, 1862-04-10
A Faithful Sentinel.


Prussian and Austrian spies were plenty and
troublesome. At midnight Pierre Sancoin was
stationed ct one Of the outpOstS He was Q
stout, bold, sbrewd man, and . good soldier.
The Colonel Of his regiment was with the ser.
geant on bis beat, having requested to be called
at midnight, that he might visit the outposts.
Pierre" said he, after the man had been
posted, you mustkeep your eyes open. Don't
let even horse 20 out or come in without the
pass. Do you understand" J .i.eg-t
"Ay, mon Colonel, shall be very prompt"
"The dogs are all around us" pursued the
officer, +" and you cannot be too careful Don't
trust men nor brutes." al.4 i -a
Never fear" answered Pierre, as he brought
his 6relock to his shoulder, and moved back .
pace. After this the guard moved on to the
next post, and Pierre SancOiD was LEFT alone
Pierre's post was one. of the most important
in the camp, or rather around L, ind be had
BEEN placed there for that reason The ground
over which he had to walk was a long knoll,
bounded at one end by a huge rock, and ct the
other slOping away into narrow Favine, IN which
was u cOpse OF willows. Beyond this copse the
ground was low and boggy, so that man could
not pass il. The rock was to the westward, and
Pierre's walk was to the outer side. ''3
The night was quite dark. huge masses Of
clouds hOated overhead, and shut out the stars,
. amu soTt OF wy seeuleu .'sink iIuh uie hAIsh
Inc "lno hoaned tnrough tne copse ID tnn ra'
VINE and the ar was damp and eniIly: WIN =
SLOW, s'eady tread, the soldier paced n's ground,
ever aud anon stopping to listen o. the willows
in the ravns ratified their leaves, or some night
bird started out with its quick tapping. Il
An hour had passed away, and the sentinel
had seen nothing to excite hIs suspicious. He
had stopped for q moment close by the rock,
when he as startled BY quick, wild scream
from the wood, and in few moments more q
large bird flew over his head. HisHn
" "ParLleul" he uttered, aher the nightbird
had tioW over; could mortal man have stopped
that fellow passing"
He satisfied himself that be bad done nothing
wrong IN suffering the bird TO pass. He Waiked
the length Of his way two or three times and
was just turning by the ruck when he Was sure
he saw dark object crossing the line toward the
cOpse.
"Hold !" he cried, bringing the musket quickly
to bis shoulder. :. Hold, or lirel" 80 4
Aud with bis piece leveled he advanced to-
ward the spot where the object bad stopped
but as he came 10 within few yards of L,
II started 70 move on again toward the camp.
"DiAblel" cried Pierre, "move any further
and fire What, Pardieui lie Prince Ho,
ho-why Princew
The animal turned and made motion as
though be would leap upon the sentinel's bosom,
but the soldier motioned him of.
"BFavo, Prince" Pierre cried, reaching forth
bis hand and patting the head Of the great
shaggy beast, which sat upon It's hauDehes.
Pierre Recognized the intruder now as great
dog o. the breed OF 81 Bernard, which had oeen
owned In the regiment for over year, and
which had been missing TOR about week. ne
disappeared one night from the PIckets and all
search Tor him bad been nnsyaing.
:. faroleu, mon gTahde fr'nce, 9teted
Pierre, as though the dag could understand every
word "the men will be happy % SEQ you
where have you been so long y -,,,,s....
The dog made no answer 10 TINS save . low
whine and familiar nodding Of the head. =
Nov, mon annie. you just keep your sitting
there until the guard comes, and then well 90
to the camp together-mind that vii you !"
And with these words, uttered with solemn
emphasis and due meaning. he started on his beat
again. He had got half way TO the rock, when
the idea Of looking around struck him, and he
did So lie Prince was moving towArd the camp
again. :" Ha, Prince, that wont dol Stop ii
stop, or I'll shootl Diable, the Colonel was
positive IN his orlers; was 70 LEI nothing pass
my post without the counterdgn. A dog is
something. You cannot 60 Prince, 30 now be
down. Down, down, ! ssyla -5 ha'3
With this, the dog lay down fat upon bis
BELLY, and stretched out his fire paws PierFe
pattcd lin upon the head again, and having duly
Urged upon him the necessity Of remaining where
he vas be resumed his march. f 20
nn-;n. ~. Dsx, Amen minutes The animal Law
D.,fsS,ly ov;et and ever md anon The senti sl
T,ro,ld :y,,sIk ~ Nm, ~ gav of hpino acelsble
Rn, :, isnoth ~ doc made another stfemDa N
~ - ~ ,hs c.mn pierre had nearIv rescbed
H. ~ ,shsn ~ heard he movement And on
,nrn;n,' 10 rc,,ld inst s,e Ms uaaasv cofnnanion