The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-07-22
Fatal. MISTAKE.
"a Scene at Delhi

TfmemOers Wnet QusTteTeu at DEM. thai
many things had been stolen from the off .ers
quarters; series nf petty thefts had pu, US al
on the gui vire These depredations were evil
IDENTITY committed by some Stranger, who after
nghtfall managed 10 get into environments every
avenue 10 our lines was carefully WATCHED by
sentres with strict orders that any one approach.
ing ard refusing 10 give the eouniersgn was i'm
medlateiy TO he fired on. These orders were ul-
hled ~ The bazaar. and Throughout the ueighbor-
io"o, 70 prevent any unioWard accident arising
out OF their strict fnlflment. One evening had
stroed ino Major McPherson's quarters, and
W 8 enjoying hokah with that distinguished
officer Chan whom drawer or better never lved,)
when we were suddenly aroused trou our sleepy
EN- 'loyment by he sharp report of muskrt.
We both started up, and rushed out To inquire
the cause; for need not add for he information
OF the hillary portion Of my readers, that nothing
but cause OF Importance can Justify the dis
charge Of firearms in garrison town !. aud find
ing lna' the sound proceeded from central fort
about two hundred yards off, we started at full
speed To inquire into the circumstance. When
we came up. we beheld by the light of torches,
carried by persons who like ourselves, had been
attracted to the spot by the report. dead body
stretched on the ground, while across il lay the
soldier, apparently insensib'e. The blood was
still streaming from the wound Of the man who
had been shot, and stained the white trowsers of
the sepny instantly gave orders that he should
be raised up, in order to ascertain whether he
was really dead, or merely in swoon. As his
countenance met my view, started back with
horror his eyes, frighifully distended, exhibited
so much of the white, that my blood curdled as
gazed upon him. His lips were drawn upwards
and downwards showing his ivory like teeth,
which chartered in fearful insanity; and as lie
struggled with those who attempted to lift him up,
as he strove hard again to throw himself upon the
corpse before him, beheld with horror, for the
first time in my life, what the faculty, | believe,
entitle Rssus Sardonicus, working on the lower
part of face, whose fierce and glaring eye de-
noted raving and agonizing madness.
The frantic gestures and rendng screams, the
menacing threats, alternated with feeble signs,
piteous entreates for mercy uttered by the poor
fellow before us, whom well knew, and whom |
had seen in perfect health only a few hours before,
shocked me to degree cannot describe, and
almost deprived me Of the presence of mind it
required to make instant inquiry into the cause of
the scene before us. The unhappy maniac led
away, instantly set about investigating the cir
cunstance, which turned out to be as follows -
Jesseree, the poor fellow have mentioned, had
been posted on sentry about hour before mid
night, with strict orders to fire on any one who
might approach without giving the password
Scarcely had two thirds of his allotted time 10
remain on this duty elapsed, when footstep was
heard steahily approaching. The sentinel cha-
lenged but instead Of receiving reply, the intru-
der only seemed to advance quicker; second
time, and still silent; third, and Jesseree, le-
yelling his musket, fired at the individual, now
seen within twenty yards, by the uncertain light
of a more than usually obscure night The re-
port had not yet died away, when Jesseree heard
a cry of agony, and the welLknown voice Of his
old father called out the name of his beloved
He threw down his musket, and madly rushed up
to his victim, but too late the unintentonal
parricde had but too effectually taken aim; and
with that cry of affection which had caused the
child to recognize his parent, life had fled forever
from the breast Of the old Indian, who had travel
led on foot through dangerous woods, and swan
the most rapid river, once more to behold, as he
had hoped, his darling offspring Nearly six hun
dred miles had he travelled, through difficulties
innumerab'e, TO embrace once more the life Of
his declining age. He had heard his loved voice,
when in English Gas is cusom1y) he had chal-
lenged, and not understanding the meaning of the
demand, had rushed & rward to press to his ford
heart that son whose fatal aim had in an instant
deprived the author Of his being Of life. He had
fallen dead attempting to utter his name The
next morning fervenlv uttered an exclamation
of thanksgiving, when heard that death had
lieved the maniac from his suf'rings. -. The
Natite Sentinel" in Rentley's Magazine.