第13章

Aftertheengagement，theywereinhastetoburythedeadbodies。

Deathhasafashionofharassingvictory，andshecausesthepesttofollowglory。Thetyphusisaconcomitantoftriumph。

Thiswellwasdeep，anditwasturnedintoasepulchre。Threehundreddeadbodieswerecastintoit。Withtoomuchhasteperhaps。

Weretheyalldead？Legendsaystheywerenot。Itseemsthatonthenightsucceedingtheinterment，feeblevoiceswereheardcallingfromthewell。

Thiswellisisolatedinthemiddleofthecourtyard。Threewalls，partstone，partbrick，andsimulatingasmall，squaretower，andfoldedliketheleavesofascreen，surrounditonallsides。

Thefourthsideisopen。Itistherethatthewaterwasdrawn。

Thewallatthebottomhasasortofshapelessloophole，possiblytheholemadebyashell。Thislittletowerhadaplatform，ofwhichonlythebeamsremain。Theironsupportsofthewellontherightformacross。Onleaningover，theeyeislostinadeepcylinderofbrickwhichisfilledwithaheaped—upmassofshadows。

Thebaseofthewallsallaboutthewellisconcealedinagrowthofnettles。

ThiswellhasnotinfrontofitthatlargeblueslabwhichformsthetableforallwellsinBelgium。Theslabhasherebeenreplacedbyacross—beam，againstwhichleanfiveorsixshapelessfragmentsofknottyandpetrifiedwoodwhichresemblehugebones。

Thereisnolongereitherpail，chain，orpulley；butthereisstillthestonebasinwhichservedtheoverflow。Therain—watercollectsthere，andfromtimetotimeabirdoftheneighboringforestscomesthithertodrink，andthenfliesaway。Onehouseinthisruin，thefarmhouse，isstillinhabited。Thedoorofthishouseopensonthecourtyard。Uponthisdoor，besideaprettyGothiclock—plate，thereisanironhandlewithtrefoilsplacedslanting。

AtthemomentwhentheHanoverianlieutenant，Wilda，graspedthishandleinordertotakerefugeinthefarm，aFrenchsapperhewedoffhishandwithanaxe。

ThefamilywhooccupythehousehadfortheirgrandfatherGuillaumevanKylsom，theoldgardener，deadlongsince。Awomanwithgrayhairsaidtous:"Iwasthere。Iwasthreeyearsold。Mysister，whowasolder，wasterrifiedandwept。Theycarriedusofftothewoods。Iwentthereinmymother’sarms。Wegluedourearstotheearthtohear。Iimitatedthecannon，andwentboum！boum！"

Adooropeningfromthecourtyardontheleftledintotheorchard，soweweretold。Theorchardisterrible。

Itisinthreeparts；onemightalmostsay，inthreeacts。

Thefirstpartisagarden，thesecondisanorchard，thethirdisawood。Thesethreepartshaveacommonenclosure:onthesideoftheentrance，thebuildingsofthechateauandthefarm；

ontheleft，ahedge；ontheright，awall；andattheend，awall。

Thewallontherightisofbrick，thewallatthebottomisofstone。

Oneentersthegardenfirst。Itslopesdownwards，isplantedwithgooseberrybushes，chokedwithawildgrowthofvegetation，andterminatedbyamonumentalterraceofcutstone，withbalustradewithadoublecurve。

ItwasaseignorialgardeninthefirstFrenchstylewhichprecededLeNotre；to—dayitisruinsandbriars。Thepilastersaresurmountedbyglobeswhichresemblecannon—ballsofstone。

Forty—threebalusterscanstillbecountedontheirsockets；therestlieprostrateinthegrass。Almostallbearscratchesofbullets。

Onebrokenbalusterisplacedonthepedimentlikeafracturedleg。

Itwasinthisgarden，furtherdownthantheorchard，thatsixlight—infantrymenofthe1st，havingmadetheirwaythither，andbeingunabletoescape，hunteddownandcaughtlikebearsintheirdens，acceptedthecombatwithtwoHanoveriancompanies，oneofwhichwasarmedwithcarbines。TheHanoverianslinedthisbalustradeandfiredfromabove。Theinfantrymen，replyingfrombelow，sixagainsttwohundred，intrepidandwithnosheltersavethecurrant—bushes，tookaquarterofanhourtodie。

Onemountsafewstepsandpassesfromthegardenintotheorchard，properlyspeaking。There，withinthelimitsofthosefewsquarefathoms，fifteenhundredmenfellinlessthananhour。

Thewallseemsreadytorenewthecombat。Thirty—eightloopholes，piercedbytheEnglishatirregularheights，aretherestill。

InfrontofthesixthareplacedtwoEnglishtombsofgranite。

Thereareloopholesonlyinthesouthwall，astheprincipalattackcamefromthatquarter。Thewallishiddenontheoutsidebyatallhedge；

theFrenchcameup，thinkingthattheyhadtodealonlywithahedge，crossedit，andfoundthewallbothanobstacleandanambuscade，withtheEnglishguardsbehindit，thethirty—eightloopholesfiringatonceashowerofgrape—shotandballs，andSoye’sbrigadewasbrokenagainstit。ThusWaterloobegan。

Nevertheless，theorchardwastaken。Astheyhadnoladders，theFrenchscaleditwiththeirnails。Theyfoughthandtohandamidthetrees。Allthisgrasshasbeensoakedinblood。

AbattalionofNassau，sevenhundredstrong，wasoverwhelmedthere。

Theoutsideofthewall，againstwhichKellermann’stwobatteriesweretrained，isgnawedbygrape—shot。

Thisorchardissentient，likeothers，inthemonthofMay。

Ithasitsbuttercupsanditsdaisies；thegrassistallthere；

thecart—horsesbrowsethere；cordsofhair，onwhichlinenisdrying，traversethespacesbetweenthetreesandforcethepasser—bytobendhishead；onewalksoverthisuncultivatedland，andone’sfootdivesintomole—holes。Inthemiddleofthegrassoneobservesanuprootedtree—bolewhichliesthereallverdant。

MajorBlackmannleanedagainstittodie。BeneathagreattreeintheneighborhoodfelltheGermangeneral，Duplat，descendedfromaFrenchfamilywhichfledontherevocationoftheEdictofNantes。

Anagedandfallingapple—treeleansfarovertooneside，itswounddressedwithabandageofstrawandofclayeyloam。

Nearlyalltheapple—treesarefallingwithage。Thereisnotonewhichhasnothaditsbulletoritsbiscayan。[6]Theskeletonsofdeadtreesaboundinthisorchard。Crowsflythroughtheirbranches，andattheendofitisawoodfullofviolets。

[6]Abulletaslargeasanegg。

Bauduin，killed，Foywounded，conflagration，massacre，carnage，arivuletformedofEnglishblood，Frenchblood，Germanbloodmingledinfury，awellcrammedwithcorpses，theregimentofNassauandtheregimentofBrunswickdestroyed，Duplatkilled，Blackmannkilled，theEnglishGuardsmutilated，twentyFrenchbattalions，besidesthefortyfromReille’scorps，decimated，threethousandmeninthathovelofHougomontalonecutdown，slashedtopieces，shot，burned，withtheirthroatscut，——andallthissothatapeasantcansayto—daytothetraveller:Monsieur，givemethreefrancs，andifyoulike，IwillexplaintoyoutheaffairofWaterloo！

CHAPTERIII

THEEIGHTEENTHOFJUNE，1815

Letusturnback，——thatisoneofthestory—teller’srights，——

andputourselvesoncemoreintheyear1815，andevenalittleearlierthantheepochwhentheactionnarratedinthefirstpartofthisbooktookplace。

Ifithadnotrainedinthenightbetweenthe17thandthe18thofJune，1815，thefateofEuropewouldhavebeendifferent。

Afewdropsofwater，moreorless，decidedthedownfallofNapoleon。

AllthatProvidencerequiredinordertomakeWaterlootheendofAusterlitzwasalittlemorerain，andacloudtraversingtheskyoutofseasonsufficedtomakeaworldcrumble。

ThebattleofWaterloocouldnotbebegununtilhalf—pasteleveno’clock，andthatgaveBluchertimetocomeup。Why？Becausethegroundwaswet。Theartilleryhadtowaituntilitbecamealittlefirmerbeforetheycouldmanoeuvre。

Napoleonwasanartilleryofficer，andfelttheeffectsofthis。

Thefoundationofthiswonderfulcaptainwasthemanwho，inthereporttotheDirectoryonAboukir，said:Suchaoneofourballskilledsixmen。Allhisplansofbattlewerearrangedforprojectiles。

Thekeytohisvictorywastomaketheartilleryconvergeononepoint。

Hetreatedthestrategyofthehostilegenerallikeacitadel，andmadeabreachinit。Heoverwhelmedtheweakpointwithgrape—shot；

hejoinedanddissolvedbattleswithcannon。Therewassomethingofthesharpshooterinhisgenius。Tobeatinsquares，topulverizeregiments，tobreaklines，tocrushanddispersemasses，——forhimeverythinglayinthis，tostrike，strike，strikeincessantly，——

andheintrustedthistasktothecannon—ball。Aredoubtablemethod，andonewhich，unitedwithgenius，renderedthisgloomyathleteofthepugilismofwarinvincibleforthespaceoffifteenyears。

