Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1857-07-18


apartment. Associated with this measur-
ed movement of the Major, was his deep
CHEEKY voice, that made light of danger
and difficulty, whether on the field of bal-
tie, or as now amid the sickness, which
in mockery Of the beauty Of tropical skies
and scenery, was devastating the colony
at this melancholy period.
This sickness proved fatal to several
officers Of the regiment, and after awhile
Major Hamilton was taken down with it.
1t was fever attended with deIirium.
The Major was confident of recovery, and,
indeed, from the great equanimity and
happy temperament of his patient, his
physician had hopes almost to the last.
These, however, were not destined to be
realized. He expired the seventh day af-
ter he was seized, while endeavoring to
speak to his friend, Captain Gordan, and
was buried under arms at sunset of the
same day. Now, it was on the second
night after this mournful event, that Cor
dan, having retired to bed rather later
than usual, found himself unexpectedly
awake. He was not conscious fany dis
tressing thought or dream which Should
have occasiOned this shortened slumber,
and as he commonly made but one nap
Of the night, and as his rest had been lat
terly broken by the kind Offices he had
rendered his comrade, he was half SSsur~
prised at finding himself awake. He
touched bis repeater and found it only
past one o'clock. He turned on the 9TH
er side, and composed himself afresh.
Thoughts Of his friend came over his
heart, and as his cheek reachedthe pillow,
he said Poor Hamilton! Well, God
have mercy on us!' He felt at the mo-
ment that some one near him said Amen
with much solemni'y. He was effectual-
Iy reused and asked, 'Who is there?'
There was no reply. His voice seemed
to echo into Hamilton's late apartment,
and he then remembered that the door
was open that communicated between the
two rooms. He listened intentIy but
heard nothing save the beating Of his own
heart. He said to himself, 1T is all mere
and again endeavored to
himself, and think of something
else. lie laid his head once more on the
pillow, and then distinctly heard for the
first time the Majors weIl-known voice.
1t was not matter to be mistaken about.
The ferule sound, the pause for the foot,
the sound again measured in its return, as
If all were again in life. lie heard it first
upon the piazza; heard it approach; pass
through the door from the piazza into the
centre apartment, and there it seemed to
pause, as if the figure Of the departed was
on the other side Of that open
door, in the room it had so lately occupi-
ed. Gordan arose. He went to the win
dow that opened upon the piazza and
looked out. The night was very beautl-
sul; the moon had gone down; the sky
was of the deepest azure, and the low dash
IF the waves upon the rocks at the foot
of the bluff, was the only thing that en-
gaged his notice, except the extreme
brightness and lucidity of solitary star
hat traced its gIittering pathway of light
.oward him, across the distant waters of
he ocean. All else was still and repos-
ed. 1t is very remarkable said he; L |
could have sworn | heard it, He turned |
oward the door that stood open between
he two rooms. The Majors apartment
vas darkened by the shutters being clos
ID, and he could distinguish nothing in it.
He wished the door were shut, but felt |
'epugnance at the idea of closing it, and
While he stood gazing into the dark room
he thought Of being in the presence of
lisembodied spirit rose in his mind, and,
hough brave man, he could not imme-
lately control the bristling sensation of
error that began to possess him. He
onged for tile voice Of any living being;
lud, though for moment the idea of rid
cule deferred him, he determined on Gals
ing up the officer who occupied the oth>
II apartment. He passed out on the pi-
Izza, and as he approached the other ex-
remity of the building, the sentinel per-
;eiving him, presented arms.
Have you been long stationed here"
aid Captain Gordan.
sHalf an hour was the reply.
Did you-did you happen to see any
me on the piazza during that time?'
I did not.
Gordan returned at once to his room,
exed with himself for having been the
portof an illusion of his own brain. He
losed the door and window and went to
ed. He was now thoroughly awake. and
lad regained, as he thought, entire poss
assin1 nf hia faenlfias tMv old com.