**** 
 
 I 
 
The Liitle Geimun Drummer-Hoy. 
 
 Krontispikck. 
 
THE 
 
 LITTLE GERMAN 
 DRUMMER BO 
 
 PHILADELPHIA : 
 PERKINPINE & HIGGINS, 
 No. 56 North Fourth Street. 
 
Digitized by the Internet Arcliive 
 in 2013 
 
 http://archive.org/details/littlegermandrum01duke 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 tee 
 
 THE DKUMMER BOY. 
 
 OHAPIER ' PAOX 
 
 I. The Sick CMld 7 
 
 11. The Billetting 16 
 
 III. The AflFectionate Son 29 
 
 IV. Augustus a Drummer 39 
 
 V. A Soldier's Life 45 
 
 VL Hardships 58 
 
 VII. The Grand Army 65 
 
 VIII. The Burning of the Mill 69 
 
 tX. Augustus is Shot 79 
 
 X. Augustus' Combat with Himself, a Wolf, and a Dog. 91 
 
 XI. The Surprise 101 
 
 XII. The Battle 112 
 
 XIII. The Grand Calamity 127 
 
 XIV. The Retreat 134 
 
 3 
 
4 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER PAOX 
 
 XV. The Passage of the Berezina 161 
 
 XVL The Return 160 
 
 XVII. The Conclusion 165 
 
 THE BOATSWAIN'S SON. 
 
 I. The Battle 171 
 
 II. Promotion and a Cruise 178 
 
 III. The Shipwreck 188 
 
 IV. Captain Ripley and Alice Verner 199 
 
 V. Rapid Promotion 209 
 
 VI. Conclusion 214 
 
The present tale has been translated from 
 
 the German of Gustav Moritz. Its design is 
 
 to inculcate the duty of self-sacrifice in the 
 
 most trying circumstances of life. 
 
 1 * 6 
 
THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 THE SICK CHILD. 
 
 The story we are going to tell refers to the 
 period when Europe was in a state of general 
 warfare; when French armies covered almost 
 every country on the continent. Great Britain, ' 
 by being an island in the ocean, was happily 
 exempted from the calamities of that terrible 
 war. At a vast expense it defended itself by 
 its ships. Thus saved from invasion, the people 
 in the towns and villages of England knew only 
 of war by report. How different the fate of the 
 inhabitants of those towns on the continent, 
 who continually, and without warning, suffered 
 from the violence of soldiers ! "When a regi- 
 ment entered a town, it took possession of the 
 houses of the people of all ranks ; who, to save 
 their lives, gave up everything that was de- 
 
 7 
 
8 
 
 THE DRUMxMER BOY. 
 
 manded. Frequently, however, the people were 
 killed from a mere spirit of mischief, and their 
 children maltreated or carried off. It was on an 
 occasion of this kind that the following inci- 
 dents took place. 
 
 Emily Werner, a little girl of about six years 
 of age, was the daughter of a tradesman in a 
 certain town in Germany. At the time of which 
 we write she was very ill. A violent fever had 
 attacked her, and there was scarcely any hope 
 of her recovery. Her parents w^atched alter- 
 nately by her bedside, their hearts full of 
 anguish, and offering up many but silent 
 prayers for the preservation of their darling 
 child. Five mournful nights had passed in 
 this manner, and now the sixth had arrived. 
 The room in which Emily lay, w^as lighted only 
 by the dim gleams of a night-lamp, and even 
 before this was placed a large book, to prevent 
 the glare from disturbing the invalid. In an 
 arm-chair close beside the bed, the patient 
 mother was seated, anxiously watching the 
 slightest movement of the sick child. The 
 mother's weary eyes w^re unrefreshed by sleep — 
 such love and anxiety as a parent alone can feel 
 kept her still awake. 
 
THE SICK CHILD. 
 
 9 
 
 As the town clock struck the midnight hour 
 her husband entered the sick room. He noise- 
 lessly walked up, and inquired in a low voice, 
 "Is there yet any change for the better?" 
 
 A sorrowful shake of the head was the only 
 answer he received. She pointed to the poor 
 child, who was tossing from side to side ; her 
 little cheeks burning with fever, and her breath- 
 ing rapid, but difficult. For a few minutes the 
 father looked at his child without speaking; 
 then turning to his wife, he whispered, "Do go 
 and take a little rest: it is my turn to watch 
 now." 
 
 " No," answered Madame Werner, " I could 
 not sleep even if I were to lie down ; and I feel 
 only more anxious when I am not beside my 
 poor child." 
 
 " But remember your ow^n health," returned 
 her husband ; " you cannot go on thus ; and the 
 end of it will be, that I shall have to nurse two 
 invalids instead of one. Do follow my exam- 
 ple." 
 
 " Never fear for me," said the mother. " Rest 
 is more necessary for you than for me. You 
 have to spend your days in laboring hard for 
 us, and if your nights are passed in watching, 
 you will soon be unable to work. Ah ! these are 
 
10 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 evil times indeed. The poor are obliged to do 
 double their usual work, and incur double their 
 ordinary fatigue, to meet the unjust demands 
 that are made upon them. It is too bad that 
 we should have so many soldiers quartered 
 upon us. To-day, again, there are twenty 
 Frenchmen assigned to us. They must have 
 food, and how are we to provide it? But I 
 should care little for this if only our precious 
 Emily were out of danger. She, after all, is 
 my chief anxiety." 
 
 "And mine, too," said Werner, with a deep 
 sigh, while he again tried to persuade his wife 
 to take some rest. But all was in vain; and 
 she at length prevailed upon him to return to 
 his bed. Gradually, however, in spite of her 
 determination, the affectionate mother sank into 
 a deep sleep: her head fell back on the arm- 
 chair, and she forgot in peaceful slumber both 
 her present and her expected troubles. 
 
 "Pray give me some drink," the sick child 
 suddenly called out; but for once her request 
 was not attended to — the over-wearied mother 
 did not hear. 
 
 "Some drink, if you please," repeated Emily, 
 in a louder voice. But still her mother did not 
 move, and the poor little girl began to cry. 
 
THE SICK CHILD. 11 
 
 Just then the door opened, and her brother 
 Augustus, a youth of about fourteen years of 
 age, entered half-dressed. 
 
 " Gently, dear Emily," he said in a soothing 
 voice : " I will give you something to drink." 
 He took a cup of tea from the top of the night- 
 lamp, where it was placed that it might keep 
 warm for the child. But poor Emily, rendered 
 peevish by her sufferings, was not satisfied. 
 "I want mother to give it to me," she said, 
 half crying. 
 
 "Dear Emily," her brother gently said, 
 "mother cannot — she is asleep. See, poor 
 mother is so tired — so very tired. She has 
 watched by you for six nights, and even now 
 she has not left you ; she still sits in the arm- 
 chair. Now drink." 
 
 The child eagerly swallowed the tea, and then 
 threw herself back on her little bed. Augustus 
 sat down by her side, that he might be ready to 
 get anything she might want. 
 
 "Will you sing to me?" asked Emily; and 
 Augustus sang gently the favorite ballad that 
 had often lulled them to sleep, when it was sung 
 by their mother's sweet voice; but sleep was far 
 from poor Emily now; and at length, over- 
 powered by the heat and the restlessness occa- 
 
12 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 sioned by her disorder, she attempted to throw 
 the clothes off the bed. 
 
 ^'O, Emily, you must not uncover yourself. 
 You will catch cold and then you will be worse. 
 Put your foot in bed again, and let me cover it 
 up." Then he carefully tucked the bedclothes 
 round the little one, and for a few minutes she 
 lay still ; till, tormented with thirst, she begged 
 him to give her some water. Augustus took 
 the chill oflP the water over the lamp, and then 
 gave it to her. In this manner the night passed 
 away. The poor little girl could not sleep ; and 
 if she did shut her eyes for a few minutes, she 
 suddenly opened them, and became fractious and 
 restless. 
 
 Augustus was unwearied in rearranging the 
 bedclothes, smoothing her pillow, giving her re- 
 freshment, and singing her favorite little song. 
 Throughout the whole time their mother con- 
 tinued to sleep. 
 
 As the morning began to dawn, Emily be- 
 came rather more calm ; the fever in her cheeks 
 gave place to a deadly paleness; her eyes re- 
 mained shut for a longer time; she breathed 
 more slowly and more heavily. Deep stillness 
 now reigned in the sick-room; the night-lamp 
 flickered unsteadily for some time, and at length 
 
THE SICK CHILD. 
 
 13 
 
 threatened to be totally extinguished; the morn- 
 ing breeze shook the shutters on the neighbor- 
 ing houses, and sighed and groaned in such a 
 ghostly fashion, that the boy was quite uneasy. 
 The chill of the morning air added to his dis- 
 comfort, but still he did not forsake his post. 
 With trembling lips he continued to sing in a 
 low voice — 
 
 "Angels watch thee in thy sleep, 
 Gently close thine eyes ; 
 Sleep, dear Emily ; sweetly sleep ; 
 Lullaby— oh lullaby \" 
 
 Whilst he was thus anxiously watching his 
 little sister, as she lay still as death, her eyes 
 closed, and her breathing hardly perceptible, the 
 thought that perhaps they would never open 
 again fell like a leaden weight on his heart. 
 A deep melancholy overwhelmed him ; his 
 throat became parched, his brow flushed, and 
 his mind agitated. At length, relieved by a 
 flood of tears, he began to sob bitterly. Emily 
 was a general favorite, and dearly loved by the 
 whole family ; she was always full of merri- 
 ment and intelligence. There was an inexpres- 
 sible charm in every word, every smile, every 
 step, and every glance of the dear child. "And 
 now," thought Augustus, " will that little mouth 
 
 2 
 
14 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 be silent forever? Shall we never see again 
 the merry dimple enliven her tiny face ? Will 
 that blue eye never smile again? And must 
 our darling Emily be laid in the dark coffin 
 instead of her curtained cradle-bed?" Poor 
 boy ! he was very wretched as he thought of all 
 these things. 
 
 His mother was roused from her slumbers by 
 the clock striking five. " Alas ! " she cried, very 
 much alarmed, " what have I done ? Unhappy 
 mother, I have neglected my child ! " She 
 wrung her hands as she looked at the pale form 
 that lay beside her. 
 
 " Dear mother," said Augustus, concealing 
 his tears, "do not be alarmed. I have been 
 here, and have taken care of Emily." 
 
 " Ah ! " returned Madame Werner, still in 
 great distress ; " but have you been all the 
 time? I cannot remember when I fell asleep.; 
 and if poor little Emily should have uncovered 
 herself, and taken a chill, owing to my forget- 
 fulness, what may be the consequences?" 
 
 But Augustus was able to relieve his mother 
 from this anxiety, and she thankfully embraced 
 her son. 
 
 " Your thoughtfulness," she said, " has saved 
 me from much unhappiness, my dear boy. I 
 
THE SICK CHILD. 
 
 15 
 
 should, indeed, have been miserable had my 
 little daughter taken injury through my inat- 
 tention. Thank you, dear Augustus." 
 
 Augustus was delighted at having so relieved 
 his mother's mind. "Ah, mother," he said, 
 " have you not often watched for many a long 
 night by my bedside ? And how slight is the 
 return that I have now been able to make to 
 you, by watching a few hours over our dear 
 Emily!" 
 
 Then leaving his parent, refreshed by her 
 slumber, to attend to the duties of the sick- 
 room, he went to finish dressing himself ; and 
 then labored to give every assistance in provid- 
 ing for the soldiers that were to be billetted upon 
 them. 
 
16 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 THE BILLETTING. 
 
 " I SHOULD like to be a soldier," said Eobert, 
 the youngest of the family, to his sister Bertha 
 Werner, a little girl of nine years of age. She 
 was engaged at the time in putting a white 
 cloth on the long table, and preparing it for the 
 soldier. "They get such capital dinners," 
 resumed the boy. "Why, they get Sunday 
 dinners every day. There is such a beautiful 
 joint of roast veal in the kitchen that mother 
 has got ready for them. It is as brown as a 
 nut, and I cannot tell you half the good things 
 I saw when I peeped in. I never saw such a 
 large dish of salad before ! There is nothing I 
 like so much. I only hope Mr. Frenchman 
 will leave some for me. 
 
 " And the new bread ! " added Bertha. " How 
 nice and white it looks ; and five whole pounds 
 of fresh butter ! I am sure they ought to thank 
 father and mother very much for spending such 
 
THE BILLETTING. 
 
 17 
 
 a great deal of money, and taking so much 
 trouble for them." 
 
 " Do you know," continued little Robert, " I 
 saw a number of cream cheeses too? They 
 must be very greedy if they can manage to eat 
 all." 
 
 The two children were suddenly interrupted 
 by a noise in the street. 
 
 "Here they come — here they come!" cried 
 Bertha, as she looked out of the window. It 
 was true they were coming ; and very soon wea- 
 pons clanked as the troop halted and grounded 
 arms. Soon after, heavy footsteps were heard 
 on the staircase. The children then ran away. 
 
 The strange soldiers now took possession of 
 the apartment that was pointed out to them. 
 They appeared quite at their ease ; threw aside 
 their knapsacks and muskets, their greatcoats 
 and swords, without ceremony ; and very soon 
 the unbidden guests had visited every room in 
 the house to which they could gain access, 
 whistling, singing, and talking as if they were 
 at home. 
 
 In the meantime the servant-girl and one of 
 Werner's journeymen covered the table with the 
 food which had been prepared for the soldiers. 
 Robert was not quite free from envy as the 
 2 * B 
 
18 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 smoking soups, the roast veal, and the salad 
 were carried past him. It fell to the lot of 
 Augustus to assemble the scattered soldiers to 
 their meal. He had some little knowledge of 
 French, and he was therefore able to inform 
 them in their own tongue that dinner was ready. 
 
 The soldiers were not slow to answer the 
 summons ; and as soon as Werner found, from 
 the clatter of knives and plates, that they were 
 occupied, he and his wife withdrew, with the 
 children, into the sick-room, which for the time 
 they were obliged to use as a sitting-room. 
 
 All at once they heard a great uproar among 
 their guests. Their voices were so loud, and so 
 deafening, that only by the terrible words with 
 which they interlarded their speeches could it 
 be distinguished that they were angry and in- 
 furiated. It seemed as if they were breaking 
 the windows. Jugs and glasses were then 
 thrown into the street, followed by still heavier 
 articles. Werner hastily left the room ; but his 
 wife contented herself with looking out of the 
 window to ascertain the cause of the tumult. 
 It was a sad sight for the poor woman. 
 Pots foaming with beer were hurled through 
 the windows of the room occupied by the 
 Frenchmen, accompanied every now and then 
 
THE BILLETTING. 
 
 19 
 
 by huge pieces of cheese, joints of meat, and 
 bowls of salad, while loaves of bread fell like 
 mill-stones on the pavement. Poor Robert wept 
 from mingled feelings of anger and grief as he 
 recognized in the middle of the street, sur- 
 rounded by the broken jugs and dishes, the veal 
 that he had so much wished to taste, almost con- 
 cealed by his favorite salad. The weeping maid 
 ran out to endeavor, if possible, to save some of 
 the good things, and was met by her master, 
 who entered just in time to save his assistant 
 from being kicked out of doors. 
 
 Such a scene was sufficient to have excited 
 the best-tempered man. Both Werner and 
 his assistant were exceedingly enraged. They 
 clenched their fists, and would willingly have 
 vented their anger upon the offenders. But 
 they were wise enough to restrain themselves, 
 seeing how vain it would be for two men to 
 attack twenty, and those all armed with deadly 
 weapons. 
 
 "Augustus," at length \yerner called out in 
 an angry voice, "be quick; run to head- 
 quarters, and just tell how these rascals are be- 
 having themselves. Beg some of the officers to 
 come over immediately." 
 
 Augustus obeyed. During his absence the 
 
20 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 uproar became still greater, so that Werner and 
 his people did not venture to show themselves. 
 After some time, Augustus came back, quite out 
 of breath, but — alone. 
 
 "How is this?" asked his father eagerly. 
 " How is it that no officer has come back with 
 you?" 
 
 "Ah, father," answered Augustus, " it is use- 
 less to expect help from them. The only answer 
 I could get to my complaint and urgent peti- 
 tion was this — ' They could not interfere with a 
 troop of soldiers for such nonsense ; the men 
 had had a severe march, and they had a right 
 to expect good entertainment after it.' The 
 gentleman then turned away, and would not 
 listen to anything farther that I had to say. 
 And, father, what do you think I have seen 
 besides ? — it is quite terrible ! A great number 
 of Rhenish soldiers have just entered the town 
 — Bader street is full of them. A number of 
 loaves had been divided amongst them, that 
 they might have something to eat till they 
 could be billetted. And what do you think 
 these wicked men were doing ? They had laid 
 the loaves in a row along the dirty street, and 
 were walking on them, laughing as they went, 
 for they said that was the way to keep their 
 
THE BILLETTING. 
 
 21 
 
 boots clean. Some of the men even took all 
 the crumb of the loaves away, and putting their 
 feet into them, they then walked about in the 
 mud. How impious to misuse the gifts of God 
 in this way ! " 
 
 The parents and children stood amazed at 
 this narration. At last Werner said, " Well, if 
 our own countrymen act in this manner, we 
 cannot be surprised that foreigners should be- 
 have no better." 
 
 " Right enough," added his wife; " therefore, 
 dear husband, be calm, and let us make the 
 best of it. Shall we go and ask what the 
 Frenchmen have to complain of in the food that 
 we have prepared for them ? It is better that 
 we should come to an understanding with them, 
 than that they should ill-treat us, and destroy 
 everything. It seems as if, in the midst of all 
 this trouble, God was about to gladden our 
 hearts. Just look at our dear little Emily ; what 
 a change there is in her for the better ! She 
 sleeps now quite soundly and peacefully. She 
 breathes softly, and that fearful restlessness has 
 entirely disappeared. The doctor, too, gives us 
 hope of seeing her restored. He says that the 
 dear child has got over the worst, and that 
 there is little danger now. We must only take 
 
22 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 care that she is not suddenly roused out of this 
 sleep. Is not this news worth a thousandfold 
 more than the few crow^ns that you are com- 
 pelled to waste upon these covetous stran- 
 gers?" 
 
 "You are right, my love," said her husband 
 as he stepped up to the couch of his child, and 
 thankfully w^atched her peaceful slumbers. 
 With a cheerful face he then took a further 
 sum from his hardly-earned savings, in order to 
 purchase more wine, meal, and bread, that he 
 might be able to pacify his discontented guests. 
 
 Just then a new trouble came. The maid 
 announced another arrival of soldiers, and at 
 the same minute the yard was filled with these 
 unwelcome visitors. 
 
 "A drummer, with fifteen men, from the 
 Rhenish troops, have come here for quarters," 
 said the girl, as with a trembling hand she gave 
 the quartering billet to her horrified master. 
 
 His poor wife clasped her hands. " Alas ! 
 have we not yet trouble enough ? Must we 
 still endure fresh misfortunes ?" 
 
 But it was no use lamenting; something 
 must be quickly arranged, for the German sol- 
 diers were impatient to occupy their apartment. 
 
 " Show them into the workshop," Werner or- 
 
THE BILLETTING. 
 
 23 
 
 dered, after a little consideration. " 1 had 
 rather give the workmen a holiday than that 
 the life of my sick child should be endan- 
 gered." 
 
 In the meantime his wife desired Bertha and 
 Robert to take care of Emily, whilst she hur- 
 ried into the kitchen to make a few hasty pre- 
 parations for the entertainment of the new- 
 comers. 
 
 While engaged in her household cares, she 
 heard the approach of heavy footsteps and the 
 sound of angry voices. She listened : it was 
 evident to her that the soldiers were pressing 
 into the sick-room. She listened no longer, but 
 like an arrow she rushed out to protect her be- 
 loved child. Led by the drummer, the soldiers 
 had noisily entered the sick-room just as she 
 reached the door. As soon as the drummer 
 perceived her, he said in a rude voice, " Do you 
 fools imagine us to be dogs, that you may push 
 into any hole you please ? I can tell you you 
 are just wrong there. A pretty thing indeed! 
 The French are to have the best room, while we 
 Germans are to be put off with the workshop ! 
 Or, forsooth, if we are not satisfied with that 
 we may sit down in the yard ! What ! are those 
 good-for-nothing fellows to be treated better 
 
24 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 than we are ? Did not we shed our blood for 
 you in battle ? A fine return you are making 
 us ! I'll tell you what, comrades, we will remain 
 here ; and, welcome or not, they shall not drive 
 us out." 
 
 " Oh, good people," implored the poor mother 
 in a, suppressed but earnest voice, " have mercy 
 upon my sick child ! This is the first time for 
 six days that she has slept quietly. I beseech 
 you to keep still, and Tie will do all you wish. 
 Is there not a father among you who can under- 
 stand and feel for me ? Have none of you left 
 a dear little child at home that you would like 
 to see ? Oh, I do not think that you will kill 
 my darling !" 
 
 While she was thus speaking, her trembling 
 hands were employed in relieving the soldiers of 
 their weapons and knapsacks, and placing them 
 as noiselessly as possible in a corner of the room. 
 She then repeated her request, that they would 
 spare the sick child; desired the two little 
 watchers not to forsake their post; and then 
 hastened back into the kitchen. 
 
 For some time the soldiers remained tolerably 
 quiet. They placed chairs at the large table, 
 and conversed with each other. At length, 
 however, the fierce drummer became impatient ; 
 
 I 
 
THE BILLETTING. 
 
 25 
 
 he thought the dinner ought to make its appear- 
 ance. For a short time he contented himself 
 with muttering between his teeth, but he soon 
 broke out into loud expressions of anger. 
 
 " What are these lazy folks doing, that they 
 don't bring us something to eat ? I suppose 
 they have been busy picking up what was 
 thrown into the streets, that they may dish it 
 up again, and set it before us. I suspected the 
 cross-grained old woman as soon as they thrust 
 us into that hole of a shop. Stay : I'll hasten 
 her a bit. It's very well I know her weak 
 side." 
 
 As he said this, he cast a wrathful glance at 
 the innocent child, who still lay in a sweet sleep, 
 notwithstanding his loud talking. Bertha and 
 Robert stood beside the sick-bed like two guar- 
 dian angels. They watched the angry soldier 
 with timid looks as they noticed the mischief 
 that lightened out of his gray eyes. Both of 
 the children turned pale as they saw him push 
 his chair close to Emily's couch, and then lay 
 hold of the drum. Fear deprived them of power 
 of utterance ; but they folded their slender arms 
 as well as they could over the little sleeper, and 
 their terrified looks implored mercy from the 
 barbarian. But the drummer either could not 
 
 3 
 
26 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 or would not understand this silent but eloquent 
 language of the eyes. AYith a diabolical smile 
 he placed the drum between his legs, and rais- 
 ing the drumsticks, he said deridingly, "It 
 won't quite kill the innocent if I do help her 
 mother on her legs." 
 
 Those who read this narrative will be ready 
 to suppose that what I am now about to relate 
 is mere fiction. Would that it were so ! But 
 alas ! it is too true. It is one amongst many of 
 the horrors occasioned by war. 
 
 Little Emily continued to slumber peacefully, 
 though the wretch was watching her. Her 
 tiny hands were folded over her breast. She 
 breathed softly through her parted lips ; and 
 returning health had recalled a tinge of rose- 
 color to her cheeks. The luxuriant curls fell 
 around her face. All this the fierce stranger 
 saw ; he saw, too, those loving eyes that gazed 
 imploringly in inexpressible agony ; and yet this 
 did not restrain his ruthless hands from beating 
 a thundering tattoo on the drum. A cry of 
 agony burst from the lips of the brother and 
 sister as the drum sounded. Poor little Emily 
 appeared almost convulsed. She opened wide 
 her blue eyes, and gazed with alarm at the 
 strange fierce man whose hands had called forth 
 
 i 
 
THE BILLETTING. 
 
 27 
 
 those fearful tones. The blood forsook her 
 face: and the struggles of death began. At 
 that moment the door opened, and, like a lioness 
 robbed of her young, the pooi* mother rushed 
 into the room. Her senses seemed leaving her ; 
 a deadly paleness overspread her countenance ; 
 her hair hung loose; and her eye rolled 
 wildly. But she was unable to utter a sound. 
 She seized the drummer, and her strength 
 appeared almost superhuman ; for the man, 
 strong and athletic as he was, could not re- 
 lease himself from her murderous grasp. But 
 at that moment she glanced at her child — 
 the dying Emily. She let the wretch go, 
 and raised the panting child from the bed, 
 that she might have air. The hot tears fell 
 upon the now fixed face of her darling; she 
 kissed the cold blue lips ; she called the little 
 one by all her most endearing names ; but in 
 vain — life was too far gone, and in a few min- 
 utes poor Emily breathed her last. Madame 
 Werner, overwhelmed with grief, clasped the 
 lifeless remains of her child to her bosom, and 
 with a heart-rending cry sank unconscious upon 
 the floor. The drummer fell also, thrust through 
 by the father's hand. Werner had entered the 
 room soon after his wife, and in this manner 
 
28 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 had punished the murderer. The soldiers closed 
 round, and at length managed to disarm and 
 overpower him. They then bound him, and 
 took him away as a prisoner. ^ 
 
THE AFFECTIONATE SON. 
 
 29 
 
 4 
 
 CHAPTEH III. 
 
 THE AFFECTIONATE SON. 
 
 Three days after the octurrences had taken 
 place which were narrated in the last chapter, a 
 man was observed to come out of Mr. Werner's 
 door at a very early hour. He was habited in 
 a large black mourning-cloak, which fell over 
 a little coffin that he carried before him, sup- 
 ported by a broad band that passed around the 
 wearer's neck. A woman followed him, dressed 
 in deep mourning, with a white hood over her 
 head. She was the sextoness. Lastly came 
 Werner's three children — Augustus, Bertha, 
 and Robert. Their eyes were red and swollen, 
 and they wept bitterly as they passed along. 
 The little procession of mourners went quietly 
 through the almost empty streets towards a 
 distant burying-ground. At its approach the 
 gate was swung open with a sound that jarred 
 upon their ears. But as they entered the solemn 
 abode of the dead, their feelings were at once 
 soothed and solemnized by the soft rays of the 
 3 * 
 
30 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 rising sun shining upon the tomb-stones with 
 which the ground was covered. 
 
 Threading their way between the numberless 
 graves, the mourners directed their steps to one 
 that had just been opened ; and here the bearer 
 deposited the little coffin. The ceremony of 
 interment then proceeded amid the loud sobs of 
 the three children; whose grief at the loss of 
 Emily was probably increased by a recollection 
 of the condition of their father and mother — 
 one in a prison on a charge of murder, the 
 other confined to bed with distress of body and 
 mind. 
 
 For several days nothing could be heard of 
 the fate of Werner. Perhaps the necessity for 
 stirring herself to take charge of her family 
 caused Madame Werner to rise from bed sooner 
 than she would otherwise have done. Fortu- 
 nately the weather was fine, and she was able to 
 sit in an easy chair outside the door, where she 
 was dutifully attended to by Augustus; and 
 even AVatch, the house-dog, was faithfully at 
 his post beside her. 
 
 Meanwhile Augustus was maturing a plan 
 for the delivery of his father, who, it was 
 reported, was to be shot by the military. One 
 day Bertha asked, him what he was thinking 
 
THE AFFECTIONATE SON. 
 
 31 
 
 SO deeply about? He replied by asking her 
 " what was the verse the clergyman discoursed 
 from last Sunday ? " 
 
 Bertha considered for a moment, and then 
 said, " It was, ' Ye ought also to lay down your 
 lives for thp brethren.' " 
 
 " That is right," said Augustus. " Don't you 
 understand it ? We are to ' lay down our lives 
 for our brethren ! ' How much more, then, for 
 our parent^ ? " He stopped for a few minutes, 
 apparently striving to overcome some conflicting 
 feelings; then he added calmly, "Robert, you 
 may have both my turtle-doves for your own ; 
 but take care of them, and do not forget to give 
 them fresh water and proper food every day. 
 There is a large paper bag in my box full of 
 food that will last you for some time. You 
 know where to find it ? " 
 
 " What ! " cried Robert, " will you indeed 
 give me your doves ? — your favorite doves ? " 
 
 "I do not care for them now," returned 
 Augustus sorrowfully. " Dear Emily is dead ; 
 and our father, they say, will be shot to-mor- 
 row ! I do not want the doves." Then, after 
 a short pause, " If mother gets well, and father 
 is set free, tell them not to be angry with me. 
 It would not be right to act differently; the 
 
32 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 Bible says so. And, Bertha, repeat the verse 
 to them; you know which I mean? Then 
 they will understand it, and will not be angry 
 with me." 
 
 The children did not know what Angustns 
 meant; nor was he disposed to explain himself 
 farther. An idea had awakened in his mind, 
 and he felt that he had a duty to perform. He 
 resolved that he would try to save his father's 
 life, by giving up his own. He did not allow 
 ^himself to think. In a fit of enthusiasm he 
 went off to the prison to see his father, if pos- 
 sible, for the last time. 
 
