The Exploits of Brigadier Gerard

h upon a field of battle which escaped it. He could stand in front of a battalion, and with a single sweep tell you if a buckle or a gaiter button were out of

himself, and Lannes, when he was alive. After all, if he had a tight grasp upon his money-bags, there was a day also, you must remember, when that sam

ly. That was the best of serving with those good old generals, that they knew enough to be able to pick out a fine soldier when they saw one. He was seated alo

, Colonel

day, M

e Third of

able men upon seven hun

unds — are t

er heal, Marsh

d w

have always

as he laughed. ‘He has had twenty-one from the enemy’s bullets, and as many from Larre

rt me mos

Vedras, there has been little for us to do. You did not miss much dur

adva

ret

og of a Wellington — he who had listened unmoved to my words, and ha

a impatiently. ‘When one is in chec

s,’ I su

his grizz

men than I can replace. On the other hand, we have been here at Santarem for nearly six m

and wine in Lis

lt were here with thirty thousand men — but he will not come. I sent for you, however, Colonel Gerard, t

rolled a great map of the country and spread it upon the

tarem,’ he s

odd

ast, is Almeixal, celebrated for its

I could not thin

the Marshal Millefl

e Marshals,’ said I, ‘but

onths, it would not be necessary for me to tell you about him. He is an Englishman, and a man of good breeding. It is

Mars

him to the

nly, Ma

ut Massena recalled me before I c

fficer in the English Guards, but having been broken for cheating at cards, he left the army. In some manner he gathered a number of English deserters round him and took to the mountains. French stragglers and Portuguese brigands j

he was hanged,’ said I, mak

Countess of La Ronda, the richest woman in Spain, was taken by these ruffians in the passes as she was journeying

erhood,’ I

to punish this villain; and, if possible, to break up this nest of brigands. It will be a proof of the confiden

y ears! I thought that I should h

in horse that every trooper becomes of importance. I cannot spare you another man. You will se

d of five hundred assassins — all with fifty men. But after all, the fifty men were Hussars of Conflans, and they had an Etienne Gerard to lead them. As I came out into the warm

ir head. When I had them formed up in fours, all in silver grey and upon chestnut horses, with their leopard skin shabracks and their little red panaches, my heart beat high at the sight. I could not look at their weather-stained faces, with the gre

army, with the flash and twinkle of the sabres and bayonets as he moved his regiments into position for their retreat. To the south lay the scattered red patches of the English outposts, and behind the grey smoke-cloud which rose f

-sides, the lower portions covered by the budding vines, but the upper turning from green to grey, and jagged along the skyline like the back of a starved horse. Mountain streams crossed our path, running west to the Tagus, and once we came to a deep, strong river, which might have checked us had I not fou

ore than a few miles from Almeixal, so it seemed to me to be best to keep among the groves, for the spring had been an early one and the leave

s the valley, Colonel,’

y or in

saw the gleam of their helmets,

the same direction. I caught a glimpse of their red coats and of their flashing arms glowing and twinkling among the tree-trunks. Once, as they passed

ready to be so much above my power. If I were to lose any of my men, it was certain that I should be unable to carry out my orders. I was sitting my horse, with my chin in my gauntlet, looking across at the rippling gleams of light from the further wood, when suddenly one of these red-coated Englishmen rode out from the cover, pointing at me an

ooked upon finer light horsemen than the fifty hussars of Conflans who were facing them. They were heavier, it is true, and they may have seemed the smarter, for Wellington used to make them burnish their metal work, which was not usual among us. On the other hand, it is well known that the English tunics were too tight for the sword-arm, which gave our men an advantage. As to bravery, foolish, inexperience

I could have halted there just to watch him as he came with such careless grace, his sabre down by his horse’s shoulder, his head thrown back, his white plume tossing — youth and strength and courage, with the violet evening sky above and the oak trees behind. But

Where have I seen those great roan shoulders? Where have I seen that dainty fetlock?’ Then suddenly I remembered, and as I looked up at the reckless eyes and the challeng

’ I sh

my point, for he did not know very much about the use of the sword. A

anner that I had met him by appointment. For my own part, I would

ome sport,’ said he. ‘I nev

ritating. Instead of being glad at having met a

rt, my dear Bart,’ said I. ‘But I really cann

er mind a

ble. I should neve

too much o

to embrace you. If ever y

is coming there

surviving,’ said I, laughing. ‘In the

tail, and the Bart put out his

he. ‘I only wish you had been bor

s,’ s

continued; ‘this is all very well, but it is not business, you know. I don’t know what Massena would say to it, bu

ould yo

carbine bullets behind me. You’ve got as many fine-looking boys over yonder, who seem to be fidgeting in their saddles. If you and

gan and the Countess of La Ronda and the Abbey of Almeixal went right out of my head, and I

seen the front of your dragoons. We

ting?’ h

thing less than the honour

ou, well and good — if you break us, it will

could only stare at

hal Millefleu

this way. My dragoons have been sent by

y, my hussars have been sent b

ur swords. There was a whirr of steel from be

allies!’

