Murathadhardlygainedthedeckbeforeamancameandfellathisfeet：itwasaMamelukewhomhehadtakentoEgyptinformeryears，andhadsincemarriedatCastellamare；businessaffairshadtakenhimtoMarseilles，wherebyamiraclehehadescapedthemassacreofhiscomrades，andinspiteofhisdisguiseandfatiguehehadrecognisedhisformermaster。
　　Hisexclamationsofjoypreventedthekingfromkeepinguphisincognito。ThenSenatorCasabianca，CaptainOletta，anephewofPrinceBaciocchi，astaff-paymastercalledBoerco，whowerethemselvesfleeingfromthemassacresoftheSouth，wereallonboardthevessel，andimprovisingalittlecourt，theygreetedthekingwiththetitleof"yourMajesty。"Ithadbeenasuddenembarkation，itbroughtaboutaswiftchange：hewasnolongerMurattheexile；hewasJoachim，theKingofNaples。Theexile’srefugedisappearedwiththefounderedboat；initsplaceNaplesanditsmagnificentgulfappearedonthehorizonlikeamarvellousmirage，andnodoubttheprimaryideaofthefatalexpeditionofCalabriawasoriginatedinthefirstdaysofexultationwhichfollowedthosehoursofanguish。
　　Theking，however，stilluncertainofthewelcomewhichawaitedhiminCorsica，tookthenameoftheCountofCampoMelle，anditwasunderthisnamethathelandedatBastiaonthe25thAugust。Butthisprecautionwasuseless；threedaysafterhisarrival，notasoulbutknewofhispresenceinthetown。
　　Crowdsgatheredatonce，andcriesof"LongliveJoachim！"wereheard，andtheking，fearingtodisturbthepublicpeace，leftBastiathesameeveningwithhisthreecompanionsandhisMameluke。TwohourslaterhearrivedatViscovato，andknockedatthedoorofGeneralFranceschetti，whohadbeeninhisserviceduringhiswholereign，andwho，leavingNaplesatthesametimeastheking，hadgonetoCorsicawithhiswife，tolivewithhisfather-in-law，M。ColonnaCicaldi。
　　Hewasinthemiddleofsupperwhenaservanttoldhimthatastrangerwasaskingtospeaktohim——hewentout，andfoundMuratwrappedinamilitarygreatcoat，asailor’scapdrawndownonhishead，hisbeardgrownlong，andwearingasoldier’strousers，boots，andgaiters。
　　Thegeneralstoodstillinamazement；Muratfixedhisgreatdarkeyesonhim，andthen，foldinghisarms：——
　　"Franceschetti，"saidhe，"haveyouroomatyourtableforyourgeneral，whoishungry？Haveyouashelterunderyourroofforyourking，whoisanexile？"
　　FranceschettilookedastonishedasherecognisedJoachim，andcouldonlyanswerhimbyfallingonhiskneesandkissinghishand。Fromthatmomentthegeneral’shousewasatMurat’sdisposal。
　　Thenewsoftheking’sarrivalhadhardlybeenhandedabouttheneighbourhoodbeforeofficersofailrankshastenedtoViscovato，veteranswhohadfoughtunderhim，Corsicanhunterswhowereattractedbyhisadventurouscharacter；inafewdaysthegeneral’shousewasturnedintoapalace，thevillageintoaroyalcapital，theislandintoakingdom。
　　StrangerumourswereheardconcerningMurat’sintentions。Anarmyofninehundredmenhelpedtogivethemsomeamountofconfirmation。
　　ItwasthenthatBlancard，Donadieu，andLangladetookleaveofhim；
　　Muratwishedtokeepthem，buttheyhadbeenvowedtotherescueoftheexile，nottothefortunesoftheking。
　　WehaverelatedhowMurathadmetoneofhisformerMamelukes，amancalledOthello，onboardtheBastiamailboat。OthellohadfollowedhimtoViscovato，andtheex-KingofNaplesconsideredhowtomakeuseofhim。FamilyrelationsrecalledhimnaturallytoCastellamare，andMuratorderedhimtoreturnthere，entrustingtohimlettersforpersonsonwhosedevotionhecoulddepend。Othellostarted，andreachedhisfather-in-law’ssafely，andthoughthecouldconfideinhim；butthelatterwashorror-struck，andalarmedthepolice，whomadeadescentonOthelloonenight，andseizedtheletters。
　　ThenextdayeachmantowhomaletterwasaddressedwasarrestedandorderedtoanswerMuratasifallwaswell，andtopointoutSalernoasthebestplacefordisembarking：fiveoutofsevenweredastardsenoughtoobey；thetworemaining，whoweretwoSpanishbrothers，absolutelyrefused；theywerethrownintoadungeon。
　　However，onthe17thSeptember，MuratleftViscovato；GeneralFranceschettiandseveralCorsicanofficersservedasescort；hetooktheroadtoAjacciobyCotone，themountainsofSerraandBosco，VenacoandVivaro，bythegorgesoftheforestofVezzanovoandBogognone；hewasreceivedandfetedlikeakingeverywhere，andatthegatesofthetownshewasmetbydeputationswhomadehimspeechesandsalutedhimwiththetitleof"Majesty"；atlast，onthe23rdSeptember，hearrivedatAjaccio。Thewholepopulationawaitedhimoutsidethewalls，andhisentryintothetownwasatriumphalprocession；hewastakentotheinnwhichhadbeenfixeduponbeforehandbythequartermasters。ItwasenoughtoturntheheadofamanlessimpressionablethanMurat；asforhim，hewasintoxicatedwithit。AshewentintotheinnheheldouthishandtoFranceschetti。
　　"Yousee，"hesaid，"whattheNeapolitanswilldoformebythewaytheCorsicansreceiveme。"