Onthe18thofJune，1815，hereliedallthemoreonhisartillery，becausehehadnumbersonhisside。Wellingtonhadonlyonehundredandfifty—ninemouthsoffire；Napoleonhadtwohundredandforty。

Supposethesoildry，andtheartillerycapableofmoving，theactionwouldhavebegunatsixo’clockinthemorning。

Thebattlewouldhavebeenwonandendedattwoo’clock，threehoursbeforethechangeoffortuneinfavorofthePrussians。

WhatamountofblameattachestoNapoleonforthelossofthisbattle？

Istheshipwreckduetothepilot？

WasittheevidentphysicaldeclineofNapoleonthatcomplicatedthisepochbyaninwarddiminutionofforce？Hadthetwentyyearsofwarwornoutthebladeasithadwornthescabbard，thesoulaswellasthebody？Didtheveteranmakehimselfdisastrouslyfeltintheleader？Inaword，wasthisgenius，asmanyhistoriansofnotehavethought，sufferingfromaneclipse？Didhegointoafrenzyinordertodisguisehisweakenedpowersfromhimself？

Didhebegintowaverunderthedelusionofabreathofadventure？

Hadhebecome——agravematterinageneral——unconsciousofperil？

Isthereanage，inthisclassofmaterialgreatmen，whomaybecalledthegiantsofaction，whengeniusgrowsshort—sighted？Oldagehasnoholdonthegeniusesoftheideal；fortheDantesandMichaelAngelostogrowoldistogrowingreatness；isittogrowlessfortheHannibalsandtheBonapartes？HadNapoleonlostthedirectsenseofvictory？Hadhereachedthepointwherehecouldnolongerrecognizethereef，couldnolongerdivinethesnare，nolongerdiscernthecrumblingbrinkofabysses？Hadhelosthispowerofscentingoutcatastrophes？Hewhohadinformerdaysknownalltheroadstotriumph，andwho，fromthesummitofhischariotoflightning，pointedthemoutwithasovereignfinger，hadhenowreachedthatstateofsinisteramazementwhenhecouldleadhistumultuouslegionsharnessedtoit，totheprecipice？

Washeseizedattheageofforty—sixwithasuprememadness？

Wasthattitaniccharioteerofdestinynolongeranythingmorethananimmensedare—devil？

Wedonotthinkso。

Hisplanofbattlewas，bytheconfessionofall，amasterpiece。

TogostraighttothecentreoftheAllies’line，tomakeabreachintheenemy，tocutthemintwo，todrivetheBritishhalfbackonHal，andthePrussianhalfonTongres，tomaketwoshatteredfragmentsofWellingtonandBlucher，tocarryMont—Saint—Jean，toseizeBrussels，tohurltheGermanintotheRhine，andtheEnglishmanintothesea。

Allthiswascontainedinthatbattle，accordingtoNapoleon。

Afterwardspeoplewouldsee。

Ofcourse，wedonotherepretendtofurnishahistoryofthebattleofWaterloo；oneofthescenesofthefoundationofthestorywhichwearerelatingisconnectedwiththisbattle，butthishistoryisnotoursubject；thishistory，moreover，hasbeenfinished，andfinishedinamasterlymanner，fromonepointofviewbyNapoleon，andfromanotherpointofviewbyawholepleiadofhistorians。[7]

[7]WalterScott，Lamartine，Vaulabelle，Charras，Quinet，Thiers。

Asforus，weleavethehistoriansatloggerheads；wearebutadistantwitness，apasser—byontheplain，aseekerbendingoverthatsoilallmadeofhumanflesh，takingappearancesforrealities，perchance；wehavenorighttooppose，inthenameofscience，acollectionoffactswhichcontainillusions，nodoubt；wepossessneithermilitarypracticenorstrategicabilitywhichauthorizeasystem；inouropinion，achainofaccidentsdominatedthetwoleadersatWaterloo；andwhenitbecomesaquestionofdestiny，thatmysteriousculprit，wejudgelikethatingeniousjudge，thepopulace。

CHAPTERIV

A

ThosepersonswhowishtogainaclearideaofthebattleofWaterloohaveonlytoplace，mentally，ontheground，acapitalA。TheleftlimboftheAistheroadtoNivelles，therightlimbistheroadtoGenappe，thetieoftheAisthehollowroadtoOhainfromBraine—l’Alleud。ThetopoftheAisMont—Saint—Jean，whereWellingtonis；thelowerlefttipisHougomont，whereReilleisstationedwithJeromeBonaparte；

therighttipistheBelle—Alliance，whereNapoleonwas。Atthecentreofthischordistheprecisepointwherethefinalwordofthebattlewaspronounced。Itwastherethatthelionhasbeenplaced，theinvoluntarysymbolofthesupremeheroismoftheImperialGuard。

ThetriangleincludedinthetopoftheA，betweenthetwolimbsandthetie，istheplateauofMont—Saint—Jean。Thedisputeoverthisplateauconstitutedthewholebattle。ThewingsofthetwoarmiesextendedtotherightandleftofthetworoadstoGenappeandNivelles；d’ErlonfacingPicton，ReillefacingHill。

BehindthetipoftheA，behindtheplateauofMont—Saint—Jean，istheforestofSoignes。

Asfortheplainitself，letthereaderpicturetohimselfavastundulatingsweepofground；eachrisecommandsthenextrise，andalltheundulationsmounttowardsMont—Saint—Jean，andthereendintheforest。

Twohostiletroopsonafieldofbattlearetwowrestlers。Itisaquestionofseizingtheopponentroundthewaist。Theoneseekstotripuptheother。Theyclutchateverything:abushisapointofsupport；anangleofthewalloffersthemaresttotheshoulder；

forthelackofahovelunderwhosecovertheycandrawup，aregimentyieldsitsground；anunevennessintheground，achanceturninthelandscape，across—pathencounteredattherightmoment，agrove，aravine，canstaytheheelofthatcolossuswhichiscalledanarmy，andpreventitsretreat。Hewhoquitsthefieldisbeaten；hencethenecessitydevolvingontheresponsibleleader，ofexaminingthemostinsignificantclumpoftrees，andofstudyingdeeplytheslightestreliefintheground。

ThetwogeneralshadattentivelystudiedtheplainofMont—Saint—Jean，nowcalledtheplainofWaterloo。Intheprecedingyear，Wellington，withthesagacityofforesight，hadexamineditasthepossibleseatofagreatbattle。Uponthisspot，andforthisduel，onthe18thofJune，Wellingtonhadthegoodpost，Napoleonthebadpost。

TheEnglisharmywasstationedabove，theFrencharmybelow。

ItisalmostsuperfluousheretosketchtheappearanceofNapoleononhorseback，glassinhand，upontheheightsofRossomme，atdaybreak，onJune18，1815。Alltheworldhasseenhimbeforewecanshowhim。Thatcalmprofileunderthelittlethree—corneredhatoftheschoolofBrienne，thatgreenuniform，thewhitereversconcealingthestaroftheLegionofHonor，hisgreatcoathidinghisepaulets，thecornerofredribbonpeepingfrombeneathhisvest，hisleathertrousers，thewhitehorsewiththesaddle—clothofpurplevelvetbearingonthecornerscrownedN’sandeagles，Hessianbootsoversilkstockings，silverspurs，theswordofMarengo，——thatwholefigureofthelastoftheCaesarsispresenttoallimaginations，salutedwithacclamationsbysome，severelyregardedbyothers。

Thatfigurestoodforalongtimewhollyinthelight；thisarosefromacertainlegendarydimnessevolvedbythemajorityofheroes，andwhichalwaysveilsthetruthforalongerorshortertime；

butto—dayhistoryanddaylighthavearrived。

Thatlightcalledhistoryispitiless；itpossessesthispeculiaranddivinequality，that，purelightasitis，andpreciselybecauseitiswhollylight，itoftencastsashadowinplaceswherepeoplehadhithertobeheldrays；fromthesamemanitconstructstwodifferentphantoms，andtheoneattackstheotherandexecutesjusticeonit，andtheshadowsofthedespotcontendwiththebrilliancyoftheleader。

Hencearisesatruermeasureinthedefinitivejudgmentsofnations。

BabylonviolatedlessensAlexander，RomeenchainedlessensCaesar，JerusalemmurderedlessensTitus，tyrannyfollowsthetyrant。

Itisamisfortuneforamantoleavebehindhimthenightwhichbearshisform。

CHAPTERV

THEQUIDOBSCURUMOFBATTLES

Everyoneisacquaintedwiththefirstphaseofthisbattle；

abeginningwhichwastroubled，uncertain，hesitating，menacingtobotharmies，butstillmoresofortheEnglishthanfortheFrench。

