These latter
had shared with their general the day of his prosperity, and they were
not disposed to desert him in the tempest. It was, indeed, obvious, on
a little reflection, that the only chance of safety, in the existing
crisis, rested on subordination and union; and that even this chance
must be greatly diminished under any other leader than their present
one.
Thus pressed by enemies without and by factions within, that
leader was found, as usual, true to himself. Circumstances so
appalling as would have paralysed a common mind, only stimulated his
to higher action, and drew forth all its resources. He combined what
is most rare, singular coolness and constancy of purpose, with a
spirit of enterprise that might well be called romantic. His
presence of mind did not now desert him. He calmly surveyed his
condition, and weighed the difficulties which surrounded him, before
coming to a decision. Independently of the hazard of a retreat in
the face of a watchful and desperate foe, it was a deep
mortification to surrender up the city, where he had so long lorded it
as a master; to abandon the rich treasures which he had secured to
himself and his followers; to forego the very means by which he had
hoped to propitiate the favour of his sovereign, and secure an amnesty
for his irregular proceedings. This, he well knew, must, after all, be
dependent on success. To fly now was to acknowledge himself further
removed from the conquest than ever.
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