the adventures of gerard(吉拉德历险记)-第30节
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tread too closely on his heels。 I can see him now； his broad white face
convulsed with fury； his light blue eyes sparkling like flints； his great
voice roaring and crashing amid the roll of the musketry。 His glazed and
featherless cocked hat was the ensign upon which France rallied during
those dreadful days。
It is well known that neither I nor the regiment of Hussars of Conflans
were at Moscow。 We were left behind on the lines of communication at
Borodino。 How the Emperor could have advanced without us is
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incomprehensible to me； and； indeed； it was only then that I understood
that his judgment was weakening and that he was no longer the man that
he had been。 However； a soldier has to obey orders； and so I remained at
this village； which was poisoned by the bodies of thirty thousand men who
had lost their lives in the great battle。 I spent the late autumn in getting
my horses into condition and reclothing my men； so that when the army
fell back on Borodino my Hussars were the best of the cavalry； and were
placed under Ney in the rear…guard。
What could he have done without us during those dreadful days？
〃Ah； Gerard；〃 said he one evening but it is not for me to repeat the words。
Suffice it that he spoke what the whole army felt。 The rear…guard
covered the army and the Hussars of Conflans covered the rear…guard。
There was the whole truth in a sentence。
Always the Cossacks were on us。 Always we held them off。 Never
a day passed that we had not to wipe our sabres。 That was soldiering
indeed。
But there came a time between Wilna and Smolensk when the situation
became impossible。 Cossacks and even cold we could fight； but we
could not fight hunger as well。 Food must be got at all costs。 That
night Ney sent for me to the waggon in which he slept。 His great head
was sunk on his hands。 Mind and body he was wearied to death。
〃Colonel Gerard；〃 said he； 〃things are going very badly with us。 The
men are starving。 We must have food at all costs。〃
〃The horses；〃 I suggested。
〃Save your handful of cavalry； there are none left。〃
〃The band；〃 said I。
He laughed； even in his despair。
〃Why the band？〃 he asked。
〃Fighting men are of value。〃
〃Good；〃 said he。 〃You would play the game down to the last card
and so would I。 Good； Gerard； good！〃
He clasped my hand in his。 〃But there is one chance for us yet；
Gerard。〃 He unhooked a lantern from the roof of the waggon and he laid
it on a map which was stretched before him。 〃To the south of us；〃 said he；
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〃there lies the town of Minsk。 I have word from a Russian deserter that
much corn has been stored in the town… hall。 I wish you to take as many
men as you think best； set forth for Minsk； seize the corn； load any carts
which you may collect in the town； and bring them to me between here
and Smolensk。 If you fail it is but a detachment cut off。 If you succeed
it is new life to the army。〃
He had not expressed himself well； for it was evident that if we failed
it was not merely the loss of a detachment。 It is quality as well as
quantity which counts。
And yet how honourable a mission and how glorious a risk！ If mortal
men could bring it； then the corn should come from Minsk。 I said so； and
spoke a few burning words about a brave man's duty until the Marshal was
so moved that he rose and； taking me affectionately by the shoulders；
pushed me out of the waggon。
It was clear to me that in order to succeed in my enterprise I should
take a small force and depend rather upon surprise than upon numbers。 A
large body could not conceal itself； would have great difficulty in getting
food； and would cause all the Russians around us to concentrate for its
certain destruction。 On the other hand； if a small body of cavalry could
get past the Cossacks unseen it was probable that they would find no
troops to oppose them； for we knew that the main Russian army was
several days' march behind us。 This corn was meant； no doubt； for their
consumption。 A squadron of Hussars and thirty Polish Lancers were all
whom I chose for the venture。 That very night we rode out of the camp；
and struck south in the direction of Minsk。
Fortunately there was but a half moon； and we were able to pass
without being attacked by the enemy。 Twice we saw great fires burning
amid the snow； and around them a thick bristle of long poles。 These were
the lances of Cossacks； which they had stood upright while they slept。 It
would have been a great joy to us to have charged in amongst them； for we
had much to revenge； and the eyes of my comrades looked longingly from
me to those red flickering patches in the darkness。 My faith； I was sorely
tempted to do it； for it would have been a good lesson to teach them that
they must keep a few miles between themselves and a French army。 It is
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the essence of good generalship； however； to keep one thing before one at
a time； and so we rode silently on through the snow； leaving these Cossack
bivouacs to right and left。 Behind us the black sky was all mottled with a
line of flame which showed where our own poor wretches were trying to
keep themselves alive for another day of misery and starvation。
All night we rode slowly onward； keeping our horses' tails to the Pole
Star。 There were many tracks in the snow； and we kept to the line of
these； that no one might remark that a body of cavalry had passed that
way。
These are the little precautions which mark the experienced officer。
Besides； by keeping to the tracks we were most likely to find the villages；
and only in the villages could we hope to get food。 The dawn of day
found us in a thick fir…wood； the trees so loaded with snow that the light
could hardly reach us。 When we had found our way out of it it was full
daylight； the rim of the rising sun peeping over the edge of the great snow…
plain and turning it crimson from end to end。 I halted my Hussars and
Lancers under the shadow of the wood； and I studied the country。 Close
to us there was a small farm…house。 Beyond； at the distance of several
miles； was a village。 Far away on the sky…line rose a considerable town
all bristling with church towers。 This must be Minsk。 In no direction
could I see any signs of troops。 It was evident that we had passed
through the Cossacks and that there was nothing between us and our goal。
A joyous shout burst from my men when I told them our position； and we
advanced rapidly toward the village。
I have said； however； that there was a small farm… house immediately
in front of us。 As we rode up to it I observed that a fine grey horse with a
military saddle was tethered by the door。 Instantly I galloped forward；
but before I could reach it a man dashed out of the door； flung himself on
to the horse； and rode furiously away； the crisp； dry snow flying up in a
cloud behind him。 The sunlight gleamed upon his gold epaulettes； and I
knew that he was a Russian officer。 He would raise the whole country…
side if we did not catch him。 I put spurs to Violette and flew after him。
My troopers followed； but there was no horse among them to compare
with Violette； and I knew well that if I could not catch the Russian I need
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expect no help from them。
But it is a swift horse indeed and a skil
