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