The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1857-03-04


this insult, Murat's rage, before furious
became suddenly tranquil; he appeale
to his rank, to his right; Davoust care
for neither, and Gompans, in an uncer
tainty, obeyed the reiterated orders o
his immediate commander. At whicl
Murat, with naughty dignity, and
calmness unheard of in characters lik
his, turned towards Belliard, the chic
of his staff.
C. Tell the emperor" said he, " to dis
pose of the command of his vanguard
tell him there is general too few or 1
soldier too many. As for me, I go t,
extricate my brave men from the EN-
barrassment in which I have placed
them
Then addressing Davoust, he added
&" Marshall, we meet again"
".Undoubtedly," replied he, with as
perity, " if you return" pointing, a
the same time, to the almost routed
cavalry.
"I shall return" said he, with aslerity
if you return pointing, at the same
time, to the almost routed cavalry. .,.,
" shall return" said Murat. with q
took full Of his most determined resolu
tion.
Immediately. while the prince Of
Eckmul retired, Murat few to the cav.
airy, and rallying them with his voice
placed in their front those towering
plumes and glittering orders that were
never absent from the post of danger
His soldiers gathered around to defend
him, and as he advanced, he found him
self once more triumphant.
"Ah !n cried Murat, "glory is still all
our own -
So saying, he left the field and retir-
ed to his tent Still breathless from the
combat, his hand yet tremulous from tho
blows that he had dealt, he wrote bill
let on ornamented and perfumed paper.
As he finished it, Belliard entered, and
without interrogatiug him as to the re-
suit of his message, Murat held the note
towards him.
Billiard" said he quietly, take
this billet to Davoust"
cit is challenger said Belliard,
without taking the paper.
"It is challenge" Murat coolly re-
piled.
81 will net carry H." said Belliard,
resolutely.
Murat was electrified BY this answer.
He turned towards his officers, even
more astonished than enraged:
And you, tool" said he, sufocating
with passion.
-" Sire, sire," cried Bellitrd, "you
shall not make me accessory to your
downfall; the emperor is resolved, and
your first menace will be the signal of
your dismission.
Well let him dismiss me; there
are other places than this to die in !"
furiously answered Murat. 81 He for
gets his army in Spain-let him give me
that-let him give me regiment let
him make me simple soldier, if be will ;
1 owe him my blood, my life; but my
honor is my own, and was brave before
he was emperor Go, carry this note,
tell you"
"Sire," said Belliard, quickly, you
owe him also crown, crown whose
dignity you have no right to compro
mise with an officer of the empire" :"
GA crown !" interrupted Murat, more
and more exasperated, "and has this
crown hindered me from being insulted
to my facezhas it caused me to be re-
spected !? LookI' said he, seizing his
arms with savage joy; " these have pur-
chased me respect all my life, and will
never abandon me. Go Bclliard, go !"
You are king" answered the gen
eral, "and therefore Davoust. will re.
fuse"
"Then," cried Murat, he will be
a cowardly-''
"'Tis false ?" replied Bolliard, fierce
ly eyeing the king.
Murat had his swords and his pistols
in hands, At this fiat contradiction, he
gazed with stupifed air at his general.
who stood calm and resolute before his
Suddenly the expression of his face
rage abandoned it, and an ago
nizing grief spread over bis naughty
majesty. He cast his arms from him,
rent his clothes, tore off his jewels and
trampled them undeFhis feet-he essay
I'd to speak, he gasped, he burst into
tears:
You are right, Belliard, be is not
. coward, and he will refuse. But 1 1
am a miserable king, without power a
King whom the Emeanest soldier may
,corn |" And big tears rolled from the
aero's eyes, and he buried his face in his
hands. Belliard took advantage of the
weakness, to give him pru-
lent counsel; he pacified him, fattered
his pride, excited his courage, and ended
by saying:
IF the emperor were to give Davoust
The command of the vanguard, he would
act exactly as you have done"