ing
the top, a brilliant spectacle of a thousand watchfires met the eye: so
close did they seem, it looked like one great volcanic crater blazing
on the mountain top; while above, the lurid glow reddened the black sky,
and melted away into the darkness in clouds of faint yellowish hue. Far,
very far away, and to the north, stretched another much longer line of
fires, but at great intervals apart, and occupying, as well as I might
guess, about two leagues in extent. Several smaller fires dotted the
plain, marking the outpost positions; and it was not difficult to trace
the different lines of either army even by these indications.

While I yet looked, the Emperor had gained a short distance in advance
of me; and suddenly I heard the hoarse challenge of a sentry, calling
out, "Qui vive?" Buried in his own thoughts,--perhaps far too deeply
lost in meditation to hear the cry,--Napoleon never replied nor
slackened his speed. "Qui vive?" shouted the voice again: and before
I could advance, the sharp bang of a musket-shot rang out; another and
another followed; and then a roll of fire swept along the plain, happily
not in the direction of the Emperor. But already he had thrown himself
from his horse, and lay flat upon the ground.

[Illustration: 264]

Not a moment was now to be lost. I dashed my spurs into my jaded horse,
and rode forwards, calling aloud, at the top of my voice, "The Emperor!
the Emperor!" Still, the panic overbore my words, and another discharge
was given: with one bullet I was struck in the shoulder, another killed
my horse; but springing to my legs in an instant, I rushed on, repeating
my cry. Before I could do more than point to the spot, Napoleon
came forward, leading his horse by the bridle. His step was slow and
measured, and his face--for many a torchlight was now gathered to the
place--was calm and tranquil.

"Ye are well upon the alert, _mes enfant!_" said he, with a smile; "see
that ye be as ready with your fire to-morrow!" A wild cheer answered
these words, while he continued: "These are the new levies, Lieutenant;
the Guards would have had more patience. Where is the officer who
followed me?"

"Here, Sire," said I, endeavoring to conceal the appearance of being
wounded.

"Mount, sir, and accompany me to headquarters."

"My horse is killed, Sire."

"Yes, _parbleu!_" said a young soldier, who had not learned much respect
before his superiors; "and he has a ball in his neck himself."

"Are