Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-11-18
SCENE In A CONSCRIP1vS LIFE.

-
dier was standing; and, kneeling on one knee,
leaned his face on his hands, still convulsively
and unconsciously graspng the spade, as if for
a support; the other twelve men had formed
double line, about fourteen PAGES to the front
of Jean, who was between them and the en-
bankment, his white clothed figure, thus set in
relief by the dark ground beyond, presenting a
clear aim to their muskets. He knelt down on
his right knee, resting on the other his left arm
he said in firm yoice-"I am ready" The
his eyes; but he said ..l ...E.
"No-Ip pray may be spared that; let me see
my death; am not afraid Of it,"
The priest, after consulting the sergeant's
look, withdrew the handkerchief; Colon retired
to the place where Reaumer and the other SOL
diers were; and the priest, after having received
from his penitent the assurance that he died in
"charity with all mankind" and having bestow-
ed on him a last benediction, and laid on his
lips the kiss of Christian love, also retired on
one side. Colon gave the word of command
"Prepare"-the twelve muskets were brought
forward-"Present!" they were leveled. The
sergeant was raising his cane as the last signal.
10 spare the victim even the short paDg of hear
ing the fatal word sFire!" when Rollo, with
loud yell. sprang to his master's side.
He had been started from his slumber by the
roll of the drum; and, looking at what was
going on, perceiving Jeanleft kneeling all alone
and all so silent, except Reaumer's family
heard sobs, his Instinct seemed to tell him his
master was in danger; his whining was unheard
or unheeded; he felt this too, and ceased, but
made desperate effort to break the rope that
held him, which, weakened as it was by his.late
gnawing and tugging at it when in the out
house at Charolle, soon gave way. and, as above
mentioned, he sprang with ayell to his masters
side. But Jeans thoughts at thatmoment were
too seriously engaged to heed even Rollo; be
only raised his right arm, and gently put the
dog aside, his own mild, unfinching gaze, still
fixed on the soldiers before him. But the dog
was not checked by the movement of his mas
ter; still whining, and with his ears beseeching-
ly laid back, he struggled hard to get nearer to
him. Colon felt for Jeans situation, and made
sign to Reaumer (who, wondering at the pause
since the last word of command, had raised bis
eyes,) that he should try to coax the dog off;
he did SO by whistling and calling, but of course
quite in vain. ~ -, /
1t will be seen at once that, though this has
taken some time in the telling, all that passed
from the time Of Rollo's arrival was little more
than the transaction of moment. Still it was
a delay; and the men were ready to fire; and
Colon, not thinking the incident of sufficient
weight to authorize suspension of the execu-
ton, however temporary, muttered, "Great
pity-the poor fellow will die too" He tarned
his face to his men, and was again-about to give
the signal, when he was second time inter-
rupted by hearing loud shouts from behind
him, accompanied by the discharge of park of
cannon. He glanced towards the opposite bill
at his back, Whereon the village stood, and
there he saw all was confusion and bustle-
officers galloping to and fro, and the men form.
ing hurriedly into a line; he hastily gave the
word, .As you were!" For along q line of
cloud Of dust, from which quickly plunged out
. group Of horsemen, evidently officers; the
foremost not so tall as most Of them, nor SO
graceful rider as many of them, though he
sat firmly too, was recognized by Colon and
his men Qong before he was near enough for
them to distinguish single feature Of his face)
by his gray frock coat and small fat three cor
nsred cooked hat.
Colon gave the word of command; and in
another minute Napoleon, at the head of his
staff, reined up on the top of the hill. He had
left the march Of the grand army some leagues
behind, and ridden on towards Labarre,1 IN or
der, with his wonted watchfulness, to take the
by surprise, and see what they were
about. His eagle eye, whose glances saw every
thing like another's gaze, had at once detected
the party on the hill, and he had ridden from
The road at full speed up the slope to discover
what the object of the meeting was; = glance,
loo, told him that; and while he was yet return
ing the salute Of the men and their sergeant, lie |
'aid, in . voice painting after his hard gaIfop, I
Hey! what's this!--a desertion?" "ge ,s1s aafes /
aYes. sir-no, sir; not exactly" stammersd
Colon.
aNo. exactly! what then!" asked Napoleon.
n rather peevish tone, hisface assuming more
han its usual sternness; for hardly any thing
more provoked him than hesitation on the part
f those he addressed.
absence against orders, sire" replied Co-
Dn sdaas1 s1f7.s 500 .ssasTEsf8 sls ,ge9gsse
sAha! for bow longl Isthat his dogsr 4iisi1
2Yes, sire; only . few hours" ".ossslfgs asza
"A few 2 bours Who gave this order, thenF'
General sire"
aaWhat character does the man bears" go aa
He b absaye man, sir" "s5aiiksq vi !. I
sstdey ~ a. tfenchmanss ret0rted aNapoleOn,I
roudly; shut is be honest, and sober, and gen.
tsliy obedient!"
ayes, sire; tlis Is his first fault" eia'Ef shs
.Hem! how long has he sesved!s ssI
! Three years last March. sire.nss i t.saew T,
A louder and higher toned @hem"" essaped
apoleon; and bis, attention was at the same
otnent attracked BY Reaumer, who, with q
mid step had approached the Emperor and,
aeeling on one knee, with clasped banda and
Ioken voice, cried, sOh! sire, if you-if you
ould spare his life-he is innocent of-any
tention'so desert that can" s.s ssaf5
aAtsyou bic bsstherir issersuptsd the En.I
sHNo. siresr. answered Reanmer; sahis ftie6l,
! dear friepdg s3sw i sa5 .ss,s9al lsA. i.esl>l
sAnd how, kew yoa what ohis intsntions
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