Page:Memoirs of Baron Hyde de Neuville; outlaw, exile, ambassador; (IA memoirsofbaronhy01hyde).pdf/106

80 he returned with the clerk, and shortly afterwards, Sidney Smith appeared, The prisoner, entering into his part, affected to be annoyed at this new measure. The pretended Adjutant assured him that the Government had no wish to aggravate his lot, and that he would be very well treated where they were taking him. Still grumbling, the Commodore hastened to pack his valise, and to distribute handsome tips among the warders, under pretence of saying good-bye. The clerk remarked that it was necessary to have an escort of four men of the Guard. The Adjutant fell in with the idea, and ordered six; then suddenly, as if recollecting himself, he said: ’Commodore, you are a soldier like me. Your word will be enough. If you give it, I shall not need an escort.’ ‘Monsieur,’ replied Sidney, who in spite of the dangerous circumstances, could scarcely keep grave, ‘if you will trust me, I swear to follow you wherever you may take me.’

The discharge was given to the jailor, and signed on the register, the words Adjutant General, ending with a superb flourish, being added to the feigned name. Then, the three were escorted by all the officials, with the greatest politeness, to the outer door, where a eab was waiting, A trivial circumstance nearly defeated the bold enterprise. The driver had not gone a hundred yards, when he ran against a post, and not only damaged his wheel, but injured a foot-passenger. An angry crowd collected; Sidney and his companions jumped out, took the valise, and were hurrying away, when the driver called them back, demanding his fare. M. L— then committed a rash act, which might well have compromised everything by arousing the suspicion of the by-standers; he threw the driver a double louis, and hastily rejoined his companions. Phélippeaux, who had waited for them near the Temple, was now with them, and the same day he left for Rouen, with the Commodore, on his way to England.

At the time when Buonaparte was setting out on his �