French or Austrians. A few moments later I
came ashore, and I was received by Colonel Gautrin and the 9th Hussars,
forming part of Lannes' division. If we had landed half a league lower
down we should have tumbled into the enemy's pickets. The colonel lent
me a horse, and gave me several wagons, in which I placed the
grenadiers, the boatmen, and the prisoners, and the little cavalcade
went off towards Moelk. As we went along, the corporal, at my orders,
questioned the three Austrians, and I learnt with satisfaction that the
camp whence I had brought them away belonged to the very division,
General Killer's, the position of which the Emperor was so anxious to
learn. There was, therefore, no further doubt that that general had
joined the archduke on the other side of the Danube. There was no
longer any question of a battle on the road which we held, and Napoleon,
having only the enemy's cavalry in front of him, could in perfect safety
push his troops forward towards Vienna, from which we were but three
easy marches distant. With this information I galloped forward, in order
to bring it to the Emperor with the least possible delay.

When I reached the gate of the monastery, it was broad day. I found the
approach blocked by the whole population of the little town of Moelk, and
heard among the crowd the cries of the wives, children, and friends of
the sailors whom I had carried off. In a moment I was surrounded by
them, and was able to calm their anxiety by saying, in very bad German,
'Your friends are alive, and you will see them in a few moments.' A
great cry of joy went up from the crowd, bringing out the officer in
command of the guard at the gate. On seeing me he ran off in pursuance
of orders to warn the aides-de-camp to let the Emperor know of my
return. In an instant the whole palace was up. The good Marshal Lannes
came to me, embraced me cordially, and carried me straight off to the
Emperor, crying out, 'Here he is, sir; I knew he would come back. He has
brought three prisoners from General Hiller's division.' Napoleon
received me warmly, and though I was wet and muddy all over, he laid his
hand on my shoulder, and did not forget to give his greatest sign of
satisfaction by pinching my ear. I leave you to imagine how I was
questioned! The Emperor wanted to know every incident of the adventure
in detail, and when I had finished my story said, 'I am very well
pleased with you, "Major" Marbot.' These words were equivale