　　Itwasthefirstmentionwhichhadescapedhimofhisplansforthefuture，andfromthatverydayhebegantogiveordersforhisdeparture。
　　Theycollectedtenlittlefeluccas：aMaltese，namedBarbara，formercaptainofafrigateoftheNeapolitannavy，wasappointedcommander-in-chiefoftheexpedition；twohundredandfiftymenwererecruitedandorderedtoholdthemselvesinreadinessforthefirstsignal。
　　MuratwasonlywaitingfortheanswerstoOthello’sletters：theyarrivedontheafternoonofthe28th。Muratinvitedallhisofficerstoagranddinner，andordereddoublepayanddoublerationstothemen。
　　ThekingwasatdessertwhenthearrivalofM。Maceroniwasannouncedtohim：hewastheenvoyoftheforeignpowerswhobroughtMurattheanswerwhichhehadbeenawaitingsolongatToulon。Muratleftthetableandwentintoanotherroom。M。Maceroniintroducedhimselfaschargedwithanofficialmission，andhandedthekingtheEmperorofAustria’sultimatum。Itwascouchedinthefollowingterms：
　　"MonsieurMaceroniisauthorisedbythesepresentstoannouncetoKingJoachimthatHisMajestytheEmperorofAustriawillaffordhimshelterinhisStatesonthefollowingterms：——
　　1。Thekingistotakeaprivatename。ThequeenhavingadoptedthatofLipano，itisproposedthatthekingshoulddolikewise。
　　2。ItwillbepermittedtothekingtochooseatowninBohemia，Moravia，ortheTyrol，asaplaceofresidence。Hecouldeveninhabitacountryhouseinoneofthesesameprovinceswithoutinconvenience。
　　3。ThekingistogivehiswordofhonourtoHisImperialandRoyalMajestythathewillneverleavetheStatesofAustriawithouttheexpress-permissionoftheEmperor，andthatheistolivelikeaprivategentlemanofdistinction，butsubmittingtothelawsinforceintheStatesofAustria。
　　"Inattestationwhereof，andtoguardagainstabuse，theundersignedhasreceivedtheorderoftheEmperortosignthepresentdeclaration。
　　"（Signed）PRINCEOFMETTERNICH
　　"PARIS，1stSept。1815。"
　　Muratsmiledashefinishedreading，thenhesignedtoM。Maceronitofollowhim：
　　Heledhimontotheterraceofthehouse，whichlookedoverthewholetown，andoverwhichabannerfloatedasitmightonaroyalcastle。FromthencetheycouldseeAjaccioallgayandilluminated，theportwithitslittlefleet，andthestreetscrowdedwithpeople，asifitwereafete-day。
　　HardlyhadthecrowdseteyesonMuratbeforeauniversalcryarose，"LongliveJoachim，brotherofNapoleon！LonglivetheKingofNaples！"
　　Muratbowed，andtheshoutswereredoubled，andthegarrisonbandplayedthenationalairs。
　　M。Maceronididnotknowhowtobelievehisowneyesandears。
　　Whenthekinghadenjoyedhisastonishment，heinvitedhimtogodowntothedrawing-room。Hisstaffwerethere，allinfulluniform：onemighthavebeenatCaserteoratCapodiMonte。Atlast，afteramoment’shesitation，MaceroniapproachedMurat。
　　"Sir，"hesaid，"whatismyanswertobetoHisMajestytheEmperorofAustria？"
　　"Sir，"answeredMurat，withtheloftydignitywhichsatsowellonhisfineface，"tellmybrotherFranciswhatyouhaveseenandheard，andaddthatIamsettingoutthisverynighttoreconquermykingdomofNaples。"
　　III
　　PIZZO
　　TheletterswhichhadmadeMuratresolvetoleaveCorsicahadbeenbroughttohimbyaCalabriannamedLuidgi。HehadpresentedhimselftothekingastheenvoyoftheArab，Othello，whohadbeenthrownintoprisoninNaples，aswehaverelated，aswellasthesevenrecipientsoftheletters。
　　Theanswers，writtenbytheheadoftheNeapolitanpolice，indicatedtheportofSalernoasthebestplaceforJoachimtoland；forKingFerdinandhadassembledthreethousandAustriantroopsatthatpoint，notdaringtotrusttheNeapolitansoldiers，whocherishedabrilliantandenthusiasticmemoryofMurat。
　　AccordinglytheflotillawasdirectedfortheGulfofSalerno，butwithinsightoftheislandofCapriaviolentstormbrokeoverit，anddroveitasfarasPaola，alittleseaportsituatedtenmilesfromCosenza。Consequentlythevesselswereanchoredforthenightofthe5thofOctoberinalittleindentationofthecoastnotworthyofthenameofaroadstead。Theking，toremoveallsuspicionfromthecoastguardsandtheSicilianscorridori，[Smallvesselsfittedupasships-of-war。]orderedthatalllightsshouldbeextinguishedandthatthevesselsshouldtackaboutduringthenight；buttowardsoneo’clocksuchaviolentland-windsprangupthattheexpeditionwasdrivenouttosea，sothatonthe6thatdawntheking’svesselwasalone。
　　DuringthemorningtheyoverhauledCaptainCicconi’sfelucca，andthetwoshipsdroppedanchoratfouro’clockinsightofSanto-Lucido。
　　IntheeveningthekingcommandedOttoviani，astaffofficer，togoashoreandreconnoitre。Luidgiofferedtoaccompanyhim。Muratacceptedhisservices。SoOttovianiandhisguidewentashore，whilstCicconiandhisfeluccaputouttoseainsearchoftherestofthefleet。
