aitor! Was it
for this you gained so many victories?_ Many members rushed upon the
intruder, and, if we may place confidence in his own tale, a Corsican
deputy, by name, Arena, aimed a dagger at his throat. At all events
there was such an appearance of personal danger as fired the grenadiers
behind him. They rushed forwards, and extricated him almost breathless;
and one of their number (Thome) was at least rewarded on the score of
his having received a wound meant for the General.

It seems to be admitted that at this moment the iron nerves of
Buonaparte were, for once, shaken. With the dangers of the field he was
familiar--in order to depict the perfect coolness of his demeanour
during the greater part of this very day, his secretary says--"_he was
as calm as at the opening of a great battle_;" but he had not been
prepared for the manifestations of this civil rage. He came out,
staggering and stammering, among the soldiery, and said, "I offered them
victory and fame, and they have answered me with daggers."

Sieyes, an experienced observer of such scenes, was still on horseback
in the court, and quickly re-assured him. General Augereau came up but a
moment afterwards, and said, "You have brought yourself into a pretty
situation." "Augereau," answered Napoleon (once more himself again),
"things were worse at Arcola. Be quiet: all this will soon right
itself." He then harangued the soldiery. "I have led you to victory, to
fame, to glory. Can I count upon you?" "Yes, yes, we swear it" (was the
answer that burst from every line), "_Vive Buonaparte!_"

In the council, meantime, the commotion had increased on the retreat of
Napoleon. A general cry arose for a sentence of outlawry against him;
and Lucien, the President, in vain appealed to the feelings of nature,
demanding that, instead of being obliged to put that question to the
vote, he might be heard as the advocate of his brother. He was
clamorously refused, and in indignation flung off the insignia of his
office. Some grenadiers once more entered, and carried him also out of
the place.

Lucien found the soldiery without in a high state of excitement. He
immediately got upon horseback, that he might be seen and heard the
better, and exclaimed: "General Buonaparte, and you, soldiers of France,
the President of the Council of Five Hundred announces to you that
factious men with daggers interrupt the deliberations of the senate. He
authorises you to employ force. The As