The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-08-19
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had influence on his determination Supposed
friends had assured him that II was Napoleon's
intention 10 incorporate the state Of Naples into
the Kingdom Of Italy. Murat had, accordingly,
come 20 the conclusion that his throne would
not he in safety so long as Nspolcon's rule re-
manned preponderant in the peninsula. So,
on Jan. IL. 1914, after a violent struggle
between his good and evil genius, he
signed an offensive and defensive al
lance with Austria, who went surety for her
allies. Before the year was over. however, he
repented OF betraying his benefactor, and he also
had reason to suspect the good faith OF the
Austrian Government. lie entered into commu-
n~ications will the island Of Elba, and having
obtained from Napoleon a promise that he would
forget what had passed, once more made common
cause with him in secret. Thus II came TO pass
that while Napoleon, having landed in France,
was preparing for the campaign Of Waterloo,
the King OF Naples attacked the Austrians and
drove them back from position to position TO
the banks Of the Pc. Ultimately, however,
in a two days battle on the plain Of
Tolentino. the Neapolitan army succumbed
TO the force of an enemy numerically
superior, in spite of Its chiefs p~rodigies OF valor.
During the retreat the treachery Of certain
officers caused a panic in the Neapolltan force.
Abandoned by his soldiers, Murat had nothing
left to do but to return to Naples. and he entered
the capital accompanied by a few lanccrs. lie
went straight to the palace, where he appeared
before the Queen. pale and emRciated, covered
with dust. Embracing his wife tenderly, he
said. "All is lost except my life. | was not for
tunate enough to find DEATH" Having taken
leave OF the Queen and his children, the King
cut of his hair, which fell in long ringlets on
his shoulders, and. putting of his decorations,
dressed himself in clothes that would not at
tract attention. He walked along the coast until
he was opposite the island Of Nisida, and there
got into a boat which landed him on the
island OF Ischia, where he passed three
days without being recognized. On the fourth
day, as he was walking along the beach accom-
panied by his nephew, and was celebrating on
the best means Of escaping to France, he
noticed a little sailing ship which was approach
ing him. Hailing this vessel and finging him
self into a fishing smack, the King ordered It's
owner to 20 and meet II, and, to his surprise,
found on board his grand equerry and an aide
de-camp, who, having been supplied with money
for the purpose, were looking for their %unfortu-
nate sovereign. BY means OF this vessel Murat
succeeded In landing at Cannes, toward the end
Of May, 1915. lie Immediately wrote to Fouche,
charging him TO speak for him to the Emperor,
and to ask the latter to allow him TO go to Paris.
Napoleon's only answer was to ask his brother
in-law what treaty Of peace had been con-
cluded between France and Naples since 1914.
- VI hii1 'pbh Eou'ho uAN
Murat to remain where he was. adding that It
was still possible for him to render service to
his native country by exciting the Inhabitants
and troops of the neighborhood TO vigorous re-
~sistance TO the enemies within and without-A
kind OF service which Murat was never to rem
der, for he had no influence whatever with the
French. who could not forget his desertion In
1914. After Louis XVIII. returned TO Paris.
Murat found himself in a most critical position.
ENpagal IN a nuar NJ tha banIa 90 .,,rl.-~-.
who were seeking for him to kill him-a price Of
$4,000 francs was set upon his head-he was
obliged to change his hiding place necessarily
and at nightfall. Repeatedly he escaped
by a hairs breadth the men who were pur-
suing him. Corsica was the only country which
seemed to offer him an asylum, and finally, on
Aug. %. 1915. he undertook. with three COM
panions, to reach that island In an open boat.
The boat filled with water and was on the point
Of sinking. when the packet which piled be-
tween Toulon and Bastia rescued the fugitives.
After spending a day at Bastia, Murat pro-
ceeded to Vecovato. a large village fifteen miles
to the southwark, the inhabitants Of which
made IL a point of honor to defend their guest,
and presently collected a force of 500 men for his
protection. With a part Of these he moved on
ward TO AJacciO and occupied the town. The in
habitants received him with respect, and his
troops behaved with absolute discipline. Here IL
u t"ot hV iiahk'h " tht ~ VI w
ships. and got together the arms and ammunition
necessary for an expedition against Naples.
While at Ajaccio the ex-King received through
an English officer an offer signed by Metternich
Of hospitality from the Austrian Government. |
Murst answered that II was too late, that the
die was cast, and that he had already waited for
the decision OF the allied powers three months,
during which time his life had been con-
stantly threatened. and that finally. prosecuted
No hA Nuaa 40 shA anrAEt.Aa E--- /
he had made up his mind to risk all In the at
tempt to recover the throne which he had lost.
Another motive which impelled him 10 perse-
we're In his determination to vlndicate his rights
was. that In acting otherwise he would have
compromised several hundred brave officers and
soldiers who had resolved to follow him and
whom he could not think OF abandoning to the
vengeance OF the French royal Government.
Murat's intention had been to land at Salerno.
where a considerable number OF his old Seapoli-
tan troops were stationed; but a storm having
separated him from hts f~otilla. he beached his
felucca in the neighborhood OF Pizzo. Accom-
panied by about thirty Of his old officers. he en-
tered the market place at PiZzo and addressed
the inhabitants. Some saluted him and offered
him horses, but the majority showed hesitation.
and, after Murat had continued his march on
Monteleone, a large troop was organized for his
pursuit. On the approach Of these assailants,
Murat, supposing them to be a reinforcement,
walked a few PAGES toward them, and some of his
followers shouted, Long live King Joachiml"
To their surprise, this was answered with a
OF musketry, and a fierce encounter en-
sued in which the party OF the ex-King. who de-
Tended himself with the courage Of despair. lost
some men killed and many wounded. Followed
by a dozen Of his friends, Murat cut his way
through the thick OF his enemies, and succeeded
in reaching the place In the bay where he had
left his vessel. but. in the mean while, the COM
mander Of the expedition and fleet, considering
his personal safety only. had sailed away, aban-
doning King Joachim TO his fate. In this desper-
ate situation, Murat jumped into the water TO
reach a fishing boat which was within reach. but
fate would have il that this boat had settled In
the sand, and the united efforts OF the
~fugitiyes to run II out into the sea
were vain. They ran up 10 a smaller
boat. which was within twenty PAGES. but this