, 1872-11-05

which are given With tha 1rzr.to aeeai1e Of
dates. names, and places. It was settled that
Bard and Hutin we're to take the flag and con-
triVe to get into the cathedral under pretence OF
seeing the sun rise from the tower. # the
over the parapet. Then having dragged down
the white la:; aud set the tricolor floating from
the tower, Bard was to hurry on to lend his aid
to Dumas, who would be engaged at tie powder
magazine. Such was the dashing plan Of these
three men.
They started at daybroak, and Dumas
made his way to the Fort st. Jean, where d
small pavilion, close to the gateway, WIS used as
the magazine. He dared not attempt the gate,
but, stealing round, climbed up the wall eau
tiously, and took peep into the fort. He saw
two soldiers busy hoeing in q little garden at
the corner. He let himself down again, looked
over at the distant cathedral. He eaw distinctly
against the sky dark outline of some figures !;
then the white flag, after being tossed about in
IN extraordinary fashion that could not hare
the tricolor took its place. Now was the mo-
ment; his companions had done their part. He
slung his double-barrelled gun about him, aud
began to climb the wall. When he got to the
top he saw the Two soldiers staring with
wonder at the strange flag. on the cathe-
gun, he leaped down and stood before
them. One was named Captain Mol1ard; the
other Sergeant Ragou. He advanced on them,
presenting his piece, and made them courteous
his errand. He was Monsieur Alexander Du-
mas, son Of General Dumas, DC. Ho came in
the name Of General Gerard to demand the sur
render of the powder, and there was his order
signed by the General, which he presented with
one hand, holding his cooked gun in the other.
The pair were much taken back, and know not
what to do, when the Colonel, D'Orcourt, who
WAS in command, was seen approaching. The
matter was explained to him, and after many
courteous phrases, treaty WAS arranged, BY
which the three officers promised their neutral-
ty, and engaged to keep within doors. Thus the
been captured by Dumas single-handod. It
has the air Of o very brilliant achievement,
and the picture OF the hero alone in the fort, his
finger on the triggers Of his gun, courteously
but firmly controlling bis three opponents, is
most dramatic scene. When writing the account
Of his adventure, from which we take these par
ticulars, however, Dumas forgets that in the
official report Furnished to the Moniteur twenty
three years before, he had stated that three Of
his friends were waiting ut the gate.
Thus successful, he opened the gate and
found his friend Bard. To him be handed
over the charge Of the magazine, and went
away to deal With the Commandant Of the
fort, Iiniers. He found this officer just
ag hn and assa9snS M g the nfTs Ss af the
Dumas laid down bis gun ut the door, intro
duced himself and made his demand for an
order to remove the powder. The other declined
to acknowledge General Gerardg order, and
said that there Was scarcely any powder in the
rather amused, and smiled eco1nfuly when
Dumas answered that the party at the magazine
were his prisoners. Alexandra replying that he
would go back at once and bring proof under
their hand that the powder was there, made his
bow, and retired He flew back, found that he
was right, and returned presently with satisfac-
tory proof that o large quantity OF powder vas
in the magazine. But when he reached the
commandant's office he found that the party had
been increased during. hia absence. and that
vi1liers, Colonel Of the Engineers, were there,
in full uniform, md armed The Comnandant
addressed him in sort OF bantering tone, tell
ing him that he had sent for these officers, who,
with him, we're in command OF the town, IN
order that they might have the pleasure Of hear
ing II. Dumas explain his mission. The young
man saw that boldnesB vas his only resource,
and coolly told him that he had been engaged BY
Lafayette to bring the powder to Paris, Or to
lose his life, and that he insisted on the Com
mandant handing over that powder to him. Tho
officers passed on Gerard's order from one to
the other with sort Of smiling contempt.
ssAnd 90" said the Commandant, in the same
tone-"so, single-handed, Monsieur Dumas-I
think you said that was your. name-you pro-
pose to force me to do this. You see that We
are four"
The young man saw that matters we're coming
to CRISIS aud took prompt resolution: He
stepped back, pulled his double -barrened pistols
from his pockets, and presented them At the
startled party. "You are FOUR" he said, gen
tlemon. But we are five. If that order be not
signed in five seconds, I give you my word OF
honor will blow your brains out, beginning
with the Commandant's there!"
He owned he felt little nervous, but he was
determined.
stake care,' be went on; IT mean what I
Eay. I am going to count. oue-t"o-
At this critical moment side door vas flung
open, and q lady flung herself among them In q
"Agreo! agree! eho cried. "oh, this ia
another revolt OF tile negroes! Think Of my
poor father and mother, whom they murdered in
st. Domingo!"
excusable, considering his Owl natural tint
(deepened by violent browning from the sun),
and the peculiar character Of hair and voice.
But ne may wonder at the insensibility to rid
icule which could prompt him to set down such
jest at his own EXPENSE The truth was. he
was so filled with vanity, TINT an the nicer
| senses became blunted, and he was even uncon-
scious OF the roars OF laughter these foolish con-
fdences produced. The Commandant could not
resist the entreaties Of his wife. Alexandra
lady, but entreated her husband to send her
away, and let the men finish the business. The
poor Commandant protested that his self
respect must be respected. He could not de-
Gently yield to 3 single man. Alexandre then
offered to sign paper to tho effect that the or
der had been extortnd at ''the mouth Of the pis-
| tol-barrel.' 'tOr would you prefer" he added,
t'that I should fetch two or three Of my COM
panione, SO that you should Beem to have yielded
to q more respectable force ?' The Commandant
accepted this proposal, and Alexandra left him,
bluutly declaring that no advantage must be
taken of the delay or he would return and ''blo'R
all their brains out" !" and that the whole party
must give their parole Of honor that they would
| remain exactly as they were.
"Yes. yes," cried the lady. Alexandra
| made Ler low. bow, but declared that it
was not her parole that he wanted: The
! Commandant gave what was required OF
him, and Alexandra hurrying away, speedily re-
| turned with two or three OF his men, whom lie
| placed in the court. Opening the window he
called to them, and bade them inform the gentle
men inside that they we're ready to fire on them
at the first signal: an appeal answered by the
significant sound of the cooking Of guns. The
Commandment understood, and going to his desk,
| wrote out formal order.
| After this the rest WAS comparatively
| easy. The magazine WAS broken opon, carts
were procured and loaded, and at about