The banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1844-1847, 1846-07-15
not be pursuaded to do his duty prop.
ly. He hailed

" Ho comes tHerE"
"Otficer of the Guard"
"Well, stand"
what comes neXt?" said the officer,
alter he had remained standing some
lew moments" hope you'll not keen
me standing here all night"
"Glvc the countcrsign."
"Not hcre-the Indians out there
will hear it as we'll as you"
Well-you may come little closer.
Thcre-stand-give the countersion.
CPL give in your name in the morn
ing, for wilful disobedience of ordcrs.n
said the officer, loosing patience, "1f
you 40 not perform your duty as you
should"
This treat was suAicicnt--for fearing
the effects of the Lieutenant's anger, he
said, respectfully
Advance, officer, and give the coun-
tersign."
In the meantime, the relief had gone
out, and the post he yet had to visit,
were occupied by the new set-ap-
preaching one, the sentinel, instead of
hallIng, embraced his gun closely, and
turning his back to the officer, cxclaim-
ed
CPL be id If you get my gun, mis-
ter"
"stop, you gump," said the officer.
"and do your duty-I don't want your
gun"
The soldier stopped, and looking
back, without turning his body, said
SWELL"
"Ask, who comes there?"
"There's no use in asking that
know"
"Ask it, sir; whether you know or
not"
"Who comes there2"
"Oficer of the guard. Go on"
"The soldier, either not understand
ing, or not wishing to understand,
walked off.
"stop, sir" said the officer; task the
next"
What is it?"
"Advance and give the countersign."
You are close enough now, to give
it."
] lfhe officer sprang towards him, and
selling him by the collar, gave him-
hearty shake, and then worked upon
his fears so successfully, by threats, that
he went through the formula half do.
zen times, from the Lieutenant's dicta-
ton; and swore, by his hopes of happi-
ness hereafter, he never would trife
with an officer again.
The labors Of the night were ended,
and the officer was lying in his tent, in
vain courting the drowsy God, when
voice near him, in an under tone,
said
"Officer 2"
"Who is there 2" said the Lieutenant,
striving, in the dark, to distinguish the
outlines of the speaker.
"The sentinel you found asleep to
night. Have you returned me 2"
"Not yet"
"Oficer, you did me injustice did
not deserve such harsh treatment
Though violated the law, l do not de-
serve the penalty. Sleep overcame me,
and | could hot avoid it. 1 had over.
taxed my powers, and they relaxed
their tension when most needed their
aid. And though do not fear death,
when l can meet it as a man and a gen,
tleman, l cannot help shrinking from
being set up as mark, for the bullets
Of my countrymen, and for so small an
offence"
"My dear fellow" said the Lieuten-
ant, you need be under no apprehcn-
sions; you will not be reported. l
thought it best to leave you in suspense,
to prevent repetition of the offence;
but l will not inflict unmeritcd punish
ment upon fellow soldier"
The stranger threw his arms around
the Lieutenant, and burst into tears.
They did not disgrace his manhood, but
were'the pledges Of his gratitude. He
received life from the hands of a stran-
ger-tears were but a poor reward. He
could only say, "God bless you, officer"
and rushed from the tent, The lien.