The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1890-12-20
A LOST BATTLE

neAln tne uTenCulng ram, Ine SOluItrd
were exhausted Nevertheless, for three
mortal hours they had been kept wait
ing, with grounded arms, in the pud-
dies of the highways and the mud of the
soaked fields.
Overcome with fatigue and loss of
sleep, their uniforms heavy with water,
they huddled together to keep warm, to
sustain themselves There were some
who slept as they stood leaning on their
neighbours knapsacks, and WEAKNESS and
privation were best pictured on those
unbent faces abandoned to slumber.
Rain, mud, no fire, no soup, black and
threatening sky, and the enemy on all
sides. 1t was wretched.
What We're they doing there? What
was taking place?
The cannon, their muzzles pointed to-
ward the woods, had the air of watching
something. The masked mitrailleuses
stared fixedly at the horizon. Every
thing seemed ready for an attack. Why
did they not attack? For what were
they waiting?
They were waiting for orders, and the
headquarters did not send them.
The headquarters, however, were not
far distant They were at handsome
chateau in the style of Louis XIII, the
red bricks of which. washed by the rain,
glistened on the hillside among the trees.
1t was truly princely dwelling, and
well worthy of bearing the banner of
marshal of France. Behind great ditch
and stone railing which separated
them from the highway the grassplats
ran straight up to the steps of the man.
sion, even and green, and bordered with
vases of flowers.
On the other side, the private side of
the chateau, the hedge was full of lu1ni-
nous gaps; the pond in which swans
were swimming stretched out like a
mirror; and beneath the pagoda shaped
roof of an immense ayiary, sending forth
shrill cries into the foliage, peacocks and
golden pheasants beat their wings and
spread their tails.
Although the proprietors had departed,
nothing there indicated the recklessness,
the overwhelming desolation of war.
The orifamme of the chief of the army
had preserved everything, even to the
meanest flowers of the grass plats, and
it was something impressive to find SO
near the field of battle the opulent calm
ness which arises from orderly arrange
ments, from straight rows of trees and
from the silent depths of avenues.
The rain, which filed the highways
with such wretched mud and plowed
such deep burrows, was there but an ele-
giant, aristocratic shower, Frightening
the red bricks and the green of the grass
plats, adding gloss to the leaves of the
orange trees and the white plumage OF
the swans. Everything shone-every.
thing was still Verify, without the flag
which was flying from the peak of the
roof, without the two soldiers on guard
before the grating, never could one have
believed it the military headquarters,
The horses were reposing in the stables.
Here and there one met grooms, or
derlies in undress uniform longing in
the vicinity of the kitchens, or some gar
dener in red pantaloons TRANQUILITY draw
ing his rake through the gravel of the
principal walks.
The dining hall, the windows of which
opened upon the steps, displaying table
half cleared away, uncorked bottles
ing wan on the rumpled cloth-all the
flag end of dinner deserted by the
guests. In an adjoining apartment wa:
heard the sound of voices, of laughter
of rolling billiard balls, of blinking glass
es. The marshal was playing his game
and that was why the army was await
ing orders. When the marshal had onct
commenced his game the heavens might
fall, but nothing on earth could prevent
him from finishing it.
The game was this great warrior
weakness. He stood there, as grave a
in battle, in full uniform, his breast GOV
cred with decorations, his eyes sparklin.
and his eyeballs infamed by the dinner
the game and his potations. His aids
de-camp surrounded him, eager and re
spectful, uttering EXPLANATIONS of ad
miration at each of his shots. When tn
marshal made point they all precipi
tated themselves toward the marker
When the marshal was thirsty they al
wished to prepare his grog. Twas
crush of epaulets and plumes, a clash o
crosses and metal tipped shoulder knots
and the sight Of all the agreeable smiles
the fawning, courtier like references o
SO much embroidery and so many new
uniforms in that lofty oak wainscote
hall, looking out upon parks and court
of honor, recalled the autumns of Com
piegne and contrasted strangely with tn
weather stained overcoats vainly waitin,
along the highways and forming sucl
somber groups beneath the rain.
The marshal's opponent was a captain
ON the staff, belted, with curled hal
and light colored gloves, who was an ex
pert at billiards and capable of van
gushing all the marshals in the world
but he knew how to keep at respectful
distance from his chief, and while h
strove not to win endeavored not to b
beaten too easily. He was, as they say
an officer with future before him.
1t was truly an interesting game. TIL
balls sped, kissed and crossed their co
ors, Suddenly a cannon fash shot acros
the sky and hollow report made I'll
window panes rattle. The officers starte
and looked at each other uneasily. III
marshal alone had seen nothing, ha
heard nothing Bent over the billiaI
table he was combining magnifceI
draw shot. Draw shots were his forte.
But another flash came, then anothe
The cannon reports multiplied. III
aids-de-camp ran 10 the windows. Wei
the Prussians going 10 attack
well, let them attack said II
marshal, challing his cue, Your tuI
to play, captain"