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If, however, the Emperor of Russia ratifies that convention, I

will ratify it; but it is only a trick. March on, destroy the

Russian army.... You are in a position to seize its baggage and

artillery.

The Russian Emperor's aide-de-camp is an impostor. Officers are

nothing when they have no powers; this one had none.... The

Austrians let themselves be tricked at the crossing of the Vienna

bridge, you are letting yourself be tricked by an aide-de-camp of

the Emperor.

NAPOLEON

Bonaparte's adjutant rode full gallop with this menacing letter

to Murat. Bonaparte himself, not trusting to his generals, moved

with all the Guards to the field of battle, afraid of letting a

ready victim escape, and Bagration's four thousand men merrily

lighted campfires, dried and warmed themselves, cooked their

porridge for the first time for three days, and not one of them

knew or imagined what was in store for him.

CHAPTER XV