Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 10 — page 25: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

— > ened : Vidoca, the French Police Spy. ==> his position, he said to the aid-de-camp, ‘ Gen- eral rand takes an interest m wsis young man. Well, what would he have? that I put him on half-pay? Oh! he eannot think of such a thing.’ Then addressing me *liow much fatter should you be, if I put you on hal ‘pay? Oh, you have a fine prospect at home: if you are rich, to die gradually with over nursing; if you are poor, to increase the misery of your parents, and finish your days in a hos- ital. Iam a doctorfor you: and my prescription is a bullet, and then oy cure will follow: if you escape that, the knapsack willdo for you, or marching and exercise will put you to ey these are additional chances. Be- sides, do as I do, k tar-water: that is worth all your jalaps, and griuels, and messes.’ At the same time he Stretched out his arm, seized a large pitcher, which was near him, and filled a can, which he offered to me, and all refusal was in vain. I wascompelled to swallow some of the nauseous stuff, as was also the aid-de-camp; the gen- eral drank after us, and his negro, to whom he handed the ean, finished what was left. . “There was then no hope of his recalling the decision against which I hada ed, and we withdrew greatly dis- contented. The aid-de-camp returned to Ambleteuse and I to Fort Chatillon, which I entered more dead than alive. From this moment I became the prey to an apathetic sad- ness, which absorbed all ey faculties: 1 then obtained an exemption from service: night and day I remained on m couch, indifferent to all around me; and I think I shoul have remained in that position till now, if one winter's night the English had not determined to burn our flotilla. An inconceivable fatigue, although I did nothing, seizin on my senses, had induced a profound sleep. Suddenly was aroused by the report of cannons. I arose, and through the panes of my window I saw a thousand fires crossing each other in the air. On one side were immense foxine oF fire like rainbows; on the other side were vast stars, which seemed to grow larger and redder, and my first idea was that I saw fireworks. At length a noise like that of torrents, which precipitated themselves in cascades from the top of rocks gave me asort of shuddering feel- ing: at intervals darkness usurped the place of the ruddy light, which Ican only compare to daylightin hell. The very earth seemed scorched by it. I was already agitated by fever, and I thought ay head was swelling gt Se and larger. ‘The muster-call was beaten, I heard the cry ‘To arms!’ and on the ground the tramping of horses’ feet. Terror seized me, and delirium pos- me. got my boots, ard tried to pull them on; it was impossible; they were too ht, my were entangled in them; I tried to | them off again; I could not. During my exertions each moment increased my fears, all my comrades were dressed; the silence which reigned about me warned me that I was alone, and whilst, from all , persons were ranning together, without thinking o the inconvenience of m ts, I fled with haste across the country, carrying my ¢ othes under my arms. ‘Next day I reappeared amidst all the people whom I found living. Ashamed of a cowardice at which I was myself astonished, I had trumped up a story, which if I could insure belief, would have given me the reputation of a hero. ».Unfortunately the tale was not swallowed so easily as I-could have desired; no one was the dupe of my lies; sarcasms and rude jokes without end were thrown out, until I almost burst with a and rage; in any other circumstances I would have fought the whole yo pene but I was in a state of weakness, from which I did not rouse till the following night, when I recovered a littie of my wonted energy. ‘* The English had n commenced the bombardment of the city, and were so close to the shore that we could even hear their voices, and the balls of the thousand can- nons on the coast sed over their heads. Moveable batteries were then erected, which, to app h them as closely as possible, floated according to the ebb and flow ef the tide. I was ordered to the command of a twelve- pounder, which having stationed at the extremity of the rafts, we anchored. At that very moment, a shower of bullets were directed at us: our howitzers were observed -acder the wagons, and amongst the horses. It was evi- deat that in spite of the obscurity of the night, we had become an object of aim to the enemy. We were about t return the compliment, and bad altered the level of our 1, when my corpora ost as much alarmed as I had Gren the previous evening, desirous of seeing if the trun- nions got loose in shifting the gun placed his hand on them, and suddenly utte a piercing shriek which was re-echoed all along the bank. His fingers were crushed beneath twenty hundred weight of me He attempted to disen them, but the incumbent mass only pressed the more heavily, and he was still held fast, and