 "Stand back!" said the sentry, as Augustus 
 approached the entrance of the prison in which 
 Werner was confined. 
 
 " My father is here," said Augustus ; " may 
 I not go in to see him ? " 
 
 " I tell you to stand back," said the sentry in 
 a harsh voice. 
 
 " Oh let me see him, if only for a moment ! " 
 implored the boy, while he could no longer 
 restrain his tears ; " let me go in ; I want to 
 bid him good-by." 
 
 " Stand back ! " repeated the stern soldier. 
 " What good will your visit do him ? A flask 
 of wine now would be of much more use than 
 
THE AFFECTIONATE SON. 33 
 
 your whimpering and whining. Some wine 
 would give him a little spirit to stand fire ; but 
 your seeing him would take away the little bit 
 of courage he has left." 
 
 In the meantime several of the inhabitants 
 had gathered round to hear what was passing. 
 Murmuring voices were heard to exclaim, 
 "Shameful — shameful! not to suffer the poor 
 child to embrace his father once more." 
 
 "Ah," said one, "if I had been in Werner's 
 place, I would have done just the same." 
 
 "Let's have a throw at the hard-hearted ras- 
 (ial!" said another. 
 
 "Knock him down — the knave I" said a 
 third. 
 
 The soldier became rather uneasy as he found 
 the crowd rapidly increasing round him; and 
 at length he said in a milder voice, "My orders 
 are very strict that no one is to see the prisoner. 
 If the boy wishes to see his father, let him 
 obtain permission from the colonel, and there 
 will then be no difficulty." 
 
 Accordingly Augustus, followed by the crowd, 
 went to head-quarters, which were distinguished 
 by two sentries being in attendance. The 
 townsmen, full of curiosity to see what would 
 be the end of the matter, remained before the 
 c 
 
34 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 house, while Augustus entered. He was shown 
 into a large room full of officers. Divided into 
 groups, they were engaged in animated conver- 
 sation. No notice was taken of the poor boy 
 by any one, and he tried in vain to discover 
 which was the colonel. Suddenly a side door 
 opened. The officers drew back, and silently 
 arranged themselves round. An officer, evi- 
 dently of superior rank, and adorned with a 
 great many orders, big, burly, and red-faced 
 in appearance, entered. 
 
 Augustus turned pale as he found himself 
 standing alone in the circle, and facing the for- 
 midable colonel. Still, he summoned up all his 
 courage ; and stepping rather nearer, he said in 
 a firm voice, " Oh, sir, the Bible says we ought 
 to die for our brethren ! So will you let me be 
 shot instead of my poor father ? " 
 
 The colonel, astonished at this unexpected 
 request, stepped back. Measuring the boy from 
 head to foot, he cried, "How? AYhat? You 
 wish to be shot ? Nonsense ! " he continued, 
 laughing. "What do you mean, you foolish 
 boy?" 
 
 " Oh, sir," returned Augustus, while the tears 
 ran down his pale cheeks ; " I do, indeed, meap 
 
THE AFFECTIONATE SON. 
 
 35 
 
 what I say ; I am, indeed, come to beg you to 
 kill me instead of my dear father." 
 
 The colonel now became serious. He listened 
 attentively as the poor boy described in the most 
 touching manner the trouble and agony of his 
 parents. Both the colonel and his officers were 
 indignant and ashamed when they heard of the 
 conduct of the inhuman drummer. 
 
 When the interesting story was finished, the 
 colonel was gloomy and silent for a few mo- 
 ments; then addressing the circle round, he 
 said, "This is a peculiar case, and one very 
 hard to deal with. It would be a bad prece- 
 dent if I were to let the boy's father off. For 
 the safety of our people, it is necessary that 
 such a deed should not go unpunished. But if 
 a court-martial should be held, Werner will 
 surely be condemned to die, especially if the 
 drummer should not recover ; and I find there 
 is little hope that he will. On the other hand, 
 we would gladly save the man, were it only for 
 the sake of his noble boy. There is not time 
 enough to apply for pardon from his majesty. 
 In two days the regiment must march, and the 
 drummer's place be supplied. Stay — an idea 
 occurs to me." He turned to Augustus, who 
 stood trembling to hear the sentence that was 
 
36 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 to decide upon life and death. "Now, my 
 boy," asked the colonel, " have you fully made 
 up your mind to die for your father ? Remem- 
 ber it is easier to say this than to do it. You 
 might tell a different tale if you felt the cold 
 leaden bullets cracking your bones for you." 
 Here he looked sharply at Augustus, who 
 evinced by his manner that his determination 
 ' remained unaltered. " Supposing," continued 
 the colonel, "that the man whom your father 
 has wounded should not die before the regiment 
 marches, I can perhaps save your father from 
 being shot. But in that case you must take 
 the vacant place of the sick drummer in my 
 regiment, and march away with us in two days. 
 Will you, and dare you do this ? " 
 
 " Must I become a drummer ?" cried Augus- 
 tus, clasping his hands in agony. " Oh ! any- 
 thing in the world but that ! I should never 
 dare to appear before my mother again. She 
 "Would hate me. It was a drummer who killed 
 dear Emily. Oh no ! no ! — indeed I cannot 
 be a drummer ! " 
 
 The colonel was almost angry. "Did one 
 ever hear of such a boy?" he said. " I want 
 to do him a kindness, and he does not so much 
 as thank me for it. Listen, you foolish little 
 
THE AFFECTIONATE SOX. * 37 
 
 fellow ! I did not think you were so stupid. 
 If you suffer yourself to be shot, you most 
 assuredly will never see your mother again. 
 But if you take to the drum and the uniform, 
 you are as much her son as ever. Do you 
 suppose your father would ever be happy again, 
 or thank you for his life, if he gained it by 
 your death 
 
 "Oh, sir," said poor Augustus in great dis- 
 tress, "I will do anything to save my dear 
 father. If I cannot be shot, I will even become 
 a drummer ! " 
 
 The colonel and his officers could scarcely 
 keep from laughing at the boy's speech, but 
 the former merely said in reply, " Then we are 
 agreed ; only you must understand that these 
 are the conditions : In the first place, your 
 father cannot be set at liberty until the drum- 
 mer is out of danger, and our regiment has 
 marched away from this place. Secondly, you 
 must not see or speak to your father again. I 
 have the best reason possible for requiring this. 
 Why should you have the pain of taking leave, 
 when there is no occasion for it? You will 
 therefore remain here. I give you in charge to 
 my old sergeant, Hoier, who Avill stand in place 
 of father to you. Take care, and drum away 
 
38 
 
 THE {)RUMMER BOY. 
 
 industriously for the two days that we remain 
 here, so that you may not fall out with the 
 other drummers.'' 
 
 The thanks Augustus would have uttered 
 died upon his lips. He could not bear the 
 idea of taking the place of the cruel drummer 
 who had murdered his sister. Indeed, with his 
 present feelings, he would rather that they had 
 taken him at his word, and suffered him at 
 once to die for his father. 
 
AUGUSTUS A DRUMMER. 
 
 39 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 AUGUSTUS A DRUMMER. 
 
 Augustus drummed away till his arms ached. 
 He gave, in general, great satisfaction to his 
 instructor. But occasionally the latter was 
 obliged to remind him, by a gentle tap on the 
 shoulders with the drumstick, that he could 
 not practice well if he was so lost in thought. 
 The poor boy would then pass the sleeve of his 
 soldier's coat over his tearful eyes, and drum 
 away again in real earnest. 
 
 When he accomplished the first tattoo, a 
 feeling of horror ran through his frame. He 
 thought of his murdered sister, and of his poor 
 mother now lying at the point of death. At 
 length the dreaded morning arrived on which 
 Augustus was to march off with the regiment. 
 
 The old sergeant had taken an early oppor- 
 tunity of giving Augustus a lesson in packing 
 his knapsack in the most judicious manner. 
 The boy listened to all his directions, but 
 scarcely understood them. His head was even 
 
40 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 fuller than the knapsack which he was to carry. 
 Suddenly the sounds of the general march were 
 heard in the street. As Augustus was a novice 
 in the art of drumming, and the colonel wished 
 to avoid a scene, orders were given that he 
 should not just then drum with his companions. 
 He accordingly left his quarters, walking by 
 Holer's side instead of his proper place. His 
 heart seemed ready to break as he passed his 
 father's house. His little sister and brother, 
 Bertha and Robert, the maid-servant, and his 
 father's workmen, were all looking out to catch 
 sight of him as he passed. But the window of 
 the room which his mother occupied was closed 
 completely, and a thick curtain drawn down. 
 Augustus could not restrain his tears. Raising 
 his hands towards them, he called out in a loud, 
 though trembling voice, "Bid my mother and 
 father good-by for me ! Good-by ! good-by ! " 
 
 "Augustus, Augustus, wait a moment!" and 
 their heads disappeared from the window. They 
 were evidently coming down stairs, that the 
 children might have a last kiss of their brother. 
 But Hoier disappointed them, for he drew his 
 young charge away as quickly as possible. 
 
 "Silly creatures," he muttered between his 
 teeth, not without . evident emotion ; " why 
 
AUGUSTUS A DRUMMER. 
 
 41 
 
 should they make your trouble still harder to 
 bear ? Come, my boy, march on ! " 
 
 They hastened to the market-place, where 
 the regiment was drawn up. As they passed 
 along, they often heard the remark: "There 
 goes Werner's boy, Augustus. He is a dutiful 
 son. He has become a soldier to save his poor 
 father's life." 
 
 "Farewell, you brave fellow !" a great many 
 voices added as he was lost to their sight amid 
 the crowd of his new comrades. 
 
 An order was now given for all the drum- 
 mers to place themselves at the head of the 
 regiment. They immediately hastened to the 
 appointed spot, with the exception of Augustus, 
 who, according to the general's orders, remained 
 behind. Crowds of spectators were assembled, 
 the greater part of whom were children. But 
 all appeared to be looking for the same object : 
 "Augustus Werner, where was he? What a 
 noble boy! what a grateful child, to act such 
 a part ! " But for some time so hidden was he, 
 that their friendly eyes could not discover him. 
 All at once the crowd opened, and several per- 
 sons made their way quickly towards the sol- 
 diers. These were Werner's workmen, the 
 maid-servant, and the brother and sister of 
 
 4 * 
 
42 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 Augustus. They had succeeded in finding him 
 out ; and the two children almost overpowered 
 him with their weeping caresses. None of the 
 party could speak, for old and young were weep- 
 ing together at this affecting scene. Poor Au- 
 gustus pressed his little brother and sister to 
 him ; and this hasty embrace was all he could 
 enjoy, for just then came the command in tones 
 of thunder from the commanding officer, " For- 
 ward! march!" The drummers made a tre- 
 mendous noise. Augustus was torn forcibly from 
 his beloved ones, and obliged to follow the sol- 
 diers. He then arranged his drum also, and 
 joining vigorously in the tumult, he strove to 
 drum away his painful thoughts. But this was 
 not a very easy matter. He walked and 
 drummed mechanically by the side of his com- 
 . rades till they had marched a long way out of 
 the city. Here they came to a hill, where the 
 regiment made a short halt. The soldiers drew 
 out their flasks of brandy, which they handed 
 from one to the other, whilst they seasoned their 
 fiery draught with their rough jests. 
 
 "Drink, comrade, drink!" said Augustus' 
 next neighbor, offering him his flask. " Noth- 
 ing like a good taste of brandy to make us for- 
 get our sorrows. Take a drink, then, my boy." 
 
AUGUSTUS A DRUMMER. 
 
 43 
 
 But Augustus silently refused the offer, and 
 once more turned his eyes towards his beloved 
 native place. There the town lay, rejoicing in 
 the clear beams of the morning sun ; the beau- 
 tiful sight only increased the boy's sadness. 
 "Ah!" thought he, "shall I ever see it again ; 
 or if I do return, will it not be as a helpless 
 cripple ? Shall I ever more see my dear father 
 and mother? Oh that I had been allowed to 
 bid them good-by! My own dear home! I 
 never loved it so much as now that I am obliged 
 to leave it. Farewell forever ! May God pro- 
 tect you, beloved ones ! " He kept his sad 
 thoughts to himself, however, for he was not 
 proof against the raillery of his companions. 
 They talked and joked with each other more as 
 if they were proceeding to a feast than to war; 
 and yet most of them had left loving parents at 
 home, who trembled and prayed for their chil- 
 dren's safety. 
 
 The larks, too, sang joyously in the blue sky, 
 as if they were striving to dispel his grief. 
 Their simple warbling did more than anything 
 else towards enabling him to overcome his feel- 
 ings. He thought of the God who had made 
 these little creatures ; and he remembered that 
 as they were cared for by his Almighty Father, 
 
44 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 SO was he also. These soothing reflections 
 brought peace and happiness once more into his 
 heart, and his youthful face began to lose the 
 careworn expression w^hich it had borne for 
 some days past. By the time his comrades 
 were ready to pursue their march, he was even 
 more merry and cheerful than those who had 
 had recourse to their constant companions — 
 the brandy flasks. 
 
A Soldier's Life. 
 
 The Little Gerniuu Uiuiiiincr-Boy, p. 45. 
 
A soldier's life. 
 
 45 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 A soldier's life. 
 
 Augustus heard his companions sing; but 
 he did not quite agree with them either in the 
 sentiments or the manner of their songs. Be- 
 sides, he was fatigued and down-hearted. He 
 was so unaccustomed to carry the knapsack, that 
 the burden caused him much discomfort. His 
 back and shoulders ached violently from the 
 unusual weight. It was bad enough for him 
 who had only the drum in addition to carry ; 
 but still he was not so badly off as the other 
 soldiers ; they had their heavy guns with them, 
 and were obliged to rest them on their shoulders. 
 Then another annoyance was the cloud of dust 
 which harassed the regiment as it marched 
 along the roads. Indeed to such a height did 
 this inconvenience arise, that the soldiers' uni- 
 forms looked as if they had been well powdered. 
 Instead of inhaling the fresh air, their mouths 
 and Mioses were filled with dust, which parched 
 
4G 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 the throat and tongue. It is true they some- 
 times passed by refreshing springs, but they 
 were seldom permitted to enjoy the cooling 
 beverage. A few only were allowed to step out 
 of the ranks when it was necessary to fill the 
 flasks; but the greater number of the thirsty 
 soldiers were obliged to pass them by. 
 
 Bathed in perspiration, racked with aches and 
 pains, weary, and out of spirits, Augustus and 
 his comrades at length arrived at the village 
 in which it was arranged they should dine. 
 Augustus had not eaten a morsel that day, and 
 it was now one o'clock. Hungry as he was, he 
 had still to wait a full half hour, until the troops 
 had been called over and billetted upon the dif- 
 ferent houses in the village. Their arrival had 
 been expected, and preparations had therefore 
 been made for their reception. Augustus and 
 twenty of his companions had scarcely entered 
 the room, before the smoking meal made its 
 appearance. The table was quickly covered; 
 plates, spoons, knives, and forks, lay ready; huge 
 loaves of bread, butter, and cheese, had been 
 amply provided; nor were brandy and beer 
 wanting. One end of the table was adorned 
 with an immense dish of dumplings, while the 
 other supported a dish of boiled pork. After 
 
A soldier's life. 
 
 47 
 
 the soldiers had thrown aside their arms and 
 knapsacks, they took their seats around the 
 table. The peasant and his wife, their children 
 and the little servant girl, stood behind the 
 strangers, waiting to attend upon them. 
 
 The family group uncovered their heads, ex- 
 pecting to hear the soldiers ask a blessing on 
 the food that was before them ; but they waited 
 in vain. Augustus was the only one of the 
 whole party who bent his head to repeat the few 
 words of thanksgiving that had never been 
 neglected at his dear father's table. And now a 
 terrible tumult began. Augustus' comrades 
 swore fearfully at the puddings and the meat; 
 the former, they said, were as hard as stones; 
 the latter as tough and tasteless as leather. Some 
 compared them to cannon-balls, and threatened 
 to send them at the heads of those who had 
 been concerned in making them. In vain the 
 poor woman pleaded that it was not her fault; 
 the dinner had been ready for two hours, and 
 as a natural consequence, the puddings had 
 become heavy. It was with diffirulty the dis- 
 contented guests could be restrained from add- 
 ing violent actions to their violent words. 
 During this altercation Augustus quietly, and 
 without complaining, took his portion of the 
 
48 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 unsavory food. He willingly left his share of 
 the brandy to his companions ; but he rejoiced 
 at the prospect of a refreshing draught of pure 
 water. Many took beer, which happened to be 
 sour, and tasted of the cask. This discovery 
 increased the general discontent. 
 
 "Gentlemen," said the peasant, on seeing 
 their angry looks as they tasted the nauseous 
 beverage, "we have nothing but such beer as 
 this to drink throughout the summer, and we 
 have paid for it as good. You must not be 
 angry with us, but with our landlord, who 
 requires us to buy it of him." 
 
 "You may think it a fortunate thing for 
 yourselves," returned a soldier, "that we are 
 Germans instead of Frenchmen. They would 
 have thrown your beer in your faces, and made 
 you get wine for them." 
 
 " Those who have no wine can't give any," 
 returned the peasant; "and where there is no- 
 thing, the emperor himself would ask without 
 getting." 
 
 No sooner had they pretty well cleared the 
 table, (which they accomplished in spite of their 
 discontented speeches,) than the soldiers started 
 up, and began exploring in all directions. 
 Some found their way into the dairy, where 
 
A soldier's life. 
 
 49 
 
 they scrupled not to drink off the cream ; 
 others visited the hen-house and the dove-cot ; 
 another party ran over the garden, attracted by 
 the cherry-trees, that were heavily laden with 
 fruit; while some did not disdain to pay an 
 inquiring visit to the cheese-baskets, that were 
 placed at a height from the ground. Augustus, 
 in the meantime, remained behind in the sit- 
 ting-room. When he found himself alone at the 
 table, melancholy again overpowered him. The 
 thought of his parents recurred to him with 
 redoubled bitterness. What might have hap- 
 pened to them by this time ? He leaned his 
 head upon his hands, and for a time forgot all 
 around him. But he was recalled to conscious- 
 ness by hearing the angry complaints of the 
 peasant, who was in the court-yard, loudly re- 
 monstrating against the depredations that were 
 going on on all sides. 
 
 Augustus was heartily ashamed of the behav- 
 iour of his comrades. Just as he was in the 
 act of going out, to endeavor to expostulate 
 with them, he heard a child cry behind the 
 stove. He went to the place from whence the 
 sound proceeded, and found a child lying in a 
 cradle. The little one reminded him of his 
 dead sister, and drove all other thoughts out of 
 5 D 
 
50 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 his head. He took the weeping child from her 
 little bed, and endeavored to divert her atten- 
 tion. At first she appeared inclined to cry still 
 louder at the sight of a stranger's face; but 
 Augustus spoke so gently and kindly, that her 
 fear gave way to confidence in her new nurse. 
 She stared at him with eyes wide open, and at 
 length began to play with his epaulettes. 
 Augustus, for the first time since he left home, 
 felt perfectly happy. He sang his prettiest 
 songs to the child, and danced with it about the 
 room. In the midst of all this the mother 
 entered. As she saw the occupation of the 
 drummer, the discontented and angry expres- 
 sion of her face changed to one of kindness and 
 pleasure. 
 
 " You seem to me the only lamb among all 
 those wolves," said she. " I thought as much 
 when I saw you ask God's blessing on the food, 
 and behave so quietly and decently at dinner. 
 Only see the little thing how pleased she is to 
 be danced by the young lad ! Sure you have 
 some little sisters like her at home — haven't 
 you?" 
 
 " I had one," answered Augustus, very much 
 distressed ; " but the soldier whose place I have 
 taken killed her with his drum." 
 
A soldier's life. 
 
 51 
 
 " Killed her with his drum ! " repeated the 
 woman in surprise. " How could that be ? 
 Tell me then." 
 
 As Augustus was about to comply with her 
 wish, the drum was heard in the distance. 
 
 " There's the summons to march," said he 
 hastily. " I must go, and drum with my com- 
 rades." 
 
 "Wait just another moment," said his hostess, 
 quickly leaving the room. She soon came back 
 with a dish of beautiful cherries. " You will 
 like them all the better, my boy," added she, 
 "because they are honorably gained." She 
 filled his pockets and cap with them, then 
 relieved him of her child, and bade him a 
 friendly farewell. 
 
 Happy, because at peace with himself, Au- 
 gustus now joined his companions, and made his 
 drum no less noisy than theirs. They were 
 soon again marching at the head of the regi- 
 ment. Again they had to endure intense heat, 
 thirst, and fatigue ; and most valuable was the 
 gift of cherries to poor Augustus. He was 
 very sparing in his enjoyment of them, and 
 managed to make this delicious refreshment last 
 until the evening, when they arrived at a town 
 in which they were to be quartered for the night. 
 
52 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 The troops rejoiced at the thought of a good 
 supper and a comfortable bed after the toils and 
 fatigues of the day. They could hardly wait 
 until they were informed on what houses they 
 were billetted ; and amidst much laughing and 
 talking they found their way to their several 
 quarters. 
 
 While the supper was preparing, the men 
 employed themselves in brushing their uni- 
 forms, and cleaning their muskets and swords ; 
 they refreshed themselves by shaving, and 
 washing their hands and faces. Several, on 
 opening their knapsacks, produced articles that 
 they had appropriated to themselves at the vil- 
 lage in which they had rested at mid-day. One 
 ran into the kitchen with half-a-dozen eggs, 
 which he desired should form an omelet for his 
 own eating ; another produced a pair of dead 
 pigeons ; a third a hen ; these they decided to 
 have cooked for the following day. A fourth, 
 with a shout of triumph, now drew forth a head- 
 less goose, with which he excited the envy of 
 his less fortunate companions. 
 
 " Ah ! said he, holding up the body, " this 
 old fellow thought to frighten me away by his 
 gabbling, as I crept through the garden pales ; 
 he hissed at me horribly ; but, thinks I to 
 
A soldier's life. 
 
 53 
 
 myself, * My fine fellow, you will just suit me;' 
 and I gave him a cut across his long neck, that 
 soon finished him. The bird is fat enough, at 
 least, so I expect from the weight." The poor 
 goose was then taken into the kitchen to be 
 roasted with his companions. 
 
 The inn-keeper had done his utmost to please 
 them. The various eatables that were placed 
 on the table smelt so savory, the salad looked 
 so fresh and green, the beer was so foaming and 
 clear, that the men for once sat down quite 
 inclined to be pleased with all that was placed 
 before them. Biit it seemed they were doomed 
 to disappointment. Scarcely had they finished 
 the first spoonful of a delicious soup, before the 
 door was hastily thrown open, and a young 
 officer entered, his accoutrements clanging at 
 every step he took. 
 
 " Drummer ! " he commanded, " quick, beat 
 the march ! " 
 
 These few words sufficed to change the sol- 
 diers into statues. Their hands sank on the 
 table as they stood aghast at the unwelcome 
 messenger. 
 
 Hoier, the sergeant, was the first to recover 
 himself, so as to be able to say, " Do you really 
 mean, sir, that the men are not to break their 
 
 5 * 
 
54 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 fast after such a severe march as this has 
 been ? " 
 
 " I am not in the habit of joking with my 
 inferiors/' returned the lieutenant disdainfully; 
 "it is beneath me; you will please to remember 
 that for the future ; and also that it is usual, in 
 speaking to your officers, to rise from your seat. 
 One would have supposed you would have had 
 time to learn that before this, instead of giving 
 your comrades such an example. The rascals 
 appear to have profited pretty well by it, sitting 
 there like stocks in my presence. By the 
 powers ! I'll teach you what is due to those 
 above you ! " 
 
 Like puppets touched by a wire the soldiers 
 now rose from their seats, Hoier at their head. 
 The sergeant swallowed without a reply the 
 rude speeches of the lieutenant, though he was 
 old and experienced enough to be his father. 
 He stood quite calm and erect without a trace 
 of anger on his face, except that it was rather 
 paler than usual. When the officer had finished 
 speaking, he merely inquired respectfully, " Sir, 
 may not the people at least finish their supper 
 first?" 
 
 " No!" returned the lieutenant; "it is intended 
 
A soldier's life. 
 
 55 
 
 for the French, who have just arrived. We are 
 to give place to them. I shall remain here to 
 see that nothing is removed." 
 
 The soldiers left the table with very long 
 faces, and prepared to march. In the meantime 
 the master of the goose endeavored to escape 
 unobserved into the kitchen, that he might at 
 any rate secure his booty. 
 
 " Where are you off to ? " called out the 
 officer, whose sharp sight nothing could escape. 
 
 " In — to — the — kitchen," stammered the 
 other. " I only wanted " 
 
 " Stay in the room," commanded the lieuten- 
 ant. He now perceived that Augustus was still 
 present, and with a muttered curse he added, 
 " Unless you find your legs pretty quickly, you 
 won't be here long;" and so saying he drew his 
 sabre half out of its sheath. Augustus, how- 
 ever, was too quick for him ; he rushed through 
 the door, and joined his companions. They did 
 not fail to discuss the conduct of the young 
 officer. It was plain enough, they all agreed, 
 that the lieutenant had as yet made no cam- 
 paign, or he would have learned better than to 
 bluster after that fashion. He had better take 
 care — he would not be the first officer who, in 
 
56 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 the confusion of a battle, had been shot by one 
 of his own people. 
 
 The village to which the Rhenish troops had 
 to find their way that evening for their night's 
 quarters lay a good hour's march from the 
 town. Who could wonder that they indulged in 
 murmurings and complainings as they passed 
 along ? More especially as a violent storm over- 
 took them, and drenched them completely 
 through. The consequence was, that the poor 
 people who could only offer them scanty fare 
 and straw-beds, had to suffer a great deal from 
 them. 
 
 As Augustus walked beside his comrades, he 
 thought of the song he had so often heard them 
 sing — 
 
 " It is a right joyous thing a soldier to be ! " 
 
 His own experience, short as it had been, had 
 led him to a very different conclusion. What 
 had vexed him the ' most was the ill treatment 
 his kind friend the sergeant had been compelled 
 to bear from the young and haughty lieutenant. 
 And when he compared his present condition 
 with what it had been a few days previous, how 
 painful was the contrast ! But Augustus, young 
 
A soldier's life. 
 
 57 
 
 as he was, had learned one useful lesson — that 
 it was unwise and useless to spend his time in 
 vain regrets and lamentations. He repeated his 
 usual prayer before retiring to rest ; and, hard 
 as his couch was, the weary boy was soon wrapt 
 in a peaceful and refreshing slumber. 
 
58 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 HARDSHIPS., 
 
 Augustus had at first imagined that he never 
 could bear the hardships of a soldier's life for 
 any length of time; but he was mistaken. 
 Every day his knapsack annoyed him less and 
 less : he did not feel so weary after a lengthened 
 march ; and he found the heat and dust easier 
 to endure. He could now sleep as well on a 
 bundle of straw or hay as he formerly did in a 
 feather-bed ; and every morning, even though 
 he had had but a short rest, he felt his strength 
 and spirits invigorated. The fact of his passing 
 so much of his time in the open air, and taking 
 continual exercise, had the best possible effect 
 on his health. He felt happy without knowing 
 why. He was a general favorite with his com- 
 rades, and he began to feel a great attachment 
 to them. It was evident to him that many of 
 their unkind actions proceeded rather from 
 thoughtlessness and extravagance than from 
 
HARDSHIPS. 59 
 
 cruelty of disi30sition. He was most distressed 
 at the dreadful oaths that he heard constantly 
 around him. Every one seemed ashamed to 
 pray to God, but none were ashamed to curse 
 and swear. The slightest and most trifling an- 
 noyances would lead them to appeal in the most 
 terrible way to the Almighty. For some time 
 Augustus kept silence;- but as he became better 
 acquainted with his comrades, he ventured cau- 
 tiously and gently to reprove them. 
 
 One day one of the soldiers, in brushing his 
 uniform, knocked off a button. This trifling 
 circumstance caused him to utter as usual a 
 volley of bitter imprecations. " Oh ! " said 
 Augustus, unable to contain himself, " how can 
 you speak so wickedly ? Suppose God were to 
 grant your prayer, you would be lost forever ; 
 just because a trumpery button happened to 
 make you angry." 
 
 The man looked up with surprise. " You 
 silly boy, who would imagine such a thing ? " 
 
 Did you not ask it yourself, just now ? " 
 inquired Augustus. 
 
 " Nonsense ! " returned the man ; " of course 
 I did not mean what I said; I was only 
 joking." 
 
 " Do you recollect," asked Augustus, " how 
 
60 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 angry the lieutenant was because Sergeant Hoier 
 supposed he was joking with him ? He said he 
 thought joking quite beneath him, especially 
 with inferiors; though, after all, there is not 
 such a very great difference between him and 
 Hoier. You take care never to joke with your 
 loaded musket ; and surely you will not dare to 
 joke with the Most High, or with the most 
 dreadful of all evils that could happen to you ? 
 Oh it is horrible to think of such a thing ! " 
 
 The soldier appeared to ridicule the boy's 
 reproof ; but he took care for the future, if not 
 totally to abstain from such shocking oaths, at 
 any rate not to utter them in the presence of his 
 little Mentor. Indeed, Augustus exercised a 
 good influence over most of his companions. He 
 was never heard to murmur at fatigue, the 
 weather, common fare, a hard bed, or any of the 
 hardships they had to endure; he was never 
 seen ill-treating the peasantry, or appropriating 
 the possessions of others to himself. 
 
