Page:Helen Leah Reed - Napoleons young neighbour.djvu/277

Rh Intelligent young men are greatly needed in the army. Napoleon's ability is known. He receives a captain's commission, signed by the King, though really given by the Revolutionary Government. Soon he is at Toulon, where, by acting on his advice, the French drive the English from the harbor in December, 1793.

The young man's prospects are brightening. There are only a few shadows on the picture. A revolution in Corsica drives his family to France, and while he feels his responsibility, Napoleon cannot yet do much for them.

Napoleon's talents impress all who come in contact with him. The time approaches when he is to reap the reward for all his years of patient study. Young Robespierre calls attention to his transcendent merit. Though he is not a Terrorist, he has many friends in the party, and after the fall of Robespierre the young Corsican spends nearly a fortnight in prison. Once more he loses his place in the army, in which he has been commissioned General. Discouraged, with nothing to do in Paris, he thinks of accepting an office from the Sultan. But Fortune is soon to favor him