a d

t join

s no dou

learned to respect each other’s teeth. The most were on the broad grin, but there were some on either side who looked black and challenging, especially the English sergeant and my own sub-officer Papilette. They were men of habit, you see, who could not ch

that the Bart thought more highly of me because I had had an affair with the Bristol Bustler. He told me, too, that the Colonel who presided over his court-martial for playing cards wit

miles, was a scattered, grey town, with a single enormous building upon the flank of the mountain which overlooked it. We could not doubt that we were at last in sight of the Abbey that held the gang of rascals whom we had

’ said the Bart; Wellington and Ma

d. ‘Piré took Leipzi

ould have had Berlin. But you are senior officer; give u

to be on my way to Abrantes by tomorrow night. But we must have some inf

. A lantern was hung in the porch, and by its light we saw two men, the one in the brown habit of a Capuchin monk, and the other girt with an apron, which showed him to be the landlord. The

glish, and my feet have been burned by the brigands. I swear by the Virgin that I have neither money n

one of the many victims to these cruel wars, although his loss is but a feather-weight compared to m

his cowl came up to Rataplan’s ears. He wore the look of one who had been through much suffering, but he carried himself like a ki

per. ‘As to you, father, you are, if I am not mistaken, the

Lenten fare is always somewhat meagre, and this year it has been such that I must a

ittle he asked for. It was dreadful to see the wolfish way in which he

e want your advice as to the weak points of yonder Abbey,

d yet I had not dared to hope that mine would have been so speedily answered. In me you see the unfortunate Abbot of Almeixal, who has been cast ou

’ll lay nine to four that we have

of that of my poor, scattered flock. But it is of the holy rel

eads about them,’ said the Bart. ‘But show us the way ins

The lower windows were barricaded, and the whole building loopholed for musketry fire. The gang preserved military discipline, and their sentries were too numerous for us to hope to take

hot at it, come w

eating their suppers. For my own part I went into the sitting-room of t

vie, and I divided it among us —

gns of scouts along the road. My own plan is that we should conceal ourselves in some neighbour

could do, but, when we came to talk it over, the Abbo

n or horse,’ said he. ‘As to the townsfolk, they are not to be trusted. I fear, my son, that your exce

so plentiful that I can afford to run half a squadron of them a

heir ways. Who should do so better, seeing that I have stayed for a month in this lonely spot, looking down in wear

ather,’ we cried

ing in to them, carrying their weapons with them. Now, what is there to prevent you a

ng, and I embraced the good Abbot. The Ba

that they are going to let a hundred armed strangers into their crib. From all I have heard of Mr Morga

nd let them at daybreak throw open the gates to

l with more judgment. At last we agreed, the Bart and I, that one of us should indeed go with fifty men, under pretence of being deserters, and that in the early morning he should gain command of the

. ‘If you lay hands upon this Marshal Millefleurs —

im,’ I

way with him — but, oh, what thoughts are these for a servant of God to harbour!’ He clapped hi

hat he should give place to any man at such a time! But the poor Bart pleaded so hard, urging the few skirmishes which he had seen against my four-and-seventy engagements, that at last I consented that he should go. We h

We flung ourselves upon them, imploring, threatening, tugging at a lace collar, or at a spurred heel, until, at last, we had dragged them all apart. There they stood, flushed and bleeding, glaring at each other, and all panting together like a line

uadron was not as good as the French. The words were not out of his mouth before a dragoon knocked down the nearest hussar, and then, in a moment, they all flew at each other like tigers. We would trust them no more a

raise a cry or wave their weapons as mine might have done, there was an expression upon their stolid and clean-shaven faces which filled me with confidence. Their tunics were left unbuttoned, their scabbards and helmets stained with dirt, and their harness badly fastened, so that they might look the part of deserters, without order or discipline. At six o’clock next morning they were to gain command of the m

ery direction, to guard against a surprise, and also to prevent any peasant who might stumble upon us from carrying the news to the Abbey. Oudin and Papilette were to take turns of duty, while the others with their

y have been some who were free from those blemishes which stood between me and perfection. Of bravery I say nothing. Those who have seen me in the field are best fitted to speak about that. I have often heard the soldiers discussing round the camp-fires as to who was the bravest man in the Grand Army. Some said Murat, and some said Lasalle, and some Ney; but for my own part, when they asked me, I merely shrugged my shoulders and sm

d me from uttering a sound. I struggled to rise, but I could only flounder like a hamstrung horse. I was strapped at the ankles, strapped at the knees, and strapped aga

ver have I seen a more dreadful-looking villain. In his hand he held a long, dull-coloured knife. The Abbot, on the other hand, was as polished and as dignified as ever. His Capuchin gown had been thrown op

