for his adversaries. He was continually inventing new
schemes to surprise his opponents, now sending out a party of
skirmishers to attack them in the rear or on the flanks, again luring
them into a direct assault upon the rampart, and then leading his
soldiers up and over the ice walls to scatter the enemy down the street.
By sunset there was no doubt as to which was the victor. The flag, which
was the prize of battle, was formally awarded to the boys who had held
the fort.

There was no doubt that young Napoleon Bonaparte knew how to lead
others. He had shown that ability to an amazing degree ever since he had
first entered the school of Brienne when he was only nine years old. The
boys at Brienne were all being trained to be soldiers, and they were all
brought up in strict military discipline which would have been irksome
to many a boy. The young Corsican, however, liked it and seemed to
thrive on it.

Some of the rules of the school were curious. Until they were twelve
years old the boys had to keep their hair cut short, after that they
were allowed to wear a pigtail, but could powder their hair only on
Sundays and Saints' Days. Each boy had a separate room which was much
like a cell, containing a hard bed with only a rug for covering. The
boys had to stay in school for six years, and they were never allowed
to leave on any pretense whatever. During the long vacation which
lasted from September fifteenth to November second they had only one
lesson a day and had plenty of time for outdoor sports. Everything
possible was done to fire their ardor for military life. They were
encouraged to read the lives of great men, especially Plutarch's
"Lives," and those historical plays which deal with great French scenes.
History and geography were the chief studies, and after those two,
mathematics. In all of these branches Bonaparte took great delight.

Singularly enough the school, although designed to train boys for
warriors, was entirely under the charge of an order of Friars. Neither
teachers nor boys could help but admit Napoleon's great strength of
character. When the Abbe in charge organized the school into companies
of cadets the command of one company was given to this boy. He ruled
those under him with a rod of iron, and finally the boys who were the
commanders of the other companies decided to hold a court-martial.

Bonaparte was brought before them and charged with being unworthy to
command his schoolfellows beca