The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1868-08-19

The captain took his hand and assured
him that his name should be held in respect.
Toward evening, Pierre Valiant, with
his wife and child, were admitted to see
the prisoner This was a visit which Je-
rome would gladly have dispensed with, as
his feelings were already wrought up to a
pitch that almost unnamed him; but he
braced himself for the interview, and would
have stood it ike hero had not little Ma
talie, in the eagerness Of her love and graf
itude, thrown herself upon his bosom and
offered to die in his stead. This tipped
the trimming cup, and bis tears flowed
freely. Pierre and Iisette knew not what
to say. They wept and prayed, and would
willingly have died for the noble fellow
who had thus been condemned.
Later in the evening came companion,
who, if be lived, would at some time return
to Jeromes boyhood home. First, the con-
demned thought of his widowed mother,
and he sent her message of love and de-
votion. Then he thought Of brother and
sister; and finally, he thought of one-a
bright-eyed maid, whose vine-clad cot stood
upon the banks Of the Someone whom
he had loved with love such as only great
hearts can feel.
"0h, my dear friendl'' he cried, bowling
his head upon his cIasped hands, 'you need
not tell them falsehood, but if the thing
is possible, let them believe that fell in
battle"
His companion promised that he would
do all he could, and if the truth could not
be kept back, it should be so faithfully told
that the name of Jerome Dubois should
not bear dishonor in the minds of those
who had loved him in other days.
Morning came, dull and gloomy, with
driving sleet and snow, and at an early
hour Jerome Dubois was led forth to meet
his fate. The place of execution had been
fixed upon low, barren spot towards the
sea, and thither his division was being
marched to witness the fearful punishment.
They had gained not more than half the
| distance when the sound of some strange
commotion broke upon the wintry air, and
very shortly an aid.de-camp came dashing
to the side of the General of the brigade
with the cry
"a sortie sortie! The enemy are out
in force. Let this thing be stayed. The
Marshal directs that you face about and ad-
vance upon the PENINSULA
In an instant all was changed in that d.
vision, and the Brigadier-G General who had
temporary command, Numbered forth his
orders for the countermarcb. The gloom
was dissipated, and with glad hearts the
soldiers turned from the execution of
brave comrade to thoughts of meeting the
enemy.
what shall we do with the prisoner?'
asked the sergeant who had charge of the
guard.
Lead him back to camp" replied the
Captain.
The direction was very simple, but the
execution thereof was not so easy, for
hardly had the words escaped the Captains
lips when a squadron of Prussian cavalry
came dashing towards him.
The division was quickly formed into d
hollow square, while the guard that held |
charge of the prisoner found themselves
obliged to fee.
in Heavens name." cried Jerome Du-
bois," "cut my bands and let me die like a
soldier"
The sergeant quickly cut the cords that
bound his elbows behind him, aud then
dashed towards the point where his own
company was stationed. The rattle Of
musketry had commenced, and the Prus-
SLAMS were vainly endeavoring to break the
squares of the French troops. Jerome
Dubois looked about for some weapon with
which to arm himself, and presently he saw
a Prussian officer, not far off, reel in his
saddle as though he had been wounded.
With quick bound he reached the spot,
pulled the dying officer from his seat, and
leaped into the empty saddle.
Dubois was firmly resolved that he would
sell his life on that day-sell it in behalf
of France-and sell it as dearly as possible.
But he was not needed where he was. He
knew that the Prussians could not break
those hollow squares, as he rode away,
thinking to join the French cavalry, with
whom he could rush into the deepest dan
ger. Surprising that the heaviest fighting
must be upon the Nehrung he rode his
horse in that direction, and when he reach
it, he found that he was not mistaken.
Upon a slight eminence toward Heidelberg
the enemy had planted battery of heavy
guns, supported by two regiments of inlan-
try, and already with shot and SHE'LL i'm
mense damage had been done.
Marshal Lefebvre rode up shortly after
this battery had opened, and very quickly 5
made up his mind that it must be taken at 8
all hazards. :
Take that battery" he said to a Colonel :
Of cavalry, land the battle is ours" |
Dubois heard the order and saw the ne I
,essity. Here was danger enough, surely; q
he determined to be the first at the fatal t
battery, and kept as near to the leader as I
ne dared. Half the distance hai been gain s
I'd, when from the hill came storm of
ron that plowed into the French The e
Colonel fell,.his body literally torn in pieces n
~ shell that exploded against his bosom !
The point upon the peninsula now reach f
ID by the head of the assailing column was s
rot more than hundred yards wide, and f
t was literally path of death, as the fire {
# twelve guns we're directed upon it. The d
Colonel had fallen, and very soon three d
'ther officers went down, leaving the ad- b
'ance without commissioned leader. The Il
,ath was becoming blocked up with dead
men and dead horses, and the head of the
column stopped and wavered. fl
Marshal Lefebvre, from his elevated f.
POSITION, saw this, and his heart throbbed b
'ainfully. If that column was routed and d
be Russian infantry charged over the k
the result might be calamitous al
But, see! A man in the uniform of a al
french private, mounted on a powerful il
orse, caprisoned in the trapping of ly
russian staff officer, with his head bare, Il
nd bright sabre swinging in his hand. n;
ushes to the front, and urges the column te
orward. His words are fiery, and his look :"
J dauntless. re