The Xenia sentinel. [volume] (Xenia [Ohio]) 1863-186?, 1865-05-05
A Faithful Sentinel.

Tho French army lay eneamped about
a days march from Berlin. The senti-
nels were doubled and most strict orders
given, for the Prussians and Austrians
were plenty and troublesome. At mid
night Pierre Saneoin was stationed at one
of the outpOsts. He was a stout, bold,
shreWd man, and a good soldier. The
+ Colonel Of the regiment was with the SER
geant on his beat, having requested that
he might be called at midnight that he
might visit the outposts.
Pierre he said, after the men had been
posted, you may keep your eyes open.
D0u5t let even stray horse go in or out
without the pass, Do you understand ,
aye, mon Colonel I shall be prompt
The dogs are all around u.s. pursued
the officer, and you cannot be too careful.
Don't trust to men or brutes.'
Never fear, was Pierre's answer, as be
brought his freloek to his shoulder and
stepped back pace
After this the guard moved on to the
next post, and Pierre SaneOin was left
alone.
Pierre's post was one of the most impor-
tant in the camp, or rather around it, and
he had been placed there for that reason.
The ground over which he had to walk
was long knoll, bounded on one end by
a large rock, and the other slOping into a
narrow ravine in which was a eopse of
willows. Beyond this the ground was low
and bOggy, so that a man could not pass
It. The rock was on the westward, and
Pierre walk was on the outer side.
The night was quite dark, huge masses
of clouds floating overhead shutting out
the stars, and sort Of fog seemed to be
raising from the marsh. The wind moaned
through the copse in the ravine, and the
air was damp and chilly. With a 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 its
quick Tapping.
An hour had passed away and the SEN
tinel had seen nothing to excite his suspi-
ciOu. He had stopped for moment close
to the side Of the rock when he was start
led by quick, wild scream from the wood,
and in moment more large bird few
over his head.
Could mortal man have stopped that
fellow passing?' muttered he, after the
night bird had flown over.
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 turn
ing to the rock, when be saw dark OBJ
jeet crossing the line toward the coPse.
Hold he cried, bringing his musket
quickly to his shoulder Hold or l fire.
And with his piece at aim he advanced
toward the spot where the object stopped,
but as he came to within few yards oft,
it started to move on again toward the
camp.
Move any further and I fire., cried
Pierre. 'What, LIE Prinoe2 HO, ho, why
Prince
The animal turned and made motion
as though he would leap upon the soldiers
bosom, but the sentinel mOtioned him off
Brave Prince Pierre cried, reaching
forth his hand and patting the head of
the shaggy beast, which now sat upon its
launches.
Pierre recognized the intruder as great
dog of the breed Of St. Bernard, which
had been owned in the regiment over a
year, and had been missing for about a
week. He disappeared one night from
the picket, and all search for him had been
unavailing. s-r.
mon grand Prince, Pierre uttered, as
if the dog understood every word, the
men will be happy to see you. Where
have you been so long p
The dog made no answer to this, save
low whine and familiar nod of the head.
Sow, mon annie, you. must keep your
sitting there until the guard comes, and
then we'll 90 to the camp together. Mind
that will you?'
And with these words, uttered with
solemn and due meaning, Pierre started on
his beat again. He got hallway 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 thatWon't do Stop stop, /
or I'll shoot. The Colonel was positive in .
bis orders. l was to let nothing pass
without the countersign. A dog is some
thing, You can't 60, Prince, 50 now lie
down. Down, I say -.s .....
With this tho dog lay Fat on bis belly,
and stretched out bis fore paws. Pierre
patted him on the head again, and having
urged upon him the necessity Of remaining
where he was, he resumed his march once
more.