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a cape or headland on the coast which was not marked by some of his exploits. I like to hear one brave man praise another. Carnot said they would take care of him for some time, and that he should certainly not be exchanged."

In the life of Curran an interview between the same personages is thus strikingly related:

"Soon after the question of an expedition to Ireland had been left to the decision of Carnot, Clarke and Hoche, they named an evening to meet Tone at the palace of the Luxembourg. Tone arrived at the appointed hour, eight o'clock. He was ushered into a splendid apartment. Shortly after the director and the generals made their appearance: they bowed coldly, but civilly, to Tone, and almost immediately retired, without apology or explanation, through a door opposite to that by which they had entered. Tone was a good deal struck by so unexpected a reception, but his surprise increased when ten o'clock arrived, without the appearance of, or message of any kind, from those on whom all his hopes seemed to depend. The clock struck eleven, twelve, one-all was still in the palace; the steps of the sentinels on their posts without, alone interrupted the dead silence that prevailed within. Tone paced the room in considerable anxiety; not even a servant had entered, of whom to inquire his way out, or if the director and the generals had retired. About two o'clock the folding-doors were suddenly thrown open; Carnot, Clarke, and Hoche entered; their countenances brightened, and the coldness and reserve, so observable at eight o'clock, had vanished. Clarke advanced quickly to

Tone, and taking him cordially by the hand, said, ‘Citizen! I congratulate you; we go to Ireland." The others did the same; and having fixed the time to meet again, the persons engaged in this remarkable transaction, separated."

CHAPTER X.

TONE IN HOCHE'S STAFF.-ACCOMPANIES HIM TO THE ARMY.-ARMAMENT PREPARING AT BREST.--A SPY AND A RUSE.-TONE ENLISTS IRISH PRISONERS. -EMISSARY SENT TO DUBLIN.--THE TROOPS EMBARK.— -THE EXPEDITION SAILS.-REACHES BANTRY BAY-DRIVEN OFF THE COAST BY A GALE OF

WIND.

FROM this time the most intimate friendship sprang up between Hoche and Tone. They were of about the same age; both brave and ambitious of glory, and both now bent on the accomplishment of the same object. The Directory immediately gave Tone a commission in the French army. He was to serve in the infantry with the rank of chef de brigade, which answers to that of colonel, and receives the same pay. Clarke embraced him on giving him the brevet, and saluted him as a brother officer. Tone says, "My heart was so full I could hardly reply." He was soon after made adjutant to Hoche, and remained in his staff until his death.

Hoche entered with his characteristic ardor into the projected Irish invasion. Meeting Tone one day in the street he took him in his carriage to introduce him to General Cherin, with whom he was to travel when he set off for the army. "On the way I told Hoche that I hoped the glory was reserved for him to amputate the right hand

F*

of England forever; and I mentioned the immense resources in all respects, especially in men and provisions, which Ireland furnished to that country, and of which I trusted we were now on the eve of depriving her. Hoche observed, that his only anxiety was about finding subsistence for the troops. I replied that as to that I hoped there would be no difficulty; that it was Ireland which victualed the navy, the West Indies, and the foreign garrisons of England; and I reminded him of what I had be fore told him, that in the late scarcity, so far from difficulties at home, she exported vast quantities of corn to that country. I went on to say, that my difficulty was not how to subsist, but how to get there, for that I dreaded that eternal fleet. Hoche laid his hand on my arm and said, 'Ne craignez rien, nous y irons; vous pouvez y comp ter; ne craignez rien.' I answered, that being so, I had not a doubt of our success. Hoche then asked me, 'Who were the Orange boys?' I explained it to him, adding that it was an affair of no consequence, which we would settle in three days after our arrival. 'Oh,' said he, 'ce n'est rien.' I then told him I hoped he would take care to have a sufficiency of cannoniers and artillery, of which we were quite unprovided. 'You may depend upon it,' said he, 'that I will bring enough, and of the best, particularly the light artillery.' He then asked me if we had many great plains in Ireland? I said not; that in general the face of the country was intersected with fences, and described the nature of an Irish ditch and hedge. By this time we arrived at Cherin's, who was indisposed and in bed. I was introduced by Hoche, and I remember now

TONE IN HOCHE'S STAFF.

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he is one of the generals with whom I dined at Carnot's. After a short conversation (in which the time was fixed that we set off), I took my leave, Hoche and Cherin desiring me to call on them in the mean time, without the ceremony of sending up my name."

Hoche was now appointed to the command of the army of the West, and Tone accompanied him to Rennes. He was here in the family of the commander-in-chief, and dined daily with the staff. He says, "We are all lodged in the palace of the former bishop of Rennes, a superb mansion, but not much the better for the Revolution." The expedition to Ireland had been decided upon, and preparations were going forward with all dispatch. The attention of Europe began to be fixed on the mighty armament that was preparing at Brest. Hoche was disciplining the men, collecting cannoniers and munitions of war, and pushing forward the equipment of the ships. It was said that he had selected for the expedition the élite of the army of the Ocean, which consisted of 117,000 men. had the satisfaction of having under him a corps of bronzed veterans, who had fought with him in the war in La Vendée, who were "steeled against every hardship, having been well used to dispense with clothes, shoes, or even bread." On the anniversary of the fifth year of the Republic, the army was drawn out in review before their chief. It was a brilliant sight. When the parade was over, Hoche met Tone, and asked him if he heard the cannonade. Tone said he did. "Ay," said Hoche, “you

will soon hear enough of that." was the reply.

He

"The sooner the better,"