The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1857-10-15
The Faithful Sentinel.
AN INCIDENT OF NAPoLEoA's TIME.

93d of October. The sentlneIs were d0u
bled, and the most strict orders given, fol
the Prussian and Austrian spies were plenty
and troublesome. At midnight Pierre San.
coin was stationed at one OF the outposts.-
He was q stout, bold, shrewd man, and O
good soldier. The colonel Of his regiment
was with the sergeant on this bout, having
requested to be called at midnight, that he
might visit the outposts.
"Pierrt," he said, after 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"
"Aye, mon colonel, shall be prompt"
"The dogs are around Us" pursued the eff.
Ger, sand you cannot be too careful. Don't
trust men nor brutes without good proof"
"Never fear" was Pierre's answer, as he
brought his fireock to his shoulder and NOV
ed backward pace. aIH
After this the guard moved on to the next
post, and Pierre Sancoin was left alone
Pierre's post was one Of the most important
in the camp, or rather around it, and he had
been placed there for that reason. The
ground over which he had to walk was q
long knoll, bounded at one end by huge
rock, and at the other end sloping away into
narrow ravine in which was a copse Of
willows. Beyond this copse the ground
was low and boggy. SO that mun could not
pass it. The rock was to the westward, and
Pierre's walk was to its outer side.
The night was quite dark, huge masses Of
clouds floeting overhead, and shutting out the
stars; and a sort Of tog seemed to be rising,
also, from the marsh. The wind moaned
through the copse in the ravine, and the air
was damp and chilly; with a slow, steady
tread, thr soldier paced his ground, ever and
anon stopping to listen, as the willows in the
ravine ratified their leaves, or some night.
bird flew out Nith its quick frpping,
! An hour had pissed away, and the senti
mel had seen no,hiog to excite his suspicjon
He had stopped for momcht close by the
rock, when he was startled by quick, wild
screeeh from the woods; and IN few mo-
ments more, large bird A,w over his
head.
"Par1lsu !" he uttered, after the night
bird had flown over, could mortal man have
! stopped that fellow from p1sSingl'
He satisfied himself that he had done no.
thing in suffering the bird to pass. He had
walked the length of his way two or three
times, and was ju,t turning by the rock, when
he was sure he saw Il dark obj ct just cross
ing the line towards the copsc.
"Hold!" he cried, bringing his musket
quick to his shoulder. "HoId, or III file u
And, with his piece at aim, lie advanced
towards the spot where the object had stop
ped, but as he came to within few yards Of
it, it started again towards the camp.
"Di1tts :" cried Pierre, "moVe any fur
ther, and I'll FIRE. What, Pardiea! lie
Prince. Ho, no, why Prnce!"
The animal turned and made motion as
though lie would leap up on the sentinel's
bosom, but he motioned him off.
"Bravo, Prince ~ Pierre cried, reaching
forth his hand, and patting the head of the
shaggy beast, which he'd now set upon his
launches. Pierre recognized the intruder
now, as great dog, of the breed of st, Ber.
nard, which had been owned in the regime Mt
for over year, and which had now been
missed for over week. He had disappear
ed one night from the pickets, and all search
for him had been unavailing.
"ParJleu, mon grand Prince - Pierre ut
tered, as though the dog could understand
every word, "the men will be happy to see
you. Where have you been for so longT
The dog made no answer to this, save q
low whine, and q familiar noddng of the
head.
SHOW. mon ami, you just keep your sitting
there till the guard comes, and then we will
, 20 to the camp together. Mind that, will
you?"
And with these words, uttered with sol
emn emphasis and due meaning, Pierre star
ted on his bout again. He had got half wa
, to the rock, when the idea Of looking aroun
struck nim, and he did so. The dog wa
moving towards the camp, again
"Ha! Prince, that WON'T do Stop, stoF
or Tll shoot! Diable, the Colonel was pos
y tive in his orders. was to let nothing pas
nv post with the countersign. dog
If something; you can't go Prince, SNOW il
: down; down, | say
With this the dog lay fat down upon h
y belly, and stretched out his fore paws
Pierre patted him upon the head again, ar
' having duly urged upon him the necessity
Il. remaining where he was, he resumed h
march once more.
Of During the next fifteen minutes, the an
: NAL Law perfectly quiet, and ever and anon IL
sentinel would speak to him by way OF b
ig ing sociable. But at length the dog mat
=. another attempt to 60 to the camp. Pier
had nearly reached the rock, when he hea
" " the movement, and on turning, he could ju
,is ,is see his uneasy companion making off.
to "Biableh' the honest fellow uttered;
must obey orders. The ColonePs wor
D. were plain. Here! Parhleu Come ber
Here, Prince! Mon Diea you must
Xix if you DON'T" Af
nd With few quick bounds the soldier h