Aftertheengagement，theywereinhastetoburythedeadbodies。
　　Deathhasafashionofharassingvictory，andshecausesthepesttofollowglory。Thetyphusisaconcomitantoftriumph。
　　Thiswellwasdeep，anditwasturnedintoasepulchre。Threehundreddeadbodieswerecastintoit。Withtoomuchhasteperhaps。
　　Weretheyalldead？Legendsaystheywerenot。Itseemsthatonthenightsucceedingtheinterment，feeblevoiceswereheardcallingfromthewell。
　　Thiswellisisolatedinthemiddleofthecourtyard。Threewalls，partstone，partbrick，andsimulatingasmall，squaretower，andfoldedliketheleavesofascreen，surrounditonallsides。
　　Thefourthsideisopen。Itistherethatthewaterwasdrawn。
　　Thewallatthebottomhasasortofshapelessloophole，possiblytheholemadebyashell。Thislittletowerhadaplatform，ofwhichonlythebeamsremain。Theironsupportsofthewellontherightformacross。Onleaningover，theeyeislostinadeepcylinderofbrickwhichisfilledwithaheaped—upmassofshadows。
　　Thebaseofthewallsallaboutthewellisconcealedinagrowthofnettles。
　　ThiswellhasnotinfrontofitthatlargeblueslabwhichformsthetableforallwellsinBelgium。Theslabhasherebeenreplacedbyacross—beam，againstwhichleanfiveorsixshapelessfragmentsofknottyandpetrifiedwoodwhichresemblehugebones。
　　Thereisnolongereitherpail，chain，orpulley；butthereisstillthestonebasinwhichservedtheoverflow。Therain—watercollectsthere，andfromtimetotimeabirdoftheneighboringforestscomesthithertodrink，andthenfliesaway。Onehouseinthisruin，thefarmhouse，isstillinhabited。Thedoorofthishouseopensonthecourtyard。Uponthisdoor，besideaprettyGothiclock—plate，thereisanironhandlewithtrefoilsplacedslanting。
　　AtthemomentwhentheHanoverianlieutenant，Wilda，graspedthishandleinordertotakerefugeinthefarm，aFrenchsapperhewedoffhishandwithanaxe。
　　ThefamilywhooccupythehousehadfortheirgrandfatherGuillaumevanKylsom，theoldgardener，deadlongsince。Awomanwithgrayhairsaidtous:"Iwasthere。Iwasthreeyearsold。Mysister，whowasolder，wasterrifiedandwept。Theycarriedusofftothewoods。Iwentthereinmymother’sarms。Wegluedourearstotheearthtohear。Iimitatedthecannon，andwentboum！boum！"
　　Adooropeningfromthecourtyardontheleftledintotheorchard，soweweretold。Theorchardisterrible。
　　Itisinthreeparts；onemightalmostsay，inthreeacts。
　　Thefirstpartisagarden，thesecondisanorchard，thethirdisawood。Thesethreepartshaveacommonenclosure:onthesideoftheentrance，thebuildingsofthechateauandthefarm；
　　ontheleft，ahedge；ontheright，awall；andattheend，awall。
　　Thewallontherightisofbrick，thewallatthebottomisofstone。
　　Oneentersthegardenfirst。Itslopesdownwards，isplantedwithgooseberrybushes，chokedwithawildgrowthofvegetation，andterminatedbyamonumentalterraceofcutstone，withbalustradewithadoublecurve。
　　ItwasaseignorialgardeninthefirstFrenchstylewhichprecededLeNotre；to—dayitisruinsandbriars。Thepilastersaresurmountedbyglobeswhichresemblecannon—ballsofstone。
　　Forty—threebalusterscanstillbecountedontheirsockets；therestlieprostrateinthegrass。Almostallbearscratchesofbullets。
　　Onebrokenbalusterisplacedonthepedimentlikeafracturedleg。
　　Itwasinthisgarden，furtherdownthantheorchard，thatsixlight—infantrymenofthe1st，havingmadetheirwaythither，andbeingunabletoescape，hunteddownandcaughtlikebearsintheirdens，acceptedthecombatwithtwoHanoveriancompanies，oneofwhichwasarmedwithcarbines。TheHanoverianslinedthisbalustradeandfiredfromabove。Theinfantrymen，replyingfrombelow，sixagainsttwohundred，intrepidandwithnosheltersavethecurrant—bushes，tookaquarterofanhourtodie。
　　Onemountsafewstepsandpassesfromthegardenintotheorchard，properlyspeaking。There，withinthelimitsofthosefewsquarefathoms，fifteenhundredmenfellinlessthananhour。
　　Thewallseemsreadytorenewthecombat。Thirty—eightloopholes，piercedbytheEnglishatirregularheights，aretherestill。
　　InfrontofthesixthareplacedtwoEnglishtombsofgranite。
　　Thereareloopholesonlyinthesouthwall，astheprincipalattackcamefromthatquarter。Thewallishiddenontheoutsidebyatallhedge；
　　theFrenchcameup，thinkingthattheyhadtodealonlywithahedge，crossedit，andfoundthewallbothanobstacleandanambuscade，withtheEnglishguardsbehindit，thethirty—eightloopholesfiringatonceashowerofgrape—shotandballs，andSoye’sbrigadewasbrokenagainstit。ThusWaterloobegan。
　　Nevertheless，theorchardwastaken。Astheyhadnoladders，theFrenchscaleditwiththeirnails。Theyfoughthandtohandamidthetrees。Allthisgrasshasbeensoakedinblood。
　　AbattalionofNassau，sevenhundredstrong，wasoverwhelmedthere。
　　Theoutsideofthewall，againstwhichKellermann’stwobatteriesweretrained，isgnawedbygrape—shot。
　　Thisorchardissentient，likeothers，inthemonthofMay。
　　Ithasitsbuttercupsanditsdaisies；thegrassistallthere；
　　thecart—horsesbrowsethere；cordsofhair，onwhichlinenisdrying，traversethespacesbetweenthetreesandforcethepasser—bytobendhishead；onewalksoverthisuncultivatedland，andone’sfootdivesintomole—holes。Inthemiddleofthegrassoneobservesanuprootedtree—bolewhichliesthereallverdant。
　　MajorBlackmannleanedagainstittodie。BeneathagreattreeintheneighborhoodfelltheGermangeneral，Duplat，descendedfromaFrenchfamilywhichfledontherevocationoftheEdictofNantes。
　　Anagedandfallingapple—treeleansfarovertooneside，itswounddressedwithabandageofstrawandofclayeyloam。
　　Nearlyalltheapple—treesarefallingwithage。Thereisnotonewhichhasnothaditsbulletoritsbiscayan。[6]Theskeletonsofdeadtreesaboundinthisorchard。Crowsflythroughtheirbranches，andattheendofitisawoodfullofviolets。
　　[6]Abulletaslargeasanegg。
　　Bauduin，killed，Foywounded，conflagration，massacre，carnage，arivuletformedofEnglishblood，Frenchblood，Germanbloodmingledinfury，awellcrammedwithcorpses，theregimentofNassauandtheregimentofBrunswickdestroyed，Duplatkilled，Blackmannkilled，theEnglishGuardsmutilated，twentyFrenchbattalions，besidesthefortyfromReille’scorps，decimated，threethousandmeninthathovelofHougomontalonecutdown，slashedtopieces，shot，burned，withtheirthroatscut，——andallthissothatapeasantcansayto—daytothetraveller:Monsieur，givemethreefrancs，andifyoulike，IwillexplaintoyoutheaffairofWaterloo！
　　CHAPTERIII
　　THEEIGHTEENTHOFJUNE，1815
　　Letusturnback，——thatisoneofthestory—teller’srights，——
　　andputourselvesoncemoreintheyear1815，andevenalittleearlierthantheepochwhentheactionnarratedinthefirstpartofthisbooktookplace。
　　Ifithadnotrainedinthenightbetweenthe17thandthe18thofJune，1815，thefateofEuropewouldhavebeendifferent。
　　Afewdropsofwater，moreorless，decidedthedownfallofNapoleon。
　　AllthatProvidencerequiredinordertomakeWaterlootheendofAusterlitzwasalittlemorerain，andacloudtraversingtheskyoutofseasonsufficedtomakeaworldcrumble。
　　ThebattleofWaterloocouldnotbebegununtilhalf—pasteleveno’clock，andthatgaveBluchertimetocomeup。Why？Becausethegroundwaswet。Theartilleryhadtowaituntilitbecamealittlefirmerbeforetheycouldmanoeuvre。
　　Napoleonwasanartilleryofficer，andfelttheeffectsofthis。
　　Thefoundationofthiswonderfulcaptainwasthemanwho，inthereporttotheDirectoryonAboukir，said:Suchaoneofourballskilledsixmen。Allhisplansofbattlewerearrangedforprojectiles。
　　Thekeytohisvictorywastomaketheartilleryconvergeononepoint。
　　Hetreatedthestrategyofthehostilegenerallikeacitadel，andmadeabreachinit。Heoverwhelmedtheweakpointwithgrape—shot；
　　hejoinedanddissolvedbattleswithcannon。Therewassomethingofthesharpshooterinhisgenius。Tobeatinsquares，topulverizeregiments，tobreaklines，tocrushanddispersemasses，——forhimeverythinglayinthis，tostrike，strike，strikeincessantly，——
