An Ever-Present Savior

NAPOLEON BONAPARTE (1769–1821), also known as Napoleon I, was a French military leader and emperor who conquered much of Europe in the early 19th century. One day, Napoleon was reviewing his troops, riding his ever-famous white horse. The horse became frightened and reared dangerously, jerking the reins from Napoleon’s hands. Momentarily endangering Napoleon’s life, the horse raced along a line of men standing at attention. One of the privates standing in the line threw down his musket and—leaping forward—caught the reins, bringing the horse to a standstill.

The young man handed the reins to Napoleon, who responded by saying, “Thank you, Captain.”

The private, standing in his plain uniform of an infantryman, responded, “Of what regiment, sir?”

“Of my guards,” replied the emperor.

The young man left the line of soldiers and started off across the field in his old, muddy infantry uniform to join the officers on the hill at staff headquarters. With a bark of authority, one of the officers shouted, “What are you doing here?”

He replied, “I am a captain of the guard.”

In amazement, the officer responded, “Who says so?”

The young soldier pointed to the emperor riding by and replied, “He said so.”

It was not the uniform, the sword, or the medals, but the word of the emperor that made a private into a captain of the guard. It was all about the emperor; he made the difference.