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best force itself into notice; in that moment when timid indecision betrays its'own weak- ness, it never hesitates to separate from the crowd; to triumph or to die with glory are the on!v alternatives and from these nothing can turn it aside Notwithstanding the danger of an early declaration in the beginning of the disturbances, Bonaparte disdained to feign. He declared himself in favour of freedom. Almost ail his bro- ther-officers blamed him for so prompt in decision and the spirit of party occasion so, soon after the most violent altercations be- tween him and them so that if was fortu- nate the loss of their friendship did not cost him his life
One day. walking by a river-side with some young officers with whom he gene rally associated, the dispute ran high, and in a moment of enthusiasm of which there have been numerous instances in all his wars of opinion the young people enraged seized Bonaparte and were on the point of throwing him headlong into the stream when a momentary reflection made them perceive the shameful inequality of the number Bonaparte could not be forced to retract his mode of thinking the danger, which he had run already ; not his plan ; but he broke off all connection with his com- panions till the revolutionary spirit having made more progress, induced some of those