　　andheintrustedthistasktothecannon—ball。Aredoubtablemethod，andonewhich，unitedwithgenius，renderedthisgloomyathleteofthepugilismofwarinvincibleforthespaceoffifteenyears。
　　Onthe18thofJune，1815，hereliedallthemoreonhisartillery，becausehehadnumbersonhisside。Wellingtonhadonlyonehundredandfifty—ninemouthsoffire；Napoleonhadtwohundredandforty。
　　Supposethesoildry，andtheartillerycapableofmoving，theactionwouldhavebegunatsixo’clockinthemorning。
　　Thebattlewouldhavebeenwonandendedattwoo’clock，threehoursbeforethechangeoffortuneinfavorofthePrussians。
　　WhatamountofblameattachestoNapoleonforthelossofthisbattle？
　　Istheshipwreckduetothepilot？
　　WasittheevidentphysicaldeclineofNapoleonthatcomplicatedthisepochbyaninwarddiminutionofforce？Hadthetwentyyearsofwarwornoutthebladeasithadwornthescabbard，thesoulaswellasthebody？Didtheveteranmakehimselfdisastrouslyfeltintheleader？Inaword，wasthisgenius，asmanyhistoriansofnotehavethought，sufferingfromaneclipse？Didhegointoafrenzyinordertodisguisehisweakenedpowersfromhimself？
　　Didhebegintowaverunderthedelusionofabreathofadventure？
　　Hadhebecome——agravematterinageneral——unconsciousofperil？
　　Isthereanage，inthisclassofmaterialgreatmen，whomaybecalledthegiantsofaction，whengeniusgrowsshort—sighted？Oldagehasnoholdonthegeniusesoftheideal；fortheDantesandMichaelAngelostogrowoldistogrowingreatness；isittogrowlessfortheHannibalsandtheBonapartes？HadNapoleonlostthedirectsenseofvictory？Hadhereachedthepointwherehecouldnolongerrecognizethereef，couldnolongerdivinethesnare，nolongerdiscernthecrumblingbrinkofabysses？Hadhelosthispowerofscentingoutcatastrophes？Hewhohadinformerdaysknownalltheroadstotriumph，andwho，fromthesummitofhischariotoflightning，pointedthemoutwithasovereignfinger，hadhenowreachedthatstateofsinisteramazementwhenhecouldleadhistumultuouslegionsharnessedtoit，totheprecipice？
　　Washeseizedattheageofforty—sixwithasuprememadness？
　　Wasthattitaniccharioteerofdestinynolongeranythingmorethananimmensedare—devil？
　　Wedonotthinkso。
　　Hisplanofbattlewas，bytheconfessionofall，amasterpiece。
　　TogostraighttothecentreoftheAllies’line，tomakeabreachintheenemy，tocutthemintwo，todrivetheBritishhalfbackonHal，andthePrussianhalfonTongres，tomaketwoshatteredfragmentsofWellingtonandBlucher，tocarryMont—Saint—Jean，toseizeBrussels，tohurltheGermanintotheRhine，andtheEnglishmanintothesea。
　　Allthiswascontainedinthatbattle，accordingtoNapoleon。
　　Afterwardspeoplewouldsee。
　　Ofcourse，wedonotherepretendtofurnishahistoryofthebattleofWaterloo；oneofthescenesofthefoundationofthestorywhichwearerelatingisconnectedwiththisbattle，butthishistoryisnotoursubject；thishistory，moreover，hasbeenfinished，andfinishedinamasterlymanner，fromonepointofviewbyNapoleon，andfromanotherpointofviewbyawholepleiadofhistorians。[7]
　　[7]WalterScott，Lamartine，Vaulabelle，Charras，Quinet，Thiers。
　　Asforus，weleavethehistoriansatloggerheads；wearebutadistantwitness，apasser—byontheplain，aseekerbendingoverthatsoilallmadeofhumanflesh，takingappearancesforrealities，perchance；wehavenorighttooppose，inthenameofscience，acollectionoffactswhichcontainillusions，nodoubt；wepossessneithermilitarypracticenorstrategicabilitywhichauthorizeasystem；inouropinion，achainofaccidentsdominatedthetwoleadersatWaterloo；andwhenitbecomesaquestionofdestiny，thatmysteriousculprit，wejudgelikethatingeniousjudge，thepopulace。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　A
　　ThosepersonswhowishtogainaclearideaofthebattleofWaterloohaveonlytoplace，mentally，ontheground，acapitalA。TheleftlimboftheAistheroadtoNivelles，therightlimbistheroadtoGenappe，thetieoftheAisthehollowroadtoOhainfromBraine—l’Alleud。ThetopoftheAisMont—Saint—Jean，whereWellingtonis；thelowerlefttipisHougomont，whereReilleisstationedwithJeromeBonaparte；
　　therighttipistheBelle—Alliance，whereNapoleonwas。Atthecentreofthischordistheprecisepointwherethefinalwordofthebattlewaspronounced。Itwastherethatthelionhasbeenplaced，theinvoluntarysymbolofthesupremeheroismoftheImperialGuard。
　　ThetriangleincludedinthetopoftheA，betweenthetwolimbsandthetie，istheplateauofMont—Saint—Jean。Thedisputeoverthisplateauconstitutedthewholebattle。ThewingsofthetwoarmiesextendedtotherightandleftofthetworoadstoGenappeandNivelles；d’ErlonfacingPicton，ReillefacingHill。
　　BehindthetipoftheA，behindtheplateauofMont—Saint—Jean，istheforestofSoignes。
　　Asfortheplainitself，letthereaderpicturetohimselfavastundulatingsweepofground；eachrisecommandsthenextrise，andalltheundulationsmounttowardsMont—Saint—Jean，andthereendintheforest。
　　Twohostiletroopsonafieldofbattlearetwowrestlers。Itisaquestionofseizingtheopponentroundthewaist。Theoneseekstotripuptheother。Theyclutchateverything:abushisapointofsupport；anangleofthewalloffersthemaresttotheshoulder；
　　forthelackofahovelunderwhosecovertheycandrawup，aregimentyieldsitsground；anunevennessintheground，achanceturninthelandscape，across—pathencounteredattherightmoment，agrove，aravine，canstaytheheelofthatcolossuswhichiscalledanarmy，andpreventitsretreat。Hewhoquitsthefieldisbeaten；hencethenecessitydevolvingontheresponsibleleader，ofexaminingthemostinsignificantclumpoftrees，andofstudyingdeeplytheslightestreliefintheground。
　　ThetwogeneralshadattentivelystudiedtheplainofMont—Saint—Jean，nowcalledtheplainofWaterloo。Intheprecedingyear，Wellington，withthesagacityofforesight，hadexamineditasthepossibleseatofagreatbattle。Uponthisspot，andforthisduel，onthe18thofJune，Wellingtonhadthegoodpost，Napoleonthebadpost。
　　TheEnglisharmywasstationedabove，theFrencharmybelow。
　　ItisalmostsuperfluousheretosketchtheappearanceofNapoleononhorseback，glassinhand，upontheheightsofRossomme，atdaybreak，onJune18，1815。Alltheworldhasseenhimbeforewecanshowhim。Thatcalmprofileunderthelittlethree—corneredhatoftheschoolofBrienne，thatgreenuniform，thewhitereversconcealingthestaroftheLegionofHonor，hisgreatcoathidinghisepaulets，thecornerofredribbonpeepingfrombeneathhisvest，hisleathertrousers，thewhitehorsewiththesaddle—clothofpurplevelvetbearingonthecornerscrownedN’sandeagles，Hessianbootsoversilkstockings，silverspurs，theswordofMarengo，——thatwholefigureofthelastoftheCaesarsispresenttoallimaginations，salutedwithacclamationsbysome，severelyregardedbyothers。
　　Thatfigurestoodforalongtimewhollyinthelight；thisarosefromacertainlegendarydimnessevolvedbythemajorityofheroes，andwhichalwaysveilsthetruthforalongerorshortertime；
　　butto—dayhistoryanddaylighthavearrived。
　　Thatlightcalledhistoryispitiless；itpossessesthispeculiaranddivinequality，that，purelightasitis，andpreciselybecauseitiswhollylight，itoftencastsashadowinplaceswherepeoplehadhithertobeheldrays；fromthesamemanitconstructstwodifferentphantoms，andtheoneattackstheotherandexecutesjusticeonit，andtheshadowsofthedespotcontendwiththebrilliancyoftheleader。
　　Hencearisesatruermeasureinthedefinitivejudgmentsofnations。
　　BabylonviolatedlessensAlexander，RomeenchainedlessensCaesar，JerusalemmurderedlessensTitus，tyrannyfollowsthetyrant。
　　Itisamisfortuneforamantoleavebehindhimthenightwhichbearshisform。
　　CHAPTERV
　　THEQUIDOBSCURUMOFBATTLES
　　Everyoneisacquaintedwiththefirstphaseofthisbattle；
