrilliant。MarouinrecognisedBonafoux，andwentuptohim。Thecaptainatoncetookhimbythehandandledhimtotheking，andspeakinginturntoeachofthem——
\"Sire，\"hesaid，\"hereisthefriend。Itoldyouof。\"
ThenturningtoMarouin——
\"Here，\"hesaid，\"istheKingofNaples，exileandfugitive，whomI
confidetoyourcare。Idonotspeakofthepossibilitythatsomedayhemaygetbackhiscrown，thatwoulddepriveyouofthecreditofyourfineaction……Now，behisguide——wewillfollowatadistance。March！\"
Thekingandthelawyersetoutatoncetogether。Muratwasdressedinabluecoat-semi-military，semi-civil，buttonedtothethroat；heworewhitetrousersandtopbootswithspurs；hehadlonghair，moustache，andthickwhiskers，whichwouldreachroundhisneck。
Astheyrodealonghequestionedhishostaboutthesituationofhiscountryhouseandthefacilityforreachingtheseaincaseofasurprise。TowardsmidnightthekingandMarouinarrivedatBonette；
theroyalsuitecameupinabouttenminutes；itconsistedofaboutthirtyindividuals。Afterpartakingofsomelightrefreshment，thislittletroop，thelastofthecourtofthedeposedking，retiredtodisperseinthetownanditsenvirons，andMuratremainedalonewiththewomen，onlykeepingonevaletnamedLeblanc。
Muratstayednearlyamonthinthisretirement，spendingallhistimeinansweringthenewspaperswhichaccusedhimoftreasontotheEmperor。Thisaccusationwashisabsorbingidea，aphantom，aspectretohim；dayandnighthetriedtoshakeitoff，seekinginthedifficultpositioninwhichhehadfoundhimselfallthereasonswhichitmightofferhimforactingashehadacted。MeanwhiletheterriblenewsofthedefeatatWaterloohadspreadabroad。TheEmperorwhohadexiledhimwasanexilehimself，andhewaswaitingatRochefort，likeMuratatToulon，tohearwhathisenemieswoulddecideagainsthim。NooneknowstothisdaywhatinwardpromptingNapoleonobeyedwhen，rejectingthecounselsofGeneralLallemandeandthedevotionofCaptainBodin，hepreferredEnglandtoAmerica，andwentlikeamodernPrometheustobechainedtotherockofSt。
Helena。
WearegoingtorelatethefortuitouscircumstancewhichledMurattothemoatofPizzo，thenwewillleaveittofataliststodrawfromthisstrangestorywhateverphilosophicaldeductionmaypleasethem。
We，ashumbleannalists，canonlyvouchforthetruthofthefactswehavealreadyrelatedandofthosewhichwillfollow。
KingLouisXVIIIremountedhisthrone，consequentlyMuratlostallhopeofremaininginFrance；hefelthewasboundtogo。HisnephewBonafouxfittedoutafrigatefortheUnitedStatesunderthenameofPrinceRoccaRomana。Thewholesuitewentonboard，andtheybegantocarryontotheboatallthevaluableswhichtheexilehadbeenabletosavefromtheshipwreckofhiskingdom。Firstabagofgoldweighingnearlyahundredpounds，asword-sheathonwhichweretheportraitsoftheking，thequeen，andtheirchildren，thedeedofthecivilestatesofhisfamilyboundinvelvetandadornedwithhisarms。Muratcarriedonhispersonabeltwheresomepreciouspaperswereconcealed，withaboutascoreofunmounteddiamonds，whichheestimatedhimselftobeworthfourmillions。
Whenallthesepreparationsfordepartingwereaccomplished，itwasagreedthatthenextday，the1stofAugust，atfiveo’clock，aboatshouldfetchthekingtothebrigfromalittlebay，tenminutes’
walkfromthehousewherehewasstaying。ThekingspentthenightmakingoutarouteforM。Marouinbywhichhecouldreachthequeen，whowastheninAustria，Ithink。
Itwasfinishedjustasitwastimetoleave，andoncrossingthethresholdofthehospitablehousewherehehadfoundrefugehegaveittohishost，slippedintoavolumeofapocketeditionofVoltaire。Belowthestoryof’Micromegas’thekinghadwritten：
