th 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 scar