CHAPTERXI
ABADGUIDETONAPOLEON；AGOODGUIDETOBULOW
ThepainfulsurpriseofNapoleoniswellknown。Grouchyhopedfor，Blucherarriving。Deathinsteadoflife。
Fatehastheseturns；thethroneoftheworldwasexpected；
itwasSaintHelenathatwasseen。
IfthelittleshepherdwhoservedasguidetoBulow，Blucher’slieutenant，hadadvisedhimtodebouchfromtheforestaboveFrischemont，insteadofbelowPlancenoit，theformofthenineteenthcenturymight，perhaps，havebeendifferent。NapoleonwouldhavewonthebattleofWaterloo。ByanyotherroutethanthatbelowPlancenoit，thePrussianarmywouldhavecomeoutuponaravineimpassableforartillery，andBulowwouldnothavearrived。
NowthePrussiangeneral，Muffling，declaresthatonehour’sdelay，andBlucherwouldnothavefoundWellingtononhisfeet。"Thebattlewaslost。"
ItwastimethatBulowshouldarrive，aswillbeseen。Hehad，moreover，beenverymuchdelayed。HehadbivouackedatDion—le—Mont，andhadsetoutatdaybreak；buttheroadswereimpassable，andhisdivisionsstuckfastinthemire。Therutswereuptothehubsofthecannons。Moreover，hehadbeenobligedtopasstheDyleonthenarrowbridgeofWavre；thestreetleadingtothebridgehadbeenfiredbytheFrench，sothecaissonsandammunition—wagonscouldnotpassbetweentworowsofburninghouses，andhadbeenobligedtowaituntiltheconflagrationwasextinguished。Itwasmid—daybeforeBulow’svanguardhadbeenabletoreachChapelle—Saint—Lambert。
Hadtheactionbeenbeguntwohoursearlier，itwouldhavebeenoveratfouro’clock，andBlucherwouldhavefallenonthebattlewonbyNapoleon。Sucharetheseimmenserisksproportionedtoaninfinitewhichwecannotcomprehend。
TheEmperorhadbeenthefirst，asearlyasmid—day，todescrywithhisfield—glass，ontheextremehorizon，somethingwhichhadattractedhisattention。Hehadsaid，"Iseeyonderacloud，whichseemstometobetroops。"ThenheaskedtheDucdeDalmatie，"Soult，whatdoyouseeinthedirectionofChapelle—Saint—Lambert？"
Themarshal，levellinghisglass，answered，"Fourorfivethousandmen，Sire；evidentlyGrouchy。"Butitremainedmotionlessinthemist。Alltheglassesofthestaffhadstudied"thecloud"
pointedoutbytheEmperor。Somesaid:"Itistrees。"Thetruthis，thattheclouddidnotmove。TheEmperordetachedDomon’sdivisionoflightcavalrytoreconnoitreinthatquarter。
Bulowhadnotmoved，infact。Hisvanguardwasveryfeeble，andcouldaccomplishnothing。Hewasobligedtowaitforthebodyofthearmycorps，andhehadreceivedorderstoconcentratehisforcesbeforeenteringintoline；butatfiveo’clock，perceivingWellington’speril，BlucherorderedBulowtoattack，andutteredtheseremarkablewords:"WemustgiveairtotheEnglisharmy。"
Alittlelater，thedivisionsofLosthin，Hiller，Hacke，andRysseldeployedbeforeLobau’scorps，thecavalryofPrinceWilliamofPrussiadebouchedfromtheforestofParis，Plancenoitwasinflames，andthePrussiancannon—ballsbegantorainevenupontheranksoftheguardinreservebehindNapoleon。
CHAPTERXII
THEGUARD
Everyoneknowstherest，——theirruptionofathirdarmy；thebattlebrokentopieces；eighty—sixmonthsoffirethunderingsimultaneously；
PirchthefirstcomingupwithBulow；Zieten’scavalryledbyBlucherinperson，theFrenchdrivenback；MarcognetsweptfromtheplateauofOhain；DuruttedislodgedfromPapelotte；
DonzelotandQuiotretreating；Lobaucaughtontheflank；afreshbattleprecipitatingitselfonourdismantledregimentsatnightfall；
thewholeEnglishlineresumingtheoffensiveandthrustforward；
thegiganticbreachmadeintheFrencharmy；theEnglishgrape—shotandthePrussiangrape—shotaidingeachother；theextermination；
disasterinfront；disasterontheflank；theGuardenteringthelineinthemidstofthisterriblecrumblingofallthings。
Consciousthattheywereabouttodie，theyshouted，"Vivel’Empereur！"
Historyrecordsnothingmoretouchingthanthatagonyburstingforthinacclamations。
Theskyhadbeenovercastalldaylong。Allofasudden，atthatverymoment，——itwaseighto’clockintheevening——thecloudsonthehorizonparted，andallowedthegrandandsinisterglowofthesettingsuntopassthrough，athwarttheelmsontheNivellesroad。
TheyhadseenitriseatAusterlitz。
EachbattalionoftheGuardwascommandedbyageneralforthisfinalcatastrophe。Friant，Michel，Roguet，Harlet，Mallet，PoretdeMorvan，werethere。WhenthetallcapsofthegrenadiersoftheGuard，withtheirlargeplaquesbearingtheeagleappeared，symmetrical，inline，tranquil，inthemidstofthatcombat，theenemyfeltarespectforFrance；theythoughttheybeheldtwentyvictoriesenteringthefieldofbattle，withwingsoutspread，andthosewhoweretheconquerors，believingthemselvestobevanquished，retreated；butWellingtonshouted，"Up，Guards，andaimstraight！"
TheredregimentofEnglishguards，lyingflatbehindthehedges，sprangup，acloudofgrape—shotriddledthetricoloredflagandwhistledroundoureagles；allhurledthemselvesforwards，andthefinalcarnagebegan。Inthedarkness，theImperialGuardfeltthearmylosinggroundaroundit，andinthevastshockoftheroutitheardthedesperateflightwhichhadtakentheplaceofthe"Vivel’Empereur！"and，withflightbehindit，itcontinuedtoadvance，morecrushed，losingmoremenateverystepthatittook。
Therewerenonewhohesitated，notimidmeninitsranks。
Thesoldierinthattroopwasasmuchofaheroasthegeneral。
Notamanwasmissinginthatsuicide。
Ney，bewildered，greatwithallthegrandeurofaccepteddeath，offeredhimselftoallblowsinthattempest。Hehadhisfifthhorsekilledunderhimthere。Perspiring，hiseyesaflame，foamingatthemouth，withuniformunbuttoned，oneofhisepauletshalfcutoffbyasword—strokefromahorseguard，hisplaquewiththegreateagledentedbyabullet；bleeding，bemired，magnificent，abrokenswordinhishand，hesaid，"ComeandseehowaMarshalofFrancediesonthefieldofbattle！"Butinvain；hedidnotdie。
Hewashaggardandangry。AtDrouetd’Erlonhehurledthisquestion，"Areyounotgoingtogetyourselfkilled？"Inthemidstofallthatartilleryengagedincrushingahandfulofmen，heshouted:
"Sothereisnothingforme！Oh！IshouldliketohavealltheseEnglishbulletsentermybowels！"Unhappyman，thouwertreservedforFrenchbullets！
CHAPTERXIII
THECATASTROPHE
TheroutbehindtheGuardwasmelancholy。
Thearmyyieldedsuddenlyonallsidesatonce，——Hougomont，LaHaie—Sainte，Papelotte，Plancenoit。Thecry"Treachery！"wasfollowedbyacryof"Saveyourselveswhocan！"Anarmywhichisdisbandingislikeathaw。Allyields，splits，cracks，floats，rolls，falls，jostles，hastens，isprecipitated。Thedisintegrationisunprecedented。Neyborrowsahorse，leapsuponit，andwithouthat，cravat，orsword，placeshimselfacrosstheBrusselsroad，stoppingbothEnglishandFrench。Hestrivestodetainthearmy，herecallsittoitsduty，heinsultsit，heclingstotherout。
Heisoverwhelmed。Thesoldiersflyfromhim，shouting，"LongliveMarshalNey！"TwoofDurutte’sregimentsgoandcomeinaffrightasthoughtossedbackandforthbetweentheswordsoftheUhlansandthefusilladeofthebrigadesofKempt，Best，Pack，andRylandt；
theworstofhand—to—handconflictsisthedefeat；friendskilleachotherinordertoescape；squadronsandbattalionsbreakanddisperseagainsteachother，likethetremendousfoamofbattle。Lobauatoneextremity，andReilleattheother，aredrawnintothetide。
InvaindoesNapoleonerectwallsfromwhatislefttohimofhisGuard；
