Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1895-03-22
FAITH IN DESTINY.
A NEWLY TOLD EPISODE IN THE LIFE OF
NAPOLEON BoNAPARTE.
From the Paris Figaro.

Although the weather was magnificent,
not even fishing boat was in sight; the
gulf was deserted. At the foot of the
mountain a portion of the town APP
peared, and the port, in which -four big
war 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 we're Bonaparte
himself, his chief of staff, Berther, and
Admiral Gantheaume.
"There is no possible doubt about it,"
said the admiral, holding his glass !;
"there goes an English war ship; and
further in the distance | notice two
Others"
"Do you suppose that the English
have received nformation?" suggested
Berthiei.
NO" said Bonaparte; "these ships
are putting to sea without paying any
attention to Corsica
GAS a matter of fact" said Ganthea-
ume, "their course is nor nor'west, and
they are moving slowly, with very little
wind. General, we shall be Obliged to
put of our departure twentyfoui 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 its line, and it
would be very difficult for us to do so
without being perceived. On clear night
like tins 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. lie
reported singular discovery. On the
crest of the mountain the men found a
mass of cut shrubbery, evidently intend
ed to make a bonfire. This, in all proba-
bility. was intended to be a signal that
night.
As the sailor finished his report two
gunshots were heard, and shortly after
ward two sailors brought struggling
man before the chiefs. Two individuals
behind the rock near the path When
hailed they took to flight. On being pur-
sued they fired. One was captured, and
the sailors were still pursuing the other
,N,,1. nj, ,,,i
twenty years old. He wore brown cap
and hood. His dark face wore a savage
expression. His hard eyes sustained
haughtly the piercing glance of Bona
parte.
Gantheaume questioned him: "What
were you doing there. hiding near the
road and armed with guns"
ave were watching for wild boar"
"Why did you not answer when you
were hailed? Why dli you run away
and why did you fire upon French sail
ors:"
ave are moultaineers, and we are mo-
acquainted with uniforms. We believed
that we were attacked, and naturally W.
defended ourselves"
"Io u are spies IN the employment o
England said Bonaparte. "You were
preparing signal for the English cruis
ers but. on seeing us, another idea cam'
into your heads; you thought you had
good chance to assassinate Gen. Bona
parte, and you put yourselves in ambusl
so that you might fire on me as passe'
by. But it seems to me that know you
What is your Nance"
Another report was heard, and voices
cried out, ale is dead
An expression of savage despair con
tracted the features of the prisoner, an
his eyelids became red.
"You are a NalturiC, continued Bona
parte, zone of the bitterest enemies o
my family. Yes, have seen you before
you are Giovanni Valturio.'
NO" said the prisoner, in hoars
voice. "Giovanni is the man whom you
hirelings have just assassinated. | al
, his brother, Giuseppe, the last of tn
ValturiOs.'
"You hate me pretty hard, don't you?
said Bonaparte.
"lf had three souls would sell ther
with delight to the devil for the chance q
a single shot at you:"
9 Bonaparte looked at him for few sec
onds in silence.
"Are you good shot
~ AT five hundred yards can drop a
eagle. DO with me what | would like t
do with you"
II "Bring him over to yonder bush, sal
e Bonaparte to one of the sailors, IAN
2 count your steps as you advance"
D. The sailor placed himself at the foot G
e the bush with the prisoner, after havin
y counted fifty PAGES.
# give him his gun said Bonaparte.
= The sailor, almost stupefied, looked a
II the general, hestated, but at last ObeyeC
! Bonaparte then said to the bandit, "Tak