　　Towardseleveno’clockatnightthelieutenantofthewatchdescriedamaninthewavesswimmingtothevessel。Assoonashewaswithinhearingthelieutenanthailedhim。Theswimmerimmediatelymadehimselfknown：itwasLuidgi。Theyputouttheboat，andhecameonboard。ThenhetoldthemthatOttovianihadbeenarrested，andhehadonlyescapedhimselfbyjumpingintothesea。Murat’sfirstideawastogototherescueofOttoviani；butLuidgimadethekingrealisethedangeranduselessnessofsuchanattempt；nevertheless，Joachimremainedagitatedandirresoluteuntiltwoo’clockinthemorning。
　　Atlasthegavetheordertoputtoseaagain。Duringthemanoeuvrewhicheffectedthisasailorfelloverboardanddisappearedbeforetheyhadtimetohelphim。Decidedlythesewereillomens。
　　Onthemorningofthe7thtwovesselswereinsight。Thekinggavetheordertoprepareforaction，butBarbararecognisedthemasCicconi’sfeluccaandCourrand’slugger，whichhadjoinedeachotherandwerekeepingeachothercompany。Theyhoistedthenecessarysignals，andthetwocaptainsbroughtuptheirvesselsalongsidetheadmiral’s。
　　Whiletheyweredeliberatingastowhatroutetofollow，aboatcameuptoMurat’svessel。CaptainPernicewasonboardwithalieutenant。Theycametoasktheking’spermissiontoboardhisship，notwishingtoremainonCourrand’s，forintheiropinionhewasatraitor。
　　Muratsenttofetchhim，andinspiteofhisprotestationshewasmadetodescendintoaboatwithfiftymen，andtheboatwasmooredtothevessel。Theorderwascarriedoutatonce，andthelittlesquadronadvanced，coastingalongtheshoresofCalabriawithoutlosingsightofthem；butatteno’clockintheevening，justastheycameabreastoftheGulfofSanta-Eufemia，CaptainCourrandcuttheropewhichmooredhisboattothevessel，androwedawayfromthefleet。
　　Murathadthrownhimselfontohisbedwithoutundressing；theybroughthimthenews。
　　Herusheduptothedeck，andarrivedintimetoseetheboat，whichwasfleeinginthedirectionofCorsica，growsmallandvanishinthedistance。Heremainedmotionless，notutteringacry，givingnosignsofrage；heonlysighedandlethisheadfallonhisbreast：itwasonemoreleaffallingfromtheexhaustedtreeofhishopes。
　　GeneralFranceschettiprofitedbythishourofdiscouragementtoadvisehimnottolandinCalabria，andtogodirecttoTrieste，inordertoclaimfromAustriatherefugewhichhadbeenoffered。
　　Thekingwasgoingthroughoneofthoseperiodsofextremeexhaustion，ofmortaldepression，whencouragequitegivesway：herefusedflatlyatfirst，andthereatlastagreedtodoit。
　　Justthenthegeneralperceivedasailorlyingonsomecoilsofropes，withinhearingofalltheysaid；heinterruptedhimself，andpointedhimouttoMurat。
　　Thelattergotup，wenttoseetheman，andrecognisedLuidgi；
　　overcomewithexhaustion，hehadfallenasleepondeck。Thekingsatisfiedhimselfthatthesleepwasgenuine，andbesideshehadfullconfidenceintheman。Theconversation，whichhadbeeninterruptedforamoment，wasrenewed：itwasagreedthatwithoutsayinganythingaboutthenewplans，theywouldclearCapeSpartiventoandentertheAdriatic；thenthekingandthegeneralwentbelowagaintothelowerdeck。
　　Thenextday，the8thOctober，theyfoundthemselvesabreastofPizzo，whenJoachim，questionedbyBarbaraastowhatheproposedtodo，gavetheordertosteerforMessina。Barbaraansweredthathewasreadytoobey，butthattheywereinneedoffoodandwater；
　　consequentlyheofferedtogoon，boardCicconi’svesselandtolandwithhimtogetstores。Thekingagreed；Barbaraaskedforthepassportswhichhehadreceivedfromthealliedpowers，inorder，hesaid，nottobemolestedbythelocalauthorities。
　　ThesedocumentsweretooimportantforMurattoconsenttopartwiththem；perhapsthekingwasbeginningtosuspect：herefused。Barbarainsisted；Muratorderedhimtolandwithoutthepapers；Barbaraflatlyrefused。
　　Theking，accustomedtobeingobeyed，raisedhisriding-whiptostriketheMaltese，but，changinghisresolution，heorderedthesoldierstopreparetheirarms，theofficerstoputonfulluniform；
　　hehimselfsettheexample。Thedisembarkationwasdecidedupon，andPizzowastobecometheGolfeJuanofthenewNapoleon。
　　Consequentlythevesselsweresteeredforland。Thekinggotdownintoaboatwithtwenty-eightsoldiersandthreeservants，amongstwhomwasLuidgi。AstheydrewneartheshoreGeneralFranceschettimadeamovementasiftoland，butMuratstoppedhim。
　　"Itisformetolandfirst，"hesaid，andhesprangonshore。
　　Hewasdressedinageneral’scoat，whitebreechesandriding-boots，abeltcarryingtwopistols，agold-embroideredhatwithacockadefastenedinwithaclaspmadeoffourteenbrilliants，andlastlyhecarriedunderhisarmthebannerroundwhichhehopedtorallyhispartisans。ThetownclockofPizzostruckten。Muratwentstraightuptothetown，fromwhichhewashardlyahundredyardsdistant。Hefollowedthewidestonestaircasewhichleduptoit。
　　ItwasSunday。Masswasabouttobecelebrated，andthewholepopulationhadassembledintheGreatSquarewhenhearrived。Noonerecognisedhim，andeveryonegazedwithastonishmentatthefineofficer。PresentlyhesawamongstthepeasantsaformersergeantofhiswhohadservedinhisguardatNaples。Hewalkedstraightuptohimandputhishandontheman’sshoulder。
