The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1861-11-23
THE FAITHFUL SENTINEL.


The French army lay encamped only
about a days march from Berlin. The
sentineIs were doubled, and the strictest
orders given, for Prussian and Austrian
spies were plenty and troublesome. At
midnight, Pierre Sancoin was stationed at
one of the outposts. He was stout, bold,
shrewd man, and . good soldier. The
colonel of his regiment was with the SER
geant on this beat, having requested to be
called at midnight, that be might visit the
outposts.
''Pierre," he said, after the men 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"
1.-The dogs are all around US, and you
cannot be too careful. Don't trust either
men or brutes."
"Never fear," was Pierre's answer. as
he brought his frelock to his shoulder, and
moved back 8 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 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 a narrow ravine,
In which was 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's walk
was to the outer side.
The night was quite dark, huge masses
of clouds floating overhead. and shutting
out the stars; and 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,
as the willows in the ravine ratified their
leaves, or some night bird started out with
it's quick Tapping.
An hour had passed away, and the senti-
mel had seen nothing to excite his suspi-
con. He had stopped for moment close
by the side of the rock, when he was star
tied by a quick, wild scream from the wood,
and in a few moments more large bird
flew over his head.
"Parbeu !" he muttered, after the night
bird had flown over; "could mortal man
have stopped that fellow passing -
He satisfied himself that he had done no.
thing wrong 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 a dark object cross
ed the line toward the copse.
..Hold p he cried. bring the musket
quick to his shoulder. Hold or l
| tire!
And with his piece at aim, he advanced
toward the spot where the object stopped;
but as he came within few yards of it, it
started to move off again towards the
camp.
'Diablep' cried Pierre. ''move any fur
Their and I fire What, pardieu! LIE
Prime? Ho, no; why, Prince -
The animal turned. and made motion
as though lie would leap upon the senti-
ners bosom, but the soldier motionsd him
off.
bravo, Prince !" Pierre cried, reaching
forth his hand and patting the head of the
great shaggy beast, which had now sat up
on his launches. Pierre recognized the
intruder as great dog of the breed of st.
Bernard, which had been owned in the reg
iment for over a year, and which had now
been missing for about week. He disap-
peared one night from the pickets, and all
search for him had been unavailing.
"Parbleu mon grand Prince" Pierre
uttered, as though the dog could understand
every word; 1.-The men will be happy to see
! you; where have you been SO long %
The dog made no answer to this. save q
low whine, and . familiar nodding of the
head.
Now. mon ami, you must keep sitting
there until the guard comes. and then we'll
go the camp together. Mind that, will
you?"
And with these words, uttered with sol
emn emphasis, and due meaning, Pierre
started on his beat again. He had got hall
way to the rock, when the idea of looking
around struck him. and he did so. LIE
Prince was moving towards the camp
= again.
"Ha Prince. that won't do J Stop
stop or I'll shoot Disble the colone
was positive in his orders. l was to lie
, nothing pass my post without the co unter
sign. A dog Is something. You can't 60
Prince, SO now lie down. Down down,
sayp' - 49, -1z
: With this the dog lay fat on his belly
and stretched out his fore paws. Pierr.
patted him upon the head again, and having
duly urged upon him the necessity of re
naming where he was, he resumed hi,
, march once more.
During the next fifteen minutes the ami
NAL lay perfectly quiet, and ever and amor
the sentinel would speak to him by way Of
being social. But at length the dog mad
another attempt to 60 into camp. Pierre
had nearly reached the rock when he heard
the movement, and on turning he coulc
: just see his uneasy companion making off.
-"DiabIe % the honest fellow muttered
AZ must obey orders. The colonel's wore
was plain. Here. Prince Come here
Here. Prince! Mon Dieu you must di
r if you DON'T
s With few bounds the soldier had go
: near enough to the dog to fire. aud as th,
latter stopped, he stopped.
Mon cher ami, you must stay with me
Here come back ! 1 must shoot if yur
don't. Parbleu what a thing to start tn
whole camp for, to shoot dogr
But by coaxing and threatening. the sen
a.. L. H.. l.. n. L 4 ~