Ithadrainedallnight，theearthhadbeencutupbythedownpour，thewaterhadaccumulatedhereandthereinthehollowsoftheplainasifincasks；atsomepointsthegearoftheartillerycarriageswasburieduptotheaxles，thecircinglesofthehorsesweredrippingwithliquidmud。Ifthewheatandryetrampleddownbythiscohortoftransportsonthemarchhadnotfilledintherutsandstrewnalitterbeneaththewheels，allmovement，particularlyinthevalleys，inthedirectionofPapelottewouldhavebeenimpossible。

Theaffairbeganlate。Napoleon，aswehavealreadyexplained，wasinthehabitofkeepingallhisartillerywellinhand，likeapistol，aimingitnowatonepoint，nowatanother，ofthebattle；andithadbeenhiswishtowaituntilthehorsebatteriescouldmoveandgallopfreely。Inordertodothatitwasnecessarythatthesunshouldcomeoutanddrythesoil。

Butthesundidnotmakeitsappearance。ItwasnolongertherendezvousofAusterlitz。Whenthefirstcannonwasfired，theEnglishgeneral，Colville，lookedathiswatch，andnotedthatitwasthirty—fiveminutespasteleven。

Theactionwasbegunfuriously，withmorefury，perhaps，thantheEmperorwouldhavewished，bytheleftwingoftheFrenchrestingonHougomont。AtthesametimeNapoleonattackedthecentrebyhurlingQuiot’sbrigadeonLaHaie—Sainte，andNeypushedforwardtherightwingoftheFrenchagainsttheleftwingoftheEnglish，whichrestedonPapelotte。

TheattackonHougomontwassomethingofafeint；theplanwastodrawWellingtonthither，andtomakehimswervetotheleft。

ThisplanwouldhavesucceededifthefourcompaniesoftheEnglishguardsandthebraveBelgiansofPerponcher’sdivisionhadnotheldthepositionsolidly，andWellington，insteadofmassinghistroopsthere，couldconfinehimselftodespatchingthither，asreinforcements，onlyfourmorecompaniesofguardsandonebattalionfromBrunswick。

TheattackoftherightwingoftheFrenchonPapelottewascalculated，infact，tooverthrowtheEnglishleft，tocutofftheroadtoBrussels，tobarthepassageagainstpossiblePrussians，toforceMont—Saint—Jean，toturnWellingtonbackonHougomont，thenceonBraine—l’Alleud，thenceonHal；nothingeasier。

WiththeexceptionofafewincidentsthisattacksucceededPapelottewastaken；LaHaie—Saintewascarried。

Adetailtobenoted。TherewasintheEnglishinfantry，particularlyinKempt’sbrigade，agreatmanyrawrecruits。Theseyoungsoldierswerevaliantinthepresenceofourredoubtableinfantry；

theirinexperienceextricatedthemintrepidlyfromthedilemma；

theyperformedparticularlyexcellentserviceasskirmishers:

thesoldierskirmisher，leftsomewhattohimself，becomes，sotospeak，hisowngeneral。TheserecruitsdisplayedsomeoftheFrenchingenuityandfury。Thisnoviceofaninfantryhaddash。

ThisdispleasedWellington。

AfterthetakingofLaHaie—Saintethebattlewavered。

Thereisinthisdayanobscureinterval，frommid—daytofouro’clock；

themiddleportionofthisbattleisalmostindistinct，andparticipatesinthesombrenessofthehand—to—handconflict。Twilightreignsoverit。Weperceivevastfluctuationsinthatfog，adizzymirage，paraphernaliaofwaralmostunknownto—day，pendantcolbacks，floatingsabre—taches，cross—belts，cartridge—boxesforgrenades，hussardolmans，redbootswithathousandwrinkles，heavyshakosgarlandedwithtorsades，thealmostblackinfantryofBrunswickmingledwiththescarletinfantryofEngland，theEnglishsoldierswithgreat，whitecircularpadsontheslopesoftheirshouldersforepaulets，theHanoverianlight—horsewiththeiroblongcasquesofleather，withbrasshandsandredhorse—tails，theScotchwiththeirbarekneesandplaids，thegreatwhitegaitersofourgrenadiers；

pictures，notstrategiclines——whatSalvatorRosarequires，notwhatissuitedtotheneedsofGribeauval。

Acertainamountoftempestisalwaysmingledwithabattle。

Quidobscurum，quiddivinum。Eachhistoriantraces，tosomeextent，theparticularfeaturewhichpleaseshimamidthispellmell。

Whatevermaybethecombinationsofthegenerals，theshockofarmedmasseshasanincalculableebb。Duringtheactiontheplansofthetwoleadersenterintoeachotherandbecomemutuallythrownoutofshape。Suchapointofthefieldofbattledevoursmorecombatantsthansuchanother，justasmoreorlessspongysoilssoakupmoreorlessquicklythewaterwhichispouredonthem。

Itbecomesnecessarytopouroutmoresoldiersthanonewouldlike；

aseriesofexpenditureswhicharetheunforeseen。Thelineofbattlewavesandundulateslikeathread，thetrailsofbloodgushillogically，thefrontsofthearmieswaver，theregimentsformcapesandgulfsastheyenterandwithdraw；allthesereefsarecontinuallymovinginfrontofeachother。Wheretheinfantrystoodtheartilleryarrives，thecavalryrushesinwheretheartillerywas，thebattalionsarelikesmoke。Therewassomethingthere；seekit。Ithasdisappeared；

theopenspotschangeplace，thesombrefoldsadvanceandretreat，asortofwindfromthesepulchrepushesforward，hurlsback，distends，anddispersesthesetragicmultitudes。Whatisafray？

anoscillation？Theimmobilityofamathematicalplanexpressesaminute，notaday。Inordertodepictabattle，thereisrequiredoneofthosepowerfulpainterswhohavechaosintheirbrushes。

RembrandtisbetterthanVandermeulen；Vandermeulen，exactatnoon，liesatthreeo’clock。Geometryisdeceptive；thehurricanealoneistrustworthy。ThatiswhatconfersonFolardtherighttocontradictPolybius。Letusadd，thatthereisacertaininstantwhenthebattledegeneratesintoacombat，becomesspecialized，anddispersesintoinnumerabledetailedfeats，which，toborrowtheexpressionofNapoleonhimself，"belongrathertothebiographyoftheregimentsthantothehistoryofthearmy。"Thehistorianhas，inthiscase，theevidentrighttosumupthewhole。Hecannotdomorethanseizetheprincipaloutlinesofthestruggle，anditisnotgiventoanyonenarrator，howeverconscientioushemaybe，tofix，absolutely，theformofthathorriblecloudwhichiscalledabattle。

This，whichistrueofallgreatarmedencounters，isparticularlyapplicabletoWaterloo。

Nevertheless，atacertainmomentintheafternoonthebattlecametoapoint。

CHAPTERVI

FOURO’CLOCKINTHEAFTERNOON

Towardsfouro’clocktheconditionoftheEnglisharmywasserious。

ThePrinceofOrangewasincommandofthecentre，Hilloftherightwing，Pictonoftheleftwing。ThePrinceofOrange，desperateandintrepid，shoutedtotheHollando—Belgians:"Nassau！

Brunswick！Neverretreat！"Hill，havingbeenweakened，hadcomeuptothesupportofWellington；Pictonwasdead。AttheverymomentwhentheEnglishhadcapturedfromtheFrenchtheflagofthe105thoftheline，theFrenchhadkilledtheEnglishgeneral，Picton，withabulletthroughthehead。Thebattlehad，forWellington，twobasesofaction，HougomontandLaHaie—Sainte；Hougomontstillheldout，butwasonfire；LaHaie—Saintewastaken。OftheGermanbattalionwhichdefendedit，onlyforty—twomensurvived；alltheofficers，exceptfive，wereeitherdeadorcaptured。Threethousandcombatantshadbeenmassacredinthatbarn。AsergeantoftheEnglishGuards，theforemostboxerinEngland，reputedinvulnerablebyhiscompanions，hadbeenkilledtherebyalittleFrenchdrummer—boy。Baringhadbeendislodged，Altenputtothesword。Manyflagshadbeenlost，onefromAlten’sdivision，andonefromthebattalionofLunenburg，carriedbyaprinceofthehouseofDeux—Ponts。TheScotchGraysnolongerexisted；Ponsonby’sgreatdragoonshadbeenhackedtopieces。

ThatvaliantcavalryhadbentbeneaththelancersofBroandbeneaththecuirassiersofTravers；outoftwelvehundredhorses，sixhundredremained；outofthreelieutenant—colonels，twolayontheearth，——Hamiltonwounded，Materslain。Ponsonbyhadfallen，riddledbysevenlance—thrusts。Gordonwasdead。Marshwasdead。

Twodivisions，thefifthandthesixth，hadbeenannihilated。

Hougomontinjured，LaHaie—Saintetaken，therenowexistedbutonerallying—point，thecentre。Thatpointstillheldfirm。