　　"Tavella，"hesaid，"don’tyourecogniseme？"
　　Butasthemanmadenoanswer：
　　"IamJoachimMurat，Iamyourking，"hesaid。"Yoursbethehonourtoshout’LongliveJoachim！’first。"
　　Murat’ssuiteinstantlymadetheairringwithacclamations，buttheCalabriansremainedsilent，andnotoneofhiscomradestookupthecryforwhichthekinghimselfhadgiventhesignal；onthecontrary，alowmurmurranthroughthecrowd。Muratwellunderstoodthisforerunnerofthestorm。
　　"Well，"hesaidtoTavella，"ifyouwon’tcry’LongliveJoachim！’
　　youcanatleastfetchmeahorse，andfromsergeantIwillpromoteyoutobecaptain。"
　　Tavellawalkedawaywithoutanswering，butinsteadofcarryingouttheking’sbehest，wentintohishouse，anddidnotappearagain。
　　Inthemeantimethepeopleweremassingtogetherwithoutevincinganyofthesympathythatthekinghadhopedfor。Hefeltthathewaslostifhedidnotactinstantly。
　　"ToMonteleone！"hecried，springingforwardtowardstheroadwhichledtothattown。
　　"ToMonteleone！"shoutedhisofficersandmen，astheyfollowedhim。
　　Andthecrowd，persistentlysilent，openedtoletthempass。
　　Buttheyhadhardlyleftthesquarebeforeagreatdisturbancebrokeout。AmannamedGiorgioPellegrinocameoutofhishousewithagunandcrossedthesquare，shouting，"Toyourarms！"
　　HeknewthatCaptainTrentaCapellicommandingtheCosenzagarrisonwasjusttheninPizzo，andhewasgoingtowarnhim。
　　Thecry"Toarms！"hadmoreeffectonthecrowdthanthecry"LongliveJoachim！"
　　EveryCalabrianpossessesagun，andeachonerantofetchhis，andwhenTrentaCapelliandGiorgioPellegrinocamebacktothesquaretheyfoundnearlytwohundredarmedmenthere。
　　Theyplacedthemselvesattheheadofthecolumn，andhastenedforwardinpursuitoftheking；theycameupwithhimabouttenminutesfromthesquare，wherethebridgeisnowadays。Seeingthem，Muratstoppedandwaitedforthem。
　　TrentaCapelliadvanced，swordinhand，towardstheking。
　　"Sir，"saidthelatter，"willyouexchangeyourcaptain’sepaulettesforageneral’s？Cry’LongliveJoachim！’andfollowmewiththesebravefellowstoMonteleone。"
　　"Sire，"saidTrentaCapelli，"wearethefaithfulsubjectsofKingFerdinand，andwecometofightyou，andnottobearyoucompany。
　　Giveyourselfup，ifyouwouldpreventbloodshed。"
　　Muratlookedatthecaptainwithanexpressionwhichitwouldbeimpossibletodescribe；thenwithoutdeigningtoanswer，hesignedtoCagellitomoveaway，whilehisotherhandwenttohispistol。
　　GiotgioPellegrinoperceivedthemovement。
　　"Down，captain，down！"hecried。Thecaptainobeyed。ImmediatelyabulletwhistledoverhisheadandbrushedMurat’shead。
　　"Fire！"commandedFranceschetti。
　　"Downwithyourarms！"criedMurat。
　　Wavinghishandkerchiefinhisrighthand，hemadeasteptowardsthepeasants，butatthesamemomentanumberofshotswerefired，anofficerandtwoorthreemenfell。Inacaselikethis，whenbloodhasbeguntoflow，thereisnostoppingit。
　　Muratknewthisfataltruth，andhiscourseofactionwasrapidlydecidedon。Beforehimhehadfivehundredarmedmen，andbehindhimaprecipicethirtyfeethigh：hesprangfromthejaggedrockonwhichhewasstanding，andalightingonthesand，jumpedupsafeandsound。
　　GeneralFranceschettiandhisaide-de-campCampanawereabletoaccomplishthejumpinthesameway，andallthreewentrapidlydowntotheseathroughthelittlewoodwhichlaywithinahundredyardsoftheshore，andwhichhidthemforafewmomentsfromtheirenemies。
　　Astheycameoutofthewoodafreshdischargegreetedthem，bulletswhistledroundthem，butnoonewashit，andthethreefugitiveswentondowntothebeach。
　　Itwasonlythenthatthekingperceivedthattheboatwhichhadbroughtthemtolandhadgoneoffagain。Thethreeshipswhichcomposedthefleet，farfromremainingtoguardhislanding，weresailingawayatfullspeedintotheopensea。
　　TheMaltese，Barbara，wasgoingoffnotonlywithMurat’sfortune，butwithhishopeslikewise，hissalvation，hisverylife。Theycouldnotbelieveinsuchtreachery，andthekingtookitforsomemanoeuvreofseamanship，andseeingafishing-boatdrawnuponthebeachonsomenets，hecalledtohistwocompanions，"Launchthatboat！"
　　Theyallbegantopushitdowntotheseawiththeenergyofdespair，thestrengthofagony。
　　Noonehaddaredtoleapfromtherockinpursuitofthem；theirenemies，forcedtomakeadetour，leftthemafewmomentsofliberty。
　　Butsoonshoutswereheard：GiorgioPellegrino，TrentaCapelli，followedbythewholepopulationofPizzo，rushedoutaboutahundredandfiftypacesfromwhereMurat，Franceschetti，andCampanawerestrainingthemselvestomaketheboatglidedownthesand。
　　Thesecrieswereimmediatelyfollowedbyavolley。Campanafell，withabulletthroughhisheart。
