I
　　TOULON
　　Onthe18thJune，1815，attheverymomentwhenthedestinyofEuropewasbeingdecidedatWaterloo，amandressedlikeabeggarwassilentlyfollowingtheroadfromToulontoMarseilles。
　　ArrivedattheentranceoftheGorgeofOllioulles，hehaltedonalittleeminencefromwhichhecouldseeallthesurroundingcountry；
　　theneitherbecausehehadreachedtheendofhisjourney，orbecause，beforeattemptingthatforbidding，sombrepasswhichiscalledtheThermopylaeofProvence，hewishedtoenjoythemagnificentviewwhichspreadtothesouthernhorizonalittlelonger，hewentandsatdownontheedgeoftheditchwhichborderedtheroad，turninghisbackonthemountainswhichriselikeanamphitheatretothenorthofthetown，andhavingathisfeetarichplaincoveredwithtropicalvegetation，exoticsofaconservatory，treesandflowersquiteunknowninanyotherpartofFrance。
　　Beyondthisplain，glitteringinthelastraysofthesun，paleandmotionlessasamirrorlaythesea，andonthesurfaceofthewaterglidedonebrig-of-war，which，takingadvantageofafreshlandbreeze，hadallsailsspread，andwasbowlingalongrapidly，makingforItalianseas。ThebeggarfollowediteagerlywithhiseyesuntilitdisappearedbetweentheCapeofGienandthefirstoftheislandsofHyeres，thenasthewhiteapparitionvanishedhesigheddeeply，lethisheadfallintohishands，andremainedmotionlessandabsorbedinhisreflectionsuntilthetramplingsofacavalcademadehimstart；helookedup，shookbackhislongblackhair，asifhewishedtogetridofthegloomythoughtswhichwereoverwhelminghim，and，lookingattheentrancetothegorgefromwhencethenoisecame，hesoonsawtworidersappear，whowerenodoubtwellknowntohim，for，drawinghimselfuptohisfullheight，heletfallthestickhewascarrying，andfoldinghisarmsheturnedtowardsthem。Ontheirsidethenew-comershadhardlyseenhimbeforetheyhalted，andtheforemostdismounted，threwhisbridletohiscompanion，anduncovering，thoughfiftypacesfromthemaninrags，advancedrespectfullytowardshim。Thebeggarallowedhimtoapproachwithanairofsombredignityandwithoutasinglemovement；then，whenhewasquitenear——
　　"Well，marshal，have，younewsforme？"saidthebeggar。
　　"Yes，sire，"saidtheothersadly。
　　"Andwhatarethey？"
　　"SuchthatIcouldwishitwereanyonebutmyselftoannouncethemtoyourMajesty————"
　　"SotheEmperorrefusesmyservices！HeforgetsthevictoriesofAboukir，Eylau，andMoscow？"
　　"No，sire；butheremembersthetreatyofNaples，thetakingofReggio，andthedeclarationofwaroftheviceroyofItaly。"
　　Thebeggarstruckhisforehead。
　　"Yes，yes！IdaresayhethinksIdeservehisreproaches，andyetitseemstomethatheoughttorememberthattherearetwomeninme——
　　thesoldierwhomhemadehisbrother，andthebrotherwhomhemadeaking……Yes，asbrotherIhavetreatedhimill——veryill，butasking，uponmysoul，Icouldnothaveacteddifferently……Ihadtochoosebetweenmyswordandmycrown，andbetweenaregimentandapeople。Listen，Brune：youdonotknowhowitallhappened。TherewasanEnglishfleet，thegunsofwhichweregrowlingintheport，therewasaNeapolitanpopulationhowlinginthestreets。IfIhadbeenalone，Iwouldhavepassedthroughthefleetwithoneboat，throughthecrowdwithmyswordalone，butIhadawifeandchildren。
　　YetIhesitated；theideaofbeingcalledtraitoranddesertercausedmetoshedmoretearsthanthelossofmythrone，orperhapsthedeathofthoseIlovebest，willeverwringfromme……Andsohewillhavenothingmoretodowithme？Herefusesmeasgeneral，captain，private？Thenwhatisleftformetodo？"
　　"Sire，yourMajestymustleaveFranceimmediately。"
　　"AndifIdon’tobey？"
　　"Myordersaretoarrestyouanddeliveryouuptoacourt-martial！"
　　"Oldcomrade，youwillnotdothat？"
　　"Ishalldoit，prayingGodtostrikemedeadinthemomentIlayhandsonyou！"
　　"That’syouallover，Brune。Youhavebeenabletoremainagood，loyalfellow。Hedidnotgiveyouakingdom，hedidnotencircleyourbrowwithabandofironwhichmencallacrownandwhichdrivesonemad；hedidnotplaceyoubetweenyourconscienceandyourfamily。SoImustleaveFrance，beginmyvagabondlifeagain，andsayfarewelltoToulon，whichrecallssomanymemoriestome！See，Brune，"continuedMurat，leaningonthearmofthemarshal，"arenotthepinesyonderasfineasanyattheVillaPamfili，thepalmsasimposingasanyatCairo，themountainsasgrandasanyrangeintheTyrol？Looktoyourleft，isnotCapeGiensomethinglikeCastellamareandSorrento——leavingoutVesuvius？Andsee，Saint-
　　Mandrieratthefarthestpointofthegulf，isitnotlikemyrockofCapri，whichLamarquejuggledawaysocleverlyfromthatidiotofaSirHudsonLowe？MyGod！andImustleaveallthis！IstherenowayofremainingonthislittlecornerofFrenchground——tellme，Brune！"
