The Osceola times., 1879-06-14
THE FORGOTTEN SENTINEL

The Island of Rugen, In the Baltic,
opposite Seralsund, Is a strong natural
position strongly fortified. During the
campaign of 1907 Davoust had occupied
it with regime mt infantry and some
companies Of sarpers and miners, and
one OF the infantrymen was Firmin Bon
ard, young soldier posted one night on
little eminence near the hsrbor.
1t was midnight when the corporal Of
the guard left him and be expected to be
relieved at two O'Clock, which would
leave him three hours sleep before morn,
ing. The minutes slowly wore away and
the two hours, according to the sentry's
calculation, had about expired, when
suddenly he heard sound as of foot,
steps approaching.
"Good Here comes the relief" said
Firmin Bonard to himself, then cried
aloud: "Who goes there?"
There was no reply. Sand yet !
heard something" muttered the soldier,
Sand ! can take my oath my two hours
are up" Almost Immediately thereafter
there was another rustic in the bushes,
then a bark, and the poodle Capucin, the
Dog Of the Regiment, and a warm per.
sonal friend of the young sentry, bounded
up TO him.
On hearing the og bark the sentinel
at first fsncied that something was wrong,
and cooking his musket he cast a search.
ing glance into the obscurity, holding
his breath to listen. But there was
neither sound nor sight OF foe, and
Oapucin, clsmbering up to the rocks,
came bounding to B nard's feet.
"Oh, that's you, old fellow, is itf
said the soldier. You found it dull,
did your Well, Cspucin, 1t is not par.
ticularly lively here. 1t is a pity you
didn't think to invite the corporal to
accompany you, for the night is decidly
cool and ! have an exposition of sleep
come upon me. The corporaPs watch
is always slow, and will be till he takes
it to the blacksmith for repairs"
In response to these words, to which
he had patiently listened, Cspucin began
to bark and gambol furiously round his
friend.
"Oh, you think that II am chilled
and sleepy / had better warm my blood
and wake myself up with dance, eh.
But, Capucin, you have no musket to
carry, or you wouldn't frisk So"
Still Capucin continued to bark and
to run, now to the right, now to the left,
as If possessed, till finally losing all pa
thence he came up TO the soldier, seized
him by the overcoat and tugged 30 heart
lily at 1t that be tore away fragment of
the cloth.
Bonard was not in the best of humor
originally, now mis- anger was increased
and transmitted from the absent COZ poral
to the present Capucin, and he saluted
the animal with lusty kick.
The dog was visibly grieved to be 80
maltrea.ed and misunderstood and re-
tired to some little distance, then slowly
returned, looked reproachfully at the
soldier and licked his hands.
"Gol Be off with you p said Bonard,
steeling his heart and threatening him
with the butt end of his piece.
Capucin seeing that he could not
looking back and barking invitingly.
But the sentry stood resolutely at bis
post and Cspucin Just reached the beach
In time 10 embark with the corporal in
the last boat, for Napoleon had formed
q new strategic combination and wa,
retiring inland and had sent Dsvoust
orders to join him instantly, evscuating
Rugen on an hours notice. In the bus
tie the cUporsl--every one but Capucin
had forgotten about Bonard.
III.
Firmin Bonard, pacing his beat with
his musket under his arm, heard three
O'Clock strike in the distant beliry of the
old church of Rugen, then four, then
five. The swallows began to twitter and
the sun came up.
Losing all patience. and in desperate
defiance Of military law, which enjoined
him to rsnaiu On post until hs was duly
sslisysd, hs dssusndsd fscm ths heighif