[ThevolumeisstillinthehandsofM。Marouin，atToulon。]
Reassureyourself，dearCaroline；althoughunhappy，Iamfree。Iamdeparting，butIdonotknowwhitherIambound。WhereverImaybemyheartwillbewithyouandmychildren。\"J。M。\"
TenminuteslaterMuratandhishostwerewaitingonthebeachatBonettefortheboatwhichwastotakethemouttotheship。
Theywaiteduntilmidday，andnothingappeared；andyetonthehorizontheycouldseethebrigwhichwastobehisrefuge，unabletolieatanchoronaccountofthedepthofwater，sailingalongthecoastattheriskofgivingthealarmtothesentinels。
Atmiddaytheking，wornoutwithfatigueandtheheatofthesun，waslyingonthebeach，whenaservantarrived，bringingvariousrefreshments，whichMadameMarouin，beingveryuneasy，hadsentatallhazardstoherhusband。Thekingtookaglassofwineandwaterandateanorange，andgotupforamomenttoseewhethertheboathewasexpectingwasnowherevisibleonthevastnessofthesea。Therewasnotaboatinsight，onlythebrigtossinggracefullyonthehorizon，impatienttobeoff，likeahorseawaitingitsmaster。
Thekingsighedandlaydownagainonthesand。
TheservantwentbacktoBonettewithamessagesummoningM。Marouin’sbrothertothebeach。Hearrivedinafewminutes，andalmostimmediatelyafterwardsgallopedoffatfullspeedtoToulon，inordertofindoutfromM。Bonafouxwhytheboathadnotbeensenttotheking。Onreachingthecaptain’shouse，hefounditoccupiedbyanarmedforce。TheyweremakingasearchforMurat。
Themessengeratlastmadehiswaythroughthetumulttothepersonhewasinsearchof，andheheardthattheboathadstartedattheappointedtime，andthatitmusthavegoneastrayinthecreeksofSaintLouisandSainteMarguerite。Thiswas，infact，exactlywhathadhappened。
Byfiveo’clockM。Marouinhadreportedthenewstohisbrotherandtheking。Itwasbadnews。Thekinghadnocouragelefttodefendhislifeevenbyflight，hewasinastateofprostrationwhichsometimesoverwhelmsthestrongestofmen，incapableofmakinganyplanforhisownsafety，andleavingM。Marouintodothebesthecould。Justthenafishermanwascomingintoharboursinging。
Marouinbeckonedtohim，andhecameup。
Marouinbeganbybuyingalltheman’sfish；then，whenhehadpaidhimwithafewcoins，heletsomegoldglitterbeforehiseyes，andofferedhimthreelouisifhewouldtakeapassengertothebrigwhichwaslyingofftheCroix-des-Signaux。Thefishermanagreedtodoit。ThischanceofescapegavebackMuratallhisstrength；hegotup，embracedMarouin，andbeggedhimtogotothequeenwiththevolumeofVoltaire。Thenhesprangintotheboat，whichinstantlylefttheshore。
ItwasalreadysomedistancefromthelandwhenthekingstoppedthemanwhowasrowingandsignedtoMarouinthathehadforgottensomething。OnthebeachlayabagintowhichMurathadputamagnificentpairofpistolsmountedwithsilvergiltwhichthequeenhadgivenhim，andwhichhesetgreatstoreon。Assoonashewaswithinhearingheshoutedhisreasonforreturningtohishost。
Marouinseizedthevalise，andwithoutwaitingforMurattolandhethrewitintotheboat；thebagflewopen，andoneofthepistolsfellout。Thefishermanonlyglancedonceattheroyalweapon，butitwasenoughtomakehimnoticeitsrichnessandtoarousehissuspicions。Nevertheless，hewentonrowingtowardsthefrigate。
M。Marouinseeinghimdisappearinthedistance，lefthisbrotheronthebeach，andbowingoncemoretotheking，returnedtothehousetocalmhiswife’sanxietiesandtotakethereposeofwhichhewasinmuchneed。
Twohourslaterhewasawakened。Hishousewastobesearchedinitsturnbysoldiers。Theysearchedeverynookandcornerwithoutfindingatraceoftheking。Justastheyweregettingdesperate，thebrothercamein；Maroumsmiledathim；believingthekingtobesafe，butbythenew-comer’sexpressionhesawthatsomefreshmisfortunewasinthewind。Inthefirstmoment’srespitegivenhimbyhisvisitorshewentuptohisbrother。
