the adventures of gerard(吉拉德历险记)-第14节
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year eighteen hundred and ten that I and Massena and the others pushed
Wellington backward until we had hoped to drive him and his army into
the Tagus。 But when we were still twenty…five miles from Lisbon we
found that we were betrayed； for what had this Englishman done but build
an enormous line of works and forts at a place called Torres Vedras； so that
even we were unable to get through them！ They lay across the whole
Peninsula； and our army was so far from home that we did not dare to risk
a reverse； and we had already learned at Busaco that it was no child's play
to fight against these people。 What could we do； then； but sit down in
front of these lines and blockade them to the best of our power？ There
we remained for six months； amid such anxieties that Massena said
afterward that he had not one hair which was not white upon his body。
For my own part； I did not worry much about our situation； but I
looked after our horses； who were in much need of rest and green fodder。
For the rest； we drank the wine of the country and passed the time as best
we might。 There was a lady at Santarembut my lips are sealed。 It is
the part of a gallant man to say nothing； though he may indicate that he
could say a great deal。
One day Massena sent for me； and I found him in his tent with a great
plan pinned upon the table。 He looked at me in silence with that single
piercing eye of his； and I felt by his expression that the matter was serious。
He was nervous and ill at ease； but my bearing seemed to reassure him。
It is good to be in contact with brave men。
〃Colonel Etienne Gerard；〃 said he； 〃I have always heard that you are a
very gallant and enterprising officer。〃
It was not for me to confirm such a report； and yet it would be folly to
deny it； so I clinked my spurs together and saluted。
〃You are also an excellent rider。〃
I admitted it。
〃And the best swordsman in the six brigades of light cavalry。〃
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Massena was famous for the accuracy of his information。
〃Now；〃 said he； 〃if you will look at this plan you will have no
difficulty in understanding what it is that I wish you to do。 These are the
lines of Torres Vedras。 You will perceive that they cover a vast space；
and you will realise that the English can only hold a position here and
there。 Once through the lines you have twenty…five miles of open
country which lie between them and Lisbon。 It is very important to me
to learn how Wellington's troops are distributed throughout that space； and
it is my wish that you should go and ascertain。〃
His words turned me cold。
〃Sir；〃 said I； 〃it is impossible that a colonel of light cavalry should
condescend to act as a spy。〃
He laughed and clapped me on the shoulder。
〃You would not be a Hussar if you were not a hot… head；〃 said he。 〃If
you will listen you will understand that I have not asked you to act as a
spy。 What do you think of that horse？〃
He had conducted me to the opening of his tent； and there was a
chasseur who led up and down a most admirable creature。 He was a
dapple grey； not very tall； a little over fifteen hands perhaps； but with the
short head and splendid arch of the neck which comes with the Arab blood。
His shoulders and haunches were so muscular； and yet his legs so fine； that
it thrilled me with joy just to gaze upon him。 A fine horse or a beautiful
womanI cannot look at them unmoved； even now when seventy winters
have chilled my blood。 You can think how it was in the year '10。
〃This；〃 said Massena； 〃is Voltigeur； the swiftest horse in our army。
What I desire is that you should start tonight； ride round the lines upon the
flank； make your way across the enemy's rear； and return upon the other
flank； bringing me news of his disposition。 You will wear a uniform； and
will； therefore； if captured； be safe from the death of a spy。 It is probable
that you will get through the lines unchallenged； for the posts are very
scattered。 Once through； in daylight you can outride anything which you
meet； and if you keep off the roads you may escape entirely unnoticed。 If
you have not reported yourself by to…morrow night； I will understand that
you are taken； and I will offer them Colonel Petrie in exchange。〃
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Ah； how my heart swelled with pride and joy as I sprang into the
saddle and galloped this grand horse up and down to show the Marshal the
mastery which I had of him！ He was magnificentwe were both
magnificent； for Massena clapped his hands and cried out in his delight。
It was not I； but he； who said that a gallant beast deserves a gallant
rider。 Then； when for the third time； with my panache flying and my
dolman streaming behind me； I thundered past him； I saw upon his hard
old face that he had no longer any doubt that he had chosen the man for
his purpose。 I drew my sabre； raised the hilt to my lips in salute； and
galloped on to my own quarters。
Already the news had spread that I had been chosen for a mission； and
my little rascals came swarming out of their tents to cheer me。 Ah！ it
brings the tears to my old eyes when I think how proud they were of their
Colonel。
And I was proud of them also。 They deserved a dashing leader。
The night promised to be a stormy one； which was very much to my
liking。 It was my desire to keep my departure most secret； for it was
evident that if the English heard that I had been detached from the army
they would naturally conclude that something important was about to
happen。 My horse was taken； therefore； beyond the picket line； as if for
watering； and I followed and mounted him there。 I had a map； a compass；
and a paper of instructions from the Marshal； and with these in the bosom
of my tunic and my sabre at my side I set out upon my adventure。
A thin rain was falling and there was no moon； so you may imagine
that it was not very cheerful。 But my heart was light at the thought of the
honour which had been done me and the glory which awaited me。 This
exploit should be one more in that brilliant series which was to change my
sabre into a baton。 Ah； how we dreamed； we foolish fellows； young； and
drunk with success！ Could I have foreseen that night as I rode； the
chosen man of sixty thousand； that I should spend my life planting
cabbages on a hundred francs a month！ Oh； my youth； my hopes； my
comrades！ But the wheel turns and never stops。 Forgive me； my
friends； for an old man has his weakness。
My route； then； lay across the face of the high ground of Torres Vedras；
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then over a streamlet； past a farmhouse which had been burned down and
was now only a landmark； then through a forest of young cork oaks； and
so to the monastery of San Antonio； which marked the left of the English
position。 Here I turned south and rode quietly over the downs； for it was
at this point that Massena thought that it would be most easy for me to
find my way unobserved through the position。 I went very slowly； for it
was so dark that I could not see my hand in front of me。 In such cases I
leave my bridle loose and let my horse pick its own way。 Voltigeur went
confidently forward； and I was very content to sit upon his back and to
peer about me； avoiding every light。
For three hours we advanced in this cautious way； until it seemed to
me that I must have left all danger behind me。 I then pushed on more
briskly； for I wished to be in the rear of the whole army by daybreak。
There are ma