　　abeginningwhichwastroubled，uncertain，hesitating，menacingtobotharmies，butstillmoresofortheEnglishthanfortheFrench。
　　Ithadrainedallnight，theearthhadbeencutupbythedownpour，thewaterhadaccumulatedhereandthereinthehollowsoftheplainasifincasks；atsomepointsthegearoftheartillerycarriageswasburieduptotheaxles，thecircinglesofthehorsesweredrippingwithliquidmud。Ifthewheatandryetrampleddownbythiscohortoftransportsonthemarchhadnotfilledintherutsandstrewnalitterbeneaththewheels，allmovement，particularlyinthevalleys，inthedirectionofPapelottewouldhavebeenimpossible。
　　Theaffairbeganlate。Napoleon，aswehavealreadyexplained，wasinthehabitofkeepingallhisartillerywellinhand，likeapistol，aimingitnowatonepoint，nowatanother，ofthebattle；andithadbeenhiswishtowaituntilthehorsebatteriescouldmoveandgallopfreely。Inordertodothatitwasnecessarythatthesunshouldcomeoutanddrythesoil。
　　Butthesundidnotmakeitsappearance。ItwasnolongertherendezvousofAusterlitz。Whenthefirstcannonwasfired，theEnglishgeneral，Colville，lookedathiswatch，andnotedthatitwasthirty—fiveminutespasteleven。
　　Theactionwasbegunfuriously，withmorefury，perhaps，thantheEmperorwouldhavewished，bytheleftwingoftheFrenchrestingonHougomont。AtthesametimeNapoleonattackedthecentrebyhurlingQuiot’sbrigadeonLaHaie—Sainte，andNeypushedforwardtherightwingoftheFrenchagainsttheleftwingoftheEnglish，whichrestedonPapelotte。
　　TheattackonHougomontwassomethingofafeint；theplanwastodrawWellingtonthither，andtomakehimswervetotheleft。
　　ThisplanwouldhavesucceededifthefourcompaniesoftheEnglishguardsandthebraveBelgiansofPerponcher’sdivisionhadnotheldthepositionsolidly，andWellington，insteadofmassinghistroopsthere，couldconfinehimselftodespatchingthither，asreinforcements，onlyfourmorecompaniesofguardsandonebattalionfromBrunswick。
　　TheattackoftherightwingoftheFrenchonPapelottewascalculated，infact，tooverthrowtheEnglishleft，tocutofftheroadtoBrussels，tobarthepassageagainstpossiblePrussians，toforceMont—Saint—Jean，toturnWellingtonbackonHougomont，thenceonBraine—l’Alleud，thenceonHal；nothingeasier。
　　WiththeexceptionofafewincidentsthisattacksucceededPapelottewastaken；LaHaie—Saintewascarried。
　　Adetailtobenoted。TherewasintheEnglishinfantry，particularlyinKempt’sbrigade，agreatmanyrawrecruits。Theseyoungsoldierswerevaliantinthepresenceofourredoubtableinfantry；
　　theirinexperienceextricatedthemintrepidlyfromthedilemma；
　　theyperformedparticularlyexcellentserviceasskirmishers:
　　thesoldierskirmisher，leftsomewhattohimself，becomes，sotospeak，hisowngeneral。TheserecruitsdisplayedsomeoftheFrenchingenuityandfury。Thisnoviceofaninfantryhaddash。
　　ThisdispleasedWellington。
　　AfterthetakingofLaHaie—Saintethebattlewavered。
　　Thereisinthisdayanobscureinterval，frommid—daytofouro’clock；
　　themiddleportionofthisbattleisalmostindistinct，andparticipatesinthesombrenessofthehand—to—handconflict。Twilightreignsoverit。Weperceivevastfluctuationsinthatfog，adizzymirage，paraphernaliaofwaralmostunknownto—day，pendantcolbacks，floatingsabre—taches，cross—belts，cartridge—boxesforgrenades，hussardolmans，redbootswithathousandwrinkles，heavyshakosgarlandedwithtorsades，thealmostblackinfantryofBrunswickmingledwiththescarletinfantryofEngland，theEnglishsoldierswithgreat，whitecircularpadsontheslopesoftheirshouldersforepaulets，theHanoverianlight—horsewiththeiroblongcasquesofleather，withbrasshandsandredhorse—tails，theScotchwiththeirbarekneesandplaids，thegreatwhitegaitersofourgrenadiers；
　　pictures，notstrategiclines——whatSalvatorRosarequires，notwhatissuitedtotheneedsofGribeauval。
　　Acertainamountoftempestisalwaysmingledwithabattle。
　　Quidobscurum，quiddivinum。Eachhistoriantraces，tosomeextent，theparticularfeaturewhichpleaseshimamidthispellmell。
　　Whatevermaybethecombinationsofthegenerals，theshockofarmedmasseshasanincalculableebb。Duringtheactiontheplansofthetwoleadersenterintoeachotherandbecomemutuallythrownoutofshape。Suchapointofthefieldofbattledevoursmorecombatantsthansuchanother，justasmoreorlessspongysoilssoakupmoreorlessquicklythewaterwhichispouredonthem。
　　Itbecomesnecessarytopouroutmoresoldiersthanonewouldlike；
　　aseriesofexpenditureswhicharetheunforeseen。Thelineofbattlewavesandundulateslikeathread，thetrailsofbloodgushillogically，thefrontsofthearmieswaver，theregimentsformcapesandgulfsastheyenterandwithdraw；allthesereefsarecontinuallymovinginfrontofeachother。Wheretheinfantrystoodtheartilleryarrives，thecavalryrushesinwheretheartillerywas，thebattalionsarelikesmoke。Therewassomethingthere；seekit。Ithasdisappeared；
　　theopenspotschangeplace，thesombrefoldsadvanceandretreat，asortofwindfromthesepulchrepushesforward，hurlsback，distends，anddispersesthesetragicmultitudes。Whatisafray？
　　anoscillation？Theimmobilityofamathematicalplanexpressesaminute，notaday。Inordertodepictabattle，thereisrequiredoneofthosepowerfulpainterswhohavechaosintheirbrushes。
　　RembrandtisbetterthanVandermeulen；Vandermeulen，exactatnoon，liesatthreeo’clock。Geometryisdeceptive；thehurricanealoneistrustworthy。ThatiswhatconfersonFolardtherighttocontradictPolybius。Letusadd，thatthereisacertaininstantwhenthebattledegeneratesintoacombat，becomesspecialized，anddispersesintoinnumerabledetailedfeats，which，toborrowtheexpressionofNapoleonhimself，"belongrathertothebiographyoftheregimentsthantothehistoryofthearmy。"Thehistorianhas，inthiscase，theevidentrighttosumupthewhole。Hecannotdomorethanseizetheprincipaloutlinesofthestruggle，anditisnotgiventoanyonenarrator，howeverconscientioushemaybe，tofix，absolutely，theformofthathorriblecloudwhichiscalledabattle。
　　This，whichistrueofallgreatarmedencounters，isparticularlyapplicabletoWaterloo。
　　Nevertheless，atacertainmomentintheafternoonthebattlecametoapoint。
　　CHAPTERVI
　　FOURO’CLOCKINTHEAFTERNOON
　　Towardsfouro’clocktheconditionoftheEnglisharmywasserious。
　　ThePrinceofOrangewasincommandofthecentre，Hilloftherightwing，Pictonoftheleftwing。ThePrinceofOrange，desperateandintrepid，shoutedtotheHollando—Belgians:"Nassau！
　　Brunswick！Neverretreat！"Hill，havingbeenweakened，hadcomeuptothesupportofWellington；Pictonwasdead。AttheverymomentwhentheEnglishhadcapturedfromtheFrenchtheflagofthe105thoftheline，theFrenchhadkilledtheEnglishgeneral，Picton，withabulletthroughthehead。Thebattlehad，forWellington，twobasesofaction，HougomontandLaHaie—Sainte；Hougomontstillheldout，butwasonfire；LaHaie—Saintewastaken。OftheGermanbattalionwhichdefendedit，onlyforty—twomensurvived；alltheofficers，exceptfive，wereeitherdeadorcaptured。Threethousandcombatantshadbeenmassacredinthatbarn。AsergeantoftheEnglishGuards，theforemostboxerinEngland，reputedinvulnerablebyhiscompanions，hadbeenkilledtherebyalittleFrenchdrummer—boy。Baringhadbeendislodged，Altenputtothesword。Manyflagshadbeenlost，onefromAlten’sdivision，andonefromthebattalionofLunenburg，carriedbyaprinceofthehouseofDeux—Ponts。TheScotchGraysnolongerexisted；Ponsonby’sgreatdragoonshadbeenhackedtopieces。
　　ThatvaliantcavalryhadbentbeneaththelancersofBroandbeneaththecuirassiersofTravers；outoftwelvehundredhorses，sixhundredremained；outofthreelieutenant—colonels，twolayontheearth，——Hamiltonwounded，Materslain。Ponsonbyhadfallen，riddledbysevenlance—thrusts。Gordonwasdead。Marshwasdead。
　　Twodivisions，thefifthandthesixth，hadbeenannihilated。
