The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1857-04-08
I'll isrellanp. j.
The Faithful Sentinel,
AN INCIDENT OF NApoLEoN's TINE.

The French army lay encamped only
about days march from Berlin. 1t
was on the tw4nty-third of October.
The scntines were doubled and the most
strict orders given, for the Prussian and
Austrian spies were plenty and trouble.
some. At midnight Pierre Sancoin was
stationed at one Of the outposts. He
was a stout, bold, ,hrewd man, and
gond soldier. The colonel Of his regi-
mcnt was with the sergeant on this beat,
having requested to be called at mid.
night. that ho might visit the outposts.
pierre, he said, af,or the man had
been posted, you must keep your eyes
open. Don't let even stray horse 60
out or come in without the pass. Do
you understand ?"
"Ay, mon lionel, shall be prompt :"
"The dogs are all around us" pur.
sued the officer, and you canno. be too
careful Don't trdst men nor brutes."
Never fear, was Pierro's answer, as
he brought his frclock to his shoulder,
aud moved back pace
Aftcr this the guard moved on to the
mex, post aud Pierre .Sancoin was left
alone. Picrrc's post was Que Of tho
most important in the camp, or rather a.
round it. aud he had been placed there
for that reason. The ground over which
he had to walk, was long knoll, bound.
ed at one end by huge rock, and at the
other sloping away into narrow ravine,
10 which was copso Of willows. Be.
yond this copse TIE ground was low aud
boggy, SO that man could not pass it.
Tho rock was to the westward, and Pi-
erre's walk was to its outer side.
The night was quite dark, huge mas.
ses Of clouds floating overhead, and shut.
ting out the stars and sort Of fog
seemed to- be rting also from the marsh.
The wiud moaned through the copsc in
the ravinc, and the air was damp and
chilly; With a slow, steady stop the sol.
dier paced his ground. ever and anon
stopping to listen, rs the willow IN the
ravine ratified their leaves, or some night
bird started out with its quick Tapping.
An hour had passed away, and the
sentinel had seen nothing to excite his
suspicious He had stopped for a mo-
ment close by the rock when he was
startled by a quick wild scream from the
wood, aud in q few moments more large
bird few over his head.
Parbleaw" be uttered, after the
night bird had flown over = could NOR
tai man have stopped that fellow from
passing ?"
He satisfied himself he had done moth.
ing in suffering the bird to pass. He
had walked the length OF his way two or
three times and was just turning by the
rock when be was sure he saw q dark
object just crossing the line toward the
copse.
Hold |" he cried, bringing tho mus.
ket quick to his shoulder. Hold, or /
Ere T.
And with his piece a, aim, he advanc.
ed toward the spot where the object stop.
ped but as be came within few yards
of it, it started to move OF again towar d
the camp.
"Disble |" cried Pierre, "move any
further and 1 ite What, Pardisu |
LIE Prince2 Ho, no why Prince |"
i uo huu u hhu'
ton as though he would leap up on the
sentinel's bosom, but the soldier motion
ed him of.
Bravo, Prince, Pierre cried reach.
ing forth his hand, and pstting the head
Of the great shaggy heast, which now sat
upon his bauncLes. Pierre recognized
the intruder now as great dog Of tho
breed of St. bernard which had been
owned in the regiment for over var,
and which had been missing for abort a
week. He disappeared one night from
the pickets, and all search tor him ha6
been unavaiiing.
Parbleau, mon grande Prince, "
Pierre uttered as though tho dog could
understand every word "tho men will
be happy to see you where have you
been so Iong2'
The dog made no answer to this save
low whine, aud familiar nodding Of
the head
Now, mon smie, you jost keep your
sitting there unit, the guard comes, aud
then we'll 60 to the camp together.
Mind that, will you2"
And with these words, uttered with
| aolamn amnhasis and due MEANING pi