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。