\"Well，\"hesaid，\"Ihopethekingisonboard？\"
\"Thekingisfiftyyardsaway，hiddenintheouthouse。\"
\"Whydidhecomeback？\"
\"Thefishermanpretendedhewasafraidofasuddensquall，andrefusedtotakehimofftothebrig。\"
\"Thescoundrel！\"
Thesoldierscameinagain。
Theyspentthenightinfruitlesssearchingaboutthehouseandbuildings；severaltimestheypassedwithinafewstepsoftheking，andhecouldheartheirthreatsandimprecations。Atlast，halfanhourbeforedawn，theywentaway。Marouinwatchedthemgo，andwhentheywereoutofsightherantotheking。Hefoundhimlyinginacorner，apistolclutchedineachhand。Theunhappymanhadbeenovercomebyfatigueandhadfallenasleep。Marouinhesitatedamomenttobringhimbacktohiswandering，tormentedlife，buttherewasnotaminutetolose。Hewokehim。
Theywentdowntothebeachatonce。Amorningmistlayoverthesea。Theycouldnotseeanythingtwohundredyardsahead。Theywereobligedtowait。Atlastthefirstsunbeamsbegantopiercethisnocturnalmist。Itslowlydispersed，glidingovertheseaascloudsmoveinthesky。Theking’shungryeyerovedoverthetossingwatersbeforehim，buthesawnothing，yethecouldnotbanishthehopethatsomewherebehindthatmovingcurtainhewouldfindhisrefuge。
Littlebylittlethehorizoncameintoview；lightwreathsofmist，likesmoke，stillfloatedaboutthesurfaceofthewater，andineachofthemthekingthoughtherecognisedthewhitesailsofhisvessel。
Thelastgraduallyvanished，theseawasrevealedinallitsimmensity，itwasdeserted。Notdaringtodelayanylonger，theshiphadsailedawayinthenight。
\"So，\"saidtheking，\"thedieiscast。IwillgotoCorsica。\"
ThesamedayMarshalBrunewasassassinatedatAvignon。
II
CORSICA
OncemoreonthesamebeachatBonette，inthesamebaywherehehadawaitedtheboatinvain，stillattendedbyhisbandoffaithfulfollowers，wefindMuratonthe22ndAugustinthesameyear。ItwasnolongerbyNapoleonthathewasthreatened，itwasbyLouisXVIII
thathewasproscribed；itwasnolongerthemilitaryloyaltyofMarshalBrunewhocamewithtearsinhiseyestogivenoticeoftheordershehadreceived，buttheungratefulhatredofM。deRiviere，whohadsetaprice[48，000francs。]ontheheadofthemanwhohadsavedhisown。[ConspiracyofPichegru。]M。deRivierehadindeedwrittentotheex-KingofNaplesadvisinghimtoabandonhimselftothegoodfaithandhumanityoftheKingofFrance，buthisvagueinvitationhadnotseemedsufficientguaranteetotheoutlaw，especiallyonthepartofonewhohadallowedtheassassinationalmostbeforehiseyesofamanwhocarriedasafe-conductsignedbyhimself。MuratknewofthemassacreoftheMamelukesatMarseilles，theassassinationofBruneatAvignon；hehadbeenwarnedthedaybeforebythepoliceofToulonthataformalorderforhisarrestwasout；thusitwasimpossiblethatheshouldremainanylongerinFrance。Corsica，withitshospitabletowns，itsfriendlymountains，itsimpenetrableforests，washardlyfiftyleaguesdistant；hemustreachCorsica，andwaitinitstowns，mountains，andforestsuntilthecrownedheadsofEuropeshoulddecidethefateofthemantheyhadcalledbrotherforsevenyears。
Atteno’clockat，nightthekingwentdowntotheshore。Theboatwhichwastotakehimacrosshadnotreachedtherendezvous，butthistimetherewasnottheslightestfearthatitwouldfail；thebayhadbeenreconnoitredduringthedaybythreemendevotedtothefallenfortunesoftheking——MessieursBlancard，Langlade，andDonadieu，allthreenavalofficers，menofabilityandwarmheart，whohadswornbytheirownlivestoconveyMurattoCorsica，andwhowereinfactriskingtheirlivesinordertoaccomplishtheirpromise。Muratsawthedesertedshorewithoutuneasiness，indeedthisdelayaffordedhimafewmoremomentsofpatrioticsatisfaction。
