Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1879-12-19
THE FORGOTTEN SENTINEL,

AAo0 VIVID yOuI AO1uou uulE, uy pct
THE FORGOTTEN SENTINEL.
The island of Rugen, in the Baltic op-
posite Stralsund, is a strong natural DO
sition strongly fortified. During the
campaign of 1907 Davoust had occupied
it with regiment of infantry and some
companions of sappers and pioneers. and
one OF the infantry was Firmin Bonard,
young soldier posted one night as sen.
try on little eminence near the har-
Dor.
It was midnight when the corporal of
the guard left HIM, and he 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 sud
denly he heard sound as of footsteps ap-
preaching.
"Good Here comes the reliefl' said
Firmin Bonard to himself, then cried
aloud, "Who goes there2"
There was no reply. "And yet heard
something" muttered the soldier, 'and
can take my oath the two hours are up"
Almost Immediately thereafter there was
another rustic in the bushes, then bark,
and poodle Capucin, the dog of the reg
ment, and warm personal friend Of the
young sentry, bounded up to him.
On hearing the dog bark tho sentinel
at first fancied 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 Meth
er sound nor sight of foe, ana Capucin,
clambering up the rocks, came bounding
to Bonard's feet.
20, that's you, old fellow, is it2' said
the soldier. "You found it dull, did
you9 Well, Capucin, is it not particularly
lively here. 1t is pity you didn't think
to invite the corporal to accompany you,
for the night is decidedly cool, and
have an exposition of sleep come upon
me. The corporal's watch is always
slow, and will be till he takes it to the
blacksmith's for repairs"
In response to these words, to which
he had patiently listened, Capucin be-
gan to bark and gambol furieusly round
his friend.
20, you think that if am chilled and
sleepy had better warm my blood and
wake myself up with dance, eh2 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 lett, as
# possessed, till finally, loosing all pa.
ticnce, he came up to the soldier, seized
him by the overcoat, and tugged so heart
lily at it that he tore away fragment of
the coat.
Bonard was not in the best of hnmOr
originally, now his anger was increased
and transferred from tho absent corporal
to the present Capucin, and he saluted
the animal with lusty kick.
The dog was visibly grieved to be so
maltreated and misunderstood, and re-
tired to some little distance. then slowly
returned, looked reproachfully at
the soldier and licked his hands.
$50! Be off with your said Bonard,
steeling 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 invitingly.
But the sentry stood resolutely at his
post, and Capucln just reached the beach
in time to embark with the corporal In
the last boat, for Napoleon had formed a
new strategic combination and was retir-
ing inland, and had sent Davoust orders
to join him instantly, evacuating Rugen
on an hours notice. In the hustle the
corporal one but Capucin-had
forgotten Bonard.
Firmin Bonapd, pacing his beat with
his musket under his arm, heard three
O'clock strike in the belfry ot the old
church at 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 remain on post till he was duly
relieved, he descended from the heights
and sought the guard. house. eff any
body is going to be shot," he growled,
lit 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. 1.-THE deuce!" hi
exclaimed; and was sorely puzzled, but
after few moments reflection he came
to the conclusion that the regiment had
moved during the night to some other
part of the island. Throwing his gun
voer his shoulder, he set off across the
island and presently came to peasant
who was blowing in field.
"My good man." said the soldier, "can
you tell me which way the French troops
have gomez"
'By water" answered the peasant, sur
prised at seeing the solitary soldier; II
don't know where they have gone, but
at two this molning they sailed with the
greatest haste and in the completest 81
lence.''
"Gonc!' said the sentry, ssand they
have abandoned me! shall be set down
as deserter. Blame that corporal-he
not only left me on watch six hours but
he has ruined my Observation-Disclosures
me. Now understand Capuch's visit;
he came to warn me that they were going,
and 1, dull fool that l was, could not un-
derstand him. Good dog, and I kicked
him--the first time one Of our men ever
struck him. 0, Capucin, Capucin, why
dida't you think of tearing the corporalis
coatl'' ..
And the sentinel burst into tears of re-
greet and despair.
"Come, come. my son." said the peas
ant, kindly; "don't give way so. Crying
won't mend matters. Stay here; you
can't do anything else. If the French
return and take you I will explain every
hing" -
q, 'But you don't understand what mar
tial law is--if they return there will be
no pity shown me." - - -
"Tut-tut! That is absurd. You can
not be punished for crime you never
committed. If anybody is to be blamed
it Is your superio1s, who forgot everything
about you" ego ~. ~
Firmin Bonard made no answer, but
swept with despairingly hopeful eye
the distant horizon. Alas, there was not
the fleck of single sail to be seen, and
again he gave way to his grief. 15t ~
= sTake my advice, !" said the old man,
'tand bear up with good heart. You
too are from the rural parts, unless I am
greatly mistaken, and can find in me .
true friend il you are only willing to let
me befrisnd you. :2 5& .tsa ~ 's.zzsz
2 t'But you know nothing about me-
whether I am fit-"'s ss7ss,ss 5s 81
81 am an old man and long accustomed
to read the faces Of my fellows, Dsaid the
peasant, smilng Before ron took up
the musket Jou have held the pillow. ]
need laborer, vigorous and Intelligent