but they found
that that marshal had retired, according to his instructions, and that
they were left alone in Malodeczno with only sixty men. All the rest had
fled; the rigour of the climate had completely knocked up their
soldiers, whom the Russians to the very last moment were unable to
conquer; their arms fell from their hands, and they themselves fell at a
few paces distance from their arms.

Maison, who united great vigour of mind with a very strong constitution,
was not intimidated; he continued his retreat to Bienitza, rallying at
every step men who were incessantly escaping from him, but still
continuing to give proofs of the existence of a rear-guard, with a few
foot-soldiers. This was all that was required; for the Russians
themselves were frozen, and obliged to disperse before night into the
neighbouring habitations, which they durst not quit until it was
completely daylight. They then recommenced their pursuit of us, but
without making any attack; for with the exception of some numb efforts,
the violence of the temperature was such as not to allow either party to
halt with the view of making an attack, or of defending themselves.

In the mean time, Ney, being surprised at Victor's departure, went after
him, overtook him, and tried to prevail upon him to halt; but the Duke
of Belluno, having orders to retreat, refused. Ney then wanted him to
give him up his soldiers, offering to take the command of them; but
Victor would neither consent to do that, nor to take the rear-guard
without express orders. In the altercation which arose in consequence
between these two, the Prince of the Moskwa gave way to his passion in a
most violent manner, without producing any effect on the coolness of
Victor. At last an order of the Emperor arrived; Victor was instructed
to support the retreat, and Ney was summoned to Smorgoni.

CHAP. XIII.

Napoleon had just arrived there amidst a crowd of dying men, devoured
with chagrin, but not allowing the least emotion to exhibit itself in
his countenance, at the sight of these unhappy men's sufferings, who, on
the other hand, had allowed no murmurs to escape them in his presence.
It is true that a seditious movement was impossible; it would have
required an additional effort, as the strength of every man was fully
occupied in struggling with hunger, cold, and fatigue; it would have
required union, agreement, and mutual understanding, while famine and so
many evils separated