　　"You’llbreakmyheart，sire！"answeredthemarshal。
　　"Well，we’llsaynomoreaboutit。Whatnews？"
　　"TheEmperorhasleftParistojointhearmy。Theymustbefightingnow。"
　　"FightingnowandInotthere！Oh，IfeelIcouldhavebeenofusetohimonthisbattlefield。HowIwouldhavegloriedinchargingthosemiserablePrussiansanddastardlyEnglish！Brune，givemeapassport，I’llgoatfullspeed，I’llreachthearmy，Iwillmakemyselfknowntosomecolonel，Ishallsay，’Givemeyourregiment。’
　　I’llchargeatitshead，andiftheEmperordoesnotclaspmyhandto-night，I’llblowmybrainsout，IswearIwill。DowhatIask，Brune，andhoweveritmayend，myeternalgratitudewillbeyours！"
　　"Icannot，sire。"
　　"Well，well，saynomoreaboutit。"
　　"AndyourMajestyisgoingtoleaveFrance？"
　　"Idon’tknow。Obeyyourorders，marshal，andifyoucomeacrossmeagain，havemearrested。That’sanotherwayofdoingsomethingforme。Lifeisaheavyburdennowadays。Hewhowillrelievemeofitwillbewelcome……Good-bye，Brune。"
　　Heheldouthishandtothemarshal，whotriedtokissit；butMuratopenedhisarms，thetwooldcomradesheldeachotherfastforamoment，withswellingheartsandeyesfulloftears；thenatlasttheyparted。Bruneremountedhishorse，Muratpickeduphisstickagain，andthetwomenwentawayinoppositedirections，onetomeethisdeathbyassassinationatAvignon，theothertobeshotatPizzo。
　　Meanwhile，likeRichardIII，NapoleonwasbarteringhiscrownagainstahorseatWaterloo。
　　Aftertheinterviewthathasjustbeenrelated，Murattookrefugewithhisnephew，whowascalledBonafoux，andwhowascaptainofafrigate；butthisretreatcouldonlybetemporary，fortherelationshipwouldinevitablyawakethesuspicionsoftheauthorities。Inconsequence，Bonafouxsetaboutfindingamoresecretplaceofrefugeforhisuncle。Hehitononeofhisfriends，anavocat，amanfamedforhisintegrity，andthatveryeveningBonafouxwenttoseehim。
　　Afterchattingongeneralsubjects，heaskedhisfriendifhehadnotahouseattheseaside，andreceivinganaffirmativeanswer，heinvitedhimselftobreakfasttherethenextday；theproposalnaturallyenoughwasagreedtowithpleasure。ThenextdayattheappointedhourBonafouxarrivedatBonette，whichwasthenameofthecountryhousewhereM。Marouin’swifeanddaughterwerestaying。
　　M。MarouinhimselfwaskeptbyhisworkatToulon。Aftertheordinarygreetings，Bonafouxsteppedtothewindow，beckoningtoMarouintorejoinhim。
　　"Ithought，"hesaiduneasily，"thatyourhousewasbythesea。"
　　"Wearehardlytenminutes’walkfromit。"
　　"Butitisnotinsight。"
　　"Thathillpreventsyoufromseeingit。"
　　"Maywegoforastrollonthebeachbeforebreakfastisserved？"
　　"Byallmeans。Well，yourhorseisstillsaddled。Iwillordermine——Iwillcomebackforyou。"
　　Marouinwentout。Bonafouxremainedatthewindow，absorbedinhisthoughts。Theladiesofthehouse，occupiedinpreparationsforthemeal，didnotobserve，ordidnotappeartoobserve，hispreoccupation。InfiveminutesMarouincameback。Hewasreadytostart。Theavocatandhisfriendmountedtheirhorsesandrodequicklydowntothesea。Onthebeachthecaptainslackenedhispace，andridingalongtheshoreforabouthalfanhour，heseemedtobeexaminingthebearingsofthecoastwithgreatattention。Marouinfollowedwithoutinquiringintohisinvestigations，whichseemednaturalenoughforanavalofficer。
　　Afteraboutanhourthetwomenwentbacktothehouse。
　　Marouinwishedtohavethehorsesunsaddled，butBonafouxobjected，sayingthathemustgobacktoToulonimmediatelyafterlunch。
　　Indeed，thecoffeewashardlyfinishedbeforeheroseandtookleaveofhishosts。Marouin，calledbacktotownbyhiswork，mountedhishorsetoo，andthetwofriendsrodebacktoToulontogether。Afterridingalongfortenminutes，Bonafouxwentclosetohiscompanionandtouchedhimonthethigh——
　　"Marouin，"hesaid，"Ihaveanimportantsecrettoconfidetoyou。"
　　"Speak，captain。Afterafatherconfessor，youknowthereisnoonesodiscreetasanotary，andafteranotaryanavocat。"
　　"YoucanquiteunderstandthatIdidnotcometoyourcountryhousejustforthepleasureoftheride。Amoreimportantobject，aseriousresponsibility，preoccupiedme；Ihavechosenyououtofallmyfriends，believingthatyouweredevotedenoughtometorendermeagreatservice。"
　　"Youdidwell，captain。"
　　"Letusgostraighttothepoint，asmenwhorespectandtrusteachothershoulddo。Myuncle，KingJoachim，isproscribed，hehastakenrefugewithme；buthecannotremainthere，forIamthefirstpersontheywillsuspect。Yourhouseisinanisolatedposition，andconsequentlywecouldnotfindabetterretreatforhim。Youmustputitatourdisposaluntileventsenablethekingtocometosomedecision。"
