The weekly Butte record., 1862-01-04
The Faithful Sentinel.

days march from Berlin. The sentnelS were
doubled, and the strctest orders given, for the
/ 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 he might visit the
outposts
Pierre, he said. after the men had been post
ed, you must keep your eyes open. Don't let
even stray horse go out or come in without
the pass. Do You understand?
Aye, mon colonel, l shall be prompt The
dogs are all around us, and you cannot be too
careful. Don't trust men nor brutes
Never fear, was Pierre's answer, as he
brought his frelock 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 around it, and be had been
placed there for that reason. The ground over
which he had to walk was a long KNOLL boun-
ded at one end by huge rock, and at the
other sloping away into 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 IFS outer
side
The night was quite dark, huge masses of
clouds fl0ated overhead, and shutting out the
stars and q sort of fog seemed to be rising al
so 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 stop
ping to listen, as 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 suspicion He
had stopped for a moment close by the side of
the rock, when he was started by quick, wild
scream from the wood, and in few moments
more large bird flew over his head.
Pdrbleu! he muttered, after the night bird
had flown over; could mortal man have stop
ped that fellow passing?
He satisfied himself that he had done nothing
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 he saw dark object crossing the
line towards the copse.
Hold Il he cries, bringing the musket quick
to his shoulder. Hold, or fire
And with his piece at aim, he advanced to-
wards the spot where the object stopped but
as he came to within few yards of it, it start
ed to move towards the camp.
Diable cried Pierre, move any further and
I fire ! What, pardieu LIE Prince? Ho, ho;
why Prince
The animal turned and made motion as
though he would leap upon the sentinel's be-
som, but the soldier motoned him off,
Bravo, Prince, Pierre cried, reaching forth
his hand and patting the head of the great
shaggy beast, which had now sat upon his
launches. Pierre recognized the intruder as
q great dog of the breed of ST. Bernard which
had been owned in the regiment for over
year, and which had been missing for about
week. He disappeared one night from the
pickets, and all search for him had been un-
availing.
Parbleu, mon grande Prince, Pierre uttered,
as though the dog could understand every
word; the men will be happy to see you
where have you been so long?
The dog made no answer to this save a
low whine, and a familiar nodding of the head.
Now, mon ami, you just keep your sitting
there, until the guard comes. and then we will
go to the camp together. Mind that. will you
And with these words uttered with solemn
emphasis, and due meaning, Pierre 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
towards the camp again.
Ha Prince, that won't do Stop stop. or
I'll shoot. Diable, the colonel was positive in
his orders. was to let nothing pass my post .
without the eountersign. A dog : something.
You can't go Prince, so now lie down. Down.
down, say
With this the dog lay fiat on his belly, and
stretched out his fore paw. Pierre patted him
upon the head again, and having duly urged
upon him the necessity of remaining where be
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 be socia-
able, but at length the dog made another at
tempt to 60 into 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 muttered. l must
obey orders. The colonel's word was plain
Co,,o t.... H.