Zibeline - Volume 1

word, and the progress of his

he Third Zouaves after the siege of Oajaca, he had exercised, during the rest of the expedition, command over a mounted company, wh

ol head, gave the Marquis opportunity to execute, with rapidity and decision, several master-

Regulas. He pillaged the farms, stopped railway trains, boldly demanding ransom from captives fr

ll upon them unexpectedly, just as they were holding up the diligence from Morelia to Guadalajara. His plans had been so well laid that not a man escaped. What was the surprise of the Fre

pting to avoid his thanks, and returning to him intact his lugga

e promotions which followed the declaration of war in 1870. Officer of the Legion of Honor for his gallantry at Gravelotte and at St. Privat, and assigned for his ability to the employ of the

rative freedom in the city, provided he would give his parole not to attempt to escape. He was therefore conducted to a distant fortres

directed, at the same time, the work of repairs wi

ts. This functionary had permission also, from ten o'clock in the morning until sunset, to promenade in the court under the eye of the sentinel on guard at the entrance. At five o'clo

ations of snow-a work which his amiable jailer followed with a professional interest, giving him advice regarding modificati

mpart was erected in front of the casemate of the fortress, behind which, by stoopin

tired in a black redingote, departed regularly every day at half-past four, carrying a large portfolio under his arm. To procure such a costume and similar accessories for himsel

ow behind the bastion. More than this, the clever Alsatian had slipped a topographical map of the surrounding country between two of the plates in the basket. Accor

f a sleeping soldier; and pleading a slight illness as an excuse for not dining that evening, and, not without emotion, curled himself up behind the snowy intrenchment which his jailer himself had helped t

!" said the honest fel

e place, and as soon as the functionary who had seen him depart was relieved by another, the prisoner left his hiding-place, crossed the drawbri

mnasts, under a clear sky, through the fields, guided by the lights in the farmhouses, and at nine

eighboring States interdicted all passage to Frenchmen escaping from the hands of their conquerors. The two des

a start of surprise, for he recognized Constantin Lenaieff, one

demanded the Ma

o the German intendant," hazarded the p

fficer; that is plain enough to b

p in order to examine th

e muttered, "I ca

ldiers to retire, then,

nd he extended his hand cordially to

nri explained to

r hands," he concl

fe-conduct made out in due form; write upon it any name you choose. As for myself, I regard you absolutely as a Belgian citizen, and I shall make no

ining with his customary proud courtesy. "But I ne

y in a carriage toward the nearest railway, in or

us detective of the French police, struck with the Alsatian accent of the orderly, immediately decided that

s exclamation with the most Parisian oath that ever ha

oss, which he had taken good care not to allow to become a souvenir in th

rd, he seized a pen and wrot

OF WAR

of the enemy, I demand

itable to my rank, tha

nal d

LLES, Com

, saying: "Do me the favor to forward t

ge, he swept a profound salute. "Pass on, Com

e Prerolles rejoined the army of Chanzy, which, having known him a long time, assigned to him the

of the fight, a shell struck him in the breast. It is necessary to say that on the evening before he had noticed that the little medallion which had been given to

led to remain there six months before he was in fit condition to rejoin his command. Toward the end of his convale

ulators, who had divided it and resold it to various purchasers. Only the farm of Valpendant, with a house of ancient and vast constru

ch crosses the high plateau that separates the forest of Carnelle from the forest of the Ile

untryseats, the fields turned into market-gardens! With profound sadness the brother and the sister met

pressing her hand convulsively. "I must go-I must

e National Assembly, his brother-in-law had been transferred to a regiment of zouaves, of which

e Minister of War, examining the brilliant record of this officer who, since 1862, never had ceased his service to his country, called him to take command