The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1850-02-14
| be safe-we will defend

there YOU will be safe-we will defend
it to the lastn
The lovers ran towards the chateau
as fast as they were able The troops
were already under arms; and Nor
mans horse, always upon duty, was at
the door in an instant He sprang into
the saddle. and leaving another officer
10 take charge of the reserve, he gal
loped towards the front. One of the
out-posts was already forced and coli
umn of fifteen hundred French infantry
we're advancing. Norman formed such
Of his men as were up, to the best ad-
vantage, among the woods; and dis
patching a messenger with orders Tor
the companies i'll the rear to throw an
abbatis across the avenue, and to occupy
! the cottages oil each side, he awaited
the approach of the enemy. They
came on, as French soldiers always
come on, with the most determined re-
solution. The Cacadores. animated by
the example of their colonel, bravely
met them; but their numbers were
inadequate to a successful resistance,
at least, for any length of time, and they
gradually gave ground. The French,
| ina gining that the whole force was en-
gagged. concluded, of course, that all
opposition was overthrown, and they
pursued in considerable disorder. This
accorded well with Norman's plan: they
were already at the head of the avenue,
when the troops from behind the abb
bats. with those in the cottages, opened
a tremendous fire, and the enemy were
thoroughly confounded. Norman had
still about three hundred men with him.
self. whilst two hundred defended the
approach to the chateau. He formed
| this body into line, and advanced to the
charge. The French, by no means ex-
pecting an attack, lost all confidence
and fled. But at this moment, when
the victory was secured, and the assail-
ants were escaping, as they best could
into the thickets, shot from one of
their skirrnishers struck Norman in the
side. He tell from his horse; and, hav-
ing uttered but these words, "Oh my
motherw " instantly expired.
| The family in the chateau were, as
NAV readily be imagined, overcome
with alarm at the suddenness of the
attack: but Don Fernando retained too
much of the spirit of an ancient Span
, lard to seek his safety in fight. Hav-
inc deposited in an inner chamber. the
priest. the duenna, and his daughters,
all except Theresa, whom no entreaties
could prevail upon to quit the window;
. he barricadoed the door, and planted
| himself and his two aged domestics.
tion as would enable them to fire upon
|, the enemy, in case the guard at the alb
, batis should be forced. They were stand
{ ing thus, listening with anxiety, Enot
unmixed with triumph, to the receding
sound of musketry, when a party Of
soldiers made their appearance. bearing
! body, wrapped up in one OF the blan.
kets. down the avenue. Theresa's pal.
pitating heart instantly whispered to
her the truth. aItis hep she exclaimed,
starting back, and rushing towards the
, door: ait is Norman he has fallen, and
fallen defending usp
al Her father endeavored to oppose hel
; progress; but she rushed down stairs
and, drawing aside the bars and bolts
i met the party just as they had reached
r the lawn. The men were in tears, ant
d her apprehensions received an imme
o date confirmation. She did not even
e look upon him; for before the bearers
n had time to lay him down, or withdraw
n the covering from about him. her hear
@ broke,-and she was corpse!
# The lovers were laid, side by side, II
!. little mausoleum attached to the cha
n teau of Alanjuez the preiudices
" Catholics giving way to personal regard
IS Theresa was long and deeply larnente'
n by her relatives; and Norlnan's nam
,r received the applause which could n !,
longer reach his own ears, but which
n, in no slight degree, served to aileviaf
a the sorrow of his desolate parent.