　　Hougomontinjured，LaHaie—Saintetaken，therenowexistedbutonerallying—point，thecentre。Thatpointstillheldfirm。
　　Wellingtonreinforcedit。HesummonedthitherHill，whowasatMerle—Braine；hesummonedChasse，whowasatBraine—l’Alleud。
　　ThecentreoftheEnglisharmy，ratherconcave，verydense，andverycompact，wasstronglyposted。ItoccupiedtheplateauofMont—Saint—Jean，havingbehinditthevillage，andinfrontofittheslope，whichwastolerablysteepthen。ItrestedonthatstoutstonedwellingwhichatthattimebelongedtothedomainofNivelles，andwhichmarkstheintersectionoftheroads——apileofthesixteenthcentury，andsorobustthatthecannon—ballsreboundedfromitwithoutinjuringit。AllabouttheplateautheEnglishhadcutthehedgeshereandthere，madeembrasuresinthehawthorn—trees，thrustthethroatofacannonbetweentwobranches，embattledtheshrubs。
　　Thereartillerywasambushedinthebrushwood。Thispuniclabor，incontestablyauthorizedbywar，whichpermitstraps，wassowelldone，thatHaxo，whohadbeendespatchedbytheEmperoratnineo’clockinthemorningtoreconnoitretheenemy’sbatteries，haddiscoverednothingofit，andhadreturnedandreportedtoNapoleonthattherewerenoobstaclesexceptthetwobarricadeswhichbarredtheroadtoNivellesandtoGenappe。Itwasattheseasonwhenthegrainistall；ontheedgeoftheplateauabattalionofKempt’sbrigade，the95th，armedwithcarabines，wasconcealedinthetallwheat。
　　Thusassuredandbuttressed，thecentreoftheAnglo—Dutcharmywaswellposted。TheperilofthispositionlayintheforestofSoignes，thenadjoiningthefieldofbattle，andintersectedbythepondsofGroenendaelandBoitsfort。Anarmycouldnotretreatthitherwithoutdissolving；theregimentswouldhavebrokenupimmediatelythere。
　　Theartillerywouldhavebeenlostamongthemorasses。Theretreat，accordingtomanyamanversedintheart，——thoughitisdisputedbyothers，——wouldhavebeenadisorganizedflight。
　　Tothiscentre，WellingtonaddedoneofChasse’sbrigadestakenfromtherightwing，andoneofWincke’sbrigadestakenfromtheleftwing，plusClinton’sdivision。TohisEnglish，totheregimentsofHalkett，tothebrigadesofMitchell，totheguardsofMaitland，hegaveasreinforcementsandaids，theinfantryofBrunswick，Nassau’scontingent，Kielmansegg’sHanoverians，andOmpteda’sGermans。Thisplacedtwenty—sixbattalionsunderhishand。
　　Therightwing，asCharrassays，wasthrownbackonthecentre。
　　Anenormousbatterywasmaskedbysacksofearthatthespotwheretherenowstandswhatiscalledthe"MuseumofWaterloo。"
　　Besidesthis，Wellingtonhad，behindariseintheground，Somerset’sDragoonGuards，fourteenhundredhorsestrong。
　　ItwastheremaininghalfofthejustlycelebratedEnglishcavalry。
　　Ponsonbydestroyed，Somersetremained。
　　Thebattery，which，ifcompleted，wouldhavebeenalmostaredoubt，wasrangedbehindaverylowgardenwall，backedupwithacoatingofbagsofsandandalargeslopeofearth。Thisworkwasnotfinished；
　　therehadbeennotimetomakeapalisadeforit。
　　Wellington，uneasybutimpassive，wasonhorseback，andthereremainedthewholedayinthesameattitude，alittleinadvanceoftheoldmillofMont—Saint—Jean，whichisstillinexistence，beneathanelm，whichanEnglishman，anenthusiasticvandal，purchasedlateronfortwohundredfrancs，cutdown，andcarriedoff。
　　Wellingtonwascoldlyheroic。Thebulletsrainedabouthim。
　　Hisaide—de—camp，Gordon，fellathisside。LordHill，pointingtoashellwhichhadburst，saidtohim:"Mylord，whatareyourordersincaseyouarekilled？""Todolikeme，"repliedWellington。
　　ToClintonhesaidlaconically，"Toholdthisspottothelastman。"
　　Thedaywasevidentlyturningoutill。WellingtonshoutedtohisoldcompanionsofTalavera，ofVittoria，ofSalamanca:"Boys，canretreatbethoughtof？ThinkofoldEngland！"
　　Towardsfouro’clock，theEnglishlinedrewback。Suddenlynothingwasvisibleonthecrestoftheplateauexcepttheartilleryandthesharpshooters；theresthaddisappeared:theregiments，dislodgedbytheshellsandtheFrenchbullets，retreatedintothebottom，nowintersectedbythebackroadofthefarmofMont—Saint—Jean；
　　aretrogrademovementtookplace，theEnglishfronthiditself，Wellingtondrewback。"Thebeginningofretreat！"criedNapoleon。
　　CHAPTERVII
　　NAPOLEONINAGOODHUMOR
　　TheEmperor，thoughillanddiscommodedonhorsebackbyalocaltrouble，hadneverbeeninabetterhumorthanonthatday。
　　Hisimpenetrabilityhadbeensmilingeversincethemorning。Onthe18thofJune，thatprofoundsoulmaskedbymarblebeamedblindly。
　　ThemanwhohadbeengloomyatAusterlitzwasgayatWaterloo。
　　Thegreatestfavoritesofdestinymakemistakes。Ourjoysarecomposedofshadow。ThesupremesmileisGod’salone。
　　RidetCaesar，Pompeiusflebit，saidthelegionariesoftheFulminatrixLegion。Pompeywasnotdestinedtoweeponthatoccasion，butitiscertainthatCaesarlaughed。Whileexploringonhorsebackatoneo’clockontheprecedingnight，instormandrain，incompanywithBertrand，thecommunesintheneighborhoodofRossomme，satisfiedatthesightofthelonglineoftheEnglishcamp—firesilluminatingthewholehorizonfromFrischemonttoBraine—l’Alleud，ithadseemedtohimthatfate，towhomhehadassignedadayonthefieldofWaterloo，wasexacttotheappointment；hestoppedhishorse，andremainedforsometimemotionless，gazingatthelightningandlisteningtothethunder；andthisfatalistwasheardtocastintothedarknessthismysterioussaying，"Weareinaccord。"
　　Napoleonwasmistaken。Theywerenolongerinaccord。
　　Hetooknotamomentforsleep；everyinstantofthatnightwasmarkedbyajoyforhim。Hetraversedthelineoftheprincipaloutposts，haltinghereandtheretotalktothesentinels。Athalf—pasttwo，nearthewoodofHougomont，heheardthetreadofacolumnonthemarch；hethoughtatthemomentthatitwasaretreatonthepartofWellington。Hesaid:"Itistherear—guardoftheEnglishgettingunderwayforthepurposeofdecamping。IwilltakeprisonersthesixthousandEnglishwhohavejustarrivedatOstend。"
　　Heconversedexpansively；heregainedtheanimationwhichhehadshownathislandingonthefirstofMarch，whenhepointedouttotheGrand—MarshaltheenthusiasticpeasantoftheGulfJuan，andcried，"Well，Bertrand，hereisareinforcementalready！"
　　Onthenightofthe17thtothe18thofJuneheralliedWellington。
　　"ThatlittleEnglishmanneedsalesson，"saidNapoleon。Therainredoubledinviolence；thethunderrolledwhiletheEmperorwasspeaking。
　　Athalf—pastthreeo’clockinthemorning，helostoneillusion；
　　officerswhohadbeendespatchedtoreconnoitreannouncedtohimthattheenemywasnotmakinganymovement。Nothingwasstirring；
　　notabivouac—firehadbeenextinguished；theEnglisharmywasasleep。
　　Thesilenceonearthwasprofound；theonlynoisewasintheheavens。
　　Atfouro’clock，apeasantwasbroughtintohimbythescouts；
　　thispeasanthadservedasguidetoabrigadeofEnglishcavalry，probablyVivian’sbrigade，whichwasonitswaytotakeupapositioninthevillageofOhain，attheextremeleft。Atfiveo’clock，twoBelgiandesertersreportedtohimthattheyhadjustquittedtheirregiment，andthattheEnglisharmywasreadyforbattle。
　　"Somuchthebetter！"exclaimedNapoleon。"Iprefertooverthrowthemratherthantodrivethemback。"
　　InthemorninghedismountedinthemudontheslopewhichformsananglewiththePlancenoitroad，hadakitchentableandapeasant’schairbroughttohimfromthefarmofRossomme，seatedhimself，withatrussofstrawforacarpet，andspreadoutonthetablethechartofthebattle—field，sayingtoSoultashedidso，"Aprettychecker—board。"
　　Inconsequenceoftherainsduringthenight，thetransportsofprovisions，embeddedinthesoftroads，hadnotbeenabletoarrivebymorning；thesoldiershadhadnosleep；theywerewetandfasting。ThisdidnotpreventNapoleonfromexclaimingcheerfullytoNey，"Wehaveninetychancesoutofahundred。"
　　Ateighto’clocktheEmperor’sbreakfastwasbroughttohim。
