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Ch. XII.]
the Emperor Napoleon.
125

Bertrand screaming with all her power for Achainbaud to stop; but it was not until a check was put to the velocity of the carriage, by its coming in contact with a large gum-wood tree, that we had any chance of being heard. At length the door was opened, and out we scrambled, up to our knees in mud, the night being wet and foggy. We had nearly a mile to walk through this filthy road to Deadwood, and the poor Countess all the while carrying her infant, who would not be pacified with any other nurse. I never shall forget the figure we cut on arriving at Mr. Baird's quarters, where we were provided with dry clothes; nor the ludicrous appearance of Madame Bertrand, habited in one of Mrs. Baird's dresses, which was half a yard too short, and much too small in every way. Mrs. Baird being remarkably petite, whilst the Countess was renommée for her tall and graceful stature. But in spite of our adventure and contretemps, we had a very

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