, 1872-11-05
A DASHING EXPLOIT.

A DASHING EXPLOIT.
When the Revolution Of 1880 set in, Alexandra
Dumas, then very young man, and seeing
nothing in life but one Beries OF tableau1, took
his share in the more stirring scenes IN the
capacity OF a ekirmisher. He tells the whole
story in his memoirs, and his account seems an
anticipation Of the best portions Of Rabagas
But bis narrative Of bis expedition to soissons
to seize some powder will be found one OF the
most stirring bits of adventure in modern times.
He had heard Lafayette say that If the King
were to advance on Paris there would be no
powder to meet him with. Alexandra conceived
eral to set off for SoissonB-a town he
well knew-and seize on the magazine there.
lafayette laughed at tue idea, but consented to
give him a pass to General Gerard, to which
Dumas coolly added rand sr.rS We rscGmmeR% on m;3
some difficulty, obtained o requisition addressed
to the authorities of the town for the powder.
In this he ingeniously interpolated the words
minister OF War; rank which no one but
himself had conferred on the General. With
this official document be returned to Lafayette,
and persuaded the old patriot to write him 3
sort Of letter Of introduction to the citizens OF
Goissons recommending them Alexander
Dumas, one of our combatants," az tit and
proper person to whom they should hand over
the powder. Then our hero--{o! such be was = on
this occasion-prepared himself for as spirited
and dramatic an adventure as can be found in
the books OF romance.
It WAS about o'clock in the afternoon Of the
S0th Of July, 1880. AS he was hurrying away, he
met young painter named Bard, who was only
19. He asked him to join. The other agreed
with alacrity, and Alexandra sending him back
for his double -barreled pistols and his horse,
set off himself in . cabriolet for LIE Bourget,
then the first post on the road to Soissons, and
which has since obtained such disastrous no
toriety, Arrived there, he exhibited bis La-
fayette and Gerard letters to the Postmaster,
and demanded q chaise and horse for hls mis-
sion. The Postmaster WaB friendly, and even
e7npresse, and supplied him at once with what he
asked. He went out to buy some pieces OF cali
a tri-color flag fixed to broom-stick, which lat
ter was tied on to the chaise. With this ensign
they started, in hopes Of getting to soissons
about midnight. The Postmaster shook his
head, but, aB he sagacious1y remarked, $50
many miracles had been performed during the
last three days that it might be possible As
they hurried through the various villages tho
flag caused the greatest excitement. His fell
low-trayeller, delighted, declared that all was
going splendidly, but that they ought to have
some sort of cry
sShout away, them" aaid Dumas, s'and while
you are shouting I'll take some Sleep
The only difficulty WAS, what was to be tho cry,
and with some hesitation the now wel-worn and
tattered s' Fire Ia Repu6lique" was decided on:
Accordingly, the Young painter, his head ont Of
the window, and lis flag waving, roared On. on
the high road they mot a chaise going to Paris
and q traveller Of some 50 years old asked for
news.
ssThe Louvre is taken; the Bourbons fled !;
Provisional Government established--ylSe IL To-
pubique ]" the excited painter poured out. The
gentleman so years old scratched his ear, and
continued his journey. For the next stnge they
had IN old position, who persisted In gong ut q
steady trot, and, at every remonstrance, answer
ed dogged1y, ''Leare it al to me. man knows
his chaiso window, laid on the backs Of the horses
with stick, and made them gallop. In rage,
the man pulled up, swore he would unyoke his
beasts, and actually proceeded to do 80. Dumas
fred at linn with blank cartridge, and so ecared
him that he rolled on the ground in terror.
Alexandra then put on his huge posting boots,
and, mounting, galloped On to the next post.
They soon reached the old familiar Vlllers-
Cotterets--the whole town, as may well be
imagined, being thrown into intense excite
tricolor and the excited Alexandra Dumas. Late
as it WAS, every house poured out it's inhabi-
tants, who rushed to the posthouse- a thou
sand eager questions we're put to hlm-what dla
it mean, this flag and the guns? He knew all
the townspeople, and told the story Of the last
Jew days. It was insisted that be should stay q
short time, and have something to eat. and he
was carried off to the house Of m old friend,
where hasty supper was got ready. number
Of old companions, who had been boys When he
was in the little town, gathered round, listening
eagerly as their old friend declaimod and re-
counted between every mouthful. As be dashed
in for them, which he could do admirably, vivid
sketches Of these thrilling scenes, the rustics
listened with delight and wonder; but when he
came to explain the object Of big present e1pe.
to capture, single-handed, all the powder that
vas in military town, containing 5000 inhabl,
tants, and garrison Of 800 men they looked
at him doubtfully, and thought he was erazed'
This was, OF course, welcome to Alexandra, VINO
always delighted to put himself in 8 theatrical
attitude, and be the centre OF dramatic situa-
ton. 10 turned to his companion Bard:
''What we're ny words when proposing this
expedition to you Z"
Il 6You asked" was the reply, "Was I inclined
to get myself ehot with you"
s'And what do you say noW?'
stThat am ready STILL"
All we're confounded at such gallantry. One
Of his friends now stepped forward, and offered
to get him into 6oissons, as he had a friend at
the gates, Then Alexandra, always anticipating
his own return to them on the next evening.
ssHaye dinner ready" he called to the host, "for
twenty people; and it is to be eaten just the
same, whether We are alive or dead-here are
200 francs. The other answered that he might
pay on the morrow. But if should be shot 2?
'.Then I shall pay" A shout arose. "Hurrah
for Cartier!" Dumas drank off his wine, and,
NE might add, the act-drop fell.
It WAS now about II o'clock. The horses we're
put to, the chaise was waiting and the bold trio,
through the gates), drove away On their daring
expedition. BY o'clock they had reached
the gates of Soissons, through which they we're
allowed to pass, '.the doorkeeper little dream.
ing" eays Aenandre the great, that he was ad,
Thav vent Etra1rht tn fhh hnrea ~ Huffn9e