Murathadhardlygainedthedeckbeforeamancameandfellathisfeet：itwasaMamelukewhomhehadtakentoEgyptinformeryears，andhadsincemarriedatCastellamare；businessaffairshadtakenhimtoMarseilles，wherebyamiraclehehadescapedthemassacreofhiscomrades，andinspiteofhisdisguiseandfatiguehehadrecognisedhisformermaster。
Hisexclamationsofjoypreventedthekingfromkeepinguphisincognito。ThenSenatorCasabianca，CaptainOletta，anephewofPrinceBaciocchi，astaff-paymastercalledBoerco，whowerethemselvesfleeingfromthemassacresoftheSouth，wereallonboardthevessel，andimprovisingalittlecourt，theygreetedthekingwiththetitleof"yourMajesty。"Ithadbeenasuddenembarkation，itbroughtaboutaswiftchange：hewasnolongerMurattheexile；hewasJoachim，theKingofNaples。Theexile’srefugedisappearedwiththefounderedboat；initsplaceNaplesanditsmagnificentgulfappearedonthehorizonlikeamarvellousmirage，andnodoubttheprimaryideaofthefatalexpeditionofCalabriawasoriginatedinthefirstdaysofexultationwhichfollowedthosehoursofanguish。
Theking，however，stilluncertainofthewelcomewhichawaitedhiminCorsica，tookthenameoftheCountofCampoMelle，anditwasunderthisnamethathelandedatBastiaonthe25thAugust。Butthisprecautionwasuseless；threedaysafterhisarrival，notasoulbutknewofhispresenceinthetown。
Crowdsgatheredatonce，andcriesof"LongliveJoachim！"wereheard，andtheking，fearingtodisturbthepublicpeace，leftBastiathesameeveningwithhisthreecompanionsandhisMameluke。TwohourslaterhearrivedatViscovato，andknockedatthedoorofGeneralFranceschetti，whohadbeeninhisserviceduringhiswholereign，andwho，leavingNaplesatthesametimeastheking，hadgonetoCorsicawithhiswife，tolivewithhisfather-in-law，M。ColonnaCicaldi。
Hewasinthemiddleofsupperwhenaservanttoldhimthatastrangerwasaskingtospeaktohim——hewentout，andfoundMuratwrappedinamilitarygreatcoat，asailor’scapdrawndownonhishead，hisbeardgrownlong，andwearingasoldier’strousers，boots，andgaiters。
Thegeneralstoodstillinamazement；Muratfixedhisgreatdarkeyesonhim，andthen，foldinghisarms：——
"Franceschetti，"saidhe，"haveyouroomatyourtableforyourgeneral，whoishungry？Haveyouashelterunderyourroofforyourking，whoisanexile？"
FranceschettilookedastonishedasherecognisedJoachim，andcouldonlyanswerhimbyfallingonhiskneesandkissinghishand。Fromthatmomentthegeneral’shousewasatMurat’sdisposal。
Thenewsoftheking’sarrivalhadhardlybeenhandedabouttheneighbourhoodbeforeofficersofailrankshastenedtoViscovato，veteranswhohadfoughtunderhim，Corsicanhunterswhowereattractedbyhisadventurouscharacter；inafewdaysthegeneral’shousewasturnedintoapalace，thevillageintoaroyalcapital，theislandintoakingdom。
StrangerumourswereheardconcerningMurat’sintentions。Anarmyofninehundredmenhelpedtogivethemsomeamountofconfirmation。
ItwasthenthatBlancard，Donadieu，andLangladetookleaveofhim；
Muratwishedtokeepthem，buttheyhadbeenvowedtotherescueoftheexile，nottothefortunesoftheking。
WehaverelatedhowMurathadmetoneofhisformerMamelukes，amancalledOthello，onboardtheBastiamailboat。OthellohadfollowedhimtoViscovato，andtheex-KingofNaplesconsideredhowtomakeuseofhim。FamilyrelationsrecalledhimnaturallytoCastellamare，andMuratorderedhimtoreturnthere，entrustingtohimlettersforpersonsonwhosedevotionhecoulddepend。Othellostarted，andreachedhisfather-in-law’ssafely，andthoughthecouldconfideinhim；butthelatterwashorror-struck，andalarmedthepolice，whomadeadescentonOthelloonenight，andseizedtheletters。
ThenextdayeachmantowhomaletterwasaddressedwasarrestedandorderedtoanswerMuratasifallwaswell，andtopointoutSalernoasthebestplacefordisembarking：fiveoutofsevenweredastardsenoughtoobey；thetworemaining，whoweretwoSpanishbrothers，absolutelyrefused；theywerethrownintoadungeon。
However，onthe17thSeptember，MuratleftViscovato；GeneralFranceschettiandseveralCorsicanofficersservedasescort；hetooktheroadtoAjacciobyCotone，themountainsofSerraandBosco，VenacoandVivaro，bythegorgesoftheforestofVezzanovoandBogognone；hewasreceivedandfetedlikeakingeverywhere，andatthegatesofthetownshewasmetbydeputationswhomadehimspeechesandsalutedhimwiththetitleof"Majesty"；atlast，onthe23rdSeptember，hearrivedatAjaccio。Thewholepopulationawaitedhimoutsidethewalls，andhisentryintothetownwasatriumphalprocession；hewastakentotheinnwhichhadbeenfixeduponbeforehandbythequartermasters。ItwasenoughtoturntheheadofamanlessimpressionablethanMurat；asforhim，hewasintoxicatedwithit。AshewentintotheinnheheldouthishandtoFranceschetti。
"Yousee，"hesaid，"whattheNeapolitanswilldoformebythewaytheCorsicansreceiveme。"