Wellingtonreinforcedit。HesummonedthitherHill，whowasatMerle—Braine；hesummonedChasse，whowasatBraine—l’Alleud。

ThecentreoftheEnglisharmy，ratherconcave，verydense，andverycompact，wasstronglyposted。ItoccupiedtheplateauofMont—Saint—Jean，havingbehinditthevillage，andinfrontofittheslope，whichwastolerablysteepthen。ItrestedonthatstoutstonedwellingwhichatthattimebelongedtothedomainofNivelles，andwhichmarkstheintersectionoftheroads——apileofthesixteenthcentury，andsorobustthatthecannon—ballsreboundedfromitwithoutinjuringit。AllabouttheplateautheEnglishhadcutthehedgeshereandthere，madeembrasuresinthehawthorn—trees，thrustthethroatofacannonbetweentwobranches，embattledtheshrubs。

Thereartillerywasambushedinthebrushwood。Thispuniclabor，incontestablyauthorizedbywar，whichpermitstraps，wassowelldone，thatHaxo，whohadbeendespatchedbytheEmperoratnineo’clockinthemorningtoreconnoitretheenemy’sbatteries，haddiscoverednothingofit，andhadreturnedandreportedtoNapoleonthattherewerenoobstaclesexceptthetwobarricadeswhichbarredtheroadtoNivellesandtoGenappe。Itwasattheseasonwhenthegrainistall；ontheedgeoftheplateauabattalionofKempt’sbrigade，the95th，armedwithcarabines，wasconcealedinthetallwheat。

Thusassuredandbuttressed，thecentreoftheAnglo—Dutcharmywaswellposted。TheperilofthispositionlayintheforestofSoignes，thenadjoiningthefieldofbattle，andintersectedbythepondsofGroenendaelandBoitsfort。Anarmycouldnotretreatthitherwithoutdissolving；theregimentswouldhavebrokenupimmediatelythere。

Theartillerywouldhavebeenlostamongthemorasses。Theretreat，accordingtomanyamanversedintheart，——thoughitisdisputedbyothers，——wouldhavebeenadisorganizedflight。

Tothiscentre，WellingtonaddedoneofChasse’sbrigadestakenfromtherightwing，andoneofWincke’sbrigadestakenfromtheleftwing，plusClinton’sdivision。TohisEnglish，totheregimentsofHalkett，tothebrigadesofMitchell，totheguardsofMaitland，hegaveasreinforcementsandaids，theinfantryofBrunswick，Nassau’scontingent，Kielmansegg’sHanoverians，andOmpteda’sGermans。Thisplacedtwenty—sixbattalionsunderhishand。

Therightwing，asCharrassays，wasthrownbackonthecentre。

Anenormousbatterywasmaskedbysacksofearthatthespotwheretherenowstandswhatiscalledthe"MuseumofWaterloo。"

Besidesthis，Wellingtonhad，behindariseintheground，Somerset’sDragoonGuards，fourteenhundredhorsestrong。

ItwastheremaininghalfofthejustlycelebratedEnglishcavalry。

Ponsonbydestroyed，Somersetremained。

Thebattery，which，ifcompleted，wouldhavebeenalmostaredoubt，wasrangedbehindaverylowgardenwall，backedupwithacoatingofbagsofsandandalargeslopeofearth。Thisworkwasnotfinished；

therehadbeennotimetomakeapalisadeforit。

Wellington，uneasybutimpassive，wasonhorseback，andthereremainedthewholedayinthesameattitude，alittleinadvanceoftheoldmillofMont—Saint—Jean，whichisstillinexistence，beneathanelm，whichanEnglishman，anenthusiasticvandal，purchasedlateronfortwohundredfrancs，cutdown，andcarriedoff。

Wellingtonwascoldlyheroic。Thebulletsrainedabouthim。

Hisaide—de—camp，Gordon，fellathisside。LordHill，pointingtoashellwhichhadburst，saidtohim:"Mylord，whatareyourordersincaseyouarekilled？""Todolikeme，"repliedWellington。

ToClintonhesaidlaconically，"Toholdthisspottothelastman。"

Thedaywasevidentlyturningoutill。WellingtonshoutedtohisoldcompanionsofTalavera，ofVittoria，ofSalamanca:"Boys，canretreatbethoughtof？ThinkofoldEngland！"

Towardsfouro’clock，theEnglishlinedrewback。Suddenlynothingwasvisibleonthecrestoftheplateauexcepttheartilleryandthesharpshooters；theresthaddisappeared:theregiments，dislodgedbytheshellsandtheFrenchbullets，retreatedintothebottom，nowintersectedbythebackroadofthefarmofMont—Saint—Jean；

aretrogrademovementtookplace，theEnglishfronthiditself，Wellingtondrewback。"Thebeginningofretreat！"criedNapoleon。

CHAPTERVII

NAPOLEONINAGOODHUMOR

TheEmperor，thoughillanddiscommodedonhorsebackbyalocaltrouble，hadneverbeeninabetterhumorthanonthatday。

Hisimpenetrabilityhadbeensmilingeversincethemorning。Onthe18thofJune，thatprofoundsoulmaskedbymarblebeamedblindly。

ThemanwhohadbeengloomyatAusterlitzwasgayatWaterloo。

Thegreatestfavoritesofdestinymakemistakes。Ourjoysarecomposedofshadow。ThesupremesmileisGod’salone。

RidetCaesar，Pompeiusflebit，saidthelegionariesoftheFulminatrixLegion。Pompeywasnotdestinedtoweeponthatoccasion，butitiscertainthatCaesarlaughed。Whileexploringonhorsebackatoneo’clockontheprecedingnight，instormandrain，incompanywithBertrand，thecommunesintheneighborhoodofRossomme，satisfiedatthesightofthelonglineoftheEnglishcamp—firesilluminatingthewholehorizonfromFrischemonttoBraine—l’Alleud，ithadseemedtohimthatfate，towhomhehadassignedadayonthefieldofWaterloo，wasexacttotheappointment；hestoppedhishorse，andremainedforsometimemotionless，gazingatthelightningandlisteningtothethunder；andthisfatalistwasheardtocastintothedarknessthismysterioussaying，"Weareinaccord。"

Napoleonwasmistaken。Theywerenolongerinaccord。

Hetooknotamomentforsleep；everyinstantofthatnightwasmarkedbyajoyforhim。Hetraversedthelineoftheprincipaloutposts，haltinghereandtheretotalktothesentinels。Athalf—pasttwo，nearthewoodofHougomont，heheardthetreadofacolumnonthemarch；hethoughtatthemomentthatitwasaretreatonthepartofWellington。Hesaid:"Itistherear—guardoftheEnglishgettingunderwayforthepurposeofdecamping。IwilltakeprisonersthesixthousandEnglishwhohavejustarrivedatOstend。"

Heconversedexpansively；heregainedtheanimationwhichhehadshownathislandingonthefirstofMarch，whenhepointedouttotheGrand—MarshaltheenthusiasticpeasantoftheGulfJuan，andcried，"Well，Bertrand，hereisareinforcementalready！"

Onthenightofthe17thtothe18thofJuneheralliedWellington。

"ThatlittleEnglishmanneedsalesson，"saidNapoleon。Therainredoubledinviolence；thethunderrolledwhiletheEmperorwasspeaking。

Athalf—pastthreeo’clockinthemorning，helostoneillusion；

officerswhohadbeendespatchedtoreconnoitreannouncedtohimthattheenemywasnotmakinganymovement。Nothingwasstirring；

notabivouac—firehadbeenextinguished；theEnglisharmywasasleep。

Thesilenceonearthwasprofound；theonlynoisewasintheheavens。

Atfouro’clock，apeasantwasbroughtintohimbythescouts；

thispeasanthadservedasguidetoabrigadeofEnglishcavalry，probablyVivian’sbrigade，whichwasonitswaytotakeupapositioninthevillageofOhain，attheextremeleft。Atfiveo’clock，twoBelgiandesertersreportedtohimthattheyhadjustquittedtheirregiment，andthattheEnglisharmywasreadyforbattle。

"Somuchthebetter！"exclaimedNapoleon。"Iprefertooverthrowthemratherthantodrivethemback。"

InthemorninghedismountedinthemudontheslopewhichformsananglewiththePlancenoitroad，hadakitchentableandapeasant’schairbroughttohimfromthefarmofRossomme，seatedhimself，withatrussofstrawforacarpet，andspreadoutonthetablethechartofthebattle—field，sayingtoSoultashedidso，"Aprettychecker—board。"

Inconsequenceoftherainsduringthenight，thetransportsofprovisions，embeddedinthesoftroads，hadnotbeenabletoarrivebymorning；thesoldiershadhadnosleep；theywerewetandfasting。ThisdidnotpreventNapoleonfromexclaimingcheerfullytoNey，"Wehaveninetychancesoutofahundred。"