　　Theboat，however，waslaunched。Franceschettisprangintoit，Muratwasabouttofollow，buthehadnotobservedthatthespursofhisriding-bootshadcaughtinthemeshesofthenet。Theboat，yieldingtothepushhegaveit，glidedaway，andthekingfellheadforemost，withhisfeetonlandandhisfaceinthewater。Beforehehadtimetopickhimselfup，thepopulacehadfallenonhim：inoneinstanttheyhadtornawayhisepaulettes，hisbanner，andhiscoat，andwouldhavetornhimtobitshimself，hadnotGiorgioPellegrinoandTrentaCapellitakenhimundertheirprotection，andgivinghimanarmoneachside，defendedhimintheirturnagainstthepeople。
　　Thushecrossedthesquareasaprisonerwhereanhourbeforehehadwalkedasaking。
　　Hiscaptorstookhimtothecastle：hewaspushedintothecommonprison，thedoorwasshutuponhim，andthekingfoundhimselfamongthievesandmurderers，who，notknowinghim，tookhimforacompanionincrime，andgreetedhimwithfoullanguageandhootsofderision。
　　AquarterofanhourlaterthedoorofthegaolopenedandCommanderMatteicamein：hefoundMuratstandingwithheadproudlyerectandfoldedarms。Therewasanexpressionofindefinableloftinessinthishalf-nakedmanwhosefacewasstainedwithbloodandbespatteredwithmud。Matteibowedbeforehim。
　　"Commander，"saidMurat，recognisinghisrankbyhisepaulettes，"lookroundyouandtellmewhetherthisisaprisonforaking。"
　　Thenastrangethinghappened：thecriminals，who，believingMurattheiraccomplice，hadwelcomedhimwithvociferationsandlaughter，nowbentbeforehisroyalmajesty，whichhadnotoverawedPellegrinoandTrentaCapelli，andretiredsilentlytothedepthsoftheirdungeon。
　　MisfortunehadinvestedMuratwithanewpower。
　　CommanderMatteimurmuredsomeexcuse，andinvitedMurattofollowhimtoaroomthathehadhadpreparedforhim；butbeforegoingout，Muratputhishandinhispocketandpulledoutahandfulofgoldandletitfallinashowerinthemidstofthegaol。
　　"See，"hesaid，turningtowardstheprisoners，"itshallnotbesaidthatyouhavereceivedavisitfromaking，prisonerandcrownlessasheis，withouthavingreceivedlargesse。"
　　"LongliveJoachim！"criedtheprisoners。
　　Muratsmiledbitterly。Thosesamewordsrepeatedbythesamenumberofvoicesanhourbeforeinthepublicsquare，insteadofresoundingintheprison，wouldhavemadehimKingofNaples。
　　Themostimportanteventsproceedsometimesfromsuchmeretrifles，thatitseemsasifGodandthedevilmustthrowdiceforthelifeordeathofmen，fortheriseorfallofempires。
　　MuratfollowedCommanderMattei：heledhimtoalittleroomwhichtheporterhadputathisdisposal。MatteiwasgoingtoretirewhenMuratcalledhimback。
　　"Commander，"hesaid，"Iwantascentedbath。"
　　"Sire，itwillbedifficulttoobtain。"
　　"Herearefiftyducats；letsomeonebuyalltheeaudeColognethatcanbeobtained。Ah——andletsometailorsbesenttome。"
　　"Itwillbeimpossibletofindanyoneherecapableofmakinganythingbutapeasant’sclothes。"
　　"SendsomeonetoMonteleonetofetchthemfromthere。"
　　Thecommanderbowedandwentout。
　　MuratwasinhisbathwhentheLavaliereAlcalawasannounced，aGeneralandGovernorofthetown。Hehadsentdamaskcoverlets，curtains，andarm-chairs。Muratwastouchedbythisattention，anditgavehimfreshcomposure。Attwoo’clockthesamedayGeneralNunziantearrivedfromSanta-Tropeawiththreethousandmen。Muratgreetedhisoldacquaintancewithpleasure；butatthefirstwordthekingperceivedthathewasbeforehisjudge，andthathehadnotcomeforthepurposeofmakingavisit，buttomakeanofficialinquiry。
　　MuratcontentedhimselfwithstatingthathehadbeenonhiswayfromCorsicatoTriestewithapassportfromtheEmperorofAustriawhenstormyweatherandlackofprovisionshadforcedhimtoputintoPizzo。AllotherquestionsMuratmetwithastubbornsilence；thenatleast，weariedbyhisimportunity——
　　"General，"hesaid，"canyoulendmesomeclothesaftermybath？"
　　Thegeneralunderstoodthathecouldexpectnomoreinformation，and，bowingtotheking，hewentout。Tenminuteslater，acompleteuniformwasbroughttoMurat；heputitonimmediately，askedforapenandink，wrotetothecommander-in-chiefoftheAustriantroopsatNaples，totheEnglishambassador，andtohiswife，totellthemofhisdetentionatPizzo。Theseletterswritten，hegotupandpacedhisroomforsometimeinevidentagitation；atlast，needingfreshair，heopenedthewindow。Therewasaviewoftheverybeachwherehehadbeencaptured。
　　Twomenwerediggingaholeinthesandatthefootofthelittleredoubt。Muratwatchedthemmechanically。Whenthetwomenhadfinished，theywentintoaneighbouringhouseandsooncameout，bearingacorpseintheirarms。
　　Thekingsearchedhismemory，andindeeditseemedtohimthatinthemidstofthatterriblescenehehadseensomeonefall，butwhoitwashenolongerremembered。Thecorpsewasquitewithoutcovering，butbythelongblackhairandyouthfuloutlinesthekingrecognisedCampana，theaide-decamphehadalwayslovedbest。
　　Thisscene，watchedfromaprisonwindowinthetwilight，thissolitaryburialontheshore，inthesand，movedMuratmoredeeplythanhisownfate。Greattearsfilledhiseyesandfellsilentlydowntheleonineface。AtthatmomentGeneralNunziantecameinandsurprisedhimwithoutstretchedarmsandfacebathedwithtears。
