now at one place five feet deep, he guided the (p. 197)
remains of his army to a lower altitude, and went into winter quarters
between the Iler and the Lech.

Souvorof complained bitterly to the czar of the Austrian generals, who
had given him ample reason. At about this time Napoleon had returned
from his fruitless campaign in Egypt, and at Marengo defeated the
Austrians, whereby the results of Souvorof's campaign were lost. Paul
was angry at Austria and Great Britain. Napoleon, shrewdly guessed the
czar's feelings, released the Russian prisoners, after equipping them
anew. Paul satisfied that Napoleon was an enemy of republican
institutions, conceived an intense admiration for his military genius,
and came to an understanding with him to overthrow British rule in
India. The czar at once commenced to prepare its execution. Two armies
were formed; one was to march on the Upper Indus by way of Khiva and
Bokhara, while the Cossacks under their hetman Denisof would go by
Orenburg. He was confident that the gigantic task could be
accomplished, and sent daily instructions to the hetman.

Napoleon had a far better idea of the difficulties, but he did not
consider the expedition as hopeless. But even if it failed, he would
be the winner, because England would be compelled to send most of her
navy to India, while Russia would be too fully occupied, to interfere
with his projects in Europe. The Cossacks started on their long
journey, by crossing the Volga on the floating ice when, on the 24th
of March, 1801, Paul was assassinated in his palace.

There was no doubt as to the guilty men, but Paul's son, Alexander,
who succeeded him, did not order an investigation. Pahlen, Panine, (p. 198)
Zoubof, and others, known as the "men of the 24th of March," were
removed from office, but that was their only punishment. Paul's mother
had alienated her grandchildren from the father, and Alexander always
showed greater affection for Catherine than for Paul. The greatest
sufferer was Napoleon, who saw his grand schemes go up in smoke.
Alexander reversed his father's policy, both at home and abroad. He
came to an understanding with England. Napoleon tried earnestly to
secure the new czar's friendship. He wanted a free hand in Europe and
in return offered the same privilege in Asia, but Alexander mistrusted
the First Consul. The murder of the Duke of Enghien, who, by
Napoleon's order, was kidnaped in a neutral territory and shot,--still
fu