charge of the attendant trooper, and the master began to take short

quick steps, to and fro, in front of the weather-beaten tree; for to

stand still was not in his nature. Carne, being beckoned to keep at his

side, lost a good deal of what he had meant to say, from the trouble he

found in timing his wonted stride to the brisk pace of the other.

"You have done well--on the whole very well," said Napoleon, whose voice

was deep, yet clear and distinct as the sound of a bell. "You have

kept me well informed; you are not suspected; you are enlarging your

knowledge of the enemy and of his resources; every day you become more

capable of conducting us to the safe landing. For what, then, this

hurry, this demand to see me, this exposing of yourself to the risk of

capture?"

Carne was about to answer; but the speaker, who undershot the thoughts

of others before they were shaped--as the shuttle of the lightning

underweaves a cloud--raised his hand to stop him, and went on:

"Because you suppose that all is ripe. Because you believe that the slow

beasts of islanders will strengthen their defences more by delay than

we shall strengthen our attack. Because you are afraid of incurring

suspicion, if you continue to prepare. And most of all, my friend,

because you are impatient to secure the end of a long enterprise. But,

Captain, it must be longer yet. It is not for you, but for me, to

fix the time. Behold me! I am come from a grand review. We have again

rehearsed the embarkation. We have again put two thousand horses on

board. The horses did it well; but not the men. They are as brave as

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