invaindoesheexpendinalastefforthislastserviceablesquadrons。
QuiotretreatsbeforeVivian，KellermannbeforeVandeleur，LobaubeforeBulow，MorandbeforePirch，DomonandSubervicbeforePrinceWilliamofPrussia；Guyot，wholedtheEmperor’ssquadronstothecharge，fallsbeneaththefeetoftheEnglishdragoons。
Napoleongallopspastthelineoffugitives，harangues，urges，threatens，entreatsthem。Allthemouthswhichinthemorninghadshouted，"LonglivetheEmperor！"remaingaping；theyhardlyrecognizehim。
ThePrussiancavalry，newlyarrived，dashesforwards，flies，hews，slashes，kills，exterminates。Horseslashout，thecannonsflee；
thesoldiersoftheartillery—trainunharnessthecaissonsandusethehorsestomaketheirescape；transportsoverturned，withallfourwheelsintheair，clogtheroadandoccasionmassacres。
Menarecrushed，trampleddown，otherswalkoverthedeadandtheliving。Armsarelost。Adizzymultitudefillstheroads，thepaths，thebridges，theplains，thehills，thevalleys，thewoods，encumberedbythisinvasionoffortythousandmen。
Shoutsdespair，knapsacksandgunsflungamongtherye，passagesforcedatthepointofthesword，nomorecomrades，nomoreofficers，nomoregenerals，aninexpressibleterror。ZietenputtingFrancetotheswordatitsleisure。Lionsconvertedintogoats。Suchwastheflight。
AtGenappe，aneffortwasmadetowheelabout，topresentabattlefront，todrawupinline。Lobauralliedthreehundredmen。
Theentrancetothevillagewasbarricaded，butatthefirstvolleyofPrussiancanister，alltooktoflightagain，andLobauwastaken。
Thatvolleyofgrape—shotcanbeseento—dayimprintedontheancientgableofabrickbuildingontherightoftheroadatafewminutes’distancebeforeyouenterGenappe。ThePrussiansthrewthemselvesintoGenappe，furious，nodoubt，thattheywerenotmoreentirelytheconquerors。Thepursuitwasstupendous。
Blucherorderedextermination。RoguethadsetthelugubriousexampleofthreateningwithdeathanyFrenchgrenadierwhoshouldbringhimaPrussianprisoner。BlucheroutdidRoguet。Duhesme，thegeneraloftheYoungGuard，hemmedinatthedoorwayofaninnatGenappe，surrenderedhisswordtoahuzzarofdeath，whotooktheswordandslewtheprisoner。Thevictorywascompletedbytheassassinationofthevanquished。Letusinflictpunishment，sincewearehistory:
oldBlucherdisgracedhimself。Thisferocityputthefinishingtouchtothedisaster。ThedesperateroutetraversedGenappe，traversedQuatre—Bras，traversedGosselies，traversedFrasnes，traversedCharleroi，traversedThuin，andonlyhaltedatthefrontier。
Alas！andwho，then，wasfleeinginthatmanner？TheGrandArmy。
Thisvertigo，thisterror，thisdownfallintoruinoftheloftiestbraverywhicheverastoundedhistory，——isthatcauseless？
No。TheshadowofanenormousrightisprojectedathwartWaterloo。
Itisthedayofdestiny。Theforcewhichismightierthanmanproducedthatday。Hencetheterrifiedwrinkleofthosebrows；
henceallthosegreatsoulssurrenderingtheirswords。ThosewhohadconqueredEuropehavefallenproneontheearth，withnothinglefttosaynortodo，feelingthepresentshadowofaterriblepresence。
Hoceratinfatis。Thatdaytheperspectiveofthehumanraceunderwentachange。Waterlooisthehingeofthenineteenthcentury。
Thedisappearanceofthegreatmanwasnecessarytotheadventofthegreatcentury。Someone，apersontowhomonerepliesnot，tooktheresponsibilityonhimself。Thepanicofheroescanbeexplained。
InthebattleofWaterloothereissomethingmorethanacloud，thereissomethingofthemeteor。Godhaspassedby。
Atnightfall，inameadownearGenappe，BernardandBertrandseizedbytheskirtofhiscoatanddetainedaman，haggard，pensive，sinister，gloomy，who，draggedtothatpointbythecurrentoftherout，hadjustdismounted，hadpassedthebridleofhishorseoverhisarm，andwithwildeyewasreturningalonetoWaterloo。ItwasNapoleon，theimmensesomnambulistofthisdreamwhichhadcrumbled，essayingoncemoretoadvance。
CHAPTERXIV
THELASTSQUARE
SeveralsquaresoftheGuard，motionlessamidthisstreamofthedefeat，asrocksinrunningwater，heldtheirownuntilnight。
Nightcame，deathalso；theyawaitedthatdoubleshadow，and，invincible，allowedthemselvestobeenvelopedtherein。
Eachregiment，isolatedfromtherest，andhavingnobondwiththearmy，nowshatteredineverypart，diedalone。Theyhadtakenuppositionforthisfinalaction，someontheheightsofRossomme，othersontheplainofMont—Saint—Jean。There，abandoned，vanquished，terrible，thosegloomysquaresenduredtheirdeath—throesinformidablefashion。Ulm，Wagram，Jena，Friedland，diedwiththem。
Attwilight，towardsnineo’clockintheevening，oneofthemwasleftatthefootoftheplateauofMont—Saint—Jean。Inthatfatalvalley，atthefootofthatdeclivitywhichthecuirassiershadascended，nowinundatedbythemassesoftheEnglish，undertheconvergingfiresofthevictorioushostilecavalry，underafrightfuldensityofprojectiles，thissquarefoughton。ItwascommandedbyanobscureofficernamedCambronne。Ateachdischarge，thesquarediminishedandreplied。Itrepliedtothegrape—shotwithafusillade，continuallycontractingitsfourwalls。Thefugitivespausingbreathlessforamomentinthedistance，listenedinthedarknesstothatgloomyandever—decreasingthunder。
Whenthislegionhadbeenreducedtoahandful，whennothingwasleftoftheirflagbutarag，whentheirguns，thebulletsallgone，werenolongeranythingbutclubs，whentheheapofcorpseswaslargerthanthegroupofsurvivors，therereignedamongtheconquerors，aroundthosemendyingsosublimely，asortofsacredterror，andtheEnglishartillery，takingbreath，becamesilent。Thisfurnishedasortofrespite。Thesecombatantshadaroundthemsomethinginthenatureofaswarmofspectres，silhouettesofmenonhorseback，theblackprofilesofcannon，thewhiteskyviewedthroughwheelsandgun—carriages，thecolossaldeath’s—head，whichtheheroessawconstantlythroughthesmoke，inthedepthsofthebattle，advanceduponthemandgazedatthem。Throughtheshadesoftwilighttheycouldhearthepiecesbeingloaded；thematchesalllighted，liketheeyesoftigersatnight，formedacircleroundtheirheads；
allthelintstocksoftheEnglishbatteriesapproachedthecannons，andthen，withemotion，holdingthesuprememomentsuspendedabovethesemen，anEnglishgeneral，Colvilleaccordingtosome，Maitlandaccordingtoothers，shoutedtothem，"Surrender，braveFrenchmen！"
Cambronnereplied，"—————。"
{EDITOR’SCOMMENTARY:Anothereditionofthisbookhastheword"Merde！"inlieuofthe—————above。}
CHAPTERXV
CAMBRONNE
IfanyFrenchreaderobjecttohavinghissusceptibilitiesoffended，onewouldhavetorefrainfromrepeatinginhispresencewhatisperhapsthefinestreplythataFrenchmanevermade。ThiswouldenjoinusfromconsigningsomethingsublimetoHistory。
Atourownriskandperil，letusviolatethisinjunction。
Now，then，amongthosegiantstherewasoneTitan，——Cambronne。
Tomakethatreplyandthenperish，whatcouldbegrander？
Forbeingwillingtodieisthesameastodie；anditwasnotthisman’sfaultifhesurvivedafterhewasshot。
ThewinnerofthebattleofWaterloowasnotNapoleon，whowasputtoflight；norWellington，givingwayatfouro’clock，indespairatfive；norBlucher，whotooknopartintheengagement。
ThewinnerofWaterloowasCambronne。
Tothunderforthsuchareplyatthelightning—flashthatkillsyouistoconquer！