　　"Itisatyourservice，"saidMarouin。
　　"Right。Myuncleshallsleepthereto-night。"
　　"Butatleastgivemetimetomakesomepreparationsworthyofmyroyalguest。"
　　"MypoorMarouin，youaregivingyourselfunnecessarytrouble，andmakingavexatiousdelayforus：KingJoachimisnolongeraccustomedtopalacesandcourtiers；heisonlytoohappynowadaystofindacottagewithafriendinit；besides，Ihavelethimknowaboutit，sosurewasIofyouranswer。Heiscountingonsleepingatyourhouseto-night，andifItrytochangehisdeterminationnowhewillseearefusalinwhatisonlyapostponement，andyouwillloseallthecreditforyourgenerousandnobleaction。There——itisagreed：
　　to-nightattenattheChampsdeMars。"
　　Withthesewordsthecaptainputhishorsetoagallopanddisappeared。Marouinturnedhishorseandwentbacktohiscountryhousetogivethenecessaryordersforthereceptionofastrangerwhosenamehedidnotmention。
　　Atteno’clockatnight，ashadbeenagreed，MarouinwasontheChampsdeMars，thencoveredwithMarshalBrune’sfield-artillery。
　　Noonehadarrivedyet。Hewalkedupanddownbetweenthegun-
　　carriagesuntilafunctionarycametoaskwhathewasdoing。Hewashardputtoittofindananswer：amanishardlylikelytobewanderingaboutinanartilleryparkatteno’clockatnightforthemerepleasureofthething。Heaskedtoseethecommandingofficer。
　　Theofficercameup：M。Marouininformedhimthathewasanavocat，attachedtothelawcourtsofToulon，andtoldhimthathehadarrangedtomeetsomeoneontheChampsdeMars，notknowingthatitwasprohibited，andthathewasstillwaitingforthatperson。Afterthisexplanation，theofficerauthorisedhimtoremain，andwentbacktohisquarters。Thesentinel，afaithfuladherenttodiscipline，continuedtopaceupanddownwithhismeasuredstep，withouttroublinganymoreaboutthestranger’spresence。
　　AfewmomentslateragroupofseveralpersonsappearedfromthedirectionofLesLices。Thenightwasmagnificent，andthemoonbrilliant。MarouinrecognisedBonafoux，andwentuptohim。Thecaptainatoncetookhimbythehandandledhimtotheking，andspeakinginturntoeachofthem——
　　"Sire，"hesaid，"hereisthefriend。Itoldyouof。"
　　ThenturningtoMarouin——
　　"Here，"hesaid，"istheKingofNaples，exileandfugitive，whomI
　　confidetoyourcare。Idonotspeakofthepossibilitythatsomedayhemaygetbackhiscrown，thatwoulddepriveyouofthecreditofyourfineaction……Now，behisguide——wewillfollowatadistance。March！"
　　Thekingandthelawyersetoutatoncetogether。Muratwasdressedinabluecoat-semi-military，semi-civil，buttonedtothethroat；heworewhitetrousersandtopbootswithspurs；hehadlonghair，moustache，andthickwhiskers，whichwouldreachroundhisneck。
　　Astheyrodealonghequestionedhishostaboutthesituationofhiscountryhouseandthefacilityforreachingtheseaincaseofasurprise。TowardsmidnightthekingandMarouinarrivedatBonette；
　　theroyalsuitecameupinabouttenminutes；itconsistedofaboutthirtyindividuals。Afterpartakingofsomelightrefreshment，thislittletroop，thelastofthecourtofthedeposedking，retiredtodisperseinthetownanditsenvirons，andMuratremainedalonewiththewomen，onlykeepingonevaletnamedLeblanc。
　　Muratstayednearlyamonthinthisretirement，spendingallhistimeinansweringthenewspaperswhichaccusedhimoftreasontotheEmperor。Thisaccusationwashisabsorbingidea，aphantom，aspectretohim；dayandnighthetriedtoshakeitoff，seekinginthedifficultpositioninwhichhehadfoundhimselfallthereasonswhichitmightofferhimforactingashehadacted。MeanwhiletheterriblenewsofthedefeatatWaterloohadspreadabroad。TheEmperorwhohadexiledhimwasanexilehimself，andhewaswaitingatRochefort，likeMuratatToulon，tohearwhathisenemieswoulddecideagainsthim。NooneknowstothisdaywhatinwardpromptingNapoleonobeyedwhen，rejectingthecounselsofGeneralLallemandeandthedevotionofCaptainBodin，hepreferredEnglandtoAmerica，andwentlikeamodernPrometheustobechainedtotherockofSt。
　　Helena。
　　WearegoingtorelatethefortuitouscircumstancewhichledMurattothemoatofPizzo，thenwewillleaveittofataliststodrawfromthisstrangestorywhateverphilosophicaldeductionmaypleasethem。
　　We，ashumbleannalists，canonlyvouchforthetruthofthefactswehavealreadyrelatedandofthosewhichwillfollow。
