THE CARNAGE
Bonaparte was walking in front of his tent with Bourrienne, impatiently awaiting news, and having no other of his intimates at hand, when he saw two troops of armed men leaving the town by different gates. One of them was led by Croisier, and the other by Eugene de Beauharnais. Their young faces shone with joy.
Croisier, who had not smiled since he had had the misfortune to displease the commander-in-chief, was smiling now, for he hoped that this fine prize would conciliate the master. Bonaparte understood the whole thing. He grew pale, and said sorrowfully: "What do you suppose I am going to do with those men? Have I food to give them? Have I ships to send the wretched creatures to France or Egypt?"
The two young men halted ten feet from him. They saw by the rigid expression of his face that they had made a mistake.
"What have you there?" he asked.
Croisier dared not reply, but Eugene spoke for both.
"As you see, general, prisoners."
"Did I tell you to take any prisoners?"
"You told us to stop the carnage," replied Eugene, timidly.
"Yes," replied the general, "of women, children, and old men I did; but not of armed soldiers. Do you know that you have forced me to commit a crime?"