when enabled to disengage himself he fainted. A dram of brandy revived , and I offered to lead him to the pom wanee t79e no doubt set down as a pretext for ab- aenting m A ss The corporal and I walked away together; but at the moment of entering the artillery warren, which we had to cross, a burning hand-grenade fell between two chests filied with powder. The danger was imminent, and in a few seconds the whole ammunition would have blown up. By running away I could huve escaped safely, but a cha came over me, and death was no long:r feurful. Quicker than lightning I seized on the snetal tube whence brimstone and flery matter were escaping, and attempted to extinguish the e; but this being impossible, I car- cied ik in my hand, blazing as it was, to a distance; and the inrtant I threw it on the earth, it burst with a violence that sl ivered the metal to pieces. “There was a witness of this deed; my hands, my face, my burnt garments, the sides of the powder-boxes already blackered with fire, all testified my courage. I might have been proud, but I was only satisfied: my companions would henceforward have no right to taunt me with their offensive jokes. We went onw and scarcely had we advanced a single step, when the whole atmosphere seemed one blaze of fire; the flames appeared in seven places at pnce, and the brilliant and horrible light seemed at the harbor, the slates cracked, whilst the roofs were burning, and we thcught ve heard the report of musketry, Some detachmen*s, deceived by this, scoured about to discover the enemy. Nearer to us, at 4 short distance from the abip-buil yard, clouds of smoke and flame rose from . thatch, whence the — straw was driven in all di- rections by the wind. We heard a cry of distress—the voice of a child—which struck to my heart; it was perhaps too ere. determined to attempt its rescue, and suc- ceeded in restoring the infant to its mother, who, havin nine Bg was returning to it in an ugony o tress. “ My honor was now redeemed, and cowardice could no wonger be charged upon me. I returned to the battery, vie every person congratulated me. A chief of a bat- on promised me across, which he had, however, been emable *~ procure for himwelf for forty years, he ——w had always had the bad luck to get behind, and never in front of the cannon. I was now in a fair way of getting renown, and opportunities es 4 ae tually. There were mediators appointed between England and France to negotiate for peace. Lord Lauderdale was in Paris as plenipotentiary, when the telegrapk announced the bombardment of Boulogne, which was but the second act to the attack of Copenhagen. At this information, the emperor, indignant at a causeless renewal of hostilities, sent for Lord L.., reproached him with the perfidy of his cabinet, and ordered him to quit France instantly. A fortnight afterwards, Lord Lauderdale arrived here at the Canon d@’ Or. He was an Englishman, and the exasperated people were desirous of revenging themselves on him: the surrounded him, mobbed him, and pressed upon him; an in defiance of the protection of two officers who were attend- ing him, they showered stones and mud upon him from all sides. Pale, trembling, and faltering, the peer et he was about to fall a sacrifice, when, sword in hand, I cleared my way through the rabble, crying, ‘ Destruction to whoever strikes him!’ I harangued the multitude, dipersed them, and led the way to the harbor, where, with- out being subjeeted to further insult, he embarked on board a flag-of-truce-boat. He soon reached the English squad- ron, which the next evening renewed the bombardment. The following night we were again on the shore, and at one o'clock the og after throwing a few Congreve rockets, suspended their firing; end I, worn out with toil threw myself on &@ gun-cerriage, and 7 soundly. I know not how long my sleep lasted, but when I awoke I was up to my neck in water, my blood was frozen, | limbs stiffened, and my sight and memory bewildered. Boulogne had changed its situation, and I took the fire of the fiotilla for that of the enemy. It was the commence- ment of a lengthened malady, rg which I obstinately refused to go to the hospital. At length I was convales- cent; but as I only recovered slowly, 1 was again named for the ps of and this time was reduced against my own wish; forlI now adopted the opinion of General Sar- razin. “T had no longer any wish to die in my bed, and apply- ing to myself the sense of the words, ‘ There is only death for him that pauses,’-—that I might not pause, I com- menced a career in which, without too painful labors there is a never-ceasing activity requisite. Persuade that I have but a short time to live, 1 am determined to ve ae that time. I have turned rivateer, and what risk doIrun? I can but be killed, and have but little to lose: in the meanwhile I want for nothing, emotions of every sort; perils and pleasures; and now I never pause.” The reader will now judge what sort of men were Captain Paulet and his lieutenant. Scarcely had this latter a breath left in his body, and yet in fight, as everywhere else, he was the leader. Sometimes he was lost dull thought, whence he roughly aroused himself, his head giving the impetus to his system, and he evinced a tur- ulance which was restrained by no bounds. There was no or hh Gp ng no wild sally of which he was not capable; and in the reckless «tate of excitation, all was dared by him. He would have scaled heaven itself. I cannot tell all the pranks he Bmw Sar at the first banquet to which Dufailli had presented me. Sometimes he proposed one scheme, *»metimes another; at length he bethought him of the theatre. ‘‘What do they play to-nigat?’