ted but for a second or two, and then dashed forward again;
and I soon perceived we were ascending a steep hill, covered with ferns
and brushwood. We had not gone far, when a single aide-de-camp who
accompanied him turned his horse's head and rode rapidly down the
mountain again.

Napoleon was now alone, some fifty paces in front. I could see the faint
outline through the darkness, my sight guided by my hearing to the spot.
His pace, wherever the ground permitted, was rapid; but constantly he
was obliged to hold in, and pick his steps among the stones and dwarf
wood that covered the mountain. Never shall I cease to remember the
strange sensations I felt as I followed him up that steep ascent.
There was he, the greatest monarch of the universe, alone, wending his
solitary way in darkness, his thoughts bent on the great event before
him,--the tremendous conflict in which thousands must fall. There was a
sense of awe in the thought of being so near to one on whose slightest
word the destiny of nations seemed to hang; and I could not look on the
dark object before me without a superstitious feeling, deeper than fear
itself, for that mightiest of men.

My thoughts permitted my taking no note of time, and I know not how long
it was before we reached the crest of the hill, over whose bleak surface
a cold, cutting wind was blowing. It seemed as if a great tableland
extended now for some distance on every side, over which the Emperor
took his way, as though accustomed to the ground. While I was wondering
at the certainty with which he appeared to determine on his road, I
remarked the feeble flickering of a light far away towards the horizon,
and by which it was evident he guided his steps. As we rode on, several
watchfires could be seen towards the northwest, stretching away to a
great distance, and throwing a yellowish glare in the dark sky above
them. Suddenly I perceived the Emperor halt and dismount, and as
speedily again he was in the saddle; but now his path took a different
direction, and diverged considerably to the southward. Curious to learn
what might have caused his change of direction, I rode up to the
spot, and got off. It was the embers of a watchfire; they were almost
extinguished, but still, as the horse's hoof struck the wood, a few
sparks were emitted. It was this, then, which altered his course; and
once more he pressed his horse to speed.

A steep ascent of some hundred yards lay before us now. But on gain