Itwasthefirstmentionwhichhadescapedhimofhisplansforthefuture，andfromthatverydayhebegantogiveordersforhisdeparture。
Theycollectedtenlittlefeluccas：aMaltese，namedBarbara，formercaptainofafrigateoftheNeapolitannavy，wasappointedcommander-in-chiefoftheexpedition；twohundredandfiftymenwererecruitedandorderedtoholdthemselvesinreadinessforthefirstsignal。
MuratwasonlywaitingfortheanswerstoOthello’sletters：theyarrivedontheafternoonofthe28th。Muratinvitedallhisofficerstoagranddinner，andordereddoublepayanddoublerationstothemen。
ThekingwasatdessertwhenthearrivalofM。Maceroniwasannouncedtohim：hewastheenvoyoftheforeignpowerswhobroughtMurattheanswerwhichhehadbeenawaitingsolongatToulon。Muratleftthetableandwentintoanotherroom。M。Maceroniintroducedhimselfaschargedwithanofficialmission，andhandedthekingtheEmperorofAustria’sultimatum。Itwascouchedinthefollowingterms：
"MonsieurMaceroniisauthorisedbythesepresentstoannouncetoKingJoachimthatHisMajestytheEmperorofAustriawillaffordhimshelterinhisStatesonthefollowingterms：——
1。Thekingistotakeaprivatename。ThequeenhavingadoptedthatofLipano，itisproposedthatthekingshoulddolikewise。
2。ItwillbepermittedtothekingtochooseatowninBohemia，Moravia，ortheTyrol，asaplaceofresidence。Hecouldeveninhabitacountryhouseinoneofthesesameprovinceswithoutinconvenience。
3。ThekingistogivehiswordofhonourtoHisImperialandRoyalMajestythathewillneverleavetheStatesofAustriawithouttheexpress-permissionoftheEmperor，andthatheistolivelikeaprivategentlemanofdistinction，butsubmittingtothelawsinforceintheStatesofAustria。
"Inattestationwhereof，andtoguardagainstabuse，theundersignedhasreceivedtheorderoftheEmperortosignthepresentdeclaration。
"（Signed）PRINCEOFMETTERNICH
"PARIS，1stSept。1815。"
Muratsmiledashefinishedreading，thenhesignedtoM。Maceronitofollowhim：
Heledhimontotheterraceofthehouse，whichlookedoverthewholetown，andoverwhichabannerfloatedasitmightonaroyalcastle。FromthencetheycouldseeAjaccioallgayandilluminated，theportwithitslittlefleet，andthestreetscrowdedwithpeople，asifitwereafete-day。
HardlyhadthecrowdseteyesonMuratbeforeauniversalcryarose，"LongliveJoachim，brotherofNapoleon！LonglivetheKingofNaples！"
Muratbowed，andtheshoutswereredoubled，andthegarrisonbandplayedthenationalairs。
M。Maceronididnotknowhowtobelievehisowneyesandears。
Whenthekinghadenjoyedhisastonishment，heinvitedhimtogodowntothedrawing-room。Hisstaffwerethere，allinfulluniform：onemighthavebeenatCaserteoratCapodiMonte。Atlast，afteramoment’shesitation，MaceroniapproachedMurat。
"Sir，"hesaid，"whatismyanswertobetoHisMajestytheEmperorofAustria？"
"Sir，"answeredMurat，withtheloftydignitywhichsatsowellonhisfineface，"tellmybrotherFranciswhatyouhaveseenandheard，andaddthatIamsettingoutthisverynighttoreconquermykingdomofNaples。"
III
PIZZO
TheletterswhichhadmadeMuratresolvetoleaveCorsicahadbeenbroughttohimbyaCalabriannamedLuidgi。HehadpresentedhimselftothekingastheenvoyoftheArab，Othello，whohadbeenthrownintoprisoninNaples，aswehaverelated，aswellasthesevenrecipientsoftheletters。
Theanswers，writtenbytheheadoftheNeapolitanpolice，indicatedtheportofSalernoasthebestplaceforJoachimtoland；forKingFerdinandhadassembledthreethousandAustriantroopsatthatpoint，notdaringtotrusttheNeapolitansoldiers，whocherishedabrilliantandenthusiasticmemoryofMurat。
AccordinglytheflotillawasdirectedfortheGulfofSalerno，butwithinsightoftheislandofCapriaviolentstormbrokeoverit，anddroveitasfarasPaola，alittleseaportsituatedtenmilesfromCosenza。Consequentlythevesselswereanchoredforthenightofthe5thofOctoberinalittleindentationofthecoastnotworthyofthenameofaroadstead。Theking，toremoveallsuspicionfromthecoastguardsandtheSicilianscorridori，[Smallvesselsfittedupasships-of-war。]orderedthatalllightsshouldbeextinguishedandthatthevesselsshouldtackaboutduringthenight；buttowardsoneo’clocksuchaviolentland-windsprangupthattheexpeditionwasdrivenouttosea，sothatonthe6thatdawntheking’svesselwasalone。
DuringthemorningtheyoverhauledCaptainCicconi’sfelucca，andthetwoshipsdroppedanchoratfouro’clockinsightofSanto-Lucido。
IntheeveningthekingcommandedOttoviani，astaffofficer，togoashoreandreconnoitre。Luidgiofferedtoaccompanyhim。Muratacceptedhisservices。SoOttovianiandhisguidewentashore，whilstCicconiandhisfeluccaputouttoseainsearchoftherestofthefleet。