 He had at first gained the regard of the 
 troops by his self-denying love to his father; 
 and this esteem had subsequently been increased 
 by his exemplary conduct. In addition to this, 
 the favor with Avliich the colonel and Sergeant 
 
 1 
 
HARDSHIPS. 
 
 61 
 
 Hoier regarded him raised him in the estima- 
 tion of the company. 
 
 As soon as he could find time and oppor- 
 tunity, he wrote the following letter to his 
 father : — 
 
 My Beloved Father — Our good 
 colonel has had the kindness to assure me that the 
 wicked drummer has recovered from his wound, 
 and is on his way to join his regiment. I trust 
 that you have therefore long ere this been set 
 free. Oh how glad I am to think of it! I 
 only hope dear mother is well again, and does 
 not feel so miserable about our Emily's death. 
 Do not be anxious or uncomfortable about me ; 
 I am very well, and have not been in want of 
 anything. The colonel is a very kind protector 
 to me ; and as to Sergeant Hoier, he is like a 
 second father. Indeed a soldier's life is not 
 nearly so miserable as we all imagined. We 
 have not yet had a glimpse of the enemy, for at 
 present we are only in Poland. When we reach 
 Russia we may expect to encounter them. But 
 do not fear for me then. Our sergeant says, ^ it 
 is not every ball that finds its man ; and they 
 shoot right over the heads of such little fellows 
 as I am.' Poland seems to me like a land of 
 
 6 
 
G2 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 pigs. I do not Speak of the cities, but only of 
 the villages. Only fancy, you never find a 
 chimney in the peasants' cottages ! So that the 
 room is always full of stifling smoke ; for it is 
 not to be supposed that it can get clearly out of 
 the little air-holes they have in the walls. The 
 manure is not taken out into the fields, but is 
 left in a heap close by the house, and there 
 gives out a horrible stench. These dunghills 
 are the favorite spots for the children to play 
 on, and you may see numbers of them sitting 
 and amusing themselves there, just like pigs. 
 One can hardly look at them — the children, 
 their parents, or tEe servants — without disgust. 
 They never seem to think of washing them- 
 selves. How^ surprised the French will be 
 when they follow us to these quarters ! I had 
 much rather bivouac in the open air, which we 
 have often done. We WTap ourselves in our 
 cloaks, lay our heads on our knapsacks ; the 
 beautiful blue sky, wdth its shining stars for our 
 curtains ; and the fresh morning air our alarum. 
 The latter does its work so thoroughly, that 
 W'hen it comes Ave are obliged to get up, and 
 take a little brandy for fear of catching the 
 ague. This is the only dram I take in the day, 
 and I cannot help it, because we have no coffee. 
 
HARDSHIPS. 
 
 63 
 
 My comrades laugli at me because I will not 
 smoke. I know, dear father, you will be glad 
 that I do not accustom myself to it, and also 
 that I do not swear. I do not forget to say the 
 prayers my dear mother taught me every night 
 and morning ; but we never go to church. 
 
 " It will be very long before I shall be able 
 to get my discharge, for the colonel says in a 
 short time they will want as many men as they 
 can get. I have therefore quite made up my 
 mind to it. I should so like to know how all 
 goes on at home ; but there is scarcely any like- 
 lihood of a letter reaching me, because we keep 
 moving from one place to another. And now, 
 dear father, I must conclude. Give dear mother, 
 Bertha, and Robert a hundred kisses for me ; 
 and give my love to our good Anna and the 
 workmen. I will write again as soon as I can. 
 Till then good-by, dear father. Your loving 
 child, Augustus. 
 
 This letter gave unspeakable delight to every 
 member of Werner's family. The parents first 
 shed tears of joy at the thought that they were 
 blessed with such a kind and affectionate son ; 
 these were succeeded by tears of sorrow that he 
 was taken from them. His little brother and 
 
64 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 sister jumped about, and clapped their hands 
 for joy ; Anna smiled with pleasure that she 
 had been thought of by her young master ; and 
 the workmen said, " It was just what might 
 have been expected from him — he was too kind 
 and thoughtful to forget any one." The letter 
 traveled through the whole town, for all were 
 interested in the self-denying son. His father 
 made up his mind to travel after the army, and 
 purchase the discharge of Augustus at any 
 cost ; and it was only by the expostulations of 
 his friends — who represented to him the use- 
 lessness of such a step, and the weak and 
 defenceless condition in which his family would 
 be left in his absence during a time of distur- 
 bance and war — that he was prevented from 
 executing his design. 
 
THE GRAND ARMY. 
 
 65 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 THE GRAND ARMY. 
 
 It was in the summer of the year 1812 that 
 the French army crossed the Russian frontier. 
 Never had its equal been seen in number or 
 in the completeness of its equipments. It 
 amounted to upwards of 500,000 foot soldiers, 
 80,000 cavalry, and more than 12,000 artillery. 
 Troops of all nations had joined the great army 
 — Italians, Austrians, Prussians, Bavarians, 
 Westphalians ; and men from Wirtemberg, 
 from Saxony, from Baden, from Holland, might 
 be found there in their various uniforms. Well 
 might the Emperor Napoleon be almost intoxi- 
 cated with joy as this immense multitude 
 gathered round him. It was indeed a glorious 
 sight. The foot regiment of the Blues marched 
 in front, broad as a powerful stream, and densely 
 pressed together. At their head martial music 
 was heard, mingled with the crashing of trum- 
 pets. Then followed three rows of long-bearded 
 6 * • E 
 
66 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 pioneers, with white leathern aprons and gleam- 
 ing axes. The whole multitude, in step, act, 
 and movement, seemed but as one man. The 
 soldiers with their long bayonets glittering in 
 the sun, appeared like moving walls. Instead 
 of a standard an immense golden eagle, with 
 outspread wings, was borne above them, as if 
 taking the warriors under its protection. The 
 Emperor's guards might be distinguished above 
 all. Being men of large stature, they looked 
 like Savage giants with their high caps of bears' 
 skin. Yet even these were surpassed in beauty 
 by the Dutch Guards, whose uniforms were of 
 the purest white cloth. Then how powerful 
 was the impression made by the sight of the 
 masses of cavalry ! Then came numerous regi- 
 ments of the mounted Jager, in green uniforms 
 with red facings ; pieces of fur, resembling that 
 of a tiger, bordered the glittering helmet, 
 from which waved a streamer of horse-hair. 
 The hussars followed them, with their richly- 
 laced dollmans, or jackets, and their low, broad 
 caps of bears' skin, from which hung a red bag 
 with golden tassels. Then came the cuirassiers, 
 protected on the breast and on the back by bril- 
 liantly-polished cuirasses. The horses they rode 
 were gigantic creatures. Numerous trumpeters 
 
 it 
 
THE GRAND ARMY. 
 
 67 
 
 performed the most inspiriting music before 
 each regiment. Thousands of sabres that now 
 were waved to do homage to the Emperor were 
 destined ere long to be stained with human 
 blood ; thousands upon thousands of bayonets 
 would pierce the bodies of fellow-men; and the 
 millions of balls that the enemy brought with 
 them would quiet for ever many a heart now 
 beating high with hope and excitement. An 
 observer might well be dazzled at the first sight 
 of this magnificent scene, especially as he gazed 
 at the threatening cannon, each drawn by six 
 or eight horses, and surrounded by the artillery- 
 men with their accompanying implements ; but 
 a very little consideration would induce him to 
 mourn over rather than exult in such a splendid 
 array of destructive machinery. 
 
 Augustus, however, felt nothing of this as, 
 with his regiment, he passed before the Empe- 
 ror. Napoleon was surrounded by a numerous 
 staff of gay and distinguished officers. But the 
 boy could see only him. Among all the gentle- 
 men present he was the most simply attired. A 
 small three-cocked hat, without a plume or any 
 mark of distinction, was on his head. His coat 
 was green, ornamented with a single star. His 
 breeches and waistcoat were white. His coun- 
 
68 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 tenance was pale, but lighted with a pair of 
 piercing eyes. In stature he was small, but 
 inclined to stoutness. 
 
 On entering the Russian borders, Napoleon 
 thus addressed his troops : — Soldiers, a wide 
 field of glory again lies before you. From the 
 arid deserts of Egypt up to this spot you have 
 passed through a career of victory. You have 
 now an opportunity of continuing it. We will 
 conquer the Russians, and hunt the barbarians 
 out of Europe. In less than two months I will 
 lead you into the capital of the ancient czars. 
 There you shall rest from your toils, and reap 
 the reward of your labors. I will there deter- 
 mine upon the conditions of peace, and bring 
 you back, covered wilh glory, to your native 
 country." 
 
 It would be well for mankind if they only 
 had as much faith in the word of God as the 
 soldiers had in the word of Napoleon. They 
 were firmly convinced of the truth of what he 
 said, and saluted their monarch with thundering 
 shouts of "Long live the Emperor." 
 
• 
 
 I 
 
THE BURNINa OF THE MILL. 
 
 69 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 THE BUKNING OF THE MILL. 
 
 The village of Moswka was situated on the 
 road leading to Smolensk. It was in the even- 
 ing of the same day on which the French had 
 entered the Russian territory that the church 
 bells were heard ringing at an unusual hour. 
 Old and young immediately answered the sum- 
 mons, and assembled in the place of worship, 
 which was lighted up with wax tapers. Urged 
 on more by feelings of curiosity than of devo- 
 tion, the inhabitants of the village crowded 
 round the altar. On the steps stood their vener- 
 able pastor. His raised hand commanded si- 
 lence and attention from those who were enter- 
 ing ; and when all were assembled, he thus 
 addressed them. His voice was strong, but 
 testified deep inward emotion : — " My children, 
 the bands of the French have this day entered 
 the sacred bounds of your beloved country, to 
 violate our sanctuaries, and to inflict the evils of 
 
70 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 robbery, murder, and fire upon all who resist 
 them. In order that the enemy may encounter 
 more certain destruction, our own warriors will 
 not advance to meet them. The French will 
 doubtless arrive at this place early to-morrow 
 morning. It now becomes our duty to do all 
 in our power to prevent their progress, or at 
 any rate to increase their difficulties. Proceed 
 immediately, therefore, to break down the bridge 
 that crosses our river, and to fill up the wells. 
 Burn your houses, lead your cattle away, and 
 hasten with your children into the interior of 
 the country, so that the enemy on their arrival 
 may find only a desert." 
 
 The assembled multitude rushed from the 
 church to commence the duty of laying waste 
 the village. There lay the clean thatched 
 cottages, with the soft light of the setting sun 
 shining upon them. Many children were play- 
 ing around. The elder-trees were full of bloom, 
 and with the green lime and graceful willow 
 enlivened the long street which formed the 
 principal part of the village. The low murmur 
 of the river might be heard as it passed under 
 the narrow bridge, mingled with the lowing of 
 the herds returning from the pasture. By the 
 side of the stream stood a large mill ; but 
 
THE BURNING OF THE MILL. 71 
 
 though the wheel was turning rapidly, it seemed 
 to no purpose, for the miller was no longer at- 
 tending to it. On hearing the minister's address 
 he had hastily left the church, and now stood 
 engaged in deep and anxious thought. 
 
 The poor animals were now driven out of 
 their stalls; geese, ducks, fowls and pigeons, 
 were all collected together. The women loaded 
 themselves with their household treasures — the 
 linen, that was their own handiwork; while the 
 men fastened bundles of straw to the railings of 
 the bridge, and set fire to them. In a short 
 time all the houses in the villao;e were burnino;, 
 the mill alone excepted. The children were tlie 
 first to leave the burning village, driving the 
 beasts before them. The women followed, 
 almost weighed down with their heavy bundles. 
 The men were holding a last consultation with 
 their venerable minister. 
 
 "How is this. Master Naumau?" said the 
 latter in great astonishment to tlie miller, who 
 stood before the unconsumed mill, apparently 
 quite undecided what to do. "Will you not 
 follow our example?" 
 
 "Forgive me, reverend father," returned 
 Naumau in great confusion. "I really do not 
 know what to determine upon. It will be ten 
 
72 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 times more difficult and more expensive to re- 
 build this mill, which is the only property I 
 possess, than the cottages that surround it. I 
 am a German, as you well know ; and since 
 there are German regiments with the French 
 army, I hope, by their assistance, to get through 
 without loss." 
 
 This speech occasioned a general feeling of 
 indignation in the bystanders. They cried as 
 with one voice, " Shame upon the false stranger ! 
 Let us burn his mill without asking his leave. 
 He is a friend to the French ! " 
 
 " Peace ! " commanded the minister, " leave 
 him to follow his own pleasure. Be assured he 
 will repent it. I grieve for his wife, our sister 
 Kathinka, and her children." Then turning to 
 the miller, he added, " The evil that they may 
 meet with through your selfish policy be upon 
 your own head ! " 
 
 The Russians, therefore, left him, though not 
 without many reproachful words. After some 
 hours, as the night proceeded, the French ar- 
 rived. The want of a bridge did not prevent 
 them from crossing the shallow stream ; but on 
 account of the cannon, it was found neccssrry 
 to rebuild it as quickly as possible. In order to 
 accomplish this, they must have materials to 
 
THE GRAND ARMY. 
 
 73 
 
 work with, and the neighboring mill afforded 
 all the beams and wood they wanted. Without 
 attending to the pathetic remonstrances of the 
 miller, they hastened to pull down the mill; and 
 they even compelled the poor man to assist in 
 building the bridge, as he was well acquainted 
 with the locality. Naumau began bitterly to 
 repent that he had not followed the example of 
 his companions ; his anguish was the greater as 
 he thought of the probability, that whilst he 
 was thus laboring against his will, his wife and 
 children might be exposed to ill-treatment from 
 the haughty Frenchmen. He attempted several 
 times to escape ; but was as often driven back 
 from fear of the soldiers, who threatened to 
 shoot him. The soldiers now complained that, 
 in spite of the lighted torches, they could not 
 see well enough to continue their work. In 
 consequence of this complaint the officer in com- 
 mand immediately ordered them to set fire to 
 the mill-house. The command was obeyed 
 amid cries of joy; and in a few minutes the 
 burning mill shed a dazzling light over the 
 whole landscape. The distress of the poor 
 miller can be imagined ; for the rude soldiers 
 would not suffer him to stir from the spot, but 
 7 
 
74 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 urged him with blows to continue his work 
 without intermission. 
 
 In the meantime the regiment to which Au- 
 gustus belonged reached the spot. At the same 
 time the miller's wife, with two little children 
 in her arms, and followed by her daughter 
 about eleven years old, rushed out of the flam- 
 ing building. 
 
 " Marie," she said, as soon as she had placed 
 her precious charge in safety, " take care of the 
 children. I will see if it is possible to save any- 
 thing and she ran back towards the flames. 
 
 The little ones screamed out after her, 
 " Mother, mother, do not leave us ! " It was 
 vain for Marie to attempt to restrain them ; 
 they broke from her grasp, and endeavored to 
 enter the house. Their mother met them at the 
 door. " Away, my dear children," she said, 
 " let me try to get the money-box." But her 
 entreaties were of no avail ; the children clung 
 round her neck, and prevented her from pro- 
 ceeding. 
 
 " Let me go instead, dear mother," cried 
 Marie ; and without waiting a reply she dis- 
 appeared in the flaming house. The miller's 
 wife wrung her hands in speechless agony while 
 she waited the return of her child. The flames 
 
THE GRAND ARMY. 
 
 75 
 
 raged most fiercely, until the whole building 
 seemed enveloped in fire. Nothing could be 
 seen of Marie : but suddenly her voice was 
 heard, " O, mother, save me; I am burning!" 
 
 The poor mother disengaged herself from her 
 children, and rushed to the cottage to save her 
 daughter. She was forcibly stopped by two 
 Frenchmen. " Stay where you are," they said ; 
 " she is lost ! " They thought it was too late to 
 help her, for the poor girPs cries for assistance 
 became fainter and fainter. 
 
 The mother literally writhed with anguish as 
 she redoubled her fruitless efforts to escape from 
 the tight grasp of the soldiers. The two little 
 children uttered violent cries. 
 
 Augustus could not remain an uninterested 
 spectator of this fearful scene. Quick as light- 
 ning he escaped from the ranks, and was close 
 by the mill. A French officer of distinction 
 endeavored to stop his progress ; the boy threw 
 his drum between the officer's legs in such a 
 way as to cause him to fall at full length upon 
 the ground, and then he mounted the staircase, 
 which had just caught fire. The half-stifled cry 
 of the little girl served as a guide. Dragging 
 her with him, he leaped, clambered, or crept 
 from one part of the building to another, for 
 
 1 
 
76 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 the flames prevented him from returning. At 
 length he found himself, with his companion, 
 near the foundation of the mill, close by the 
 wheel and the water. A small vaulted apart- 
 ment, like a cellar, in which the pole of the mill 
 rested, served as a refuge to the adventurers. 
 The flames raged above their heads, beams 
 crashed, and streams of fire poured down in all 
 directions, and were extinguished with a hissing 
 sound in the river by their side. Sometimes 
 they thought they heard the heart-rending cries 
 of the miller's wife, which were always answered 
 by Marie. A long time was passed in this 
 manner, the fire raging without any abatement 
 of fury. Nor was the situation of the children 
 free from danger. Squeezed in a corner of the 
 narrow cell, they were compelled patiently to 
 wait the result ; and towards daybreak the fire 
 was extinguished. 
 
 With the exception of some few exclama- 
 tions, the young prisoners had not spoken to 
 each other. The girl had enough to do in 
 thinking of her parents, and Augustus felt anx- 
 ious and uncomfortable at the responsibility he 
 had incurred in leaving his regiment ; the latter 
 had, however, remarked that his young com- 
 
THE GRAND ARMY. 
 
 77 
 
 panion spoke good German ; and he therefore 
 concluded she was one of his country-women. 
 
 As soon as it could be done without danger, 
 Augustus and the little girl clambered into the 
 open air over the beams and smoking ruins. 
 He anxiously looked round for his comrades ; 
 but only a waste, deserted space was to be seen. 
 Nothing but desolation was around them. The 
 fresh morning breeze passed over the ashes of 
 the village, sometimes driving upwards a shower 
 of clear sparks, sometimes white columns of 
 smoke. Marie shouted with all her strength, 
 first in German, then in Russe. She called 
 upon her mother, her brother and sister, her 
 father, the neighbors ; but no answer did she 
 receive save the crackling of the charred beams 
 of her former home. The unhappy child wan- 
 dered among the ruins by the side of Augustus, 
 sobbing bitterly as she passed along. The boy's 
 distress, too, increased every minute. It was 
 not that he regretted his successful attempt to 
 save Marie ; but he was exceedingly desirous of 
 rejoining his comrades as soon as possible. He 
 sought in vain for the drum he had thrown 
 away ; and this was an additional cause of vex- 
 ation to him. In the meantime it was absolutely 
 necessary to determine what course to pursue. 
 
 7 * 
 
78 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 He endeavored by kind words to comfort and 
 soothe the sorrowful little girl. He promised 
 to bring her to her parents ; and then taking 
 her hand, they went in the direction in which 
 he knew the army would proceed. After some 
 hours' traveling he fell in with a French troop, 
 who arrested him as a deserter, and soon de- 
 livered him up to his regiment. They had 
 halted with the other troops in a small town 
 that had been deserted by its inhabitants. 
 
 " Comrade," said the soldiers when he came 
 within hearing, "your affairs are in a bad state; 
 you will have some trouble to get your neck out 
 of the sling ! " 
 
 Augustus implored them to take care of the 
 desolate Marie, and give her into Sergeant 
 Holer's protection, which they promised faith- 
 fully to do. 
 
AUGUSTUS IS SHOT. 
 
 79 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 AUGUSTUS IS SHOT. 
 
 The apartment into which Augustus was led 
 was filled with officers selected from the different 
 regiments. His colonel, and the distinguished 
 French officer between whose legs he had 
 thrown the drum when he rushed into the 
 miller's burning cottage, were among the num- 
 ber. The greatest harmony seemed to prevail ; 
 merry jokes were passing on all sides ; and they 
 were evidently eating with great relish the ex- 
 cellent meal that had been prepared for them. 
 
 The entrance of Augustus did not occasion 
 the least disturbance. While the corporal was 
 making his report to the colonel, Augustus was 
 kept standing between two soldiers. At length 
 he was summoned to come forward, after having 
 waited scarcely ten minutes. On being ques- 
 tioned, he could not deny that he had left the 
 1 ranks of his comrades ; had thrown his drum 
 1 between the legs of a French officer of the 
 
80 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 staff ; and had been taken prisoner as a deserter. 
 The judge-advocate informed him that either of 
 these offences was punishable with death ; 
 " And," addded he, " you have not only broken 
 the regimental oath, which promised submis- 
 sion, but you have ^been the first to offend in 
 the enemy's territory." Without allowing of 
 any pause in the important business of eating 
 and drinking, he then proceeded to pass sen- 
 tence upon Augustus ; namely, thai he should 
 be shot to death ! No one seemed to think of 
 taking his tender age into consideration ; but 
 the matter was, on the contrary, conducted with 
 as much indifference as if they were deciding 
 upon the death of ar fowl or of a duck. 
 
 This indifference made Augustus feel very 
 unhappy, especially when he thought of the 
 distress of his parents as compared with the 
 want of sympathy in his judges. Even his 
 colonel's manner towards him was changed ; he 
 was no longer kind and gracious in his bearing, 
 but he sat there among the others with a frown 
 upon his face, and seemed to pay no attention 
 at all to the prisoner. 
 
 In vain poor Augustus turned an imploring 
 glance towards him ; he took no notice of the 
 mute supplication. 
 
AUGUSTUS IS SHOT. 
 
 81 
 
 Augustus could offer nothing in his defence, 
 except that he was not prompted by any evil 
 design in leaving the ranks, but simply by a 
 desire to save the little girl from the flames. 
 But the only answer he received to his simple 
 plea came from the lieutenant who on a former 
 occasion had treated Sergeant Hoier with so 
 much hauteur; and he now said angrily, "Silly 
 boy! do you suppose we have marched into 
 Russia to save the Russians ? We have come 
 to conquer and destroy them. Besides, the sol- 
 dier has nothing to do but blindly to obey the 
 commands of his superiors ; he has no business 
 to trouble himself with other people's matters. 
 Supposing even your brother or your father 
 were in the enemy's army, it would be your 
 duty to endeavor to shoot him as if he were a 
 stranger ! " 
 
 Poor Augustus shuddered at the bare idea of 
 the possibility of such a case. "No," said he 
 to himself; "I would rather be shot myself 
 than kill my dear father or my brother." 
 
 He was now told that he might leave the 
 room. But he could not do so without taking 
 leave of the colonel who had formerly been so 
 kind to him. He ran up to him, kissed his 
 hand, bathing it with his tears, and thanked 
 F * 
 
82 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 him for the great kindness he had shown him 
 up to that time. 
 
 The colonel looked sternly at him, compressed 
 his lips, and said almost roughly, " I cannot 
 help you, even if I would ; your crime is too 
 great. If you had only offended me, I might 
 perhaps have forgiven you. But the fact that 
 you have so insulted a French of&cer takes 
 away all your chance of escape." 
 
 With these words he was turning his back 
 on the poor boy ; but the latter said," Oh, sir, 
 I am not going to ask you for my life. I have 
 to thank you that they did not shoot me two 
 months ago. But my poor father and mother ! 
 Will you tell them that I thought of them, and 
 loved them always ; that I send them a thou- 
 sand thanks for the care that they have always 
 taken of me ; and that I " his voice trem- 
 bled as he hesitatingly uttered the words — "I 
 was not very sorry to die ? " 
 
 The colonel only answered with a slight nod 
 of the head, then turned round and swallowed 
 a glass of wine. 
 
 " Captain Warnech," he then said, "you will 
 give orders for the execution." 
 
 A side glance from the French general in- 
 
AUGUSTUS IS SHOT. 
 
 83 
 
 duced another French officer to say, " I will 
 accompany your captain." 
 
 He bowed an assent, and they left the apart- 
 ment with Augustus and the guard. They 
 found Sergeant Hoier awaiting tliem outside 
 Avith twenty-four men, four of whom were pro- 
 vided Avith spades and shovels. A drummer 
 from time to time beating a muffled tattoo 
 opened the procession which was to lead Augus- 
 tus to his death. 
 
 A little beyond the last house in the town, 
 the men who were provided with spades pro- 
 ceeded to dig a hole, to serve as a grave for 
 poor Augustus ; and the earth was soon shovelled 
 up by its side. While this was going on, the 
 soldiers w^ith their muskets stood round the 
 poor boy in gloomy silence. He likewise did 
 not utter a word, one endeavored to com- 
 for him ; no kind hand wiped away the large 
 drops of perspiration that stood on his pale 
 face; no minister was there to bless him and 
 pray with him. • Hoier was evidently strug- 
 gling with himself. Looking at the young 
 prisoner, who stood with his eyes fixed on the 
 ground, except when he occasionally raised 
 them to Heaven, he stroked his beard, as if 
 undecided what to do. 
 
84 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 " As sure as my name is Christopher," mut- 
 tered he, "I can't keep it from the poor boy. 
 The fright might do him as much harm as our 
 balls. Let ten men," added he aloud, " step 
 forward to fire ; if the prisoner does not fall, 
 let ten more step up, and do their work better. 
 Take aim as near the middle of the body as you 
 can, and then you can't very well miss. Now, 
 my poor fellow," said he to Augustus, " come, 
 I must lead you to your resting-place ! " 
 
 These words roused Augustus from his stu- 
 por. Summoning all his fortitude he said, 
 " Farewell, comrades ; take a sure aim, that I 
 may sufiPer as little as possible." 
 
 " Yes, yes," they cried with one voice. 
 
 Hoier now led the prisoner up to the heap 
 of sand. As they were walking, he said kindly 
 to him, "Have you anything upon your mind?" 
 
 Augustus heaved a deep sigh. " No," said 
 he slowly ; but he soon recollected himself, and 
 quickly added, " Yes, indeed ; the Russian girl 
 — I arn paying dear for saving her. But pro- 
 mise me, Father Hoier, to take care of her ; 
 and when you can, to give her up to her 
 parents." 
 
 " As true as Christopher is alive it shall be 
 done," returned the sergeant. 
 
AUGUSTUS IS SHOT. 
 
 85 
 
 They had now reached the heap of earth. 
 " Kneel down, my poor boy," commanded Ho- 
 ier ; " I will bmd your eyes." He drew out 
 his blue handkerchief, and laid it over his eyes. 
 Augustus could not forbear trembling. 
 
 Perceiving this the sergeant again muttered 
 to himself, I can't help it, colonel. It's no 
 
 use trying not to Whatever you may say, 
 
 I can't help it." He continued aloud, " You 
 need not think of making your last prayer to 
 God now, my man. And yet, perhaps, you had 
 better say a short prayer, that this evil matter 
 may end well." 
 
 Augustus clasped his hands together, and 
 with trembling lips but great devotion repeated 
 the Lord's Prayer. 
 
 " Singular ! " said Hoier to himself, " that 
 those who are going to die should say the Lord's 
 Prayer, when they don't want their daily bread 
 any longer. I suppose, in their fright and dis- 
 tress, they can think of no prayer but what 
 they learnt when they were little children. 
 But what signifies? — the great God knows best 
 what they want." 
 
 AYhen Augustus had finished, the sergeant 
 said a few words to him in a low voice, which 
 made him tremble more violently than before. 
 
 8 
 
86 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 This annoyed Hoier very much. " Comrade," 
 said he to the boy, "don't be a coward. Kneel 
 stiff and straight, so that you may not fall 
 before the balls reach you, and so lengthen your 
 trouble." He turned to his men, who had 
 loaded their muskets in readiness to obey his 
 commands. Ten men stepped to within about 
 twelve paces of Augustus. The captain com- 
 manded, " Shoulder arms — present — fire !" 
 
 Pu — ff went the ten muskets ; Augustus 
 sank lifeless upon the heap of sand, and fell 
 into the grave that had been prepared for him. 
 Quick as thought Hoier sprang to him, drew 
 the handkerchief from his head, and examin- 
 ing the body, cried, " AYell done, boys ! no less 
 than six balls have passed through his breast." 
 
 With the assistance of one of the spade- 
 bearers he placed the body straight in the 
 grave, and then they labored at shovelling the 
 heap of sand into it. 
 
 Captain Warnech now took the arm of the 
 French captain, who had been a most attentive 
 spectator of all that had passed ; and they 
 walked with rapid steps to the town, hoping 
 doubtless still to be in time to enjoy their share 
 of the dinner. 
 
 They were no sooner out of sight than the 
 
AUGUSTUS IS SHOT. 
 
