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。