　　Muratheardhimenterandturnedround，andseeingtheoldsoldier’ssurprise。
　　"Yes，general，"hesaid，"Iweep；Iweepforthatboy，justtwenty-four，entrustedtomebyhisparents，whosedeathIhavebroughtabout。Iweepforthatvast，brilliantfuturewhichisburiedinanunknowngrave，inanenemy’scountry，onahostileshore。Oh，Campana！Campana！ifeverIamkingagain，Iwillraiseyouaroyaltomb。"
　　Thegeneralhadhaddinnerservedinanadjacentroom。Muratfollowedhimandsatdowntotable，buthecouldnoteat。Thesightwhichhehadjustwitnessedhadmadehimheartbroken，andyetwithoutalineonhisbrowthatmanhadbeenthroughthebattlesofAboukir，Eylau，andMoscow！Afterdinner，Muratwentintohisroomagain，gavehisvariousletterstoGeneralNunziante，andbeggedtobeleftalone。Thegeneralwentaway。
　　Muratpacedroundhisroomseveraltimes，walkingwithlongsteps，andpausingfromtimetotimebeforethewindow，butwithoutopeningit。
　　Atlastheovercameadeepreluctance，puthishandontheboltanddrewthelatticetowardshim。
　　Itwasacalm，clearnight：onecouldseethewholeshore。HelookedforCampana’sgrave。Twodogsscratchingthesandshowedhimthespot。
　　Thekingshutthewindowviolently，andwithoutundressingthrewhimselfontohisbed。Atlast，fearingthathisagitationwouldbeattributedtopersonalalarm，heundressedandwenttobed，tosleep，orseemtosleepallnight。
　　Onthemorningofthe9ththetailorswhomMurathadaskedforarrived。Heorderedagreatmanyclothes，takingthetroubletoexplainallthedetailssuggestedbyhisfastidioustaste。HewasthusemployedwhenGeneralNunziantecamein。Helistenedsadlytotheking’scommands。HehadjustreceivedtelegraphicdespatchesorderinghimtotrytheKingofNaplesbycourt-martialasapublicenemy。Buthefoundthekingsoconfident，sotranquil，almostcheerfulindeed，thathehadnotthehearttoannouncehistrialtohim，andtookuponhimselftodelaytheopeningofoperationuntilhereceivedwritteninstructions。Thesearrivedontheeveningofthe12th。Theywerecouchedinthefollowingterms：
　　NAPLES，October9，1815
　　"Ferdinand，bythegraceofGod，etc……willsanddecreesthefollowing：
　　"Art。1。GeneralMuratistobetriedbycourt-martial，thememberswhereofaretobenominatedbyourMinisterofWar。
　　"Art。2。Onlyhalfanhouristobeaccordedtothecondemnedfortheexercisesofreligion。
　　"（Signed）FERDINAND。
　　Anotherdespatchfromtheministercontainedthenamesofthemembersofthecommission。Theywere：——
　　GiuseppeFosculo，adjutant，commander-in-chiefofthestaff，president。
　　LaffaelloScalfaro，chiefofthelegionofLowerCalabria。
　　LatereoNatali，lieutenant-coloneloftheRoyalMarines。
　　GennaroLanzetta，lieutenant-coloneloftheEngineers。
　　W。T。captainofArtillery。
　　FrancoisdeVenge，ditto。
　　FrancescoMartellari，lieutenantofArtillery。
　　FrancescoFroio，lieutenantinthe3rdregimentoftheline。
　　GiovannideltaCamera，PublicProsecutortotheCriminalCourtsofLowerCalabria。
　　FrancescoPapavassi，registrar。
　　Thecommissionassembledthatnight。
　　Onthe13thOctober，atsixo’clockinthemorning，CaptainStratticameintotheking’sprison；hewassoundasleep。Strattiwasgoingawayagain，whenhestumbledagainstachair；thenoiseawokeMurat。
　　"Whatdoyouwantwithme，captain？"askedtheking。
　　Strattitriedtospeak，buthisvoicefailedhim。
　　"Ahha！"saidMurat，"youmusthavehadnewsfromNaples。"
　　"Yes，sire，"mutteredStratti。
　　"Whatarethey？"saidMurat。
　　"Yourtrial，sire。"
　　"Andbywhoseorderwillsentencebepronounced，ifyouplease？
　　Wherewilltheyfindpeerstojudgeme？Iftheyconsidermeasaking，Imusthaveatribunalofkings；ifIamamarshalofFrance，I
　　musthaveacourtofmarshals；ifIamageneral，andthatistheleastIcanbe，Imusthaveajuryofgenerals。"
　　"Sire，youaredeclaredapublicenemy，andassuchyouareliabletobejudgedbycourt-martial：thatisthelawwhichyouinstitutedyourselfforrebels。"
　　"Thatlawwasmadeforbrigands，andnotforcrownedheads，sir，"
　　saidMuratscornfully。"Iamready；letthembutchermeiftheylike。IdidnotthinkKingFerdinandcapableofsuchanaction。"
　　"Sire，willyounothearthenamesofyourjudges？"
　　"Yes，sir，Iwill。Itmustbeacuriouslist。Readit：Iamlistening。"
　　CaptainStrattireadoutthenamesthatwehaveenumerated。Muratlistenedwithadisdainfulsmile。
　　"Ah，"hesaid，asthecaptainfinished，"itseemsthateveryprecautionhasbeentaken。"
　　"How，sire？"
　　"Yes。Don’tyouknowthatallthesemen，withtheexceptionofFrancescoFroio，thereporter；owetheirpromotiontome？Theywillbeafraidofbeingaccusedofsparingmeoutofgratitude，andsaveonevoice，perhaps，thesentencewillbeunanimous。"
　　"Sire，supposeyouweretoappearbeforethecourt，topleadyourowncause？"
　　"Silence，sir，silence！"saidMurat。"Icould，notofficiallyrecognisethejudgesyouhavenamedwithouttearingtoomanypagesofhistory。Suchtribunalisquiteincompetent；IshouldbedisgracedifIappearedbeforeit。IknowIcouldnotsavemylife，letmeatleastpreservemyroyaldignity。"
