III.

This was at first imputed to the blazing brands [= pieces of wood] and sparkles which were carried by the wind; but at length it was observed, that, as often as the wind changed[1],—and it changed three times in that terrible night,—new flames broke always forth in that direction, where[2] the existing gale was calculated to direct them on[3] the Kremlin. These horrors were[4] increased by the chance[5] of explosion. There was, though as yet unknown to the French, a magazine of powder in the Kremlin; besides that, a park of artillery, with its ammunition, was drawn up[6] under the Emperor’s window. Morning (S. 3, N. 2) came, and with it a dreadful scene. During the whole night, the metropolis had glared[7] with a thick and suffocating atmosphere, of almost palpable smoke. The flames defied the efforts of the French soldiery, and it is said that the fountains of the city had been rendered inaccessible, the water-pipes cut, and the fire-engines destroyed or carried off.

Then came the reports of fire-balls having been found burning in deserted houses; of men and women, that, like demons, had been seen openly spreading the flames, and who were said to be[8] furnished with combustibles for rendering their dreadful work more secure. Several wretches against[9] whom such acts had been charged, were seized (S. 2, N. 1) upon, and, probably without much inquiry, _were_ shot on the spot. While it was almost impossible to keep the roof of the Kremlin free of the burning brands which the wind showered down[10], Napoleon watched from the windows the course of the fire which devoured his fair conquest, and the exclamation burst from him[11]: “These are indeed Scythians!”

[1] as — changed, +bei jedem Windeswechsel+; it = the wind.

[2] where = which through (+durch+); to calculate, +berechnen+ (+auf+); read S. 87, N. 6.

[3] = to.

[4] Insert here the adv. +noch+.

[5] = possibility; of, +von+, followed by the plural.

[6] put up, +auf´stellen+.

[7] = had been filled.

[8] The Emperor is said to be dead, +der Kaiser soll tot sein+.

[9] against — charged = who were (+waren+) accused (+beschuldigen+) of such a deed.

[10] = which were carried away by (S. 106, N. 23) the wind in great number (+Menge+, f.).

[11] = and he exclaimed involuntarily (+unwillkürlich+).

_Section 220._

THE BURNING OF MOSCOW.