Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-06-20
III L FAI ITHFUL SENTINEL
An Incident of Napoleon's Time,

eaoASh lAOHl DeEll0. II was Oh the S,II
. october. The sentinels were doubled and
tho most strict orders given, for the Prussian
anu austrian spfes were plenty and trouble
come At midnight Pierre Sancon was station
ed at one of the OutpOsts. He was a stout, bold
snreWd man, and good soldier. The,colonel
OF ms regiment was with the sergeant on this
bout; having requested to be called at midnight
that he might visit the outposts.
Z" Pierre, be said, after the man had been
posted, you must keep your eyes open. Don't
let even stray horse go out or come in with
Ay, mon colonel. shall be prompt
The dogs are all round us pursued the
ofheer, " and you cannot be too careful Don't
trust men or brutes without good proof
Never fear, was Pierre answer "a he
brought his 6relOck to his shoulder and moved
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 long knoll, bounded at
one end by huge rock, and at the other sloping
away into narrow ravine. in which was a
'coPse of willows. Beyond this copse the ground
was low and bOggy, so that man could not
pass 1t. The rock was to the westward. and
Pierre walk was to the outer side
The night was quite dark, huge masses of
clouds floating overhead, and shutting out the
stars; and n sort Of fog 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 slow steady tread the soldier
paced his ground, ever and anon stopping to
listen. "a the willows 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 moment close by the rock,
when he was started by quick, wild screech
fror he o01 -
large bird few over his head.
" PGrpLeM ~ he uttered after the night bird
had flown over; - could mortal man have stop
ped that fellow from passing"
lie satisfied himself that he had done nothing
wrong in suffering the bird to pass He had
walked the length of his way two OF three times
and was just turning by the rock, when he was
sure ne saw dark object crossing the line of
the copSe.
- Hold :" he cried. bringing his musket to
his shoulder. - Hold or fire ~
And with his piece at aim, he advanced to-
wards the spot where the object had stopped,
but as he came to within few yards of it, it
started to move on again towards the camp.
Diable :" cried Pierre, - move any further
and fire, What, Pardeu. LIE Prince? Ho,
no: why. Prince -
The animal turned and made a motion as
though he would lesp up on to the sentinelss
bosom. but the soldier mOtiOned him off.
Bravo. Prince" Pierre cried, reaching
forth his hand and patting the head of the
great shaggy beast, which had now set upon
IT'S launches. Pierre recognized the intruder
now as great dog Of the breed OF St Bernard |
which had been owned in the regiment for over |
year. and which had been now missing for |
about a week. He had disappeared one night !
from the pickets, and all search for him had !
been unavailing.
'Parbleu. mon grande Prince" Pierre ut
tered as though the dog could underst every |
word, 1.-The men will be happy to see you; where |
have you been 40 lOng2"
The dog made no answer to this save a low
whine, and familiar nOdding of the head.
- Now, mon ami, you lust keep YOUR sitting
position there till the guard comes and then
well 60 TO the camp together. Mind that, will
you,'
And with these words uttered with solemn |
emphasis, and due meaning, Pierre started on |
his bout again. He had not got half way to the !
rock. when the idea of looking around struck
him. and he did So lie Prince was moving to-
wards the camp again.
=. Ia Prince, that won't do Stop! stop
or / ii shoot Didble, the colonel was positive
In hi. orders. / was to let nothing pass my
post without the cOuntersign. A dog is some
thing. You can't go, Prince, 50 now lie down.
Down, Down, say ~
With this the dog lay fat upon his belly, and
stretched out his fore paws. Pierre patted him
on the head again, and having duly urged upon
him the necessity Of remaining where he was
he resumed his march once more.
During the next fifteen minutes. the animal
lay perfectly quiet and ever and anon the SEN
tinel would speak to him by way Of being sOcia-
bic But at length the dog made another at
tempt u go into the camp. Pierre had nearly
reached the rock when he heard the movement
and on turning he could just see his uneasy
companion making of.
'.Diable ~ the honest fellow uttered, Il
must obey orders. The cOlOnel's word was
plain. Iiere, Parbleu, Come here, Here
Il a
With few quick bounds the soldier had got
near enough the dog to fire, and ias the latter
stopped, he stopped.
Mon cher ami. you must stay with me
Here Come back must shoot if you don't.
Parbleu what a thing 10 start the whole camp
for, to shoot dog ~
But by cOaxing and threatening. the sentinel
got the dog back to his post, and there he made
him lie down once more. And thus matters
rested till the tramp of the coming guard was
heard.
Ah, now Prince will be relieved" said the
soldier, stopping near the dog. - You shall go
and see your old friends"
The tramp Of the coming guard drew near,
and Pierre was preparing to hail them, when
the dog took q new start. and in a new diree-
ton, this time starting towards the copse
Back. Back, Here
Grand Dieu,'' This last exclamation was
iyrcsd from Pierres lips, by seeing the dog leap
10 his hind legs and run thus, In an instant
the truth burst upon him. Quick as thought
he clapped his gun to his shoulder and took
aim. lie could just discover the dim outlines
now. and he fired. There a sharp cry, and
then Pierre had to turn, for the gu ard were ap-
preaching.
Qui es. lal" (who is there,) he cried
"a Relief guard" was the answer.
And, having obtained the eOuntersign, he in
formed the officer what had happened.
a. dog" cried the officer. Prince, did
You say"
e. lie looked like Prince but, diable, you
-hould have seen him run of on his hind legs"
Eh, Hind legs!"
IesH
g. Then come, show US where he vas
With this the officer Of the mounted guard
pulled out his lantern from his breast, and re-
moving the shade he started on. Pierre led the
way to the cOpse, and there the dog was found
IN the last struggles Of death.