　　AtthismomentLieutenantFrancescoFroiocameintointerrogatetheprisoner，askinghisname，hisage，andhisnationality。Hearingthesequestions，Muratrosewithanexpressionofsublimedignity。
　　"IamJoachimNapoleon，KingoftheTwoSicilies，"heanswered，"andIorderyoutoleaveme。"
　　Theregistrarobeyed。
　　ThenMuratpartiallydressedhimself，andaskedStrattiifhecouldwriteafarewelltohiswifeandchildren。TheCaptainnolongerabletospeak，answeredbyanaffirmativesign；thenJoachimsatdowntothetableandwrotethisletter：
　　"DEARCAROLINEOFMYHEART，——Thefatalmomenthascome：Iamtosufferthedeathpenalty。Inanhouryouwillbeawidow，ourchildrenwillbefatherless：rememberme；neverforgetmymemory。I
　　dieinnocent；mylifeistakenfrommeunjustly。
　　"Good-bye，Achillesgood-bye，Laetitia；goodbye，Lucien；good-bye，Louise。
　　"Showyourselvesworthyofme；Ileaveyouinaworldandinakingdomfullofmyenemies。Showyourselvessuperiortoadversity，andremembernevertothinkyourselvesbetterthanyouare，rememberingwhatyouhavebeen。
　　"Farewell。Iblessyouall。Nevercursemymemory。Rememberthattheworstpangofmyagonyisindyingfarfrommychildren，farfrommywife，withoutafriendtoclosemyeyes。Farewell，myownCaroline。Farewell，mychildren。Isendyoumyblessing，mymosttendertears，mylastkisses。Farewell，farewell。Neverforgetyourunhappyfather，"Pizzo，Oct。13，1815
　　[Wecanguaranteetheauthenticityofthisletter，havingcopieditourselvesatPizzo，fromtheLavaliereAlcala’scopyoftheoriginal]
　　Thenhecutoffalockofhishairandputitinhisletter。JustthenGeneralNunziantecamein；Muratwenttohimandheldouthishand。
　　"General，"hesaid，"youareafather，youareahusband，onedayyouwillknowwhatitistopartfromyourwifeandsons。Sweartomethatthislettershallbedelivered。"
　　"Onmyepaulettes，"saidthegeneral，wipinghiseyes。[MadameMuratneverreceivedthisletter。]
　　"Come，come，courage，general，"saidMurat；"wearesoldiers，weknowhowtofacedeath。Onefavour——youwillletmegivetheordertofire，willyounot？"
　　Thegeneralsignedacquiescence：justthentheregistrarcameinwiththeking’ssentenceinhishand。
　　Muratguessedwhatitwas。
　　"Read，sir，"hesaidcoldly；"Iamlistening。"
　　Theregistrarobeyed。Muratwasright。
　　Thesentenceofdeathhadbeencarriedwithonlyonedissentientvoice。
　　Whenthereadingwasfinished，thekingturnedagaintoNunziante。
　　"General，"hesaid，"believethatIdistinguishinmymindtheinstrumentwhichstrikesmeandthehandthatwieldsthatinstrument。
　　IshouldneverhavethoughtthatFerdinandwouldhavehadmeshotlikeadog；hedoesnothesitateapparentlybeforesuchinfamy。Verywell。Wewillsaynomoreaboutit。Ihavechallengedmyjudges，butnotmyexecutioners。Whattimehaveyoufixedformyexecution？"
　　"Willyoufixityourself，sir？"saidthegeneral。
　　Muratpulledoutawatchonwhichtherewasaportraitofhiswife；
　　bychanceheturneduptheportrait，andnotthefaceofthewatch；
　　hegazedatittenderly。
　　"See，general，"hesaid，showingittoNunziante；"itisaportraitofthequeen。Youknowher；isitnotlikeher？"
　　Thegeneralturnedawayhishead。Muratsighedandputawaythewatch。
　　"Well，sire，"saidtheregistrar，"whattimehaveyoufixed？"
　　"Ahyes，"saidMurat，smiling，"IforgotwhyItookoutmywatchwhenIsawCaroline’sportrait。"
　　Thenhelookedathiswatchagain，butthistimeatitsface。
　　"Well，itshallbeatfouro’clock，ifyoulike；itispastthreeo’clock。Iaskforfiftyminutes。Isthattoomuch，sir？"
　　Theregistrarbowedandwentout。Thegeneralwasabouttofollowhim。
　　"ShallIneverseeyouagain，Nunziante？"saidMurat。
　　"Myordersaretobepresentatyourdeath，sire，butIcannotdoit。"
　　"Verywell，general。Iwilldispensewithyourpresenceatthelastmoment，butIshouldliketosayfarewelloncemoreandtoembraceyou。"
　　"Iwillbenear，sire。"
　　"Thankyou。Nowleavemealone。"
　　"Sire，therearetwopriestshere。"
　　Muratmadeanimpatientmovement。
　　"Willyoureceivethem？"continuedthegeneral。
　　"Yes；bringthemin。"
　　Thegeneralwentout。Amomentlater，twopriestsappearedinthedoorway。OneofthemwascalledFrancescoPellegrino，uncleofthemanwhohadcausedtheking’sdeath；theotherwasDonAntonioMasdea。
　　"Whatdoyouwanthere？"askedMurat。
　　"WecometoaskyouifyouaredyingaChristian？"
　　"Iamdyingasasoldier。Leaveme。"
　　DonFrancescoPellegrinoretired。NodoubthefeltillateasebeforeJoachim。ButAntonioMasdearemainedatthedoor。
　　"Didyounothearme？"askedtheking。
　　"Yes，indeed，"answeredtheoldman；"butpermitme，sire，tohopethatitwasnotyourlastwordtome。Itisnot，thefirsttimethatIseeyouorbegsomethingofyou。Ihavealreadyhadoccasiontoaskafavourofyou。"
　　"Whatwasthat？"
　　"WhenyourMajestycametoPizzoin1810，Iaskedyoufor25，000
　　francstoenableustofinishourchurch。YourMajestysentme40，000francs。"
