Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1868-04-04
Five Years On Guard.

| During the First French Empire,
every regiment had its dog, whose in.
telligence, thanks to the soldiers care,
was improved by e-ucation and dis
cipline. The Grand Army's dogs were
picked up almost everywhere, except in
England. They had been recruited in
Poland, in Prussia, in Holland, in Sax
ony and in Flanders. They were
mongrel mastifs, hounds, Danish dogs,
spaniels. But no matter whence they
came, they soon turned out French
Foreign dogs were naturalized without
knowing it.
Rugen is an island in the Baltic Sea
opposite to Stralsund. on the coast Of
Pomerania. Fortified both by nature
and art, its situation is exceedingly
strong. In time of peace, in conse.
quence of its fertile soil, its salubrious
air, and mild climate, Rugen is a de-
lightful retreat. In time of war, it is
an important post, natural citadel, a
formidable fortress, whose possession
has been purchased at the expense of
many bloody fight. During the cam
paign of 1907, this island was COM
prised in their sphere of operations by
the corps commanded by Marshal Da-
voust, and was occupied by an infantry
regiment of the line, and by several
companies of sappers and miners. The
regiment, of course, had a dog-a
black and white predetermined Capucin
not because he was born in a Capu.
chin's convent in Italy (Which would
have been quite sufficient reason, but
in allusion to the copper or iron rings
by which gun-b barrel is fastered to the
stock. The dogs short bark might per-
haps have been thought to resemble the
snappish report of musket.
In consequence of change in the
plan of operations ordered by Napoleon
the First, the island had to be suddenly
evacuated, to carry out movement in
retreat, abandoning the whole line of
the Pomeraniau coast. Every post, ev
cry man, was withdrawn; but in such
a hasty way that they forgot an ad-
vance sentinel perched on the top of a
hillock which commanded the entrance
of the port of Rugcn. This sentinel
was a young soldier named Firmin
Bonard, who had been three years in
the service. At present, soldier who
has served three years is considered
quite veteran at that time, troopers
who could reckon three, five, seven, and
even nine years service, were still call
ed conscripts. Now Bonard the soldier,
and Capucin the dog, happened to be
particular good friends, bound by the
strongest ties OF mutual attachment.
The corporal of the post had planted
Firmin as sentinel on the hillock exact
ly at midnight The latter therefore
calculated on being relieved at two in
the morning, he also then from two to five
in the morning would have three good
hours to doze and slumber in the corps
off guard. So Firmin Bonard beguiled
the time by anticipating this supreme
indulgence, also by thoughts of his viii
lage steeple, of bis aged cures ancient
housekeeper; of the hay-stack where
he used to play at hide-and seek, and
sundry other recollections. In this the
minutes slipped slowly by, and the two
hours guard were drawing to close.
All at once he heard slight poise.
He listened. "It is the corporal coming
to relieve guard" he thought and pre-
pared to utter the "Qui Vive' But
the sound, which resembled human
foot steps, was soon followed by COM
plete silence. 81 couldn't be mistaken -
he said to himself. "Besides, my time
must now be up" he listened again,
still more attentively Almost imme
diately he heard the barking of a dog,
who came running forward in his direc-
ton. On recognizing Capucin's voice,
the sentinel looked around him anxious
ly. Perceiving nothing which threat
ened an attack, he wondered what could
be the meaning of this nocturnal visit
Before he had time to consider the
matter, the animal had climbed the hill
and was jumping up his legs.
"It's you, Capucin. Very good.
You got tired of waiting there; and [
am tired of standing here. The air is
keen and I am sleepy. You shyuld
have brought the corporal with you.
His watch must have stopped. He
ought to sell it for old iron and buy a
new one."
Capucin's answer was frenzied bark
and series of mad leaps around his
friend
II understand" said Firmin smiling.
You are asking me to dance to warm
myself. It's pity you are not pro-
vided with the password and a mus
ket.
Capucin began to bark, running right
aid left like creature possessed. Find
ing all these maneuvers useless he ran
to the soldier pulled him by the coat,
and tried hard to pull him away, re-
newing his efforts with such violence
that he tore the soldiers uniform. Fir
min considering this proof of affection
more troublesome than pleasant, lost
his temper and gave poor Capucin a
kick. The dog howled at finding him
self SO cruelty maltreated and misunder-
stood, retreated few PAGES distance ;
but soon returned, needless of his
friends unkind treatment. All he did
now, was to look for forgiveness and
lick the soldiers hands.
"Be quiet, will you? And take your