He Walked Around the Horses

by H. Beam Piper

English, published in 1948

9,168 words (23 pages)

No. 4 in the Paratime series

Categories: Science Fiction, Post-1930, Short Story

This work is copyrighted.

The story of Benjamin Brathurst, a British diplomat, who suddenly finds himself in a world slightly different from his own. Produced from Astounding Science Fiction, April 1948. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the copyright on this publication was renewed.

Excerpt

ad asked him, "Who is the Lord Jehovah?" Then, after a moment, a look of comprehension came into his face.

"So, you Prussians concede him the title of Emperor, and refer to him as Napoleon," he said. "Well, I can assure you that His Britannic Majesty's government haven't done so, and never will; not so long as one Englishman has a finger left to pull a trigger. General Bonaparte is a usurper; His Britannic Majesty's government do not recognize any sovereignty in France except the House of Bourbon." This he said very sternly, as though rebuking me.

[Illustration]

It took me a moment or so to digest that, and to appreciate all its implications. Why, this fellow evidently believed, as a matter of fact, that the French Monarchy had been overthrown by some military adventurer named Bonaparte, who was calling himself the Emperor Napoleon, and who had made war on Austria and forced a surrender. I made no attempt to argue with him--one wastes time arguing with madmen--but if this man could believ

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2008.11.01
Arthur Piantadosi

Both an Alternative history like Piper's Indo-European Volkswanderung Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen, and a subtle joke on the reader if he is not knowledgable of the Napoleonic Period. Look up Arthur Wellsely!

2007.02.16
Carter

A short story in the form of letters. As in other stories by this writer, the science fiction angle is a tool to explore politics and human nature -- in this case, how politicians and average people deal with the out-of-the-ordinary, making attempts to understand and then covering up what they don't. It's definitely an anthology/magazine piece, not terribly rip-roaring, and if you're not familiar with the major historical figures referenced in here, you will miss out on the slow buildup of surprise. But if you like alternate histories, this is a nice small piece to add to your library.