The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-12-20

irritated than ever against the King Of Naples.
AN hour afterwards q message was brought him,
that the first who should attempt to push this quar-.
rel farther, should be sent back to France.
on the following day, Mur.t and Davous., in
concert, and BY the orders Of the Emperor, took
possession OF Viasma. But the day AFTER their dis
cord was renewed. Murat finds himself in the
presence OF the enemy, and suddenly the thought of
combating seizes him. The order to attack is
glven his cavalry at once assails that Of the Rus.
sans. The infantry of the latter advances to sup
port the horse; Murat wishes to bring forward his
own, that is to say, that which Davoust commands
under his orders; he hurries to Companss DIVISION
and puts himself at its head. But, at the same
moment, the Prince Of Eckmuh rides up he Bit
'eriy rsproaches Mura. for engaging in this new
and useless combat, and declares that he will not
support him. He forbids Compans to advance ;
Murat repeats his order Davtust resists still more
violently. At this insult the King of Naples, furi-
GUS at first, suddenly calms his anger. He appeals
to his rank, his authority. Davous, does not heed
him, and Compans, after long hes tation, obeys the
with calmness uneIampled in his character, and
with proud dignity, Murat turns to Beillard the
chief Of his staff
"Beillard," he said, "go to the Emperor tell
him to dispose of the command Of the vanguard :;
tell him that he has General the less, and sol.
dier the more. As for me, | 20 to extrcate yon.
der brave fellows from the embarrassment into
which have led them"
Then, turning to Dtvoust, hs added:
Marshal, we shall meet again"
Certainly, if you return safe, replied the lat.
ter bitterly, pointing to his horsemen, who were
almost routed.
81 shall RETURN" replied Murat, with glance
that expressed all his resolution.
- At once, while the Prince of Eckmuhl relires,
Murat spurs TO his cavalry; rallies them with his
voice displays in the first ranks his tall plurses
and his sparkling dc ecorations, which are ever seen
where danger calls they surround him, they de.
fend him, and as he still pushes onwards, he finds
himself victorious oncs again.
Ah." ,ald Murat, " the glory il still ours
alone %
Wnh these words he quits the field of battle,
and retres into his tent. He enters alone and
all heated with the combat, his hand still trembling
from the blows which he tas dealt, he writes a
lew lines upon sheet Of fine and psrfumed paper.
Questioning HIM as TO the result of his message
reaches hun the billet.
BeiIlard," he said, in calm tone, carry this
billet to Divoust."
" 1t is a challenge" said Bsilard, wthouttaking
the paper.
"Isi:a challenge" answered the King OF Ma
Piles, coldly
:" will not carry ~ replied Beillard, in tone
of resolution.
1t seemed as if an electric shock thrilled Mn.
rats frame at this reply. He turned toward the
chief OF his staff, with countenanee expressive of
rather than irritation.
You, likewise" he said, in a hollow voice.
which was checked by anger
" Sire, SIRE" he Cried you shall not make me
an accomplice in your ruin. The Emperor is res
olute, and a. your first menace he will send YOU
back to France
Well, then, let him send me back. One can
die elsewhere than here replied the King OF
Naples furiously. He lorgets his army in Spain;
let him give that to me; let him give me a regi.
ment; let him leave ME a common soldier, il he
L n my lind b,,,,, knu.
Is m mine own, Beillsrd. Do you hear, Bsillard
My honor is mine own, say, and | was brave
before he was Emperor. Go, and carry the bill
Sire" replied Bsiard warmly, "you are in.
debted to him ior Grown, the dignity of which
you should not compromise by quarrel with an
officer Of the Empire"
A crown =! y interrupted Murat, with increased
evaporation has this crown prevented me fsom
being lnsultsd to my face? These" he added,
win stern joy, a. he grasped his sabre and his
pistols, these have caused me to be respected all
my life and they will not fail me now. Go, then,
Bsillard, go !"
voust will refuse"
"Thsn," cried Murat, he would be a coward
IL is not true replied Bsillard suddenly, and
he gazed proudly at the King Of Naples
Murat was holding his sabre and his pistols in
his hands AT these words, hss glared Ior a mo.
nent with an air Of stupor at the chief of his staff
who stood, calm and ,essu;e, before him. Sud.
denly the face of the King of Naples changed its
q expressions his anger leaves him his brow is
cioddsd with grief, and Murat casts his weapons
'Voieatly to the ground he breaks them he rends
ms ns garments he tears of his sump,uous dscora-
eons, and ranPes under his feet he tries to speak,
out the words are s,fied in his throat-he wesps.
II, ou are right" he cried, at last to Beillard,
y ne i. not 4 coward, and he will refuse I.ma
miserable King who can do nothing-a King whom
me meanest soldier may insult.
Dig drops tell from the hero's syss. and h. eov.
ared his face with his hands. Beiilard took ,dvnn,
age OF this moment OF weakness. to rrmon.,,,,.
'almly with him; he soothed him he hattered bis
pride, excited his courage, and ended with these
words: ~ 'H''e
"And if the Emperor should give the command
'f the Vanguard to Davoust he will do all that Won
would have DONE"
This thought reused Murat from his grief. h. |
'.arted up, paced his tent, and lis now dry and
brilliant eye flashed lightning.
Yes, yes" he cried with ardor, " will remain,
e Is only here that there are battles - only here
rue glory. WE'LL then, l will wres, it from him, |
All for myself, and nothing for him! Not skir. |
nish, Beillsrd, swear to you hs shall not see an
,nemy!"
With these words he left his tent, and hs.teaed
o an outpost.
We now ask the general historian il nany mis-.
ortunes must not necessarily have resulted from |
uch feelings in such men?