The Kanzas news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1857-1859, 1857-10-10
The Faithful Sentinel.
An INCIDENT OF NAPoLEoN's TINE

"a days march from Berlin. It was on the
Esd of October; the sentinels were doubled,
and the most strict orders given, for the
Prussian and Austrian spies were plenty
and troublesome. At midnight Pierre San
coin was stationed at one of the outposts
lie was stout, bold, shrewd man, and a
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.
Pierre he said, after the man had been
posted, ''you must keep your eyes OPEN
Don't let even stray horse go out or come
IN without the pass. Do you understand"
cay, mon colonel, shall be prompt"
''The dogs are around US" pursued the
officer, 'sand you cannot be too careful
Dent trust men nor brutes without good
! ero16 %
Nsyer fear" was Pierre's answer, as he
brought his frelock to his Shoulder, and
moving back pace.
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 a
long knoll, bounded at one end by huge
rock, and at the other sloping away into a
narrow ravine, in which was a copse of
willows. Beyond this copse the ground was
low and boggy. SO that man could not pass
it. The rock was to the westward, and
Pierre walk was to its outer side.
The night was quite dark, huge masses of
clouds floating overhead, and shutting out
fho forc nd Of for coopood to hn
raising also from the marsh. The wind
moaned through the copse in the ravine. and
the air was damp and chilly. With slow,
steady tread the soldier paced his ground,
ever and anon stopping to listen, as the will
lows in the ravine ratified their leaves, or
some night-bird flew out with its quick flap
ping.
An hour had passed away, and the senti-
mel had seen nothing to excite his suspicion.
He had stopped for moment close by the
rock, when he was startled by quick, wild
screech from the woods: and in few mo-
ments more large bird few over his head.
''Parbleu !'' he uttered, after the night
bird had flown over, t'could mortal man
have stopped that fellow from passing ?"
He satisfied himself that he had done
nothing 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 he was sure he saw dark object
crossing the line towards the copse.
''Hold!'' he cried, bringing his musket
quick to his shoulder. .'Hold, or fire !'
And, with his piece at aim, he advanced
towards the spot where the object had
stopped; but as he came to within few
yards of it, it started again towards the
camp.
':Dia5ze!" cried Pierre. s'move any fur
ther and 1 fire. What, Pardieu! LIE
Prince. Ho. no, why Prince !''
The animal turned and made motion as
though he would leap up on to the sentinel S
bosom, but he motioned him off.
"BIavo, Prince!' !'' Pierre cried, reaching
forth his han1 and patting the head of the
shaggy beast, which had now sat upon his
launches Pierre recognized the intruder
now as great dog, of the breed of st. Ber-
nard, which had been owned in the regiment
for over a year, and which had been now
missed for about a week He had disap-
peared one night from the pickets, and all
search for him had been unayailing.
ssParbleu mon grand Princet' Pierre ut
tered, as though the dog could understand
every word s'the men win be happy to see
you. Where have you been for so long %
The dog made no answer to this save a
low whine, and familiar nodding of the
head.
"Now, mon ana, you just keep your sit
ting there till the guard comes, and then we
viii go to the. camp together. Mind that,
will you ?''
And with these words, uttered with sol
emn emphasis and due meaning, Pierre
started on his bout again. He had got half
way to the rock, when the idea of looking
around struck him, and he did SO. LePrince
was moving towards the camp again.
sHa! Prince, that won't do. Stop, stop,
or III shootl Dia6le, the Colonel was pos
tive in his orders. 1 was to let nothing
pass my post without the countersign. A
dog is something; you can't go, Prince, so
now lie down Down down! say y!
With this the dog lay fat down upon his
belly and stretched out his fore paws. Pierre
patted him upon his head again, and having
duly urged upon him the necessity OF re-
manning where he was, he resumed his march
once more.
During the next fifteen minutes the ami
mai lay perfectly quiet, and ever and anon
the sentinel would speak to him by way OF
being sociable. But at length the dog made
another attempt to go to the camp, Pierre
had nearly reached the rock when he heard
the movement, and on turning he could
Just see his uneasy companion making off.
'.Diable f'' the honest fellow uttered; 81
must obey orders. The Colonel's word was
plain. Here ParUeui Come here -
Here Prince! Hon Dieui you must die il
you don't"
With few quick bounds the soldier had
got near enough the dog to fire, and, as the
latter stopped, he stopped.
mon cher ami, you must stay with me
Here Come backi must shoot If you
don't Par6leu! what thing to start the
whole carnn for tn shoot a doc, :"