Onthislittlepatchofland，thisstripofsand，theunhappyexileclungtohismotherFrance，foroncehisfoottouchedthevesselwhichwastocarryhimaway，hisseparationfromFrancewouldbelong，ifnoteternal。Hestartedsuddenlyamidstthesethoughtsandsighed：hehadjustperceivedasailglidingoverthewaveslikeaphantomthroughthetransparentdarknessofthesouthernnight。Thenasailor’ssongwasheard；Muratrecognisedtheappointedsignal，andanswereditbyburningtheprimingofapistol，andtheboatimmediatelyraninshore；butasshedrewthreefeetofwater，shewasobligedtostoptenortwelvefeetfromthebeach；twomendashedintothewaterandreachedthebeach，whileathirdremainedcrouchinginthestern-sheetswrappedinhisboat-cloak。
\"Well，mygoodfriends，\"saidtheking，goingtowardsBlancardandLangladeuntilhefeltthewaveswethisfeet\"themomentiscome，isitnot？Thewindisfavourable，theseacalm，wemustgettosea。\"
\"Yes，answeredLanglade，\"yes，wemuststart；andyetperhapsitwouldbewisertowaittillto-morrow。\"
\"Why？\"askedMurat。
Langladedidnotanswer，butturningtowardsthewest，heraisedhishand，andaccordingtothehabitofsailors，hewhistledtocallthewind。
\"That’snogood，\"saidDonadieu，whohadremainedintheboat。\"Herearethefirstgusts；youwillhavemorethanyouknowwhattodowithinaminute……Takecare，Langlade，takecare！Sometimesincallingthewindyouwakeupastorm。\"
Muratstarted，forhethoughtthatthiswarningwhichrosefromtheseahadbeengivenhimbythespiritofthewaters；buttheimpressionwasapassingone，andherecoveredhimselfinamoment。
\"Allthebetter，\"hesaid；\"themorewindwehave，thefasterweshallgo。\"
\"Yes，\"answeredLanglade，\"butGodknowswhereitwilltakeusifitgoesonshiftinglikethis。\"
\"Don’tstartto-night，sire，\"saidBlancard，addinghisvoicetothoseofhistwocompanions。
\"Butwhynot？\"
\"Youseethatbankofblackcloudthere，don’tyou？Well，atsunsetitwashardlyvisible，nowitcoversagoodpartofthesky，inanhourtherewon’tbeastartobeseen。\"
\"Areyouafraid？\"askedMurat。
\"Afraid！\"answeredLanglade。\"Ofwhat？Ofthestorm？ImightaswellaskifyourMajestyisafraidofacannon-ball。Wehavedemurredsolelyonyouraccount，sire；doyouthinkseadogslikeourselveswoulddelayonaccountofthestorm？\"
\"Thenletusgo！\"criedMurat，withasigh。
\"Good-bye，Marouin……Godalonecanrewardyouforwhatyouhavedoneforme。Iamatyourorders，gentlemen。\"
Atthesewordsthetwosailorsseizedthekingendhoistedhimontotheirshoulders，andcarriedhimintothesea；inanothermomenthewasonboard。LangladeandBlancardspranginbehindhim。Donadieuremainedatthehelm，thetwootherofficersundertookthemanagementoftheboat，andbegantheirworkbyunfurlingthesails。Immediatelythepinnaceseemedtorouseherselflikeahorseattouchofthespur；thesailorscastacarelessglanceback，andMuratfeelingthattheyweresailingaway，turnedtowardshishostandcalledforalasttime——
\"YouhaveyourrouteasfarasTrieste。Donotforgetmywife！……
Good-bye-good-bye————！\"
\"Godkeepyou，sire！\"murmuredMarouin。
Andforsometime，thankstothewhitesailwhichgleamedthroughthedarkness，hecouldfollowwithhiseyestheboatwhichwasrapidlydisappearing；atlastitvanishedaltogether。Marouinlingeredontheshore，thoughhecouldseenothing；thenheheardacry，madefaintbythedistance；itwasMurat’slastadieutoFrance。