 87 
 
 laborers left off filling up the grave, which 
 indeed they had in the first instance only pre- 
 tended to do. The body of Augustus still lay 
 uncovered with sand. The other soldiers drew 
 near the grave, and formed a close circle round 
 it. The first thing they did was to put out of 
 their mouths the bullets which they had secretly 
 bitten from their cartridges before firing ; and 
 then all joined in a hearty laugh at the idea of 
 the trick they had played upon the French. 
 
 " That's what you call shooting in the French 
 fashion," said one. " The boasters themselves 
 taught us how to do it. How many of their 
 people have they shot who ran away afterwards 
 quite safe and sound ! 'Tis only tit for tat." 
 
 " The French colonel," chimed in a second, 
 " seemed to fear something of the kind. That 
 was the reason he sent one of his people." 
 
 A great many merry speeches passed among 
 the soldiers, for all were rejoiced at the success 
 that had attended their manoeuvre. Hoier, too, 
 was in the best of humors ; and taking the hand 
 of Augustus, who still lay apparently dead, he 
 said with a solemn voice, " My boy, I desire 
 you to stand up." 
 
 But Augustus did not obey ; he lay in a deep 
 swoon, stiff and pale. 
 
88 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 " Silly boy ! " said Hoier, drawing a flask 
 from his pocket, " to think so much of a trifle. 
 When you have been in a dozen battles, you 
 will call such a thing as this mere child's play." 
 
 So saying, he rubbed the poor boy's face and 
 temples with spirits. As he gradually revived, 
 he found himself indeed alive. No bullet had 
 passed through him. His comrades had indeed 
 fired at him, but it was with blank cartridges ; 
 and this was what Hoier had told him would be 
 the case, but he had not believed what he said. 
 
 Sobbing with joy, he shook hands with his 
 comrades. " But does the colonel know about 
 it ? " he inquired ; " he seemed so angry with 
 me." 
 
 " That was only in appearance," answered 
 Hoier ; " because the Frenchmen were watching 
 him. Do you understand me ? We dared not 
 have acted so without his consent. * Hoier,' 
 says he to me, * be well prepared ; I could never 
 be happy again if that good lad were sent to the 
 dogs for performing such a noble action.' " 
 
 " How kind of the colonel ! " said Augustus 
 joyfully. " I would go through fire and water 
 for him ; and for you, too. Father Hoier ; and 
 indeed, comrades, for you all." 
 
 "Well," laughed Hoier, "it comes with a 
 
AUGUSTUS IS SHOT. 
 
 89 
 
 good grace from you to talk of running through 
 fire for us, for you are evidently a first-rate 
 hand at it. But hum, hum at present ; your 
 kind offers will do us no good, for you must 
 leave us." 
 
 "Leave you?" said Augustus, quite frightened. 
 
 " Yes ; you must go, and that directly," re- 
 turned Hoier. " How could you think of any- 
 thing else? If you stayed here, the whole 
 affair would come to light, and our colonel would 
 get into hot water. Indeed, if we stay here 
 much longer we shall excite suspicion. Here's 
 an old smock-frock which you can draw over 
 your uniform. And yonder — look there — 
 yonder, behind that garden-wall, you will find 
 your little friend waiting for you. You had 
 better go with her to the Eussians. If you do 
 not like being with them, and can find no other 
 way of getting home, you can at any rate join 
 us again when the affair of to-day is a little 
 forgotten." 
 
 Augustus took a sorrowful leave of his com- 
 panions ; begged Hoier to tell the colonel how 
 grateful he was ; and then hastened away imme- 
 diately to join the little Russian maiden. 
 
 He discovered her where Hoier had said ; and 
 having found a safe place of concealment for 
 
 8 * 
 
90 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 the night, they turned their footsteps at the 
 earliest dawn towards the burned village, where 
 Marie hoped to discover some traces of her 
 parents. 
 
 ]■ 
 
COMBAT WITH HIMSELF, A WOLF, AND DOG. 91 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 AUGUSTUS' COMBAT WITH HIMSELF, A WOLF, 
 AND A DOG. 
 
 Although his uniform, was concealed by a 
 smock-frock, Augustus did not dare to make use 
 of the common highway, for fear of being 
 recognised and again taken prisoner. He and 
 Marie, therefore, chose the more unfrequented 
 paths, though taking care at the same time to 
 keep the high road in sight, and to avoid the 
 troops that were marching upon it. 
 
 The distance between the two places was not 
 very great, but the fugitives had to make so 
 many turnings and windings that they increased 
 it more than half. Augustus, however, did not 
 feel the slightest fatigue. He was so rejoiced 
 at having escaped a violent death, that he would 
 have run any distance to place himself in safety. 
 But he was afraid of fatiguing the little girl, 
 who of course was not accustomed to such long 
 journeys on foot as he was. He therefore 
 
92 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 repeatedly stopped to rest, and inquire how 
 Marie felt. She always denied being tired ; but 
 Augustus knew very well it was her anxiety 
 about her parents that kept her in an excited, 
 feverish state, and gave her for the time un- 
 natural strength. It was now mid-day, and 
 the sun burned more fiercely than Augustus 
 imagined it could do in Russia. AVhenever 
 they came near a spring, a brook, or even a pool 
 of standing water, they quenched their thirst ; 
 but neither of them thought of eating. At 
 length they saw the ruins of the burned village 
 in the distance. The sun was setting, and a 
 splendid glow gilded the sky, as well as the 
 land, which bore the sad marks of war and 
 oppression. Marie hastened more quickly than 
 ever to the remains of the village that had once 
 been her home. Augustus followed, begging 
 her to be cautious. This advice was not needed, 
 however, for no human being was to be per- 
 ceived in any direction. Poor Marie sank upon 
 the threshold of the mill-house weeping bitterly. 
 The threshold was almost the only part that 
 remained entire. Augustus sitting down by her 
 side, gave himself up to his thoughts. Where 
 could those thoughts turn but to his beloved 
 home, and the loving parents he had left? The 
 
COMBAT WITH HIMSELF, A WOLF, AND DOG. 93 
 
 road that led to them now lay before him — he 
 was free — and there was no one to prevent 
 him from returning to his native country. His 
 heart bounded with joy at the thought. The 
 hundreds of miles that separated him from it, 
 the perils of the journey, and his total want of 
 money, were no obstacles in his eyes ; nothing 
 dismayed him. Even if he should have to beg 
 his bread, he would joyfully set out, with home 
 in prospect. 
 
 " O, dear father, mother, Bertha, and Ro- 
 bert!" he cried out, leaping up as he spoke, and 
 stretching out his arms ; " what joy to see you 
 all again !" 
 
 A low suppressed sob by his side woke him 
 from his delightful dream of happiness, and re- 
 minded him that he was not alone — that he 
 was not his own master. 
 
 His gladness was now changed to bitter sor- 
 row. He looked mournfully at his young com- 
 panion, who, like him, was repeating the beloved 
 words, father and mother, while she shed scald- 
 ing tears at their loss. A powerful conflict now 
 took place in the little boy's mind ; could he, 
 dare he venture to commence such a journey 
 with Marie ; and would it be right to take her 
 away forever from her native country and from 
 
94 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 lier parents ? Or should he leave her alone to 
 find her way to them? Plelpless and weak, 
 would not her destruction be almost certain ? 
 He looked compassionately and kindly at the 
 weeping child. Had he not saved her life at 
 the risk of losing his own ? And should he do 
 nothing more, after doing so much, and so make 
 that life valueless ? Augustus fought boldly 
 with the temptation to return home, and at 
 length he conquered. 
 
 " Do not cry, ]\Iarie," he said boldly and 
 cheerfully ; " w^e will go now and look for your 
 parents somewhere else. Shall we try the place 
 to which you said the other inhabitants of the 
 village had gone? I think that will be the 
 best way." 
 
 Augustus had strengthened his soul, and he 
 now wanted to do the same to his body. He 
 felt the calls of hunger unusually loud ; but 
 how should he quiet them ? 
 
 " What have you in your little bundle ? " he 
 suddenly inquired of Marie, as he at that mo- 
 ment caught sight of a small wallet that hung 
 at her side. 
 
 " The man with the thick beard gave it to 
 me," answered INIarie, wiping away her tears 
 with the corner of her apron. 
 
COMBAT WITH HIMSELF, A WOLF, AND DOG. 95 
 
 "That must have been Hoier," said Augustus, 
 as he opened the bundle. He found just what 
 he had expected — bread and meat. Marie and 
 he took a hearty meal. The sorrows of the 
 young are violent, but they do not last long. 
 The youthful pair were quite refreshed and in- 
 vigorated as they left the village and wandered 
 in search of the inhabitants. The evening grew 
 darker, the stars appeared, but it still remained 
 warm, and the air was clear. No sound was to 
 be heard, but perfect stillness reigned around. 
 The wanderers walked on cheerfully. 
 
 " Ah, see !" said Augustus joyfully, pointing 
 with his hand to an object in the middle of 
 their path ; " that is a good sign ; where you see 
 a dog, you may be pretty sure to find men. 
 There is one ! it must be a shepherd's dog." 
 
 Marie looked up, but immediately drew him 
 back, though she did not seem much frightened 
 as she said in a low voice, " That is a wolf, and 
 not a dog !" 
 
 " A wolf !" exclaimed Augustus with horror ; 
 and he put his hand to his left side, where he 
 ' was accustomed to wear his sword, but he found 
 none. It had been taken from him when he 
 was made prisoner. " A wolf ! we are lost ! 
 
96 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 But let US run away ; perhaps he has not 
 observed us." 
 
 Marie now became affected with his fear ; but 
 she said, rather anxiously, " My father told me, 
 if any one runs away from them, the wolves are 
 sure to run after them." 
 
 " But," returned Augustus, " what shall we 
 do ? Shall we let him eat us up without trying 
 to prevent it ?" 
 
 " Oh, no !" said Marie almost laughing ; " it 
 isn't so bad as that. My father says it is only 
 in winter, and that in the most severe seasons, 
 that a wolf attacks men. And then only when 
 he is terribly hungry ; but if he were so now 
 he would howl, and not sit there so quietly." 
 
 Augustus stood undetermined what course to 
 pursue. He looked at the wolf ; the wolf looked 
 at him. At last he was tired of this occupa- 
 tion. , " We can't stand here the whole night," 
 said he to Marie ; " let us move a little away 
 from him." 
 
 " But suppose he should come after us ? " 
 said Marie. 
 
 Augustus was almost at his wit's end ; " I 
 won't wait any longer," at length he said im- 
 patiently. " Am I not a soldier ? Did not I 
 run into the fire one day, and was shot at the 
 
COMBAT WITH HIMSELF, A WOLF, AND DOG. 97 
 
 next? And shall I be afraid of a stupid wolf? 
 Stay, old fellow, I will teach you to open that 
 great mouth of yours !" He picked up a heavy 
 stone, and added, " Now, Marie, if the wolf 
 should spring at me, run away as fast you can. 
 While I fight with him, you can get into a 
 place of safety. Oh, if I only had my sword !" 
 
 As he spoke these words he threw the stone 
 at the wolf. It struck his head with a hollow 
 sound. Augustus waited rather anxiously the 
 effect of his proceeding. A much heavier 
 weight than the stone he had thrown at the 
 wolf fell from his heart as he saw the fearful 
 animal slowly rise and slink away with his tail 
 between his legs. 
 
 " Bravo ! bravo !" shouted Augustus quite 
 relieved. " Just let him dare to Look at us 
 again. I will break his head for him the next 
 time !" 
 
 As they pursued their journey, they looked 
 round on all sides for the wolf, but it was no- 
 where to be seen. Augustus w^as in high spirits, 
 more especially as he soon after found a thick 
 cudgel, with which he armed himself. 
 
 " There said he joyfully. " Now I am 
 well armed ! I should like to beat such a tat- 
 too on his skull that he would never forget it." 
 9 - G 
 
98 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY 
 
 As soon as Augustus' warlike spirit had a 
 little evaporated, and given place to more sobri- 
 ety of mood, he said, " Marie, can you see no 
 village or house ? Is there no light visible 
 any where ?" 
 
 " No," returned Marie yawning. 
 
 " I suppose," continued Augustus, " that 
 black thing before us is a forest ?" 
 
 " Yes, it is a forest," answered the little girl. 
 " Our way lies directly through it." 
 
 " Suppose," said Augustus, " we should find 
 a number of wolves there, with one blow of 
 my " 
 
 " Bow, wow !" barked a huge dog, running 
 towards them. 
 
 " Stand back !" cried Augustus, raising his 
 cudgel ; " three steps forward, and you are a 
 dead dog !" 
 
 The dog certainly could not have understood 
 the language he spoke. Without heeding in 
 the slightest degree the threats and bearing of 
 Augustus, he rushed furiously upon him. Down 
 went the stick ; but the dog very cleverly 
 avoided the blow, and seized the other end of 
 the cudgel between his teeth. Augustus could 
 not get it away from him. On the contrary, 
 the dog kept biting higher and higher up the 
 
COMBAT WITH HIMSELF, A WOLF, AND DOG. 99 
 
 stick, SO that at last Augustus was obliged to 
 leave hold, as the dog had nearly reached his 
 hand. The latter then jumped upon his bresist, 
 and threw him down. 
 
 Poor Augustus was very much startled, and 
 began to fear that this time he should not 
 escape. But the dog did not attempt to hurt 
 him. It stood quietly over him ; only at the 
 slightest movement on the part of the boy it 
 showed its teeth and snarled. 
 
 " Lie perfectly still," said Marie, " and he 
 will not hurt you." 
 
 Augustus had no choice; he was compelled to 
 follow her advice. Just then he heard approach- 
 ing footsteps, and a voice addressing them in 
 the Russian language. 
 
 Marie answered quickly and fearlessly. On 
 looking up, Augustus saw two men standing 
 before him, armed with muskets. At their 
 desire Marie told Augustus to rise. Reddening 
 from shame at having been conquered by a dog, 
 the boy stood up. He followed the men with- 
 out saying a word, while they spoke with Marie. 
 On entering a dell in the forest they found a 
 fire surrounded by a number of wild-looking 
 Russians. All rose as the little wanderers 
 entered the circle. Augustus gazed with a feel- 
 
100 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 ing of apprehension at their suspicious and 
 fierce countenances, and he stood within the cir- 
 cle like a criminal. But Marie was his guar- 
 dian angel. She told the whole history to the 
 Russians of all that had passed on the preceding 
 days. How much Augustus now wished that 
 he understood Russe ! One comfort was, that 
 Marie could interpret everything to him. He 
 learned from her that neither her parents nor 
 any of her acquaintances were of the party, and 
 that these men were lying in Avait for any 
 Frenchmen they might find alone, that they 
 might kill them. He, however, had nothing to 
 fear, if he would only promise not to go over to 
 the enemy. This Marie had taken upon herself 
 already to promise. 
 
 The little travelers were beginning to be 
 overpow^ered with sleep and fatigue. Couches 
 of dried leaves were prepared for them, when, 
 covered with a few clothes, they slept until the 
 morning. 
 
THE SURPRISE. 
 
 101 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 THE SURPRISE. 
 
 Augustus now taught the band of Eussian 
 peasants to act as drummers, the drums they 
 used being of a very rough kind. Marie trans- 
 lated his directions. The drummer's pupils 
 raised a fearful noise with their first attempts. 
 
 " I wish friend Hoier could see me," said 
 Augustus laughing. " How surprised he would 
 be to find me turned drummer again ! But I 
 must get credit by my scholars. I hope in a 
 short time they will be able to imitate me." 
 
 So chattered our little friend the drumming- 
 master. But we must now, in a few words, 
 inform our readers how our hero came to play 
 such a part. 
 
 After the two little wanderers had left the 
 men in the forest, they traveled from place to 
 place in search of Marie's parents ; but all in 
 vain. At first, wherever they went, they were 
 amply supplied with food, though their unsettled 
 
 9 * 
 
102 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 and useless life wearied Augustus exceedingly. 
 Before long, however, what with the ravages 
 made by the enemy, and the destruction made 
 by the peasants themselves to prevent the 
 French from obtaining supplies, food became 
 very scarce, and the poor boy and girl had to 
 encounter many unkind looks and hard words 
 when they begged for something to eat. In the 
 meantime bands of Russians beo-an to assemble 
 from all quarters, in obedience to the emperor's 
 command, to range themselves under his stan- 
 dard, and oppose the hated enemy. The wan- 
 derers arrived at one of these appointed rendez- 
 vous. The arrival of Augustus, and his skill 
 as a drummer, were not long a secret. The 
 Russian authorities gave him the choice of being 
 treated as a prisoner of war, or of adopting 
 Russia for his country, and assisting in its 
 defence. He resolved upon the latter; and that 
 the more readily, because all that was required 
 of him was the exercise of his skill as a drum- 
 mer. He and Marie, therefore, had quarters 
 assigned them ; he received food and pay in the 
 Russian service, and, as we have seen, soon 
 commenced playing the master updn a small 
 scale. 
 
 Marie was the more easily consoled for the 
 
THE SURPRISE. 
 
 103 
 
 absence of her parents, because she loved Au- 
 gustus as if he were her brother, and he took 
 quite a father's care of her. Many weeks passed 
 away in this manner. But gradually poor Au- 
 gustus became a prey to most grievous home- 
 sickness. Whole nights he could not sleep, 
 from a yearning to see his native country, and 
 his beloved friends once more. He could not 
 reconcile himself to the Russian manners and 
 customs. Every day he saw the knout cruelly 
 inflicted upon many military delinquents. Nay, 
 even the officers themselves were sometimes 
 obliged patiently to submit to a box on the ear 
 from those who happened to be above them. 
 Often he trembled for his own back, though 
 he had fortunately escaped hitherto. 
 
 One evening, as usual, he had fallen asleep 
 thinking of his distant home ; he dreamed that 
 he was in his native town, when peace had just 
 been proclaimed. The streets were full of peo- 
 ple, rejoicing and shouting with delight. The 
 thundering of cannon and the pealing of bells 
 could be heard. Suddenly the noise became 
 louder and more deafening ; the firing appeared 
 to be nearer ; the windows shook with the clat- 
 ter; a bright light seemed to surround the 
 
104 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 dreamer. He heard the piercing cry of a child, 
 and he awoke. 
 
 Marie stood crying by his bedside, pulling 
 him with all her strength ; the little room was 
 illuminated as if with the rays of the mid^day 
 sun ; angry voices sounded from below, mingled 
 with cries of agony ; bullets w^hizzed through 
 the crashing windows ; and the street seemed 
 alive with noise, confusion, and fighting. 
 
 " O Augustus, Augustus sobbed the little 
 girl, " I am so frightened ; the dreadful war is 
 come Augustus Was yet scarcely awake. He 
 rubbed his eyes, and first stared at the trembling 
 Marie, then at the burning houses opposite. 
 
 " Oh stay — stay ! don't go !" said Marie ; 
 trying to pull him back as he went towards the 
 window. 
 
 " They are our people I" shouted Augustus, 
 looking out ; " that is my regiment — comrades ! 
 Hoier ! I am here too !" He ran down ; Marie 
 ran after him. 
 
 AVhen they arrived at the open front door 
 that led into the street, and were passing out, a 
 soldier whom Augustus recognized as one of the 
 company to which he belonged, rushed before 
 them. " Comrade !" the boy joyfully cried 
 out ; but the comrade's fury prevented his 
 
THE SURPRISE. 
 
 105 
 
 either seeing or hearing. He looked so fierce 
 and so savage that Marie, quite terrified, in- 
 stinctively shrank back, and pulling Augustus 
 with her, they both fell to the ground. It was 
 a fortunate fall for them ; for the soldier had 
 really pointed his bayonet at them. But im- 
 agining that he had struck them down, he ran 
 on. Augustus and Marie rose, stunned by their 
 fall ; the former now saw at a little distance his 
 old protector the colonel upon his horse, and 
 surrounded by his people. 
 
 Poor Augustus called to him joyfully and 
 imploringly. The colonel must have heard 
 him, but what was his reply ? 
 
 " Forward — forward, my brave fellows ! 
 Down with everything that stops the way ! 
 Spare no one ! Give no quarter ! Forward — 
 forward 
 
 What a change in him who was "formerly so 
 kind ! Augustus could not understand it. As 
 circumstances were so altered, he thought it 
 most prudent to get out of the way of the 
 tumult. With great difficulty he got back to 
 liis quarters, which were now forsaken by all 
 the other inhabitants. Full of thought he 
 cowered down behind the door. " Can it be," 
 thought he, "that I am so altered that my com- 
 
106 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 radas do not know me? Or do they believe 
 that I am really gone over to the enemy? What 
 would Hoier have done I wonder ?" 
 
 Scarcely had he uttered the words before the 
 very man entered the house, followed by several 
 others. 
 
 " Hoier — Hoier ! " cried the boy as he ex- 
 tended his arms towards him. But even Hoier 
 raised his musket, and would have shot the 
 supposed Russian had not Augustus called out, 
 " I am Augustus Werner, your drummer !" 
 
 The sergeant let his weapon fall upon hear- 
 ing these words, and said with astonishment, 
 "What! You here? How's this? I shouldn't 
 have known you." 
 
 " Well," said Augustus, " you must all have 
 changed very much in the short time we have 
 been separated. Stiefel of our company, who 
 was the first I met, would have run me through 
 with his bayonet ; the colonel would have let 
 them trample me down ; and even you. Father 
 Hoier," 
 
 " Ha — ha — ha !" laughed the sergeant ; " it 
 is plain enough you are quite a green-horn in 
 the noble art of war. We are just the same as 
 ever. And what makes us seem so different to 
 you is merely the rage of fighting, which pre- 
 
THE SURPRISE. 
 
 107 
 
 vents us from hearing or seeing. "When we 
 fight, we thrust everything out of our way that 
 opposes us, or that does not not wear our colors. 
 We should not even spare our fathers or our 
 brothers. We never look first to see who he is ; 
 we strike, shoot, stab, thrust, rush blindly on ; 
 the more we kill the better !" 
 
 " But," inquired Augustus, " what has put 
 you in such a rage ? ISTo one yesterday knew 
 of you being so near ; and I am pretty sure they 
 were all quietly in their beds last night." 
 
 "Eight enough," returned Hoier gaily. "We 
 surprised them when they were sound asleep ; 
 and that they might have fires in their rooms, 
 we burned their houses over their heads !" 
 
 " Poor men ! " said Augustus. " They have 
 been very kind to me, and they never did you 
 any harm." 
 
 " That is true," replied Hoier ; " but all is 
 fair in war." 
 
 " But why should there be war ?" asked the 
 boy. " Here we have marched hundreds of 
 miles just to murder men we never saw in our 
 lives before." 
 
 " Hold your tongue, you foolish boy ! " said 
 Hoier angrily. " Don't reason ; a soldier has 
 no business to reason — he must obey. The 
 
108 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 Emperor Napoleon has said 'There must be war 
 — the Russians are your enemies and the sol- 
 dier's duty is to fall upon them without mercy. 
 But should the Emperor say to-morrow, ' Stay ! 
 there is peace. Sheath your swords — the Rus- 
 sians are your friends.' Hurrah! Then 'twould 
 be * brother Russians ' instead. ' Shake hands, 
 old boys — we are comrades !' " 
 
 Still Augustus was not convinced, and he 
 could not refrain from adding, " I always thought 
 it was impossible to love or hate others at the 
 word of command." 
 
 "All is possible with jSTapoleon," answered 
 Hoier. " There never was his equal. A few 
 words from him do more than a hundred can- 
 nons from others. Perhaps, too, even I shall 
 succeed in winning a long red ribbon with a 
 white cross upon it." And he pointed to his 
 breast, as if in imagination he saw himself 
 decorated with the cross of the legion of honor. 
 
 " A long red ribbon ?" said Augustus inquir- 
 ingly. 
 
 " You are a stupid boy," returned Hoier ; 
 " and I am little less so to waste my time in 
 talking to you, instead of making the most of 
 it. My people will have ransacked the house 
 whilst I am chattering in this foolish way. I 
 
THE SURPRISE. 
 
 109 
 
 must get my share of the booty." So saying- 
 he was going to join the soldiers, when — 
 
 " Father Hoier !" Augustus called after him. 
 
 " What is the matter now ?" inquired the 
 other. 
 
 Augustus replied with some confusion, " I 
 always thought you were an honorable man." 
 
 " Well, who says anything to the contrary ?" 
 
 " Why you are going to steal what belongs 
 to other people !" 
 
 " I'll give you a little piece of advice, young 
 man, which you will do well to follow. Don't 
 presume too much on my good-nature, and 
 choose your words better. Plundering is not steal- 
 ing, and all's fair in war." He sprang away. 
 
 " Ah !" said Augustus to himself, "it is very 
 plain that war is an excuse for all that is evil." 
 
 The soldiers now returned laden with booty. 
 What they could not use or take away they 
 wantonly destroyed and wasted. Provisions, 
 clothes, linen, lamps, soap, and furniture were 
 strewed about, and trampled upon. By far the 
 greater part of the things they found they de- 
 stroyed. Augustus looked on with sorrow ; 
 and in everything but a happy mood he fol- 
 lowed his comrades when they left the burning 
 town, and returned to the army. 
 
 10 
 
110 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 THE BATTLE. 
 
 Augustus again took the post of drummer 
 in his former regiment. The colonel and all 
 his comrades gave him a cordial welcome. 
 Marie was placed under the care of a sutler, 
 and could ride or walk as she pleased ; when 
 the army rested or made a halt, she always 
 sought out her young preserver, who now had 
 nothing more to fear from the French general. 
 Augustus saw with surprise that the regiment 
 had dwindled down to little more than half its 
 former numbers. 
 
 " Ah !" said Hoier, as he was questioning 
 him about his adventures ; " you may thank 
 your stars that the soldiers only pretended to 
 shoot you, or you might soon have been shot in 
 real earnest. Nothing would do but we must 
 storm an old nest of a fortress called Smolensk, 
 and many of our best men never saw daylight 
 
THE BATTLE. 
 
 Ill 
 
 again. Six drummers fell there, and had you 
 been with us you might have shared the same 
 fate." 
 
 After some days of painful and wearisome 
 marching, there was a report that the whole 
 army of the enemy was stationed in the direct 
 road of the French army, and that a decisive 
 battle might be expected. Strange enough ! this 
 intelligence gave universal satisfaction. All 
 were heartily weary of the tedious march, and 
 gladly welcomed any change, even though it 
 were to cost the death of thousands. 
 
 Now then the ranks were closed up ; each 
 regiment had its proper place assigned it ; and 
 the whole body of men in battle array, marched 
 in close and compact order. The army might 
 be compared to a bird — the body of which con- 
 sisted of the very flower of the troops, flanked 
 by innumerable cannon ; huge wings also were 
 net wanting, so arranged as to enclose and over- 
 whelm the enemy. At some distance in the 
 rear marched a second army of reserve, in 
 readiness to support and assist the former in 
 case of necessity. The boundless plain which 
 they were traversing was scarcely sufficient to 
 afford space for all the men who were to be 
 engaged in the battle. 
 
112 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 It was towards the evening of September 5, 
 1812, that the thundering of the cannon an- 
 nounced the commencement of the famous bat- 
 tle of Borodino. Earth and sky shook with 
 the fearful explosions. Augustus had never 
 heard anything of the kind so near him before. 
 He changed color with fear. But his regiment 
 bivouacked on the ground as calmly and as un- 
 disturbed as though what was going on had no 
 concern whatever with them. The soldiers ate, 
 drank, joked, laughed, and went to sleej) as 
 usual. This indifference made him still more 
 uncomfortable. He whispered some remarks to 
 Hoier ; and as the sergeant noticed the trem- 
 bling of his young companion, he said quietly, 
 " We have nothing to do with this affair. It 
 concerns only the intrenchment on the left 
 wing. The enemy's chief intrenchment will 
 cost more blood. But we must break through 
 that, and capture the village of Borodino also^" 
 
 " And what then ?" inquired Augustus. 
 
 " Then," continued Hoier, " there will be 
 nothing to hinder us from entering Moscow." 
 
 " And what then?" again inquired Augustus. 
 
 " Then peace will be proclaimed, and we 
 shall go home." 
 
 " But we had peace at home. What was the 
 
THE BATTLE. 
 
 113 
 
 use, then, of marching so far, and of sacrificing 
 so many lives? Could we not have fiad it 
 much more easily ?" 
 
 " You know nothing about these matters. 
 There must be war or the great comet would 
 not have been seen last year." 
 
 "I think it was Napoleon who began the 
 war, and not the comet." 
 
 " Certainly. But the comet announced that 
 it was to be." 
 
 ".That comet could not speak ; how, then, 
 could it proclaim war ?" 
 
 " Silly child ! I tell you it was prophesied." 
 
 " But who prophesied it? God did not; the 
 comet did not. It must therefore have been a 
 man who deceived us." 
 
 " You are a very funny fellow !" growled 
 Hoier as he turned away. 
 
 Augustus thought over this conversation, and . 
 at last came to the conclusion that men attri- 
 buted to the innocent comet their own misdeeds, 
 in order to find an excuse for themselves, and 
 60 render themselves irresponsible for their own 
 sins. 
 
