, 1862-05-15
Good from Pity.

Oy the Engilou1 oou become the scene OF . 8gfuBs
lie that was growing more deadly 10 It's character
Spaniards on eli points, Marshal Soult had just
attacked Sir John Moore, and forced him to retire
upon CorunnG. Several detAchments CON-
manded by the English general had been sepa.
rated from each other during the pFecipitate re-
treat, and the baggage guards, cut of BY the In
cessant attacks Of the French, detached In small
parties along the high roads, were endeAvorink
to rejoin the main body Of the army.
At the period We refer to, one Of these par
ties, consisting Of four or Eve wagons and
number Of wounded, was winding itS way along
its toilsOme and unknown road. Il was under
the command Of an Irish sergeant named Patrick
Mcguire.
Il was beginning 10 grow dark, and the heav-
ems, which were covered with dull, heavy clouds,
announced the approach Of storm. The coun.
try through which Il was advancing was bleak
and desolate, without Q single village or the
slightest sign Of cultivation to enllven the sombre
scene around. The only objects which showed
that human beings bad ever inhabited the dreaFy
waste, were here and there . deserted house,
whose doors and shutters bad been burnt iJf the
fire Of some bivouac; few horses which hid
sunk down dead from fatigue; . few corpses;
the field leaves In its passage.
Mcguire was convinced that the troops who pre-
ceded him on the road fOFthed part Of the French
army. This caused him to fear that Il would
only be with the utmost difficulty that be should
succeed In reioining Sir John Moore. His COM
panions, most Of whom were wounded, could
hardly drag themselves along, and the state Of
discouragement into which they bad fallen was
aggravated stIll more by their impatience.
II was 10 this state Of mind that they reached
an open space, where the remains Of extlnguished
fires, and some baggage which had been aban.
doued, proved that troops had recently biSouacked
there
The narrow piece Of table.land on which the
French had been encamped was bordered on one
side BY q tolerably deep ravine, at the bottom Of
which flowed Q small stream. The murmuring
Of the water attracted several Of the wounded
soldiers, who were paTched with thirst, and who
expressed desire to descend the Favine In order
to drink. Mcguire halted for the purpose Of as
.Sisting his wounded comrades; but on approach
ing the edge Of the bank, be perceived, In the
bed Of the stream, dead mule still harnessed to
. cart, from under the canvass Of which be
thought he heard . human voice. He sided
down to the bottom Of the Tavine, and pushing
aside the hoops which supported the covering Of
the cart, perceived woman, who begged for as
sistance in Spanish.
and inquired Of her how she came there. The
unhappy creature Informed him that she had
fallen asleep from sheer fatigue. and trusted to
the instinct Of her mule, Who in eli probability,
having gone too near the edge Of the precipice
to gFase, had ALLEN down the Tavile, and dragged
the cart with him. She had awoko ct the In
slant Of the iall, which she was unable 10 pre-
vent, and had remained 10 her peFilous position
for some time, completely Unconscious from the
effects Of the injuries she had received. On To-
covering her senses, all her efforts to disengage
herself bad been In vain, and Il was entirely
owing 10 the sergeant that she had been rescued.
While listening to this explanation, Mcguire,
assisted By his comrades, had succeeded In rails.
ing the woman, whose limbs had become CON-
pletely numbed with pain; and, in drawing her
out from the shattered fragments Of the cart, by
the last remaining rays Of daylight be recognized
her BY her costume for . ViUdndieTs Of the French
army
At this discovery. the good feeling Of Mseuire's
comrades was suddenly changed 10 Q sentiment
Of rage, and ordinations Of . monacing kind
were heard On all sides.
Having been summoned To defend Spain against
the French, the soldiers Of Sir John Moore were
accustomed 10 look upon every native Of that
They were especially incensed sgainst those wo.
mon who, sacrificing their patriotism to their per
sonAl affection, had united their lot to that Of
the French, and had resolved to follow Marshal
Soults army, and share with II all the pTivations
and chances Of war. This was exactly the case
Of the Vivandiere Dolores, who had married .
grenadier Of the first division.
The small band Of fugitives expressed, 10 very
energetic terms their regret ct having extTieated
. vivandiere II the enemy's troops from her dan
gerous position and some Of them were on the
point Of proceeding from mere inVective to per-
Sonal violence, when Sergeant Mcguire interpOsed
bis authority.
"COme, come, We have had talking enough"
be said, In resOute voice, placing himself before
Dolores. you're not come 10 make war on
women, are your Don't you think this poor
creature Is punished enough BY The choice she
has madeP Get along with you, then, and let
every one be contented with looking after him
self alone, IL he wants to get out Of this safe and
sound"
This piece Of advice was followed BY the CON-
mand for the wagons to set out once again on
the journey, and those who were most incensed
against Dolores LEFT her to obey the order.
Mcguire waited until they bad sat of at the
head Of the party, and then, when there was no
one with him, save some women and some SOL
ders OF his own company, be turned towards
the viVandiere, who had seated herself In Q weak
and suffering state, near her broken cart.
"What WIN become Of you at the bottom Of
this holei" he asked in q voice whose rough
tones were tempered with pity.
"Heaven alone knowsw answered Dolorea
~DO you feel yourself strong enough 10 walk :"
be cOntinued.
al think I do" answered Dolores; ''but where
can 90 alone and at this hOurP The roads are
thrOhged with your troops, and have Just seen
what have 10 expect at their hands"
The sergeant seemed to hesitate for amoment;
then, taking Q sudden resolution, he replied:
"Come. get up and follow us q long - I carry
muskst on my shoulder, not . hair Of your
head Will be touched"