Towardseleveno’clockatnightthelieutenantofthewatchdescriedamaninthewavesswimmingtothevessel。Assoonashewaswithinhearingthelieutenanthailedhim。Theswimmerimmediatelymadehimselfknown：itwasLuidgi。Theyputouttheboat，andhecameonboard。ThenhetoldthemthatOttovianihadbeenarrested，andhehadonlyescapedhimselfbyjumpingintothesea。Murat’sfirstideawastogototherescueofOttoviani；butLuidgimadethekingrealisethedangeranduselessnessofsuchanattempt；nevertheless，Joachimremainedagitatedandirresoluteuntiltwoo’clockinthemorning。
Atlasthegavetheordertoputtoseaagain。Duringthemanoeuvrewhicheffectedthisasailorfelloverboardanddisappearedbeforetheyhadtimetohelphim。Decidedlythesewereillomens。
Onthemorningofthe7thtwovesselswereinsight。Thekinggavetheordertoprepareforaction，butBarbararecognisedthemasCicconi’sfeluccaandCourrand’slugger，whichhadjoinedeachotherandwerekeepingeachothercompany。Theyhoistedthenecessarysignals，andthetwocaptainsbroughtuptheirvesselsalongsidetheadmiral’s。
Whiletheyweredeliberatingastowhatroutetofollow，aboatcameuptoMurat’svessel。CaptainPernicewasonboardwithalieutenant。Theycametoasktheking’spermissiontoboardhisship，notwishingtoremainonCourrand’s，forintheiropinionhewasatraitor。
Muratsenttofetchhim，andinspiteofhisprotestationshewasmadetodescendintoaboatwithfiftymen，andtheboatwasmooredtothevessel。Theorderwascarriedoutatonce，andthelittlesquadronadvanced，coastingalongtheshoresofCalabriawithoutlosingsightofthem；butatteno’clockintheevening，justastheycameabreastoftheGulfofSanta-Eufemia，CaptainCourrandcuttheropewhichmooredhisboattothevessel，androwedawayfromthefleet。
Murathadthrownhimselfontohisbedwithoutundressing；theybroughthimthenews。
Herusheduptothedeck，andarrivedintimetoseetheboat，whichwasfleeinginthedirectionofCorsica，growsmallandvanishinthedistance。Heremainedmotionless，notutteringacry，givingnosignsofrage；heonlysighedandlethisheadfallonhisbreast：itwasonemoreleaffallingfromtheexhaustedtreeofhishopes。
GeneralFranceschettiprofitedbythishourofdiscouragementtoadvisehimnottolandinCalabria，andtogodirecttoTrieste，inordertoclaimfromAustriatherefugewhichhadbeenoffered。
Thekingwasgoingthroughoneofthoseperiodsofextremeexhaustion，ofmortaldepression，whencouragequitegivesway：herefusedflatlyatfirst，andthereatlastagreedtodoit。
Justthenthegeneralperceivedasailorlyingonsomecoilsofropes，withinhearingofalltheysaid；heinterruptedhimself，andpointedhimouttoMurat。
Thelattergotup，wenttoseetheman，andrecognisedLuidgi；
overcomewithexhaustion，hehadfallenasleepondeck。Thekingsatisfiedhimselfthatthesleepwasgenuine，andbesideshehadfullconfidenceintheman。Theconversation，whichhadbeeninterruptedforamoment，wasrenewed：itwasagreedthatwithoutsayinganythingaboutthenewplans，theywouldclearCapeSpartiventoandentertheAdriatic；thenthekingandthegeneralwentbelowagaintothelowerdeck。
Thenextday，the8thOctober，theyfoundthemselvesabreastofPizzo，whenJoachim，questionedbyBarbaraastowhatheproposedtodo，gavetheordertosteerforMessina。Barbaraansweredthathewasreadytoobey，butthattheywereinneedoffoodandwater；
consequentlyheofferedtogoon，boardCicconi’svesselandtolandwithhimtogetstores。Thekingagreed；Barbaraaskedforthepassportswhichhehadreceivedfromthealliedpowers，inorder，hesaid，nottobemolestedbythelocalauthorities。
ThesedocumentsweretooimportantforMurattoconsenttopartwiththem；perhapsthekingwasbeginningtosuspect：herefused。Barbarainsisted；Muratorderedhimtolandwithoutthepapers；Barbaraflatlyrefused。
Theking，accustomedtobeingobeyed，raisedhisriding-whiptostriketheMaltese，but，changinghisresolution，heorderedthesoldierstopreparetheirarms，theofficerstoputonfulluniform；
hehimselfsettheexample。Thedisembarkationwasdecidedupon，andPizzowastobecometheGolfeJuanofthenewNapoleon。
Consequentlythevesselsweresteeredforland。Thekinggotdownintoaboatwithtwenty-eightsoldiersandthreeservants，amongstwhomwasLuidgi。AstheydrewneartheshoreGeneralFranceschettimadeamovementasiftoland，butMuratstoppedhim。
"Itisformetolandfirst，"hesaid，andhesprangonshore。
Hewasdressedinageneral’scoat，whitebreechesandriding-boots，abeltcarryingtwopistols，agold-embroideredhatwithacockadefastenedinwithaclaspmadeoffourteenbrilliants，andlastlyhecarriedunderhisarmthebannerroundwhichhehopedtorallyhispartisans。ThetownclockofPizzostruckten。Muratwentstraightuptothetown，fromwhichhewashardlyahundredyardsdistant。Hefollowedthewidestonestaircasewhichleduptoit。
ItwasSunday。Masswasabouttobecelebrated，andthewholepopulationhadassembledintheGreatSquarewhenhearrived。Noonerecognisedhim，andeveryonegazedwithastonishmentatthefineofficer。PresentlyhesawamongstthepeasantsaformersergeantofhiswhohadservedinhisguardatNaples。Hewalkedstraightuptohimandputhishandontheman’sshoulder。
