chants in the Chepe) after giving a few preparatory hems, sung as follows: Merrily, merrily drain the bowl, Come, ye spiritless wights, who are wedded to scolds, Those shrews who are match for the Devil, "Tis wisdom to flee from their music I trow, So join in our merrie revel. And ye gallants, who scorch 'neath your maiden's dark glance, Who swear that your souls are like tinder, O hasten away from such kirtle durance, If ye would not be burnt to a cinder. "By this light!" exclaimed the student, "thou hast a marvellous proper voice, Ned; have ye no love tale to tell us? thou hadst once a store." "Marry, I have forgotten them; thou knowest my father likes not my travelling, so that I have small chance of hearing the adventures of love-sick damsels and gallant knights; but yonder sits a gentleman who has methinks seen service." The person alluded to by the young merchant was a stout hale man, about the middle age, whose bluff coat and broad belt, sustaining a sword and dagger of Spanish workmanship, plainly indicated his profession; he had lost an arm, and the empty sleeve of his doublet was fastened by a point to his breast. "Gentlemen,' ," said he, on being pressed to join the party, "I have, as you suppose, seen some service, and have left an arm in the low countries. I commanded a body of pikemen at the siege of St. Getrudenberg, in Brabant; 'twas there I became acquainted with an Englishman of good family, whose unhappy fate I shall ever lament. I will, with your permission, relate the history of our acquaintance, and his death." To this the company gladly assented, and the Captain, emptying his glass, began as follows. "On my arriving in Brabant, Prince Maurice was before St. Getrudenberg, which he had assaulted several times without success. The company under my command were picked men, and I was soon actively engaged, for the besieged made frequent sallies, and it re quired some of the best troops to repulse them. In one of these sallies, I was posted, with my troop, to support the charge of a regiment of English pistoliers. The action was short, but bloody. The enemy's harquebussiers and cross-bowmen made sad havoc amongst our horse; at their first discharge full twenty saddles were emptied, and a fresh body of their bill-men rushing in, completed the overthrow of our cavalry-they broke ground and retreated. A desperate charge of the pikemen under my command checked the pursuit of the enemy. In the midst of the rout, I suddenly beheld a horse galloping by, and dragging its rider, who lay upon the ground, his foot having become entangled in the stirrup. I flew to his assistance, and with some difficulty succeeded in extricating the stranger from his perilous situation. He pressed my hand with great warmth, and thanked me a thousand times for my timely assistance. He had, luckily, received only a few slight bruises, from the effects of which he recovered in a few days, and a friendship was cemented between us, which nothing but death could terminate. I learnt that his name was Roland Stanley, and that he was the youngest son of a rich family in the West Riding of Yorkshire. "I will not tire you, Gentlemen, with an account of the many affairs we had with the enemy, which were attended with various success. Near to the town of St. Getrudenberg is the little village of Steulo, in which was a fort of some consequence. Prince Maurice was resolved to get possession of it, as it commanded a weak quarter of the town. It chanced that Stanley's troop and my own were ordered upon this expedition, together with six culverins; but it totally failed: the enemy sallied out, and in spite of the most obstinate valour on the part of our troops, we were beaten back, with the loss of many men. Stanley's horse fell under him, pierced by a harquebuize shot, and he was seized and dragged into the fort by the enemy, while our shattered troops made good their retreat. Judge of the mortification and sorrow I felt at being thus deprived of my friend; indeed I had some fears for his safety, for the prisoners on either side oftimes experienced rough, and in many instances cruel, treatment, at the hands of their captors. "The alarm we were kept in the few succeeding days diverted my melancholy; but the enemy, weakened by the continual checks we had given them, became less venturous, and kept within their walls, and I was again left to deplore the loss of my friend. "One night, while sitting in my tent absorbed in thought, I heard the hasty challenge of the sentinel, and at the same moment Stanley entered. I am not naturally superstitious, but this sudden apparition of my friend, whom I had considered lost to me, staggered my senses. His dress was wet and disordered, and covered with green weeds, and his long dark hair was dripping with moisture. The warm pressure of the hand with which I was greeted, convinced me that it was he, and I eagerly inquired how he had escaped? "We will talk of that anon,' said he; but first give me a cast of your clothes, for I have been playing the otter, and am wet to the skin.' "I complied with this request, and when he had changed his dress, he gave me an account of his escape. "Howard,' said he, am not I a lucky wight, to make a conquest while a prisoner in yonder fort?' "A conquest! echoed I, incredulously -What mean you ?-I cannot solve your riddle. 66 6 Marry, no less than this: the governor of that fort has a niece, as fair a maid as e'er set free a captive knight. Would'st thou believe it, while I lay this evening in my dungeon, mourning the loss of my freedom, and moreover my coat of mail and Bilboa blade, which those Walloon dogs have despoiled me of, the door opened, and that sweet girl entered my prison. She bore a small lamp, and was followed by a dwarfish figure, who carried a small basket. 