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there had been a single plank thrown from the boat to the quay。 Napoleon
passed； or rather leaped； over this light bridge； and was received on
board in 'the arms of a soldier of the guard； but M。 Decres； more stout；
and less active than the Emperor； advanced carefully over the plank that
he found to his horror was bending under his feet； until just as he
arrived in the middle； the weight of his body broke the plank； and the
minister of the navy was precipitated into the water； midway between the
quay and the boat。 His Majesty turned at the noise that M。 Decres made
in falling； and leaning over the side of the boat； exclaimed； 〃What！ Is
that our minister of the navy who has allowed himself to fall in the
water？ Is it possible it can be he？〃 The Emperor during this speech
laughed most uproariously。 Meanwhile； two or three sailors were engaged
in getting M。 Decres out of his embarrassing position。 He was with much
difficulty hoisted on the sloop； in a sad state； as may be believed；
vomiting water through his nose； mouth； and ears； and thoroughly ashamed
of his accident； which the Emperor's jokes contributed to render still
more exasperating。
Towards the end of our stay the generals gave a magnificent ball to the
ladies of the city； at which the Emperor was present。
For this purpose a temporary hall had been erected； which was tastefully
decorated with garlands； flags； and trophies。
General Bertrand was appointed master of ceremonies by his colleagues；
and General Bisson。 I was put in charge of the buffet； which employment
suited General Bisson perfectly； for he was the greatest glutton in camp；
and his enormous stomach interfered greatly with his walking。 He drank
not less than six or seven bottles of wine at dinner； and never alone；
for it was a punishment to him not to talk while eating； consequently he
usually invited his aides…de…camp； whom； through malice no doubt； he
chose always from among the most delicate and abstemious in the army。
The buffet was worthy of the one who had it in charge。
The orchestra was composed of musicians from twenty regiments； who played
in turn。 But on the opening of the ball the entire orchestra executed a
triumphal march； during which the aides…de…Camp； most elegantly attired；
received the ladies invited； and presented them with bouquets。
In order to be admitted to this ball； it was necessary to have at least
the rank of commandant。 It is； impossible to give an idea of the scene
presented by this multitude of uniforms； each vying in brilliancy with
the other。 The fifty or sixty generals who gave the ball had ordered
from Paris magnificently embroidered uniforms； and the group they formed
around his Majesty as he entered glittered with gold and diamonds。 The
Emperor remained an hour at this fete； and danced the Boulanyere with
Madame Bertrand。 He wore the uniform of colonel…general of the cavalry
of the guard。
The wife of Marshal Soult was queen of the ball。 She wore a black velvet
dress besprinkled with the kind of diamonds called rhinestones。
At midnight a splendid supper was served； the preparation of which
General Bisson had superintended； which is equivalent to saying that
nothing was wanting thereto。
The ladies of Boulogne； who had never attended such a fete； were filled
with amazement； and when supper was served advised each other to fill up
their reticules with dainties and sweets。 They would have carried away；
I think； the hall； with the musicians and dancers； and for more than a
month this ball was the only subject of their conversation。
About this time his Majesty was riding on horseback near his barracks；
when a pretty young girl of fifteen or sixteen； dressed in white； her
face bathed in tears； threw herself on her knees in his path。 The
Emperor immediately alighted from his horse； and assisted her to rise；
asking most compassionately what he could do for her。 The poor girl had
come to entreat the pardon of her father； a storekeeper in the commissary
department； who had been condemned to the galleys for grave crimes。 His
Majesty could not resist the many charms of the youthful suppliant； and
the pardon was granted。
CHAPTER XVIII。
At Boulogne； as everywhere else； the Emperor well knew how to win all
hearts by his moderation； his justice； and the generous grace with which
he acknowledged the least service。 All the inhabitants of Boulogne； even
all the peasants of the suburbs； would have died for him； and the
smallest particulars relating to him were constantly repeated。 One day；
however； his conduct gave rise to serious complaints； and he was
unanimously blamed； for his injustice was the cause of a terrible
tragedy。 I will now relate this sad event； an authentic account of which
I have never seen in print。
One morning； as he mounted his horse； the Emperor announced that he would
that day review the naval forces； and gave orders that the boats which
occupied the line of defense should leave their position； as he intended
to hold the review in the open sea。 He set out with Roustan for his
morning ride； and expressed a wish that all should be ready on his
return； the hour of which he designated。 Every one knew that the
slightest wish of the Emperor was law； and the order was transmitted；
during his absence； to Admiral Bruix； who replied with imperturbable
'sang froid'； that he much regretted it； but the review would not take
place that day； and in consequence no boat stirred。
On his return from his ride； the Emperor asked if everything was ready；
and the admiral's answer was reported to him。 Astonished by its tone； so
different from what he was accustomed to； he had it repeated to him
twice； and then； with a violent stamp of his foot； ordered the admiral to
be summoned。 He obeyed instantly； but the Emperor； thinking he did not
come quickly enough； met him half…way from his barracks。 The staff
followed his Majesty； and placed themselves silently around him； while
his eyes shot lightning。
〃Admiral Bruix；〃 said the Emperor in a tone showing great excitement；
〃why have you not obeyed my orders？〃
〃Sire；〃 responded Bruix with respectful firmness； 〃a terrible storm is
gathering。 Your Majesty can see this as well as I； are you willing to
uselessly risk the lives of so many brave men？〃 In truth； the heaviness
of the atmosphere； and the low rumbling which could be heard in the
distance； justified only too well the admiral's fears。 〃Monsieur；〃
replied the Emperor； more and more irritated； 〃I gave the orders； once
again； why have you not executed them？ The consequences concern me
alone。 Obey！〃〃Sire； I will not obey！〃〃Monsieur； you are insolent！〃
And the Emperor； who still held his riding…whip in his hand； advanced on
the admiral； making a threatening gesture。 Admiral Bruix retreated a
step； and placed his hand on the hilt of his sword： 〃Sire；〃 said he；
growing pale； 〃take care！〃 All those present were paralyzed with terror。
The Emperor remained for some time immovable； with his hand raised； and
his eyes fixed on the admiral； who still maintained his defiant attitude。
At last the Emperor threw his whip on the ground。 Admiral Bruix r