 At length the roar of the cannon ceased. As 
 far as the eye could reach watch-fires blazed, 
 around which the soldiers reclined. Few, how- 
 10 * H 
 
 « 
 
114 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 ever, amongst them could sleep, from the excite- 
 ment of expectation. 
 
 " I wonder whether I shall be alive at this 
 time to-morrow?" said Augustus to himself 
 The poor boy felt very unhappy as one painful 
 thought after another came into his mind. The 
 night slowly passed away ; and many of the 
 soldiers, when the flutter of excitement had 
 subsided, felt so wearied that their eyelids 
 closed, and they dropped into a short slumber, 
 perhaps for the last time. The fires gradually 
 went out ; all was quiet ; and the stillness of 
 the night was only occasionally broken by the 
 calls of the sentries at their posts, and the 
 neighing of the horses. This, however, lasted 
 but a short time. No sooner had the dim, gray 
 light of the approaching day appeared in the 
 horizon, than the soldiers rose quickly from 
 their grassy couch without waiting for the Sim- 
 mons of the trumpet; the pyramids of guns 
 were quickly taken down ; and all fully 
 equipped, stood to their arms. The colonel 
 rode along the ranks, exhorting them to show 
 their bravery and fidelity ; the sergeants called 
 over the rolls of their several companies. Or- 
 ders were then given for the troops to breakfast 
 as speedily as possible. 
 
 % 
 
THE BATTLE. 
 
 115 
 
 And now the glorious sun arose in all its 
 splendor — not, alas ! upon fields destined to pro- 
 duce fruitfulness and plenty, but blood and 
 destruction. The larks on this day forgot to 
 carol forth their sweet notes of thanksgiving 
 and joy. They had fled far away, terrified by 
 the immense multitude of warriors, and the 
 dreadful roar of the cannon. 
 
 From time to time a threatening roar might 
 be heard resounding through the mists of the 
 morning. The soldiers waited with intense 
 anxiety the call to battle. Soon came the com- 
 mand to fortify the position of the army by 
 throwing up intrenchments. A tremendous bus- 
 tle was the consequence. Before the close of 
 the day innumerable ditches, with immense 
 heaps of earth beside them, had been dug — 
 some of them straight as a line, others zig- 
 zagged and vandyked. The second night passed 
 without fighting ; but the bloody work began 
 with all the greater fury on the morning of the 
 third day, the 7th September. Twelve hundred 
 huge pieces of artillery shook the earth as they 
 poured forth fire and death. The skies seemed 
 to burn. Some of the messengers of death flew 
 whizzing over Augustus' regiment, which for 
 the present stood motionless, resting on their 
 
116 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 arms. The young drummer was now in such a 
 position as he had scarcely ever dreamed of 
 before. His muscles seemed to have lost all 
 power of action ; his knees knocked against 
 each other ; he felt faint and giddy, and big 
 drops of perspiration rolled down his brow. 
 
 The young lieutenant, who has been men- 
 tioned before in the course of our narrative as 
 so haughty to his inferiors, seemed no less 
 affected by fear. He placed a dram-bottle with 
 trembling hands to his white lips, as if hoping 
 that the spirit would renovate his courage. This 
 did not escape the notice of the soldiers who 
 were standing near him, and one of them whis- 
 pered to another, " Our milk-sop of a lieuten- 
 ant has the cannon fever !" and indeed a very 
 violent fever it was, that affected poor Augustus 
 also. 
 
 The front battalions of the line now got into 
 motion ; those behind advanced also. It soon 
 came to the regiment immediately in front of 
 that in which Augustus was placed. Then came 
 their turn. The officers buckled their sword- 
 belts more tightly ; the soldiers raised their 
 knapsacks an inch higher ; all waited in expec- 
 tation of the word of command. It came ; 
 
THE BATTLE. 
 
 IIT 
 
 they heard the colonel's powerful voice exclaim- 
 ing, " Fix bayonets ! March !" 
 
 The regimental band instantly struck up an 
 inspiriting march ; the sound of the instru- 
 ments, however, could be heard only by those 
 who were nearest. Augustus could not have 
 uttered a word had his life depended upon his 
 speaking. At first they marched rather slowly, 
 but the rapidity of their step increased every 
 minute. Not one of the soldiers knew at what 
 point they were aiming ; they merely saw the 
 dark masses of their comrades before them, and 
 the chasms that were every minute made in 
 their ranks, and as instantly filled up again. 
 The thick smoke prevented their taking any 
 distant view ; when suddenly the command was 
 given, " Charge !" 
 
 Our little hero now found himself running 
 at a smart trot behind his comrades. He gave 
 a beat at every step upon his drum — "Turn, 
 tum, tum!" A tremendous shell crashed in 
 the midst of the soldiers ; Augustus felt the hot 
 sparks against his face; he stumbled against 
 something that lay in his path, and fell to the 
 ground. 
 
 When at length with great difficulty he raised 
 himself up, he saw the ground covered with the 
 
118 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 dead and dying, and the dense masses of soldiers 
 before him scattered in every direction. 
 
 "Close the ranks!" shoQted the colonel. 
 "Forward! my boys!" The thinned ranks 
 pressed together, and made way for themselves 
 over the bodies of their former comrades as 
 they rushed forward. 
 
 A gust of wind which cleared away the thick 
 smoke for a minute enabled Augustus to see a 
 high entrenchment in the distance, from whence 
 the enemy's tremendous park of artillery was 
 furiously playing. Every moment innumerable 
 jets of fire burst forth. Before the roar of the 
 cannon whose discharge he had just witnessed 
 could reach him, he felt himself thrown down 
 and covered with heavy bodies, which prevented 
 him from seeing anything. His senses failed, 
 and he fainted. Eepeated roars of cannon 
 aroused him ; he was still in the same position, 
 and it w^as almost unbearable. He could not 
 move one of his limbs. Was he wounded? 
 He could not tell. 
 
 Whilst endeavoring to disengage himself 
 from the dead bodies that pressed him down, 
 he heard a distant sound, differing from any- 
 thing that he had ever heard before. The noise 
 increased every moment. The earth seemed to 
 
THE BATTLE. 
 
 119 
 
 tremble. An uninterrupted thunder, with a 
 hollow sound quite different from that of artil- 
 lery, came nearer and louder. A shower of 
 hail seemed to accompany it. As it came still 
 nearer, the sound changed to the clanking of 
 thousands of chains. What was it but the 
 raging army now rushing in full career over 
 him ! He felt himself pressed down, squeezed 
 by the bodies lying above him. They were 
 dead, and gave him but slightly the impression 
 that was made upon themselves. 
 
 The regiments now passing over them were 
 those of the Saxon Cuirassiers and Guards, 
 which were charging over the battle-field to- 
 wards the chief intrenchment. 
 
 But one murderous fire had these troops to 
 sustain from its occupiers ; then they were si- 
 lent; the intrenchment was taken — the battle 
 won. 
 
 Augustus again lay senseless — h^)w long he 
 could not tell. A violent jerk of his arm 
 brought him to himself. He found his burden 
 removed, and again he saw the daylight. When 
 he opened his eyes, he perceived a Frenchman 
 by his side, who was endeavoring to deprive 
 him in like manner of his uniform. In great 
 astonishment he asked the reason of such a pro- 
 
120 
 
 THE DKUMMER BOY. 
 
 ceeding. The soldier muttered angrily that he 
 thought that he had been dead, and that he had 
 considered himself as his heir. He then turned 
 to another body, and recommenced plundering. 
 
 Augustus now looked ;round him with horror. 
 Heaps of slain lay on all sides ; many had al- 
 ready been stripped ; and all were more or less 
 disfigured by wounds, blood, and the trampling 
 of the cavalry. He had himself only escaped 
 by a miracle; when his slaughtered comrades 
 fell upon him, their bodies had so protected him 
 that neither their heavy weight nor the tramp 
 of the horses had injured him in the least; 
 otherwise he must have been stifled or squeezed 
 to death. 
 
 He discovered his colonel's horse very much 
 lacerated ; but the colonel himself he could not 
 see. He looked round, in hopes of finding one 
 of his comrades who might inform him of what 
 had taken place ; but in vain. 
 
 Quite discouraged and dispirited, he now di- 
 rected his steps to the spot where his regiment 
 had been stationed at first. There lay the great 
 drum, pierced through by a cannon-ball, and 
 marking the spot where the band had been 
 placed. He revolved the past more and more 
 in his mind, when suddenly he recollected 
 
THE BATTLE. 
 
 121 
 
 having seen a little figure glide past him as the 
 regiment was charging. Had he not in his 
 confusion quite forgotten poor Marie ? 
 
 " O Marie, Marie !" he called out in agony, 
 " are you lost too ? Why did you not stay with 
 the sutler ?" At first he feared she had been 
 trampled down by the horses, and he looked in 
 all directions to have his fears confirmed ; for 
 he knew that even if unable to recognize her 
 face, it would be impossible to mistake her 
 slender form and her feminine attire. 
 
 While thus wandering about and calling hei^ 
 by name, he was astonished to see the great 
 drum suddenly move. It fell down ; and Ma- 
 rie, quite unharmed, but very pale, appeared 
 before him ! Full of delight at meeting so un- 
 expectedly, the two embraced each other heart- 
 ily. They were not separated now ; and though 
 they were still on the fearful battle-field, their 
 prospects seemed far brighter than before their 
 meeting. 
 
 Marie told her tale in a few words. She had 
 run a few steps by the side of Augustus, when 
 she was carried away from him, and had fallen,, 
 down. Terrified by the roar and confusion, she 
 had crept into the large drum, which was lying 
 near her ; and there she had remained in a half- 
 11 
 
122 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 conscious state until she heard him calling her. 
 Walking hand in hand, they now proceeded to- 
 wards the chief intrencliment that had occa- 
 sioned the sacrifice of so many thousands of 
 lives. 
 
 "I should like to know," said Augustus, 
 " why they were so eager to gain this ? Per- 
 haps there were some great treasures preserved 
 here, or something very important concealed." 
 
 They could scarcely make their way over the 
 numerous dead bodies of men and horses. 
 Streams of blood were flowing; heads, arms, 
 and legs were scattered in all directions. In 
 the intrenchment itself nothing was to be seen 
 but heaps of earth, trenches filled with dead 
 men, shattered cannon-wheels and carriages, in- 
 termixed with many wounded. It was a sad 
 sight to see the latter. A Russian officer, whose 
 head was dreadfully mutilated, uttered a few 
 words with his dying voice. 
 
 " What does the poor man say ?" asked Au- 
 gustus of Marie. 
 
 " He is begging us to get him a little water," 
 answered JNIarie sobbing. 
 
 Augustus looked around with the intention( 
 of gratifying the dying man's last wish if possi-J 
 ble. He saw two Frenchmen standing by an- 
 
THE BATTLE. 
 
 123 
 
 other of the wounded, and thinking they might 
 possibly have some water with them, he has- 
 tened towards them. 
 
 But the scene that then presented itself made 
 him forget his errand. A Russian sat upon the 
 ground, his arm broken, and his feet dreadfully 
 injured; near him stood the two Frenchmen, 
 endeavoring to tear his uniform from his body. 
 One sleeve was already drawn off, the other re- 
 sisted all their efforts, in consequence of the 
 fracture of the arm. The poor sufferer groaned 
 with agony, so tortured was he by these bar- 
 barians ; but deaf to his intreaties, they would 
 not desist till they had succeeded in securing 
 the desired booty. Augustus fled from them 
 as if they had been infected with the plague. 
 
 Another Russian stopped his progress, both 
 of whose legs had been shot away. He had 
 managed to raise himself upon his bleeding 
 stumps, and was still able to keep the upper 
 part of his body in an erect position, although 
 the near approach of death was denoted by the 
 broad white lines that appeared upon his face. 
 He had clasped his hands wdth fervor ; his half- 
 opened eyes were turned towards heaven, and 
 his lips prayed slowly and distinctly. 
 
 " Look, Marie !" said Augustus, quite affected 
 
124 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 at the sight. "That soldier is dying like a 
 good man ; he is asking God to bless him, and 
 to take him to himself. 
 
 " No, indeed," returned Marie, shuddering as 
 she spoke; "he is cursing the enemies of his 
 country, and imploring a bloody revenge. 
 
 " Oh, how glad I am," said Augustus, " that 
 we have nothing to do with these dreadful 
 curses! If every one thought as I do, there 
 would be no war. I should never be happy 
 again if I were to cause the death of a man." 
 
 They hastened to leave this scene of horrors ; 
 but their progress was arrested by the arrival 
 of the Emperor ISTapoleon at the head of a nu- 
 merous staff. He came to view the field of 
 battle. With a countenance cold and unmoved 
 as marble he rode over the dead, dying, and 
 wounded. The groans, lamentations, and cries 
 of the soldiers who lay around made no impres- 
 sion upon him. He gazed at the prospect be- 
 fore him through a spy-glass. 
 
 "It has been a glorious victory!" said one 
 of the generals who rode by his side. " The in- 
 trenchment and the village below were bravely 
 defended ; yet both were taken. Fifty thousand 
 slain and wounded lie upon the field." 
 
 "Fifty thousand lives," said Augustus to 
 
THE BATTLE. 
 
 125 
 
 himself, " merely to gain a heap of earth and a 
 village that is burned down ! What a price to 
 pay !" 
 
 "There is nothing now to prevent bur en- 
 trance into the ancient city of Moscow," con- 
 tinued the general. " Long live the Emperor !" 
 
 " Long live the Emperor !" shouted the whole 
 party. 
 
 The old Russian, with death in his face, 
 snatched up a musket that was lying near him, 
 to make one last attempt to deprive the Em- 
 peror of his life. 
 
 A Frenchman, perceiving this, struck him on 
 the head, and he died immediately. Napoleon 
 went away ; the children followed at a distance, 
 hoping to come up with the remains of the 
 regiment. 
 
 Night came on. The moon arose ; but she 
 was concealed by dense clouds. She would not 
 shed her silvery light upon that field of horrors. 
 Many thousands of the dying writhed and 
 groaned in the stillness of midnight, imploring 
 a quicker death, and a speedy release from their 
 sufferings. Then the pale angel of death came, 
 and extinguished one by one the sparks of life. 
 He closed the weary eyes — he straitened the 
 tired limbs — the wounds ceased to bleed. 
 11 * 
 
126 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 But there were many who could uot die ; the 
 thread of life with them seemed made of iron ! 
 Death, deaf to their despair, passed them by, 
 and their agony continued for many days. 
 
THE GRAND CALAMITY. 
 
 127 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 THE GRAND CALA3IITY. 
 
 Moscow, the prize which the victory of Bo- 
 rodino had procured, lay — after a few days' 
 march — with its houses, palaces, and churches, 
 before the eyes of the French army. The roofs 
 of the Kremlin glittered with gold in the rays 
 of the sun, and dazzled the eyes of the con- 
 querors. Ha! what glorious booty did they 
 anticipate in the rich old city. They entered 
 without firing a single shot, or striking a single 
 blow. 
 
 Napoleon, however, here met with a great 
 disappointment, which served to qualify the joy 
 and exultation which he had felt at his recent 
 victory. He had expected that, as usual in all 
 conquered cities, an embassy of the principal 
 inhabitants should come out to meet him, sub- 
 missively imploring mercy and pardon. 
 
 Nothing of the kind took place here. The , 
 streets were still as death ; no staring and 
 
128 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 shouting multitude received the French army. 
 Strange, that the man who appeared so callous 
 and indifferent to the sufferings and opinions of 
 others, should feel such displeasure when they 
 did not render him the homage that he looked 
 for ! He passed along the empty streets in an 
 angry mood, and haughtily chose the magnificent 
 palace of the Kremlin for his head-quarters. 
 
 His soldiers, on the other hand, were highly 
 delighted to find that the inhabitants had fled, 
 and that the houses were all unoccupied. Of 
 course they considered them as their property, 
 and immediately set about selecting those that 
 were the most eligible. They occupied suites 
 of rooms that had been prepared for princes ; 
 they threw themselves with their heavy boots 
 upon the most costly sofas, and upon the silken 
 beds with their gilded canopies. They brushed 
 their clothes upon finely-polished tables, and 
 threw about the rarest Chinese porcelain and 
 Japan ornaments as they Avould the commonest 
 earthen-ware. Cellars and store-closets w^re 
 broken open, and their contents sinfully wasted. 
 The soldiers ate the most expensive dainties till 
 they could eat no longer ; and the richest wines 
 flowed in streams. The drawers and closets 
 did not escape them ; they took from them the 
 
 J 
 
THE GRAND CALAMITY. 
 
 129 
 
 finest linen, shawls, handkerchiefs, and wearing 
 apparel they could find. As twilight ap- 
 proached, they rushed into the secret recesses of 
 the houses with large bundles of lighted candles 
 and torches, regardless of the danger, should 
 they contain anything combustible. Many fires 
 originated in consequence of their carelessness ; 
 but they passed on, not thinking of troubling 
 themselves to extinguish them, as they were 
 merely destroying the possessions of their ene- 
 mies. On the contrary, they looked on not 
 only with calmness, but with a horrible gratifi- 
 cation, as the fires increased, and spread to the 
 neighboring houses. The general and his sol- 
 diers acted both alike ; but their sin brought its 
 own punishment. 
 
 The fires extended over the wooden hotises 
 in Moscow with great rapidity. Still, much 
 might have been saved, if the soldiers, instead 
 of plundering, would have endeavored to ex- 
 tinguish the flames. But no one thought of 
 doing this. In their arrogance as conquerors, 
 and confidence of security, they deemed such a 
 step quite unnecessary. They looked only to 
 new conquests and fresh booty. 
 
 It was on one of these days of horror that a 
 carriage drawn by three horses stopped in the 
 I 
 
130 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 vicinity of a house that was in flames. Some 
 soldiers belonging to the Rhenish troops carried 
 a wounded man into the coach, which the sur- 
 geon had made as comfortable as possible. A 
 H^tle girl got in as well ; and besides the coach- 
 man, a soldier mounted the box, who had ban- 
 dages on his head and arm. 
 
 A little drummer (who, as our readers will 
 readily guess, was our young friend Augustus) 
 now approached the surgeon. " Do you think, 
 sir, that the colonel will be able to bear such a 
 long journey ?" 
 
 " Do not fear, my little man," answered the 
 surgeon ; " the colonel could no longer be of 
 service to the army, even were he restored to 
 health. He must therefore return home, where 
 every care will be taken of him." 
 
 " Farewell, Marie," said Augustus, addressing | 
 the little girl ; " be very attentive to our good 
 colonel, and do all that you can to make him 
 comfortable. I hope, by and by, I shall see 
 you with your parents, who must have returned 
 to their mill by this time. Good-by till we , 
 meet asrain." Both the children shed tears 
 while they shook hands with each other. 
 
 " Ah, Hoier," added Augustus to the soldier ' 
 on the box, " I feel very unhappy j all my 
 
THE GRAND CALAMITY. 131 
 
 friends are leaving me — you, the colonel, and 
 Marie. What will become of me ? The lieu- 
 tenant dislikes me ; and wicked Donnert, who 
 murdered poor Emily, has come back into the 
 regiment. He hates me, and nothing but your 
 being here has prevented him from doing me 
 an ill turn. There will be nothing to hinder 
 him now." 
 
 "Don't grumble, boy," said the wounded man 
 from his elevated position ; " 'tis a sin to do so. 
 Why, you have got off better than any of us ; 
 not a limb in your body is hurt. I should not 
 care about this cut in my head, but the loss of 
 the fingers of my right hand is a serious matter 
 indeed. It makes a cripple of me for life. 
 Don't talk of your troubles ; I would change 
 places with you any day. No, no, my lad ; 
 keep a good heart till I see you again." 
 
 The carriage rolled away; Augustus followed 
 it for some distance. 
 
 " And so this is n;iy reward," said Hoier to 
 himself as he gazed sorrowfully at his muti- 
 lated hand. "Yes, the horse has earned his 
 oats, but another eats them ; I made sure I 
 should receive the cross of the Legion of Honor. 
 And so I stood like a rock to resist the enemy ; 
 and who are they that have received the rib- 
 
132 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 bon ? Cowardly fools, who bent themselves 
 double before every bullet that whizzed past 
 them, and were glad of any mean shift to save 
 their precious lives." 
 
 Augustus would gladly have given up all the 
 orders in the world, had he possessed them, for 
 the sake of returning to his native country. He 
 watched the carriage with a bleeding heart till 
 it was out of sight. 
 
 Moscow now presented a scene of awful con- 
 fusion ; thousands of different things lay piled 
 together in the streets. Large mirrors, splendid 
 curtains, and costly furniture of all kinds, were 
 mingled with beds, provisions, boxes, casks, 
 baks, and bundles, thrown from the burning 
 houses ; all together formed a miscellaneous 
 ' mass, that was not only itself endangered by 
 the raging fire, but which served to increase its 
 rapidity and aggravate its fury. 
 
 The French looked upon this scene of destruc- 
 tion with perfect indifference; they seemed to 
 have lost all thought or care for the future. 
 At length the conflagration reached such a 
 height that their lives were endangered. They 
 withdrew to the buildings that still remained 
 untouched by the fire ; and there they were 
 compelled to crowd inconveniently together. In 
 
THE GRAND CALAMITY. 
 
 133 
 
 the meantime they hoped that peace would soon 
 be concluded ; day after da}^ they looked for 
 this. But alas ! they were grievously disap- 
 pointed. Four weeks passed away, and still 
 their expectations were not realized. In the 
 midst of so much treasure, they began to suffer 
 from the want of those common necessaries of 
 life which they had but lately so prodigally 
 wasted. !N"o food could be procured in the 
 whole country round ; the villages were all 
 burnt ; no country people could be seen bring- 
 ing their wares to the city, nor was it possible 
 in any way to obtain the necessary supplies. 
 
 Napoleon was at last compelled by necessity 
 to give orders for a retreat. But even retreat 
 in this instance afforded them no relief ; unfor- 
 tunately there was no way open to the troops 
 but that over which they had already passed. 
 All here was desolate and w^aste ; no shelter, 
 no provisions, were to be met with ; whilst, in 
 addition to these calamities, they were dis- 
 tressed by very rough weather ; winter having 
 this autumn set in early, and with unusual 
 severity. 
 
 12 
 
134 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 THE RETREAT. 
 
 The cutting wind had deprived the trees of 
 their leaves, and withered the grass ; the ground 
 was frozen hard as a threshing-floor; dense 
 clouds veiled the sky, and very soon a thick 
 sleet began to fall. In a short time everything 
 was covered with it. The French army marched 
 along the high road in innumerable companies. 
 They left Moscow laden with booty ; yet mer- 
 riment and laughter were no longer heard in 
 their ranks. They proceeded on their way 
 silently and sorrowfully ; not a word escaped 
 their lips, except when some new disaster called 
 forth an angry oath. Their eyes were sunk 
 deep in their heads, and their faces were pale 
 and emaciated ; yet these were the same troops 
 which, a quarter of a year before, had dazzled 
 and enchanted all spectators by the splendour 
 and completeness of their equipments. Now 
 
THE RETREAT. 
 
 135 
 
 their splendour had vanished/and their disci- 
 pline given place to disorder. 
 
 Instead of gilded helmets and furred shakos, 
 many wore frightful caps of skin bordered with 
 fur. Others had their heads, shoulders, and 
 breasts enveloped in costly carpets and shawls. 
 Their ragged cloaks did not even serve to con- 
 ceal their soiled uniforms, so numerous were 
 the holes that had been burnt and worn in 
 them. 
 
 The poor horses belonging to the cavalry had 
 hardly sufficient strength left to enable them to 
 carry their burdens ; and so thin had they 
 become, that one might have counted their ribs. 
 The continued wet produced by the snow ruined 
 the soldiers' boots, so that many of them had 
 to march either on their stockings or on their 
 bare feet. The exhilarating sound of music 
 was no longer heard, nor the joyous clamor of 
 the trumpets. Twelve weary horses were har- 
 nessed to every piece of artillery ; and even 
 then it was only by the incessant use both of 
 whip and spur that they could be made to drag 
 it along. 
 
 When noon arrived, no hospitable house, no 
 well-covered tables, no refreshing meal, awaited 
 them ; no warming soup, no salad, no meat, no 
 
136 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 pudding. How the sight of these things, which 
 they had once despised, would now have rejoiced 
 their hearts ! Even the black dry ammunition 
 bread had failed, so thoughtlessly and wickedly 
 had they wasted it. The soldiers would now 
 quietly open their knapsacks, and rummage 
 their contents, in hopes of finding something to 
 eat ; and greedily would they munch away at 
 a piece of stale biscuit or mouldy horse-flesh, if 
 fortunate enough to find any. 
 
 If any of their number ventured to leave the 
 high road to search in the neighborhood for 
 food, they rarely returned ; the infuriated Rus- 
 sian peasants were hovering around them on all 
 sides, and they slew without mercy every strag- 
 gler that fell into their hands. 
 
 The setting sun was the harbinger of fres*h 
 calamities to the unfortunate soldiers ; the fear- 
 ful nights, long and cold as they were, inspired 
 every one with the deepest horror. Each night 
 many could not survive these hardships. If, as 
 the darkness came on, a soldier, overcome by 
 fatigue, stumbled, and was unable to raise him- 
 self, no comrade would render him any assist- 
 ance. Unsympathizing, they would pass him 
 by ; and soon the thick-falling snow would co- 
 ver him, and his resting-place be marked only 
 
THE RETREAT. 
 
 13T 
 
 by a white hillock ; beneath which he would 
 gink into a sound sleep, from which he never 
 awoke. Those who came after stumbled per- 
 haps over the body ; and, weary as they were, 
 they did not leave it till they had searched the 
 knapsack. If it contained any treasure, it was 
 added to their own load ; but this double bur- 
 den was sure, in a few days, to bring a similar 
 fate upon them. 
 
 As the severity of the weather increased, 
 their sufferings were terrible. When, perhaps, 
 after several days' march, they at length reached 
 a town, they found only ruins. The houses 
 were without roofs, windows, doors, or stoves. 
 They had destroyed and wasted all on their 
 previous march ; and bitterly must they now 
 have repented the wanton havoc they had made. 
 
 When they halted for the night, most of the 
 soldiers sank down upon the ground over- 
 powered with weariness; whilst the few who 
 had sufficient strength left, dragged themselves 
 with difficulty in search of wood with which to 
 kindle a fire. 
 
 Then the poor frozen soldiers crowded eagerly 
 round the flame, like moths round a candle; 
 endeavoring to get a little warmth into their 
 benumbed limbs. As they lay upon the ground, 
 12 ■« 
 
138 ' THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 they insensibly drew nearer and nearer to the 
 comforting element. Nor did they remark the 
 smell when their clothes were singed by the 
 fire ; nor did they even feel, though their frost- 
 bitten feet should burn from contact with the 
 flame. 
 
 Profound slumber soon overpowered them. 
 The falling snow extinguished the fires, and the 
 lives of many of the sleepers passed away with 
 it. When, in the morning, the trumpet sum- 
 moned them to resume their march, but few 
 arose from that circle of frozen bodies, which 
 remained unburied till the spring. 
 
 The horses, too, were no better off. They 
 had no comfortable stables with which to pass 
 the night, and all the nourishment they could 
 get was a little hay. They consequently soon 
 lost all their strength, and fell dying on every 
 side. In one single night no less than six thou- 
 sand were frozen. The cavalry were therefore 
 compelled to go on foot, and all the horses that 
 remained were harnessed to the cannon and 
 ammunition wagons. 
 
 How clearly now was manifested the almighty 
 power of God, and the utter weakness of man ! 
 The five hundred thousand warriors with which 
 Napoleon expected to conquer the world were. 
 
THE RETREAT. 
 
 1P9 
 
 scattered like dust, not before other warriors, 
 but before the cold wind of heaven. 
 
 It was not in the power of man to lessen the 
 severity of the weather, or even to obtain the 
 supply of one day's provision for the troops. 
 The generals and officers could no longer keep 
 their soldiers in order. Misery and want dis- 
 solved all the bands of obedience, fear, and sub- 
 mission. The warriors forsook their colors, 
 rested, and proceeded as they pleased. Alto- 
 gether, the army resembled an unravelled ball 
 of variegated thread. Their route was marked 
 by dead men and horses, forsaken wagons, can- 
 nons, weapons thrown aside, and plunder of all 
 kinds. 
 
 A hundred thousand men were already thus 
 destroyed. Augustus still lived ; he was well, 
 and had scarcely suffered at all from hunger or 
 cold. For this he was in a great measure in- 
 debted to Marie. Before they set out, she had 
 given him several useful directions, especially 
 with regard to the climate of Russia. Follow- 
 ing her advice, he had, before they left Moscow, 
 provided himself with stout, well-made boots, 
 woolen stockings, and warm coats and trousers. 
 He also put a few pounds of chocolate into his 
 knapsack, to be reserved for a time of necessity. 
 