　　KingLouisXVIIIremountedhisthrone，consequentlyMuratlostallhopeofremaininginFrance；hefelthewasboundtogo。HisnephewBonafouxfittedoutafrigatefortheUnitedStatesunderthenameofPrinceRoccaRomana。Thewholesuitewentonboard，andtheybegantocarryontotheboatallthevaluableswhichtheexilehadbeenabletosavefromtheshipwreckofhiskingdom。Firstabagofgoldweighingnearlyahundredpounds，asword-sheathonwhichweretheportraitsoftheking，thequeen，andtheirchildren，thedeedofthecivilestatesofhisfamilyboundinvelvetandadornedwithhisarms。Muratcarriedonhispersonabeltwheresomepreciouspaperswereconcealed，withaboutascoreofunmounteddiamonds，whichheestimatedhimselftobeworthfourmillions。
　　Whenallthesepreparationsfordepartingwereaccomplished，itwasagreedthatthenextday，the1stofAugust，atfiveo’clock，aboatshouldfetchthekingtothebrigfromalittlebay，tenminutes’
　　walkfromthehousewherehewasstaying。ThekingspentthenightmakingoutarouteforM。Marouinbywhichhecouldreachthequeen，whowastheninAustria，Ithink。
　　Itwasfinishedjustasitwastimetoleave，andoncrossingthethresholdofthehospitablehousewherehehadfoundrefugehegaveittohishost，slippedintoavolumeofapocketeditionofVoltaire。Belowthestoryof’Micromegas’thekinghadwritten：
　　[ThevolumeisstillinthehandsofM。Marouin，atToulon。]
　　Reassureyourself，dearCaroline；althoughunhappy，Iamfree。Iamdeparting，butIdonotknowwhitherIambound。WhereverImaybemyheartwillbewithyouandmychildren。"J。M。"
　　TenminuteslaterMuratandhishostwerewaitingonthebeachatBonettefortheboatwhichwastotakethemouttotheship。
　　Theywaiteduntilmidday，andnothingappeared；andyetonthehorizontheycouldseethebrigwhichwastobehisrefuge，unabletolieatanchoronaccountofthedepthofwater，sailingalongthecoastattheriskofgivingthealarmtothesentinels。
　　Atmiddaytheking，wornoutwithfatigueandtheheatofthesun，waslyingonthebeach，whenaservantarrived，bringingvariousrefreshments，whichMadameMarouin，beingveryuneasy，hadsentatallhazardstoherhusband。Thekingtookaglassofwineandwaterandateanorange，andgotupforamomenttoseewhethertheboathewasexpectingwasnowherevisibleonthevastnessofthesea。Therewasnotaboatinsight，onlythebrigtossinggracefullyonthehorizon，impatienttobeoff，likeahorseawaitingitsmaster。
　　Thekingsighedandlaydownagainonthesand。
　　TheservantwentbacktoBonettewithamessagesummoningM。Marouin’sbrothertothebeach。Hearrivedinafewminutes，andalmostimmediatelyafterwardsgallopedoffatfullspeedtoToulon，inordertofindoutfromM。Bonafouxwhytheboathadnotbeensenttotheking。Onreachingthecaptain’shouse，hefounditoccupiedbyanarmedforce。TheyweremakingasearchforMurat。
　　Themessengeratlastmadehiswaythroughthetumulttothepersonhewasinsearchof，andheheardthattheboathadstartedattheappointedtime，andthatitmusthavegoneastrayinthecreeksofSaintLouisandSainteMarguerite。Thiswas，infact，exactlywhathadhappened。
　　Byfiveo’clockM。Marouinhadreportedthenewstohisbrotherandtheking。Itwasbadnews。Thekinghadnocouragelefttodefendhislifeevenbyflight，hewasinastateofprostrationwhichsometimesoverwhelmsthestrongestofmen，incapableofmakinganyplanforhisownsafety，andleavingM。Marouintodothebesthecould。Justthenafishermanwascomingintoharboursinging。
　　Marouinbeckonedtohim，andhecameup。
　　Marouinbeganbybuyingalltheman’sfish；then，whenhehadpaidhimwithafewcoins，heletsomegoldglitterbeforehiseyes，andofferedhimthreelouisifhewouldtakeapassengertothebrigwhichwaslyingofftheCroix-des-Signaux。Thefishermanagreedtodoit。ThischanceofescapegavebackMuratallhisstrength；hegotup，embracedMarouin，andbeggedhimtogotothequeenwiththevolumeofVoltaire。Thenhesprangintotheboat，whichinstantlylefttheshore。
　　ItwasalreadysomedistancefromthelandwhenthekingstoppedthemanwhowasrowingandsignedtoMarouinthathehadforgottensomething。OnthebeachlayabagintowhichMurathadputamagnificentpairofpistolsmountedwithsilvergiltwhichthequeenhadgivenhim，andwhichhesetgreatstoreon。Assoonashewaswithinhearingheshoutedhisreasonforreturningtohishost。
　　Marouinseizedthevalise，andwithoutwaitingforMurattolandhethrewitintotheboat；thebagflewopen，andoneofthepistolsfellout。Thefishermanonlyglancedonceattheroyalweapon，butitwasenoughtomakehimnoticeitsrichnessandtoarousehissuspicions。Nevertheless，hewentonrowingtowardsthefrigate。
　　M。Marouinseeinghimdisappearinthedistance，lefthisbrotheronthebeach，andbowingoncemoretotheking，returnedtothehousetocalmhiswife’sanxietiesandtotakethereposeofwhichhewasinmuchneed。