ThustoanswertheCatastrophe，thustospeaktoFate，togivethispedestaltothefuturelion，tohurlsuchachallengetothemidnightrainstorm，tothetreacherouswallofHougomont，tothesunkenroadofOhain，toGrouchy’sdelay，toBlucher’sarrival，tobeIronyitselfinthetomb，toactsoastostanduprightthoughfallen，todrownintwosyllablestheEuropeancoalition，toofferkingsprivieswhichtheCaesarsonceknew，tomakethelowestofwordsthemostloftybyentwiningwithitthegloryofFrance，insolentlytoendWaterloowithMardigras，tofinishLeonidaswithRabellais，tosetthecrownonthisvictorybyawordimpossibletospeak，tolosethefieldandpreservehistory，tohavethelaughonyoursideaftersuchacarnage，——thisisimmense！
Itwasaninsultsuchasathunder—cloudmighthurl！ItreachesthegrandeurofAEschylus！
Cambronne’sreplyproducestheeffectofaviolentbreak。
’Tislikethebreakingofaheartunderaweightofscorn。
’Tistheoverflowofagonyburstingforth。Whoconquered？
Wellington？No！HaditnotbeenforBlucher，hewaslost。
WasitBlucher？No！IfWellingtonhadnotbegun，Bluchercouldnothavefinished。ThisCambronne，thismanspendinghislasthour，thisunknownsoldier，thisinfinitesimalofwar，realizesthathereisafalsehood，afalsehoodinacatastrophe，andsodoublyagonizing；
andatthemomentwhenhisrageisburstingforthbecauseofit，heisofferedthismockery，——life！Howcouldherestrainhimself？
YonderareallthekingsofEurope，thegeneral’sflushedwithvictory，theJupiter’sdartingthunderbolts；theyhaveahundredthousandvictorioussoldiers，andbackofthehundredthousandamillion；
theircannonstandwithyawningmouths，thematchislighted；theygrinddownundertheirheelstheImperialguards，andthegrandarmy；
theyhavejustcrushedNapoleon，andonlyCambronneremains，——
onlythisearthwormislefttoprotest。Hewillprotest。Thenheseeksfortheappropriatewordasoneseeksforasword。Hismouthfroths，andthefrothistheword。Infaceofthismeanandmightyvictory，infaceofthisvictorywhichcountsnonevictorious，thisdesperatesoldierstandserect。Hegrantsitsoverwhelmingimmensity，butheestablishesitstriviality；andhedoesmorethanspituponit。
Bornedownbynumbers，bysuperiorforce，bybrutematter，hefindsinhissoulanexpression:"Excrement！"Werepeatit，——
tousethatword，todothus，toinventsuchanexpression，istobetheconqueror！
Thespiritofmightydaysatthatportentousmomentmadeitsdescentonthatunknownman。CambronneinventsthewordforWaterlooasRougetinventsthe"Marseillaise，"underthevisitationofabreathfromonhigh。Anemanationfromthedivinewhirlwindleapsforthandcomessweepingoverthesemen，andtheyshake，andoneofthemsingsthesongsupreme，andtheotheruttersthefrightfulcry。
ThischallengeoftitanicscornCambronnehurlsnotonlyatEuropeinthenameoftheEmpire，——thatwouldbeatrifle:hehurlsitatthepastinthenameoftheRevolution。Itisheard，andCambronneisrecognizedaspossessedbytheancientspiritoftheTitans。
Dantonseemstobespeaking！Kleberseemstobebellowing！
AtthatwordfromCambronne，theEnglishvoiceresponded，"Fire！"
Thebatteriesflamed，thehilltrembled，fromallthosebrazenmouthsbelchedalastterriblegushofgrape—shot；avastvolumeofsmoke，vaguelywhiteinthelightoftherisingmoon，rolledout，andwhenthesmokedispersed，therewasnolongeranythingthere。
Thatformidableremnanthadbeenannihilated；theGuardwasdead。
Thefourwallsofthelivingredoubtlayprone，andhardlywastherediscernible，hereandthere，evenaquiverinthebodies；
itwasthusthattheFrenchlegions，greaterthantheRomanlegions，expiredonMont—Saint—Jean，onthesoilwateredwithrainandblood，amidthegloomygrain，onthespotwherenowadaysJoseph，whodrivesthepost—wagonfromNivelles，passeswhistling，andcheerfullywhippinguphishorseatfouro’clockinthemorning。
CHAPTERXVI
QUOTLIBRASINDUCE？
ThebattleofWaterlooisanenigma。Itisasobscuretothosewhowonitastothosewholostit。ForNapoleonitwasapanic；[10]
Blucherseesnothinginitbutfire；Wellingtonunderstandsnothinginregardtoit。Lookatthereports。Thebulletinsareconfused，thecommentariesinvolved。Somestammer，otherslisp。
JominidividesthebattleofWaterloointofourmoments；Mufflingcutsitupintothreechanges；Charrasalone，thoughweholdanotherjudgmentthanhisonsomepoints，seizedwithhishaughtyglancethecharacteristicoutlinesofthatcatastropheofhumangeniusinconflictwithdivinechance。Alltheotherhistorianssufferfrombeingsomewhatdazzled，andinthisdazzledstatetheyfumbleabout。
Itwasadayoflightningbrilliancy；infact，acrumblingofthemilitarymonarchywhich，tothevaststupefactionofkings，drewallthekingdomsafterit——thefallofforce，thedefeatofwar。
[10]"Abattleterminated，adayfinished，falsemeasuresrepaired，greatersuccessesassuredforthemorrow，——allwaslostbyamomentofpanic，terror。"——Napoleon，DicteesdeSainteHelene。
Inthisevent，stampedwithsuperhumannecessity，thepartplayedbymenamountstonothing。
IfwetakeWaterloofromWellingtonandBlucher，dowetherebydepriveEnglandandGermanyofanything？No。NeitherthatillustriousEnglandnorthataugustGermanyenterintotheproblemofWaterloo。
ThankHeaven，nationsaregreat，independentlyofthelugubriousfeatsofthesword。NeitherEngland，norGermany，norFranceiscontainedinascabbard。AtthisepochwhenWaterlooisonlyaclashingofswords，aboveBlucher，GermanyhasSchiller；
aboveWellington，EnglandhasByron。Avastdawnofideasisthepeculiarityofourcentury，andinthatauroraEnglandandGermanyhaveamagnificentradiance。Theyaremajesticbecausetheythink。
Theelevationoflevelwhichtheycontributetocivilizationisintrinsicwiththem；itproceedsfromthemselvesandnotfromanaccident。
TheaggrandizementwhichtheyhavebroughttothenineteenthcenturyhasnotWaterlooasitssource。Itisonlybarbarouspeopleswhoundergorapidgrowthafteravictory。Thatisthetemporaryvanityoftorrentsswelledbyastorm。Civilizedpeople，especiallyinourday，areneitherelevatednorabasedbythegoodorbadfortuneofacaptain。Theirspecificgravityinthehumanspeciesresultsfromsomethingmorethanacombat。Theirhonor，thankGod！theirdignity，theirintelligence，theirgenius，arenotnumberswhichthosegamblers，heroesandconquerors，canputinthelotteryofbattles。Oftenabattleislostandprogressisconquered。
Thereislessgloryandmoreliberty。Thedrumholdsitspeace；
reasontakestheword。Itisagameinwhichhewholoseswins。
Letus，therefore，speakofWaterloocoldlyfrombothsides。
Letusrendertochancethatwhichisduetochance，andtoGodthatwhichisduetoGod。WhatisWaterloo？Avictory？No。Thewinningnumberinthelottery。
Thequine[11]wonbyEurope，paidbyFrance。
[11]Fivewinningnumbersinalottery。
Itwasnotworthwhiletoplacealionthere。
Waterloo，moreover，isthestrangestencounterinhistory。
NapoleonandWellington。Theyarenotenemies；theyareopposites。