"Tavella，"hesaid，"don’tyourecogniseme？"
Butasthemanmadenoanswer：
"IamJoachimMurat，Iamyourking，"hesaid。"Yoursbethehonourtoshout’LongliveJoachim！’first。"
Murat’ssuiteinstantlymadetheairringwithacclamations，buttheCalabriansremainedsilent，andnotoneofhiscomradestookupthecryforwhichthekinghimselfhadgiventhesignal；onthecontrary，alowmurmurranthroughthecrowd。Muratwellunderstoodthisforerunnerofthestorm。
"Well，"hesaidtoTavella，"ifyouwon’tcry’LongliveJoachim！’
youcanatleastfetchmeahorse，andfromsergeantIwillpromoteyoutobecaptain。"
Tavellawalkedawaywithoutanswering，butinsteadofcarryingouttheking’sbehest，wentintohishouse，anddidnotappearagain。
Inthemeantimethepeopleweremassingtogetherwithoutevincinganyofthesympathythatthekinghadhopedfor。Hefeltthathewaslostifhedidnotactinstantly。
"ToMonteleone！"hecried，springingforwardtowardstheroadwhichledtothattown。
"ToMonteleone！"shoutedhisofficersandmen，astheyfollowedhim。
Andthecrowd，persistentlysilent，openedtoletthempass。
Buttheyhadhardlyleftthesquarebeforeagreatdisturbancebrokeout。AmannamedGiorgioPellegrinocameoutofhishousewithagunandcrossedthesquare，shouting，"Toyourarms！"
HeknewthatCaptainTrentaCapellicommandingtheCosenzagarrisonwasjusttheninPizzo，andhewasgoingtowarnhim。
Thecry"Toarms！"hadmoreeffectonthecrowdthanthecry"LongliveJoachim！"
EveryCalabrianpossessesagun，andeachonerantofetchhis，andwhenTrentaCapelliandGiorgioPellegrinocamebacktothesquaretheyfoundnearlytwohundredarmedmenthere。
Theyplacedthemselvesattheheadofthecolumn，andhastenedforwardinpursuitoftheking；theycameupwithhimabouttenminutesfromthesquare，wherethebridgeisnowadays。Seeingthem，Muratstoppedandwaitedforthem。
TrentaCapelliadvanced，swordinhand，towardstheking。
"Sir，"saidthelatter，"willyouexchangeyourcaptain’sepaulettesforageneral’s？Cry’LongliveJoachim！’andfollowmewiththesebravefellowstoMonteleone。"
"Sire，"saidTrentaCapelli，"wearethefaithfulsubjectsofKingFerdinand，andwecometofightyou，andnottobearyoucompany。
Giveyourselfup，ifyouwouldpreventbloodshed。"
Muratlookedatthecaptainwithanexpressionwhichitwouldbeimpossibletodescribe；thenwithoutdeigningtoanswer，hesignedtoCagellitomoveaway，whilehisotherhandwenttohispistol。
GiotgioPellegrinoperceivedthemovement。
"Down，captain，down！"hecried。Thecaptainobeyed。ImmediatelyabulletwhistledoverhisheadandbrushedMurat’shead。
"Fire！"commandedFranceschetti。
"Downwithyourarms！"criedMurat。
Wavinghishandkerchiefinhisrighthand，hemadeasteptowardsthepeasants，butatthesamemomentanumberofshotswerefired，anofficerandtwoorthreemenfell。Inacaselikethis，whenbloodhasbeguntoflow，thereisnostoppingit。
Muratknewthisfataltruth，andhiscourseofactionwasrapidlydecidedon。Beforehimhehadfivehundredarmedmen，andbehindhimaprecipicethirtyfeethigh：hesprangfromthejaggedrockonwhichhewasstanding，andalightingonthesand，jumpedupsafeandsound。
GeneralFranceschettiandhisaide-de-campCampanawereabletoaccomplishthejumpinthesameway，andallthreewentrapidlydowntotheseathroughthelittlewoodwhichlaywithinahundredyardsoftheshore，andwhichhidthemforafewmomentsfromtheirenemies。
Astheycameoutofthewoodafreshdischargegreetedthem，bulletswhistledroundthem，butnoonewashit，andthethreefugitiveswentondowntothebeach。
Itwasonlythenthatthekingperceivedthattheboatwhichhadbroughtthemtolandhadgoneoffagain。Thethreeshipswhichcomposedthefleet，farfromremainingtoguardhislanding，weresailingawayatfullspeedintotheopensea。
TheMaltese，Barbara，wasgoingoffnotonlywithMurat’sfortune，butwithhishopeslikewise，hissalvation，hisverylife。Theycouldnotbelieveinsuchtreachery，andthekingtookitforsomemanoeuvreofseamanship，andseeingafishing-boatdrawnuponthebeachonsomenets，hecalledtohistwocompanions，"Launchthatboat！"
Theyallbegantopushitdowntotheseawiththeenergyofdespair，thestrengthofagony。
Noonehaddaredtoleapfromtherockinpursuitofthem；theirenemies，forcedtomakeadetour，leftthemafewmomentsofliberty。
Butsoonshoutswereheard：GiorgioPellegrino，TrentaCapelli，followedbythewholepopulationofPizzo，rushedoutaboutahundredandfiftypacesfromwhereMurat，Franceschetti，andCampanawerestrainingthemselvestomaketheboatglidedownthesand。
Thesecrieswereimmediatelyfollowedbyavolley。Campanafell，withabulletthroughhisheart。