　　Heinvitedmanygeneralstoit。Duringbreakfast，itwassaidthatWellingtonhadbeentoaballtwonightsbefore，inBrussels，attheDuchessofRichmond’s；andSoult，aroughmanofwar，withafaceofanarchbishop，said，"Theballtakesplaceto—day。"
　　TheEmperorjestedwithNey，whosaid，"WellingtonwillnotbesosimpleastowaitforYourMajesty。"Thatwashisway，however。
　　"Hewasfondofjesting，"saysFleurydeChaboulon。"Amerryhumorwasatthefoundationofhischaracter，"saysGourgaud。
　　"Heaboundedinpleasantries，whichweremorepeculiarthanwitty，"
　　saysBenjaminConstant。Thesegayetiesofagiantareworthyofinsistence。Itwashewhocalledhisgrenadiers"hisgrumblers"；
　　hepinchedtheirears；hepulledtheirmustaches。"TheEmperordidnothingbutplaypranksonus，"istheremarkofoneofthem。
　　DuringthemysterioustripfromtheislandofElbatoFrance，onthe27thofFebruary，ontheopensea，theFrenchbrigofwar，LeZephyr，havingencounteredthebrigL’Inconstant，onwhichNapoleonwasconcealed，andhavingaskedthenewsofNapoleonfromL’Inconstant，theEmperor，whostillworeinhishatthewhiteandamaranthinecockadesownwithbees，whichhehadadoptedattheisleofElba，laughinglyseizedthespeaking—trumpet，andansweredforhimself，"TheEmperoriswell。"Amanwholaughslikethatisonfamiliartermswithevents。NapoleonindulgedinmanyfitsofthislaughterduringthebreakfastatWaterloo。Afterbreakfasthemeditatedforaquarterofanhour；thentwogeneralsseatedthemselvesonthetrussofstraw，peninhandandtheirpaperontheirknees，andtheEmperordictatedtothemtheorderofbattle。
　　Atnineo’clock，attheinstantwhentheFrencharmy，rangedinechelonsandsetinmotioninfivecolumns，haddeployed——
　　thedivisionsintwolines，theartillerybetweenthebrigades，themusicattheirhead；astheybeatthemarch，withrollsonthedrumsandtheblastsoftrumpets，mighty，vast，joyous，aseaofcasques，ofsabres，andofbayonetsonthehorizon，theEmperorwastouched，andtwiceexclaimed，"Magnificent！Magnificent！"
　　Betweennineo’clockandhalf—pasttenthewholearmy，incredibleasitmayappear，hadtakenupitspositionandrangeditselfinsixlines，forming，torepeattheEmperor’sexpression，"thefigureofsixV’s。"
　　Afewmomentsaftertheformationofthebattle—array，inthemidstofthatprofoundsilence，likethatwhichheraldsthebeginningofastorm，whichprecedesengagements，theEmperortappedHaxoontheshoulder，ashebeheldthethreebatteriesoftwelve—pounders，detachedbyhisordersfromthecorpsofErlon，Reille，andLobau，anddestinedtobegintheactionbytakingMont—Saint—Jean，whichwassituatedattheintersectionoftheNivellesandtheGenapperoads，andsaidtohim，"Therearefourandtwentyhandsomemaids，General。"
　　Sureoftheissue，heencouragedwithasmile，astheypassedbeforehim，thecompanyofsappersofthefirstcorps，whichhehadappointedtobarricadeMont—Saint—Jeanassoonasthevillageshouldbecarried。Allthisserenityhadbeentraversedbybutasinglewordofhaughtypity；perceivingonhisleft，ataspotwheretherenowstandsalargetomb，thoseadmirableScotchGrays，withtheirsuperbhorses，massingthemselves，hesaid，"Itisapity。"
　　Thenhemountedhishorse，advancedbeyondRossomme，andselectedforhispostofobservationacontractedelevationofturftotherightoftheroadfromGenappetoBrussels，whichwashissecondstationduringthebattle。Thethirdstation，theoneadoptedatseveno’clockintheevening，betweenLaBelle—AllianceandLaHaie—Sainte，isformidable；itisaratherelevatedknoll，whichstillexists，andbehindwhichtheguardwasmassedonaslopeoftheplain。
　　Aroundthisknolltheballsreboundedfromthepavementsoftheroad，uptoNapoleonhimself。AsatBrienne，hehadoverhisheadtheshriekofthebulletsandoftheheavyartillery。
　　Mouldycannon—balls，oldsword—blades，andshapelessprojectiles，eatenupwithrust，werepickedupatthespotwherehishorse’
　　feetstood。Scabrarubigine。Afewyearsago，ashellofsixtypounds，stillcharged，andwithitsfusebrokenofflevelwiththebomb，wasunearthed。ItwasatthislastpostthattheEmperorsaidtohisguide，Lacoste，ahostileandterrifiedpeasant，whowasattachedtothesaddleofahussar，andwhoturnedroundateverydischargeofcanisterandtriedtohidebehindNapoleon:"Fool，itisshameful！You’llgetyourselfkilledwithaballintheback。"
　　Hewhowritestheselineshashimselffound，inthefriablesoilofthisknoll，onturningoverthesand，theremainsoftheneckofabomb，disintegrated，bytheoxidizationofsixandfortyyears，andoldfragmentsofironwhichpartedlikeelder—twigsbetweenthefingers。
　　Everyoneisawarethatthevariouslyinclinedundulationsoftheplains，wheretheengagementbetweenNapoleonandWellingtontookplace，arenolongerwhattheywereonJune18，1815。Bytakingfromthismournfulfieldthewherewithaltomakeamonumenttoit，itsrealreliefhasbeentakenaway，andhistory，disconcerted，nolongerfindsherbearingsthere。Ithasbeendisfiguredforthesakeofglorifyingit。Wellington，whenhebeheldWaterloooncemore，twoyearslater，exclaimed，"Theyhavealteredmyfieldofbattle！"
　　Wherethegreatpyramidofearth，surmountedbythelion，risesto—day，therewasahillockwhichdescendedinaneasyslopetowardstheNivellesroad，butwhichwasalmostanescarpmentonthesideofthehighwaytoGenappe。TheelevationofthisescarpmentcanstillbemeasuredbytheheightofthetwoknollsofthetwogreatsepulchreswhichenclosetheroadfromGenappetoBrussels:one，theEnglishtomb，isontheleft；theother，theGermantomb，isontheright。ThereisnoFrenchtomb。ThewholeofthatplainisasepulchreforFrance。Thankstothethousandsuponthousandsofcartloadsofearthemployedinthehillockonehundredandfiftyfeetinheightandhalfamileincircumference，theplateauofMont—Saint—Jeanisnowaccessiblebyaneasyslope。
　　Onthedayofbattle，particularlyonthesideofLaHaie—Sainte，itwasabruptanddifficultofapproach。TheslopethereissosteepthattheEnglishcannoncouldnotseethefarm，situatedinthebottomofthevalley，whichwasthecentreofthecombat。
　　Onthe18thofJune，1815，therainshadstillfartherincreasedthisacclivity，themudcomplicatedtheproblemoftheascent，andthemennotonlyslippedback，butstuckfastinthemire。
　　Alongthecrestoftheplateauranasortoftrenchwhosepresenceitwasimpossibleforthedistantobservertodivine。
　　Whatwasthistrench？Letusexplain。Braine—l’AlleudisaBelgianvillage；Ohainisanother。Thesevillages，bothofthemconcealedincurvesofthelandscape，areconnectedbyaroadaboutaleagueandahalfinlength，whichtraversestheplainalongitsundulatinglevel，andoftenentersandburiesitselfinthehillslikeafurrow，whichmakesaravineofthisroadinsomeplaces。
　　In1815，asatthepresentday，thisroadcutthecrestoftheplateauofMont—Saint—JeanbetweenthetwohighwaysfromGenappeandNivelles；
　　only，itisnowonalevelwiththeplain；itwasthenahollowway。
　　Itstwoslopeshavebeenappropriatedforthemonumentalhillock。
　　Thisroadwas，andstillis，atrenchthroughoutthegreaterportionofitscourse；ahollowtrench，sometimesadozenfeetindepth，andwhosebanks，beingtoosteep，crumbledawayhereandthere，particularlyinwinter，underdrivingrains。Accidentshappenedhere。
　　TheroadwassonarrowattheBraine—l’Alleudentrancethatapasser—bywascrushedbyacart，asisprovedbyastonecrosswhichstandsnearthecemetery，andwhichgivesthenameofthedead，MonsieurBernardDebrye，MerchantofBrussels，andthedateoftheaccident，February，1637。[8]Itwassodeeponthetable—landofMont—Saint—Jeanthatapeasant，MathieuNicaise，wascrushedthere，in1783，byaslidefromtheslope，asisstatedonanotherstonecross，thetopofwhichhasdisappearedintheprocessofclearingtheground，butwhoseoverturnedpedestalisstillvisibleonthegrassyslopetotheleftofthehighwaybetweenLaHaie—SainteandthefarmofMont—Saint—Jean。
　　[8]Thisistheinscription:——
　　D。O。M。
　　CYAETEECRASE