NeverdidGod，whoisfondofantitheses，makeamorestrikingcontrast，amoreextraordinarycomparison。Ononeside，precision，foresight，geometry，prudence，anassuredretreat，reservesspared，withanobstinatecoolness，animperturbablemethod，strategy，whichtakesadvantageoftheground，tactics，whichpreservetheequilibriumofbattalions，carnage，executedaccordingtorule，warregulated，watchinhand，nothingvoluntarilylefttochance，theancientclassiccourage，absoluteregularity；ontheother，intuition，divination，militaryoddity，superhumaninstinct，aflamingglance，anindescribablesomethingwhichgazeslikeaneagle，andwhichstrikeslikethelightning，aprodigiousartindisdainfulimpetuosity，allthemysteriesofaprofoundsoul，associatedwithdestiny；thestream，theplain，theforest，thehill，summoned，andinamanner，forcedtoobey，thedespotgoingevensofarastotyrannizeoverthefieldofbattle；faithinastarmingledwithstrategicscience，elevatingbutperturbingit。
WellingtonwastheBaremeofwar；NapoleonwasitsMichaelAngelo；
andonthisoccasion，geniuswasvanquishedbycalculation。
Onbothsidessomeonewasawaited。Itwastheexactcalculatorwhosucceeded。NapoleonwaswaitingforGrouchy；hedidnotcome。
WellingtonexpectedBlucher；hecame。
Wellingtonisclassicwartakingitsrevenge。Bonaparte，athisdawning，hadencounteredhiminItaly，andbeatenhimsuperbly。
Theoldowlhadfledbeforetheyoungvulture。Theoldtacticshadbeennotonlystruckasbylightning，butdisgraced。WhowasthatCorsicanofsixandtwenty？Whatsignifiedthatsplendidignoramus，who，witheverythingagainsthim，nothinginhisfavor，withoutprovisions，withoutammunition，withoutcannon，withoutshoes，almostwithoutanarmy，withamerehandfulofmenagainstmasses，hurledhimselfonEuropecombined，andabsurdlywonvictoriesintheimpossible？Whencehadissuedthatfulminatingconvict，whoalmostwithouttakingbreath，andwiththesamesetofcombatantsinhand，pulverized，oneaftertheother，thefivearmiesoftheemperorofGermany，upsettingBeaulieuonAlvinzi，WurmseronBeaulieu，MelasonWurmser，MackonMelas？Whowasthisnoviceinwarwiththeeffronteryofaluminary？Theacademicalmilitaryschoolexcommunicatedhim，andasitlostitsfooting；hence，theimplacablerancoroftheoldCaesarismagainstthenew；oftheregularswordagainsttheflamingsword；andoftheexchequeragainstgenius。
Onthe18thofJune，1815，thatrancorhadthelastword。
andbeneathLodi，Montebello，Montenotte，Mantua，Arcola，itwrote:Waterloo。Atriumphofthemediocreswhichissweettothemajority。Destinyconsentedtothisirony。Inhisdecline，NapoleonfoundWurmser，theyounger，againinfrontofhim。
Infact，togetWurmser，itsufficedtoblanchthehairofWellington。
Waterlooisabattleofthefirstorder，wonbyacaptainofthesecond。
ThatwhichmustbeadmiredinthebattleofWaterloo，isEngland；
theEnglishfirmness，theEnglishresolution，theEnglishblood；
thesuperbthingaboutEnglandthere，nooffencetoher，washerself。
Itwasnothercaptain；itwasherarmy。
Wellington，oddlyungrateful，declaresinalettertoLordBathurst，thathisarmy，thearmywhichfoughtonthe18thofJune，1815，wasa"detestablearmy。"WhatdoesthatsombreinterminglingofbonesburiedbeneaththefurrowsofWaterloothinkofthat？
EnglandhasbeentoomodestinthematterofWellington。TomakeWellingtonsogreatistobelittleEngland。Wellingtonisnothingbutaherolikemanyanother。ThoseScotchGrays，thoseHorseGuards，thoseregimentsofMaitlandandofMitchell，thatinfantryofPackandKempt，thatcavalryofPonsonbyandSomerset，thoseHighlandersplayingthepibrochundertheshowerofgrape—shot，thosebattalionsofRylandt，thoseutterlyrawrecruits，whohardlyknewhowtohandleamusketholdingtheirownagainstEssling’sandRivoli’soldtroops，——thatiswhatwasgrand。Wellingtonwastenacious；
inthatlayhismerit，andwearenotseekingtolessenit:
buttheleastofhisfoot—soldiersandofhiscavalrywouldhavebeenassolidashe。TheironsoldierisworthasmuchastheIronDuke。
Asforus，allourglorificationgoestotheEnglishsoldier，totheEnglisharmy，totheEnglishpeople。Iftrophytherebe，itistoEnglandthatthetrophyisdue。ThecolumnofWaterloowouldbemorejust，if，insteadofthefigureofaman，itboreonhighthestatueofapeople。
ButthisgreatEnglandwillbeangryatwhatwearesayinghere。
Shestillcherishes，afterherown1688andour1789，thefeudalillusion。Shebelievesinheredityandhierarchy。
Thispeople，surpassedbynoneinpowerandglory，regardsitselfasanation，andnotasapeople。Andasapeople，itwillinglysubordinatesitselfandtakesalordforitshead。Asaworkman，itallowsitselftobedisdained；asasoldier，itallowsitselftobeflogged。
Itwillberemembered，thatatthebattleofInkermannasergeantwhohad，itappears，savedthearmy，couldnotbementionedbyLordPaglan，astheEnglishmilitaryhierarchydoesnotpermitanyherobelowthegradeofanofficertobementionedinthereports。
Thatwhichweadmireaboveall，inanencounterofthenatureofWaterloo，isthemarvellousclevernessofchance。Anocturnalrain，thewallofHougomont，thehollowroadofOhain，Grouchydeaftothecannon，Napoleon’sguidedeceivinghim，Bulow’sguideenlighteninghim，——
thewholeofthiscataclysmiswonderfullyconducted。
Onthewhole，letussayitplainly，itwasmoreofamassacrethanofabattleatWaterloo。
Ofallpitchedbattles，Waterlooistheonewhichhasthesmallestfrontforsuchanumberofcombatants。Napoleonthree—quartersofaleague；Wellington，halfaleague；seventy—twothousandcombatantsoneachside。Fromthisdensenessthecarnagearose。
Thefollowingcalculationhasbeenmade，andthefollowingproportionestablished:Lossofmen:atAusterlitz，French，fourteenpercent；Russians，thirtypercent；Austrians，forty—fourpercent。AtWagram，French，thirteenpercent；
Austrians，fourteen。AttheMoskowa，French，thirty—sevenpercent；
Russians，forty—four。AtBautzen，French，thirteenpercent；
RussiansandPrussians，fourteen。AtWaterloo，French，fifty—sixpercent；theAllies，thirty—one。TotalforWaterloo，forty—onepercent；onehundredandforty—fourthousandcombatants；sixtythousanddead。
To—daythefieldofWaterloohasthecalmwhichbelongstotheearth，theimpassivesupportofman，anditresemblesallplains。
Atnight，moreover，asortofvisionarymistarisesfromit；
andifatravellerstrollsthere，ifhelistens，ifhewatches，ifhedreamslikeVirgilinthefatalplainsofPhilippi，thehallucinationofthecatastrophetakespossessionofhim。Thefrightful18thofJunelivesagain；thefalsemonumentalhillockdisappears，thelionvanishesinair，thebattle—fieldresumesitsreality，linesofinfantryundulateovertheplain，furiousgallopstraversethehorizon；thefrighteneddreamerbeholdstheflashofsabres，thegleamofbayonets，theflareofbombs，thetremendousinterchangeofthunders；hehears，asitwere，thedeathrattleinthedepthsofatomb，thevagueclamorofthebattlephantom；thoseshadowsaregrenadiers，thoselightsarecuirassiers；thatskeletonNapoleon，thatotherskeletonisWellington；allthisnolongerexists，andyetitclashestogetherandcombatsstill；andtheravinesareempurpled，andthetreesquiver，andthereisfuryeveninthecloudsandintheshadows；allthoseterribleheights，Hougomont，Mont—Saint—Jean，Frischemont，Papelotte，Plancenoit，appearconfusedlycrownedwithwhirlwindsofspectresengagedinexterminatingeachother。
CHAPTERXVII
ISWATERLOOTOBECONSIDEREDGOOD？
ThereexistsaveryrespectableliberalschoolwhichdoesnothateWaterloo。Wedonotbelongtoit。
Tous，Waterlooisbutthestupefieddateofliberty。
Thatsuchaneagleshouldemergefromsuchaneggiscertainlyunexpected。