　　Twohourslaterhewasawakened。Hishousewastobesearchedinitsturnbysoldiers。Theysearchedeverynookandcornerwithoutfindingatraceoftheking。Justastheyweregettingdesperate，thebrothercamein；Maroumsmiledathim；believingthekingtobesafe，butbythenew-comer’sexpressionhesawthatsomefreshmisfortunewasinthewind。Inthefirstmoment’srespitegivenhimbyhisvisitorshewentuptohisbrother。
　　"Well，"hesaid，"Ihopethekingisonboard？"
　　"Thekingisfiftyyardsaway，hiddenintheouthouse。"
　　"Whydidhecomeback？"
　　"Thefishermanpretendedhewasafraidofasuddensquall，andrefusedtotakehimofftothebrig。"
　　"Thescoundrel！"
　　Thesoldierscameinagain。
　　Theyspentthenightinfruitlesssearchingaboutthehouseandbuildings；severaltimestheypassedwithinafewstepsoftheking，andhecouldheartheirthreatsandimprecations。Atlast，halfanhourbeforedawn，theywentaway。Marouinwatchedthemgo，andwhentheywereoutofsightherantotheking。Hefoundhimlyinginacorner，apistolclutchedineachhand。Theunhappymanhadbeenovercomebyfatigueandhadfallenasleep。Marouinhesitatedamomenttobringhimbacktohiswandering，tormentedlife，buttherewasnotaminutetolose。Hewokehim。
　　Theywentdowntothebeachatonce。Amorningmistlayoverthesea。Theycouldnotseeanythingtwohundredyardsahead。Theywereobligedtowait。Atlastthefirstsunbeamsbegantopiercethisnocturnalmist。Itslowlydispersed，glidingovertheseaascloudsmoveinthesky。Theking’shungryeyerovedoverthetossingwatersbeforehim，buthesawnothing，yethecouldnotbanishthehopethatsomewherebehindthatmovingcurtainhewouldfindhisrefuge。
　　Littlebylittlethehorizoncameintoview；lightwreathsofmist，likesmoke，stillfloatedaboutthesurfaceofthewater，andineachofthemthekingthoughtherecognisedthewhitesailsofhisvessel。
　　Thelastgraduallyvanished，theseawasrevealedinallitsimmensity，itwasdeserted。Notdaringtodelayanylonger，theshiphadsailedawayinthenight。
　　"So，"saidtheking，"thedieiscast。IwillgotoCorsica。"
　　ThesamedayMarshalBrunewasassassinatedatAvignon。
　　II
　　CORSICA
　　OncemoreonthesamebeachatBonette，inthesamebaywherehehadawaitedtheboatinvain，stillattendedbyhisbandoffaithfulfollowers，wefindMuratonthe22ndAugustinthesameyear。ItwasnolongerbyNapoleonthathewasthreatened，itwasbyLouisXVIII
　　thathewasproscribed；itwasnolongerthemilitaryloyaltyofMarshalBrunewhocamewithtearsinhiseyestogivenoticeoftheordershehadreceived，buttheungratefulhatredofM。deRiviere，whohadsetaprice[48，000francs。]ontheheadofthemanwhohadsavedhisown。[ConspiracyofPichegru。]M。deRivierehadindeedwrittentotheex-KingofNaplesadvisinghimtoabandonhimselftothegoodfaithandhumanityoftheKingofFrance，buthisvagueinvitationhadnotseemedsufficientguaranteetotheoutlaw，especiallyonthepartofonewhohadallowedtheassassinationalmostbeforehiseyesofamanwhocarriedasafe-conductsignedbyhimself。MuratknewofthemassacreoftheMamelukesatMarseilles，theassassinationofBruneatAvignon；hehadbeenwarnedthedaybeforebythepoliceofToulonthataformalorderforhisarrestwasout；thusitwasimpossiblethatheshouldremainanylongerinFrance。Corsica，withitshospitabletowns，itsfriendlymountains，itsimpenetrableforests，washardlyfiftyleaguesdistant；hemustreachCorsica，andwaitinitstowns，mountains，andforestsuntilthecrownedheadsofEuropeshoulddecidethefateofthemantheyhadcalledbrotherforsevenyears。
　　Atteno’clockat，nightthekingwentdowntotheshore。Theboatwhichwastotakehimacrosshadnotreachedtherendezvous，butthistimetherewasnottheslightestfearthatitwouldfail；thebayhadbeenreconnoitredduringthedaybythreemendevotedtothefallenfortunesoftheking——MessieursBlancard，Langlade，andDonadieu，allthreenavalofficers，menofabilityandwarmheart，whohadswornbytheirownlivestoconveyMurattoCorsica，andwhowereinfactriskingtheirlivesinordertoaccomplishtheirpromise。Muratsawthedesertedshorewithoutuneasiness，indeedthisdelayaffordedhimafewmoremomentsofpatrioticsatisfaction。
　　Onthislittlepatchofland，thisstripofsand，theunhappyexileclungtohismotherFrance，foroncehisfoottouchedthevesselwhichwastocarryhimaway，hisseparationfromFrancewouldbelong，ifnoteternal。Hestartedsuddenlyamidstthesethoughtsandsighed：hehadjustperceivedasailglidingoverthewaveslikeaphantomthroughthetransparentdarknessofthesouthernnight。Thenasailor’ssongwasheard；Muratrecognisedtheappointedsignal，andanswereditbyburningtheprimingofapistol，andtheboatimmediatelyraninshore；butasshedrewthreefeetofwater，shewasobligedtostoptenortwelvefeetfromthebeach；twomendashedintothewaterandreachedthebeach，whileathirdremainedcrouchinginthestern-sheetswrappedinhisboat-cloak。