WhenM。Marouinwastellingmethesedetailsoneeveningontheveryspotwhereitallhappened，thoughtwentyyearshadpassed，herememberedclearlytheslightestincidentsoftheembarkationthatnight。Fromthatmomentheassuredmethatapresentimentofmisfortuneseizedhim；hecouldnottearhimselfawayfromtheshore，andseveraltimeshelongedtocallthekingback，but，likeamaninadream，heopenedhismouthwithoutbeingabletoutterasound。
Hewasafraidofbeingthoughtfoolish，anditwasnotuntiloneo’clockthatis，twoandahalfhoursafterthedepartureoftheboat-thathewenthomewithasadandheavyheart。
TheadventurousnavigatorshadtakenthecoursefromToulontoBastia，andatfirstitseemedtothekingthatthesailors’
predictionswerebelied；thewind，insteadofgettingup，felllittlebylittle，andtwohoursafterthedeparturetheboatwasrockingwithoutmovingforwardorbackwardonthewaves，whichweresinkingfrommomenttomoment。Muratsadlywatchedthephosphorescentfurrowtrailingbehindthelittleboat：hehadnervedhimselftofaceastorm，butnotadeadcalm，andwithouteveninterrogatinghiscompanions，ofwhoseuneasinesshetooknoaccount，helaydownintheboat，wrappedinhiscloak，closinghiseyesasifhewereasleep，andfollowingtheflowofhisthoughts，whichwerefarmoretumultuousthanthatofthewaters。Soonthetwosailors，thinkinghimasleep，joinedthepilot，andsittingdownbesidethehelm，theybegantoconsulttogether。
\"Youwerewrong，Langlade，\"saidDonadieu，\"inchoosingacraftlikethis，whichiseithertoosmallorelsetoobig；inanopenboatwecanneverweatherastorm，andwithoutoarswecannevermakeanywayinacalm。\"
\"’ForeGod！Ihadnochoice。IwasobligedtotakewhatIcouldget，andifithadnotbeentheseasonfortunny-fishingImightnotevenhavegotthiswretchedpinnace，orratherIshouldhavehadtogointotheharbourtofindit，andtheykeepsuchasharplookoutthatImightwellhavegoneinwithoutcomingoutagain。\"
\"Atleastitisseaworthy，\"saidBlancard。
\"Pardieu，youknowwhatnailsandplanksarewhentheyhavebeensoakedinsea-waterfortenyears。Onanyordinaryoccasion，amanwouldrathernotgoinherfromMarseillestotheChateaud’If，butonanoccasionlikethisonewouldwillinglygoroundtheworldinanutshell。\"
\"Hush！\"saidDonadieu。Thesailorslistened，；adistantgrowlwasheard，butitwassofaintthatonlytheexperiencedearofasailorcouldhavedistinguishedit。
\"Yes，yes，\"saidLanglade，\"itisawarningforthosewhohavelegsorwingstoregainthehomesandneststhattheyoughtnevertohaveleft。\"
\"Arewefarfromtheislands？\"askedDonadieuquickly。
\"Aboutamileoff。\"
\"Steerforthem。\"
\"Whatfor？\"askedMurat，lookingup。
\"Toputinthere，sire，ifwecan。\"
\"No，no，\"criedMurat；\"IwillnotlandexceptinCorsica。IwillnotleaveFranceagain。Besides，theseaiscalmandthewindisgettingupagain——\"
\"Downwiththesails！\"shoutedDonadieu。InstantlyLangladeandBlancardjumpedforwardtocarryouttheorder。Thesailsliddownthemastandfellinaheapinthebottomoftheboat。
\"Whatareyoudoing？\"criedMurat。\"DoyouforgetthatIamkingandthatIcommandyou？\"
\"Sire，\"saidDonadieu，\"thereisakingmorepowerfulthanyou——God；
thereisavoicewhichdrownsyours——thevoiceofthetempest：letussaveyourMajestyifpossible，anddemandnothingmoreofus。\"
Justthenaflashoflightningquiveredalongthehorizon，aclapofthundernearerthanthefirstonewasheard，alightfoamappearedonthesurfaceofthewater，andtheboattrembledlikealivingthing。
Muratbegantounderstandthatdangerwasapproaching，thenhegotupsmiling，threwhishatbehindhim，shookbackhislonghair，andbreathedinthestormlikethesmellofpowder——thesoldierwasreadyforthebattle。