Ifoneplacesone’sselfattheculminatingpointofviewofthequestion，Waterlooisintentionallyacounter—revolutionaryvictory。ItisEuropeagainstFrance；itisPetersburg，Berlin，andViennaagainstParis；
itisthestatuquoagainsttheinitiative；itisthe14thofJuly，1789，attackedthroughthe20thofMarch，1815；itisthemonarchiesclearingthedecksinoppositiontotheindomitableFrenchrioting。
Thefinalextinctionofthatvastpeoplewhichhadbeenineruptionfortwenty—sixyears——suchwasthedream。ThesolidarityoftheBrunswicks，theNassaus，theRomanoffs，theHohenzollerns，theHapsburgswiththeBourbons。Waterloobearsdivinerightonitscrupper。Itistrue，thattheEmpirehavingbeendespotic，thekingdombythenaturalreactionofthings，wasforcedtobeliberal，andthataconstitutionalorderwastheunwillingresultofWaterloo，tothegreatregretoftheconquerors。Itisbecauserevolutioncannotbereallyconquered，andthatbeingprovidentialandabsolutelyfatal，itisalwayscroppingupafresh:beforeWaterloo，inBonaparteoverthrowingtheoldthrones；afterWaterloo，inLouisXVIII。
grantingandconformingtothecharter。BonaparteplacesapostiliononthethroneofNaples，andasergeantonthethroneofSweden，employinginequalitytodemonstrateequality；LouisXVIII。
atSaint—Ouencountersignsthedeclarationoftherightsofman。
Ifyouwishtogainanideaofwhatrevolutionis，callitProgress；
andifyouwishtoacquireanideaofthenatureofprogress，callitTo—morrow。To—morrowfulfilsitsworkirresistibly，anditisalreadyfulfillingitto—day。Italwaysreachesitsgoalstrangely。
ItemploysWellingtontomakeofFoy，whowasonlyasoldier，anorator。FoyfallsatHougomontandrisesagaininthetribune。
Thusdoesprogressproceed。Thereisnosuchthingasabadtoolforthatworkman。Itdoesnotbecomedisconcerted，butadjuststoitsdivineworkthemanwhohasbestriddentheAlps，andthegoodoldtotteringinvalidofFatherElysee。Itmakesuseofthegoutymanaswellasoftheconqueror；oftheconquerorwithout，ofthegoutymanwithin。Waterloo，bycuttingshortthedemolitionofEuropeanthronesbythesword，hadnoothereffectthantocausetherevolutionaryworktobecontinuedinanotherdirection。
Theslashershavefinished；itwastheturnofthethinkers。
ThecenturythatWaterloowasintendedtoarresthaspursueditsmarch。
Thatsinistervictorywasvanquishedbyliberty。
Inshort，andincontestably，thatwhichtriumphedatWaterloo；
thatwhichsmiledinWellington’srear；thatwhichbroughthimallthemarshals’staffsofEurope，including，itissaid，thestaffofamarshalofFrance；thatwhichjoyouslytrundledthebarrowsfullofbonestoerecttheknollofthelion；thatwhichtriumphantlyinscribedonthatpedestalthedate"June18，1815"；thatwhichencouragedBlucher，asheputtheflyingarmytothesword；thatwhich，fromtheheightsoftheplateauofMont—Saint—Jean，hoveredoverFranceasoveritsprey，wasthecounter—revolution。Itwasthecounter—revolutionwhichmurmuredthatinfamousword"dismemberment。"
OnarrivinginParis，itbeheldthecratercloseathand；itfeltthoseasheswhichscorcheditsfeet，anditchangeditsmind；
itreturnedtothestammerofacharter。
LetusbeholdinWaterlooonlythatwhichisinWaterloo。
Ofintentionallibertythereisnone。Thecounter—revolutionwasinvoluntarilyliberal，inthesamemanneras，byacorrespondingphenomenon，Napoleonwasinvoluntarilyrevolutionary。Onthe18thofJune，1815，themountedRobespierrewashurledfromhissaddle。
CHAPTERXVIII
ARECRUDESCENCEOFDIVINERIGHT
Endofthedictatorship。AwholeEuropeansystemcrumbledaway。
TheEmpiresankintoagloomwhichresembledthatoftheRomanworldasitexpired。Againwebeholdtheabyss，asinthedaysofthebarbarians；onlythebarbarismof1815，whichmustbecalledbyitspetnameofthecounter—revolution，wasnotlongbreathed，soonfelltopanting，andhaltedshort。TheEmpirewasbewept，——
letusacknowledgethefact，——andbeweptbyheroiceyes。
Ifgloryliesintheswordconvertedintoasceptre，theEmpirehadbeengloryinperson。Ithaddiffusedovertheearthallthelightwhichtyrannycangiveasombrelight。Wewillsaymore；
anobscurelight。Comparedtothetruedaylight，itisnight。
Thisdisappearanceofnightproducestheeffectofaneclipse。
LouisXVIII。re—enteredParis。Thecirclingdancesofthe8thofJulyeffacedtheenthusiasmsofthe20thofMarch。TheCorsicanbecametheantithesisoftheBearnese。TheflagonthedomeoftheTuilerieswaswhite。Theexilereigned。Hartwell’spinetabletookitsplaceinfrontofthefleur—de—lys—strewnthroneofLouisXIV。
BouvinesandFontenoywerementionedasthoughtheyhadtakenplaceontheprecedingday，Austerlitzhavingbecomeantiquated。
Thealtarandthethronefraternizedmajestically。OneofthemostundisputedformsofthehealthofsocietyinthenineteenthcenturywasestablishedoverFrance，andoverthecontinent。
Europeadoptedthewhitecockade。Trestaillonwascelebrated。
Thedevicenonpluribusimparre—appearedonthestoneraysrepresentingasunuponthefrontofthebarracksontheQuaid’Orsay。
WheretherehadbeenanImperialGuard，therewasnowaredhouse。
TheArcduCarrousel，allladenwithbadlybornevictories，thrownoutofitselementamongthesenovelties，alittleashamed，itmaybe，ofMarengoandArcola，extricateditselffromitspredicamentwiththestatueoftheDucd’Angouleme。ThecemeteryoftheMadeleine，aterriblepauper’sgravein1793，wascoveredwithjasperandmarble，sincethebonesofLouisXVI。andMarieAntoinettelayinthatdust。
InthemoatofVincennesasepulchralshaftsprangfromtheearth，recallingthefactthattheDucd’EnghienhadperishedintheverymonthwhenNapoleonwascrowned。PopePiusVII。，whohadperformedthecoronationverynearthisdeath，tranquillybestowedhisblessingonthefallashehadbestoweditontheelevation。
AtSchoenbrunntherewasalittleshadow，agedfour，whomitwasseditioustocalltheKingofRome。Andthesethingstookplace，andthekingsresumedtheirthrones，andthemasterofEuropewasputinacage，andtheoldregimebecamethenewregime，andalltheshadowsandallthelightoftheearthchangedplace，because，ontheafternoonofacertainsummer’sday，ashepherdsaidtoaPrussianintheforest，"Gothisway，andnotthat！"
This1815wasasortoflugubriousApril。Ancientunhealthyandpoisonousrealitieswerecoveredwithnewappearances。
Aliewedded1789；therightdivinewasmaskedunderacharter；
fictionsbecameconstitutional；prejudices，superstitionsandmentalreservations，withArticle14intheheart，werevarnishedoverwithliberalism。Itwastheserpent’schangeofskin。
ManhadbeenrenderedbothgreaterandsmallerbyNapoleon。
Underthisreignofsplendidmatter，theidealhadreceivedthestrangenameofideology！Itisagraveimprudenceinagreatmantoturnthefutureintoderision。Thepopulace，however，thatfoodforcannonwhichissofondofthecannoneer，soughthimwithitsglance。Whereishe？Whatishedoing？"Napoleonisdead，"
saidapasser—bytoaveteranofMarengoandWaterloo。"Hedead！"
criedthesoldier；"youdon’tknowhim。"Imaginationdistrustedthisman，evenwhenoverthrown。ThedepthsofEuropewerefullofdarknessafterWaterloo。SomethingenormousremainedlongemptythroughNapoleon’sdisappearance。
Thekingsplacedthemselvesinthisvoid。AncientEuropeprofitedbyittoundertakereforms。TherewasaHolyAlliance；
Belle—Alliance，BeautifulAlliance，thefatalfieldofWaterloohadsaidinadvance。
