the adventures of gerard(吉拉德历险记)-第49节
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How my eyes devoured it！ How my soul flew in front of the vesselflew
on and on to tell him that he was not forgotten； that after many days one
faithful servant was coming to his side。 Every instant the dark blur upon
the water grew harder and clearer。
Soon I could see plainly enough that it was indeed a mountainous
island。 The night fell； but still I knelt upon the deck； with my eyes fixed
upon the darkness which covered the spot where I knew that the great
Emperor was。 An hour passed and another one； and then suddenly a little
golden twinkling light shone out exactly ahead of us。 It was the light of
the window of some houseperhaps of his house。 It could not be more
than a mile or two away。 Oh； how I held out my hands to it！they were
the hands of Etienne Gerard； but it was for all France that they were held
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out。
Every light had been extinguished aboard our ship； and presently； at
the direction of Captain Fourneau； we all pulled upon one of the ropes；
which had the effect of swinging round one of the sticks above us； and so
stopping the vessel。 Then he asked me to step down to the cabin。
〃You understand everything now； Colonel Gerard；〃 said he； 〃and you
will forgive me if I did not take you into my complete confidence before。
In a matter of such importance I make no man my confidant。 I have long
planned the rescue of the Emperor； and my remaining in England and
joining their merchant service was entirely with that design。 All has
worked out exactly as I expected。 I have made several successful
voyages to the West Coast of Africa； so that there was no difficulty in my
obtaining the command of this one。 One by one I got these old French
man…of…war's…men among the hands。 As to you； I was anxious to have
one tried fighting man in case of resistance； and I also desired to have a
fitting companion for the Emperor during his long homeward voyage。
My cabin is already fitted up for his use。 I trust that before to…morrow
morning he will be inside it； and we out of sight of this accursed island。〃
You can think of my emotion； my friends； as I listened to these words。
I embraced the brave Fourneau； and implored him to tell me how I could
assist him。
〃I must leave it all in your hands；〃 said he。 〃Would that I could have
been the first to pay him homage； but it would not be wise for me to go。
The glass is falling； there is a storm brewing； and we have the land under
our lee。 Besides； there are three English cruisers near the island which
may be upon us at any moment。 It is for me； therefore； to guard the ship
and for you to bring off the Emperor。〃
I thrilled at the words。
〃Give me your instructions！〃 I cried。
〃I can only spare you one man； for already I can hardly pull round the
yards；〃 said he。 〃One of the boats has been lowered； and this man will
row you ashore and await your return。 The light which you see is indeed
the light of Longwood。 All who are in the house are your friends； and all
may be depended upon to aid the Emperor's escape。 There is a cordon of
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English sentries； but they are not very near to the house。 Once you have
got as far as that you will convey our plans to the Emperor； guide him
down to the boat； and bring him on board。〃
The Emperor himself could not have given his instructions more
shortly and clearly。 There was not a moment to be lost。 The boat with
the seaman was waiting alongside。 I stepped into it； and an instant
afterward we had pushed off。 Our little boat danced over the dark waters；
but always shining before my eyes was the light of Longwood； the light of
the Emperor； the star of hope。 Presently the bottom of the boat grated
upon the pebbles of the beach。 It was a deserted cove； and no challenge
from a sentry came to disturb us。 I left the seaman by the boat and I
began to climb the hillside。
There was a goat track winding in and out among the rocks； so I had
no difficulty in finding my way。 It stands to reason that all paths in St。
Helena would lead to the Emperor。 I came to a gate。 No sentryand I
passed through。 Another gatestill no sentry！ I wondered what had
become of this cordon of which Fourneau had spoken。 I had come now
to the top of my climb； for there was the light burning steadily right in
front of me。 I concealed myself and took a good look round； but still I
could see no sign of the enemy。 As I approached I saw the house； a long；
low building with a veranda。 A man was walking up and down upon the
path in front。 I crept nearer and had a look at him。
Perhaps it was this cursed Hudson Lowe。 What a triumph if I could
not only rescue the Emperor； but also avenge him！ But it was more
likely that this man was an English sentry。 I crept nearer still； and the
man stopped in front of the lighted window； so that I could see him。 No；
it was no soldier； but a priest。 I wondered what such a man could be
doing there at two in the morning。 Was he French or English？ If he
were one of the household I might take him into my confidence。 If he
were English he might ruin all my plans。
I crept a little nearer still； and at that moment he entered the house； a
flood of light pouring out through the open door。 All was clear for me
now and I understood that not an instant was to be lost。 Bending myself
double I ran swiftly forward to the lighted window。
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Raising my head I peeped through； and there was the Emperor lying
dead before me。
My friends； I fell down upon the gravel walk as senseless as if a bullet
had passed through my brain。 So great was the shock that I wonder that I
survived it。
And yet in half an hour I had staggered to my feet again； shivering in
every limb； my teeth chattering； and there I stood staring with the eyes of a
maniac into that room of death。
He lay upon a bier in the centre of the chamber； calm； composed；
majestic； his face full of that reserve power which lightened our hearts
upon the day of battle。 A half…smile was fixed upon his pale lips； and his
eyes； half…opened； seemed to be turned on mine。 He was stouter than
when I had seen him at Waterloo； and there was a gentleness of expression
which I had never seen in life。 On either side of him burned rows of
candles； and this was the beacon which had welcomed us at sea； which
had guided me over the water； and which I had hailed as my star of hope。
Dimly I became conscious that many people were kneeling in the room；
the little Court； men and women； who had shared his fortunes； Bertrand；
his wife； the priest； Montholonall were there。 I would have prayed too；
but my heart was too heavy and bitter for prayer。 And yet I must leave；
and I could not leave him without a sign。 Regardless of whether I was
seen or not； I drew myself erect before my dead leader； brought my heels
together； and raised my hand in a last salute。 Then I turned and hurried
of through the darkness； with the picture of the wan； smiling lips and the
steady grey eyes dancing always before me。
It had seemed to me but a little time that I had been away； and yet the
boatman told me that it was hours。
Only when he spoke of it did I observe that the wind was blowing half
a gale from the sea and that the waves were roaring in upon the beach。
Twice we tried to push out our little boat； and twice it was thrown back by
the sea。 The third time a great wave filled it and stove the
