He had scarcely completed his observations, when, to his amazement, he learned that a part of the Austrian army was rapidly pushing forward with the intention of possessing a mountain pass, to prevent an important movement the French army was then on the march to accomplish.

Latour d'Auvergne knew that the Austrians were only a few hours distant, and that they would pass the point at which he was staying. He did not intend to be captured, and immediately started off for the pass. He knew that it was defended by a small garrison, consisting of about thirty men, who were stationed in a strong tower at the entrance of the pass, and his object was to give these men warning of their danger.

On arriving at the tower, he found that the garrison had fled upon hearing of the advance of the Austrians, and that they had left behind them thirty muskets, all in prime order.

Latour d'Auvergne was made furious by this discovery. Hastily searching about the building, he found that the cowardly soldiers had destroyed a large part of the ammunition before leaving, a fact which caused him a moment of intense anxiety, but then, with a countenance indicating fearless determination, he fastened the main entrance, and secured it with such heavy articles as were at hand.

He then proceeded coolly to load all the muskets, and place them with an ample supply of ammunition near the loop-holes which commanded the pass, and through which the enemy must march. Having some provisions with him, he ate heartily, and then calmly awaited events. He had actually

resolved to defend the tower alone against the Austrians.

The pass was steep and narrow, and the enemy could advance only in double files, which would expose them to a direct fire from the tower. Patiently Latour d'Auvergne awaited their approach, but they were long in coming, and he at one time concluded that the expedition had been abandoned.

About midnight the practiced ear of the old soldier caught the sound of approaching troops. On they came, nearer and nearer, until he heard them entering the narrow pass. He immediately discharged two muskets into the darkness as a warning that some one at the tower knew their intentions; then he heard the officers giving hasty commands, and the troops appeared to be retiring from the defile.

He was not further disturbed until morning. The commander of the Austrians, assuming that the garrison had received information of his approach, and was prepared to resist him, concluded he could not capture the tower by surprise as he had intended, and thought it wise to postpone his attack until daylight.

Early in the morning he demanded the surrender of the garrison. A grenadier stepped forward to answer the messenger, and said, Say to your commanding officer that this garrison will defend this pass to the last extremity.”

The bearer of the flag of truce returned, and, shortly after, a piece of artillery was wheeled into the pass. In order to get a correct aim on the tower, it was necessary to place it in front, and

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directly within easy musket range. No sooner had it been put in position, than rapid firing from the tower opened on the artillerymen, and was continued with such deadly precision that the cannon was hauled off after two or three discharges, with a loss of five men.

Finding that the artillery could not be used effectively, the Austrian commander determined upon an assault. As the troops entered the pass, the firing from the tower opened again, with such vigor and accuracy that fifteen men fell, killed or disabled, before half the distance was reached.

In like manner, three more assaults were repulsed, and ere sunset the enemy had lost fortyfive men in killed and wounded. The Austrian commander noticed that the firing from the tower had been unusually rapid and accurate, and what was strange, every shot appeared to come from one particular point. For a time this puzzled him, but he finally concluded that there were several loopholes near together, and so situated in the tower as to bear directly on the defile.

As night approached, the Austrian commander again demanded the surrender of the garrison. This time he received a favorable reply. The garrison proposed to surrender in the morning, provided they were permitted to march out with their arms, and proceed to the French army without interruption. The terms were agreed to.

Latour d'Auvergne had passed a day of great anxiety. He began the fight with his thirty muskets, all loaded and ready for use. His fire had been rapid and accurate, for he was one of those efficient soldiers who seldom waste a shot.