— ‘** Misanthropy and Repentance,’”’ ‘I prefer the‘ Two Brothers.’ Comrades! which of you is in a sniveling mood? The captain weeps every year at his festival; we fellows know nothing of such joys. They are confined to the fathers of families. Do you ever go to the play, cap- tain? You should go; forthere will be all the world there. Ail the fashionables, shrimp in silken gowns; the nobility of the land. Oh God! heaven itself is struck to see sows in ruffles. Never mind; these ladies must have their play, though it would be as well if they understood French. Oh, do go and sce them. I remember some ladies at the lust ball, who being asked to dance, answered, ‘I’m axed ome » “Come, come, will you never hold your gabble?””’ said Paulet to his lieutenant, whom none of the men had interrupted. ‘* Captain,” he :eplied,“‘ I have made a motion, and no one bas answered me; nobody boats snivel. Well, good bye; I will go and blubber alone. Fleuriot immediately went out, and the captain then commenced his eulogy. ‘ He has," said he, “a burning brain, but for courage he is not equalled by any man under heaven.”’ He then informed us how he was in- debted to the daring of Fleuriot for the capture he had just made. The recita! was animated and well told in spite of Paulet’s manner, who had a aaoas way of pro- nunciation, and who informed us that he had knocked out the brains of a dozen Englishmen with a hand-spike. The evening advanced, and Paulet, who had not seen his wife and children, was about to retire, when Fleuriot returned. He was not alone. ‘ Captain,” said he, entering, ‘‘ what think you of this agreeable sailor I have just engaged? I think that red cap was never placed over a prettier counte- nance.” “ True,” replied Paulet, ** but is it a cabin-bo iv have brought us? He has no beard. Parbleu!” ie addded, raising his voice, “it is a woman!” Then continuin with more strongly expressed astonishment, ‘‘If I am not mistaken, it is the Saint.” ‘* Yes,” replied Fleuriot, ** it is Eliza, the amiable and better‘half of the manager of the company which now en‘ hants Boulogne; she bas come to congratulate us upon our late good fortune.” ‘* Madame, amongst priva- teers!’ said tue captain, casting on the disguised actress a lovuk of contempt but too expressive of his thoughts. “I compliment her taste; she will hear agreeable con- versation; the devil must possess her! A woman, too!" “Come, come, captain,” cried Fleuriot, “ privateers are not cannibals, tuey will not eat her up. What harm is there init?" ‘* None; ouly the senson is propitious for a cruise: my crew are all well, and we were in no want of madame to improve their health.” At these words, sig- nificantly uttered, Eliza case her eyes on the ground. * My dear girl, do not blush,” said Fleuriot, ‘the captuin is only jesting.” ** Not I, by Neptune; I never jest. I remember the Saint Napoleon, when the whole staff, b: ginning with Mar-hal Brune, was in commotion; there wus no small battling in that day: madume knows all about it, the how, the when, the why, and the where- fore, and will not wish me to be more explicit.”’ Eliza, humbled by this language, did not repent how- ever of having accompanied Fleuriot; during her agita- tion she attempted to justify her appearance at the “ Lion d’Argent”’ with that softness of tone, those in- sinuating manners, that mildness of countenance, which seems so foreign to licentious Sehavior; she talked of admirati lory, valor, heroism, &c., that she might make way in aulet’s estimation; she appealed to his gal- lantry, and called him a “ chevalier Frangais."” Flattery has more or less influence over every mind, and Paulet’s language became more polished; he excused himself as well as possible, obtained Llize’s pardon, and took leave : 25 of his comrades, recommending them to amuse them selves, though there was no fear of growing dull. As for me, I could not keep my eyes open, and 1 wen. to my bed, where I heard and saw nothing. Next day I arose, re- cruited and in spirits, and Fleuriot took me to the owner, who, on the strength of my appearance, advanced me a few five-franc pieces. A week afterwards, seven of our comrades were in the hospital. The name of the actress, Saint ——, had disappeared from the play-bill, and we learnt that she had profited by the offer of part of a posit- chaise belonging to a