r, but I hardly think that you are fit to measure wits with the Marshal Millefleurs, as your fellows have been good enough to call me. You appear to have given me credit for singularly little intelligence, which argues, if I m

flowery and condescending manner which had gained this rascal his nickname. I could say nothing, but they must have re

riend here, who is a little rough in his ways, would certainly have cut your throat if you had raised any alarm. I should recommend you to keep in his good gr

tried to look the loathing which I felt at the thou

hoped to receive the whole squadron instead of half. When the gates are secured behind them, our visitors will find themselves in a very charming little mediaeval quadrangle, with no possible exit, commanded by musketry fire from a hundred windows. They may choose to be shot down; or they may choose to surrender. Between ourselves,

r, debating, as far as I could hear, whic

arn,’ said the Marshal at last. ‘You will stay here, my good Chenie

self-reproach as I lay helplessly upon the couch, unable to utter a word or move a finger, with the knowledge that my fifty gallant lads were so close to me, and yet with no means of letting them know the straits to which I was reduced. It was no new thing for me to be

looking at his bull neck, and wondering whether it would ever be my good fortune to fit it for a cravat, when I heard returning steps coming down the inn passage and up the stair. What word would the villain bring back? If he found it impossible to kidnap me, he would probably murder me where I lay. For my own part, I was indiffere

n by surprise. His eyes had hardly rested upon my bound figure and

pposite to him, and the blade grazed my side before ripping its way through blanket and sheet. An instant later I heard the thud of a heavy fall, and then almost simultaneously a second object struck the floor — something lighter but harder, which rolled under t

mand. Yes, they had had no alarms. Oudin had just relieved him, and he had come to report. Had he seen the Abbot? No, he had seen nothing of him. Then we must form

his gown was not over the threshold before we were both on him, like two wolves on a buck. Down we crashed, the three of us, he fighting like a tiger, and with such amazing strength that he might have broken away from the two of us. Thrice he got to his

ow,’ said I, ‘and you will find that I hav

f the astute. So, you have killed Chenier, I see. He was an insubordinate dog, and always smelt abominably of garlic. Might I trouble you to

f this sudden turning of the tables. I dispatched Papilette to summon a guard, whilst I stood over our prisoner with my drawn sword

at your men will treat

deserts — you may

ithout treason, nor my mother without a scandal. I cannot claim Royal honours, but these things are so much more

r much intelligence,’ I remar

. ‘But here come your men, so it matters

adopted all the crafty suggestions of our adviser, have ended in the capture of the whole instead of the half of our force. I must extricate them if it were still possible. Then there was the old lady, the Countess of La Ronda, to be thought of. As to the A

we halted. Had they opened the great doors in order to attack us, I should have charged home upon them; but, as I had expected, they stood upon the defensive, lining the long wall and pouring down a torrent of hootings and taunts and derisive laughter upon us. A few fired

as silence for a few seconds, and then such a howl of rage and grief! I could see some of them dancing like mad-men u

e inn, and we slung it over

to undo your collar,’ said Pa

n,’ answered our prisoner, and se

with joy at the sight of them. And yet I would not advance an inch to meet them, so that all the eagerness might seem to be upon their side. I allowed my trumpeter, however, to wave a handkerchief in reply, upon which the three envoys came running towards us. The Marsha

k uniform, the second a French chasseur in the lightest green, and the third a big English

‘We give you our most solemn oath that they shall all hang from

I cried. ‘You

down before they

he off

e with his life. It was not our fault

much after my heart. I have always had a regard for the English for the sa

hing. Papilette was dispatched with one of them, and returned

thirty-seven dragoons

ive you te

h him!’

shouted th

,’ said I. ‘Pu

nvoy, as the cord tightene

orses a

hat I was not a

’ said the cha

ss of La Ronda

ountess. We tightened the cord. We moved the horse. We did all but leave the Marshal suspend

u not think, since there is a difference of opinion upon this point, that it would be an excellent idea

In ten minutes she was before us, a most stately dame, with her grey curls peeping out from under h

to a place where you will never see us more. It is for you to decide wheth

n instant. ‘My own Alexis,’ she

ith a sneer upon

o such person exists as the Dowager Countess of La Ronda. The lady whom I have the honour to presen

upulous, man whom I had ever met. As I looked upon this unfortunate old woman my soul was filled with wonder and d

last; ‘give me the d

horses and weapons, and the rope

k to Massena, though, from all I hear, he will probably be too busy to think of you. I am free to confess that you have extricated yourself fro

is one

tha

rial to this young

e my wor

re is on

me

open with a sword in your hand

ng career, or else to bid adieu to my own bonny bride. It is unreaso

en together and whee

my sword at him. ‘The next tim

e Emperor, you will always find a commission waitin