"I'm afraid you'll find them hard to get at," said Bourrienne. "That lagoon is a wet place."
"Oh, as for that," said Bonaparte, "a little water will do the army good. We've been fighting so hard it's been months since they've had a good tubbing, and a swim won't hurt them. Send Lannes here." In a few minutes Lannes entered Bonaparte's tent.
"Lannes, we're off for Venice. Provide the army with overshoes, and have our luggage checked through," said Bonaparte.
"Yes, General."
"Can Augereau swim?"
"I don't know, General."
"Well, find out, and if he can't we'll get him a balloon."
Thus, taking every precaution for the comfort of his men and the safety of his officers, Napoleon set out. Venice, hearing of his approach, was filled with consternation, and endeavored to temporize. The Doges offered millions if Bonaparte would turn his attention to others, to which Napoleon made this spirited reply: "Venetians, tell the Doges, with my compliments, that I am coming. The wealth of the Indies couldn't change my mind. They offer me stocks and bonds; well, I believe their stocks and bonds to be as badly watered as their haughty city, and I'll have none of them. I'll bring my stocks with me, and your Doges will sit in them. I'll bring my bonds, and your nobles shall put them on and make them clank. You've been drowning Frenchmen every chance you've had. It will now be my pleasing duty to make you do a little gurgling on your own account. You'll find out for the first time in your lives what it is to be in the swim. Put on your bathing-suits and prepare for the avenger. The lions of St. Marc must lick the dust."
"We have no dust, General," said one of the messengers.
"Then you'd better get some," retorted Napoleon, "for you will have to come down with it to the tune of millions."