\"Sire，\"saidDonadieu，\"youhaveseenmanyabattle，butperhapsyouhaveneverwatchedastormifyouarecuriousaboutit，clingtothemast，foryouhaveafineopportunitynow。\"
\"WhatoughtItodo？\"saidMurat。\"CanInothelpyouinanyway？\"
\"No，notjustnow，sire；lateryouwillbeusefulatthepumps。\"
Duringthisdialoguethestormhaddrawnnear；itrushedonthetravellerslikeawar-horse，breathingoutfireandwindthroughitsnostrils，neighinglikethunder，andscatteringthefoamofthewavesbeneathitsfeet。
Donadieuturnedtherudder，theboatyieldedasifitunderstoodthenecessityforpromptobedience，andpresentedthepooptotheshockofwind；thenthesquallpassed，leavingtheseaquivering，andeverythingwascalmagain。Thestormtookbreath。
\"Willthatgustbeall？\"askedMurat。
\"No，yourMajesty，thatwastheadvance-guardonly；thebodyofthearmywillbeupdirectly。\"
\"Andareyounotgoingtoprepareforit？\"askedthekinggaily。
\"Whatcouldwedo？\"saidDonadieu。\"Wehavenotaninchofcanvastocatchthewind，andaslongaswedonotmaketoomuchwater，weshallfloatlikeacork。Lookout-sire！\"
Indeed，asecondhurricanewasonitsway，bringingrainandlightning；itwasswifterthanthefirst。Donadieuendeavouredtorepeatthesamemanoeuvre，buthecouldnotturnbeforethewindstrucktheboat，themastbentlikeareed；theboatshippedawave。
\"Tothepumps！\"criedDonadieu。\"Sire，nowisthemomenttohelpus-
——-\"
Blancard，Langlade，andMuratseizedtheirhatsandbegantobaleouttheboat。Thepositionofthefourmenwasterrible——itlastedthreehours。
Atdawnthewindfell，buttheseawasstillhigh。Theybegantofeeltheneedoffood：alltheprovisionshadbeenspoiledbysea-water，onlythewinehadbeenpreservedfromitscontact。
Thekingtookabottleandswallowedalittlewinefirst，thenhepassedittohiscompanions，whodrankintheirturn：necessityhadovercomeetiquette。BychanceLangladehadonhimafewchocolates，whichheofferedtotheking。Muratdividedthemintofourequalparts，andforcedhiscompanionstotaketheirshares；then，whenthemealwasover，theysteeredforCorsica，buttheboathadsufferedsomuchthatitwasimprobablethatitwouldreachBastia。
Thewholedaypassedwithoutmakingtenmiles；theboatwaskeptunderthejib，astheydarednothoistthemainsail，andthewind。
wassovariablethatmuchtimewaslostinhumouringitscaprices。
Byeveningtheboathaddrawnaconsiderableamountofwater，itpenetratedbetweentheboards，thehandkerchiefsofthecrewservedtopluguptheleaks，andnight，whichwasdescendinginmournfulgloom，wrappedthemasecondtimeindarkness。Prostratedwithfatigue，Muratfellasleep，BlancardandLangladetooktheirplaces。
besideDonadieu，andthethreemen，whoseemedinsensibletothecallsofsleepandfatigue，watchedoverhisslumbers。
Thenightwascalmenoughapparently，butlowgrumblingswereheardnowandthen。
Thethreesailorslookedateachotherstrangelyandthenattheking，whowassleepingatthebottomoftheboat，hiscloaksoakedwithsea-water，sleepingassoundlyashehadsleptonthesandsofEgyptorthesnowsofRussia。
Thenoneofthemgotupandwenttotheotherendoftheboat，whistlingbetweenhisteethaProvencalair；then，afterexaminingthesky，thewaves；andtheboat，hewentbacktohiscomradesandsatdown，muttering，\"Impossible！Exceptbyamiracle，weshallnevermaketheland。\"
Thenightpassedthroughallitsphases。Atdawntherewasavesselinsight。
\"Asail！\"criedDonadieu，——\"asail！\"
Atthiscrytheking——awoke；andsoonalittletradingbrighoveinsight，goingfromCorsicatoToulon。
