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being arrested almost in the act by the sentinels； he protested his
innocence； and tried to turn the incident into a jest； but his papers
were searched； and correspondence with the English found； which clearly
proved his guilt。 He was delivered to the council of war； and shot the
next day。
One evening between eleven o'clock and midnight； a fire…ship； rigged like
a French ship； flying French colors； and in every respect resembling a
gunboat； advanced towards the line of battle and passed through。 By
unpardonable negligence the chain had not been stretched that evening。
This fire…ship was followed by a second； which exploded； striking a
sloop； which went down with it。 This explosion gave the alarm to the
whole fleet； and lights instantly shone in every direction； revealing the
first fire…ship advancing between the jetties； a sight which was
witnessed with inexpressible anxiety。 Three or four pieces of wood
connected by cables fortunately stopped her progress； but she blew up
with such a shock that the glasses of all the windows in town were
shattered； and a great number of the inhabitants； who for want of beds
were sleeping upon tables； were thrown to the floor； and awakened by the
fall without comprehending what had happened。 In ten minutes everybody
was stirring； as it was thought that the English were in the port； and
there ensued such confusion； such a mingled tumult of noises and screams；
that no one could make himself understood； until criers preceded by drums
were sent through the town to reassure the inhabitants； and inform them
that all danger was past。
The next day songs were composed on this nocturnal alarm； and were soon
in every mouth。
Another alarm； but of an entirely different kind； upset all Boulogne in
the autumn of 1804。 About eight o'clock in the evening a chimney caught
fire on the right of the port； and the light of this fire； shining
through the masts of the flotilla； alarmed the commandant of a post on
the opposite shore。 At this time all the vessels had powder and
ammunition on board； and the poor commandant； beside himself with terror；
cried； 〃Boys； the fleet is on fire； 〃 and immediately had the alarm
beaten。 The frightful news spread like lightning； and in less than half
an hour more than sixty thousand men appeared upon the wharves； the
tocsin was sounded in all the churches； the forts fired alarm guns； while
drums and trumpets sounded along the streets； the whole making an
infernal tumult。
The Emperor was at headquarters when this terrible cry； 〃The fleet is on
fire；〃 came to his ears。 〃It is impossible！〃 he immediately exclaimed；
but； nevertheless； rushed out instantly。
On entering the town；。 what a frightful spectacle we beheld。 Women in
tears； holding their children in their arms； ran like lunatics； uttering
cries of despair； while men abandoned their houses； carrying off whatever
was most valuable； running against and knocking each other over in the
darkness。 On all sides was heard； 〃Mauve qui peat； we are going to be
blown up； we are all lost；〃 and the maledictions； lamentations；
blasphemies； were sufficient to make your hair stand on end。
The aides…de…camp of his Majesty and those of Marshal Soult galloped in
every direction； forcing their way through the crowds； stopping the
drummers； and asking them； 〃Why do you beat the alarm？ Who has ordered
you to beat the alarm？〃〃We don't know；〃 they replied； and the drums
continued to beat； while the tumult kept on increasing； and the crowd
rushed to the gates； struck by a terror which a moment's reflection would
have dissipated。 But； unfortunately； fear gives no time for reflection。
It is true； however； that a considerable number of inhabitants； less
excitable than these I have described； remained quietly at home； well
knowing that if the fleet had really been on fire； there would have been
no time to give an alarm。 These persons made every effort to quiet the
excited crowd。 Madame F； the very pretty and very amiable wife of a
clockmaker； was in her kitchen making preparations for supper； when a
neighbor； thoroughly frightened； entered； and said to her； 〃Save yourself
Madame； you have not a moment to lose！〃〃What is the matter？〃〃The
fleet is on fire！ 〃Ah…pshaw！〃〃Fly then； Madame； fly！ I tell you the
fleet is on fire。〃 And the neighbor took Madame F by the arm； and
endeavored to pull her along。 Madame F held at the moment a frying…
pan in which she was cooking some fritters。 〃Take care； you will make me
burn my fritters；〃 said she； laughing。 And with a few half serious； half
jesting words she reassured the poor fellow； who ended by laughing at
himself。
At last the tumult was appeased； and to this great fright a profound calm
succeeded。 No explosion had been heard； and they saw that it must have
been a false alarm； so each returned home； thinking no longer of the
fire； but agitated by another fear。 The robbers may have profited by the
absence of the inhabitants to pillage the houses； but as luck would have
it no mischance of this kind had taken place。
The next day the poor commandant who had so inopportunely taken and given
the alarm was brought before the council of war。 He was guilty of no
intentional wrong； but the law was explicit； and he was condemned to
death。 His judges； however； recommended him to the mercy of the Emperor；
who pardoned him。
CHAPTER XVII。
Many of the brave soldiers who composed the army of Boulogne had earned
the cross （of the Legion of Honor） in these last campaigns； and his
Majesty desired that this distribution should be made an impressive
occasion； which should long be remembered。 He chose the day after his
fete； Aug。 16； 1804。 Never has there been in the past； nor can there be
in the future； a more imposing spectacle。
At six o'clock in the morning； more than eighty thousand men left the
four camps；at their head drums beating and bands playing；and advanced
by divisions towards the 〃Hubertmill〃 field； which was on the cliff
beyond the camp of the right wing。 On this plain an immense platform had
been erected； about fifteen feet above the ground； and with its back
toward the sea。 It was reached by three flights of richly carpeted
steps； situated in the middle and on each side。 From the stage thus
formed； about forty feet square； rose three other platforms； the central
one bearing the imperial armchair； decorated with trophies and banners；
while that on the left held seats for the brothers of the Emperor； and
for the grand dignitaries； and that on the right bore a tripod of antique
form； surmounted by a helmet （the helmet of Duguesclin； I think）； covered
with crosses and ribbons。 By the side of the tripod had been placed a
seat for the arch…chancellor。
About three hundred steps from the throne； the land rose in a slight and
almost circular ascent； and on this ascent the troops were arranged as in
an amphitheater。 To the right of the throne； on an eminence； were placed
sixty or eighty tents made of naval flags； these tents were intended for
the ladies of the city； and made a charming picture； but they were so far
from the throne that the spectators who filled them wer