Ateighto’clocktheEmperor’sbreakfastwasbroughttohim。

Heinvitedmanygeneralstoit。Duringbreakfast，itwassaidthatWellingtonhadbeentoaballtwonightsbefore，inBrussels，attheDuchessofRichmond’s；andSoult，aroughmanofwar，withafaceofanarchbishop，said，"Theballtakesplaceto—day。"

TheEmperorjestedwithNey，whosaid，"WellingtonwillnotbesosimpleastowaitforYourMajesty。"Thatwashisway，however。

"Hewasfondofjesting，"saysFleurydeChaboulon。"Amerryhumorwasatthefoundationofhischaracter，"saysGourgaud。

"Heaboundedinpleasantries，whichweremorepeculiarthanwitty，"

saysBenjaminConstant。Thesegayetiesofagiantareworthyofinsistence。Itwashewhocalledhisgrenadiers"hisgrumblers"；

hepinchedtheirears；hepulledtheirmustaches。"TheEmperordidnothingbutplaypranksonus，"istheremarkofoneofthem。

DuringthemysterioustripfromtheislandofElbatoFrance，onthe27thofFebruary，ontheopensea，theFrenchbrigofwar，LeZephyr，havingencounteredthebrigL’Inconstant，onwhichNapoleonwasconcealed，andhavingaskedthenewsofNapoleonfromL’Inconstant，theEmperor，whostillworeinhishatthewhiteandamaranthinecockadesownwithbees，whichhehadadoptedattheisleofElba，laughinglyseizedthespeaking—trumpet，andansweredforhimself，"TheEmperoriswell。"Amanwholaughslikethatisonfamiliartermswithevents。NapoleonindulgedinmanyfitsofthislaughterduringthebreakfastatWaterloo。Afterbreakfasthemeditatedforaquarterofanhour；thentwogeneralsseatedthemselvesonthetrussofstraw，peninhandandtheirpaperontheirknees，andtheEmperordictatedtothemtheorderofbattle。

Atnineo’clock，attheinstantwhentheFrencharmy，rangedinechelonsandsetinmotioninfivecolumns，haddeployed——

thedivisionsintwolines，theartillerybetweenthebrigades，themusicattheirhead；astheybeatthemarch，withrollsonthedrumsandtheblastsoftrumpets，mighty，vast，joyous，aseaofcasques，ofsabres，andofbayonetsonthehorizon，theEmperorwastouched，andtwiceexclaimed，"Magnificent！Magnificent！"

Betweennineo’clockandhalf—pasttenthewholearmy，incredibleasitmayappear，hadtakenupitspositionandrangeditselfinsixlines，forming，torepeattheEmperor’sexpression，"thefigureofsixV’s。"

Afewmomentsaftertheformationofthebattle—array，inthemidstofthatprofoundsilence，likethatwhichheraldsthebeginningofastorm，whichprecedesengagements，theEmperortappedHaxoontheshoulder，ashebeheldthethreebatteriesoftwelve—pounders，detachedbyhisordersfromthecorpsofErlon，Reille，andLobau，anddestinedtobegintheactionbytakingMont—Saint—Jean，whichwassituatedattheintersectionoftheNivellesandtheGenapperoads，andsaidtohim，"Therearefourandtwentyhandsomemaids，General。"

Sureoftheissue，heencouragedwithasmile，astheypassedbeforehim，thecompanyofsappersofthefirstcorps，whichhehadappointedtobarricadeMont—Saint—Jeanassoonasthevillageshouldbecarried。Allthisserenityhadbeentraversedbybutasinglewordofhaughtypity；perceivingonhisleft，ataspotwheretherenowstandsalargetomb，thoseadmirableScotchGrays，withtheirsuperbhorses，massingthemselves，hesaid，"Itisapity。"

Thenhemountedhishorse，advancedbeyondRossomme，andselectedforhispostofobservationacontractedelevationofturftotherightoftheroadfromGenappetoBrussels，whichwashissecondstationduringthebattle。Thethirdstation，theoneadoptedatseveno’clockintheevening，betweenLaBelle—AllianceandLaHaie—Sainte，isformidable；itisaratherelevatedknoll，whichstillexists，andbehindwhichtheguardwasmassedonaslopeoftheplain。

Aroundthisknolltheballsreboundedfromthepavementsoftheroad，uptoNapoleonhimself。AsatBrienne，hehadoverhisheadtheshriekofthebulletsandoftheheavyartillery。

Mouldycannon—balls，oldsword—blades，andshapelessprojectiles，eatenupwithrust，werepickedupatthespotwherehishorse’

feetstood。Scabrarubigine。Afewyearsago，ashellofsixtypounds，stillcharged，andwithitsfusebrokenofflevelwiththebomb，wasunearthed。ItwasatthislastpostthattheEmperorsaidtohisguide，Lacoste，ahostileandterrifiedpeasant，whowasattachedtothesaddleofahussar，andwhoturnedroundateverydischargeofcanisterandtriedtohidebehindNapoleon:"Fool，itisshameful！You’llgetyourselfkilledwithaballintheback。"

Hewhowritestheselineshashimselffound，inthefriablesoilofthisknoll，onturningoverthesand，theremainsoftheneckofabomb，disintegrated，bytheoxidizationofsixandfortyyears，andoldfragmentsofironwhichpartedlikeelder—twigsbetweenthefingers。

Everyoneisawarethatthevariouslyinclinedundulationsoftheplains，wheretheengagementbetweenNapoleonandWellingtontookplace，arenolongerwhattheywereonJune18，1815。Bytakingfromthismournfulfieldthewherewithaltomakeamonumenttoit，itsrealreliefhasbeentakenaway，andhistory，disconcerted，nolongerfindsherbearingsthere。Ithasbeendisfiguredforthesakeofglorifyingit。Wellington，whenhebeheldWaterloooncemore，twoyearslater，exclaimed，"Theyhavealteredmyfieldofbattle！"

Wherethegreatpyramidofearth，surmountedbythelion，risesto—day，therewasahillockwhichdescendedinaneasyslopetowardstheNivellesroad，butwhichwasalmostanescarpmentonthesideofthehighwaytoGenappe。TheelevationofthisescarpmentcanstillbemeasuredbytheheightofthetwoknollsofthetwogreatsepulchreswhichenclosetheroadfromGenappetoBrussels:one，theEnglishtomb，isontheleft；theother，theGermantomb，isontheright。ThereisnoFrenchtomb。ThewholeofthatplainisasepulchreforFrance。Thankstothethousandsuponthousandsofcartloadsofearthemployedinthehillockonehundredandfiftyfeetinheightandhalfamileincircumference，theplateauofMont—Saint—Jeanisnowaccessiblebyaneasyslope。

Onthedayofbattle，particularlyonthesideofLaHaie—Sainte，itwasabruptanddifficultofapproach。TheslopethereissosteepthattheEnglishcannoncouldnotseethefarm，situatedinthebottomofthevalley，whichwasthecentreofthecombat。

Onthe18thofJune，1815，therainshadstillfartherincreasedthisacclivity，themudcomplicatedtheproblemoftheascent，andthemennotonlyslippedback，butstuckfastinthemire。

Alongthecrestoftheplateauranasortoftrenchwhosepresenceitwasimpossibleforthedistantobservertodivine。

Whatwasthistrench？Letusexplain。Braine—l’AlleudisaBelgianvillage；Ohainisanother。Thesevillages，bothofthemconcealedincurvesofthelandscape，areconnectedbyaroadaboutaleagueandahalfinlength，whichtraversestheplainalongitsundulatinglevel，andoftenentersandburiesitselfinthehillslikeafurrow，whichmakesaravineofthisroadinsomeplaces。

In1815，asatthepresentday，thisroadcutthecrestoftheplateauofMont—Saint—JeanbetweenthetwohighwaysfromGenappeandNivelles；

only，itisnowonalevelwiththeplain；itwasthenahollowway。

Itstwoslopeshavebeenappropriatedforthemonumentalhillock。

Thisroadwas，andstillis，atrenchthroughoutthegreaterportionofitscourse；ahollowtrench，sometimesadozenfeetindepth，andwhosebanks，beingtoosteep，crumbledawayhereandthere，particularlyinwinter，underdrivingrains。Accidentshappenedhere。

TheroadwassonarrowattheBraine—l’Alleudentrancethatapasser—bywascrushedbyacart，asisprovedbyastonecrosswhichstandsnearthecemetery，andwhichgivesthenameofthedead，MonsieurBernardDebrye，MerchantofBrussels，andthedateoftheaccident，February，1637。[8]Itwassodeeponthetable—landofMont—Saint—Jeanthatapeasant，MathieuNicaise，wascrushedthere，in1783，byaslidefromtheslope，asisstatedonanotherstonecross，thetopofwhichhasdisappearedintheprocessofclearingtheground，butwhoseoverturnedpedestalisstillvisibleonthegrassyslopetotheleftofthehighwaybetweenLaHaie—SainteandthefarmofMont—Saint—Jean。

