Polynesian., 1844-11-30
S f l. &c II ID ,
LAURIETTE OR THE RED SEAL
1.-THE MEETING ON THE HIGHWAY.

1.-THE MEETING ON THE HIGHWAY.
The road from Artois to Flanders is a long
and dreary one. 1t extends in a straight
line, with neither trees nor bitches along its
sides, over Hat plains, covered at all sea-
sons with n yellow clay. 1t was in the month
of March, 1915, that, as | was passing along
this road, | met with an adventure | have
never forgotten.
was alone / rode on horseback | had
a good cloak, a black casque, pistols and a
heavy sabre. 1t had been raining in tor
rents DUNG four days and four nights of my
journey, and | remember ] was singing the
"Joconde" at the top of my voice. was so
young The body guard of the king, in
1914, was filled up with old men and boys !;
the empire seemed to have seized and killed
off all the men.
My comrades were on the road, somewhat
in advance of me, escorting Louis XVIII. ;
| saw their white cloaks and red coats in the
very edge Of the northern horizon. The
Lancers of Bonaparte, who, step by step,
watched and followed our retreat, showed
from time to time the tri-colored penons OF
their long lances at the opposite horizon. A
lost shoe had somewhat retarded my horse :
but he was young and strong, and / pushed
him on to re Join my squadron. He set off on
a quick trot | put my hand to my belt-it
was well furnished with gold l heard the
iron scabbard of my sword clank against my
stirrup, and | felt very proud and perfectly
happy.
1t rained on and | sang on. However,
soon ceased, tired of hearing nobody but
myself, and | then heard only the rain and
the feet of my horse as they FLASHED in the
ruts. The pavement of the road gave way :
| sank down, and was obliged to have re-
course to my feet. My high calvary boots
were covered on the outside with a crust Of
mud, yellow as Ochre, and inside they were
fast filling with water. ] looked at my new
epaulettes, my hapPines and my consolation,
they were ruined by the rain. That was no
slight affection
My horse hung his head, and l did the
same. | began to reflect, and for the first
time asked myself, where | was going. |
knew absolutely nothing about it but that
did not trouble me long (; | knew that my
squadron was there, and there too was my
duty. AS ! felt in my heart Il profound and
impcrturbablc tranquility, | thanked that in
cfablc feeling of duty, and tried to explain
1t to myself. Seeing every day how gaily
the most unaccustomed fatigues were borne
by heads so fair or so white, how cayalierlv
a well assured future was risked by men OF
a worldly and happy life, and taking my own
share in that wonderful satisfaction which
every man derives from the conviction that
he cannot eyadc any of the obligations OF
honor. | saw clearly that sey-abnegatiom was
a far easier and more common thing than is
generally imagined. asked myself wheth-
er the abncgation of self was not an innate
sentiment I what was this need of obeyinc,
and of placing ones freedom of will in the
hands of others, as a heavy and troublesome
burden /? whence came the secret pleasure
of being rid of this burden : and why the
pride of mar never revolted at this ? | per-
ceivcd this mysterious instinct binding to-
gether, on every side, families and nations
into masses powerful in their combination f.;
but nowhere saw the remuneration of ones
own actions, words, wishes, and almost
thoughts, so complete and formidable as in
the army. In every direction | saw resis-
lance possible and habitual. | beheld the
'Thi' exquisite story is from the French Of De vigny.