　　"ImusthaveforeseenthatIshouldbeburiedthere，"saidMurat，smiling。
　　"Ah，sire，Ishouldliketothinkthatyoudidnotrefusemysecondboonanymorethanmyfirst。Sire，Ientreatyouonmyknees。"
　　TheoldmanfellatMurat’sfeet。
　　"DieasaChristian！"
　　"Thatwouldgiveyoupleasure，then，wouldit？"saidtheking。
　　"Sire，IwouldgivethefewshortdaysremainingtomeifGodwouldgrantthatHisHolySpiritshouldfalluponyouinyourlasthour。"
　　"Well，"saidMurat，"hearmyconfession。Iaccusemyselfofhavingbeendisobedienttomyparentsasachild。SinceIreachedmanhoodI
　　havedonenothingtoreproachmyselfwith。"
　　"Sire，willyougivemeanattestationthatyoudieintheChristianfaith？"
　　"Certainly，"saidMurat。
　　Andhetookapenandwrote："I，JoachimMurat，dieaChristian，believingintheHolyCatholicChurch，ApostolicandRoman。"
　　Hesignedit。
　　"Now，father，"continuedtheking，"ifyouhaveathirdfavourtoaskofme，makehaste，forinhalfanhouritwillbetoolate。"
　　Indeed，thecastleclockwasstrikinghalf-pastthree。Thepriestsignedthathehadfinished。
　　"Thenleavemealone，"saidMurat；andtheoldmanwentout。
　　Muratpacedhisroomforafewmoments，thenhesatdownonhisbedandlethisheadfallintohishands。Doubtless，duringthequarterofanhourheremainedthusabsorbedinhisthoughts，hesawhiswholelifepassbeforehim，fromtheinnwherehehadstartedtothepalacehehadreached；nodoubthisadventurouscareerunrolleditselfbeforehimlikesomegoldendream，somebrilliantfiction，sometalefromtheArabianNights。
　　Hislifegleamedathwartthestormlikearainbow，andlikearainbow’s，itstwoextremitieswerelostinclouds——thecloudsofbirthanddeath。Atlastherousedhimselffromthisinwardcontemplation，andliftedapalebuttranquilface。Thenhewenttotheglassandarrangedhishair。Hisstrangecharacteristicsneverlefthim。TheaffiancedofDeath，hewasadorninghimselftomeethisbride。
　　Fouro’clockstruck。
　　Muratwenttothedoorhimselfandopenedit。
　　GeneralNunziantewaswaitingforhim。
　　"Thankyou，general，"saidMurat。"Youhavekeptyourword。Kissme，andgoatonce，ifyoulike。"
　　Thegeneralthrewhimselfintotheking’sarms，weeping，andutterlyunabletospeak。
　　"Courage，"saidMurat。"YouseeIamcalm。"Itwasthisverycalmnesswhichbrokethegeneral’sheart。Hedashedoutofthecorridor，andleftthecastle，runninglikeamadman。
　　Thenthekingwalkedoutintothecourtyard。
　　Everythingwasreadyfortheexecution。
　　Ninemenandacorporalwererangedbeforethedoorofthecouncilchamber。Oppositethemwasawalltwelvefeethigh。Threefeetawayfromthewallwasastoneblock：Muratmountedit，thusraisinghimselfaboutafootabovethesoldierswhoweretoexecutehim。
　　Thenhetookouthiswatch，[MadameMuratrecoveredthiswatchatthepriceof200Louis]kissedhiswife’sportrait，andfixinghiseyesonit，gavetheordertofire。Atthewordofcommandfiveoutoftheninemenfired：Muratremainedstanding。Thesoldiershadbeenashamedtofireontheirking，andhadaimedoverhishead。ThatmomentperhapsdisplayedmostgloriouslythelionlikecouragewhichwasMurat’sspecialattribute。Hisfaceneverchanged，hedidnotmoveamuscle；onlygazingatthesoldierswithanexpressionofmingledbitternessandgratitude，hesaid：
　　"Thankyou；myfriends。Sincesoonerorlateryouwillbeobligedtoaimtrue，donotprolongmydeath-agonies。AllIaskyouistoaimattheheartandsparetheface。Now————"
　　Withthesamevoice，thesamecalm，thesameexpression，herepeatedthefatalwordsoneafteranother，withoutlagging，withouthastening，asifheweregivinganaccustomedcommand；butthistime，happierthanthefirst，attheword"Fire！"hefellpiercedbyeightbullets，withoutasigh，withoutamovement，stillholdingthewatchinhislefthand。
　　Thesoldierstookupthebodyandlaiditonthebedwheretenminutesbeforehehadbeensitting，andthecaptainputaguardatthedoor。
　　Intheeveningamanpresentedhimself，askingtogointothedeath-chamber：thesentinelrefusedtolethimin，andhedemandedaninterviewwiththegovernoroftheprison。Ledbeforehim，heproducedanorder。Thecommanderreaditwithsurpriseanddisgust，butafterreadingitheledthemantothedoorwherehehadbeenrefusedentrance。
　　"PasstheSignorLuidgi，"hesaidtothesentinel。
　　Tenminuteshadhardlyelapsedbeforehecameoutagain，holdingabloodstainedhandkerchiefcontainingsomethingtowhichthesentinelcouldnotgiveaname。
　　Anhourlater，thecarpenterbroughtthecoffinwhichwastocontaintheking’sremains。Theworkmanenteredtheroom，butinstantlycalledthesentinelinavoiceofindescribableterror。
　　Thesentinelhalfopenedthedoortoseewhathadcausedtheman’spanic。
　　Thecarpenterpointedtoaheadlesscorpse！
　　AtthedeathofKingFerdinand，that，head，preservedinspiritsofwine，wasfoundinasecretcupboardinhisbedroom。
　　AweekaftertheexecutionofPizzoeveryonehadreceivedhisreward：
　　TrentaCapelliwasmadeacolonel，GeneralNunzianteamarquis，andLuidgidiedfromtheeffectsofpoison。