　　"Well，mygoodfriends，"saidtheking，goingtowardsBlancardandLangladeuntilhefeltthewaveswethisfeet"themomentiscome，isitnot？Thewindisfavourable，theseacalm，wemustgettosea。"
　　"Yes，answeredLanglade，"yes，wemuststart；andyetperhapsitwouldbewisertowaittillto-morrow。"
　　"Why？"askedMurat。
　　Langladedidnotanswer，butturningtowardsthewest，heraisedhishand，andaccordingtothehabitofsailors，hewhistledtocallthewind。
　　"That’snogood，"saidDonadieu，whohadremainedintheboat。"Herearethefirstgusts；youwillhavemorethanyouknowwhattodowithinaminute……Takecare，Langlade，takecare！Sometimesincallingthewindyouwakeupastorm。"
　　Muratstarted，forhethoughtthatthiswarningwhichrosefromtheseahadbeengivenhimbythespiritofthewaters；buttheimpressionwasapassingone，andherecoveredhimselfinamoment。
　　"Allthebetter，"hesaid；"themorewindwehave，thefasterweshallgo。"
　　"Yes，"answeredLanglade，"butGodknowswhereitwilltakeusifitgoesonshiftinglikethis。"
　　"Don’tstartto-night，sire，"saidBlancard，addinghisvoicetothoseofhistwocompanions。
　　"Butwhynot？"
　　"Youseethatbankofblackcloudthere，don’tyou？Well，atsunsetitwashardlyvisible，nowitcoversagoodpartofthesky，inanhourtherewon’tbeastartobeseen。"
　　"Areyouafraid？"askedMurat。
　　"Afraid！"answeredLanglade。"Ofwhat？Ofthestorm？ImightaswellaskifyourMajestyisafraidofacannon-ball。Wehavedemurredsolelyonyouraccount，sire；doyouthinkseadogslikeourselveswoulddelayonaccountofthestorm？"
　　"Thenletusgo！"criedMurat，withasigh。
　　"Good-bye，Marouin……Godalonecanrewardyouforwhatyouhavedoneforme。Iamatyourorders，gentlemen。"
　　Atthesewordsthetwosailorsseizedthekingendhoistedhimontotheirshoulders，andcarriedhimintothesea；inanothermomenthewasonboard。LangladeandBlancardspranginbehindhim。Donadieuremainedatthehelm，thetwootherofficersundertookthemanagementoftheboat，andbegantheirworkbyunfurlingthesails。Immediatelythepinnaceseemedtorouseherselflikeahorseattouchofthespur；thesailorscastacarelessglanceback，andMuratfeelingthattheyweresailingaway，turnedtowardshishostandcalledforalasttime——
　　"YouhaveyourrouteasfarasTrieste。Donotforgetmywife！……
　　Good-bye-good-bye————！"
　　"Godkeepyou，sire！"murmuredMarouin。
　　Andforsometime，thankstothewhitesailwhichgleamedthroughthedarkness，hecouldfollowwithhiseyestheboatwhichwasrapidlydisappearing；atlastitvanishedaltogether。Marouinlingeredontheshore，thoughhecouldseenothing；thenheheardacry，madefaintbythedistance；itwasMurat’slastadieutoFrance。
　　WhenM。Marouinwastellingmethesedetailsoneeveningontheveryspotwhereitallhappened，thoughtwentyyearshadpassed，herememberedclearlytheslightestincidentsoftheembarkationthatnight。Fromthatmomentheassuredmethatapresentimentofmisfortuneseizedhim；hecouldnottearhimselfawayfromtheshore，andseveraltimeshelongedtocallthekingback，but，likeamaninadream，heopenedhismouthwithoutbeingabletoutterasound。
　　Hewasafraidofbeingthoughtfoolish，anditwasnotuntiloneo’clockthatis，twoandahalfhoursafterthedepartureoftheboat-thathewenthomewithasadandheavyheart。
　　TheadventurousnavigatorshadtakenthecoursefromToulontoBastia，andatfirstitseemedtothekingthatthesailors’
　　predictionswerebelied；thewind，insteadofgettingup，felllittlebylittle，andtwohoursafterthedeparturetheboatwasrockingwithoutmovingforwardorbackwardonthewaves，whichweresinkingfrommomenttomoment。Muratsadlywatchedthephosphorescentfurrowtrailingbehindthelittleboat：hehadnervedhimselftofaceastorm，butnotadeadcalm，andwithouteveninterrogatinghiscompanions，ofwhoseuneasinesshetooknoaccount，helaydownintheboat，wrappedinhiscloak，closinghiseyesasifhewereasleep，andfollowingtheflowofhisthoughts，whichwerefarmoretumultuousthanthatofthewaters。Soonthetwosailors，thinkinghimasleep，joinedthepilot，andsittingdownbesidethehelm，theybegantoconsulttogether。
　　"Youwerewrong，Langlade，"saidDonadieu，"inchoosingacraftlikethis，whichiseithertoosmallorelsetoobig；inanopenboatwecanneverweatherastorm，andwithoutoarswecannevermakeanywayinacalm。"
　　"’ForeGod！Ihadnochoice。IwasobligedtotakewhatIcouldget，andifithadnotbeentheseasonfortunny-fishingImightnotevenhavegotthiswretchedpinnace，orratherIshouldhavehadtogointotheharbourtofindit，andtheykeepsuchasharplookoutthatImightwellhavegoneinwithoutcomingoutagain。"