Donadieusteeredforthebrig，Blancardhoistedenoughsailtoworktheboat，andLangladerantotheprowandhelduptheking’scloakontheendofasortofharpoon。Soonthevoyagersperceivedthattheyhadbeensighted，thebrigwentabouttoapproachthem，andintenminutestheyfoundthemselveswithinfiftyyardsofit。Thecaptainappearedinthe-bows。ThenthekinghailedhimandofferedhimasubstantialrewardifhewouldreceivethemonboardandtakethemtoCorsica。Thecaptainlistenedtotheproposal；thenimmediatelyturningtothecrew，hegaveanorderinanundertonewhichDonadieucouldnothear，butwhichheunderstoodprobablybythegesture，forheinstantlygaveLangladeandBlancardtheordertomakeawayfromtheschooner。Theyobeyedwiththeunquestioningpromptitudeofsailors；butthekingstampedhisfoot。
\"Whatareyoudoing，Donadieu？Whatareyouabout？Don’tyouseethatsheiscominguptous？\"
\"Yes——uponmysoul——sosheis……DoasIsay，Langlade；ready，Blancard。Yes，sheiscominguponus，andperhapsIwastoolateinseeingthis。That’sallright——that’sallright：mypartnow。\"
Thenheforcedovertherudder，givingitsoviolentajerkthattheboat，forcedtochangehercoursesuddenly，seemedtorearandplungelikeahorsestrugglingagainstthecurb；finallysheobeyed。Ahugewave，raisedbythegiantbearingdownonthepinnace，carrieditonlikealeaf，andthebrigpassedwithinafewfeetofthestern。
\"Ah！……traitor！\"criedtheking，whohadonlyjustbeguntorealisetheintentionofthecaptain。Atthesametime，hepulledapistolfromhisbelt，crying\"Boardher！boardher！\"andtriedtofireonthebrig，butthepowderwaswetandwouldnotcatch。Thekingwasfurious，andwentonshouting\"Boardher！boardher！\"
\"Yes，thewretch，orrathertheimbecile，\"saidDonadieu，\"hetookusforpirates，andwantedtosinkus——asifweneededhimtodothat！\"
Indeed，asingleglanceattheboatshowedthatshewasbeginningtomakewater。
Theeffort——toescapewhichDonadieuhadmadehadstrainedtheboatterribly，andthewaterwaspouringinbyanumberofleaksbetweentheplanks；theyhadtobeginagainbailingoutwiththeirhats，andwentonatitfortenhours。ThenforthesecondtimeDonadieuheardtheconsolingcry，\"Asail！asail！\"Thekingandhiscompanionsimmediatelyleftoffbailing；theyhoistedthesailsagain，andsteeredforthevesselwhichwascomingtowardsthem，andneglectedtofightagainstthewater，whichwasrisingrapidly。
>Fromthattimeforthitwasaquestionoftime，ofminutes，ofseconds；itwasaquestionofreachingtheshipbeforetheboatfoundered。
Thevessel，however，seemedtounderstandthedesperatepositionofthemenimploringhelp；shewascomingupatfullspeed。Langladewasthefirsttorecogniseher；shewasaGovernmentfeluccaplyingbetweenToulonandBastia。Langladewasafriendofthecaptain，andhecalledhisnamewiththepenetratingvoiceofdesperation，andhewasheard。Itwashightime：thewaterkeptonrising，andthekingandhiscompanionswerealreadyuptotheirknees；theboatgroanedinitsdeath-struggle；itstoodstill，andbegantogoroundandround。
Justthentwoorthreeropesthrownfromthefeluccafellupontheboat；thekingseizedone，sprangforward，andreachedtherope-ladder：hewassaved。
BlancardandLangladeimmediatelyfollowed。Donadieuwaiteduntilthelast，aswashisduty，andasheputhisfootontheladderhefelttheotherboatbegintogounder；heturnedroundwithallasailor’scalm，andsawthegulfopenitsjawsbeneathhim，andthentheshatteredboatcapsized，andimmediatelydisappeared。Fivesecondsmore，andthefourmenwhoweresavedwouldhavebeenlostbeyondrecall！[ThesedetailsarewellknowntothepeopleofToulon，andIhaveheardthemmyselfascoreoftimesduringthetwostaysthatImadeinthattownduring1834and1835。Someofthepeoplewhorelatedthemhadthemfirst-handfromLangladeandDonadieuthemselves。]