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THE ADVENTURES OF GERARD
of the road。
〃It's Boney！ So help me； it's Boney！〃 he yelled。 He ran with his
hands out to catch me； but luckily for himself his drunken feet stumbled
and he fell on his face on the road。 The other was more dangerous。 He
had rushed into the inn； and just as I passed I saw him run out with his
musket in his hand。 He dropped upon one knee； and I stooped forward
over my horse's neck。
A single shot from a Prussian or an Austrian is a small matter； but the
British were at that time the best shots in Europe； and my drunkard
seemed steady enough when he had a gun at his shoulder。 I heard the
crack； and my horse gave a convulsive spring which would have unseated
many a rider。 For an instant I thought he was killed； but when I turned in
my saddle I saw a stream of blood running down the off hind…quarter。 I
looked back at the Englishman； and the brute had bitten the end off
another cartridge and was ramming it into his musket； but before he had it
primed we were beyond his range。 These men were foot…soldiers and
could not join in the chase； but I heard them whooping and tally…hoing
behind me as if I had been a fox。 The peasants also shouted and ran
through the fields flourishing their sticks。 From all sides I heard cries；
and everywhere were the rushing； waving figures of my pursuers。 To
think of the great Emperor being chivvied over the country…side in this
fashion！ It made me long to have these rascals within the sweep of my
sword。
But now I felt that I was nearing the end of my course。 I had done all
that a man could be expected to dosome would say morebut at last I
had come to a point from which I could see no escape。 The horses of my
pursuers were exhausted； but mine was exhausted and wounded also。 It
was losing blood fast； and we left a red trail upon the white； dusty road。
Already his pace was slackening； and sooner or later he must drop under
me。 I looked back； and there were the five inevitable PrussiansStein a
hundred yards in front； then a Lancer； and then three others riding
together。
Stein had drawn his sword； and he waved it at me。 For my own part I
was determined not to give myself up。
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I would try how many of these Prussians I could take with me into the
other world。 At this supreme moment all the great deeds of my life rose
in a vision before me； and I felt that this； my last exploit； was indeed a
worthy close to such a career。 My death would be a fatal blow to those
who loved me； to my dear mother； to my Hussars； to others who shall be
nameless。 But all of them had my honour and my fame at heart； and I
felt that their grief would be tinged with pride when they learned how I
had ridden and how I had fought upon this last day。 Therefore I hardened
my heart and； as my Arab limped more and more upon his wounded leg； I
drew the great sword which I had taken from the Cuirassier； and I set my
teeth for my supreme struggle。 My hand was in the very act of tightening
the bridle； for I feared that if I delayed longer I might find myself on foot
fighting against five mounted men。
At that instant my eye fell upon something which brought hope to my
heart and a shout of joy to my lips。
From a grove of trees in front of me there projected the steeple of a
village church。 But there could not be two steeples like that； for the
corner of it had crumbled away or been struck by lightning； so that it was
of a most fantastic shape。 I had seen it only two daye｛sic｝ before； and it
was the church of the village of Gosselies。 It was not the hope of
reaching the village which set my heart singing with joy； but it was that I
knew my ground now； and that farm…house not half a mile ahead； with its
gable end sticking out from amid the trees； must be that very farm of St。
Aunay where we had bivouacked； and which I had named to Captain
Sabbatier as the rendezvous of the Hussars of Conflans。 There they were；
my little rascals； if I could but reach them。 With every bound my horse
grew weaker。 Each instant the sound of the pursuit grew louder。 I heard
a gust of crackling German oaths at my very heels。 A pistol bullet sighed
in my ears。 Spurring frantically and beating my poor Arab with the flat
of my sword I kept him at the top of his speed。 The open gate of the
farm…yard lay before me。 I saw the twinkle of steel within。 Stein's
horse's head was within ten yards of me as I thundered through。
〃To me； comrades！ To me！〃 I yelled。 I heard a buzz as when the
angry bees swarm from their nest。 Then my splendid white Arab fell
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dead under me and I was hurled on to the cobble…stones of the yard； where
I can remember no more。
Such was my last and most famous exploit； my dear friends； a story
which rang through Europe and has made the name of Etienne Gerard
famous in history。
Alas！ that all my efforts could only give the Emperor a few weeks
more liberty； since he surrendered upon the 15th of July to the English。
But it was not my fault that he was not able to collect the forces still
waiting for him in France； and to fight another Waterloo with a happier
ending。 Had others been as loyal as I was the history of the world might
have been changed； the Emperor would have preserved his throne； and
such a soldier as I would not have been left to spend his life in planting
cabbages or to while away his old age telling stories in a cafe。 You ask
me about the fate of Stein and the Prussian horsemen！ Of the three who
dropped upon the way I know nothing。 One you will remember that I
killed。 There remained five； three of whom were cut down by my
Hussars； who； for the instant； were under the impression that it was indeed
the Emperor