ccess. 'We must be mounted,' he
said, 'and each man must have his carbine and pistols; I will take care
to prepare everything requisite by tomorrow. We shall also want three
new suits of regimentals for the soldiers, who dare not appear in an
affray of this kind in the uniform of their regiment. I handed him the
hundred pistoles which I had got from M. de T----; it was all expended
the next morning, to the very last sou. I inspected the three
soldiers; I animated them with the most liberal promises; and to
confirm their confidence in me, I began by making each man a present of
ten pistoles.

"The momentous day having arrived, I sent one of them at an early hour
to the Hospital, to ascertain the exact time when the police were to
start with their prisoners. Although I merely took this precaution
from my excessive anxiety, it turned out to have been a prudent step.
I had formed my plans upon false information, which I had received as
to their destination; and believing that it was at Rochelle this
unhappy group was to embark, all my trouble would have been thrown away
in waiting for them on the Orleans road. However, I learned, by the
soldier's report, that they would go out towards Rouen, and that it was
from Havre-de-Grace they were to sail for America.

"We at once went to the gate of St. Honore, taking care to go by
different streets. We assembled at the end of the faubourg. Our
horses were fresh. In a little time we observed before us the six
archers and the two wretched caravans, which you saw at Passy two years
ago. The sight alone almost deprived me of my strength and senses.
'Oh fate!' said I to myself, 'cruel fate! grant me now either death or
victory.'

"We hastily consulted as to the mode of making the attack. The
cavalcade was only four hundred paces in advance, and we might
intercept them by cutting across a small field, round which the high
road led. The guardsman was for this course, in order to fall suddenly
upon them while unprepared. I approved of the plan, and was the first
to spur my horse forward--but fate once again relentlessly blasted all
my hopes.

"The escort, seeing five horsemen riding towards them, inferred that it
was for the purpose of attacking them. They put themselves in a
position of defence, preparing their bayonets and guns with an air of
resolution.

"This demonstration, which in the guardsman and myself only inspired
fresh courage, had a very different effect up