　　"Atleastitisseaworthy，"saidBlancard。
　　"Pardieu，youknowwhatnailsandplanksarewhentheyhavebeensoakedinsea-waterfortenyears。Onanyordinaryoccasion，amanwouldrathernotgoinherfromMarseillestotheChateaud’If，butonanoccasionlikethisonewouldwillinglygoroundtheworldinanutshell。"
　　"Hush！"saidDonadieu。Thesailorslistened，；adistantgrowlwasheard，butitwassofaintthatonlytheexperiencedearofasailorcouldhavedistinguishedit。
　　"Yes，yes，"saidLanglade，"itisawarningforthosewhohavelegsorwingstoregainthehomesandneststhattheyoughtnevertohaveleft。"
　　"Arewefarfromtheislands？"askedDonadieuquickly。
　　"Aboutamileoff。"
　　"Steerforthem。"
　　"Whatfor？"askedMurat，lookingup。
　　"Toputinthere，sire，ifwecan。"
　　"No，no，"criedMurat；"IwillnotlandexceptinCorsica。IwillnotleaveFranceagain。Besides，theseaiscalmandthewindisgettingupagain——"
　　"Downwiththesails！"shoutedDonadieu。InstantlyLangladeandBlancardjumpedforwardtocarryouttheorder。Thesailsliddownthemastandfellinaheapinthebottomoftheboat。
　　"Whatareyoudoing？"criedMurat。"DoyouforgetthatIamkingandthatIcommandyou？"
　　"Sire，"saidDonadieu，"thereisakingmorepowerfulthanyou——God；
　　thereisavoicewhichdrownsyours——thevoiceofthetempest：letussaveyourMajestyifpossible，anddemandnothingmoreofus。"
　　Justthenaflashoflightningquiveredalongthehorizon，aclapofthundernearerthanthefirstonewasheard，alightfoamappearedonthesurfaceofthewater，andtheboattrembledlikealivingthing。
　　Muratbegantounderstandthatdangerwasapproaching，thenhegotupsmiling，threwhishatbehindhim，shookbackhislonghair，andbreathedinthestormlikethesmellofpowder——thesoldierwasreadyforthebattle。
　　"Sire，"saidDonadieu，"youhaveseenmanyabattle，butperhapsyouhaveneverwatchedastormifyouarecuriousaboutit，clingtothemast，foryouhaveafineopportunitynow。"
　　"WhatoughtItodo？"saidMurat。"CanInothelpyouinanyway？"
　　"No，notjustnow，sire；lateryouwillbeusefulatthepumps。"
　　Duringthisdialoguethestormhaddrawnnear；itrushedonthetravellerslikeawar-horse，breathingoutfireandwindthroughitsnostrils，neighinglikethunder，andscatteringthefoamofthewavesbeneathitsfeet。
　　Donadieuturnedtherudder，theboatyieldedasifitunderstoodthenecessityforpromptobedience，andpresentedthepooptotheshockofwind；thenthesquallpassed，leavingtheseaquivering，andeverythingwascalmagain。Thestormtookbreath。
　　"Willthatgustbeall？"askedMurat。
　　"No，yourMajesty，thatwastheadvance-guardonly；thebodyofthearmywillbeupdirectly。"
　　"Andareyounotgoingtoprepareforit？"askedthekinggaily。
　　"Whatcouldwedo？"saidDonadieu。"Wehavenotaninchofcanvastocatchthewind，andaslongaswedonotmaketoomuchwater，weshallfloatlikeacork。Lookout-sire！"
　　Indeed，asecondhurricanewasonitsway，bringingrainandlightning；itwasswifterthanthefirst。Donadieuendeavouredtorepeatthesamemanoeuvre，buthecouldnotturnbeforethewindstrucktheboat，themastbentlikeareed；theboatshippedawave。
　　"Tothepumps！"criedDonadieu。"Sire，nowisthemomenttohelpus-
　　——-"
　　Blancard，Langlade，andMuratseizedtheirhatsandbegantobaleouttheboat。Thepositionofthefourmenwasterrible——itlastedthreehours。
　　Atdawnthewindfell，buttheseawasstillhigh。Theybegantofeeltheneedoffood：alltheprovisionshadbeenspoiledbysea-water，onlythewinehadbeenpreservedfromitscontact。
　　Thekingtookabottleandswallowedalittlewinefirst，thenhepassedittohiscompanions，whodrankintheirturn：necessityhadovercomeetiquette。BychanceLangladehadonhimafewchocolates，whichheofferedtotheking。Muratdividedthemintofourequalparts，andforcedhiscompanionstotaketheirshares；then，whenthemealwasover，theysteeredforCorsica，buttheboathadsufferedsomuchthatitwasimprobablethatitwouldreachBastia。
　　Thewholedaypassedwithoutmakingtenmiles；theboatwaskeptunderthejib，astheydarednothoistthemainsail，andthewind。
　　wassovariablethatmuchtimewaslostinhumouringitscaprices。
　　Byeveningtheboathaddrawnaconsiderableamountofwater，itpenetratedbetweentheboards，thehandkerchiefsofthecrewservedtopluguptheleaks，andnight，whichwasdescendinginmournfulgloom，wrappedthemasecondtimeindarkness。Prostratedwithfatigue，Muratfellasleep，BlancardandLangladetooktheirplaces。