Theboat，however，waslaunched。Franceschettisprangintoit，Muratwasabouttofollow，buthehadnotobservedthatthespursofhisriding-bootshadcaughtinthemeshesofthenet。Theboat，yieldingtothepushhegaveit，glidedaway，andthekingfellheadforemost，withhisfeetonlandandhisfaceinthewater。Beforehehadtimetopickhimselfup，thepopulacehadfallenonhim：inoneinstanttheyhadtornawayhisepaulettes，hisbanner，andhiscoat，andwouldhavetornhimtobitshimself，hadnotGiorgioPellegrinoandTrentaCapellitakenhimundertheirprotection，andgivinghimanarmoneachside，defendedhimintheirturnagainstthepeople。
Thushecrossedthesquareasaprisonerwhereanhourbeforehehadwalkedasaking。
Hiscaptorstookhimtothecastle：hewaspushedintothecommonprison，thedoorwasshutuponhim，andthekingfoundhimselfamongthievesandmurderers，who，notknowinghim，tookhimforacompanionincrime，andgreetedhimwithfoullanguageandhootsofderision。
AquarterofanhourlaterthedoorofthegaolopenedandCommanderMatteicamein：hefoundMuratstandingwithheadproudlyerectandfoldedarms。Therewasanexpressionofindefinableloftinessinthishalf-nakedmanwhosefacewasstainedwithbloodandbespatteredwithmud。Matteibowedbeforehim。
"Commander，"saidMurat，recognisinghisrankbyhisepaulettes，"lookroundyouandtellmewhetherthisisaprisonforaking。"
Thenastrangethinghappened：thecriminals，who，believingMurattheiraccomplice，hadwelcomedhimwithvociferationsandlaughter，nowbentbeforehisroyalmajesty，whichhadnotoverawedPellegrinoandTrentaCapelli，andretiredsilentlytothedepthsoftheirdungeon。
MisfortunehadinvestedMuratwithanewpower。
CommanderMatteimurmuredsomeexcuse，andinvitedMurattofollowhimtoaroomthathehadhadpreparedforhim；butbeforegoingout，Muratputhishandinhispocketandpulledoutahandfulofgoldandletitfallinashowerinthemidstofthegaol。
"See，"hesaid，turningtowardstheprisoners，"itshallnotbesaidthatyouhavereceivedavisitfromaking，prisonerandcrownlessasheis，withouthavingreceivedlargesse。"
"LongliveJoachim！"criedtheprisoners。
Muratsmiledbitterly。Thosesamewordsrepeatedbythesamenumberofvoicesanhourbeforeinthepublicsquare，insteadofresoundingintheprison，wouldhavemadehimKingofNaples。
Themostimportanteventsproceedsometimesfromsuchmeretrifles，thatitseemsasifGodandthedevilmustthrowdiceforthelifeordeathofmen，fortheriseorfallofempires。
MuratfollowedCommanderMattei：heledhimtoalittleroomwhichtheporterhadputathisdisposal。MatteiwasgoingtoretirewhenMuratcalledhimback。
"Commander，"hesaid，"Iwantascentedbath。"
"Sire，itwillbedifficulttoobtain。"
"Herearefiftyducats；letsomeonebuyalltheeaudeColognethatcanbeobtained。Ah——andletsometailorsbesenttome。"
"Itwillbeimpossibletofindanyoneherecapableofmakinganythingbutapeasant’sclothes。"
"SendsomeonetoMonteleonetofetchthemfromthere。"
Thecommanderbowedandwentout。
MuratwasinhisbathwhentheLavaliereAlcalawasannounced，aGeneralandGovernorofthetown。Hehadsentdamaskcoverlets，curtains，andarm-chairs。Muratwastouchedbythisattention，anditgavehimfreshcomposure。Attwoo’clockthesamedayGeneralNunziantearrivedfromSanta-Tropeawiththreethousandmen。Muratgreetedhisoldacquaintancewithpleasure；butatthefirstwordthekingperceivedthathewasbeforehisjudge，andthathehadnotcomeforthepurposeofmakingavisit，buttomakeanofficialinquiry。
MuratcontentedhimselfwithstatingthathehadbeenonhiswayfromCorsicatoTriestewithapassportfromtheEmperorofAustriawhenstormyweatherandlackofprovisionshadforcedhimtoputintoPizzo。AllotherquestionsMuratmetwithastubbornsilence；thenatleast，weariedbyhisimportunity——
"General，"hesaid，"canyoulendmesomeclothesaftermybath？"
Thegeneralunderstoodthathecouldexpectnomoreinformation，and，bowingtotheking，hewentout。Tenminuteslater，acompleteuniformwasbroughttoMurat；heputitonimmediately，askedforapenandink，wrotetothecommander-in-chiefoftheAustriantroopsatNaples，totheEnglishambassador，andtohiswife，totellthemofhisdetentionatPizzo。Theseletterswritten，hegotupandpacedhisroomforsometimeinevidentagitation；atlast，needingfreshair，heopenedthewindow。Therewasaviewoftheverybeachwherehehadbeencaptured。
Twomenwerediggingaholeinthesandatthefootofthelittleredoubt。Muratwatchedthemmechanically。Whenthetwomenhadfinished，theywentintoaneighbouringhouseandsooncameout，bearingacorpseintheirarms。
Thekingsearchedhismemory，andindeeditseemedtohimthatinthemidstofthatterriblescenehehadseensomeonefall，butwhoitwashenolongerremembered。Thecorpsewasquitewithoutcovering，butbythelongblackhairandyouthfuloutlinesthekingrecognisedCampana，theaide-decamphehadalwayslovedbest。
Thisscene，watchedfromaprisonwindowinthetwilight，thissolitaryburialontheshore，inthesand，movedMuratmoredeeplythanhisownfate。Greattearsfilledhiseyesandfellsilentlydowntheleonineface。AtthatmomentGeneralNunziantecameinandsurprisedhimwithoutstretchedarmsandfacebathedwithtears。
