Lobau following in a sledge, and escorted by some Polish lancers, drove off in the dark on the night of the 5th December.

Later on he exchanged the carriage for another sledge, the peasant driver of which died in Bavaria as recently as 1887, preserving to the last some of the coins Napoleon had given him.

On the 18th the Emperor arrived in Paris. The day after his departure the cold increased to a frightful degree; men lost their reason, and sprang into the burning huts. At Wilna, where there were great stores of food, they pillaged without check; and even the Old Guard paid no heed to the générale. All Napoleon's linen and his state tent were burned there, and the few remaining trophies, drawings being made of them before their destruction by his orders.

The Jews committed nameless cruelties on the French wounded, and although Durutte's division increased the army by 13,000, they died by hundreds, immense numbers having been frozen and suffocated at the gate of the city in their mad attempt to get in.

The day after their arrival the Russians were on them again. De Wrede's Bavarians were routed, Murat lost his head and bolted, and everything devolved on the heroic Ney, who volunteered again for rear-guard duty, keeping Kutusoff at bay while the army retreated on the road

to Kowno, the last Russian town before they could reach the Niemen, 4,000 men alone preserving an orderly demeanor under arms.

At the hill of Ponari the Cossacks fell foul of them, and, while under fire, Napoleon's private treasure was portioned out equally among such of the Guard as remained, every man who survived afterwards accounting for his share to the last coin.

It is calculated that 552,000 unfortunate creatures who had marched under the Eagles of Napoleon, never returned from that campaign, and the medal struck by Alexander to commemorate it sums up the whole case in a sentence of singular piety. On one side in a triangle surrounded by rays is the Eye of Providence with the date beneath it; on the other, the inscription: "Not unto us: not unto me: but unto Thy name."

XI

THE

Fight Between the Constitution and the Guerriere, Sept. 19, 1812

By H. M. BRACKENRIDGE

T

HE Constitution, Captain Hull, had sailed from Annapolis on the fifth of July, 1812. On the morning of the 17th, off Egg Harbor, she was chased by a ship of the line, the Africa, and the frigates Shannon, Guerriere, Belvidera, and Æolus. These vessels were approaching rapidly, with a fine breeze, while it was nearly a calm about the Constitution. At sunrise the next morning, escape from the enemy was almost hopeless, as they were then within five miles. The Constitution was therefore cleared for action, determined to make a desperate resistance. The enemy still drawing near, Captain Hull resolved to make another effort to escape. Boats were sent ahead, with anchors for the purpose of warping, there prevailing almost a calm. The others finding the Constitution gaining upon them resorted to the same expedient.

The chase continued in this manner for two days, partly sailing with light breezes, and partly warping, until the 20th, when the squadron was left entirely out of sight. This escape from so great a disparity of force was considered as deserving a high rank in naval exploits, and was much admired at the time, as evincing superior nautical skill. The advantage to the British in this chase was considerable, when we reflect that their foremost vessel had the assistance of all the boats of the squadron, for the purpose of towing. The superiority of Captain Hull was that of seamanship alone. The superiority was some time afterwards proved in a most remarkable manner; while history lasts it will not be forgotten.

The Constitution again put to sea, on the 2d of September. On the 19th, a vessel hove in sight, and a chase instantly commenced. It was soon discovered to be the Guerriere, one of the best frigates in the British navy; and which seemed not averse from the rencontre, as she backed her maintopsail, waiting for the Constitution to come down. This was a most desirable occurrence to our brave tars, as this frigate had for some time been in search of an American frigate, having given a formal challenge to all our vessels of the same class.

She had at one of her mastheads a flag on

which her name was inscribed in large characters, by way of gasconade, and on another, the words, "Not the Little Belt," in allusion to the broadsides which the President had given that vessel, before the war. The Guerriere had looked into several of our ports, and affected to be exceedingly anxious to earn the first laurel from the new enemy.

The Constitution, being made ready for action, now bore down, her crew giving three cheers. At first it was the intention of Captain Hull to bring her to close action immediately; but on coming within gunshot, she gave a broadside on the other tack, but without effect. They now continued wearing, and manœuvring on both sides for three-quarters of an hour, the Guerriere attempting to take a raking position; but failing in this, she bore up under her topsail and jib. The Constitution, perceiving this, made sail to come up with her. Captain Hull, with admirable coolness, received the enemy's fire without returning it. The enemy, mistaking this conduct on the part of the American commander for want of skill, continued to pour out his broadsides with a view to cripple his antagonist.

From the Constitution not a gun had been fired. Already had an officer come on deck, with information that several of the men had been killed at their guns. The gallant crew, though