



208 A CITIZEN'S CAMPAIGN. 



again; his practised ear could not mistake; and, hastily awakening his 

 companions,, it was not long ere they perceived through the gloom the 

 leading files of a party of horse, enveloped in the manteaux blancs* of 

 the redoubted " garde dn corps" coming slowly down the lane imme- 

 diately opposite to their post. When the foremost troopers were within 

 fifty yards, Huguenin boldly challenged with the usual " Qui vive," 

 then promptly advancing one step, the clicking of the lock of his 

 musket was distinctly audible upon the still night air, as he threw it 

 forward ready for instant action, and again hailed them. 



" Halte-ld, ou je tire." The approaching party instantly halted, 

 one amongst them answering 



" Des amis Qui etes-vous ?" 



" Sentinelle de I'avant garde de Varmee nationale ; que I'officier en 

 commandement s'avance seul, parler au capitaine." 



This order, after a minute or two's deliberation, was obeyed ; an 

 officer covered with a large cloak dismounting, advanced alone to 

 the barn where M. B stood ready to receive him. 



" Qui etes-vous ?" demanded M. B 



" Nous sommes des qfficiers qui vont a Paris." 



" D'oii venez-vous?" 



" Nous venons de quitter Varmee royale" 



" Combien vous y en a-t-il ?" 



" Cinq." 



" Rendez vos armes et vos chevaux vous etes tons prisonniers." 



During this short dialogue the moon shone forth with brilliancy, 



and M. B now observed with some surprise that his adversary 



was very considerably advanced in years, as a few locks of white 

 hair escaping from beneath his chapeau militaire sufficiently proved. 

 This colloquy contained nothing very re-assuring to the aged officer, 

 and an air of consternation was visibly depicted on his countenance ; 

 for a few seconds he was evidently much embarrassed, when raising 

 his hand rather suddenly to his head, his cloak was for an instant 



thrown open, enabling M. B to catch a glimpse of a most splendid 



uniform and several stars and orders, convincing him that the stranger 

 was of very high rank in the army. After a little further conversa- 

 tion with M. B , whose calm, temperate, yet energetic manner 



and remarks, inspired him with confidence ; and having looked at 



the commission signed by Lafayette, which M. B hastened to 



exhibit, he decided upon surrendering himself and escort ; the belief 

 that a considerably body of the armed Parisians was not far distant 

 no doubt materially assisting him to that conclusion. Slowly un- 

 sheathing his sword, he turned towards M. B , and presenting it 



to him, said with dignity 



" Monsieur, je mejle a votre honneur ; le general Bordesoule^ vous 

 rend son epee." 



* The cloaks of the troopers of the royal guard were made of white woollen 

 cloth. 



f Bordesoule, general of division under Napoleon, held with honour several 

 very important commands during his reign. At the Restoration, the Bourbons 

 continued to employ him ; and when Spain was occupied by their armies, 

 General Bordesoule held no mean rank in them. 



