column reeled back
behind the ridge. Again the cannonade opened, and increasing on both
sides, was maintained for above an hour without intermission. During
this, our guns did tremendous execution on the village, but without
effecting anything of importance respecting the bridge.

The Grenadiers of the Guard had reached the scene of combat, by forced
marches, from Nangis; and after a brief time to recruit their strength,
were now ordered up. What a splendid force that massive column,
conspicuous by their scarlet shoulder-knots and tall shakos of black
bearskin! with what confidence they move! They halt beneath the rock.
The Emperor is there too. And see! the officer who stands beside him
descends from the height, and puts himself at the head of the column:
it is Guyot, the colonel of the battalion; he waves his plumed hat in
answer to the Emperor,--that salute is the last he shall ever give on
earth.

The drums roll out; but the hoarse shout of "En avant!" drowns their
tumult. On they rush; they are over the height; they disappear down the
descent. And see! there they are on the bridge! "Vive la Garde!" shouted
ten thousand of their comrades, who watch them from the heights; "Vive
la Garde!" is echoed from the tall cliffs beyond the river. The column
moves on, and already reaches the middle of the bridge, when eighteen
guns throw their fire into it: the blue smoke rolls down the rocky
heights and settles on the bridge, broken here and there by flashes,
like the forked gleam of lightning; the cloud passes oyer; the bridge is
empty, save of dead and dying: the Grenadiers of the Guard are no more!

"What heart is his who gives his fellow-men to death like this!" was my
exclamation as I witnessed this terrible struggle.

"The Cuirassiers and Carbineers of the Guard to form by threes in column
of attack!" shouted an aide-de-camp, as he rode up to where I lay. And
no more thought had I of _his_ motives, who now opened the path of glory
to myself.

The squadrons were arrayed under cover of the ridge; the shot and shells
from the enemy's batteries flew thickly over us,--a presage of the storm
we were about to meet. The order to mount was given; and as the men
sprang into their saddles, a group of horsemen galloped rapidly round
the angle of the cliff, and approached. One glance showed me it was the
Emperor and his staff.

"Cuirassiers of the Guard," said he, as with raised chapeau he saluted
his brave followers, "I have