threw himself among them, and taking a veteran private, covered with chevrons and medals, by the whisker, said, “Speak honestly, old Moustache, couldst thou have had the heart to kill thy Emperor?” The man dropped his ramrod into his piece to show that it was uncharged, and answered, “Judge if I could have done thee much harm—­all the rest are the same.”  Napoleon gave the word, and the old adherents, and the new, marched together on Grenoble.

Some space ere they reached that town, Colonel Labedoyere, an officer of noble family, and who had been promoted by Louis XVIII., appeared on the road before them, at the head of his regiment, the seventh of the line.  These men, and the Emperor’s little column, on coming within view of each other, rushed simultaneously from their ranks, and embraced with mutual shouts of Live Napoleon!  Live the Guard!  Live the Seventh! Labedoyere produced an eagle, which he had kept concealed about his person, and broke open a drum which was found to be filled with tricolor cockades; these ancient ensigns were received with redoubled enthusiasm.  This was the first instance of an officer of superior rank voluntarily espousing the side of the invader.  The impulse thus afforded was decisive; in spite of all the efforts of General Marchand, Commandant of Grenoble, the whole of that garrison, when he approached the walls, exclaimed Vive l’Empereur!  Their conduct, however, exhibited a singular spectacle.  Though thus welcoming Napoleon with their voices, they would not so far disobey the governor as to throw open the gates.  On the other hand no argument could prevail on them to fire on the advancing party.  In the teeth of all the batteries, Buonaparte calmly planted a howitzer or two, and blew the gates open, and then, as if the spell of discipline were at once dissolved, the garrison broke from their lines, and he in an instant found himself dragged from his horse, and borne aloft on these men’s shoulders towards the principal inn of the place, amidst the clamours of enthusiastic and delirious joy.  Marchand remained faithful to his oath; and was dismissed without injury.  Next morning the authorities of Grenoble waited on Napoleon, and tendered their homage.  He reviewed his troops, now about 7000 in numbers, and on the 9th recommenced his march.

On the 10th, Buonaparte came within sight of Lyons, and was informed that Monsieur and Marshal Macdonald had arrived to take the command, barricaded the bridge of Guillotierre, and posted themselves at the head of a large force to dispute the entrance of the town.  Nothing daunted with this intelligence, the column moved on, and at the bridge of Lyons, as at the gates of Grenoble, all opposition vanished when his person was recognised by the soldiery.  The Prince and Macdonald were forced to retire, and Napoleon entered the second city of France in triumph.  A guard of mounted gentlemen had been formed among the citizens to attend on the person of Monsieur.  These were