[8]Thisistheinscription:——

D。O。M。

CYAETEECRASE

PARMALHEUR

SOUSUNCHARIOT，MONSIEURBERNARD

DEBRYEMARCHAND

ABRUXELLELE[Illegible]

FEVRIER1637。

Onthedayofbattle，thishollowroadwhoseexistencewasinnowayindicated，borderingthecrestofMont—Saint—Jean，atrenchatthesummitoftheescarpment，arutconcealedinthesoil，wasinvisible；thatistosay，terrible。

CHAPTERVIII

THEEMPERORPUTSAQUESTIONTOTHEGUIDELACOSTE

So，onthemorningofWaterloo，Napoleonwascontent。

Hewasright；theplanofbattleconceivedbyhimwas，aswehaveseen，reallyadmirable。

Thebattleoncebegun，itsveryvariouschanges，——theresistanceofHougomont；thetenacityofLaHaie—Sainte；thekillingofBauduin；

thedisablingofFoy；theunexpectedwallagainstwhichSoye’sbrigadewasshattered；Guilleminot’sfatalheedlessnesswhenhehadneitherpetardnorpowdersacks；themiringofthebatteries；

thefifteenunescortedpiecesoverwhelmedinahollowwaybyUxbridge；

thesmalleffectofthebombsfallingintheEnglishlines，andthereembeddingthemselvesintherain—soakedsoil，andonlysucceedinginproducingvolcanoesofmud，sothatthecanisterwasturnedintoasplash；theuselessnessofPire’sdemonstrationonBraine—l’Alleud；

allthatcavalry，fifteensquadrons，almostexterminated；therightwingoftheEnglishbadlyalarmed，theleftwingbadlycutinto；

Ney’sstrangemistakeinmassing，insteadofechelonningthefourdivisionsofthefirstcorps；mendeliveredovertogrape—shot，arrangedinrankstwenty—sevendeepandwithafrontageoftwohundred；

thefrightfulholesmadeinthesemassesbythecannon—balls；

attackingcolumnsdisorganized；theside—batterysuddenlyunmaskedontheirflank；Bourgeois，Donzelot，andDuruttecompromised；Quiotrepulsed；

LieutenantVieux，thatHerculesgraduatedatthePolytechnicSchool，woundedatthemomentwhenhewasbeatinginwithanaxethedoorofLaHaie—SainteunderthedownrightfireoftheEnglishbarricadewhichbarredtheangleoftheroadfromGenappetoBrussels；

Marcognet’sdivisioncaughtbetweentheinfantryandthecavalry，shotdownattheverymuzzleofthegunsamidthegrainbyBestandPack，puttotheswordbyPonsonby；hisbatteryofsevenpiecesspiked；thePrinceofSaxe—Weimarholdingandguarding，inspiteoftheComted’Erlon，bothFrischemontandSmohain；

theflagofthe105thtaken，theflagofthe45thcaptured；thatblackPrussianhussarstoppedbyrunnersoftheflyingcolumnofthreehundredlightcavalryonthescoutbetweenWavreandPlancenoit；

thealarmingthingsthathadbeensaidbyprisoners；Grouchy’sdelay；

fifteenhundredmenkilledintheorchardofHougomontinlessthananhour；eighteenhundredmenoverthrowninastillshortertimeaboutLaHaie—Sainte，——allthesestormyincidentspassinglikethecloudsofbattlebeforeNapoleon，hadhardlytroubledhisgazeandhadnotovershadowedthatfaceofimperialcertainty。

Napoleonwasaccustomedtogazesteadilyatwar；heneveraddeduptheheart—rendingdetails，cipherbycipher；ciphersmatteredlittletohim，providedthattheyfurnishedthetotal，victory；

hewasnotalarmedifthebeginningsdidgoastray，sincehethoughthimselfthemasterandthepossessorattheend；heknewhowtowait，supposinghimselftobeoutofthequestion，andhetreateddestinyashisequal:heseemedtosaytofate，Thouwiltnotdare。

Composedhalfoflightandhalfofshadow，Napoleonthoughthimselfprotectedingoodandtoleratedinevil。Hehad，orthoughtthathehad，aconnivance，onemightalmostsayacomplicity，ofeventsinhisfavor，whichwasequivalenttotheinvulnerabilityofantiquity。

Nevertheless，whenonehasBeresina，Leipzig，andFontainebleaubehindone，itseemsasthoughonemightdistrustWaterloo。

Amysteriousfrownbecomesperceptibleinthedepthsoftheheavens。

AtthemomentwhenWellingtonretreated，Napoleonshuddered。

Hesuddenlybeheldthetable—landofMont—Saint—Jeancleared，andthevanoftheEnglisharmydisappear。Itwasrallying，buthidingitself。TheEmperorhalfroseinhisstirrups。

Thelightningofvictoryflashedfromhiseyes。

Wellington，drivenintoacornerattheforestofSoignesanddestroyed——thatwasthedefinitiveconquestofEnglandbyFrance；

itwasCrecy，Poitiers，Malplaquet，andRamilliesavenged。

ThemanofMarengowaswipingoutAgincourt。

SotheEmperor，meditatingonthisterribleturnoffortune，swepthisglassforthelasttimeoverallthepointsofthefieldofbattle。Hisguard，standingbehindhimwithgroundedarms，watchedhimfrombelowwithasortofreligion。Hepondered；

heexaminedtheslopes，notedthedeclivities，scrutinizedtheclumpsoftrees，thesquareofrye，thepath；heseemedtobecountingeachbush。HegazedwithsomeintentnessattheEnglishbarricadesofthetwohighways，——twolargeabatisoftrees，thatontheroadtoGenappeaboveLaHaie—Sainte，armedwithtwocannon，theonlyonesoutofalltheEnglishartillerywhichcommandedtheextremityofthefieldofbattle，andthatontheroadtoNivelleswheregleamedtheDutchbayonetsofChasse’sbrigade。NearthisbarricadeheobservedtheoldchapelofSaintNicholas，paintedwhite，whichstandsattheangleofthecross—roadnearBraine—l’Alleud；

hebentdownandspokeinalowvoicetotheguideLacoste。Theguidemadeanegativesignwithhishead，whichwasprobablyperfidious。

TheEmperorstraightenedhimselfupandfelltothinking。

Wellingtonhaddrawnback。

Allthatremainedtodowastocompletethisretreatbycrushinghim。

Napoleonturningroundabruptly，despatchedanexpressatfullspeedtoParistoannouncethatthebattlewaswon。

Napoleonwasoneofthosegeniusesfromwhomthunderdarts。

Hehadjustfoundhisclapofthunder。

HegaveorderstoMilhaud’scuirassierstocarrythetable—landofMont—Saint—Jean。

CHAPTERIX

THEUNEXPECTED

Therewerethreethousandfivehundredofthem。Theyformedafrontaquarterofaleagueinextent。Theyweregiantmen，oncolossalhorses。Thereweresixandtwentysquadronsofthem；

andtheyhadbehindthemtosupportthemLefebvre—Desnouettes’sdivision，——theonehundredandsixpickedgendarmes，thelightcavalryoftheGuard，elevenhundredandninety—sevenmen，andthelancersoftheguardofeighthundredandeightylances。

Theyworecasqueswithouthorse—tails，andcuirassesofbeateniron，withhorse—pistolsintheirholsters，andlongsabre—swords。Thatmorningthewholearmyhadadmiredthem，when，atnineo’clock，withbrayingoftrumpetsandallthemusicplaying"Letuswatcho’ertheSafetyoftheEmpire，"theyhadcomeinasolidcolumn，withoneoftheirbatteriesontheirflank，anotherintheircentre，anddeployedintworanksbetweentheroadstoGenappeandFrischemont，andtakenuptheirpositionforbattleinthatpowerfulsecondline，socleverlyarrangedbyNapoleon，which，havingonitsextremeleftKellermann’scuirassiersandonitsextremerightMilhaud’scuirassiers，had，sotospeak，twowingsofiron。

Aide—de—campBernardcarriedthemtheEmperor’sorders。Neydrewhisswordandplacedhimselfattheirhead。Theenormoussquadronsweresetinmotion。

Thenaformidablespectaclewasseen。

Alltheircavalry，withupraisedswords，standardsandtrumpetsflungtothebreeze，formedincolumnsbydivisions，descended，byasimultaneousmovementandlikeoneman，withtheprecisionofabrazenbattering—ramwhichiseffectingabreach，thehillofLaBelleAlliance，plungedintotheterribledepthsinwhichsomanymenhadalreadyfallen，disappearedthereinthesmoke，thenemergingfromthatshadow，reappearedontheothersideofthevalley，stillcompactandincloseranks，mountingatafulltrot，throughastormofgrape—shotwhichburstuponthem，theterriblemuddyslopeofthetable—landofMont—Saint—Jean。Theyascended，grave，threatening，imperturbable；intheintervalsbetweenthemusketryandtheartillery，theircolossaltramplingwasaudible。