　　PARMALHEUR
　　SOUSUNCHARIOT，MONSIEURBERNARD
　　DEBRYEMARCHAND
　　ABRUXELLELE[Illegible]
　　FEVRIER1637。
　　Onthedayofbattle，thishollowroadwhoseexistencewasinnowayindicated，borderingthecrestofMont—Saint—Jean，atrenchatthesummitoftheescarpment，arutconcealedinthesoil，wasinvisible；thatistosay，terrible。
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　THEEMPERORPUTSAQUESTIONTOTHEGUIDELACOSTE
　　So，onthemorningofWaterloo，Napoleonwascontent。
　　Hewasright；theplanofbattleconceivedbyhimwas，aswehaveseen，reallyadmirable。
　　Thebattleoncebegun，itsveryvariouschanges，——theresistanceofHougomont；thetenacityofLaHaie—Sainte；thekillingofBauduin；
　　thedisablingofFoy；theunexpectedwallagainstwhichSoye’sbrigadewasshattered；Guilleminot’sfatalheedlessnesswhenhehadneitherpetardnorpowdersacks；themiringofthebatteries；
　　thefifteenunescortedpiecesoverwhelmedinahollowwaybyUxbridge；
　　thesmalleffectofthebombsfallingintheEnglishlines，andthereembeddingthemselvesintherain—soakedsoil，andonlysucceedinginproducingvolcanoesofmud，sothatthecanisterwasturnedintoasplash；theuselessnessofPire’sdemonstrationonBraine—l’Alleud；
　　allthatcavalry，fifteensquadrons，almostexterminated；therightwingoftheEnglishbadlyalarmed，theleftwingbadlycutinto；
　　Ney’sstrangemistakeinmassing，insteadofechelonningthefourdivisionsofthefirstcorps；mendeliveredovertogrape—shot，arrangedinrankstwenty—sevendeepandwithafrontageoftwohundred；
　　thefrightfulholesmadeinthesemassesbythecannon—balls；
　　attackingcolumnsdisorganized；theside—batterysuddenlyunmaskedontheirflank；Bourgeois，Donzelot，andDuruttecompromised；Quiotrepulsed；
　　LieutenantVieux，thatHerculesgraduatedatthePolytechnicSchool，woundedatthemomentwhenhewasbeatinginwithanaxethedoorofLaHaie—SainteunderthedownrightfireoftheEnglishbarricadewhichbarredtheangleoftheroadfromGenappetoBrussels；
　　Marcognet’sdivisioncaughtbetweentheinfantryandthecavalry，shotdownattheverymuzzleofthegunsamidthegrainbyBestandPack，puttotheswordbyPonsonby；hisbatteryofsevenpiecesspiked；thePrinceofSaxe—Weimarholdingandguarding，inspiteoftheComted’Erlon，bothFrischemontandSmohain；
　　theflagofthe105thtaken，theflagofthe45thcaptured；thatblackPrussianhussarstoppedbyrunnersoftheflyingcolumnofthreehundredlightcavalryonthescoutbetweenWavreandPlancenoit；
　　thealarmingthingsthathadbeensaidbyprisoners；Grouchy’sdelay；
　　fifteenhundredmenkilledintheorchardofHougomontinlessthananhour；eighteenhundredmenoverthrowninastillshortertimeaboutLaHaie—Sainte，——allthesestormyincidentspassinglikethecloudsofbattlebeforeNapoleon，hadhardlytroubledhisgazeandhadnotovershadowedthatfaceofimperialcertainty。
　　Napoleonwasaccustomedtogazesteadilyatwar；heneveraddeduptheheart—rendingdetails，cipherbycipher；ciphersmatteredlittletohim，providedthattheyfurnishedthetotal，victory；
　　hewasnotalarmedifthebeginningsdidgoastray，sincehethoughthimselfthemasterandthepossessorattheend；heknewhowtowait，supposinghimselftobeoutofthequestion，andhetreateddestinyashisequal:heseemedtosaytofate，Thouwiltnotdare。
　　Composedhalfoflightandhalfofshadow，Napoleonthoughthimselfprotectedingoodandtoleratedinevil。Hehad，orthoughtthathehad，aconnivance，onemightalmostsayacomplicity，ofeventsinhisfavor，whichwasequivalenttotheinvulnerabilityofantiquity。
　　Nevertheless，whenonehasBeresina，Leipzig，andFontainebleaubehindone，itseemsasthoughonemightdistrustWaterloo。
　　Amysteriousfrownbecomesperceptibleinthedepthsoftheheavens。
　　AtthemomentwhenWellingtonretreated，Napoleonshuddered。
　　Hesuddenlybeheldthetable—landofMont—Saint—Jeancleared，andthevanoftheEnglisharmydisappear。Itwasrallying，buthidingitself。TheEmperorhalfroseinhisstirrups。
　　Thelightningofvictoryflashedfromhiseyes。
　　Wellington，drivenintoacornerattheforestofSoignesanddestroyed——thatwasthedefinitiveconquestofEnglandbyFrance；
　　itwasCrecy，Poitiers，Malplaquet，andRamilliesavenged。
　　ThemanofMarengowaswipingoutAgincourt。
　　SotheEmperor，meditatingonthisterribleturnoffortune，swepthisglassforthelasttimeoverallthepointsofthefieldofbattle。Hisguard，standingbehindhimwithgroundedarms，watchedhimfrombelowwithasortofreligion。Hepondered；
　　heexaminedtheslopes，notedthedeclivities，scrutinizedtheclumpsoftrees，thesquareofrye，thepath；heseemedtobecountingeachbush。HegazedwithsomeintentnessattheEnglishbarricadesofthetwohighways，——twolargeabatisoftrees，thatontheroadtoGenappeaboveLaHaie—Sainte，armedwithtwocannon，theonlyonesoutofalltheEnglishartillerywhichcommandedtheextremityofthefieldofbattle，andthatontheroadtoNivelleswheregleamedtheDutchbayonetsofChasse’sbrigade。NearthisbarricadeheobservedtheoldchapelofSaintNicholas，paintedwhite，whichstandsattheangleofthecross—roadnearBraine—l’Alleud；
　　hebentdownandspokeinalowvoicetotheguideLacoste。Theguidemadeanegativesignwithhishead，whichwasprobablyperfidious。
　　TheEmperorstraightenedhimselfupandfelltothinking。
　　Wellingtonhaddrawnback。
　　Allthatremainedtodowastocompletethisretreatbycrushinghim。
　　Napoleonturningroundabruptly，despatchedanexpressatfullspeedtoParistoannouncethatthebattlewaswon。
　　Napoleonwasoneofthosegeniusesfromwhomthunderdarts。
　　Hehadjustfoundhisclapofthunder。
　　HegaveorderstoMilhaud’scuirassierstocarrythetable—landofMont—Saint—Jean。
　　CHAPTERIX
　　THEUNEXPECTED
　　Therewerethreethousandfivehundredofthem。Theyformedafrontaquarterofaleagueinextent。Theyweregiantmen，oncolossalhorses。Thereweresixandtwentysquadronsofthem；
　　andtheyhadbehindthemtosupportthemLefebvre—Desnouettes’sdivision，——theonehundredandsixpickedgendarmes，thelightcavalryoftheGuard，elevenhundredandninety—sevenmen，andthelancersoftheguardofeighthundredandeightylances。
　　Theyworecasqueswithouthorse—tails，andcuirassesofbeateniron，withhorse—pistolsintheirholsters，andlongsabre—swords。Thatmorningthewholearmyhadadmiredthem，when，atnineo’clock，withbrayingoftrumpetsandallthemusicplaying"Letuswatcho’ertheSafetyoftheEmpire，"theyhadcomeinasolidcolumn，withoneoftheirbatteriesontheirflank，anotherintheircentre，anddeployedintworanksbetweentheroadstoGenappeandFrischemont，andtakenuptheirpositionforbattleinthatpowerfulsecondline，socleverlyarrangedbyNapoleon，which，havingonitsextremeleftKellermann’scuirassiersandonitsextremerightMilhaud’scuirassiers，had，sotospeak，twowingsofiron。
　　Aide—de—campBernardcarriedthemtheEmperor’sorders。Neydrewhisswordandplacedhimselfattheirhead。Theenormoussquadronsweresetinmotion。
　　Thenaformidablespectaclewasseen。
　　Alltheircavalry，withupraisedswords，standardsandtrumpetsflungtothebreeze，formedincolumnsbydivisions，descended，byasimultaneousmovementandlikeoneman，withtheprecisionofabrazenbattering—ramwhichiseffectingabreach，thehillofLaBelleAlliance，plungedintotheterribledepthsinwhichsomanymenhadalreadyfallen，disappearedthereinthesmoke，thenemergingfromthatshadow，reappearedontheothersideofthevalley，stillcompactandincloseranks，mountingatafulltrot，throughastormofgrape—shotwhichburstuponthem，theterriblemuddyslopeofthetable—landofMont—Saint—Jean。Theyascended，grave，threatening，imperturbable；intheintervalsbetweenthemusketryandtheartillery，theircolossaltramplingwasaudible。
　　Beingtwodivisions，thereweretwocolumnsofthem；Wathier’sdivisionheldtheright，Delort’sdivisionwasontheleft。Itseemedasthoughtwoimmenseaddersofsteelweretobeseencrawlingtowardsthecrestofthetable—land。Ittraversedthebattlelikeaprodigy。