140 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 His youth, gentle demeanor, and obliging dispo- 
 sition, often enabled him to procure provisions 
 when others could not. He marched cheerfully 
 with the little band that was now all that re- 
 mained of his regiment. His good health, at a 
 time when almost all beside were suffering, ex- 
 cited the envy of his less fortunate companions. 
 The drummer especially who had murdered his 
 little sister regarded him with angry and vin- 
 dictive feelings. The ill-will which he had en- 
 tertained against the father of Augustus on ac- 
 count of the wound he had received, was now 
 directed towards the innocent child. It was a 
 happy thing for Augustus that cold and suffer- 
 ing had so diminished his strength, as to leave 
 him unable to execute his evil designs, or the 
 little drummer would have fared badly. 
 
 They had left the ruined fortress of Smolensk 
 far behind them, when, as usual, the troops took 
 up their quarters for the night in the open air. 
 Augustus, as the strongest of his band, went in 
 search of wood. He soon made a good fire, 
 upon which the soldiers cooked some thin pieces 
 of horse flesh. Augustus had still a consider- 
 able portion of his chocolate remaining. He 
 had wished for some days to prepare from it a 
 warm and nourishing drink for himself ; but he 
 
THE RETREAT. 
 
 141 
 
 was obliged to wait until he could do it secretly, 
 knowing that otherwise his companions would 
 wrest it from him by main force. AVaiting, 
 therefore, until he thought they w^ere all asleep, 
 he placed his little cup upon the fire, and 
 cooked and brewed with great satisfaction. He 
 was just upon the point of tasting the draught 
 he had prepared, when his wicked comrade 
 moved. 
 
 "Ah !" he exclaimed, "that smells very deli- 
 cious. Is it chocolate ? Let me see, my fine 
 fellow." So saying, he rose up as quickly as 
 his weakness would permit. 
 
 Augustus was very much startled. When 
 he saw the disturber of his peace tottering to- 
 wards him, a violent conflict arose in his soul. 
 Should he spare any of his chocolate for Emily's 
 murderer ? 
 
 " Comrade," he said at length, " I will share 
 with you, though I have but little remaining." 
 
 "What's that? What do you mean by that? 
 Share indeed !" returned the other with disdain. 
 " I share with no one ! Give me the dainty !" 
 He greedily seized the cup with both hands, 
 and at one draught swallowed the whole of its 
 contents. 
 
 Augustus looked at him with intense rage. 
 
142 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 He felt himself quite strong enough to throw 
 the weakened scoundrel into the flames as he 
 cowered over them. His arms already trembled 
 with eagerness to accomplish the deed. He 
 had raised his foot to assist him in throwing the 
 wretch down. But just then he looked at the 
 deep blue sky above his head. The stars were 
 shining brilliantly. The moon at that moment, 
 in all her loveliness, appeared from behind a 
 dark cloud. He thought of the God who had 
 made these glorious objects, and his angry 
 passions were calmed. He thought to himself, 
 "It is better to suffer evil than to commit evil;" 
 and he quietly lay down beside his sleeping com- 
 rades, using his knapsack as a pillow. Sleep 
 soon closed his eyes, and he for a time forgot 
 his sorrow. 
 
 When he awoke the following morning, he 
 found himself covered with snow ; and on 
 shaking it olf, he perceived that he was also 
 alone. His comrades had disappeared, and with 
 them his knapsack. From the peculiar manner 
 in which the snow was heaped upon him, he 
 felt certain that it had been purposely placed 
 there, apparently with a view to prevent his 
 being seen by the others. He had no doubt 
 that the same person had done this who had 
 
THE RETREAT. 
 
 143 
 
 stolen his chocolate and his knapsack — namely, 
 the wicked drummer. 
 
 Looking round him, he saw numbers of dead 
 bodies, but not a living creature. He pursued 
 his journey, and after some hours' traveling, 
 arrived at a spot which was familiar to him. 
 Surely it must be the village in which Marie's 
 parents had formerly lived ? There lay the 
 heap of ruins marking the spot w^here the mill 
 had stood. Only the stones and the iron-work 
 remained. All the wood that had been left 
 unconsumed by the first fire had been burnt up 
 by the retreating army. The uncovered walls 
 might have served on the previous night as a 
 shelter to some of the soldiers — at least so 
 he imagined, from the fresh ashes and the dead 
 bodies, not yet covered with snow, that lay 
 around. 
 
 Augustus found himself sadly deceived in 
 his expectations. He had hoped to find the 
 village, or at least the mill, rebuilt, and occupied 
 by Marie and her parents. He had anticipated 
 a kind reception and cordial welcome from them. 
 But no traces of them were to be seen. 
 
 He felt the calls of hunger, but could find no 
 bread in his pockets. He looked round him 
 with anxious eyes ; nothing, however, could he 
 
144 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 see but a dead horse frozen quite hard, from 
 which many of the best pieces had been cut 
 away. He could not fancy such a meal. Per- 
 haps, thought he, there may be something eat- 
 able in these knapsacks that lie scattered in all 
 directions. With some trouble, he managed to 
 untie the strings with his frozen fingers, and 
 eagerly rummaged their contents. In some he 
 found gold ; in others silver ; but in none what 
 he most wanted — food. How willingly would 
 he have exchanged fifty pieces of gold for a 
 dish of warm food ! 
 
 A carriage with broken wheels lay, almost 
 covered with snow, in the little hollow through 
 which the river flowed. In searching, Augustus 
 found many boxes lying about, some broken 
 and others quite uninjured, the contents of 
 which were very heavy. 
 
 " Money, money, nothing but money !" sighed 
 the poor boy. " Oh if these had but contained 
 biscuits, or even flour !" And again he con- 
 tinued his search. 
 
 A wagon, to which an emaciated frozen horse 
 was harnessed, now attracted his attention. The 
 snow was drifted into it, and everything inside 
 was incrusted with a hard coating of ice. Au- 
 gustus exerted all his strength to pull out some 
 
THE RETREAT. 
 
 145 
 
 clothes. One large bundle resisted all his 
 efforts. He was obliged to take his sword to 
 assist him, in order to examine its contents. 
 
 What a sight met his eyes when he had suc- 
 ceeded ! There lay a young woman, wasted to 
 a skeleton, with sunken cheeks and hollow eyes. 
 At her breast was an infant, clothed in rags, 
 and tightly enclosed in her mother's arms. She 
 had evidently tried to protect her child from 
 the severe, unpitying frost, and had exposed 
 herself, in order to give Avarmth to the babe. 
 The tiny head rested calmly upon her breast, 
 which had ceased to beat. The child's heart 
 was also still. Both had passed away in their 
 sleep. 
 
 Augustus had seen so much misery and 
 death, that they were quite familiar to him. 
 But this scene was so touching, that he shed 
 tears of real sorrow, and turned quickly away. 
 
 His tormenting feeling of hunger, however, 
 compelled him to return to the spot. With 
 trembling hands he searched the wagon for pro- 
 visions. At length he discovered a large bag of 
 gray linen, full of something that promised to 
 reward his efforts. On opening it, he found 
 half of its contents to be oats, and the other 
 half flour. What joy ! He also found a tin 
 13 K 
 
146 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 saucepan. With the addition of some melted 
 snow, he now prepared a mess of porridge, 
 which, though it was unseasoned by either salt 
 or butter, tasted to him most delicious ; for 
 hunger is always the best seasoning. Having 
 thus satisfied his craving hunger, Augustus felt 
 that he could think of other things. He had 
 collected as much gold as he could carry with- 
 out inconvenience, when a happy thought came 
 into his head. He remembered the little stone 
 vault in which he had been concealed with 
 Marie during the burning of the mill. There 
 he carried all the money he could find, and 
 rolled it carefully in sundry knapsacks and 
 packages. " There," thought he, " will be 
 enough to rebuild the mill, and something more 
 besides." His greatest treasure, however, the 
 bag of meal, he placed in an empty knapsack, 
 and marched off with it upon his shoulders. 
 
 In the evening of the same day he came up 
 with the hindermost troops ; they were en- 
 camped in the neighborhood of a dark wood. 
 He wandered through the ranks, in hopes of 
 getting amongst some of his own countrymen. 
 As he passed along, an imploring voice arrested 
 him. He looked up, and saw a soldier sitting 
 beside his horse, and dressed in a very singular 
 
THE RETREAT. 
 
 147 
 
 style. His clothes were partly those of a man, 
 and partly of a woman. A large gown covered 
 his legs, and partly concealed a richly-orna- 
 mented but soiled and tattered uniform. A 
 coarse woolen horse-cloth served him as a shawl 
 and a wrapper, whilst his head was bound round 
 several times as if with a turban. His frag- 
 ments of boots were kept together by wisps of 
 straw. He was reclining upon the body of the 
 horse, in order to gather some heat from it. 
 
 "Comrade," he said in French, "have you 
 anything to eat? I implore you to give me 
 just a little morsel of something." 
 
 Augustus stood silent, and considered whether 
 he should grant his petition. 
 
 "Ah," he said to himself, "I have to-day, 
 for the first time these many days, made a 
 hearty meal ; let me not forget what the Bible 
 says, * To do good, and to distribute, forget not ; 
 for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.' 
 Wait a little," he added aloud, " I will go and 
 light a fire." 
 
 He then quickly cut down some branches of 
 fir-trees with his sabre, and managed to kindle 
 a capital fire with them. It was not without 
 great trouble that he accomplished this. The 
 
148 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 branches were covered with ice, and very damp; 
 but after many vain attempts, they kindled. 
 
 Augustus now filled his tin pot with snow, 
 and melted it over the fire. This he had to, 
 do repeatedly before it was filled with water. 
 When it began to boil, he shook the oats and 
 meal into it, and cooked them both together. 
 
 " But," said Augustus to his neighbor, Avho 
 kept his eyes fixed on the smoking mess, "I 
 have neither salt nor lard." 
 
 The latter searched in the breast-pocket of 
 his uniform and produced something carefully 
 folded in paper, which he handed to Augustus, 
 saying, " There, comrade ; there is some lard." 
 
 What did Augustus find on opening it? A 
 piece of tallow candle ! While he was adding 
 this delicious morsel to his pottage, the French- 
 man gave him another paper, which he said 
 contained salt. 
 
 Had he not said so, Augustus would have 
 imaginied it to be a small sausage folded up. 
 But it was really only a cartridge containing 
 gunpowder, and even this was stirred up with 
 the other contents of the pot. 
 
 And now Augustus gave an iron spoon to his 
 guest, who ate six spoonfuls with great avidity. 
 Then came Augustus' turn ; but a sudden light 
 
THE RETREAT. 
 
 149 
 
 had come into his mind whilst the Frenchman 
 was eating. The fire was now burning clearly, 
 and by its steady light he could better distin- 
 guish his features. In spite of the disfigure- 
 ment of his face, he recognized the general who 
 had been the cause of his being shot. The ge- 
 neral himself became aware of this. He had 
 little imagined that his benefactor was the de- 
 spised drummer, Avho, he thought, had long 
 since been numbered with the dead. 
 
 Augustus now enjoyed a peculiar feeling of 
 satisfaction. The thought that he had rendered 
 good for evil, had done a kindness to his enemy, 
 was unspeakably sweet to him. In his sweet 
 pleasure he would have forgotten to eat, had 
 not the general pressed him, saying, "Eat 
 yourself, comrade; it tastes capitally." Au- 
 gustus obeyed, and ate as many spoonfuls as the 
 general had done. He then gave up the spoon 
 again; and so they continued until the saucepan 
 was empty. 
 
 The general then invited him to sit down by 
 his side, and lean against his horse. He com- 
 plied, and was just sinking to sleep, when the 
 fearful cry arose, "The Cossacks! — the Cos- 
 sacks !" 
 
 Then was heard the shrieking of men, the 
 13 * 
 
150 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 firing of muskets, and the trampling of horses. 
 All was confusion. 
 
 The general sprang upon his weary horse, 
 and was quickly out of sight. 
 
 Augustus crept beneath some branches that 
 had not yet fed the fire, and waited patiently 
 until the tumult had subsided. He never saw 
 the general again. 
 
THE PASSAGE OF THE BEREZINA. 151 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 THE PASSAGE OF" THE BEREZINA. 
 
 The army at length reached the shores of 
 the Berezina. There were but two wretched 
 bridges by which the river could be crossed, 
 and these were quickly crowded with fugitives, 
 and with carriages of all descriptions. Each 
 endeavored to be first, and none would give 
 precedence to the others. In consequence of 
 this tumultuous struggling for priority, the 
 way soon became absolutely impassable. Both 
 bridges were stopped up with horses, cannons, 
 powder-vans, carriages, and men. Near one 
 end of this scene of confusion stood a carriage 
 without horses ; they had been disengaged, and 
 taken away by force, to assist in removing some 
 of the artillery wagons. 
 
 In this carriage lay a man so dreadfully 
 wounded as to be perfectly helpless. It was 
 the colonel. 
 
 "Save yourselves," he said in a sorrowful 
 
152 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 voice, addressing Marie, who was by his side, 
 and Hoier, who occupied the box. " Leave me 
 to my fate. I have at least learned to look 
 death in the face, and it matters little whether 
 he come to me with a knout or a sword in his 
 hand." 
 
 "No, no, colonel," .returned Hoier; "that 
 man must be a bad soldier who would leave 
 the father of his regiment under such circum- 
 stances. Besides, here we are like a mouse in a 
 trap ; we cannot move forwards or backwards, 
 whether we wish it or no. We must wait till 
 the enemy make room for us with their bullets." 
 
 The colonel only answered with a deep sigh. 
 
 " Are you hungry, my child ?" he inquired of 
 Marie. 
 
 She shook her head, although she had eaten 
 nothing the whole day. Night came on. The 
 confusion increased most awfully. It attained 
 its height on the morning of the following day, 
 when the Russians commenced showering a 
 heavy rain of bullets upon them. Thousands 
 upon thousands were dashed in pieces, crushed, 
 trodden down, or driven over. Save your- 
 selves !" now became the universal cry. With- 
 out pity or remorse the French then killed all 
 their sick and wounded. The weak women and 
 
 2 
 
THE PASSAGE OF THE BEREZINA. 153 
 
 children were ruthlessly dragged from their car- 
 riages, which the soldiers then heaped together, 
 and set on fire. 
 
 As some of them approached the carriage in 
 which the colonel was lying, with the intention 
 of serving him in the same way, Hoier started 
 in a rage from his seat on the coach-box. 
 
 "Comrades," he cried, "are you going to 
 broil us like a parcel of steaks ? Here lies our 
 valiant colonel, who has fought seven battles 
 with us, and received thirteen wounds for the 
 Emperor. Have you no regard for an officer 
 of the Legion of Honor ? Let him at least die 
 peacefully in his carriage. Respect the coffin 
 of a brave man." 
 
 The soldiers, some of whom understood Ger- 
 man, spoke a few words to each other, and then 
 turned away. Hoier watched them attentively. 
 
 "Marie!" he quickly cried out, "do you see 
 what those fellows are doing to the powder 
 wagons ?" 
 
 " No," returned she. 
 
 " Can't you see anything ? My eyes are be- 
 come so weak." 
 
 " I see," replied Marie, " a light smoke rising, 
 as if from a lighted paper." 
 
154 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 "Just as I thought," muttered Hoier between 
 his teeth. " God help us then !" 
 
 " The bridges are on fire !" shouted a number 
 of voices at once, and a general shriek of hor- 
 ror rose. 
 
 " We are lost !" was re-echoed from mouth 
 to mouth. 
 
 " True enough," said Hoier ; " 'twill very- 
 soon be over now. In a short time we shall 
 burn fast enough. At all events we sha'n't die 
 of cold. I think perhaps it is almost the best 
 thing they could have done for us. We shall 
 be soon out of our trouble. And yet," he 
 added, " one ought to do all that he can to 
 escape death ; and I am so sorry for this poor 
 innocent child ! But what can be done? If I 
 were to leave the carriage, I could never make 
 my way to the powder wagons with these 
 wounded hands, nor could Marie either. It is 
 worth trying though, whether I can make any 
 one understand me, and get them to remove the 
 match. At any rate I shall have done all that 
 I can do." 
 
 " Here !" he cried, exerting his powerful 
 voice to the utmost. " The powder wagons are 
 on fire ! Is there any one who will save us all 
 
THE PASSAGE OF THE BEREZINA. 155 
 
 by taking away the match that those French 
 rascals have placed there ?" 
 
 These words had the very opposite effect to 
 what Hoier iDtended. A universal panic seized 
 the multitude. Each one tried by instant flight 
 to escape the threatened explosion. None re- 
 mained behind but those who were half-dead, 
 and as helpless as themselves. There was con- 
 sequently room to move ; but so much time had 
 been lost, that Hoier deemed escape impossible. 
 He expected the explosion every instant. 
 
 " Are you afraid to die he now asked of 
 Marie. 
 
 " No," answered the little girl ; " for then I 
 should go to heaven, and never be hungry and 
 cold any more." 
 
 " You are right, my child," said Hoier, quite 
 affected. " Pray to God to give us all a happy 
 death. All will be over with us now very 
 soon." 
 
 " Speak out," said he, as Marie, with her 
 hands clasped, repeated her prayers in silence. 
 " I must take my part in it too." 
 
 Marie began again, and this time Hoier did 
 not interrupt her, as her gentle voice pronounced 
 the words, " Our Father which art in heaven," 
 &c. But suddenly she stopped, and with a joy- 
 
156 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 ous voice cried out, " Augustus ! — there comes 
 Augustus !" 
 
 She nearly jumped into his arms as he ap- 
 proached. 
 
 " That boy again !" said Hoier, laughing and 
 crying at the same instant. " Are you still 
 alive ? Throw yourself down on the ground ; 
 you may yet escape death. The match laid to 
 the ammunition wagons must be nearly burnt 
 away by this time. I must confess I should like 
 to live a little longer. Would not you, Marie ? 
 And you too, my brave boy ? I am sure the 
 colonel would revive at the very sight of the 
 rogue." 
 
 But whilst he was thus chattering, Augustus 
 had run towards the wagon, and in a moment 
 snatched away the match. He was but just in 
 time to prevent the powder from igniting. 
 Then carefully closing the top of the wagon, 
 he hastened back to his companions. 
 
 And now, in the midst of death and destruc- 
 tion, three persons might be found so filled with 
 joy at meeting each other again, that they quite 
 forgot the horrors that surrounded them. The 
 colonel, however, felt neither pain nor pleasure. 
 He lay perfectly insensible to all that passed. 
 
 But they were soon recalled to their circum- 
 
THE PASSAGE OF THE BEREZINA. 157 
 
 stances. Increasing showers of cannon balls 
 exposed them ev^ery instant to danger. One of 
 them crashed through the colonel's carriage. 
 The splinters of tlie damaged hind-wheel flew 
 in all directions, and some of them struck Au- 
 gustus on the head. The carriage with its 
 hea\y contents, fell upon his right leg, and 
 broke it. His senses forsook him, and he 
 fainted. 
 
 When he ^ame to himself again, it was night ; 
 but the full moon was shining brightly. All 
 was quiet around him ; as also in the carriage, 
 which still lay on his leg. But he heard a hol- 
 low noise at some distance, which he at length 
 found proceeded from the Russian soldiers, who 
 were then plundering the carriages which the 
 French had piled together into a barricade, and 
 securing what prisoners they could. 
 
 Augustus felt that he must have immediate 
 assistance, whether it came from friend or foe. 
 Having in vain endeavored to extricate his leg 
 from the shattered carriage, he began to shout. 
 No one heard him. Looking around, he per- 
 ceived his drum, which had accompanied him 
 everywhere, lying by his side. Glad to find 
 some means of making himself heard, he drew 
 out his sticks, and beo-an to beat a thunderino; 
 
 14 
 
158 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 tattoo. The sound echoed amidst the stillness 
 of the night, and soon he found it had produced 
 some effect in the carriage. 
 
 He heard something moving, and then 
 Hoier's deep voice said angrily, " Surely, cap- 
 tain, you will let me hang up my cartridge-box 
 first?" 
 
 Marie, too, wept, and cried out convulsively, 
 " Bend down, Augustus, that the bullets may 
 not touch you." 4. 
 
 Even the colonel was roused, and ,muttered 
 indistinctly, " Forward, my boys ; at them 
 again ; strike down all before you !" 
 
 The noise of the drum had also called back to 
 consciousness a dying man who was stretched 
 out near Augustus. A ball had entered his 
 body. His distorted face was deadly white, 
 and the pale moonlight gave a ghastly appear- 
 ance to his half-opened eyes ; his limbs shook 
 with the extreme cold, and his teeth chattered 
 as his dying lips gave utterance to the following 
 words : — 
 
 " I didn't do it this time ; 'twas the devil 
 did it ; I only did it once. How could I know 
 that the noise would kill the child ? Woman, 
 let me go, I say ; you are strangling me ! " 
 
 'if 
 
THE PASSAGE OF THE BEREZINA. 159 
 
 With wild gestures he laid hold of the bodies 
 around him, and then sank down quite dead. 
 
 The drumsticks fell from Augustus' hands. 
 The murderer of his dear little sister — the thief 
 who had stolen his knapsack — his harsh, bitter 
 enemy — had at length received the reward of 
 his crimes ! And all the past circumstances 
 rushed vividly before his mind as he gazed at 
 the stiffening corpse. 
 
 In the meantime a detachment of Russian 
 soldiers approached the young drummer. Marie 
 had recovered from her fright, and as she recog- 
 nised in the Russian drummer one of Augustus' 
 pupils, she joyfully said, " Bibskoff, look to 
 your master. Don't you know us again ?" 
 
 Her appeal to the Russians was the means of 
 procuring a more endurable lot for her com- 
 panions than for the other prisoners. It is true 
 they were robbed of the money they happened 
 to have about them ; but they were more carefully 
 tended, till at length they were conveyed to a 
 Russian hospital ; and gradually the three 
 wounded prisoners were restored to perfect health. 
 
160 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. ^ 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 THE RETUKN. 
 
 One summer and two winters had passed 
 away; most of the houses in Marie's native 
 village had been rebuilt; and even the little 
 church again stood there. The mill, however, 
 still lay a heap of ruins. Spring had arrived, 
 bringing with it the fresh grass, and the 
 feathered songsters of the fields and trees ; all 
 traces of war had disappeared ; save that here 
 and there the whitened ribs or skulls of some 
 of the unfortunate horses might be seen. 
 
 At noon, one bright sunny day, a Russian 
 vehicle drove into the village and stopped at 
 the spot formerly occupied by the mill. Nau- 
 mau the miller got out of it, and assisted his 
 wife and two children to alight. Then he stood 
 with folded arms before the wreck of his pro- 
 perty, thinking with bitter sorrow of the past. 
 His wife and children came to his side. 
 
THE RETURN. 
 
 161 
 
 " Well," he at length said, " here ^ve are again ; 
 but where is the money to rebuild the mill ?" 
 
 "Husband," returned his wife, "I cannot 
 endure the sight of our Marie's tomb ; I can 
 hear her cries now as they rent my heart on 
 that terrible night. I do not believe I could 
 rest a night here." And the poor woman wept 
 bitterly as she spoke. 
 
 " I feel just as you do," said Naumau ; " but 
 what else can we do ? I would willingly return 
 to my native country ; for since I would not 
 burn my mill to please them, it is not very 
 likely that we shall receive a hearty welcome 
 from our former neighbors here. But I cannot 
 go back utterly destitute ; the money I might 
 receive for the piece of ground would be a mere 
 nothing." 
 
 In the meantime a company of men, all 
 dressed alike, entered the principal street of the 
 \allage. They were German prisoners of war, 
 who had been liberated, and were now return- 
 ing home. Under their overcoats of coarse cloth 
 they wore the remains of their uniforms, and in 
 their hands they carried walking-sticks, which 
 they had cut from the forest. As they drew 
 near the bridge, some of the men left the others, 
 and walked up to the mill. These were Au- 
 u * L 
 
162 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 gustus, the colonel, and Hoier, accompanied by 
 Marie. As soon as the latter perceived her pa- 
 rents, she sprang into her mother's arms. At 
 first they were speechless from joy and surprise. 
 Scarcely could they believe their eyes, at find- 
 ing her alive whom they had so long mourned 
 aa dead. It was an affecting scene. Augus- 
 tus, Marie's preserver, was overwhelmed with 
 thanks, praises, and blessings by the miller's 
 family. 
 
 "But," said Naumau, "I cannot offer you 
 any reward for your noble action ; the war has 
 robbed me of everything ; I am, indeed, little 
 better than a beggar." 
 
 At these words Augustus slipped away un- 
 perceived into the little vault. He would not 
 say anything of his hidden treasure until he 
 had convinced himself that it was safe. After 
 moving away the fragments he had himself so 
 carefully placed upon it, he found, to his no 
 small delight, the knapsack — indeed decayed 
 and useless, and the money-box rotted, but the 
 gold secure and untouched. After he had put 
 a small sum into his own pocket, he returned 
 to the open air. Young as Augustus was, he 
 had learned many lessons by experience; and 
 knowing that money often severs the best 
 
 -I 
 
THE RETURN. 
 
 163 
 
 friends, he thought it best to secure a certain 
 portion of the treasure before he spoke of it to 
 the others. Then, witli the delight that every 
 one feels who has a good piece of news to an- 
 nounce, he joined his companions, and told his 
 tale to them. 
 
 "During our retreat I concealed a good 
 quantit}^ of money, and if you please we will 
 share it between us. Marie's father shall re- 
 ceive a third part as possessor of the ground in 
 which the treasure lies. The remaining two- 
 thirds we will take for our portion. Are you 
 all satisfied with this arrangement ?" 
 
 " For my part," said the colonel, " I shall be 
 satisfied with just enough to take me home. I 
 have wealth sufficient w^hen I get there; and 
 therefore, my good boy, I will not deprive you 
 of any more of your hoard." 
 
 Hoier looked at his hands, which possessed 
 but three half and two whole fingers, and then 
 he said, " I cannot work, and I am ashamed to 
 beg, so, my lad, I must accept your offer. Let 
 it be a bargain." 
 
 The miller and his w^ife seemed almost beside 
 themselves; they laughed and w^ept for joy, and 
 overwhelmed the young treasure-finder with 
 their gratitude. And now the money was care- 
 
164 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOy! 
 
 fully stowed away in the carriage, that it miglit 
 not be perceived by the inhabitants. The whole 
 party then mounted, and bade the village fare- 
 well forever. The delighted miller had now 
 made up his mind to return to his native coun- 
 try. He would be able to purchase a first-rate 
 mill with his share of the treasure. It was 
 agreed that the division should be made in the 
 next place they came to, and a carriage be pro- 
 cured likewise. The three prisoners of war got 
 in the last. Those who were returning on foot 
 looked at them with envy, and one of them im- 
 plored the colonel to let him accompany them. 
 He was the same lieutenant who had treated 
 Hoier and Augustus so haughtily, but he was 
 now humbled and submissive. 
 
 " Herr von Seestein," answered the colonel, 
 " the carriage does not belong to me, but to my 
 comrades ; if they will consent, I will not place 
 any obstacles in the way;" 
 
 The lieutenant made a humble petition to his 
 former subordinates, who cheerfully granted his 
 request, and accommodated him the best way 
 they could. 
 
THE CONCLUSION. 
 
 165 
 
 CHAl'TER XVII. 
 
 THE CONCLUSION. 
 
 Mr. Werner was in his work-shop, which 
 was situated near the yard of his house. He 
 was standing at the work-table cutting out 
 leather, and was alone in his occupation. 
 There would have been no room for assist- 
 ants even had he had any, for the whole place 
 was filled with furniture and bedding. The 
 principal part of his things had been disposed 
 of, and what remained betokened great neces- 
 sity. 
 
 It was in the beginning of May, 1814, and 
 nearly twelve o'clock. The door opened, and 
 a traveler entered. "God bless you, friend 
 Werner !" said he as he came into the room. 
 
 Werner looked up. His sorrowful face 
 brightened ; and giving the new-comer a hearty 
 shake of the hand, he said with astonishment, 
 "Ah, my old school-fellow Naumau, are you 
 come to see us once more ? It is not often you 
 
166 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 do SO. Where have you hidden yourself so 
 long?" 
 
 "In Eussia," answered Naumau. "I had 
 built a mill there, and married comfortably; 
 but since the French chose to burn it, I have 
 returned, bringing my whole family with me." 
 
 "And what are you thinking of doing now?" 
 inquired Werner anxiously. 
 
 " I shall either buy a mill or take a farm." 
 
 " Have you any money ?" asked Werner. 
 
 " No ; but I have kind friends, who will be 
 answerable for me ; you, for example, are well 
 to do — have a fine house, good trade, and credit. 
 Surely you can do something for me ?" 
 
 Werner smiled bitterly as he replied, " Poor 
 fellow-sufferer ! you are very much mistaken. 
 Once I had all you mention, but I have them 
 no longer. Look at this wretched remnant of 
 my former prosperity. This work-shop is my 
 only dwelling, and to-morrow even that will be 
 wanting. The house will be sold to pay my 
 debts, and I must leave it for ever. Yes, friend 
 ISTaumau, the war has robbed me of all my 
 property, and even more than that." 
 