InpresenceandinfaceofthatantiqueEuropereconstructed，thefeaturesofanewFranceweresketchedout。Thefuture，whichtheEmperorhadrallied，madeitsentry。Onitsbrowitborethestar，Liberty。Theglowingeyesofallyounggenerationswereturnedonit。Singularfact！peoplewere，atoneandthesametime，inlovewiththefuture，Liberty，andthepast，Napoleon。Defeathadrenderedthevanquishedgreater。BonapartefallenseemedmoreloftythanNapoleonerect。Thosewhohadtriumphedwerealarmed。
EnglandhadhimguardedbyHudsonLowe，andFrancehadhimwatchedbyMontchenu。Hisfoldedarmsbecameasourceofuneasinesstothrones。Alexandercalledhim"mysleeplessness。"Thisterrorwastheresultofthequantityofrevolutionwhichwascontainedinhim。ThatiswhatexplainsandexcusesBonapartistliberalism。
Thisphantomcausedtheoldworldtotremble。Thekingsreigned，butillattheirease，withtherockofSaintHelenaonthehorizon。
WhileNapoleonwaspassingthroughthedeathstruggleatLongwood，thesixtythousandmenwhohadfallenonthefieldofWaterloowerequietlyrotting，andsomethingoftheirpeacewasshedabroadovertheworld。TheCongressofViennamadethetreatiesin1815，andEuropecalledthistheRestoration。
ThisiswhatWaterloowas。
ButwhatmattersittotheInfinite？allthattempest，allthatcloud，thatwar，thenthatpeace？AllthatdarknessdidnottroubleforamomentthelightofthatimmenseEyebeforewhichagrubskippingfromonebladeofgrasstoanotherequalstheeaglesoaringfrombelfrytobelfryonthetowersofNotreDame。
CHAPTERXIX
THEBATTLE—FIELDATNIGHT
Letusreturn——itisanecessityinthisbook——tothatfatalbattle—field。
Onthe18thofJunethemoonwasfull。ItslightfavoredBlucher’sferociouspursuit，betrayedthetracesofthefugitives，deliveredupthatdisastrousmasstotheeagerPrussiancavalry，andaidedthemassacre。Suchtragicfavorsofthenightdooccursometimesduringcatastrophes。
Afterthelastcannon—shothadbeenfired，theplainofMont—Saint—Jeanremaineddeserted。
TheEnglishoccupiedtheencampmentoftheFrench；itistheusualsignofvictorytosleepinthebedofthevanquished。
TheyestablishedtheirbivouacbeyondRossomme。ThePrussians，letlooseontheretreatingrout，pushedforward。WellingtonwenttothevillageofWaterlootodrawuphisreporttoLordBathurst。
Ifeverthesicvosnonvobiswasapplicable，itcertainlyistothatvillageofWaterloo。Waterlootooknopart，andlayhalfaleaguefromthesceneofaction。Mont—Saint—Jeanwascannonaded，Hougomontwasburned，LaHaie—Saintewastakenbyassault，Papelottewasburned，Plancenoitwasburned，LaBelle—Alliancebeheldtheembraceofthetwoconquerors；thesenamesarehardlyknown，andWaterloo，whichworkednotinthebattle，bearsoffallthehonor。
Wearenotofthenumberofthosewhoflatterwar；whentheoccasionpresentsitself，wetellthetruthaboutit。Warhasfrightfulbeautieswhichwehavenotconcealed；ithasalso，weacknowledge，somehideousfeatures。Oneofthemostsurprisingisthepromptstrippingofthebodiesofthedeadafterthevictory。Thedawnwhichfollowsabattlealwaysrisesonnakedcorpses。
Whodoesthis？Whothussoilsthetriumph？Whathideous，furtivehandisthatwhichisslippedintothepocketofvictory？
Whatpickpocketsaretheywhoplytheirtradeintherearofglory？
Somephilosophers——Voltaireamongthenumber——affirmthatitispreciselythosepersonshavemadetheglory。Itisthesamemen，theysay；thereisnoreliefcorps；thosewhoareerectpillagethosewhoareproneontheearth。Theheroofthedayisthevampireofthenight。Onehasassuredlytheright，afterall，tostripacorpseabitwhenoneistheauthorofthatcorpse。
Forourownpart，wedonotthinkso；itseemstousimpossiblethatthesamehandshouldplucklaurelsandpurlointheshoesfromadeadman。
Onethingiscertain，whichis，thatgenerallyafterconquerorsfollowthieves。Butletusleavethesoldier，especiallythecontemporarysoldier，outofthequestion。
Everyarmyhasarear—guard，anditisthatwhichmustbeblamed。
Bat—likecreatures，halfbrigandsandlackeys；allthesortsofvespertillosthatthattwilightcalledwarengenders；wearersofuniforms，whotakenopartinthefighting；pretendedinvalids；
formidablelimpers；interlopingsutlers，trottingalonginlittlecarts，sometimesaccompaniedbytheirwives，andstealingthingswhichtheysellagain；beggarsofferingthemselvesasguidestoofficers；
soldiers’servants；marauders；armiesonthemarchindaysgoneby，——
wearenotspeakingofthepresent，——draggedallthisbehindthem，sothatinthespeciallanguagetheyarecalled"stragglers。"Noarmy，nonation，wasresponsibleforthosebeings；theyspokeItalianandfollowedtheGermans，thenspokeFrenchandfollowedtheEnglish。
Itwasbyoneofthesewretches，aSpanishstragglerwhospokeFrench，thattheMarquisofFervacques，deceivedbyhisPicardjargon，andtakinghimforoneofourownmen，wastraitorouslyslainandrobbedonthebattle—fielditself，inthecourseofthenightwhichfollowedthevictoryofCerisoles。Therascalsprangfromthismarauding。Thedetestablemaxim，Liveontheenemy！
producedthisleprosy，whichastrictdisciplinealonecouldheal。
Therearereputationswhicharedeceptive；onedoesnotalwaysknowwhycertaingenerals，greatinotherdirections，havebeensopopular。
Turennewasadoredbyhissoldiersbecausehetoleratedpillage；
evilpermittedconstitutespartofgoodness。TurennewassogoodthatheallowedthePalatinatetobedeliveredovertofireandblood。
Themaraudersinthetrainofanarmyweremoreorlessinnumber，accordingasthechiefwasmoreorlesssevere。HocheandMarceauhadnostragglers；Wellingtonhadfew，andwedohimthejusticetomentionit。
Nevertheless，onthenightfromthe18thtothe19thofJune，thedeadwererobbed。Wellingtonwasrigid；hegaveordersthatanyonecaughtintheactshouldbeshot；butrapineistenacious。
Themaraudersstoleinonecornerofthebattlefieldwhileotherswerebeingshotinanother。
Themoonwassinisteroverthisplain。
Towardsmidnight，amanwasprowlingabout，orrather，climbinginthedirectionofthehollowroadofOhain。Toallappearancehewasoneofthosewhomwehavejustdescribed，——neitherEnglishnorFrench，neitherpeasantnorsoldier，lessamanthanaghoulattractedbythescentofthedeadbodieshavingtheftforhisvictory，andcometorifleWaterloo。Hewascladinablousethatwassomethinglikeagreatcoat；hewasuneasyandaudacious；
hewalkedforwardsandgazedbehindhim。Whowasthisman？
Thenightprobablyknewmoreofhimthantheday。Hehadnosack，butevidentlyhehadlargepocketsunderhiscoat。Fromtimetotimehehalted，scrutinizedtheplainaroundhimasthoughtoseewhetherhewereobserved，bentoverabruptly，disturbedsomethingsilentandmotionlessontheground，thenroseandfled。
Hisslidingmotion，hisattitudes，hismysteriousandrapidgestures，causedhimtoresemblethosetwilightlarvaewhichhauntruins，andwhichancientNormanlegendscalltheAlleurs。
Certainnocturnalwadingbirdsproducethesesilhouettesamongthemarshes。
Aglancecapableofpiercingallthatmistdeeplywouldhaveperceivedatsomedistanceasortoflittlesutler’swagonwithaflutedwickerhood，harnessedtoafamishednagwhichwascroppingthegrassacrossitsbitasithalted，hidden，asitwere，behindthehovelwhichadjoinsthehighwaytoNivelles，attheangleoftheroadfromMont—Saint—JeantoBrainel’Alleud；
andinthewagon，asortofwomanseatedoncoffersandpackages。
