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

Prussan and Austrian spies were plenty and
troublesome. At midnight Pierre Saucoin 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 u.s. and you cannot be too
careful. Don't trust men nor brutes.
Never fear, was Pierre's answer, as he
brought his fireock to his shoulder and moved
back a pace.
After this the guard moved on 10 the next
post, and Pierre Sancoin was left alone
Pierre's post was one of the most important
in the camp OF around it, and lie had been
placed there for that reason. The ground over
which he had to walk was 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
a man could not pass it. The rock was to the
westward, and Pierres walk was to its outer
side
The night was quite dark, huge masses of
clouds Aoated overhead, and shutting out the
stars; and 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 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.
Parbleu, 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 bis way two or three
times, and was just turning by the rock, when
he was sure he saw a dark object crossing the
line towards the copse.
Hold 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 be came to within few yards Of it, it start
ed to move on towards the camp.
Dable! cried Pierre, move any further and
l fire What, pardeu LIE Prince Ho, no;
why Prince!
The animal turned and made a motion as
though he would leap upon the sentinel's be-
som, but the soldier motioned 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
a 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
low whine, and familiar nodding of the head.
Now, mon ami, You Just keep your sitting
there, until the guard comes, and then We will
20 to The camp together. Mind that, will you
And with these words, uttered with solemn
emphasis, and due nearing, 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 countersign. A dog is something.
You can't 60 Prince, so now lie down. Down
down, l 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 go into camp. Pierre had nearly
reached the rock when be heard the movement,
and on turning he could just see his uneasy
companion making off.
Diable the honest fellow muttered. l must
obey orders. The colonels word was plain
Here. Parbleu, Come here Here. Prince !.
Mon Dieu you must die if you don'tl
With few bounds the soldier had got near
enough to the dog - fire. and as the latter
stopped he stopped.
Mon cher ami, you must stay with me :
Here Come back must shoot if you don't.
Parbleu what a thing to raise the whole
camp, to shoot dog