 " How can that be ?" asked Naumau incre- 
 dulously. 
 
 " Because it has deprived me of two of my 
 
THE CONCLUSION. 
 
 16T 
 
 children,'' returned "Werner gloomily. He went 
 to a door, as he spoke, opening into a dark 
 apartment, that served as a kind of kitchen, 
 and said, " Dear wife, come here. A friend has 
 come to see us, and little Emily is awake. Will 
 you feed her, that she may not disturb us by 
 her crying ?" 
 
 Madame Werner came in, welcomed the 
 stranger, and went to the cradle to take up her 
 little daughter. 
 
 " At any rate you have a sweet child there," 
 said Naumau. 
 
 " True," returned Werner ; but I would 
 much rather it had been a boy. Then it should 
 have been called Augustus." 
 
 " Why— don't you love the little girl ?" 
 
 " Indeed I do," answered Werner ; " all the 
 more because, through her, God has restored 
 our Emily to us. But my Augustus " 
 
 The poor man could not finish his sentence, 
 but walked to the window to conceal his tears. 
 " What of your Augustus ?" asked his friend 
 sympathizingly. 
 
 " He suffered death instead of me — a cruel 
 death in a foreign land," sobbed Werner. 
 "Yes," added he, "that dear child is lost to us 
 for ever in this world." 
 
168 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 " Where, and how did he die ?" Naumau 
 
 asked, after a short pause. 
 
 Do not ask me any more !" implored Wer- 
 ner. " You must youi-self either have seen or 
 heard in what a horrible manner the soldiers 
 were cut off in Russia by war, hunger, naked- 
 ness, and cold. My son died with them." 
 
 " But are you quite sure of that ?" asked 
 Naumau. " Many German prisoners of war 
 are now returning from Russia, and I have my- 
 self a letter from a young drummer to his 
 parents in this place to deli " 
 
 " From a young drummer ? — in this town ?" 
 cried Werner and his wife with one voice, 
 changing color as they spoke. Both trembled 
 from excitement. 
 
 " Yes," returned Naumau calmly, putting his 
 hand into his pocket. 
 
 Werner snatched the letter from him. " This 
 iS' my son's handwriting!" shouted he, almost 
 beside himself with joy; and his impatience 
 was so great, that he nearly tore the letter 
 instead of opening it. 
 
 The cup flew from Madame Werner's hand 
 as she suddenly rose from the chair, unmindful 
 of the infant's screams at the loss of her meal. 
 She ran to her husband's side, that she might 
 
 i 
 
THE CONCLUSION. 
 
 169 
 
 see as inucn as possible of the beloved hand- 
 writing. 
 
 The letter contained these few words : — 
 
 " My Beloved Parents — I am alive and 
 well. In another minute I shall be with you. 
 
 Your loving Augustus." 
 
 The door opened. " Augustus is coming ! — 
 Augustus is coming !" shouted Robert and Ber- 
 tha, while, with their books in one hand, they 
 drev/ their brother into the room with the 
 other. 
 
 When the tumult had a little subsided, Au- 
 gustus said, " I have brought one remembrance 
 for you from Russia, which we will always 
 keep and he drew out his drum-sticks. " I 
 saved them. The drum I was obliged to leave 
 behind in Russia." 
 
 " There is another little remembrance," said 
 Hoier laughing, as he pointed to the table, 
 where the men had silently placed the bags of 
 money. 
 
 " That is not all mine !" said Augustus 
 quickly, when he had counted the numbers. 
 
 " I have taken the liberty," continued Hoier, 
 " of adding my share to it. I thought, perhaps, 
 your good parents would be able to find a little 
 
 • 13 
 
ITO 
 
 THE DRUMMER BOY. 
 
 room in their house for an old soldier who is 
 very easily satisfied. Though he has lost his 
 fingers, he can at any rate manage to rock a 
 cradle, and see that the little ones don't get 
 into mischief. The colonel has consented that 
 I should stay with my adopted son, and has 
 given me my discharge." 
 
 " And we," added Naumau, " if you will 
 receive us, will stay with you until we can get 
 a mill. "We will forget all our troubles, and 
 make but one family for the present. You have 
 got your house again, and something more 
 into the bargain !" 
 
 " This is the best billetting I ever knew," 
 said Werner cheerfully. " You are all heartily 
 welcome. Run, dear wife, and you, dear chil- 
 dren ; buy the best of everything at the eating- 
 house. But let us first thank God, who has 
 helped us in our trouble, and brought all to a 
 happy conclusion. 'Tis indeed a joyful ending 
 for such a sorrowful beginning. God be praised 
 for it ! And may war, with all its horrors, 
 never come back to us again !" 
 
Frontispiece of Part II, 
 
 The Boatswain's Son. 
 
 The Little German Drummer-Boy, 
 
THE BOATSWAIN'S SON. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 THE BATTLE. 
 
 It was on the memorable 1st of June. A 
 sea fight ever to be renowned in history was 
 raging between the fleets of England and 
 France. The great guns were thundering and 
 roaring, musketry was rattling, round shot, and 
 chain shot, and grape, and langridge, and mis- 
 siles of every description, invented for carrying 
 on the bloody game of war, were hissing through 
 the air, crashing against the sides of the ships, 
 rendinsr them asunder, shattering: the tall masts 
 and spars, sending their death-dealing fragments 
 flying around, and hurling to the deck, mangled 
 and bleeding, the gallant seamen as they stood 
 at their quarters in all the pride of manhood, 
 fighting for the honor and glory of their re- 
 spective countries. A dark canopy hung over 
 
 171 
 
172 
 
 THE boatswain's son. 
 
 the scene, every moment increasing in density 
 as the guns belched forth their flashes of flame 
 and clouds of smoke, filling the pure air of 
 heaven with sulphureous vapors, and almost 
 concealing the fierce combatants from each 
 other's gaze. 
 
 "Who is that brave youngster?" asked the 
 captain of the renowned 'Marlborough,' a 
 seventy-four, which lay hotly engaged sur- 
 rounded by foes in the thick of the fight ; " I 
 never saw a cooler thing or better timed." 
 
 " The son of Mr. Kipley the boatswain, sir," 
 Avas the answer. 
 
 " I must have my eye on him, there is stuff 
 in that lad," observed the captain. The deed 
 w^hich had called forth this remark was cer- 
 tainly well worthy of praise. The "Marl- 
 borough" had for some time been furiously 
 engaged, sllmost broadside to broadside, with 
 the " Impetueux," a French seventy-four, 
 Avhich ship had just fallen aboard, the French- 
 man's bowsprit becoming entangled in her 
 mizzen rigging. To keep her antagonist in that 
 position was of the greatest consequence to the 
 "' MarlborouMi," as she miofht thus rake her 
 fore and aft, receiving but little damage in 
 return. An officer and two or three men 
 
THE BATTLE. 
 
 173 
 
 sprang into the " Marlborough's " mizzen rig- 
 ging to secure the bowsprit to it. The French 
 small-arm men ruslied forward to prevent this 
 being done, by keeping up a fire of musketry. 
 The two seamen fell. The lieutenant still hung 
 in the rigging, but the rope with which he was 
 lashing the bowsprit to it was shot from his 
 hand; no other was within reach. Having just 
 delivered the powder he had brought from 
 below, young Ripley was watching the pro- 
 ceeding. Seizing a rope he sprang into the rig- 
 ging unhurt amid a shower of bullets, and 
 handed it to the brave officer. Together they 
 made the required turns for lashing it fast, and 
 descended to the deck in safety. The young 
 powder-boy then resuming his tub was speedily 
 again seen at his station, composedly sitting on 
 the top of it as if he had performed no unusual 
 deed. The " Marlborough " had soon another 
 antagonist, the " Mucins," seventy-four, which 
 fell aboard her on the bow, the three ships 
 thus forming a triangle,- of which the British 
 ship was the base. With these two opponents, 
 each more powerful than she was, the " Marl- 
 borough" continued the seemingly unequal 
 fight, but the stout arms and hearts of her crew 
 made amends for their inferiority in numbers. 
 
 15 
 
1Y4 
 
 THE boatswain's SON. 
 
 Her mizzen-mast fell soon after the " Mucius " 
 engaged her, her fore and main-masts followed, 
 and the Frenchmen began to hope that victory- 
 was to be theirs. So w^ell, however, did her 
 crew work their guns, that they quickly shot 
 away the bowsprit and all the lower masts of 
 the " Impetueux," those of the " Mucius " soon 
 sharing the same fate. At this juncture another 
 French ship, the " Montague," passing under 
 the " Marlborough's " stern, fired a broadside 
 into her of round shot and langridge, killing 
 many of her brave crew, and wounding among 
 others her captain, though receiving but a few 
 shots in return. The first battle in that long, 
 protracted, and bloody war was over, and w^on 
 by England's veteran admiral. Lord Howe ; six 
 of the enemy's finest line of battle ships form- 
 ing the prize of victory, and among them the 
 " Impetueux." 
 
 " The " Marlborough's " captain had not for- 
 got the promise he had made to himself in favor 
 of Young Ripley. he lay wounded in his 
 cabin he sent for the boatswain. The proud 
 father had heard of his son's gallantry, and the 
 captain's words had been repeated to him. It 
 would be difficult to find a finer specimen of a 
 seaman than the boatswain of the " Marl- 
 
 i 
 
THE BATTLE. 
 
 175 
 
 borough " presented, as, still in the prime of 
 manhood, he stood, hat in hand, before his cap- 
 tain. By his manner and appearance he looked 
 indeed well fitted for the higher ranks of his 
 profession, but it was his lot to be a boatswain, 
 and he did not complain. With unfeigned 
 satisfaction he heard the account of his son's 
 gallantry and coolness rehearsed by the cap- 
 tain's lips. 
 
 " You have always proved yourself to be a 
 brave man and a good officer, and- although I 
 have it not in my power to reward you as you 
 deserve, I can your son," said the captain. 
 "Would it be satisfactory to you to see him 
 placed on the quarter-deck ?" 
 
 The father's heart beat quick ; the blush of 
 gratified pride rose to his cheeks as he an- 
 swered, " It is the thing of all others I should 
 prize. I trust that he Avill not be found un- 
 fitted for the rank to which he may attain if 
 you thus put his foot on the lower ratlins." 
 
 " I am glad to have hit the thing to please 
 you,, Mr. Ripley," said the captain. "Your 
 son shall at once be rated as a midshipman in 
 the ship's books ;" and then he added, a shade 
 of grief passing across his countenance, " He 
 will have no difficulty in getting an outfit from 
 
 1 
 
176 
 
 THE boatswain's SON. 
 
 the kits of the four youngsters who were killed 
 on the 1st. By the by, what is he called ?" 
 
 "Pearce, sir — Pearce Ripley is his name," 
 answered the boatswain. 
 
 " Very well ; send my clerk to me, and tell 
 your boy that he is a midshipman. The first 
 lieutenant will introduce him to his new mess- 
 mates, and secure him a favorable reception," 
 said the captain as the boatswain withdrew. 
 
 Pearce Ripley was a fine-looking lad of about 
 fourteen, with an ingenuous countenance and 
 frank manner, which spoke of an honest, brave 
 heart. With the ship's company he had been 
 a general favorite ; it was to be proved how far 
 he would recommend himself to the officers. 
 
 In the afternoon the young gentlemen, as all 
 the members of the midshipmen's mess were 
 called, were summoned on the quarter-deck, and 
 briefly addressed by Mr. Monckton, the first 
 lieutenant. Pearce Ripley was then sent for, 
 and the boatswain's son had no cause to com- 
 plain of his reception by those whose messmate 
 he was about to become. They, with one ex- 
 ception, came forward and cordially shook him 
 by the hand, and when he entered the berth 
 they all seemed to vie who should pay him the 
 most unobtrusive attention as forthwith to place 
 
 J 
 
THE BATTLE. 
 
 177 
 
 him at his ease. Pearce had gained the respect 
 of his messmates ; he soon won their regard by 
 his readiness to oblige, his good temper, his evi- 
 dent determination not to give or take offence, 
 and his general kind bearing towards all. On 
 duty he showed that he was resolved to merit 
 the good opinion which had been formed of 
 him. The only person who differed from the 
 majority was Harry Verner, a midshipman of 
 about his own age. Though Verner had shaken 
 nands with him, it had been with reluctance 
 and marked coldness. His manner was now 
 haughty and supercilious in the extreme, and 
 he took every opportunity of making sneering 
 remarks about men who had risen from the 
 lower orders always being out of place and 
 never doing any good. " If such were to be- 
 come customary in the service, it would drive 
 all the gentlemen out of it," he remarked one 
 day in Pearce's hearing." "Not if those who 
 entered it knew how to behave as gentlemen," 
 Pearce replied, quietly. Verner said nothing 
 in return, but he gave a look to show his in- 
 tense displeasure. Generally Pearce walked 
 away when Verner spoke in that style, or when 
 at table, and he could not move, pretended not 
 to hear what was said. 
 
 M 
 
178 THE boatswain's son. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 PROMOTION AND A CRUISE. 
 
 The " Marlborough," though victorious, had 
 received so tremendous a battering from her 
 numerous opponents, that it was very clear the 
 stout craft could not again go to sea without a 
 thorough repair. Her officers and crew were 
 therefore distributed among other ships then fit- 
 ting out, and thus Pearce, for the first time in 
 his life, was separated from his father, to 
 whom he had always been accustomed to look 
 for guidance and advice. In some respects 
 this might have been an advantage to the 
 young midshipman, but the parting cost both 
 more pains than either confessed. "I am no 
 great preacher, my boy, but remember there's 
 One ever watching over you, and he'll be true 
 to you if you try honestly to be true to him," 
 said the boatswain, as he wrung his son's hand, 
 and stepped down the side of the fine frigate to 
 which Pearce, through the interest of his late 
 
PROMOTION AND A CRUISE. 179 
 
 captain, had been appointed. The crew went 
 tramping round the capstan to the sound of the 
 merry fife, the anchor was away, and under a 
 wide spread of snowy canvass the dashing 
 " Blanche" of thirty-two guns, commanded by 
 the gallant Captain Faulkner, stood through 
 the Needle passage between the Isle of Wight 
 and the main, on her way down channel, bound 
 out to the West Indies. It was a station where 
 hurricanes, yellow fever, and sicknesses, and 
 dangers of all sorts were to be encountered, but 
 it was also one where enemies were to be met 
 with, battles to be fought, prizes to be captured, 
 and prize-money to be made, glory, honor, and 
 promotion to be obtained, and who on board for 
 a moment balanced one against the other ? 
 
 Several of Pearce's old shipmates were on 
 board the "Blanche," and two of his messmates, 
 from one of whom, Henry Verner, he would 
 rather have been separated ; the other, David 
 Bonham, he was very glad to see. Between 
 Bonham and Verner the contrast was very 
 great ; for the former, though of excellent fa- 
 mily, was the most unpretending fellow possi- 
 ble, free from pride, vanity, and selfishness, and 
 kind-hearted, generous, good-tempered, and the 
 merriest of the merry. The first A. B. who 
 
180 
 
 THE boatswain's SON. 
 
 volunteered for the " Blanche," when he knew 
 Mr. Pearce had been appointed to her, was Dick 
 Rogers, an old friend of his father's, with whom 
 he had served man and boy the best part of his 
 life ; and if there was one thing more strongly 
 impressed on Dick's mind than another, it Avas 
 that John Ripley, the boatswain, ought to have 
 been a post captain. For his father's sake Dick 
 had at first loved Pearce, and now loved him 
 for his own. 
 
 Dick Rogers was short and broad in the 
 shoulders, though not fat, with a huge, sandy 
 beard, a clear blue eye, and an honest smile on 
 his lips, and saying that he was a seaman every 
 inch of him, he needs no further description. 
 Yerner let it be known, among their new mess- 
 mates, that Pearce Ripley was only the boat- 
 swain's son ; and hearing this, Bonham took 
 great care to recount to them his gallant act on 
 the 1st of June, and to speak otherwise in his 
 praise. Dick did not fail to make the young 
 midshipman his theme, and there the fact of his 
 parentage was undoubtedly in his favor. " We 
 shall be, no doubt, alongside an enemy some 
 day soon, and then will be seen what stuff the 
 youngsters are made of," was the remark of se- 
 veral on board. They were not wrong in their 
 
PROMOTION AND A CRUISE. 181 
 
 prognostications. The Island of Desiderade, 
 near Guadaloupe, was in sight to windward. 
 "A sail on the weather bow !" was shouted by 
 the look-out at the mast's head, always the 
 keenest sighted of the seamen on board in those 
 days. 
 
 The frigate made all sail in pursuit of the 
 stranger, a large schooner under French colors. 
 The chase stood into a bay defended by a fort, 
 where she was seen to anchor with springs to 
 her cables. Along the shore a body of troops 
 were also observed to be posted. The drum 
 beat to quarters as the " Blanche" worked up 
 towards the fort, when, the water shoaling, she 
 anchored and opened her fire in return for that 
 which the fort, the schooner, and the soldiers 
 were pouring in on her. Captain Faulkner's 
 first object was to silence the fort. This was 
 soon done. The schooner, which it was clear 
 was heavily armed, must be brought out. The 
 boats were called away, under command of tlie 
 second lieutenant. Pearce leaped into the one 
 to which he belonged. A master's mate, Fitz- 
 gibbon, had charge of her, and Dick Rogers 
 formed one of her crew. Harry Verner was in 
 another. The Frenchmen worked their guns 
 bravely. A shot disabled the leading boat. 
 
 16 
 
182 THE boatswain's son. 
 
 Pearce, sitting by Fitzgibbon's side, heard a 
 deep groan, and before he could even look up, 
 the master's mate fell forward, shot through the 
 head. His boat took the lead. " Now's your 
 time," cried Dick Rogers ; " we'll be the first 
 aboard, lads." The crew were not slack to fol- 
 low the suggestion. In another moment they 
 were up to the schooner, and, leaping on her 
 deck, led by Pearce, laid on them so fiercely 
 with their cutlasses that the Frenchmen, desert- 
 ing their guns, sprang over the bulwarks into 
 their boats on the other side nearest the shore^ 
 and, before another boat reached the vessel^ 
 pulled away towards where the troops were 
 marching down to their support. The cables 
 were quickly cut, and amid a shower of bullets 
 sail was made, and the prize carried out. " I 
 said as how he'd do it — I said he would not be 
 wanting," exclaimed Dick Rogers, as he gave 
 his account of the cutting out expedition to his 
 r chums on board. ''He'll do more too come 
 another occasion." That occasion did occur 
 before many days were over. Two days after- 
 wards the " Blanche" was joined by the " Que- 
 bec" frigate, and together, when sailing by 
 Guadaloupe, they discovered the French thirty- 
 six gun frigate " Pique" lying at anchor in the 
 
PROMOTION AND A CRUISE. 
 
 183 
 
 harbor of Pointe-a-Pitre, ready for sea. Not to 
 deprive his brother captain of the honor he 
 might obtain by engaging an antagonist so 
 worthy of him, Captain Carpenter parted com- 
 pany, and the " Quebec," steering westward, 
 was soon out of sight. The next thing to be 
 done was to get the French frigate to come out 
 from under her protecting batteries to fight. 
 This seemed no easy matter, for prizes were 
 captured and sent away under her very nose, 
 and still she did not venture forth. At length, 
 however, on the memorable evening of the 4th 
 of January, the " Blanche," towing ofP another 
 prize in triumph, the " Pique" was seen to follow. 
 The sun went down. It was the last many a 
 brave man was destined to see. Darkness had 
 come on, when the French frigate was observed 
 through the gloom astern. The "Blanche" 
 tacked in haste. 
 
 In the solemn hour of midnight, while dark- 
 ness covered the face of the deep, the two ves- 
 sels approached each other, their relative posi- 
 tions clearly distinguished by the light from the 
 fighting lanterns which streamed from their 
 ports. The British crew, mostly stripped to 
 the waist, stood at their quarters, grim and de- 
 termined, with the gun-tackles in hand, eager 
 
184 
 
 THE boatswain's SON. 
 
 for the moment to open fire. Pearce was on 
 the quarter-deck. Young as he was, the whizz- 
 ing of shots and the whistling of bullets scarcely 
 made his heart beat quicker than usual, and 
 yet, as in gloom and silence he waited for the 
 signal w^hen the bloody strife must soon com- 
 mence, he felt an awe creep over him he had 
 never before experienced. Nearer and nearer 
 the combatants drew to each other. The 
 "Pique" commenced the fight. The "Blanche" 
 returned her distant fire ; and, after various 
 manoeuvres, the two frigates ranged up along- 
 side each other and hotly engaged, broadside to 
 broadside. Fiercely the two crews fought ; 
 the French, once having begun, proved them- 
 selves no unworthy antagonists. The main and 
 mizen masts of the " Blanche " fell, and the 
 French, seizing the moment, ran alongside and 
 attempted to board. The British crew sprang 
 up to repel them. Among the foremost was 
 Pearce, with Dick Rogers by his side. With 
 their cutlasses they drove the Frenchmen back. 
 Again the guns roared as before. Once more 
 the French ship fell aboard the " Blanche," her 
 bowsprit touching the latter's capstan. Captain 
 Faulkner hurried to secure it there, for the 
 " Pique," thus held, was exposed to the raking 
 
 '4 
 
PROMOTION AND A CRUISE. 
 
 185 
 
 fire of his frigate. Among those who flew to 
 assist him were Pearce Ripley and Dick Rogers, 
 the Frenchman's musketry playing hotly on 
 them. " This is something like what you did 
 in the old ^Marlborough/ sir," said Dick to 
 Pearce, so loud that all might hear him — so 
 many did, and noted the Avords. Death was 
 busy around them. While he was passing the 
 lashing the young and gallant Captain Faulk- 
 ner fell to the deck — a musket ball had pierced 
 his heart. That was no time for grieving, even 
 for one well-beloved as the captain. A hawser 
 was being got up from below to secure the 
 enemy's ship ; but before it could be used she 
 broke adrift. A cheer, however, burst from 
 their throats as, directly afterwards, the 
 "Blanche," paying off for want of after-sail, 
 the " Pique," while attempting to cross her 
 stern, fell once more aboard her. This time 
 they took good care to secure the bowsprit to 
 the stump of their mainmast; and now, run- 
 ning before the wind, the " Blanche " towing 
 her opponent, the fight was continued with 
 greater fury than ever. In vain the French- 
 men strove to free themselves by cutting the 
 lashings — each time they made the attempt the 
 marines drove them back with their musketry. 
 
 16 * 
 
 i 
 
186 
 
 THE boatswain's SOX. 
 
 Still it seemed doubtful with whom victory would 
 side. The " Blanche " had no stem ports 
 through which guns could be fought ; the car- 
 penters were unable to aid them. A bold 
 expedient was proposed. The guns must make 
 ports for themselves through the transome. 
 Firemen with buckets were stationed ready to 
 extinguish the fire which the discharge would 
 create. With a thundering roar the guns sent 
 their shot through the stern, and, the fire being 
 extinguished, they began to play with terrific 
 effect into the bows of the French frigate. Her 
 fore-mast was immediately shot away; her 
 mizen-mast was seen to fall. Still her crew, 
 getting their quarter-deck guns trained aft, 
 fought on ; but what were they to the " Blanche's " 
 heavy guns, which mercilessly raked her, the 
 shot entering her boA^and tearing up her deck 
 fore and aft, sweeping away numbers of her 
 crew at each discharge. " If those Mounseers 
 are not made of iron, they'll not stand this bat- 
 tering much longer," cried Dick Rogers, who 
 was working one of the after-guns. Pearce was 
 standing near him. The space between the 
 decks was filled with smoke, through which the 
 twinkling light of the lanterns could scarcely 
 penetrate, the flashes at each discharge showing 
 
PROMOTION AND A CRUISE. 
 
 187 
 
 the men, begrimed with powder, with sponge 
 and rammers ready to load, or with their tackles 
 to run in their guns. A cheer from the deck 
 told them that the Frenchman's remaining mast 
 had fallen, and now another and another that 
 the foe had struck. The " Pique " was totally 
 dismasted : the " Blanche " had but her fore- 
 mast standing. Every boat was knocked to 
 pieces, and how to get on board the prize, still 
 towed by the hawser, was the question. " The 
 hawser must form our bridge," cried Mr. Milne, 
 the second lieutenant of the ship, springing on 
 to it, followed by Pearce, Rogers, and several 
 men. Their weight brought the rope down into 
 the water. For some distance they hacj to swim 
 till they could climb up by it on board. What 
 havoc and destruction a few short hours had 
 wrought. Of a crew not far short of three hun- 
 dred men, one-third lay dead or wounded, the 
 deck covered with gore and the wrecks of the 
 masts and spars ; guns lay dismounted, bulwarks 
 knocked away, all telling the tale of the bravery 
 and hardihood of both the combatants. Such 
 was one of the scenes through which young 
 Ripley fought his way upwards, and gained a 
 name and fame. 
 
188 THE boatswain's son. 
 
 CHAPTEK III. 
 
 THE SHIPWRECK. 
 
 The " Blanche " was soon refitted and at 
 sea again. Several prizes were made, a^d 
 greatly to his satisfaction, he was appointed to 
 the command of one of them, with Bonham as 
 his mate, and Dick Rogers as boatswain. She 
 was a richly-laden West Indiaman, recaptured 
 from the enemy. He was ordered to take her 
 to England, where, on his arrival, he found his 
 commission waiting for him. 
 
 Pearce received a right hearty welcome from 
 his father, and intense was the satisfaction of 
 the brave seaman when his son showed him his 
 commission and appointment as second lieuten- 
 ant to the " Vestal," an eighteen gun sloop of 
 war, commanded by Captain Gale, and destined 
 for the North American station. 
 
 " You have got your first step up the ratlins, 
 Pearce. Go on as you have begun, and Heaven 
 preserving your life, there is no reason why you 
 
THE SHIPWRECK. 
 
 189 
 
 shouldn't reach the highest," said the proud 
 father, as he once more parted from his son. 
 
 Those were days of press-gangs, and Dick 
 Kogers took good care to hide away till he as- 
 certained the craft Pearce was to join, when he 
 at once volunteered for her. Bonham, who had 
 still a year to serve, was appointed to the same 
 ship. The " Vestal" had a quick run across 
 the Atlantic till within about five days' sail of 
 Halifax, Nova Scotia, when a heavy gale sprang 
 up, which tried to the utmost her seaworthy 
 qualities. The sloop behaved beautifully, hove 
 to, and rode buoyantly over the raging seas. 
 "Well indeed was it for her that she was pro- 
 perly handled, for the gale went on increasing 
 till the oldest seamen on board declared that 
 they had never met with such another. It con- 
 tinued for a week, each day the wind blowing 
 harder and harder, or if there was a lull it 
 seemed to come only that the gale might, gain 
 greater strength. For days not a glimpse of 
 sun, or moon, or stars had been obtained. It 
 was the morning watch ; the gray cold dawn 
 had just broke. Pearce was on deck, when 
 sweeping his eye round the horizon as the sloop 
 rose to the summit of a sea he perceived on the 
 lee beam the hull of a ship, rising and sink- 
 
190 THE boatswain's SON. 
 
 ing amid the tumultuous waters. At first he 
 thought she was keel up, but as tjie light in- 
 creased he saw that she was a large ship with 
 the stump of the foremast alone remaining. 
 That she was in a bad plight was very clear. 
 She was remarkably low in the water he fan- 
 cied, and who could say how long even she 
 might keep afloat. 
 
 The captain, being summoned, soon came on 
 deck. To bear away for the stranger would be 
 a work of danger to the "Vestal." Still who 
 could tell how many human beings might be on 
 t)oard that sinking ship ! With hatches down 
 and men lashed to the helm, the captain re- 
 solved to go to the rescue. 
 
 The seas came roaring up with furious rage, 
 as the sloop flew before them, some breaking 
 aboard ; and rounding to under the stern of the 
 ship, she again hove to. Many people appeared 
 on the deck of the stranger who, stretching out 
 their arms, implored assistance. How was it 
 to be afforded ? Would a boat live in such a 
 sea ? Pearce Ripley offered to make the expe- 
 riment if men were found ready to go with him. 
 There was no want of volunteers. A boat was 
 lowered. It seemed as if she must be engulfed 
 before she left the sloop's side. Ripley's pro- 
 
THE SHIPWRECK. 
 
 191 
 
 gress was watched by eager eyes from both 
 ships. No^w he is in the trough of the sea, a 
 watery mountain about to overwhelm him ; now 
 he is on the summit surrounded by driving 
 foam. A shout is raised as he neared the sink- 
 ing ship, but to get alongside was even more 
 dangerous thaiT'the passage from one to the 
 other. As the ship rolled and her deck was 
 exj3osed to view, he saw that there were women 
 on board^ and other people besides the crew. 
 Ropes were hove to him. He seized one, and 
 sprang up the side. A few hurried words told 
 him what had occurred. The ship was convey- 
 ing troops and stores to Halifax, the master and 
 first mate had been washed overboard, the second 
 lay wounded by the falling of a spar. Many 
 of the crew had been lost with the captain. 
 There was no sea officer who could enforce or- 
 ders ; the men were mutinous. Ripley instantly 
 assumed the command. There were several la- 
 dies. " They must first be placed in safety be- 
 fore a man enters the boat," he cried out, pre- 
 senting a pistol at some seamen who showed an 
 intention of leaping into her. 
 
