"Oh, I suppose it is a prisoner. But what is that white thing?"
"It is a plume; you can see that for yourself. Let us get a spyglass."
For some time the children watched the little procession curving around the mountain-side, high above them.
"It makes me think of a great serpent winding along," said Betsy.
"It doesn't look like a serpent, through the glass. There are five men on horseback. One of them has a cocked hat. It must be Napoleon, though he wears no greatcoat."
"They're going to Longwood. That's what it is. Papa says he's to live there. I wonder how he'll like it after all his palaces in Europe."
"I'm glad he won't live near us. I should never dare leave the house, if he lived near."
"Who's he?"
"Napoleon, of course."
The morning passed. The children thought of little but Napoleon. They talked to each other of his victories and were proud that Englishmen had overthrown him.