Beingtwodivisions，thereweretwocolumnsofthem；Wathier’sdivisionheldtheright，Delort’sdivisionwasontheleft。Itseemedasthoughtwoimmenseaddersofsteelweretobeseencrawlingtowardsthecrestofthetable—land。Ittraversedthebattlelikeaprodigy。

NothinglikeithadbeenseensincethetakingofthegreatredoubtoftheMuskowabytheheavycavalry；Muratwaslackinghere，butNeywasagainpresent。Itseemedasthoughthatmasshadbecomeamonsterandhadbutonesoul。Eachcolumnundulatedandswelledliketheringofapolyp。Theycouldbeseenthroughavastcloudofsmokewhichwasrenthereandthere。Aconfusionofhelmets，ofcries，ofsabres，astormyheavingofthecruppersofhorsesamidthecannonsandtheflourishoftrumpets，aterribleanddisciplinedtumult；

overall，thecuirasseslikethescalesonthehydra。

Thesenarrationsseemedtobelongtoanotherage。Somethingparalleltothisvisionappeared，nodoubt，intheancientOrphicepics，whichtoldofthecentaurs，theoldhippanthropes，thoseTitanswithhumanheadsandequestrianchestswhoscaledOlympusatagallop，horrible，invulnerable，sublime——godsandbeasts。

Oddnumericalcoincidence，——twenty—sixbattalionsrodetomeettwenty—sixbattalions。Behindthecrestoftheplateau，intheshadowofthemaskedbattery，theEnglishinfantry，formedintothirteensquares，twobattalionstothesquare，intwolines，withseveninthefirstline，sixinthesecond，thestocksoftheirgunstotheirshoulders，takingaimatthatwhichwasonthepointofappearing，waited，calm，mute，motionless。Theydidnotseethecuirassiers，andthecuirassiersdidnotseethem。

Theylistenedtotheriseofthisfloodofmen。Theyheardtheswellingnoiseofthreethousandhorse，thealternateandsymmetricaltrampoftheirhoofsatfulltrot，thejinglingofthecuirasses，theclangofthesabresandasortofgrandandsavagebreathing。

Thereensuedamostterriblesilence；then，allatonce，alongfileofupliftedarms，brandishingsabres，appearedabovethecrest，andcasques，trumpets，andstandards，andthreethousandheadswithgraymustaches，shouting，"Vivel’Empereur！"Allthiscavalrydebouchedontheplateau，anditwasliketheappearanceofanearthquake。

Allatonce，atragicincident；ontheEnglishleft，onourright，theheadofthecolumnofcuirassiersrearedupwithafrightfulclamor。

Onarrivingattheculminatingpointofthecrest，ungovernable，utterlygivenovertofuryandtheircourseofexterminationofthesquaresandcannon，thecuirassiershadjustcaughtsightofatrench，——

atrenchbetweenthemandtheEnglish。ItwasthehollowroadofOhain。

Itwasaterriblemoment。Theravinewasthere，unexpected，yawning，directlyunderthehorses’feet，twofathomsdeepbetweenitsdoubleslopes；thesecondfilepushedthefirstintoit，andthethirdpushedonthesecond；thehorsesrearedandfellbackward，landedontheirhaunches，sliddown，allfourfeetintheair，crushingandoverwhelmingtheriders；andtherebeingnomeansofretreat，——

thewholecolumnbeingnolongeranythingmorethanaprojectile，——

theforcewhichhadbeenacquiredtocrushtheEnglishcrushedtheFrench；theinexorableravinecouldonlyyieldwhenfilled；

horsesandridersrolledtherepell—mell，grindingeachother，formingbutonemassoffleshinthisgulf:whenthistrenchwasfulloflivingmen，therestmarchedoverthemandpassedon。

AlmostathirdofDubois’sbrigadefellintothatabyss。

Thisbeganthelossofthebattle。

Alocaltradition，whichevidentlyexaggeratesmatters，saysthattwothousandhorsesandfifteenhundredmenwereburiedinthehollowroadofOhain。Thisfigureprobablycomprisesalltheothercorpseswhichwereflungintothisravinethedayafterthecombat。

LetusnoteinpassingthatitwasDubois’ssorelytriedbrigadewhich，anhourpreviously，makingachargetooneside，hadcapturedtheflagoftheLunenburgbattalion。

Napoleon，beforegivingtheorderforthischargeofMilhaud’scuirassiers，hadscrutinizedtheground，buthadnotbeenabletoseethathollowroad，whichdidnotevenformawrinkleonthesurfaceoftheplateau。Warned，nevertheless，andputonthealertbythelittlewhitechapelwhichmarksitsangleofjunctionwiththeNivelleshighway，hehadprobablyputaquestionastothepossibilityofanobstacle，totheguideLacoste。TheguidehadansweredNo。WemightalmostaffirmthatNapoleon’scatastropheoriginatedinthatsignofapeasant’shead。

Otherfatalitiesweredestinedtoarise。

WasitpossiblethatNapoleonshouldhavewonthatbattle？

WeanswerNo。Why？BecauseofWellington？BecauseofBlucher？

No。BecauseofGod。

BonapartevictoratWaterloo；thatdoesnotcomewithinthelawofthenineteenthcentury。Anotherseriesoffactswasinpreparation，inwhichtherewasnolongeranyroomforNapoleon。Theillwillofeventshaddeclareditselflongbefore。

Itwastimethatthisvastmanshouldfall。

Theexcessiveweightofthismaninhumandestinydisturbedthebalance。

Thisindividualalonecountedformorethanauniversalgroup。

Theseplethorasofallhumanvitalityconcentratedinasinglehead；

theworldmountingtothebrainofoneman，——thiswouldbemortaltocivilizationwereittolast。Themomenthadarrivedfortheincorruptibleandsupremeequitytoalteritsplan。Probablytheprinciplesandtheelements，onwhichtheregulargravitationsofthemoral，asofthematerial，worlddepend，hadcomplained。

Smokingblood，over—filledcemeteries，mothersintears，——

theseareformidablepleaders。Whentheearthissufferingfromtooheavyaburden，therearemysteriousgroaningsoftheshades，towhichtheabysslendsanear。

Napoleonhadbeendenouncedintheinfiniteandhisfallhadbeendecidedon。

HeembarrassedGod。

Waterlooisnotabattle；itisachangeoffrontonthepartoftheUniverse。

CHAPTERX

THEPLATEAUOFMONT—SAINT—JEAN

Thebatterywasunmaskedatthesamemomentwiththeravine。

Sixtycannonsandthethirteensquaresdartedlightningpoint—blankonthecuirassiers。TheintrepidGeneralDelortmadethemilitarysalutetotheEnglishbattery。

ThewholeoftheflyingartilleryoftheEnglishhadre—enteredthesquaresatagallop。Thecuirassiershadnothadeventhetimeforahalt。Thedisasterofthehollowroadhaddecimated，butnotdiscouragedthem。Theybelongedtothatclassofmenwho，whendiminishedinnumber，increaseincourage。

Wathier’scolumnalonehadsufferedinthedisaster；Delort’scolumn，whichNeyhaddeflectedtotheleft，asthoughhehadapresentimentofanambush，hadarrivedwhole。

ThecuirassiershurledthemselvesontheEnglishsquares。

Atfullspeed，withbridlesloose，swordsintheirteethpistolsinfist，——suchwastheattack。

Therearemomentsinbattlesinwhichthesoulhardensthemanuntilthesoldierischangedintoastatue，andwhenallthisfleshturnsintogranite。TheEnglishbattalions，desperatelyassaulted，didnotstir。

Thenitwasterrible。

AllthefacesoftheEnglishsquareswereattackedatonce。

Afrenziedwhirlenvelopedthem。Thatcoldinfantryremainedimpassive。

Thefirstrankkneltandreceivedthecuirassiersontheirbayonets，thesecondranksshotthemdown；behindthesecondrankthecannoneerschargedtheirguns，thefrontofthesquareparted，permittedthepassageofaneruptionofgrape—shot，andclosedagain。Thecuirassiersrepliedbycrushingthem。Theirgreathorsesreared，strodeacrosstheranks，leapedoverthebayonetsandfell，gigantic，inthemidstofthesefourlivingwells。Thecannon—ballsploughedfurrowsinthesecuirassiers；thecuirassiersmadebreachesinthesquares。

Filesofmendisappeared，groundtodustunderthehorses。Thebayonetsplungedintothebelliesofthesecentaurs；henceahideousnessofwoundswhichhasprobablyneverbeenseenanywhereelse。Thesquares，wastedbythismadcavalry，closeduptheirrankswithoutflinching。

Inexhaustibleinthematterofgrape—shot，theycreatedexplosionsintheirassailants’midst。Theformofthiscombatwasmonstrous。

