, 1880-05-31
The Return From Elba.

On the 25th of February, 1915, the
Princess Pauline gave banquet to
the principal inhabitants of the island
OF Elba. With great secresy Napoleon
had made preparations to leave the
island and return 10 France. A small
brig was at anchor in the ofing, and
three small merchant vessels. In these
four vessels, during the night, a thou
sand troops were embarked, not one,
not even their officers, knowing where
they were bound. At mid day, under
salute of cannon, the emperor went
on board the brig, and the little fleet
set sail for the Invasion of France. and
for the overthrow of the throne of the
Bcurbons, sustained by the immense
standing army of France and ali the
allied armies OF Europe.
When the vessels were out of sight of
land, Napoleon gath ring around him
the whole ships company of the brig.
four hundred in number said to thela ::
''We are going to France-to Paris. +"
The exultation was boundless, for,
notwithstanding past reverses, every
soldier had unlimited confidence in
the fortunes of the emperor. The
second day of their voyage Bourbon
man-of-war bore down upon them.
The soldiers were concealed below
while Napoleon stood by the side of
the captain On the qaarter deck. After
the exchange of few words the man
Of war inquired after the emperor at
Elba. Napoleon seized the trumpet
and shouted over the waters:
''He is marvelously we'll"
Toward evening of the third day the
blue hills of France We're seen in the
splendor of the setting sun. In the
early twilight of the next morning
they had reached the shore in the Gulf
of JUN, and the emperor Immediately
landed his followers on the lonely
beach, and bivouacke d in the olive grove
near the shore. Pointing to an olive
leaf he said:
''It is the symbol of peace. It is
lucky omen, and it will be realized" :"
He only took men enough with him,
as ne said, to prevent his being "col-
Jared by the police"
Most of the day was spent in landing
the troops and stores, and at eleven
O'Clock at night the little army, now
six hundred i'll number, with three
small pieces Of cannon, commenced
their march of seven hundred miles for
the conquest of the capital of France.
Fortresses on their line of march, which
the labor of ages had strengthened,
and which were garrisoned hy two
hundred thousand troops, they were
first to subdue.
The moon shone brilliantly in a
cloudless sky. Travelling rapidly all
night and the next day, toward evening
they reached without opposition the
little town of Grasse, about fifty miles
distant. Here the peasants crowded
around the emperor so enthusiastically
that he afterward said, 81 could easily
have taken two millions of these peas
ants with me to Paris"
The next two days they advanced
sixty miles to Digne, still e.eounter-
ing no foe. The next day they reached
Gap, thirty miles further on their way.
and universal that Napoleon needed no
guard.
The next day they were approaching
Grenoble. A strong garrison was
stationed there. The commander
posted his troops, six thousand in
number, in eefile fanked by noun
tain and lake. Napoleon, with his ret
inue, approached and rode calmly
along upon gentle trot until within a
hundred PAGES of the impossible wall
of bayonets cleaning before him. Then
dismounting, and folding his arms, he
advanced alone to within ten PAGES of
the troops. Every eye was fixed upon
him, and there was silence as of death.
There he stood with the cooked hat and
gray coat--the little corporal. "Firew
shouted the commandant. Not trig
ger was pulled. Had there been one
single man among those six thousand
willing to shoot, he would have received
boundless rewards from the Bourbons,
and the destinies of Europe would have
been changed. Napoleon spread open
the lapel of his coat, uncovering his
breast and said, "Soldiers, if there is
one among you who would kill his
emperor, let him do it. Here [ am"
After moments silence, one vol i-e
shouted out, "Vive lEmpereur!' 1t
was the signal for general burst OF
acclaim frora soldiers and peasants,
and for scene Of enthusiasm such as
no other man on earth ever excited
All military order was at an end. The
troops rushed in indescribable tumult
around the emperor, each one eager to
grasp his hand, and tears of joy flowed
freely. The Bourbon commander put
spurs to his horse and disappeared.