Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-09-03
The Forgotten Sentinel

The Island of Rugen, in the Baltic,
opposite Stralsund, Is strong natural
position strongly fortified. During the
campaign oflSO7 Davoust had occupied
it with a regiment of infantry and some
companies Of sappers and pioneers, and
one of the infantrymen was Firman
Bonard. yonng soldier posted ono
night as sentry on a little eminence
near the harbor.
It wvs midnight when the corporal oil
the guard left him and he expected to be
relieved at two O'Clock, which would
leave him three hours sleep before
morning. The minutes slowly wore
away and the two hours, according 10
the sentry's calculation, had about eXo
pired, when suddenly he heard sound
as of footsteps approaching.
Good! Here comes the relef' said
Firman Bonard to himself then he
cried aloud. who goes therc:'
There was no reply. And yet |
heard something muttered the soldier
and [ can take my oath my two hours
are up.' Almost Immediately there
after there was another rustic in the
bushes. then a bark, and the poodle
/ /
Capucin, the Dog OF the Regiment and
warm personal friend Of the young
sentry. bounded up to him.
On hearing the dog bark the sentinel
at first fancied that something was
wrong, and cooking his musket he cast
a searching glance into the obscurlty'
holding his breath to listen. But there
was neither sound nor sight OF toe
and Capucln, clamberlng up the rocks
came bounding to Bonard's feet.
oh, that's you, old fellow, is it?
said the soldier. You found it dull, did
YOU? Well, Capucln, it is not particu-
larly lively here. 1t is pity you didn't
think to inyite the corporal TO accom-
pany you, for the night is decidedly cool
and have an exposition ofsleep 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, Capucln
began to bark and gambol furously
round his friend.
'Oh, you think that if l am chilled
and sleepy 1 had better warm my bleod
and wake myself up with a dance, ehF
But, Capucin, you have no musket to
carry, or you wouldn't irisk so.'
Still Capucin continued to bark and
to run, now to the right, now 10 the
left, as if posed, until finally, losing all
patience, he came up to the soldier
seized him by the overcoat, and tugged
so heartily at it that he tore away a
fragment Of the cloth.
Bonard was not in the best humor
osirinally, now lis anger was increased
and transferred from the absent cor
poral to the present Capucin and he
saluted the animal with lusty kick.
The dog was visibly grieyed to be so
maltreated and misunderstood and
retired to some little distance, then
slowly returned, looked reproachfully at
the soldier, and licked his hand.
Go. Be of with you!' said Bonard,
steeliug his heart and threatening him
with the butt end Of his piece.
Capucin seeing that he could not pre-
vail with him at last retired, often look
ing back and barking lnyitingly.
But the sentry stood resolutely at his
post and Capucln just reached the
beach in tima to embark with the cer-
poral in the last boat, for Napoleon had
formed new strategic combination
and was retiring inland, and sent
Davoust orders to join him immediately
eyacuatng Rugen on an hours notice
In the hustle the corporal-cvery one
but Capucln-had forgotten about
BOnard.
Firman Bonard pacing his beat
with his musket under his arm, heard
three O'Clock strike IN the distant belfry
ofthe old church Of Rugen, then four,
then five. The swallows began tC
twilter and the sun came up.
Losing all patience, and in desperate
defnance of all military law, which en-.
loved him to remain on post until be
was duly relieved, he descended from
the heights and sought the guard house.
IF anybody is going to be shot, he
growled, it ought to be the corporal,
for the idea Of leaving a man on guard
for SIX hours is absurd.
So saying he entered the guard house
and found it deserted. The devil y be
exclaimed, and was sorely puzzled. but
after a few moments reflection came to
the conclusion that the regiment had
moved during the night to some other
part of the island. Throwing his gun
over his shoulder he set Offacross the
island and presently came to peasant
who was plowlng in field.
MY good man. said the soldier
can you tell me which way the French
troops have gomez
by water answered the peasant
surprised at seeing the solitary soldier.
L don't know where they have gone,
but at two this morning they sailed
with the greatest haste and in the COM
pletest silence
Gone Z said the sentry; and they
have abandoned me. | shall be sci
down as a deserter. Damn that cor
poral-he not only left me on guard siS
hours, but he has ruined my reputation
l-dlshonored me. Now | understand