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The Deemster: Napoleon

Thus days and weeks went by. But, later on, we found that the returning royalists, the ministers and the princes, who had rushed back to France after Napoleon's banishment, adopted the most insolent manner toward us, the people. And as to their treatment of Napoleon's former soldiers I can still hear the commandant expostulating, "They are starving us; they are treating us like Cossacks; only they are too cowardly to shoot us!"

But, about the beginning of March, a rumor began to circulate that the Emperor had escaped from Elba and had landed in France. Quickly his advance toward Paris followed; and the old soldiers, sent out to restrain him, rushed forward to kneel at his feet. Thus it was that Napoleon again came to the throne. What happened afterward, however, was not so agreeable to me, now a married man, settled as I had hoped for a life of peace. For I was called to the colors. Aunt Grethel, who had always been like a mother to me, sobbed aloud. Catherine passed into a deathly swoon.

Yet, in spite of all, I needs must leave for the army with my old veteran soldier friend, Zebede, and at once we were rushed to the front. One day, as we halted, the Emperor came to our lines and the whole division shouted, "Vive l'Empereur!"

I had a good view of him as he advanced with his arms crossed behind his back and his head bent. He had grown stouter and more sallow since the days of Leipsic. He looked much older and his cheeks were flabby. Little wonder, also, that he appeared worried--for had he not lost everybody's confidence? The old soldiers alone retained their love for him; they were ready to conquer or to die in his behalf. But for my part I cared much more for Catherine than for the Emperor. Of her I thought with greatest tenderness, the more so knowing that she would soon become a mother. And I prayed to God to preserve my life. At last we came upon the Prussians and, driving them back at Ligny, marched on against the British.