Muratheardhimenterandturnedround，andseeingtheoldsoldier’ssurprise。
"Yes，general，"hesaid，"Iweep；Iweepforthatboy，justtwenty-four，entrustedtomebyhisparents，whosedeathIhavebroughtabout。Iweepforthatvast，brilliantfuturewhichisburiedinanunknowngrave，inanenemy’scountry，onahostileshore。Oh，Campana！Campana！ifeverIamkingagain，Iwillraiseyouaroyaltomb。"
Thegeneralhadhaddinnerservedinanadjacentroom。Muratfollowedhimandsatdowntotable，buthecouldnoteat。Thesightwhichhehadjustwitnessedhadmadehimheartbroken，andyetwithoutalineonhisbrowthatmanhadbeenthroughthebattlesofAboukir，Eylau，andMoscow！Afterdinner，Muratwentintohisroomagain，gavehisvariousletterstoGeneralNunziante，andbeggedtobeleftalone。Thegeneralwentaway。
Muratpacedroundhisroomseveraltimes，walkingwithlongsteps，andpausingfromtimetotimebeforethewindow，butwithoutopeningit。
Atlastheovercameadeepreluctance，puthishandontheboltanddrewthelatticetowardshim。
Itwasacalm，clearnight：onecouldseethewholeshore。HelookedforCampana’sgrave。Twodogsscratchingthesandshowedhimthespot。
Thekingshutthewindowviolently，andwithoutundressingthrewhimselfontohisbed。Atlast，fearingthathisagitationwouldbeattributedtopersonalalarm，heundressedandwenttobed，tosleep，orseemtosleepallnight。
Onthemorningofthe9ththetailorswhomMurathadaskedforarrived。Heorderedagreatmanyclothes，takingthetroubletoexplainallthedetailssuggestedbyhisfastidioustaste。HewasthusemployedwhenGeneralNunziantecamein。Helistenedsadlytotheking’scommands。HehadjustreceivedtelegraphicdespatchesorderinghimtotrytheKingofNaplesbycourt-martialasapublicenemy。Buthefoundthekingsoconfident，sotranquil，almostcheerfulindeed，thathehadnotthehearttoannouncehistrialtohim，andtookuponhimselftodelaytheopeningofoperationuntilhereceivedwritteninstructions。Thesearrivedontheeveningofthe12th。Theywerecouchedinthefollowingterms：
NAPLES，October9，1815
"Ferdinand，bythegraceofGod，etc……willsanddecreesthefollowing：
"Art。1。GeneralMuratistobetriedbycourt-martial，thememberswhereofaretobenominatedbyourMinisterofWar。
"Art。2。Onlyhalfanhouristobeaccordedtothecondemnedfortheexercisesofreligion。
"（Signed）FERDINAND。
Anotherdespatchfromtheministercontainedthenamesofthemembersofthecommission。Theywere：——
GiuseppeFosculo，adjutant，commander-in-chiefofthestaff，president。
LaffaelloScalfaro，chiefofthelegionofLowerCalabria。
LatereoNatali，lieutenant-coloneloftheRoyalMarines。
GennaroLanzetta，lieutenant-coloneloftheEngineers。
W。T。captainofArtillery。
FrancoisdeVenge，ditto。
FrancescoMartellari，lieutenantofArtillery。
FrancescoFroio，lieutenantinthe3rdregimentoftheline。
GiovannideltaCamera，PublicProsecutortotheCriminalCourtsofLowerCalabria。
FrancescoPapavassi，registrar。
Thecommissionassembledthatnight。
Onthe13thOctober，atsixo’clockinthemorning，CaptainStratticameintotheking’sprison；hewassoundasleep。Strattiwasgoingawayagain，whenhestumbledagainstachair；thenoiseawokeMurat。
"Whatdoyouwantwithme，captain？"askedtheking。
Strattitriedtospeak，buthisvoicefailedhim。
"Ahha！"saidMurat，"youmusthavehadnewsfromNaples。"
"Yes，sire，"mutteredStratti。
"Whatarethey？"saidMurat。
"Yourtrial，sire。"
"Andbywhoseorderwillsentencebepronounced，ifyouplease？
Wherewilltheyfindpeerstojudgeme？Iftheyconsidermeasaking，Imusthaveatribunalofkings；ifIamamarshalofFrance，I
musthaveacourtofmarshals；ifIamageneral，andthatistheleastIcanbe，Imusthaveajuryofgenerals。"
"Sire，youaredeclaredapublicenemy，andassuchyouareliabletobejudgedbycourt-martial：thatisthelawwhichyouinstitutedyourselfforrebels。"
"Thatlawwasmadeforbrigands，andnotforcrownedheads，sir，"
saidMuratscornfully。"Iamready；letthembutchermeiftheylike。IdidnotthinkKingFerdinandcapableofsuchanaction。"
"Sire，willyounothearthenamesofyourjudges？"
"Yes，sir，Iwill。Itmustbeacuriouslist。Readit：Iamlistening。"
CaptainStrattireadoutthenamesthatwehaveenumerated。Muratlistenedwithadisdainfulsmile。
"Ah，"hesaid，asthecaptainfinished，"itseemsthateveryprecautionhasbeentaken。"
"How，sire？"
"Yes。Don’tyouknowthatallthesemen，withtheexceptionofFrancescoFroio，thereporter；owetheirpromotiontome？Theywillbeafraidofbeingaccusedofsparingmeoutofgratitude，andsaveonevoice，perhaps，thesentencewillbeunanimous。"
"Sire，supposeyouweretoappearbeforethecourt，topleadyourowncause？"
"Silence，sir，silence！"saidMurat。"Icould，notofficiallyrecognisethejudgesyouhavenamedwithouttearingtoomanypagesofhistory。Suchtribunalisquiteincompetent；IshouldbedisgracedifIappearedbeforeit。IknowIcouldnotsavemylife，letmeatleastpreservemyroyaldignity。"
