The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1868-05-01
aNiStcllanenus.
FIVE YEARS ON GUARD.

DURING the French empire every
regiment had its dog, whose intelligence,
thanks to the soldiers care, was im-
proved by education and discipline. The
grand army's dogs were picked up al
most everywhere, except in England.
They had been recruited in Poland, in
Prussia, in Holland, in SaXony, and in
Flanders. They We're mongrel mas
titls, hounds, Danish dogs and spaniels.
But 10 matter whence they came, they
soon turned out French. Foreign dogs
were naturaized without knowing it.
Rugcu in an island in the Black sea,
opposite to Sralsund, on the cost of
Pomcrania. Fortified both by nature
and by art its situation Is exceedingly
strong. In time of peace, in consequence
Of its fertile soil, its SaIubrious air, and
its mild climate, Rug"n is Il delightful
retreat. In time of war it Is an impOr-
tant post, natural citadel, a fOfmida.
bic fortress, whose possession has been
purchased at The expense of many Il
bloody fight. During the campaign of
1907 this island was comprised in their
sphere of operation by the corps COM
mandod by Marshal Davoust, and was
occupied by an infantry regiment Of
the line, and byi5cvcral companies of
aappcrs and miners. The regiment of
| course had Il dog-a black and white
! pOod!e-uamcd Capucin, not becau3e he
was born in a CapuCin's convent in TIA
| ly, (Which would have been quite suf-
licieEt reason but in uIlusion to the
copper or iron rings by which I gun
barrel is fastened to its stock. The dogs
sharp bark might, perhaps, have beer
thought to resemble the 1nappy report
of Il muskct
In consequence of Il change in the plal
Of operations ordered ny Napoleon th(
First, ,the island had to be suddenly evac
uatod, to carry out Il movement in re
treat, abandoning the whole line of tho
pOmeranian coast. Every post, every
man, was withdrawn, but in such
haaty way that they forgot an advanc'
ed sentinel ,perched on the top ola hill
} Ock, which commanded the entrance o
Rugcn. This sentinel was yOunl
soldier, named Firmin Bonard, VIII
had scarcely been three months in tn
service. At present, Il soldier who hat
served three years is considered quite
veteran; at that time, troopers VIII
could reckon three, Ave, and min
years of service, were still called con
scripts. Now, Bonard, the soldier cal
ed conscripts. Now, Bonard, the soldie
and Capucin, The dog, happened 10 /
particular good friends, bound by IL
strongest ties of mutual attachment.
The corporal Of the post had plante
'r Firmin as sentinel ON the hillock e!
actly at midnight. The latter ther
" iere calculated on being relieved ut tW
in the morning, also then from two Il
five in the morning he would ha,
three good hours to doze and slumb,
in the corps oil guard, So Firmin Boz
ard bcguilyd the time by anticipatil
this supreme indulgence, also
n, thought, OF his village steeple, of Il
aged cures ancient hOusckeeper, Of 4
20. hay stack where he used 10 play at hi
al aud seek land sundry other recollection
In this way the minutes slipped slow
by, and the two hours guard We
drawing to a close.
FL, All at once he heard slight moi
VI lie listened. "lt is the corporal comi
nd to relieve guard" he thought, and pl
!!sG. pared to utter the formal 'qdi rir'
At; But the sound, which resembled tll
on of human footsteps, was soon follow
Ee by complete silence. 81 couldn't
be mistakcnn he said to himself. ~
, sides, my time must now be up"
4" listened again, still more attentive
Almost Immediately he heard. the ba
ing of Il dog, who came running forw'
in his direction. On recognizing
pucln's voice the sentinel looked arou
him anXiously. Perceiving nothi
which threatened an attack, he w
dered what could be the meaning of I
' nocturnal visit. Before he had time
consider the matter the animal