cry out on
parade? Let them stand out; let me see them.'

"And at once more than half the regiment of grenadiers sprang forward,
and shouted louder than before, 'Bread! bread! let us have food and
clothing! If we are to fight, let us not die of hunger!'

"'Grenadiers of the Fourth,' cried he, in a terrible voice, 'to your
ranks! Second division, and third!' shouted he, with his hand up, 'form
in square!--carry arms!--present arms! front rank, kneel! Kneel!' said
he, again louder; for you know we never did that in those days. However,
every word was obeyed, and down dropped the leading files on their
knees; and there we were rooted to the ground. Not a man spoke; all
silent as death.

"He then advanced to the front of the staff, and pointing his hand to a
convoy of wagons that could just be seen turning the angle of the
road, with white flags flying, to show what they were, called out,
'Commissary-general, distribute full rations and half ammunition to the
young regiments; half rations and full ammunition to the veterans of
Egypt!' A shout of applause burst out; but he cried louder than
before, 'Silence in the ranks!' Then, taking off his chapeau, he stood
bareheaded before us; and in a voice like the bugle that blows the
charge, he read from a large paper in his hand, 'In the name of the
French Republic, one and indivisible. The Directory of the nation
decrees, that the thanks of the Government be given to the Grenadiers
of the Fourth, who have deserved well of their country. Vive la
Republique!'

"'Vive la Republique!' shouted the whole square in a roar, like the sea
itself. Who thought more of hardships or hunger then? Our only desire
was when we were to meet the enemy; and many a jest and many a laugh
went round as we loaded our pouches with the new ammunition.

"'Who's that fellow yonder?' said Bonaparte, as he rode slowly down the
line. 'I should know him, I think. Is n't that Pioche?'

"'Yes, mon general,' said I, saluting him; 'it is what remains of poor
Pioche,--_parbleu!_ very little more than half, though.'

"'Ah, glutton!' said he, laughing, 'I ought to have guessed you were
here; one such gourmand is enough to corrupt a whole brigade.'

"'Pioche is a good soldier, citizen-general, 'said my captain, who was
an old schoolfellow of mine.

"'I know it, Captain,' said the general.

"'You were in Excelmans's dragoons, Pioche, if mistake not?'

"Two years and ten months, citizen-general.'

"'Why did