fresh energy to me in the path I followed; and in these solitary hours I
made those acquisitions in knowledge which in after life were to render
me the most important services, and prepare me for the contingencies of
a soldier's career.

While thus engaged, time rolled over, and already the dark and gloomy
month of January set in with clouded skies and nights of storm and
rain. Everything wore its most cheerless aspect. Not only were the trees
leafless and bare, the roads broken up and fissured with streams of
water, but the neglected look of the chateau itself bespoke the sad
and gloomy, season. The closed shutters, the closely barred doors,
the statues covered up with mats to protect them from the weather, the
conservatories despoiled of all their gay habitants, betrayed that the
time was passed when in the warm air of sunset happy groups wandered
hither and thither, inhaling the rich odors of the flowers and gazing on
the brilliant landscape.

It was about nine o'clock at night. The storm that usually began each
evening at the same hour was already stirring in fitful gusts among the
bare branches of the trees, or sending a sudden plash of rain against
the windows, when, as I drew closer to ray fire, and was preparing to
enjoy myself for the evening over my book, I heard the regular tramping
sound of a cavalry horse approaching along the terrace; the jingle of
the accoutrements was a noise I could not mistake. I arose, but before I
reached the door I heard a deep voice call out,--

"The Sous-Lieutenant Burke; a despatch from Paris." I took
the paper, which was sealed and folded in the most formal
manner, and returning to the room, opened it. The contents
ran thus:--

Sous-Lieutenant: On receipt of this you are commanded to
station four dragoons of your party, with a corporal, on the
road leading from Chaillot to Versailles, who shall detain
all persons passing that way unable to account
satisfactorily for their presence. You will also station a
picket of two dragoons at the cross-road from the Tron to
St. Cloud for the like purpose. The remainder of your party
to be under arms during the night, and if requisite, at the
disposal of Captain Lepelletier. For the execution of which,
the present order will be your responsibility.

(Signed) Savary,

Colonel de Gendarmerie d'Elite.

Given at the Tuileries, January 14, 1804.

"