The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1868-02-27
FIVE YEARS on GUARD.

/ y SUtca'Ioh ana dlEclpHne. he Grand
Army's dogs were picked up almost eve
rywhere, except in England They had
been recruited III PolaAd. in Prussia, in
Holland, In Saxony, and in Flanders =
They were mongrei mastiifs, hounds, Da-
nish dogs, spaDiels. But no matter whence
they came, they soon turned out French.
Foreign dogs were Raturalized without
knowing it.
Rugen is an island in the Baltic sea,
opposite TO Stralsund, on the coast Of
Pomeran. Fortified both by nature and
by art, It's situation is exceedingly strong.
In time of peace, in consequence CT It's
fertile soil, its salubrious air and its mild
climate, Rugen is delightful retreat. In
time Of war it is an important post, nat
ur;d citadel, a formidable fortress, whose
possession has been purchased at the ex-
pen5e OF many a bloody fight During
the campaign Of 1907 this island was
comprised 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 com
Panies Of sappers and miners. The regi-
ment, of course, had a dog-a black and
white poodle-named Capucin-not be-
cause he was born in CapucLin's con-
vent in Italy, (Which would have been
quite a sufficient reason,) but in alusion
to the copper or iron rings by which a
gun barrel is fastened to its stock The
dogs short bark might perhaps have been
thought to resemble the snappish report Of
= musket
In consequence of a change in the plan
of operations ordered by Napoleon the
First, the island had to be suddenly cyac-
uated, to carry cut a movement in retreat,
abandoning the whole line of the Ponera-
nian coast. Every post, every man, was
withdrawn, but in such a hasty way that
they forgot an advanced sentinel perched
en- hilluck which commanded the en-
trance OF the port of Kugen This seErj-
mel 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 Of service, were still called con-
scripts Now, Ronard the soldier and
CaPucin the do., happened to be part;cu-
lar good friends, bound by the strongest
tres Of mutual attachment
The corporal Of the post had stationed
tlrnin as sentine. on the hillock exactly
at midnight, The latter, therefore, cali
culated on being relieved at two in the
morning. He then, from two 10 Eve in
the morning, would have three hours to-
doze and slumber in the corps off guard
a..
anticipating this supreme indulgence, and
by thoughts Of his village people, Of his
aged cures ancient househecpcr, of the
haystack where he used to play at hide
and seek, and gundry other rec0llecliuns
IN this the minutes slipped slowly by, and
the two hours guard were drawing to a
close.
Al at once he heard a slight noise -
He listened. at is the corporal coming
to relieve guard, he thought, and prepared
to utter the ''Qui Yiye.'' But the sound,
which rescmbled that Of human footsteps,
was soon followed by complete silence, :
Il couldn't be Mistaken" he said 70 him
self; besides, my time must now be up
He listened again, still more atteativeiy
Almost immediately he heard the barking
of dog, who came running forward in
his direction. On recognizing Capucin's
voice the sentinel looked around him anx-
iously. Perceiying nothing which threat
ened an attack, lie 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 l
am terribly sleepy, You should have
brought ihe corporal with you. His watch
must have stopped. He ought to sell it
for old iron and buy new one.''
Capucin's answer was frenxied bark
and a series of mad leaps around his
friend.
81 understand" said Firmin, smiling.
''You are asking me to dance to warm
myself. It's pity you are not provided
with the password and a musket"
Capucin commenced to bark, running
right and left like creature possessed =
Finding ali these manmuvres useless, he
ran up to the soldier, pulled him by the
coat, and tried hard to drag him away,
renewing 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, bowling at finding himself so
cruelty maltreated and misunderstood, re-
treated few PAGES distant, but soon re-
turned, needless of his friends unkind
treatment. All he did now was to look
forgiveness, and lick the soldiers hands.
''Be quiet, will you? and take yours
self off, said Firmin, harshly, as he
threatened to drive him away with the butt
of his gun. CapCcin, finding he could do
no good, unwillingly made up his mind to
depart. He arrived just in time TO 90 on
board with the last detachment of the
corps.