　　besideDonadieu，andthethreemen，whoseemedinsensibletothecallsofsleepandfatigue，watchedoverhisslumbers。
　　Thenightwascalmenoughapparently，butlowgrumblingswereheardnowandthen。
　　Thethreesailorslookedateachotherstrangelyandthenattheking，whowassleepingatthebottomoftheboat，hiscloaksoakedwithsea-water，sleepingassoundlyashehadsleptonthesandsofEgyptorthesnowsofRussia。
　　Thenoneofthemgotupandwenttotheotherendoftheboat，whistlingbetweenhisteethaProvencalair；then，afterexaminingthesky，thewaves；andtheboat，hewentbacktohiscomradesandsatdown，muttering，"Impossible！Exceptbyamiracle，weshallnevermaketheland。"
　　Thenightpassedthroughallitsphases。Atdawntherewasavesselinsight。
　　"Asail！"criedDonadieu，——"asail！"
　　Atthiscrytheking——awoke；andsoonalittletradingbrighoveinsight，goingfromCorsicatoToulon。
　　Donadieusteeredforthebrig，Blancardhoistedenoughsailtoworktheboat，andLangladerantotheprowandhelduptheking’scloakontheendofasortofharpoon。Soonthevoyagersperceivedthattheyhadbeensighted，thebrigwentabouttoapproachthem，andintenminutestheyfoundthemselveswithinfiftyyardsofit。Thecaptainappearedinthe-bows。ThenthekinghailedhimandofferedhimasubstantialrewardifhewouldreceivethemonboardandtakethemtoCorsica。Thecaptainlistenedtotheproposal；thenimmediatelyturningtothecrew，hegaveanorderinanundertonewhichDonadieucouldnothear，butwhichheunderstoodprobablybythegesture，forheinstantlygaveLangladeandBlancardtheordertomakeawayfromtheschooner。Theyobeyedwiththeunquestioningpromptitudeofsailors；butthekingstampedhisfoot。
　　"Whatareyoudoing，Donadieu？Whatareyouabout？Don’tyouseethatsheiscominguptous？"
　　"Yes——uponmysoul——sosheis……DoasIsay，Langlade；ready，Blancard。Yes，sheiscominguponus，andperhapsIwastoolateinseeingthis。That’sallright——that’sallright：mypartnow。"
　　Thenheforcedovertherudder，givingitsoviolentajerkthattheboat，forcedtochangehercoursesuddenly，seemedtorearandplungelikeahorsestrugglingagainstthecurb；finallysheobeyed。Ahugewave，raisedbythegiantbearingdownonthepinnace，carrieditonlikealeaf，andthebrigpassedwithinafewfeetofthestern。
　　"Ah！……traitor！"criedtheking，whohadonlyjustbeguntorealisetheintentionofthecaptain。Atthesametime，hepulledapistolfromhisbelt，crying"Boardher！boardher！"andtriedtofireonthebrig，butthepowderwaswetandwouldnotcatch。Thekingwasfurious，andwentonshouting"Boardher！boardher！"
　　"Yes，thewretch，orrathertheimbecile，"saidDonadieu，"hetookusforpirates，andwantedtosinkus——asifweneededhimtodothat！"
　　Indeed，asingleglanceattheboatshowedthatshewasbeginningtomakewater。
　　Theeffort——toescapewhichDonadieuhadmadehadstrainedtheboatterribly，andthewaterwaspouringinbyanumberofleaksbetweentheplanks；theyhadtobeginagainbailingoutwiththeirhats，andwentonatitfortenhours。ThenforthesecondtimeDonadieuheardtheconsolingcry，"Asail！asail！"Thekingandhiscompanionsimmediatelyleftoffbailing；theyhoistedthesailsagain，andsteeredforthevesselwhichwascomingtowardsthem，andneglectedtofightagainstthewater，whichwasrisingrapidly。
　　>Fromthattimeforthitwasaquestionoftime，ofminutes，ofseconds；itwasaquestionofreachingtheshipbeforetheboatfoundered。
　　Thevessel，however，seemedtounderstandthedesperatepositionofthemenimploringhelp；shewascomingupatfullspeed。Langladewasthefirsttorecogniseher；shewasaGovernmentfeluccaplyingbetweenToulonandBastia。Langladewasafriendofthecaptain，andhecalledhisnamewiththepenetratingvoiceofdesperation，andhewasheard。Itwashightime：thewaterkeptonrising，andthekingandhiscompanionswerealreadyuptotheirknees；theboatgroanedinitsdeath-struggle；itstoodstill，andbegantogoroundandround。
　　Justthentwoorthreeropesthrownfromthefeluccafellupontheboat；thekingseizedone，sprangforward，andreachedtherope-ladder：hewassaved。
　　BlancardandLangladeimmediatelyfollowed。Donadieuwaiteduntilthelast，aswashisduty，andasheputhisfootontheladderhefelttheotherboatbegintogounder；heturnedroundwithallasailor’scalm，andsawthegulfopenitsjawsbeneathhim，andthentheshatteredboatcapsized，andimmediatelydisappeared。Fivesecondsmore，andthefourmenwhoweresavedwouldhavebeenlostbeyondrecall！[ThesedetailsarewellknowntothepeopleofToulon，andIhaveheardthemmyselfascoreoftimesduringthetwostaysthatImadeinthattownduring1834and1835。Someofthepeoplewhorelatedthemhadthemfirst-handfromLangladeandDonadieuthemselves。]