o resist the Mamelukes and hold the beasts
besides; but even that we learned with time."

This explanation, little flattering as it was to the cavalry, seemed to
convince the listeners that time, which smoothes so many difficulties,
will even make a man content to be a dragoon.

"Well, since you will not be 'of ours,'" said Francois, "let us drink a
parting cup, and say good-by, for I hear the bugle sounding the call."

"A health to the 'Faubourg St. Antoine,' boys!" cried I, and a hearty
cheer re-echoed the toast; and with many a shake-hands, and many a
promise of welcome whenever I saw the error of my ways sufficiently to
doff the dolman for the voltigeur's jacket, I took leave of the gallant
Twenty-second, and set out towards Weimar.

CHAPTER XXV. BERLIN AFTER "JENA."

As the battle of Austerlitz was the deathblow to the empire of Austria,
so with the defeat at Jena did Prussia fall, and that great kingdom
became a prey to the conquering Napoleon. Were this a fitting place,
it might be curious to inquire into the causes which involved a ruin so
sudden and so complete; and how a vast and highly organized army seemed
at one fell stroke annihilated and destroyed.

The victories of Jena and Auerstadt, great and decisive as they were,
were nevertheless inadequate to such results; and if the genius of the
Emperor had not been as prompt to follow up as to gain a battle, they
never would have occurred. But scarcely had the terrible contest ceased,
when he sent for the Saxon officers who were taken prisoners, and
addressing them in a tone of kindness, declared at once that they were
at liberty and might return to their homes, first pledging their words
not to carry arms against France or her allies. One hundred and twenty
officers of different grades, from lieutenant-general downwards, gave
this promise and retired to their own country, extolling the generosity
of Napoleon. This first step was soon followed up by another and more
important one; negotiations were opened with the Elector of Saxony,
and the title of king offered to him on condition of his joining the
Confederacy of the Rhine; and thus once more the artful policy already
pursued with regard to Bavaria in the south, was here renewed in the
north of Germany, and with equal success.

This deep-laid scheme deprived the Prussian army of eighteen thousand
men, and that on the very moment when defeat and disaster had spread
their demoralizing influences throu