　　NothinglikeithadbeenseensincethetakingofthegreatredoubtoftheMuskowabytheheavycavalry；Muratwaslackinghere，butNeywasagainpresent。Itseemedasthoughthatmasshadbecomeamonsterandhadbutonesoul。Eachcolumnundulatedandswelledliketheringofapolyp。Theycouldbeseenthroughavastcloudofsmokewhichwasrenthereandthere。Aconfusionofhelmets，ofcries，ofsabres，astormyheavingofthecruppersofhorsesamidthecannonsandtheflourishoftrumpets，aterribleanddisciplinedtumult；
　　overall，thecuirasseslikethescalesonthehydra。
　　Thesenarrationsseemedtobelongtoanotherage。Somethingparalleltothisvisionappeared，nodoubt，intheancientOrphicepics，whichtoldofthecentaurs，theoldhippanthropes，thoseTitanswithhumanheadsandequestrianchestswhoscaledOlympusatagallop，horrible，invulnerable，sublime——godsandbeasts。
　　Oddnumericalcoincidence，——twenty—sixbattalionsrodetomeettwenty—sixbattalions。Behindthecrestoftheplateau，intheshadowofthemaskedbattery，theEnglishinfantry，formedintothirteensquares，twobattalionstothesquare，intwolines，withseveninthefirstline，sixinthesecond，thestocksoftheirgunstotheirshoulders，takingaimatthatwhichwasonthepointofappearing，waited，calm，mute，motionless。Theydidnotseethecuirassiers，andthecuirassiersdidnotseethem。
　　Theylistenedtotheriseofthisfloodofmen。Theyheardtheswellingnoiseofthreethousandhorse，thealternateandsymmetricaltrampoftheirhoofsatfulltrot，thejinglingofthecuirasses，theclangofthesabresandasortofgrandandsavagebreathing。
　　Thereensuedamostterriblesilence；then，allatonce，alongfileofupliftedarms，brandishingsabres，appearedabovethecrest，andcasques，trumpets，andstandards，andthreethousandheadswithgraymustaches，shouting，"Vivel’Empereur！"Allthiscavalrydebouchedontheplateau，anditwasliketheappearanceofanearthquake。
　　Allatonce，atragicincident；ontheEnglishleft，onourright，theheadofthecolumnofcuirassiersrearedupwithafrightfulclamor。
　　Onarrivingattheculminatingpointofthecrest，ungovernable，utterlygivenovertofuryandtheircourseofexterminationofthesquaresandcannon，thecuirassiershadjustcaughtsightofatrench，——
　　atrenchbetweenthemandtheEnglish。ItwasthehollowroadofOhain。
　　Itwasaterriblemoment。Theravinewasthere，unexpected，yawning，directlyunderthehorses’feet，twofathomsdeepbetweenitsdoubleslopes；thesecondfilepushedthefirstintoit，andthethirdpushedonthesecond；thehorsesrearedandfellbackward，landedontheirhaunches，sliddown，allfourfeetintheair，crushingandoverwhelmingtheriders；andtherebeingnomeansofretreat，——
　　thewholecolumnbeingnolongeranythingmorethanaprojectile，——
　　theforcewhichhadbeenacquiredtocrushtheEnglishcrushedtheFrench；theinexorableravinecouldonlyyieldwhenfilled；
　　horsesandridersrolledtherepell—mell，grindingeachother，formingbutonemassoffleshinthisgulf:whenthistrenchwasfulloflivingmen，therestmarchedoverthemandpassedon。
　　AlmostathirdofDubois’sbrigadefellintothatabyss。
　　Thisbeganthelossofthebattle。
　　Alocaltradition，whichevidentlyexaggeratesmatters，saysthattwothousandhorsesandfifteenhundredmenwereburiedinthehollowroadofOhain。Thisfigureprobablycomprisesalltheothercorpseswhichwereflungintothisravinethedayafterthecombat。
　　LetusnoteinpassingthatitwasDubois’ssorelytriedbrigadewhich，anhourpreviously，makingachargetooneside，hadcapturedtheflagoftheLunenburgbattalion。
　　Napoleon，beforegivingtheorderforthischargeofMilhaud’scuirassiers，hadscrutinizedtheground，buthadnotbeenabletoseethathollowroad，whichdidnotevenformawrinkleonthesurfaceoftheplateau。Warned，nevertheless，andputonthealertbythelittlewhitechapelwhichmarksitsangleofjunctionwiththeNivelleshighway，hehadprobablyputaquestionastothepossibilityofanobstacle，totheguideLacoste。TheguidehadansweredNo。WemightalmostaffirmthatNapoleon’scatastropheoriginatedinthatsignofapeasant’shead。
　　Otherfatalitiesweredestinedtoarise。
　　WasitpossiblethatNapoleonshouldhavewonthatbattle？
　　WeanswerNo。Why？BecauseofWellington？BecauseofBlucher？
　　No。BecauseofGod。
　　BonapartevictoratWaterloo；thatdoesnotcomewithinthelawofthenineteenthcentury。Anotherseriesoffactswasinpreparation，inwhichtherewasnolongeranyroomforNapoleon。Theillwillofeventshaddeclareditselflongbefore。
　　Itwastimethatthisvastmanshouldfall。
　　Theexcessiveweightofthismaninhumandestinydisturbedthebalance。
　　Thisindividualalonecountedformorethanauniversalgroup。
　　Theseplethorasofallhumanvitalityconcentratedinasinglehead；
　　theworldmountingtothebrainofoneman，——thiswouldbemortaltocivilizationwereittolast。Themomenthadarrivedfortheincorruptibleandsupremeequitytoalteritsplan。Probablytheprinciplesandtheelements，onwhichtheregulargravitationsofthemoral，asofthematerial，worlddepend，hadcomplained。
　　Smokingblood，over—filledcemeteries，mothersintears，——
　　theseareformidablepleaders。Whentheearthissufferingfromtooheavyaburden，therearemysteriousgroaningsoftheshades，towhichtheabysslendsanear。
　　Napoleonhadbeendenouncedintheinfiniteandhisfallhadbeendecidedon。
　　HeembarrassedGod。
　　Waterlooisnotabattle；itisachangeoffrontonthepartoftheUniverse。
　　CHAPTERX
　　THEPLATEAUOFMONT—SAINT—JEAN
　　Thebatterywasunmaskedatthesamemomentwiththeravine。
　　Sixtycannonsandthethirteensquaresdartedlightningpoint—blankonthecuirassiers。TheintrepidGeneralDelortmadethemilitarysalutetotheEnglishbattery。
　　ThewholeoftheflyingartilleryoftheEnglishhadre—enteredthesquaresatagallop。Thecuirassiershadnothadeventhetimeforahalt。Thedisasterofthehollowroadhaddecimated，butnotdiscouragedthem。Theybelongedtothatclassofmenwho，whendiminishedinnumber，increaseincourage。
　　Wathier’scolumnalonehadsufferedinthedisaster；Delort’scolumn，whichNeyhaddeflectedtotheleft，asthoughhehadapresentimentofanambush，hadarrivedwhole。
　　ThecuirassiershurledthemselvesontheEnglishsquares。
　　Atfullspeed，withbridlesloose，swordsintheirteethpistolsinfist，——suchwastheattack。
　　Therearemomentsinbattlesinwhichthesoulhardensthemanuntilthesoldierischangedintoastatue，andwhenallthisfleshturnsintogranite。TheEnglishbattalions，desperatelyassaulted，didnotstir。
　　Thenitwasterrible。
　　AllthefacesoftheEnglishsquareswereattackedatonce。
　　Afrenziedwhirlenvelopedthem。Thatcoldinfantryremainedimpassive。
　　Thefirstrankkneltandreceivedthecuirassiersontheirbayonets，thesecondranksshotthemdown；behindthesecondrankthecannoneerschargedtheirguns，thefrontofthesquareparted，permittedthepassageofaneruptionofgrape—shot，andclosedagain。Thecuirassiersrepliedbycrushingthem。Theirgreathorsesreared，strodeacrosstheranks，leapedoverthebayonetsandfell，gigantic，inthemidstofthesefourlivingwells。Thecannon—ballsploughedfurrowsinthesecuirassiers；thecuirassiersmadebreachesinthesquares。
　　Filesofmendisappeared，groundtodustunderthehorses。Thebayonetsplungedintothebelliesofthesecentaurs；henceahideousnessofwoundswhichhasprobablyneverbeenseenanywhereelse。Thesquares，wastedbythismadcavalry，closeduptheirrankswithoutflinching。
　　Inexhaustibleinthematterofgrape—shot，theycreatedexplosionsintheirassailants’midst。Theformofthiscombatwasmonstrous。
　　Thesesquareswerenolongerbattalions，theywerecraters；
　　thosecuirassierswerenolongercavalry，theywereatempest。
　　Eachsquarewasavolcanoattackedbyacloud；lavacontendedwithlightning。
