they halted; then one of the Germans rode forward to say that the French officer was Napoleon’s adjutant, bearing an autograph letter from the Emperor to the King of Prussia.  At this the King, followed by Bismarck, Von Moltke, and Von Roon, walked out to the front a little distance and halted, his Majesty still in advance, the rest of us meanwhile forming in a line some twenty paces to the rear of the group.  The envoy then approached, at first on horseback, but when within about a hundred yards he dismounted, and uncovering, came the remaining distance on foot, bearing high up in his right hand the despatch from Napoleon.  The bearer proved to be General Reille, and as he handed the Emperor’s letter to the King, his Majesty saluted him with the utmost formality and precision.  Napoleon’s letter was the since famous one, running so characteristically, thus:  “Not having been able to die in the midst of my troops, there is nothing left me but to place my sword in your Majesty’s hands.”  The reading finished, the King returned to his former post, and after a conference with Bismarck, Von Moltke, and Von Roon, dictated an answer accepting Napoleon’s surrender, and requesting him to designate an officer with power to treat for the capitulation of the army, himself naming Von Moltke to represent the Germans.  The King then started for Vendresse, to pass the night.  It was after 7 o’clock now, and hence too late to arrange anything more where we were, so further negotiations were deferred till later in the evening; and I, wishing to be conveniently near Bismarck, resolved to take up quarters in Donchery.  On our way thither we were met by the Count’s nephew, who assuring us that it would be impossible to find shelter there in the village, as all the houses were filled with wounded, Forsyth and I decided to continue on to Chevenge.  On the other hand, Bismarck-Bohlen bore with him one great comfort—­some excellent brandy.  Offering the flask to his uncle, he said:  “You’ve had a hard day of it; won’t you refresh yourself?” The Chancellor, without wasting time to answer, raised the bottle to his lips, exclaiming:  “Here’s to the unification of Germany!” which sentiment the gurgling of an astonishingly long drink seemed to emphasize.  The Count then handed the bottle back to his nephew, who, shaking it, ejaculated, “Why, we can’t pledge you in return—­there is nothing left!” to which came the waggish response, “I beg pardon; it was so dark I couldn’t see”; nevertheless there was a little remaining, as I myself can aver.

Having left our carriage at Chevenge, Forsyth and I stopped there to get it, but a long search proving fruitless, we took lodging in the village at the house of the cure, resolved to continue the hunt in the morning.  But then we had no better success, so concluding that our vehicle had been pressed into the hospital service, we at an early hour on the 2d of September resumed the search, continuing on down the road in the direction of Sedan.  Near the