Perhapstherewassomeconnectionbetweenthatwagonandthatprowler。
Thedarknesswasserene。Notacloudinthezenith。Whatmattersitiftheearthbered！themoonremainswhite；thesearetheindifferencesofthesky。Inthefields，branchesoftreesbrokenbygrape—shot，butnotfallen，upheldbytheirbark，swayedgentlyinthebreezeofnight。Abreath，almostarespiration，movedtheshrubbery。
Quiverswhichresembledthedepartureofsoulsranthroughthegrass。
InthedistancethecomingandgoingofpatrolsandthegeneralroundsoftheEnglishcampwereaudible。
HougomontandLaHaie—Saintecontinuedtoburn，forming，oneinthewest，theotherintheeast，twogreatflameswhichwerejoinedbythecordonofbivouacfiresoftheEnglish，likeanecklaceofrubieswithtwocarbunclesattheextremities，astheyextendedinanimmensesemicircleoverthehillsalongthehorizon。
WehavedescribedthecatastropheoftheroadofOhain。Theheartisterrifiedatthethoughtofwhatthatdeathmusthavebeentosomanybravemen。
Ifthereisanythingterrible，ifthereexistsarealitywhichsurpassesdreams，itisthis:tolive，toseethesun；tobeinfullpossessionofvirileforce；topossesshealthandjoy；tolaughvaliantly；
torushtowardsaglorywhichoneseesdazzlinginfrontofone；
tofeelinone’sbreastlungswhichbreathe，aheartwhichbeats，awillwhichreasons；tospeak，think，hope，love；tohaveamother，tohaveawife，tohavechildren；tohavethelight——andallatonce，inthespaceofashout，inlessthanaminute，tosinkintoanabyss；
tofall，toroll，tocrush，tobecrushed；toseeearsofwheat，flowers，leaves，branches；nottobeabletocatchholdofanything；
tofeelone’ssworduseless，menbeneathone，horsesontopofone；
tostruggleinvain，sinceone’sboneshavebeenbrokenbysomekickinthedarkness；tofeelaheelwhichmakesone’seyesstartfromtheirsockets；tobitehorses’shoesinone’srage；tostifle，toyell，towrithe；tobebeneath，andtosaytoone’sself，"ButjustalittlewhileagoIwasalivingman！"
There，wherethatlamentabledisasterhaduttereditsdeath—rattle，allwassilencenow。Theedgesofthehollowroadwereencumberedwithhorsesandriders，inextricablyheapedup。Terribleentanglement！
Therewasnolongeranyslope，forthecorpseshadlevelledtheroadwiththeplain，andreachedthebrimlikeawell—filledbushelofbarley。Aheapofdeadbodiesintheupperpart，ariverofbloodinthelowerpart——suchwasthatroadontheeveningofthe18thofJune，1815。ThebloodraneventotheNivelleshighway，andthereoverflowedinalargepoolinfrontoftheabatisoftreeswhichbarredtheway，ataspotwhichisstillpointedout。
Itwillberememberedthatitwasattheoppositepoint，inthedirectionoftheGenapperoad，thatthedestructionofthecuirassiershadtakenplace。Thethicknessofthelayerofbodieswasproportionedtothedepthofthehollowroad。
Towardsthemiddle，atthepointwhereitbecamelevel，whereDelort’sdivisionhadpassed，thelayerofcorpseswasthinner。
Thenocturnalprowlerwhomwehavejustshowntothereaderwasgoinginthatdirection。Hewassearchingthatvasttomb。
Hegazedabout。Hepassedthedeadinsomesortofhideousreview。
Hewalkedwithhisfeetintheblood。
Allatoncehepaused。
Afewpacesinfrontofhim，inthehollowroad，atthepointwherethepileofdeadcametoanend，anopenhand，illuminedbythemoon，projectedfrombeneaththatheapofmen。Thathandhadonitsfingersomethingsparkling，whichwasaringofgold。
Themanbentover，remainedinacrouchingattitudeforamoment，andwhenherosetherewasnolongeraringonthehand。
Hedidnotpreciselyrise；heremainedinastoopingandfrightenedattitude，withhisbackturnedtotheheapofdead，scanningthehorizononhisknees，withthewholeupperportionofhisbodysupportedonhistwoforefingers，whichrestedontheearth，andhisheadpeeringabovetheedgeofthehollowroad。
Thejackal’sfourpawssuitsomeactions。
Thencomingtoadecision，herosetohisfeet。
Atthatmoment，hegaveaterriblestart。Hefeltsomeoneclutchhimfrombehind。
Hewheeledround；itwastheopenhand，whichhadclosed，andhadseizedtheskirtofhiscoat。
Anhonestmanwouldhavebeenterrified；thismanburstintoalaugh。
"Come，"saidhe，"it’sonlyadeadbody。Ipreferaspooktoagendarme。"
Butthehandweakenedandreleasedhim。Effortisquicklyexhaustedinthegrave。
"Wellnow，"saidtheprowler，"isthatdeadfellowalive？
Let’ssee。"
Hebentdownagain，fumbledamongtheheap，pushedasideeverythingthatwasinhisway，seizedthehand，graspedthearm，freedthehead，pulledoutthebody，andafewmomentslaterhewasdraggingthelifeless，oratleasttheunconscious，man，throughtheshadowsofhollowroad。Hewasacuirassier，anofficer，andevenanofficerofconsiderablerank；alargegoldepaulettepeepedfrombeneaththecuirass；thisofficernolongerpossessedahelmet。Afurioussword—cuthadscarredhisface，wherenothingwasdiscerniblebutblood。
However，hedidnotappeartohaveanybrokenlimbs，and，bysomehappychance，ifthatwordispermissiblehere，thedeadhadbeenvaultedabovehiminsuchamannerastopreservehimfrombeingcrushed。
Hiseyeswerestillclosed。
OnhiscuirassheworethesilvercrossoftheLegionofHonor。
Theprowlertoreoffthiscross，whichdisappearedintooneofthegulfswhichhehadbeneathhisgreatcoat。
Thenhefeltoftheofficer’sfob，discoveredawatchthere，andtookpossessionofit。Nexthesearchedhiswaistcoat，foundapurseandpocketedit。
Whenhehadarrivedatthisstageofsuccorwhichhewasadministeringtothisdyingman，theofficeropenedhiseyes。
"Thanks，"hesaidfeebly。
Theabruptnessofthemovementsofthemanwhowasmanipulatinghim，thefreshnessofthenight，theairwhichhecouldinhalefreely，hadrousedhimfromhislethargy。
Theprowlermadenoreply。Heraisedhishead。Asoundoffootstepswasaudibleintheplain；somepatrolwasprobablyapproaching。
Theofficermurmured，forthedeathagonywasstillinhisvoice:——
"Whowonthebattle？"
"TheEnglish，"answeredtheprowler。
Theofficerwenton:——
"Lookinmypockets；youwillfindawatchandapurse。Takethem。"
Itwasalreadydone。
Theprowlerexecutedtherequiredfeint，andsaid:——
"Thereisnothingthere。"
"Ihavebeenrobbed，"saidtheofficer；"Iamsorryforthat。
Youshouldhavehadthem。"
Thestepsofthepatrolbecamemoreandmoredistinct。
"Someoneiscoming，"saidtheprowler，withthemovementofamanwhoistakinghisdeparture。
Theofficerraisedhisarmfeebly，anddetainedhim。
"Youhavesavedmylife。Whoareyou？"
Theprowleransweredrapidly，andinalowvoice:——
"Likeyourself，IbelongedtotheFrencharmy。Imustleaveyou。
Iftheyweretocatchme，theywouldshootme。Ihavesavedyourlife。
Nowgetoutofthescrapeyourself。"
"Whatisyourrank？"
"Sergeant。"
"Whatisyourname？"
"Thenardier。"
"Ishallnotforgetthatname，"saidtheofficer；"anddoyouremembermine。MynameisPontmercy。"
BOOKSECOND。——THESHIPORION
CHAPTERI
NUMBER24，601BECOMESNUMBER9，430
JeanValjeanhadbeenrecaptured。
Thereaderwillbegratefultousifwepassrapidlyoverthesaddetails。Wewillconfineourselvestotranscribingtwoparagraphspublishedbythejournalsofthatday，afewmonthsafterthesurprisingeventswhichhadtakenplaceatM。surM。
Thesearticlesarerathersummary。Itmustberemembered，thatatthatepochtheGazettedesTribunauxwasnotyetinexistence。
WeborrowthefirstfromtheDrapeauBlanc。ItbearsthedateofJuly25，1823。