66 6 6 Stranger,' said she, this conduct may seem to thee unmaidenly, but you are an Englishman, and will not judge me harshly for my rashness. You must hasten from this place, or your head will be set on the walls by sunrise, a sad spectacle for your gallant countrymen.' "Had'st thou been there, my friend, thou would'st ha' thought me eloquent; for methinks I never poured out my thanks so freely-no, not even when I experienced thy kind and timely assistance. To be brief, she enjoined silence, and the dwarf was ordered to file the fetters which secured my legs, and in a few minutes I was free. 66 C Now,' said my fair deliverer, follow, but be silent-your life depends upon it!' We passed from the dungeon with stealthy pace, and after passing through several passages, we ascended a flight of steps. Here the measured tread of a sentinel was audible. The dwarf was dismissed, and I neglected not to improve the opportunity. Short as it was, I suc ceeded, and my fair deliverer promised to be mine. A hasty kiss sealed the compact, and I solemnly swore to bear her away from the fort to-morrow evening. The sentinel, whose steps I had heard, produced a rope, which he fastened to the wall, and I quickly lowered myself into the fosse which surrounds the fort, swam across, and arrived here without molestation.' me. "Such, Gentlemen, was the account he gave me of his escape. I listened to him with serious attention, and though I saw clearly the danger of the attempt to carry off his mistress, I resolved to aid him in the enterprize. Not to tire you with an account of our preparations, I will proceed with my story. Night arrived, and found us with about fifty men, near the walls of the fort. A raft, constructed with light timber, served us to cross the ditch. Stanley and myself crossed, and a postern gate admitted us, with five men. The sentinels were bribed, and all was still, save the howling of the dogs within the fort. Leaving our men at the gate, we proceeded on tiptoe along a dark passage. The soldier who had admitted us then cautiously unlocked a small door in the wall, and ascended a flight of steps: we followed him, and on gaining the top, were told to wait awhile. He then left us, but returned in a few minutes, and desired Stanley to follow him. This proceeding somewhat alarmed What if it should be a concerted plan to betray us? However, I resolved to meet my fate, if it should prove so; and after cocking my petronels, which I had taken from the holsters of my saddle, I placed them again in my girdle, and loosening my sword in its sheath, I stood prepared for any attack that might be made upon me, looking cautiously round on all sides. The room in which I stood had three doors; the one opposite to that by which I had entered stood open, and on looking through it I perceived that a flight of stairs descended into a dark and gloomy passage. At this instant I was somewhat startled on hearing a noise as of cautious footsteps, and looking down into the space below, I perceived a man approaching; he had a torch in his hand, and I saw him cautiously step over the bodies of two soldiers, who lay sleeping upon the floor. Their calivers + lay on the ground, with their lighted matches at a little distance. Drawing my cloak around me, and shading the light of the lamp I held, I waited the approach of this person, whose footsteps I soon heard ascending the stairs, and + Caliver a short matchlock hand-gun, fired without a rest. the next moment he entered the room. He My antagonist swore deeply on perceiving his niece. This sight probably threw him off his guard, for a thrust striking him on the breast, he reeled, and staggering backwards, fell down the stairs. His coat of mail saved him, and shattered my sword to pieces, but the fall was terrible, and I heard his armour ring as his body bounded from step to step till he reached the bottom. Not a moment was to be lost; I quickly secured the door so that he could not pursue us, and flew to Stanley, who had borne off his prize. We had reached the gate, when the loud ringing of a bell told that the garrison was alarmed, and in an instant a roar of voices was heard within the fort. The men who had remained at the gate, seized with fear, jumped on the raft-Stanley followed with his fair burden,—and that moment it upset! That night will never be effaced from my memory! One loud shriek of mor tal agony burst from the unfortunates, whose armour did not allow them a chance of escape! The fosse was deepthey sunk down, and the next moment A heavy fire from the troops, who now the raft rose to the surface of the water! lined the walls, rendered any attempt to save them impracticable,-indeed, I was in much danger myself; but having cut with my dagger the straps of my corslet, I threw it off, and swam across the fosse, uninjured by the shower of balls which was rained from the fort, and regained my troop, overwhelmed with sorrow for the fate of my young friend. The fort was taken a few days afterwards, when a shot from a culverin took off my left arm. Gentlemen, pardon these tears for the AN INCIDENT IN THE LIFE OF A BUONAPARTIST. TOLD BY HIMSELF. (For the Olio.) WHEN the failure of the Russian campaign had reduced the dominions of Napoleon to the narrow boundaries of the Isle of Elba, I still retained my commission, although the return of Louis had compelled many of the principal and more distinguished officers to fly their country. The colonel of the regiment to which I belonged, had with others retired into Italy, and a fierce royalist emigrant was appointed to the command; at the same time that every vacancy was filled up by men of the same spirit, who had returned in crowds with the exiled Bourbon. These intruders were viewed with a jealous eye by all who had served under the emperor; nor did they fail to repay us with haughty coldness, and restless suspicion. Thus frequent occasions were given for quarrel, of which both parties were eager to avail themselves. Scarce a day passed without some dispute happening at the mess, which invariably terminated in a duel. The Buonapartists, who gloried in an opportunity of wreaking their political hatred on the enemies of their great captain, and who were in general the more