On the 29th of November, 1808, the French headquarters were at the village of Bocequilas. They found the pass of Somo Sierra in the chain of mountains named _Carpetanos_, and through which the main road to Castile runs, in the possession of the enemy. The Spaniards could not have chosen a stronger position--the defile was narrow, and excessively steep; and the road completely swept by sixteen pieces of artillery. At day-break on the 1st of December, the French endeavored to turn the flank of St. Juan. While the infantry were vainly attempting to ascend the heights in every direction, under a double fire from the artillery and the Spanish musketry, Napoleon came up, attended by his Polish lancers. The Emperor stood in the entrance of the pass, and attentively examined the enemy’s position. While thus occupied, the Spanish fire was redoubled in intensity--numerous bullets falling around the emperor, or passing over his head. Sensible of the disadvantages under which the troops labored, he decided on taking a most bold and daring course: he ordered his own squadron of Polish lancers to charge right up the pass, in face of the battery. This brave troop, conducted by Kozietulski, threw itself into columns of four, the roadway not admitting more at a time. The Poles speared the gunners, and took possession of the cannon, and the Spaniards continued their flight in such disorder, that they were at last fain to quit the road to Madrid, and escape in different directions, some to Segovia, others to Talaveyra. [Illustration: THE COMBAT AT SOMO SIERRA.] NAPOLEON’S INTERVIEW WITH THE PRUSSIAN QUEEN. Napoleon has been accused of having hastened the death of this beautiful Princess by his treatment of her at Tilsit. It is said he admitted that if she had been present at the beginning of the negotiations for peace, she would have had considerable influence upon the result. Napoleon observed that she received him in truly tragic style--demanding and crying for justice. The Prussians were blind to Buonaparte’s power. They had dared to combat a hero--to oppose themselves to the destiny of France, and reject the friendship of Napoleon. The Queen solicited, supplicated, and implored; but in vain. Magdeburg, above all, was the object she sought for. The Emperor asked the Queen to dinner. Before they were seated, he took a very beautiful rose, and presented it to her. The motion of her hand seemed to express a refusal; but altering her mind she said, “_Oui, mais au moins avec Magdeburg_.” On this, the cruel Emperor replied, “I should observe to your Majesty, that it is I who give, and you who receive.” The dinner passed off in conversation of similar nature. On the morrow the Queen was much enraged on learning that the treaty deprived her of Magdeburg. She appears to have parted from the French Emperor with feelings of hatred. [Illustration: NAPOLEON’S INTERVIEW WITH THE PRUSSIAN QUEEN.] THE RETREAT FROM MOSCOW.