AnarrondissementofthePasdeCalaishasjustbeenthetheatreofaneventquiteoutoftheordinarycourse。Aman，whowasastrangerintheDepartment，andwhoborethenameofM。Madeleine，had，thankstothenewmethods，resuscitatedsomeyearsagoanancientlocalindustry，themanufactureofjetandofblackglasstrinkets。Hehadmadehisfortuneinthebusiness，andthatofthearrondissementaswell，wewilladmit。Hehadbeenappointedmayor，inrecognitionofhisservices。ThepolicediscoveredthatM。Madeleinewasnootherthananex—convictwhohadbrokenhisban，condemnedin1796fortheft，andnamedJeanValjean。
JeanValjeanhasbeenrecommittedtoprison。ItappearsthatprevioustohisarresthehadsucceededinwithdrawingfromthehandsofM。Laffitte，asumofoverhalfamillionwhichhehadlodgedthere，andwhichhehad，moreover，andbyperfectlylegitimatemeans，acquiredinhisbusiness。NoonehasbeenabletodiscoverwhereJeanValjeanhasconcealedthismoneysincehisreturntoprisonatToulon。
Thesecondarticle，whichentersalittlemoreintodetail，isanextractfromtheJournaldeParis，ofthesamedate。
Aformerconvict，whohadbeenliberated，namedJeanValjean，hasjustappearedbeforetheCourtofAssizesoftheVar，undercircumstancescalculatedtoattractattention。Thiswretchhadsucceededinescapingthevigilanceofthepolice，hehadchangedhisname，andhadsucceededingettinghimselfappointedmayorofoneofoursmallnortherntowns；inthistownhehadestablishedaconsiderablecommerce。Hehasatlastbeenunmaskedandarrested，thankstotheindefatigablezealofthepublicprosecutor。
Hehadforhisconcubineawomanofthetown，whodiedofashockatthemomentofhisarrest。Thisscoundrel，whoisendowedwithHerculeanstrength，foundmeanstoescape；butthreeorfourdaysafterhisflightthepolicelaidtheirhandsonhimoncemore，inParisitself，attheverymomentwhenhewasenteringoneofthoselittlevehicleswhichrunbetweenthecapitalandthevillageofMontfermeil（Seine—et—Oise）。Heissaidtohaveprofitedbythisintervalofthreeorfourdaysofliberty，towithdrawaconsiderablesumdepositedbyhimwithoneofourleadingbankers。
Thissumhasbeenestimatedatsixorsevenhundredthousandfrancs。
Iftheindictmentistobetrusted，hehashiddenitinsomeplaceknowntohimselfalone，andithasnotbeenpossibletolayhandsonit。Howeverthatmaybe，thesaidJeanValjeanhasjustbeenbroughtbeforetheAssizesoftheDepartmentoftheVarasaccusedofhighwayrobberyaccompaniedwithviolence，abouteightyearsago，onthepersonofoneofthosehonestchildrenwho，asthepatriarchofFerneyhassaid，inimmortalverse，"……ArrivefromSavoyeveryyear，Andwho，withgentlehands，doclearThoselongcanalschokedupwithsoot。"
Thisbanditrefusedtodefendhimself。Itwasprovedbytheskilfulandeloquentrepresentativeofthepublicprosecutor，thatthetheftwascommittedincomplicitywithothers，andthatJeanValjeanwasamemberofabandofrobbersinthesouth。
JeanValjeanwaspronouncedguiltyandwascondemnedtothedeathpenaltyinconsequence。Thiscriminalrefusedtolodgeanappeal。
Theking，inhisinexhaustibleclemency，hasdeignedtocommutehispenaltytothatofpenalservitudeforlife。JeanValjeanwasimmediatelytakentotheprisonatToulon。
ThereaderhasnotforgottenthatJeanValjeanhadreligioushabitsatM。surM。Somepapers，amongotherstheConstitutional，presentedthiscommutationasatriumphofthepriestlyparty。
JeanValjeanchangedhisnumberinthegalleys。Hewascalled9，430。
However，andwewillmentionitatonceinorderthatwemaynotbeobligedtorecurtothesubject，theprosperityofM。surM。vanishedwithM。Madeleine；allthathehadforeseenduringhisnightoffeverandhesitationwasrealized；lackinghim，thereactuallywasasoullacking。Afterthisfall，theretookplaceatM。surM。thategotisticaldivisionofgreatexistenceswhichhavefallen，thatfataldismembermentofflourishingthingswhichisaccomplishedeveryday，obscurely，inthehumancommunity，andwhichhistoryhasnotedonlyonce，becauseitoccurredafterthedeathofAlexander。
Lieutenantsarecrownedkings；superintendentsimprovisemanufacturersoutofthemselves。Enviousrivalriesarose。M。Madeleine’svastworkshopswereshut；hisbuildingsfelltoruin，hisworkmenwerescattered。Someofthemquittedthecountry，othersabandonedthetrade。Thenceforth，everythingwasdoneonasmallscale，insteadofonagrandscale；forlucreinsteadofthegeneralgood。
Therewasnolongeracentre；everywheretherewascompetitionandanimosity。M。Madeleinehadreignedoverallanddirectedall。
Nosoonerhadhefallen，thaneachpulledthingstohimself；
thespiritofcombatsucceededtothespiritoforganization，bitternesstocordiality，hatredofoneanothertothebenevolenceofthefoundertowardsall；thethreadswhichM。Madeleinehadsetweretangledandbroken，themethodswereadulterated，theproductsweredebased，confidencewaskilled；themarketdiminished，forlackoforders；salarieswerereduced，theworkshopsstoodstill，bankruptcyarrived。Andthentherewasnothingmoreforthepoor。
Allhadvanished。
Thestateitselfperceivedthatsomeonehadbeencrushedsomewhere。
LessthanfouryearsafterthejudgmentoftheCourtofAssizesestablishingtheidentityofJeanValjeanandM。Madeleine，forthebenefitofthegalleys，thecostofcollectingtaxeshaddoubledinthearrondissementofM。surM。；andM。deVillelecalledattentiontothefactintherostrum，inthemonthofFebruary，1827。
CHAPTERII
INWHICHTHEREADERWILLPERUSETWOVERSES，WHICHAREOFTHE
DEVIL’SCOMPOSITION，POSSIBLY
Beforeproceedingfurther，itwillbetothepurposetonarrateinsomedetail，asingularoccurrencewhichtookplaceataboutthesameepoch，inMontfermeil，andwhichisnotlackingincoincidencewithcertainconjecturesoftheindictment。
ThereexistsintheregionofMontfermeilaveryancientsuperstition，whichisallthemorecuriousandallthemoreprecious，becauseapopularsuperstitioninthevicinityofParisislikeanaloeinSiberia。
Weareamongthosewhorespecteverythingwhichisinthenatureofarareplant。Here，then，isthesuperstitionofMontfermeil:
itisthoughtthatthedevil，fromtimeimmemorial，hasselectedtheforestasahiding—placeforhistreasures。Goodwivesaffirmthatitisnoraritytoencounteratnightfall，insecludednooksoftheforest，ablackmanwiththeairofacarterorawood—chopper，wearingwoodenshoes，cladintrousersandablouseoflinen，andrecognizablebythefact，that，insteadofacaporhat，hehastwoimmensehornsonhishead。Thisought，infact，torenderhimrecognizable。Thismanishabituallyengagedindiggingahole。
Therearethreewaysofprofitingbysuchanencounter。Thefirstistoapproachthemanandspeaktohim。Thenitisseenthatthemanissimplyapeasant，thatheappearsblackbecauseitisnightfall；
thatheisnotdigginganyholewhatever，butiscuttinggrassforhiscows，andthatwhathadbeentakenforhornsisnothingbutadung—forkwhichheiscarryingonhisback，andwhoseteeth，thankstotheperspectiveofevening，seemedtospringfromhishead。
Themanreturnshomeanddieswithintheweek。Thesecondwayistowatchhim，towaituntilhehasdughishole，untilhehasfilleditandhasgoneaway；thentorunwithgreatspeedtothetrench，toopenitoncemoreandtoseizethe"treasure"whichtheblackmanhasnecessarilyplacedthere。Inthiscaseonedieswithinthemonth。Finally，thelastmethodisnottospeaktotheblackman，nottolookathim，andtofleeatthebestspeedofone’slegs。
Onethendieswithintheyear。