 Some entreated that their husbands might ac- 
 company them. "O father, father, come with 
 me," exclaimed a fair girl, who was being con- 
 
192 
 
 THE boatswain's SOX. 
 
 veyed to the side to be lowered into the boat ; 
 " I cannot, I will not leave you." She looked 
 towards a fine, soldier-like man, who stood with 
 several officers around him. "Impossible! 
 Heaven protect you, dearest. Even for your 
 sake I cannot desert my post. It is here with 
 my men," was the answer. 
 
 The boat had already nearly as many persons 
 in her as it would be safe to carry. This was 
 no time for delay. Pearce lifted the young lady 
 in his arms, and lowered himself with her into 
 the boat. The boat returned to the " Vestal," 
 and all those who had been rescued were put on 
 board. The young ,lady again and again en- 
 treated him to save her father. Pearce pro- 
 mised to make every effort to bring off the 
 colonel. " But unless his men are rescued, I 
 doubt that he will leave the ship," he added, as 
 he returned to his boat. 
 
 Two other boats were now lowered, but it 
 was too evident that they could only save a 
 part of the people from the foundering ship. 
 Those on her deck were now seen forming a 
 raft. It was their last hope of life should the 
 boats not take them off. Though several of 
 the people made a rush to the side, they were 
 driven back by the officers and soldiers who re- 
 
THE SHIPWRECK. 
 
 193 
 
 mained firm, and the men were told off in order 
 to allow of them to embark as arranged by 
 Pearce. Twice the boat returned without an 
 accident to the "Vestal." The young lady 
 cast a reproachful look at Ripley, when she saw 
 that her father was not among the saved. " He 
 would not come, but I will make another effort," 
 he exclaimed, as he prepared once more to leave 
 the corvette's side. Just then arose the fearful 
 cry, " She is sinking ! she is sinking !" 
 
 " Oh, save him ! save him !" shrieked the 
 poor girl in an agony of terror, stretching out 
 her hands towards the spot where she fancied 
 that she saw her beloved father struggling in 
 the waves. Pearce and his brave companions 
 needed not such an appeal to make them use 
 every effort to reach their drowning fellow-crea- 
 tures. Some had leaped on the half-finished 
 raft as the ship sank beneath them, but many 
 of these were speedily washed off. Others 
 were clinging to spars and oars. Pearce was 
 soon in the midst of the hapless beings, many 
 with despair on their countenances, unable to 
 reach the boat, sinking as he neared them. He 
 looked round for the colonel. He could not 
 distinguish him among the rest. Three people 
 had been hauled in, when as the boat rose to 
 
194 
 
 THE boatswain's SON. 
 
 the summit of a sea he saw below him a person 
 clinging to a spar. A hand was waved towards 
 him. "Give way, lads," he shouted, and in 
 another minute he had the satisfaction of haul- 
 ing on board the brave officer for whom he was 
 searching. 
 
 The other boats took off the people from the 
 raft. He picked up several more, and returned 
 in safety on board. The meeting of the father 
 and his daughter need not be described. They 
 w^ere, he found, a colonel and Miss Verner. 
 He was struck by the name as that of his for- 
 mer unamiable messmate. When the weather 
 moderated, and the colonel was sufficiently re- 
 covered to appear on deck, he warmly expressed 
 his gratitude to Pearce, and his admiration of 
 the gallantry he had displayed. His daughter 
 Alice was not less grateful. 
 
 At length the "Vestal" dropped her anchor in 
 the harbor of Halifax, and with a regret which 
 surprised him, Pearce saw the passengers depart 
 for the shore. 
 
 " Remember, my dear Mr. Ripley, Miss Ver- 
 ner and I shall at all times be glad to see you," 
 said Colonel Verner as he was about to leave 
 the ship. Alice did not say as much as her 
 father, but Pearce believed from the expression 
 
THE SHIPWRECK. 
 
 195 
 
 of her countenance that she willingly seconded 
 her father's invitation. 
 
 The next day a special invitation to the go- 
 vernor's table, where he met Colonel and Miss 
 Verner, and where all the gentlemen from the 
 governor downwards took especial notice of 
 him, considerably altered his feelings. This 
 was the first of many attentions which he re- 
 ceived from the military officers and the princi- 
 pal inhabitants of Halifax. His time on shore 
 was indeed fully occupied in making morning 
 calls and in attending the parties to which he 
 was invited. A portion ' of every morning he 
 spent in the society of Miss Yerner. It was 
 very delightful, and he felt sure that he was 
 welcome. 
 
 At length the "Vestal" was suddenly ordered 
 to sea. Pearce had the greatest difficulty in 
 getting on shore to wish his friends good-bye. 
 Alice turned pale when he told her that the 
 ship was to sail that evening. " You will come 
 back here surely, Mr. Ripley," she said, in a 
 trembling voice ; "you have been every thing 
 to us since that awful day when you saved our 
 lives from the sinking ship ; we shall miss you, 
 indeed we shall, very much." 
 
 Pearce could not frame a reply, at least, satis- 
 
196 THE boatswain's son. 
 
 factory to himself. He scarcely knew what he 
 said, as he hurried away. The words might 
 have made a vainer man than he was much hap- 
 pier than they did him. 
 
 The "Vestal" was bound for the West 
 Indies. She cruised for some time, making 
 several rich prizes, which she sent into Port 
 Royal, Jamaica, and which filled the purses of 
 her officers and men in a very satisfactory manner. 
 Still, no honor or promotion was to be obtained 
 by the capture of honest merchantmen. At 
 length, however, there appeared a chance of fall- 
 ing in with an antagonist worthy of her. One 
 morning at dawn a stranger was discovered on 
 the lee beam. The " Vestal " was kept away, 
 and all sail made in ,chase. As the " Vestal " 
 gained on the chase, she was discovered to be a 
 large ship, and pronounced to be flush-decked. 
 
 " Then we'll tackle her ; never mind how 
 many guns she carries," exclaimed the captain 
 — a sentiment to which his officers and men 
 responded heartily. 
 
 The chase was accordingly continued, and as 
 the vessel came up with her on the weather 
 quarter, it was seen that she was a large flush- 
 decked ship, carrying twenty-two guns. The 
 ensign of France flew out from the stranger's 
 
THE SHIPWRECK. 
 
 197 
 
 peak, and was saluted by a shot from one of the 
 corvette's bow-guns. The battle thus began, 
 the " Vestal " keeping the weather gauge, was 
 continued for half an hour with great fury, till 
 the Frenchman's fore-mast went by the boai'd. 
 The enemy's guns were well handled, and the 
 corvette began to suifer accordingly. The first 
 lieutenant and five men were killed, and 
 the captain, a midshipman, and several men 
 wounded. The captain was carried below, and 
 the command devolved on Pearce. The young 
 lieutenant's heart beat high. " Bonham," he 
 said, addressing his friend who was standing 
 near him, " we'll take that ship, or go down 
 with our colors flying." The breeze which had 
 fiiUen returned, and as the corvette was still 
 under perfect command, he was able at length 
 to obtain a position by which he could pour 
 several raking broadsides into the bows of the 
 enemy. Her main-top mast was shot away ; 
 her mizen-mast followed. The ensign of 
 France was again hoisted, but did not long 
 remain flying. Pearce poured in another broad- 
 side, and down it came, the cheers of the 
 British crew giving notice of what had occurred 
 to their wounded shipmates below. The prize, 
 which proved to be the " Desiree," had lost a 
 17 * 
 
198 
 
 THE boatswain's son. 
 
 considerable number of her crew, most of them 
 killed during the latter part of the action. 
 Bonham was sent on board to take command, 
 and in two days the " Vestal " and her prize 
 entered in triumph the harbor of Port Royal. 
 Here the admiral with part of the fleet were at 
 anchor. Pearce went on board the flag-ship 
 to make his report. He was warmly received, 
 and highly complimented on his conduct. The 
 next day he found that he was to be the first 
 lieutenant of the corvette, and Bonham received 
 an acting order as second lieutenant. The 
 " Vestal " had received so much damage, that 
 she was obliged to refit at Port Royal. This 
 took several weeks, and Captain Gale considered 
 himself sufficiently recovered, when she was 
 ready, to go to sea in her. Pearce had, how- 
 ever, virtually the command. Several more 
 prizes were taken. " That's young Ripley's 
 doing," exclaimed the admiral ; " he deserves 
 his promotion, and he shall have it." 
 
CAPTAIN RIPLEY AND ALICE VERNER. 199 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 CAPTAIN EIPLEY AND ALICE VERNER. 
 
 Once more the " Vestal " was at anchor in 
 Port Koyal harbor. In vain her brave captain 
 had striven against the effects of his wounds. 
 He must return home if he would save his life, 
 he was told, so he applied to be superseded. 
 The admiral came on board the " Vestal " to 
 inspect her. The next day he sent for Ripley, 
 and put a paper into his hand. Pearce's heart 
 beat quick with proud satisfaction. The docu- 
 ment was an order to take the acting command 
 of the corvette. " I have written home by this 
 post to ask for your commission, and to recom- 
 mend that you should be confirmed in the com- 
 mand of the ' Vestal,' " added the admiral. ^'I 
 am sure that you will take care she does as good 
 service as she performed under Captain Grale." 
 Bonham, who had received his commission a 
 few months before, became first lieutenant, and 
 a young friend of the admiral's received an act- 
 
200 
 
 THE boatswain's SON. 
 
 ing order as second ; so that the united ages of 
 the three principal officers of the ship amounted 
 to little more than fifty-five years. Old heads 
 were then worn on young shoulders. Many 
 prizes had been taken, and the time approached 
 for their return to Port Royal. The corvette 
 lay becalmed. A French store-ship was ex- 
 pected, which had been separated from her con- 
 voy. The " Vestal " lay disguised, as was 
 usual in those days, looking very unlike the 
 smart sloop she was. A blue line was seen in 
 the horizon, the sign of an approaching breeze, 
 and in the midst of it a sail. The breeze 
 brought up the stranger, a fine brig, to within 
 about a mile, when it died away. She was an 
 armed vessel, and showed by her colors that she 
 was French. Before long, two boats were seen 
 to put off from her. Three boats were instantly 
 lowered from the opposite side of the "Vestal," 
 and manned. The Frenchmen pulled rapidly 
 on, expecting to make an easy prize of the 
 "Vestal." Their look of consternation w^as 
 very great when they first perceived the painted 
 canvas which concealed the corvette's guns. 
 Pearce had carefully watched for the first sign 
 of their wavering, and now ordered the three 
 boats to make chase. The Frenchmen taken 
 
CAPTAIN RIPLEY AND ALICE VERNER. 201 
 
 by surprise, made but a slight show of resis- 
 tance, and in ten minutes the whole party found 
 themselves prisoners on the deck of the cor- 
 vette. The " Vestal " was now towed up 
 towards the brig, which opened her fire at the 
 boats, but this did not deter them from placing 
 the corvette on her quarter, when a few rapidly 
 delivered and almost raking broadsides com- 
 pelled her to haul down her colors, having had 
 the chief officers left on board and ten of her 
 crew killed or wounded. The privateer, which 
 mounted fourteen guns, was on her way to 
 France, having a large amount of specie and 
 valuable goods on board, the result of a success- 
 ful cruise. 
 
 It was with no little pride that Captain Rip- 
 ley returned to Port Royal from his first cruise, 
 with the fine brig in company, the British en- 
 sign flying over that of France. The admiral 
 congratulated him on his success, and at the 
 same time put his commission and appointment 
 into his hand. 
 
 " You must be ready for sea again very soon 
 though," said the admiral ; " I have dispatches 
 to send to Halifax, and unless another cruiser 
 comes, I must send you." 
 
 Pearce, rather to the admiral's surprise, re- 
 
202 THE boatswain's son. 
 
 plied with animation, that he should be ready 
 to sail that evening if required, provided he 
 could get water, fuel, and fresh provisions on 
 board. The admiral gave him permission to 
 make everybody exert themselves. 
 
 By noon the next day the young commander 
 had got his ship ready for sea, and receiving his 
 dispatches with a joyous heart, he shaped a 
 course for HaHfax. A bright look-out was 
 kept, but on this occasion it was to avoid strange 
 sails. He was only to fight for the purpose of 
 escaping capture. Halifax was reached, and 
 Pearce having delivered his dispatches, hurried 
 up to Colonel Verner's house. 
 
 Miss Verner was at home. She started, and 
 the color rose to her cheeks when Captain Rip- 
 ley was announced. She put out her hand, and 
 did not withdraw it, for Pearce forgot to let 
 it go. 
 
 " Are you really a captain already ?" she 
 asked. 
 
 " Yes ; that is a commander. I am captain 
 of the ' Vestal,' " he answered, and he told her 
 how Captain Gale had been compelled to go 
 home, and that he had been appointed in his 
 stead. He mentioned also the number of prizes 
 
 -::a 
 
CAPTAIN RIPLEY AND ALICE VERNER. 203 
 
 lie had taken — a matter which interested 
 Colonel Verner more than it did her. 
 
 Pearce's stay at Halifax was likely to be 
 short. He naturally wished to spend as much 
 of his time as possible in Alice Verner's society. 
 She invariably received him so frankly and 
 cordially that all restraint was thrown aside. 
 He felt almost sure that she loved him ; so he 
 took her hand and told her how much he loved 
 her, and that he believed he had made enough 
 prize money already to enable her to live as she 
 had been accustomed to ; that he hoped to make 
 more, and that he had good reason to believe 
 he should before long be a post captain, when 
 he should be her father's equal in rank. Alice 
 was not very much surprised nor agitated, be- 
 cause she was before sure that he loved her. 
 Still it w^as very pleasant to hear him say so. 
 While seated together, and interested more in 
 themselves than in the w.orld at large, the door 
 was suddenly opened, and Lieutenant Harry 
 Verner w^as announced. 
 
 "Why, Cousin Harry, where have you 
 dropped from?" said Alice, rising to welcome 
 him, "I did not even know that you were a 
 lieutenant. You have grow up out of a little 
 midshipman since I saw you last." 
 
204 THE boatswain's son. 
 
 " I've dropped from His Britannic Majesty's 
 Frigate ^Hecate/ of which I have the honor 
 of being third lieutenant," announced the young 
 man, looking fixedly at Pearce as he spoke. 
 
 " I beg your pardon. Captain Ripley," said 
 Alice, recovering herself from the slight con- 
 fusion into which she had been thrown; "I 
 should have introduced my cousin to you." 
 
 " Harry Yerner and I are old shipmates I 
 suspect, unless there are two of the name very 
 much like each other," said Pearce, rising and 
 putting out his hand. 
 
 "Yes, as midshipmen we were together, I 
 believe," answered Harry, superciliously ; " but 
 really it is difficult to remember all one's old 
 shipmates." 
 
 Pearce under some circumstances would have 
 been inclined to laugh at Harry Yerner's im- 
 pudence, but it was very evident that the lieu- 
 tenant wished to pick a quarrel with ' him, 
 which was by all means to be avoided. Alice 
 had thought her cousin a tiresome boy ; he now 
 appeared to have grown more disagreeable than 
 before. Colonel Yerner came in and welcomed 
 his nephew, who was the only son of his elder 
 brother ; other guests arrived, and the conver- 
 sation became general. Harry at once assumed 
 
CAPTAIN RIPLEY AND ALICE VERNER. 205 
 
 to be the person of- most importance in the 
 house, and though he was laughing and talking 
 with every one, Alice discovered that he was 
 constantly watching her and Captain Ripley 
 whenever they spoke. Captain Ripley had to 
 return on board. He never slept out of his 
 ship if he could avoid it. 
 
 Harry showed no intention of going to bed 
 till Pearce had taken his leave, and Alice had 
 retired. He then, jumping up from the sofa on 
 whicli he had thrown himself, exclaimed, " My 
 dear uncle, where did you pick up that man ?" 
 
 " \yhom do you mean, Harry asked the 
 colonel, rather astonished at his nephew's some- 
 what impertinent manner. 
 
 " AYhy, Captain Ripley, who has just left," 
 answered the lieutenant. " He seems as much 
 at home with Alice as if he were engaged to 
 her." 
 
 " Really, Harry, you are speaking too fast," 
 said the colonel ; " Captain Ripley is one of the 
 finest officers in the navy, and having rendered 
 the greatest possible service to my daughter and 
 me, I feel bound to treat him with every con- 
 sideration and kindness." 
 
 " Which he repays by asj)iring to my cousin's 
 hand," answered Harry. " Were he a man of 
 
 IS 
 
206 THE boatswain's son. 
 
 family I should say nothing, of course ; but he 
 is, sir, a mere adventurer.'' 
 
 " Though .what you say may be true, Harry, 
 that cannot detract from Captain Bipley's fine 
 qualities nor relieve me of the obligations I 
 owe him," he observed after a time. "Of 
 course, were he to dream of marrying Alice, 
 that would alter the case, and I should be com- 
 pelled to put a stop to our present friendly in- 
 tercourse; but I do not believe that such an 
 idea enters his head." 
 
 " Not so sure of that," said Harry ; " Ripley 
 was always very determined when he made 
 up his mind to do a thing, and you will par- 
 don me, uncle, but the way in which he was * 
 speaking to her when I came into the room 
 was anything but that of an ordinary acquaint- 
 ance." 
 
 "I'll see about it, I'll see about it," ex- 
 claimed the colonel, now more than ever an- 
 noyed. 
 
 Harry Yerner retired to rest that night un- 
 der the comfortable belief that he had revenged 
 himself on the man whom he had always dis- 
 liked, and now envied, for his rapid promotion 
 and success. 
 
RAPID PROMOTION. 
 
 20T 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 RAPID PROMOTION. 
 
 The arrival of the "Hecate" relieved the 
 "Vestal," which was ordered to proceed at 
 once to sea. Poor Alice received Captain Rip- 
 ley with marks of sorrow in her countenance 
 which alarmed him. " My father will not hear 
 of it," she exclaimed, giving way to a burst of 
 grief ; " but I told him, and I promise you, that 
 I will marry no one else." 
 
 " I know, I feel, and I am sure you will not, 
 dearest," said Pearce, tenderly gazing at her. 
 "And be of good courage, I trust yet to do 
 deeds and to gain a name to which those who 
 now scorn me for my humble birth may be 
 proud to ally themselves." 
 
 Before night the corvette was far away from 
 Halifax. Pearce was not exactly unhappy, but 
 he was in an excellent mood for undertaking 
 any daring act which might present itself. 
 Once more he returned to Jamaica, picking up 
 
208 
 
 THE boatswain's SON. 
 
 a few prizes on the way. "Always welcome, 
 Captain Ripley," said the admiral, cordially 
 greeting Pearce when he appeared at the Penn 
 to report himself. " You've done so well in the 
 sloop that we must get you into a small frigate ; 
 you'll not have to wait long for a vacancy, I dare 
 say." This commendation was sufficient to re- 
 store Pearce's spirits. Several more prizes were 
 taken, and a considerable amount of damage 
 to the commerce of the enemy; but still the 
 " Vestal" had not fallen in with an enemy the 
 conquest of whom would bring glory as well as 
 profit. Week after week passed away. It had 
 been blowing hard. The wind dropped at sun- 
 set ; the night was very dark and thick, an ob- 
 ject could scarcely have been discerned beyond 
 the bowsprit end. The island of Deserade, be- 
 longing to France, bore southeast by south, six 
 or seven leagues, when, as day broke and the 
 light increased, a ship was perceived close on 
 the weather-beam, which in a short time was 
 made out to be an enemy's frigate. The breeze 
 had by this time sprung up again and was blow- 
 ing fresh. 
 
 " We may fight her or try to escape," said 
 the captain to Bonham, eyeing the frigate as if 
 he would rather try fighting first. 
 
KAPID PROMOTION. 
 
 209 
 
 " I should say that the odds being so greatly 
 against us we ought to try to escape/' answered 
 the fii'st lieutenant. 
 
 Sail was accordingly made to the north-west, 
 but no sooner had she shaped a course tlian the 
 frigate under a cloud of canvass came tearing 
 aft^r her at a rate which proved that the " Ves- 
 tal" had not a chance of escaping. The crew 
 showed by unmistakable signs that they ex- 
 pected to be captured, by going below and put- 
 ting on their best clothes. Pearce called them 
 aft. " Lads, we have served together for three 
 years, and done many a deed to be proud of. 
 Do not let the Frenchmen boast that they took 
 us without our having done our best to prevent 
 them. I purpose to fight that frigate if you 
 will stand by me, and that I am sure you will." 
 
 " Aye , aye, that we will, and would were she 
 twice as big, and sink at our guns before we 
 strike," shouted Dick Rogers, and their loud 
 cheers expressed the sentiments of the rest. The 
 corvette at once prepared for action, and as soon 
 as all was ready she shortened sail to allow the 
 frigate to come up, greatly to the ' Frenchmen's 
 surprise probably. The latter began firing as 
 soon as her guns could reach the corvette. " Let 
 not a shot be returned till I give the order, 
 18 * 
 
210 
 
 THE boatswain's SON. 
 
 lady," cried Ripley; "we must throw none 
 away." He waited till his carronades would 
 tell with effect. " Now give it them, lads," he 
 shouted. 
 
 The heavy shot crashed against the side of the 
 frigate in a way which astonished the French- 
 men. With wonderful rapidity the guns were 
 run in, loaded, and again sent forth their death- 
 dealing shoAver of iron, this time tearing through 
 the frigate's upper bulwarks, sweeping across 
 her quarter-deck and wounding her masts. 
 
 The Frenchmen had just fired a broadside 
 which had killed three of the " Yestal's " crew, 
 knocked one of her boats to pieces, and done 
 other damage, but had not materially injured 
 her running rigging. Firing another broadside 
 in return, Pearce saw that by wearing sharp 
 round he could pass under the stern of the 
 frigate, and at the same time bring a fresh 
 broadside to bear on her. The manoeuvre was 
 rapidly executed, the effect was very great on 
 board the enemy. The crew were seen to be 
 hurrying to and fro as if in dread of some 
 event about to occur. It was next seen that all 
 sail was being made on the frigate. The men 
 had deserted their guns. The British seamen 
 plied the enemy with their carronades with still 
 
RAPID PROMOTION. 
 
 211 
 
 greater energy. The great masses of iron were 
 hauled in and out as if they had been made of 
 wood. Their only fear was that their antagonist 
 would escape them. More sail was made on the 
 corvette to keep up with him. To prevent the 
 corvette from following, the Frenchmen again 
 returned to their guns, and the frigate suddenly 
 hauling up let fly her broadside. 
 
 Pearce saw the manoeuvre about to be exe- 
 cuted, and was just in time to haul up also to 
 save the " Vestal " from being raked. The 
 frigate's shot accompanied by a shower of mus- 
 ketry, came tearing on board. The last broad- 
 side from the frigate told with fearful effect 
 on the corvette. Her spars and rigging were 
 much cut about ; three more men were struck, 
 and the brave captain was seen to stagger back. 
 Had not Rogers sprang forward and caught him 
 in his arms he would have fallen to the deck. 
 He was speechless, but he motioned to Bonham, 
 who ran up to continue the fight. When an 
 attempt was made to carry him below, he signi- 
 fied that he would remain on deck till the bat- 
 tle was won. The surgeon came up and stanched 
 the blood flowing from his shoulder. The 
 nervous system had received a violent shock, 
 but he could not tell whether the wound would 
 
212 
 
 THE boatswain's SON. 
 
 prove mortal. Still the battle raged. The 
 French were again seen to quit their guns. 
 The corvette followed up her success. It was 
 observed that buckets were being hauled up 
 through the ports, the frigate must be onv fire ; 
 her foremast fell, the corvette ranged up along- 
 side, the French ensign was still flying. Bon- 
 ham was ordering another broadside to be 
 poured in, when down came the enemy's flag. 
 
 " Go and help the poor fellows," were the 
 first words the young captain spoke. The cor- 
 vette's boats which could swim were lowered 
 and armed with buckets, the English seamen 
 hurried up the sides of their late opponent. 
 The fire was at length got under, very much by 
 the efforts of the Englishmen, who had to hint 
 to the French that if they did not exert them- 
 selves they would be left to perish, as it would 
 be impossible to get them all on board the cor- 
 vette before the frigate would become untenable. 
 
 The corvette succeeded in carrying her prize 
 to Jamaica. The admiral himself came on 
 board to see Ripley, and to congratulate him on 
 his achievement. " Your promotion is certain, 
 Captain Ripley," he said kindly; "and I should 
 think his Majesty, when he hears of your gal- 
 lantry, won't forget to give a touch on youj 
 
RAPID PROMOTION. 
 
 213 
 
 shoulder with the flat of his sword. You will 
 find a handle to your name convenient, and you 
 deserve it, that you do, my lad." 
 
 The admiral's kindness contributed much to 
 restore Pearce to health. While he remained 
 on shore Bonham received an acting order to 
 take command of the " Yestal." Before Pearce 
 had totally recovered he received his post rank 
 with a complimentary letter on his gallantry. 
 Bonham, at the same time, found that he was 
 made a commander ; the " Vestal," having been 
 upwards of four years in commission, was or- 
 dered home. Captain E,ipley taking a passage in 
 her. She escaped all the enemy's cruisers, and 
 arrived safely in Portsmouth harbor. She was, 
 however, considered fit to go to sea again after 
 an ordinary repair, and was recommissioned by 
 Captain Bonham. Pearce was sent for by the 
 First Lord of the Admiralty to attend the 
 King's levee. He was presented to his Majesty, 
 who truly loved a sailor, and knew how to ap- 
 preciate honor and valor. On kneeling to kiss 
 his sovereign's hand he felt a touch on his 
 shoulder, and with astonishment, gratitude, and 
 delight, heard the King say, " Rise, Sir Pearce 
 Ripley ; you are well deserving of knight- 
 hood." 
 
214 THE BOATSWAIN'S SON. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 Two years had passed by. Colonel Verner, now 
 a general, with his daughter, had returned to 
 England, and they were spending some w^eeks 
 during the summer at the house of a friend. 
 Alice looked thinner and paler than formerly, 
 but her beauty was in no way impaired, and 
 the sweet smile which lit up her countenance 
 was still there. 
 
 The admiral's house commanded an extensive 
 view, looking across to Portsmouth, down the 
 channel. One bright morning after breakfast, 
 the admiral, as usual, with his eye at the tele- 
 scope, was watching the ever-varying scene on 
 the waters before him, when he*xclaimed, " Two 
 frigates standing in, and one is French, a prize 
 to the other. To my eye the Frenchman seems 
 the biggest of the two ; I must send over and 
 learn all about it." He rang the bell, his old 
 coxswain appeared. " Judson, take the wherry 
 
CONCLUSION. 
 
 215 
 
 and board that frigate, and give my compli- 
 ments and learn the particulars of the action, 
 and if her captain can spare time I shall be 
 very glad to see him. Here, give this note if 
 
 " The admiral spoke a few words in an 
 
 under tone heard by no one else. 
 
 Judson hurried off. There was a fair breeze. 
 Alice watched the progress of the boat with 
 great interest. She reached the English frigate, 
 remained a short time, and was speedily on her 
 way back. Before she ha 1 long left the frigate 
 she was followed by another boat which over- 
 took her as she reached the shore. 
 
 A short time afterwards, Judson appeared, 
 and put a card into his master's hand, "Say 
 that I shall be delighted to see him when he 
 can come up." 
 
 " What about the action, Judson ?" asked the 
 admiral. 
 
 " Just the finest, sir, that has been fought 
 during the war," answered Judson. " He'll be 
 up here presently, and tell you more about it 
 than I can." 
 
 Scarcely ten minutes had passed by, when 
 Judson announced " Captain Sir Pearce Eip- 
 ley !" The admiral received the young captain 
 with every mark of regard. " And now let 
 
21G 
 
 THE boatswain's SON. 
 
 me introduce you to my guests, General and 
 Miss Verner ; but, by the by, you know them, 
 I think." 
 
 The admiral having listened to an account of 
 the action, dragged off the general to see some 
 improvements on the farm ; the ladies of the 
 family left the room, and Pearce Ripley heard 
 from Alice's own lips that her father fully 
 sanctioned their union. He claimed a sailor's 
 privilege, and before a month had passed their 
 marriage took place. 
 
 Bonham obtained his post rank, and though 
 he bad not the talent of his friend, he ever 
 jDroved himself an active efficient officer. Har- 
 ry Yerner quitted the service, finding that, not- 
 withstanding his connections, his merits were 
 not appreciated, and that he was not likely to 
 obtain his promotion. He soon afterwards 
 broke his neck out hunting. Sir Pearce Ripley 
 in due course became an admiral, and was cre- 
 ated a baronet, and his sons entering the navy- 
 rose to the highest rank in their noble profes- 
 sion. 
 
 THE END.