AtthismomentLieutenantFrancescoFroiocameintointerrogatetheprisoner，askinghisname，hisage，andhisnationality。Hearingthesequestions，Muratrosewithanexpressionofsublimedignity。
"IamJoachimNapoleon，KingoftheTwoSicilies，"heanswered，"andIorderyoutoleaveme。"
Theregistrarobeyed。
ThenMuratpartiallydressedhimself，andaskedStrattiifhecouldwriteafarewelltohiswifeandchildren。TheCaptainnolongerabletospeak，answeredbyanaffirmativesign；thenJoachimsatdowntothetableandwrotethisletter：
"DEARCAROLINEOFMYHEART，——Thefatalmomenthascome：Iamtosufferthedeathpenalty。Inanhouryouwillbeawidow，ourchildrenwillbefatherless：rememberme；neverforgetmymemory。I
dieinnocent；mylifeistakenfrommeunjustly。
"Good-bye，Achillesgood-bye，Laetitia；goodbye，Lucien；good-bye，Louise。
"Showyourselvesworthyofme；Ileaveyouinaworldandinakingdomfullofmyenemies。Showyourselvessuperiortoadversity，andremembernevertothinkyourselvesbetterthanyouare，rememberingwhatyouhavebeen。
"Farewell。Iblessyouall。Nevercursemymemory。Rememberthattheworstpangofmyagonyisindyingfarfrommychildren，farfrommywife，withoutafriendtoclosemyeyes。Farewell，myownCaroline。Farewell，mychildren。Isendyoumyblessing，mymosttendertears，mylastkisses。Farewell，farewell。Neverforgetyourunhappyfather，"Pizzo，Oct。13，1815
[Wecanguaranteetheauthenticityofthisletter，havingcopieditourselvesatPizzo，fromtheLavaliereAlcala’scopyoftheoriginal]
Thenhecutoffalockofhishairandputitinhisletter。JustthenGeneralNunziantecamein；Muratwenttohimandheldouthishand。
"General，"hesaid，"youareafather，youareahusband，onedayyouwillknowwhatitistopartfromyourwifeandsons。Sweartomethatthislettershallbedelivered。"
"Onmyepaulettes，"saidthegeneral，wipinghiseyes。[MadameMuratneverreceivedthisletter。]
"Come，come，courage，general，"saidMurat；"wearesoldiers，weknowhowtofacedeath。Onefavour——youwillletmegivetheordertofire，willyounot？"
Thegeneralsignedacquiescence：justthentheregistrarcameinwiththeking’ssentenceinhishand。
Muratguessedwhatitwas。
"Read，sir，"hesaidcoldly；"Iamlistening。"
Theregistrarobeyed。Muratwasright。
Thesentenceofdeathhadbeencarriedwithonlyonedissentientvoice。
Whenthereadingwasfinished，thekingturnedagaintoNunziante。
"General，"hesaid，"believethatIdistinguishinmymindtheinstrumentwhichstrikesmeandthehandthatwieldsthatinstrument。
IshouldneverhavethoughtthatFerdinandwouldhavehadmeshotlikeadog；hedoesnothesitateapparentlybeforesuchinfamy。Verywell。Wewillsaynomoreaboutit。Ihavechallengedmyjudges，butnotmyexecutioners。Whattimehaveyoufixedformyexecution？"
"Willyoufixityourself，sir？"saidthegeneral。
Muratpulledoutawatchonwhichtherewasaportraitofhiswife；
bychanceheturneduptheportrait，andnotthefaceofthewatch；
hegazedatittenderly。
"See，general，"hesaid，showingittoNunziante；"itisaportraitofthequeen。Youknowher；isitnotlikeher？"
Thegeneralturnedawayhishead。Muratsighedandputawaythewatch。
"Well，sire，"saidtheregistrar，"whattimehaveyoufixed？"
"Ahyes，"saidMurat，smiling，"IforgotwhyItookoutmywatchwhenIsawCaroline’sportrait。"
Thenhelookedathiswatchagain，butthistimeatitsface。
"Well，itshallbeatfouro’clock，ifyoulike；itispastthreeo’clock。Iaskforfiftyminutes。Isthattoomuch，sir？"
Theregistrarbowedandwentout。Thegeneralwasabouttofollowhim。
"ShallIneverseeyouagain，Nunziante？"saidMurat。
"Myordersaretobepresentatyourdeath，sire，butIcannotdoit。"
"Verywell，general。Iwilldispensewithyourpresenceatthelastmoment，butIshouldliketosayfarewelloncemoreandtoembraceyou。"
"Iwillbenear，sire。"
"Thankyou。Nowleavemealone。"
"Sire，therearetwopriestshere。"
Muratmadeanimpatientmovement。
"Willyoureceivethem？"continuedthegeneral。
"Yes；bringthemin。"
Thegeneralwentout。Amomentlater，twopriestsappearedinthedoorway。OneofthemwascalledFrancescoPellegrino，uncleofthemanwhohadcausedtheking’sdeath；theotherwasDonAntonioMasdea。
"Whatdoyouwanthere？"askedMurat。
"WecometoaskyouifyouaredyingaChristian？"
"Iamdyingasasoldier。Leaveme。"
DonFrancescoPellegrinoretired。NodoubthefeltillateasebeforeJoachim。ButAntonioMasdearemainedatthedoor。
"Didyounothearme？"askedtheking。
"Yes，indeed，"answeredtheoldman；"butpermitme，sire，tohopethatitwasnotyourlastwordtome。Itisnot，thefirsttimethatIseeyouorbegsomethingofyou。Ihavealreadyhadoccasiontoaskafavourofyou。"
"Whatwasthat？"
"WhenyourMajestycametoPizzoin1810，Iaskedyoufor25，000
francstoenableustofinishourchurch。YourMajestysentme40，000francs。"
"ImusthaveforeseenthatIshouldbeburiedthere，"saidMurat，smiling。