Thesesquareswerenolongerbattalions，theywerecraters；

thosecuirassierswerenolongercavalry，theywereatempest。

Eachsquarewasavolcanoattackedbyacloud；lavacontendedwithlightning。

Thesquareontheextremeright，themostexposedofall，beingintheair，wasalmostannihilatedattheveryfirstshock。

ltwasformedofthe75thregimentofHighlanders。Thebagpipe—playerinthecentredroppedhismelancholyeyes，filledwiththereflectionsoftheforestsandthelakes，inprofoundinattention，whilemenwerebeingexterminatedaroundhim，andseatedonadrum，withhispibrochunderhisarm，playedtheHighlandairs。TheseScotchmendiedthinkingofBenLothian，asdidtheGreeksrecallingArgos。

Theswordofacuirassier，whichheweddownthebagpipesandthearmwhichboreit，putanendtothesongbykillingthesinger。

Thecuirassiers，relativelyfewinnumber，andstillfurtherdiminishedbythecatastropheoftheravine，hadalmostthewholeEnglisharmyagainstthem，buttheymultipliedthemselvessothateachmanofthemwasequaltoten。Nevertheless，someHanoverianbattalionsyielded。

Wellingtonperceivedit，andthoughtofhiscavalry。HadNapoleonatthatsamemomentthoughtofhisinfantry，hewouldhavewonthebattle。Thisforgetfulnesswashisgreatandfatalmistake。

Allatonce，thecuirassiers，whohadbeentheassailants，foundthemselvesassailed。TheEnglishcavalrywasattheirback。

Beforethemtwosquares，behindthemSomerset；Somersetmeantfourteenhundreddragoonsoftheguard。Ontheright，SomersethadDornbergwiththeGermanlight—horse，andonhisleft，TripwiththeBelgiancarabineers；thecuirassiersattackedontheflankandinfront，beforeandintherear，byinfantryandcavalry，hadtofaceallsides。Whatmatteredittothem？Theywereawhirlwind。

Theirvalorwassomethingindescribable。

Inadditiontothis，theyhadbehindthemthebattery，whichwasstillthundering。Itwasnecessarythatitshouldbeso，ortheycouldneverhavebeenwoundedintheback。Oneoftheircuirasses，piercedontheshoulderbyaballfromabiscayan，[9]isinthecollectionoftheWaterlooMuseum。

[9]Aheavyrifledgun。

ForsuchFrenchmennothinglessthansuchEnglishmenwasneeded。

Itwasnolongerahand—to—handconflict；itwasashadow，afury，adizzytransportofsoulsandcourage，ahurricaneoflightningswords。

Inaninstantthefourteenhundreddragoonguardsnumberedonlyeighthundred。Fuller，theirlieutenant—colonel，felldead。

NeyrushedupwiththelancersandLefebvre—Desnouettes’slight—horse。

TheplateauofMont—Saint—Jeanwascaptured，recaptured，capturedagain。

Thecuirassiersquittedthecavalrytoreturntotheinfantry；

or，toputitmoreexactly，thewholeofthatformidableroutcollaredeachotherwithoutreleasingtheother。Thesquaresstillheldfirm。

Therewereadozenassaults。Neyhadfourhorseskilledunderhim。

Halfthecuirassiersremainedontheplateau。Thisconflictlastedtwohours。

TheEnglisharmywasprofoundlyshaken。Thereisnodoubtthat，hadtheynotbeenenfeebledintheirfirstshockbythedisasterofthehollowroadthecuirassierswouldhaveoverwhelmedthecentreanddecidedthevictory。ThisextraordinarycavalrypetrifiedClinton，whohadseenTalaveraandBadajoz。Wellington，three—quartersvanquished，admiredheroically。Hesaidinanundertone，"Sublime！"

Thecuirassiersannihilatedsevensquaresoutofthirteen，tookorspikedsixtypiecesofordnance，andcapturedfromtheEnglishregimentssixflags，whichthreecuirassiersandthreechasseursoftheGuardboretotheEmperor，infrontofthefarmofLaBelleAlliance。

Wellington’ssituationhadgrownworse。Thisstrangebattlewaslikeaduelbetweentworaging，woundedmen，eachofwhom，stillfightingandstillresisting，isexpendingallhisblood。

Whichofthetwowillbethefirsttofall？

Theconflictontheplateaucontinued。

Whathadbecomeofthecuirassiers？Noonecouldhavetold。

Onethingiscertain，thatonthedayafterthebattle，acuirassierandhishorsewerefounddeadamongthewoodworkofthescalesforvehiclesatMont—Saint—Jean，attheverypointwherethefourroadsfromNivelles，Genappe，LaHulpe，andBrusselsmeetandintersecteachother。ThishorsemanhadpiercedtheEnglishlines。

OneofthemenwhopickedupthebodystilllivesatMont—Saint—Jean。

HisnameisDehaze。Hewaseighteenyearsoldatthattime。

Wellingtonfeltthathewasyielding。Thecrisiswasathand。

Thecuirassiershadnotsucceeded，sincethecentrewasnotbrokenthrough。Aseveryonewasinpossessionoftheplateau，nooneheldit，andinfactitremained，toagreatextent，withtheEnglish。

Wellingtonheldthevillageandtheculminatingplain；Neyhadonlythecrestandtheslope。Theyseemedrootedinthatfatalsoilonbothsides。

ButtheweakeningoftheEnglishseemedirremediable。

Thebleedingofthatarmywashorrible。Kempt，ontheleftwing，demandedreinforcements。"Therearenone，"repliedWellington；

"hemustlethimselfbekilled！"Almostatthatsamemoment，asingularcoincidencewhichpaintstheexhaustionofthetwoarmies，NeydemandedinfantryfromNapoleon，andNapoleonexclaimed，"Infantry！

Wheredoesheexpectmetogetit？DoeshethinkIcanmakeit？"

Nevertheless，theEnglisharmywasintheworsecaseofthetwo。

Thefuriousonsetsofthosegreatsquadronswithcuirassesofironandbreastsofsteelhadgroundtheinfantrytonothing。Afewmenclusteredroundaflagmarkedthepostofaregiment；suchandsuchabattalionwascommandedonlybyacaptainoralieutenant；

Alten’sdivision，alreadysoroughlyhandledatLaHaie—Sainte，wasalmostdestroyed；theintrepidBelgiansofVanKluze’sbrigadestrewedtherye—fieldsallalongtheNivellesroad；hardlyanythingwasleftofthoseDutchgrenadiers，who，intermingledwithSpaniardsinourranksin1811，foughtagainstWellington；andwho，in1815，ralliedtotheEnglishstandard，foughtagainstNapoleon。

Thelossinofficerswasconsiderable。LordUxbridge，whohadhislegburiedonthefollowingday，hadhiskneeshattered。

If，ontheFrenchside，inthattussleofthecuirassiers，Delort，l’Heritier，Colbert，Dnop，Travers，andBlancardweredisabled，onthesideoftheEnglishtherewasAltenwounded，Barnewounded，Delanceykilled，VanMeerenkilled，Omptedakilled，thewholeofWellington’sstaffdecimated，andEnglandhadtheworseofitinthatbloodyscale。Thesecondregimentoffoot—guardshadlostfivelieutenant—colonels，fourcaptains，andthreeensigns；

thefirstbattalionofthe30thinfantryhadlost24officersand1，200soldiers；the79thHighlandershadlost24officerswounded，18officerskilled，450soldierskilled。TheHanoverianhussarsofCumberland，awholeregiment，withColonelHackeatitshead，whowasdestinedtobetriedlateronandcashiered，hadturnedbridleinthepresenceofthefray，andhadfledtotheforestofSoignes，sowingdefeatallthewaytoBrussels。Thetransports，ammunition—wagons，thebaggage—wagons，thewagonsfilledwithwounded，onperceivingthattheFrenchweregaininggroundandapproachingtheforest，rushedheadlongthither。TheDutch，moweddownbytheFrenchcavalry，cried，"Alarm！"FromVert—CoucoutoGroentendael，foradistanceofnearlytwoleaguesinthedirectionofBrussels，accordingtothetestimonyofeye—witnesseswhoarestillalive，theroadswereencumberedwithfugitives。ThispanicwassuchthatitattackedthePrincedeCondeatMechlin，andLouisXVIII。

atGhent。WiththeexceptionofthefeeblereserveechelonnedbehindtheambulanceestablishedatthefarmofMont—Saint—Jean，andofVivian’sandVandeleur’sbrigades，whichflankedtheleftwing，Wellingtonhadnocavalryleft。Anumberofbatterieslayunhorsed。

ThesefactsareattestedbySiborne；andPringle，exaggeratingthedisaster，goessofarastosaythattheAnglo—Dutcharmywasreducedtothirty—fourthousandmen。TheIronDukeremainedcalm，buthislipsblanched。Vincent，theAustriancommissioner，Alava，theSpanishcommissioner，whowerepresentatthebattleintheEnglishstaff，thoughttheDukelost。Atfiveo’clockWellingtondrewouthiswatch，andhewasheardtomurmurthesesinisterwords，"Blucher，ornight！"

ItwasataboutthatmomentthatadistantlineofbayonetsgleamedontheheightsinthedirectionofFrischemont。

Herecomesthechangeoffaceinthisgiantdrama。