expert swordsmen, in most cases, slew their antagonists. Many were the unfortunate royalists, who returned to their native countries, after a long and dreary exile, to be hurried to a premature grave, victims of that same party spirit which had already caused them so many sufferings. But the feeling which then prevailed was so powerful, that it seemed to neutralize humanity; so much so, that in following these unfortunates to the grave, satisfaction rather than sorrow sat on the countenances of their brother officers, while whispers of the following import passed around:"another Bourbon has returned home;" "who will be the next?" Such was the state of affairs among us, when we received orders to prepare for a review, at which the king was to be present, on a plain near St. Cloud, about four miles from Paris, on the borders of which our barracks were situate. We passed the review with much éclat, and received many flattering compliments on our appearance and condition, considering the campaigns we had lately been engaged in; but few were the cheers which greeted the Bourbon in return; for sullen reserve closed the mouths of the soldiery. This he would not see, and to conciliate them in some degree, directed that each man should receive a double ration, and a bottle of wine, to drink his health. This order raised a momentary shout of applause, which however soon died away; It was the climax of bad policy in his majesty's advisers to cause him to hold a field-day so soon after the restoration, because nothing could more powerfully recal the image of their beloved leader to the recollection of the troops, than a display of this kind, in which he was wont to appear so generous, great, and noble. On the return of the soldiers to the barracks, having received their extra rations and wine, the first toast proposed was to the health of "Le Grand Capitaine, † Le petit Corporal, and may he again return to lead us to victory," and as the influence of the wine increased upon them, shouts of "Vive l' Empereur" began to be heard in various quarters, which quickly echoed through the building. I was at this time on guard at the north gate, and an order was brought to me from the colonel, to draw out a party of men, and to arrest all rioters, who named the Exile, under whatever appellation. In consequence of this order, I immediately turned out my men, and proceeded to the quarter where the greatest uproar prevailed. My appearance in most places quelled the disturbance, and when it had not that effect, I rebuked the parties, in such a manner, that for my sake, not for that of the authority by which I acted, they became silent and orderly, knowing me to be well affected to the good cause. In short I made no prisoners, being well aware of the severity with which they would be visited in the present disturbed state of the community. The next day at mess the conversation turned on the review and its results, and many curious disquisitions were made on the conduct of the soldiery, according to the different sentiments of the several speakers, into which I entered warmly. The royalists were outrageous against the troops,-no epithet was bitter enough for them,-no punishment commensurate with their ingratitude." They deserved not the honour of serving so good and great a king." To one who addressed some rhapsodies of this kind to me in particular, I replied:-"Their conduct does not appear to me in such dark colours, for it at least shews them not ungrateful for past fa vours. + Names by which Napoleon was universally known and spoken of in the French Army. He reddened with anger at this direct allusion to forbidden subjects; which having drawn the attention of the whole mess upon us, he was compelled to resent. At first he knew not what to say on so delicate a point, but collecting himself, with a sarcastic grin, he observed, "It is a new principle of gratitude, to repay fafours received from one master, by the neglect of duty to another, which a brother officer of mine adopted last even< ing." The contemptuous epithet "Canaille," escaped me at this moment; which he no sooner heard, than seizing a bottle of wine, he aimed it with much violence at my head. It however happily did not take effect. I instantly sprang on the table, and should have run the dastard through, but for the interference of our brother officers. After the first transports of passion had subsided, we coolly resumed our seats, a future meeting on the subject being understood by all parties. In the evening I sent a friend to communicate with my assailant, and early the next morning, wrapped in my roquelaure, and accompanied by a surgeon, who was likewise a Buonapartist, repaired to a wood on the south side of the barracks to meet my adversary. No words of recrimination past between us, we immediately took our ground,— measured swords, and after a short but fierce encounter, my weapon pierced his vitals, and he fell a corpse at my feet. I left him in the hands of his second and the surgeon, and returned to my quarters; when on entering the south post, the captain of the guard, who was my intimate friend, stept up to me, and said- You have sent the Bourbon to a better world, I suppose?" A nod confirmed his supposition. Your "You must not," continued he, "go to your apartment, if you value your safety; a guard is placed there to arrest you as soon as you arrive. Your only resource is in immediate flight. conduct on a late occasion, and last night's conversation, have been reported to the authorities. Fly directly to Paris, and thence out of the kingdom as speedily as possible. If you get into prison now, you may never come out again. I warn you as a friend.' Startled at this information, I was for a moment lost. "I have no money," I replied," and there are nearly two hundred Napoleons in my boudoir. Here are twenty," said he, "at Paris you can get more ;--the delay of a few minutes may prove fatal-give me the keys of your apartment: whatever I can recover, I will transmit to you, if you |