"Ah，sire，Ishouldliketothinkthatyoudidnotrefusemysecondboonanymorethanmyfirst。Sire，Ientreatyouonmyknees。"
TheoldmanfellatMurat’sfeet。
"DieasaChristian！"
"Thatwouldgiveyoupleasure，then，wouldit？"saidtheking。
"Sire，IwouldgivethefewshortdaysremainingtomeifGodwouldgrantthatHisHolySpiritshouldfalluponyouinyourlasthour。"
"Well，"saidMurat，"hearmyconfession。Iaccusemyselfofhavingbeendisobedienttomyparentsasachild。SinceIreachedmanhoodI
havedonenothingtoreproachmyselfwith。"
"Sire，willyougivemeanattestationthatyoudieintheChristianfaith？"
"Certainly，"saidMurat。
Andhetookapenandwrote："I，JoachimMurat，dieaChristian，believingintheHolyCatholicChurch，ApostolicandRoman。"
Hesignedit。
"Now，father，"continuedtheking，"ifyouhaveathirdfavourtoaskofme，makehaste，forinhalfanhouritwillbetoolate。"
Indeed，thecastleclockwasstrikinghalf-pastthree。Thepriestsignedthathehadfinished。
"Thenleavemealone，"saidMurat；andtheoldmanwentout。
Muratpacedhisroomforafewmoments，thenhesatdownonhisbedandlethisheadfallintohishands。Doubtless，duringthequarterofanhourheremainedthusabsorbedinhisthoughts，hesawhiswholelifepassbeforehim，fromtheinnwherehehadstartedtothepalacehehadreached；nodoubthisadventurouscareerunrolleditselfbeforehimlikesomegoldendream，somebrilliantfiction，sometalefromtheArabianNights。
Hislifegleamedathwartthestormlikearainbow，andlikearainbow’s，itstwoextremitieswerelostinclouds——thecloudsofbirthanddeath。Atlastherousedhimselffromthisinwardcontemplation，andliftedapalebuttranquilface。Thenhewenttotheglassandarrangedhishair。Hisstrangecharacteristicsneverlefthim。TheaffiancedofDeath，hewasadorninghimselftomeethisbride。
Fouro’clockstruck。
Muratwenttothedoorhimselfandopenedit。
GeneralNunziantewaswaitingforhim。
"Thankyou，general，"saidMurat。"Youhavekeptyourword。Kissme，andgoatonce，ifyoulike。"
Thegeneralthrewhimselfintotheking’sarms，weeping，andutterlyunabletospeak。
"Courage，"saidMurat。"YouseeIamcalm。"Itwasthisverycalmnesswhichbrokethegeneral’sheart。Hedashedoutofthecorridor，andleftthecastle，runninglikeamadman。
Thenthekingwalkedoutintothecourtyard。
Everythingwasreadyfortheexecution。
Ninemenandacorporalwererangedbeforethedoorofthecouncilchamber。Oppositethemwasawalltwelvefeethigh。Threefeetawayfromthewallwasastoneblock：Muratmountedit，thusraisinghimselfaboutafootabovethesoldierswhoweretoexecutehim。
Thenhetookouthiswatch，[MadameMuratrecoveredthiswatchatthepriceof200Louis]kissedhiswife’sportrait，andfixinghiseyesonit，gavetheordertofire。Atthewordofcommandfiveoutoftheninemenfired：Muratremainedstanding。Thesoldiershadbeenashamedtofireontheirking，andhadaimedoverhishead。ThatmomentperhapsdisplayedmostgloriouslythelionlikecouragewhichwasMurat’sspecialattribute。Hisfaceneverchanged，hedidnotmoveamuscle；onlygazingatthesoldierswithanexpressionofmingledbitternessandgratitude，hesaid：
"Thankyou；myfriends。Sincesoonerorlateryouwillbeobligedtoaimtrue，donotprolongmydeath-agonies。AllIaskyouistoaimattheheartandsparetheface。Now————"
Withthesamevoice，thesamecalm，thesameexpression，herepeatedthefatalwordsoneafteranother，withoutlagging，withouthastening，asifheweregivinganaccustomedcommand；butthistime，happierthanthefirst，attheword"Fire！"hefellpiercedbyeightbullets，withoutasigh，withoutamovement，stillholdingthewatchinhislefthand。
Thesoldierstookupthebodyandlaiditonthebedwheretenminutesbeforehehadbeensitting，andthecaptainputaguardatthedoor。
Intheeveningamanpresentedhimself，askingtogointothedeath-chamber：thesentinelrefusedtolethimin，andhedemandedaninterviewwiththegovernoroftheprison。Ledbeforehim，heproducedanorder。Thecommanderreaditwithsurpriseanddisgust，butafterreadingitheledthemantothedoorwherehehadbeenrefusedentrance。
"PasstheSignorLuidgi，"hesaidtothesentinel。
Tenminuteshadhardlyelapsedbeforehecameoutagain，holdingabloodstainedhandkerchiefcontainingsomethingtowhichthesentinelcouldnotgiveaname。
Anhourlater，thecarpenterbroughtthecoffinwhichwastocontaintheking’sremains。Theworkmanenteredtheroom，butinstantlycalledthesentinelinavoiceofindescribableterror。
Thesentinelhalfopenedthedoortoseewhathadcausedtheman’spanic。
Thecarpenterpointedtoaheadlesscorpse！
AtthedeathofKingFerdinand，that，head，preservedinspiritsofwine，wasfoundinasecretcupboardinhisbedroom。
AweekaftertheexecutionofPizzoeveryonehadreceivedhisreward：
TrentaCapelliwasmadeacolonel，GeneralNunzianteamarquis，andLuidgidiedfromtheeffectsofpoison。
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