The Eagle of the Empire | Page 6

Emperor, looking back at the marshals and their
aides, "for a beardless boy to set an example of devotion in which
Princes and Dukes of the Empire, Marshals of France, heroes of fifty
pitched battles, fail."
"We will die for you, Sire, for France, die with arms in our hands, if we
had them, and on the field of battle," began impetuous Ney.
"If we don't starve first, Sire," said cautious Berthier gloomily.
"Starve!" exclaimed the Emperor.
"The army is without food," said Marmont bluntly.

"It is half naked and freezing," added Victor.
"Ammunition fails us," joined in Oudinot.
"We have no arms," added Mortier.
"Do you, then, advise that we abandon ourselves to the tender mercies
of the allies?" asked Napoleon bitterly.
"Messieurs, it is surely better to die hungry and naked and without arms
for the Emperor than to consent to his dishonor, which is the dishonor
of France," suddenly burst forth the young man at the door.
"How dare you," thundered the usually cool and collected Berthier
angrily, "a mere boy, monsieur, assume to speak in the presence of the
Emperor, to say nothing of these great captains?"
"May my life be forfeit, Monsieur le Duc," said the young soldier more
boldly, since Napoleon had condoned his first remark, "if I have done
wrong in assuring my Emperor that we would still die for him."
"Of what regiment are you?" said Napoleon, waving Berthier of the
frowning face into silence.
"I belong to the fifth of the line, Sire."
"He is in my corps, Sire," said Ney. "I have brigaded that veteran
regiment with the new recruits of the Young Guard."
"But I have seen service before," said the young captain.
"And I have seen you before," said Napoleon, fixing upon him a
penetrating glance.
"Yes, Sire, at the end of the bridge over the Elster at Leipsic. You were
watching the men streaming across when the bridge was blown up. I
was among the last to cross the bridge."
"Go on," said the Emperor, as the young man paused.

"Your majesty was pleased to say----"
"I recall it all now. I saw you plunge into the river and bring back to
shore an Eagle--that of your regiment. You fell at my feet. You should
have had the Legion of Honor for it. I promised it to you, did I not?"
"Yes, Sire."
"Why did you not claim it?"
"I was wounded and left for dead; when I got back to France and my
regiment I could not add to your anxiety by----"
"Here," said the Emperor, "I still have power to reward faithful servants
and bold spirits." He took off his own cross, fastened it on the heaving
breast of the amazed young soldier. "Prince," continued the Emperor,
turning to Ney.
"Sire?"
"Spare me this young man. I need him on my staff."
"I can ill spare any officer from my weak corps of boys and old men,
much less a veteran," the marshal laughed. "One campaign makes us
veterans, it seems, nowadays, but you shall have him."
"Berthier," continued Napoleon, "make out the transfer. Give the young
man a step up. Let him be Major."
"Very well, Sire," said Berthier, turning to one of the secretaries and
giving him directions.
"Meanwhile, what's to be done?" continued Napoleon.
"Tell Caulaincourt to agree to anything," said Maret bluntly.
"I yet live," said Napoleon proudly. "Naked, starving, unarmed, though
we may be, I and my soldiers have not forgot our trade. Courage,
messieurs. All is not yet lost while your Emperor breathes. Here at

Nogent, at Montereau and farther back we still have seventy thousand
men. With seventy thousand men and Napoleon much may be
accomplished. Blücher, it is true, marches on Paris. He counts on the
army of Schwarzenberg to contain us. He marches leisurely, with wide
intervals between his divisions. What shall prevent us----"
"Your majesty," cried Marmont, his eyes flashing as he divined the
Emperor's plan.
He was the quickest witted and most brilliant of the marshals, but by no
means the hardest fighter, or the most loyal and devoted subordinate.
"I am worn out," said the Emperor, smiling more kindly upon them. "I
have scarcely been out of the saddle--I have scarcely had an hour of
sleep since the bloody day of La Rothière. I must have rest. Let none
disturb me for two hours. Hold the messenger from the Duke of
Vicenza. I will give an answer then."
The Emperor drooped, as he spoke, much of the animation went out of
his face and figure. He looked grayer than ever, heavier than ever, older
than ever.
"In two hours awaken me," he said.
He stepped toward the door that led to the room reserved for himself,
but before he reached it two officers were admitted. Napoleon