The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1895-05-02
FAITH IN DESTINY.
Newly-Toid Episode in the Life of Ma
poleon Bonapsrte.

DoAoIe SuHSct, Oh IHe tOp VI OLC VI CAAc
hills near Ajaccio, three men with a
military appearance and wearing long
overcoats stood looking out upon the
sea. Although the weather was mag
riincent, not even a fishing boat was in
sight; the gulf was deserted. At the
foot of the mountain portion of the
town appeared, and the port, in which
four big ships were at anchor. This
was the squadron which on the 23d OF
August left Alexandria to bring Gen.
Bonaparte back to France.
The three observers were Bonaparte
himself. his chief of staff, Berthier, and
Admiral Gantheaume.
There is no possible doubt about
it." said the admiral, holding his glass;
there goes an English warship, and
further in the distance l notice two
Others"
do you suppose that the English
have received information?" suggested
Berthier.
NO" said Bonaparte; ''these ships
are putting to sea without paying any
attention to Corsica"
LAS matter of fact" said Gan
theaume, their course is nor'-nor'west,
and they are moving slowly, with very
little wind. General, we shall be
obliged to put off our departure TWEEN
ty-four hours"
THAT is impossible, admiral. We
must leave this very night"
General, excuse me for insisting,
but if, as everything seems to indicate,
the English fleet is there, we would be
obliged to pass through it's line, and it
would be very difficult for us to do so
without being perceived. On clear
night like this the chances are all
against u.s."
Admiral" said Bonaparte, slowly,
sin the east man becomes a fatalist
Now believe firmly that destiny is on
my side"
At this moment one of the sailors
that escorted the three chiefs came up
He reported a singular discovery. On
the crest of the mountain the men
found a mass of cut shrubbery, evil
IDENTIFY intended to make a bonfire
This, in all probability, was intended
to be signal that night.
AS the sailor finished his report two
gunshots were heard, and shortly
afterward two sailors brought a strug-
Cling man before the chiefs. Two iu-
dividuals armed with guns were found
in ambush behind the rock near the
path. When hailed they took to flight.
On being pursued they fired. One was
captured, and the sailors were still
pursuing the other.
The prisoner YVES young man about
tvanty years old. He wore a brown
cap and hood. His dark face wore n
savage expression. His hard eyes sus-
tanned haughtily the piercing glance
of Bonaparte.
Gantheaume questioned him: "What
were you doing there, hiding near the
road and armed with guns?"
1--WE were watching for wild boar"
why did you not answer when goa
We're hailed? Why did you run away,
and why did you fire upon French sail
ors?"
1--WE are mountaincers, and we are
not acquainted with uniforms. We be-
lieved that we were attacked, and nat
urally we defended ourselves.
You are spies in the employment of
England" said Bonaparte. You were
preparing a signal for the English
cruisers, but on seeing us, another
idea came into your heads; you
thought you had a good chance to as
sassinate Gen. Bonaparte, and you put
yourselves in ambush so that you might
fire on me as passed by. But it seems
to me that l know you. What is your
name?"
Another report was heard, and voices
cried out: He is dead"
An expression of savage despair con-
tracted the features of the prisoner,
and his eyelids became red.
You are Valturio, continued Bona
parte, lone OF the bitterest enemies of
my family. Yes, have seen you be-
fore; you are Clio vanni Valturio."
NO" said the prisoner in hoarso
voice. Giovanni is the man whom your
hirelings have just assassinated. | am
his brother, Giuseppe, the last of the
Valturios."
You hate me pretty hard, don't
you?" said Bonaparte.
III l had three souls l would sell
them with delight to the devil for the
chance of single shot at you"
Bonaparte looked at him for few
seconds in silence.
Are you good shot?"
SAT five hundred yards l can drop an
eagle. Do with me what 1 would like
to do with you"
Bring him over to yonder bush, y
said Bonaparte to one OF the sailors,
''and count your steps as you ad-
vance"
The sailor placed himself at the foot
of the bush with the prisoner, after
having counted fifty PAGES.
Give him his gun" said Bonaparte.
The sailor, almost stupcted, looked
at the general, hesitated, but at last
obeyed. Bonaparte then said to the
bandit: Take good aim!"
Without losing a second over his sur
prise, Giuseppe pointed his gun.
The scene was so rapid and so extraor-
binary that the two companions of the
general were unable to interfere. They
remained there as if they were par
alyzed until the shot was fired.
With his back against the trunk of
an oak and his hands behind his back,
T. I