The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1902-12-13
The Decision Of
the Emperor -
BY DAGNEY MAJOR


A momentary CLEAN of satisfac
ton, nay,, triumph, for an instant
flashed across Gen. Lazelle's face. Il
did not escape the eagle eye of Ma
poleon, which saw everything.
"A clear case of desertionY quer
led Napoleon, sharply.
Eyes, sire. He, drummer in YOU
own guards, was found hiding among
the rocks near the Somossierra pass
after yesterdays engagement
"Found by whom, generalT
"By his own corporal. The pris'
oner almits running away"
''One of my guards, too" said the
emperor, sadly. 81 thought they
were all proof against fear. What il
his age, general?"
Eighteen"
HE is young, but-well, general
he must pay the penalty-at dawn
. tomorrow"
Gen. Lazelle saluted.
'Send his corporal to me immedi-
ately."
1t was the day after the Somos-
sierra pass engagement. The enemy
had been routed from an almost i'm
pregnable position by the combined
forces of the Spanish and French. A
superb dash from the enemy's trench
es by the pick of Napoleon's guards
and Spanish infantry had carried the
day--a day that will stand out con-
spicuously in the history of the
peninsular war.
The emperor's heart kindled when
he thought of it.
my brave guards, it was you who
won the battle, not I! All! my
guards. They are magnificent" he
thought.
He sat at a small table in his tent.
Writing materials were at hand, and
he had just signed the deserter's
death warrant. The plain black
chapeau was at his side and his uni
form was that of a general. There
was nothing to indicate his high
rank save the Legion of Honor
which decorated his breast, and that
wonderful face with it's fierce eyes
and square jaws, which, once seen,
were never forgotten.
"you summoned me, SIRE" said a
voice, interrupting the emperor's
train Of thought. The corporal for
whom he sent stood at the salute.
Eyes, corporal" returned the en-
peror, looking up. "Ah! Corporal
: Gavairre," he added, with an almost
imperceptible smile, "still at it?"
.Still fighting for my emperor,
sire. Heaven grant I may yet go
through as many campaigns as
have already DONE"
The grim old martinez, who had
fought in numerous engagements,
was a favorite of the emperor's.
Gavairrc stood motionless, but pale.
Napoleon noticed it.
II want particulars of the desert
err" said Napoleon, closely scanning
the features of the corporal. "What
Is his rame?"
"Gavairre, SIRE"
A slight tremor passed over Ma
poleon.
"a relation of yours?"
"Son. my emperor"
Again the hawklike eyes of the
great leader flashed and seemed to
pierce Gavairrc through and through.
Then came silence.
"It IL unfortunate, my corporal"
There was no answer, save for the
jerky, labored breathing of Gavairre.
The tone of voice in which the last
works were spoken meant volumes.
The corporal could have borne tor
rent of abuse. The singing, biting
sarcasm was worse than anything.
Repeat all you know" said the
emperor, coldly.
"a corps of your imperial guards
stood at the entrance of the Somos-
sierra pass in the early hours of yes
terday morning." began the corporal,
in hating. measured tones. "a vol
ley of musketry rang out, followed
by another and another, right down
the ravine. The guards paused. and
drew back. Then drummer stepped
slowly forward, quickly beating the
charge. A cheer rang out, and the
men, daunted for awhile, were
thrilled. They began to advance.
The drummer still beat the charge
with his right hand-his left was
shot away. The men steadily
marched on, and then they saw their
beloved emperor on his charger
That instilled them with fresh cour-
age. They rushed the ravine. In
the excitement and melee the drum
mer, in the thick of the shot and
shell, lost his head-and, well. sire,
you know the rest" concluded Ca
vairre, white as death.
The hitherto impressive countenance
Of the emperor kindled with momen-
tary enthusiasm.
II remember the incident. cor
poral. Who was the drummer?"
my son. SIRE"