The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1866-07-27
The Mameluke.

of the city; and was returning to my
hotel, when my attention was attracted
by funeral procession passing near
me. 1t was small, and thinly at
tended; but thought it one of the
most striking and picturesque l had
seen in all Europe,
Following the hearse were few
officials, and behind them walked
three or four feeble, tottering old men,
who endeavored, with martial pride.
to carry themselves erect, but in vain.
That they had good cause for this
feeling was plain enough, for saw at
a glance, from their old faded uni
forms, that they were survivors of the
"Old Guard of Napoleon, with whose
deeds the world has rung In all
there were not more than ten persons
following the corpse; but / could not
help feeling strangely attracted by the
scene, and l wished that the great
painter, Horace Vernet, were then liy-
ing, that l might transfer it to his
magic canvass.
Diminishing my conveyance, l fol-
4 lowed the procession on foot. 1t con-
tinued its silent march until it reached
a small, humble cemetery, and there
deposited the remains.
As the group turned away from the
grave / approached one of the old
grenadiers, and, saluting him respect
fully, said: Pardon me, sir; but you
were one of the Old Guard, l be-
lieve?'
The old man returned my salute,
and replied politely; you are right,
sir"
Il am a stranger" said l, IAN Eng
lishman, and have been greatly inter
este1 in what / heve seen to-day.
would esteem it both favor and an
honor if YOU would explain to Inc its
meaning"
Some other time" said the old
man. my comrades are returning,
and l must go with them. If you will
call'at our quarters '-
Il would be glad" l remarked, 'if
you would go back to my 4lotel and
dine with me. | will send you safely
to your quarters again"
The old mans face flushed with
pride, and he accepted my offer at
once. Informing his companions of
his intention he rejoined me, and bow
ing to them we left the cemetery
Calling cab we were soon at my
hotel.
The old soldier remained with me
until late in the evening, when l sent
him back to his quarters in Il convey
ance, and | am sure that / never
spent a more agreeable time in my
life.
After we had dined, and were sit
ting over our wine, l questioned the
old man concerning the soldier whose
funeral | had witnessed.
"Sir," said he, chat was one of the
bravest men that ever drew the sword.
He was not a Frenchman but Nam
eluke. When the Emperor, then the
First Consul, was in Egypt, / was
with him. We had taken Cairo, and
were preparing for march further
into the enemys country. For the
day to which shall call your atten-
ton, Bonaparte had established his
headquarters in an old building neal
the walls of the city. l was on guard
at the door OF the room in which he
was transacting his business. My
post was just outside of the room, IN
large hall filed with innumerablC
crevices in the wall Once or twice
thought | saw something moving II
one of these crevices, but | dismissed
the idea as mere fancy. At last eth'
First Consul left the room, and went
down the hall for something.
He returned my salute with smile
and kind word, and / followed hin
with grateful gaze. Suddenly some
thing sprang forward toward him and
{ / saw the CLEAN of n dagger. With {
shrek of horror, Isprang forward Will
musket dubbed, and i'll another mo
ment the would-be assassin was lying
at my feet. | was about to bayone
I him when the Consul stopped me, ant
I even permitted the man TO rise, The
fellow was tall, fine-looking Name
luke, and | knew by the calm, unfalt
, ering eve with which he met our gaze
that he possessed all the bravery of hi
race. The Consul looked him square
d ly in the face, and then held out hi
hand for the dagger. The man hand
ed it to him calmly, and then bare'
his breast, fully expecting that tn
next instant would find the blad
planted in his heart. But the Consu
was neither an assassin nor an execu
toner; yet / expected him to orde
:. me to take the Mameluke into custody
Instead of doing this, he asked tn
man: why dill you seek to take m
life?
You are the enemy of my countr
and of my religion, was the reply, Il
/ excellent French.
DO you love your country so niue
u as to risk your life for it so rashly
asked Bonaparte.
The man smiled proudly.
I. Il know how to die, he said.
It The First Consul was silent a me
q ment, then handing the dagger to tn
ID man again, he pointed to the ope
street, and said, Go. You are free
: but remember, brave man shout
l. never stoop to do towards work.