Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1859-04-21
CHAPTER X.

was now again at the post, to which two sol
diers secured me with musket sings, my arms be-
hud my back, as though they feared fresh resist
ance. The sergeant stepped up to me, hsndker
chief in his hand said in compassionate tone, 81
will bandage your eyes comrade, that you may not
bctray any unmanliness.- In the first instance
would have scorncd the bandage, but now let this
knd-hcarsed fellow soldier have his way. Sudden
ly it occurred to that Knight make the sergeant
the bearer Of my last earthly wishes.
"Comrade,' said / as the man secured the cloth
over my eyes, "you will not refuse last
friendly service. SO soon as you arc able go to
Colonel Larush, who commands our regiment, tell
him how died, and beg him TO console my Moth
or. And if you outlve this war, and happen
{ in Dresden, tell her that" Here / was in
terrurted by several nuskct shots close at hand,
"Are those for me aIreadyr' cried FOR the ser
;,cant had let go the handkerchief now secured
round my head, and stepped aside. For sole reply
! heard him exclaim-"'fhc devil what is thatl"
and spring forward. At the same time arose con-
fused outcry and hustle, and again shots were fired
| just in the observation-disclosures bullet whistlinS
close to my head. ] heard horses in full gallop,
whist mixture of words of command, shouts,
clash OF steel and reports of fire rcsouned on
all sidcs sForward.'' cried the voice q the scr
gcant sClose your ranks.-fire:'' A platoon fire
from some twenty muskets rang in m, ear; | ina
gincd the muzzles were pointed at me, and an in
voluntary tremor made my whole frame quiver.-
But was still alive and uninjurcd. The complete
darkness in which found mysclf-the bonds that
prevented my moying--the exctsmcntand tension
of nv nerves, caused host of strange, wild ideas
to fit across my brain. Hearing upon the left,
the stamp of heofs and shouts of charging horse-
men, thought for moment that Larush and his
men had come to deliver me. Then, however,
heard the bowling war cry of the Russians A
.'hurra'' rent the air. The contcnding masses
rushed past me; the smoke Of powder whirled in
my face; cries. sroans, and clattcr of weapons
were all around me. l was in the midst Of the
i.ht in vain I strove break my bonds, that ]
might tear the bal,dage from my eyes; continued
in profound obscurity. Is it frightiul dreamF'
1 at last gasped, turning nv face To heaven "Will
none awake me, and end this horrible suf!crng7'
But no hand touched me, and little 10y little tho tu
malt rrce,c,l, and was lost in tho distance. Tins
passed few minutes of agonizins suspense;
writhcd in my bonds secret voice whispered tc
me, that, could burst them, might vet be saved
but they resi- ,tcd my utmost efforts Then again
heard loud roccs which gradually approached, ac
, companicd by hurried footsteps. On sudden 4
, rough hand tore the cloth from my eycs. Thun
derstruck, I cazed around Three men with long
boards, whsm at once recognized as Russian pea
sAnts, stood before me, staring at me with a mix
| turc of scorn and wonder. On the ground lay sev
eral muskets and the bodies of two French sol
dicrs saw now that was in the power of m,
enemies, whom strange chance had converted in
to NV dclivcrers-
With tho slightest knowledge only Of the Ian
guarc, and stunned 10y the crcumstanccsin in wlicl
was placed, it way surprising that Tor
rime was mt a loss for the words t. procure m.
Liberation. But my suppliant look, my fcttcre'
hands, spoke as intclligibly. Yet, the hatred 0
bitter enmity would not interpret it; the fcrecit
OF national antipathy overpowercd the more tcndc
voice Of pity. Onc Of the three put forth his han'
to seize my foraging cap-I resisted, thereupon tn
barbarian lifed h is weapon, and about to dasl
out my brains, when a friendly hand arrested tn
arm raised for the stroke 1t Was the hand of
man Of venerable appearance, who, covered by
, dark, vide, furrcd cloak, had just emerged iron
the forest. With soft but earaest voice the oil,
man uttered some words Of remonstrapce. Til
three men thercupon took off their caps, and bow
4 nswith rcrcrcnce, crossed their arms over thei
: breasts.
IrecoSnized in him an angel &C deliverancc.-
HIS patriarcl,aI countcnance and dgnific,l demcan
or were a guarantee that he would succor me AM
notleave me toperish.r The peasant who had be
fore mcnaced me- now approached with an opcl
knife and cut the slings with which was bound
| was free. Fall of gratitude, l would have seize
tho hand of the old man, but he drew back in dep
rccation of the homage, as though he would says-
al would not suffer thee to be cruelty murdere'
while helplcssy bound; but thou art the ravager o
my countryside insulter of my God, and dos
: outrage all that is sacred to u.s. therefore, vii
hold no communion with thee. The peasants la
hold OF me as prisoner, compelling me TO go for
ward into the forest. As accompanied them
passed closely by one Of The Frcncl, soldiers.
was Tie honest fellow who yesterday had shared hi
bread with me. "Ifow wonderful is destiny, h
that pited me only few minutes ago, lies now in
, animate before me. Honcst heart maycst tho,
find shy reward whore thou art gone!'s :. q :.
ma few minutes we reached the wood. wi,icl, ",
found thickly tinbered. The men halted at spo
where already some of their friends awaited then,
BY and by came Others from the direction of Smo
|. lensko-many Of them with French soldiers a
: prisoners looked with deep interest about me
to ascertain the sergeant wRs snonsst thenl, bu
/ co1ld not detect him.
# Other troops soon arrived; It clear these mel
. had prisoners with them for heard their lanenta
Il tons and groans. In the confusion Of the crowd
Sought to discover who might be my companion
! in msfortunc. Presently the party opened il
ranks and to my very great astonishment, btheI,
j Arnhsim and D'Erlhofen,- bslf naked and trcn,
bling. .in the hands Of their enemies. =
] The eyes Of the newly arrived captivcs in turl
fen upon me. D'ErIhofen, concealing his fac,
with both hands, stood silent IN fear and trembling
Bst Arnheim ground his tee<h wish ferocioes rsee
and muttered a.scarce kalf-intelligibls curse .
which. could not understand . single word.
threw back an indignant and defiant glance and re
piled tohin: God has seat you your punishment
~ you richly deserveY' The Russians we're sl