The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-07-13

during " tnc nundfcd days, III is known
that there was n serious engagement near
Auray, between the insurgents and the
Blues. This was only specimen of civil
war, n fac simile of '03. Nevertheless, the
officer was SO sanguinary as to leave some
hundreds of men welterng in their blood,
among the rank weeds that grew in gullies
of the field. 1t was in such places that
nearly all the dead bodies were found, and
as was remarked with a most ferocious
simplicity" by the mayor of the place, APP
pointed to clear the field of battle, 4" it had
the appearance Of the consequences Of a
general pardon Of brave men, who had gone
to sleep in their cups" Alas few of those
slccpcrs ever awoke.
The next day after the battle, a woman
was going to the field with her sickle on
her arm. As she went along the path, she
looked with curiosity on all sides. Around
her the trees were pierced with balls, the
bushes were broken and the earth ,rodden
down. Atshort distances, the path wnsstrewn
with buttons, hair, with shoder knots, twis-
ted from the wearet, cartridge paper, pie
ces of Britons' hats pierced with shot or
bayonets, and puddies Of half CONCEALED
blood. Every thing indicated that severe
battle had recently been fought in this place.
AS to the dead bodies, they had all disap-
peared. The peasants had gone in the
night to bury them, and the women had
traverscd the field of battle with wallets on
their shoulders, stripping and praying for
their dead enemies. 1t was even said that
rich booty had been thus obtained by some
of them, and it might readily be believed
hat tI,n IF
was thinking about, had any one marked
her peculiar air, and the careful attention
with which her eye scrutinzed every thicket
on both sides of the way. She had reached
n rather wider place, quite marshy, with
tufts ofhigh grass, and she began to hurry
her steps, as if she renounced all hopes of
booty, when she saw bunch of high flags
shaking--a slight, clashing of iron was !.
heard-the point of bayonst appeared, and Il
then bloody figure slowly and painfully II
rose up. II
The young woman stopped short She
did not make the least noise, but grasped p
strongly the handle Of the sickle. II
Meantime, the groans of The man and a
few words pronounced in the provincial Il
dialect of Brittany, induced her to approach. "
ohS "Sht q hC" StCpo ou tuC SidsSs Ie
wounded man had succeeded in raising n
himself on his knees, supporting himself "
thus by leaning on his musket, and the girl 81
saw by his blue jacket, furnished with old G.
fashioned buttons, that he was sailor u
many companies of which had been formed q
IN Auray. She again hesitated /; but he
implored her to approach, assuring her that n
hc would do her no harm, that he could not II
move, as one leg was dreadfuly broken by v
a ball. Thus encouraged, the girl ap- d
preached few steps. "
"What do you want 7" asked She e
"Are any of the Blues herel'
The Blues have gone"
"Gone How long since r. v
Ever since yesterday" .
:" 1t can't be possible !" cried the sailor.
" Were we not the strongest 2"
The girl made no answer. She remain
question. She, however, told a falsehood,
for the Blues were at Auray.
The sailor again questioned her, and
she replied in manner TO induce him to
believe that he was abandoned, and with Z
put hope of aid. Severely wounded the
previous evening, whilst skirmishing against
he insurgents, the unfortunate man had u
,assed the whole night in the flags of the 4
marsh, without being able 10 make single
move, where he had suffered the most ex- 2
,ruciating tortures. He had hoped that Il
daylight would enable him to make known
his situation to his companions, but the
news of their departure cut off all hope. {
Ills strength was too far exhausted for him f
to quit the place where he was, and even O
hough he could have moved, he was b
,fraid ofbeing assassinatcd by the first pea il
'ant that met him. In this extremity, he d
hought that his only hope was in the coun- |,
ry girl whom chance had sent to his aid.
lie was himself native of the country. $
His father and brothers, fishermen on o
Locmariaquer, might com, and take him I,
rome. He besought the girl to 90 and c
ind them Out--he employed the most pres o
ing supplications, tears, and even threats
,ut she remained insensibe to all. She 7
ooked wildly around her, aud then fixeI a
'cr eyes upon the sailor at her feet She u
topped rapidly towards him, and with Il
arsh voice said: A
"If you wish me to 60 to Locmariaqucr G
i've me your watch" h
Sayiog which, she made an attempt to c
.rze the watch guard, but the wounded G
ian leaned backward, and made an effort d
rcpulse her. a. A
A yyt... 49,. .o,,o h,cL la 4. a