Year: 1863

In the Vea1 1910 in the oh Regiment
Of the Line (Which formed part of the
grand army that Napoleon lost in Russia
there was a little drummer boy named
BilbOquet. OF course that was not the
name his godfathers and godmotherS had
given him at his baptism, but it was the
one by which he was known throughout
the regiment.


The soldiers, and especially the grown
J Dp drummers, and above all, the terrible
Drum Major, Teye in the habit of teazing
little BilbOquet as boy never had been
before


The Drum Major used even to beat him
across the shoulders with the heavy cane
which those military beadles are in the
habit Of swinging and twirling at the head
Of the regiment. At first little Bilboquet
used to cry but then his comrades only
laughed at him, and the terrible Drum
Major beat him all the more. Yet Bilbo-
quet never did anything wrong-not in
one sense, that is to say: for in another,
he never did anything right.


He was neither lazy nor untidy, nor
greedy, nor mean, nor revengeful, though
he certainly did owe agrudge to the Drum
Major, which he was resolved one day or
other to pay; but he always had his drum
Slung little too much on one side, or got
out of step in marching, or stood in the
wrong place when the regiment was drawn
| up in line, or committed some mistake
which was natural enough on the part of
a boy who had left his top and his marbles
to join the greatest General of the age, but
which was looked upon by the Drum Ma
jor and other rigid disciplinarians, as quite
objectionable. =


The 9th of the Line, with Bilboquct at
its head, the drumme always maI ch in
front, was on the banks Of the Dwlna, on
the high road to Moscow, when the Gen
eral commanding the brigade Of which
this regiment formed part, was ordered by
the Emperor to occupy position on the
other S de Of an enormous ravine.
The ravine was defended by battery
Of six guns. These guns were of large
calibre, and were all well served by the
Russians.


Are those anything like the popguns
you used to play with at school, young
Biboquet? p asked the magifcent, slightly
brutal Drum Major, as he proudly twirled
his long mouStache between his finger and
thumb.


The little drummer boy bit his lips. for
he felt that his tall oppressor doubted his
courage but he did not utter word.


DO you feel how the ground shakes :?
continued the giant. 'Ah, i:'s lucky your
! head is not so high as minc; and it's luck
| ier still that these CossackS have a very
excellent habit Of firing in the air
But the Cos>acks thr French call all
Russian soldiers Co>>acks), lowered the
muzzles of their pieces, and then the
Drum Major and his little pupil observed
whole files Of soldiers knocked down like
Skittles; with this difference, that it would
be impossible to make them stand up
| again.


An Aid dc Camp now galiopcl up To the
| Colonel Of the 9th, who Na> in front Of
the regiment close 10 where Bjlboqlet and
the Drum Major were standing.
Take tie battery with two hundred
men, ~erc the concise orders.


Yes, it's easy enough to say, take the
battery with two hundred men, muttcr,d
an old Sergeant, but should like to see
twenty Of them get there.
The Emperor is waiting added the
Aid de Camp, observing that the soldier,
were not over pleased with the work they
had before them.


The captain Of BilboQuet's company
was to lead the assault with two hunlr
Voltigeurs.


If the Emperor is looking at US we
| must be quick, said the old Sergeant as
he fixed his bayonct TO his tireock.
The captain noticed considerable heSi-
tation in the ranks. Twice he had order
ed the Drum Major to take a couple of
drummers, go to the front, and beat the
charge. The Drum Major was evidently
in no hurry, He was leaning on his long
cane, and shook his head from side TO side
as he examined the drummers, withou
the slightest appearance Of enthusiasm.


In the meanwhile Bilboquet sat astride
his little drum, whistling martial air be-
tween his teeth, and beating a tattoo with
his fingers upon the parchment
At tlength the captain lowered his brows
and, in voice of thunder, roared out the
order for the third time.


The gigantic Drum Major nevertheless
|
more in the selection Of his drummerS,
when suddenly Bilboquet sprang up, fast.
ened his drum, to his side, seized his drum
sticks convulsively, ard passing close to
his tyrant, looked at him from head to
foot, and exclaimed, with an air of tri.
umph:


Now, who's afraid of the popguns?'


The Drum Major was about to strike
him, but Bilboquet was already at the
head of the two companies, beating the
charge in a furious style. The soldiers
advanced, Bilboquet hurried on and the
men rushed after him toward the terrible
battery.


The commander of the fort had seen
the Aid de Camp gallop up to the Ninth
Regiment, and had understood that his
battery was to be silenced by an assailing
column. But, as the old sergeant had re.
marked, it was necessary first of all to
reach it. The Russians determined to re-
serve their fire; but, when the French had
marched ever about half the gFeaad that
separated them from the guns, they were
received with general discharge, which
seemed to blow the attacking party to
| pieces


Still young Bilboquet ran ahead, ham,
mering away at his drum as If in mockery
of the Russian artillery. With wonderful
rapidity the gunners reloaded, and again
ploughed up the ranks of the advancing
Voltigeurs. Bilboquet was not touched
but on looking round, he saw that scarce
ly quarter of the two companies were
following him, the rest were tying dead or
wounded on the plain. Bilboquet's drum
sounded like twenty. If his drum had