At another time, while traversing Little Russia, while the horses were changing at a certain station, the emperor expressed his determination to travel on foot for a few miles, ordering his people not to hasten their arrangements, but to let him walk forward. Alone, with no mark of distinction, dressed in a military great-coat, that gave no clew to the rank of the wearer, the emperor traversed the town without attracting attention, till he arrived at two roads, and found himself obliged to inquire his way of an individual who was sitting before the door of the last house smoking a pipe. This personage, like the emperor wore a military great-coat, and by his pompous air seemed to entertain no small opinion of his own consequence. "My friend, can you tell me which of these roads will bring me to ----?" asked the emperor. The man of the pipe scanned him from head to foot, apparently surprised at the presumption of a pedestrian, in speaking to such a dignitary as himself, and between two puffs of smoke he growled out very disdainfully the ungracious reply, "The right." "Thank you, sir," said the emperor, raising his hat with the respect this uncivil personage seemed by his manner to command. "Will you permit me to ask you another question?" "What do you want to know?" "Your rank in the army, if you please." "Guess," returned he of the pipe. "Lieutenant, perhaps?" "Go higher." "Captain?" rejoined the emperor. "Much higher;" and the smoker gave a consequential puff. "Major, I presume?" "Go on," replied the officer. "Lieutenant-colonel?" "Yes, you have guessed it at last, but you have taken some trouble to discover my rank." The low bow of the emperor made the man with the pipe conclude he was speaking to an inferior, so, without much ceremony, he said, "Pray, who are you? for I conclude you are in the army." "Guess," replied the emperor, much amused with the adventure. "Lieutenant?" "Go on." "Captain?" "Much higher." "Major?" "You must still go on." "Lieutenant-colonel?" "You have not yet arrived at my rank in the army." The officer took his pipe out of his mouth. "Colonel, I presume." "You have not yet reached my grade." The officer assumed a more respectful attitude. "Your Excellency is then Lieutenant-general?" "You are getting nearer the mark." The puzzled lieutenant-colonel kept his helmet in his hand, and looked stupid and alarmed. "Then it appears to me that your Highness is Field-Marshal?" "Make another attempt, and perhaps you will discover my real position." "His Imperial Majesty!" exclaimed the officer, trembling with apprehension, and dropping the pipe upon the ground, which was broken into twenty pieces. "The same, at your service," replied the emperor, laughing. The poor lieutenant-colonel dropped upon his knees, uttering the words in a pitiful tone, "Ah! sire, pardon me."