colonel, who, tormented by a thirst, of panting, even to the risking the very epaulets of biv uniform, had gone off express to Paris. I waited with anxiety the moment of our embarkation. The five-franc pieces of M. Choisnard were spent, aud if they allowed me to live, they om permitted me to cut any figure; besides, on shore I daily ran the risk of some unpleasant rencontre. Bouloyne was infested with & preat — bad fellows: Munsui, Tribout, Sale, were carrying on their trade in the port, where tl+¥ de-poilee the conscripts, under the orders of another -hief named Canivet, who, in the face of the army and its commu: der ventnred ‘to call himself the Decapitator. I think I et see tne legend on his police-cap, where were depicieds death’s head, swords, and thigh-bones crossed. Canivet was the collector, or rather “Jord-paramount, and hada large number of sub-agents, cabin-boys, and petty fellows, who pares him a tax forthe privilege of thieving: he watched them incessantly, and if he suspected them of decsving him, he — chastised them with his sword. I thought it likely that in this gang there might be seme fugitive from the galleys, and 1 feared recog- nition, My apprehensions were the better founded, as bat neard a report ihat many freed galicy-slavee had beep pinced either in the corps of sappers, or that of the mili- 7 workmen in the fleet. or some time nothing was talked of but murders, as- sassinations, robberies; and all those crimes were evti- dences of the presence of hardened villains, amoncst whom, perchance, might be some with whom I had com: pulsorily associated when at Toulon. It was absolutelr necvssary to avoid them: for to come again in contact would have given me much trouble, from the difficulty of not compromising myself. Robbers ure like wou.en; when we would escape their vices and their society, all league aguinst us to prevent it; all peek to retain the com- rade who would fly from evil; and i: is aglory for them to keep him in the abject state whezve they themrel:vus wish not to be emancipated, nor wor'd allow othere to escape. I recalled to mind the comrades who denounced me at Lyons, and the motives that induced them to have me apprehended. As my experience was fresh, 1 was very vaturally inclined to profit by {t, and be on my guard; and consequently went into the streets as seldom as possible, and passed nearly all my time in the lower \own, at madame Henri’s, where the privateers boardeu and were accommodated wich credit on the strength o their respective prizes. Madame Henri, supposing she had ever been a wife, was now a good-locking widow and still attractive, though she owned to ti irty-six: she had two charming girls, who, without forget iv nom ag oe hopea to every jolly lad whom for tune favored. Whoever spent his mony in the house was a welcome guest, and he who equandered most was, always first in estimation with the muther and dauyiiers as long as his profusion lasted. The hand of these wirle had been promised twenty times; twenty times had Lb«y been betrothed, and yet their reputation for virtue had never been blown upon. They were free in conver sation, but reserved in manners; and although their purity of mind was not unsullied, = no one could boast of hav ing induced them to commit a faux-pas. Yet how many naval heroes had been subdued by the power of the) charms! How many aspirants, deceived by their unmeau ing coquetries, had flattered themselves on a predil ctiva which was to lead them to sv much bliss! And then, how could one not be mistaken as to the real sentiments of these chaste Dianas, whose perpetual amiability seemed to give the preference to the person last looked upou! The hero of to-day was feasted, fondled; a thousatid iitte attentions were evinced, certain little peculiar privileres permitted,—a kiss, for instance, on the sly; a seducing glance of the eye; economical! advice vas freely bestowed, whil-t seeking to procure something extravagant; they regulated the expenditure of his money, and as funds prow low, which was a matter of course, they learned the fact of ——— penury by the well-timed proffer of a tenipo rury loan; it was rarely refused, and without evincing in difference or disgust, they only expected that necessity and love would send the inamorata to seek new perils. But scarcely was the wind in the sail of the ship of the lover, and he was calculating the happy chances which would ultimate y lead to a marriage, and the «mall loan which he had vowed to return an hundred-foid, when already was lis place filled by some other fortunate mor tal; so that in madame Henri’s house the lovers were constantly succeding each other, and her two girls wer like two citadels, which, always besieged, and always O- the point of surrender in appearance, yet never yielded. When one raised the siege, ancther attacked the spot; there was illusion for all, and nothing but illusion, Cecile, one of madame Henri's daughters, had passed ber twen tieth year; she was @ merry one, a greut laugher, anc wou