Ney promised his King to bring
the fallen leader bound into his presence, and, determined to make his
promise good, set forth on the road to Marseilles.
It was a gray day in early Spring. The sky looked forbidding, and a
chill of winter was in the air. As the King's army moved forward they
descried in the distance a smaller band approaching. At its head rode
a familiar figure, the Little Corporal, with shoulders stooped, as
though bending toward his horse's mane. He gave no orders to his men
who marched forward uncertainly. As the distance narrowed down to a
matter of yards, Napoleon seemed for the first time to note the
presence of the opposing troops. He saw at a glance that many of the
men now confronting him had formerly followed him.
Dismounting, he walked rapidly toward them, tore open his great coat,
and offered his breast to their rifles.
"Who among you would fire upon his Emperor?" he cried.
Instantly the army, officers and men, lowered their weapons and tossed
their caps high in air.
"Vive l'Empereur!" they shouted; and placing him at their head, they
turned and marched back upon Paris.
IMPORTANT DATES IN NAPOLEON'S LIFE
1769. August 15. Napoleon Bonaparte born.
1779. Entered school at Brienne.
1784. Entered military school at Paris.
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