　　Thesquareontheextremeright，themostexposedofall，beingintheair，wasalmostannihilatedattheveryfirstshock。
　　ltwasformedofthe75thregimentofHighlanders。Thebagpipe—playerinthecentredroppedhismelancholyeyes，filledwiththereflectionsoftheforestsandthelakes，inprofoundinattention，whilemenwerebeingexterminatedaroundhim，andseatedonadrum，withhispibrochunderhisarm，playedtheHighlandairs。TheseScotchmendiedthinkingofBenLothian，asdidtheGreeksrecallingArgos。
　　Theswordofacuirassier，whichheweddownthebagpipesandthearmwhichboreit，putanendtothesongbykillingthesinger。
　　Thecuirassiers，relativelyfewinnumber，andstillfurtherdiminishedbythecatastropheoftheravine，hadalmostthewholeEnglisharmyagainstthem，buttheymultipliedthemselvessothateachmanofthemwasequaltoten。Nevertheless，someHanoverianbattalionsyielded。
　　Wellingtonperceivedit，andthoughtofhiscavalry。HadNapoleonatthatsamemomentthoughtofhisinfantry，hewouldhavewonthebattle。Thisforgetfulnesswashisgreatandfatalmistake。
　　Allatonce，thecuirassiers，whohadbeentheassailants，foundthemselvesassailed。TheEnglishcavalrywasattheirback。
　　Beforethemtwosquares，behindthemSomerset；Somersetmeantfourteenhundreddragoonsoftheguard。Ontheright，SomersethadDornbergwiththeGermanlight—horse，andonhisleft，TripwiththeBelgiancarabineers；thecuirassiersattackedontheflankandinfront，beforeandintherear，byinfantryandcavalry，hadtofaceallsides。Whatmatteredittothem？Theywereawhirlwind。
　　Theirvalorwassomethingindescribable。
　　Inadditiontothis，theyhadbehindthemthebattery，whichwasstillthundering。Itwasnecessarythatitshouldbeso，ortheycouldneverhavebeenwoundedintheback。Oneoftheircuirasses，piercedontheshoulderbyaballfromabiscayan，[9]isinthecollectionoftheWaterlooMuseum。
　　[9]Aheavyrifledgun。
　　ForsuchFrenchmennothinglessthansuchEnglishmenwasneeded。
　　Itwasnolongerahand—to—handconflict；itwasashadow，afury，adizzytransportofsoulsandcourage，ahurricaneoflightningswords。
　　Inaninstantthefourteenhundreddragoonguardsnumberedonlyeighthundred。Fuller，theirlieutenant—colonel，felldead。
　　NeyrushedupwiththelancersandLefebvre—Desnouettes’slight—horse。
　　TheplateauofMont—Saint—Jeanwascaptured，recaptured，capturedagain。
　　Thecuirassiersquittedthecavalrytoreturntotheinfantry；
　　or，toputitmoreexactly，thewholeofthatformidableroutcollaredeachotherwithoutreleasingtheother。Thesquaresstillheldfirm。
　　Therewereadozenassaults。Neyhadfourhorseskilledunderhim。
　　Halfthecuirassiersremainedontheplateau。Thisconflictlastedtwohours。
　　TheEnglisharmywasprofoundlyshaken。Thereisnodoubtthat，hadtheynotbeenenfeebledintheirfirstshockbythedisasterofthehollowroadthecuirassierswouldhaveoverwhelmedthecentreanddecidedthevictory。ThisextraordinarycavalrypetrifiedClinton，whohadseenTalaveraandBadajoz。Wellington，three—quartersvanquished，admiredheroically。Hesaidinanundertone，"Sublime！"
　　Thecuirassiersannihilatedsevensquaresoutofthirteen，tookorspikedsixtypiecesofordnance，andcapturedfromtheEnglishregimentssixflags，whichthreecuirassiersandthreechasseursoftheGuardboretotheEmperor，infrontofthefarmofLaBelleAlliance。
　　Wellington’ssituationhadgrownworse。Thisstrangebattlewaslikeaduelbetweentworaging，woundedmen，eachofwhom，stillfightingandstillresisting，isexpendingallhisblood。
　　Whichofthetwowillbethefirsttofall？
　　Theconflictontheplateaucontinued。
　　Whathadbecomeofthecuirassiers？Noonecouldhavetold。
　　Onethingiscertain，thatonthedayafterthebattle，acuirassierandhishorsewerefounddeadamongthewoodworkofthescalesforvehiclesatMont—Saint—Jean，attheverypointwherethefourroadsfromNivelles，Genappe，LaHulpe，andBrusselsmeetandintersecteachother。ThishorsemanhadpiercedtheEnglishlines。
　　OneofthemenwhopickedupthebodystilllivesatMont—Saint—Jean。
　　HisnameisDehaze。Hewaseighteenyearsoldatthattime。
　　Wellingtonfeltthathewasyielding。Thecrisiswasathand。
　　Thecuirassiershadnotsucceeded，sincethecentrewasnotbrokenthrough。Aseveryonewasinpossessionoftheplateau，nooneheldit，andinfactitremained，toagreatextent，withtheEnglish。
　　Wellingtonheldthevillageandtheculminatingplain；Neyhadonlythecrestandtheslope。Theyseemedrootedinthatfatalsoilonbothsides。
　　ButtheweakeningoftheEnglishseemedirremediable。
　　Thebleedingofthatarmywashorrible。Kempt，ontheleftwing，demandedreinforcements。"Therearenone，"repliedWellington；
　　"hemustlethimselfbekilled！"Almostatthatsamemoment，asingularcoincidencewhichpaintstheexhaustionofthetwoarmies，NeydemandedinfantryfromNapoleon，andNapoleonexclaimed，"Infantry！
　　Wheredoesheexpectmetogetit？DoeshethinkIcanmakeit？"
　　Nevertheless，theEnglisharmywasintheworsecaseofthetwo。
　　Thefuriousonsetsofthosegreatsquadronswithcuirassesofironandbreastsofsteelhadgroundtheinfantrytonothing。Afewmenclusteredroundaflagmarkedthepostofaregiment；suchandsuchabattalionwascommandedonlybyacaptainoralieutenant；
　　Alten’sdivision，alreadysoroughlyhandledatLaHaie—Sainte，wasalmostdestroyed；theintrepidBelgiansofVanKluze’sbrigadestrewedtherye—fieldsallalongtheNivellesroad；hardlyanythingwasleftofthoseDutchgrenadiers，who，intermingledwithSpaniardsinourranksin1811，foughtagainstWellington；andwho，in1815，ralliedtotheEnglishstandard，foughtagainstNapoleon。
　　Thelossinofficerswasconsiderable。LordUxbridge，whohadhislegburiedonthefollowingday，hadhiskneeshattered。
　　If，ontheFrenchside，inthattussleofthecuirassiers，Delort，l’Heritier，Colbert，Dnop，Travers，andBlancardweredisabled，onthesideoftheEnglishtherewasAltenwounded，Barnewounded，Delanceykilled，VanMeerenkilled，Omptedakilled，thewholeofWellington’sstaffdecimated，andEnglandhadtheworseofitinthatbloodyscale。Thesecondregimentoffoot—guardshadlostfivelieutenant—colonels，fourcaptains，andthreeensigns；
　　thefirstbattalionofthe30thinfantryhadlost24officersand1，200soldiers；the79thHighlandershadlost24officerswounded，18officerskilled，450soldierskilled。TheHanoverianhussarsofCumberland，awholeregiment，withColonelHackeatitshead，whowasdestinedtobetriedlateronandcashiered，hadturnedbridleinthepresenceofthefray，andhadfledtotheforestofSoignes，sowingdefeatallthewaytoBrussels。Thetransports，ammunition—wagons，thebaggage—wagons，thewagonsfilledwithwounded，onperceivingthattheFrenchweregaininggroundandapproachingtheforest，rushedheadlongthither。TheDutch，moweddownbytheFrenchcavalry，cried，"Alarm！"FromVert—CoucoutoGroentendael，foradistanceofnearlytwoleaguesinthedirectionofBrussels，accordingtothetestimonyofeye—witnesseswhoarestillalive，theroadswereencumberedwithfugitives。ThispanicwassuchthatitattackedthePrincedeCondeatMechlin，andLouisXVIII。
　　atGhent。WiththeexceptionofthefeeblereserveechelonnedbehindtheambulanceestablishedatthefarmofMont—Saint—Jean，andofVivian’sandVandeleur’sbrigades，whichflankedtheleftwing，Wellingtonhadnocavalryleft。Anumberofbatterieslayunhorsed。
　　ThesefactsareattestedbySiborne；andPringle，exaggeratingthedisaster，goessofarastosaythattheAnglo—Dutcharmywasreducedtothirty—fourthousandmen。TheIronDukeremainedcalm，buthislipsblanched。Vincent，theAustriancommissioner，Alava，theSpanishcommissioner，whowerepresentatthebattleintheEnglishstaff，thoughttheDukelost。Atfiveo’clockWellingtondrewouthiswatch，andhewasheardtomurmurthesesinisterwords，"Blucher，ornight！"
　　ItwasataboutthatmomentthatadistantlineofbayonetsgleamedontheheightsinthedirectionofFrischemont。
　　Herecomesthechangeoffaceinthisgiantdrama。