One of the many defeated divisions of the army, wandering about in anxiety to find some means of reaching the Mincio, came suddenly on Lonato, the scene of the late battle, at a moment when Napoleon was there with only his staff and guards about him.

He knew not that any considerable body of the enemy remained together in the neighbourhood; and, but for his presence of mind, must have been their prisoner.

The Austrian had not the skill to profit by what fortune threw in his way; the other was able to turn even a blunder into an advantage.

The officer sent to demand the surrender of the town was brought blindfolded, as is the custom, to his headquarters; Buonaparte, by a secret sign, caused his whole staff to draw up around him, and when the bandage was removed from the messenger's eyes, saluted him thus: "What means this insolence?
Do you beard the French general in the middle of his army ?" The German recognised the person of Napoleon, and retreated stammering and blushing.

He assured his commander that Lonato was occupied by the French in numbers that made resistance impossible.