Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-07-29
THE FORGOTTEN SENTINEL.


The island of Rugen in the Baltic, op-
posite Stralsund, Is a strong natural
position strongly fortified. During the
campaign of 1907 Dayoust had occupied
it with q regiment of infantry and some
companies Of sappcrs and pioneers and
one of the infantrymcn was Firman Bo-
nard. Young soldier posted one night as
sentry ON o little eminence near the har-
bor
II was midnight when the corporal of
the guard left him, and he expected to be
relieved at 3 o'clock, which would leave
him three hours sleep before morning.
The minutes slowly wore away and the
two hours. according TO the scntry's cal
culation. had about expired, when sud
denly he heard sound as OF footsteps
approaching =. .r -,
Good, Here comes the relief. said
Firmin Bonard to himself, then cried
aloud. "Who goes there:
There was no reply. And yet |
heard something" muttered the soldier
land can take my oath the two hours
are up" Almost Immediately thereafter
there was another rustic in the bushes,
then 4 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 search
mo glance into the ob>curity, holding his
breath to listen. But there was neither
sound nor sight Of foe, and Capucin'
clambering up the rocks, came bounding
20 Bonard feet.
"Oh. that's YOU, old fellow, is it ::
said the soldier. You found it dull, did
YOU: Well. Capucin, it Is not particu-
iarly lively here. 1t IS pity You didn't
think to invite the corporal to accompany
YOU. for the night is decidedly cool, and l
have an exposition Of sleep come upon
me. The corporars watch IS always
slow. and will be till he takes 1t to the
blacksmith for repairs
In response TO these words, to which
he had patiently listened, Capucin began
TO bark and gambol furiously round ms
friend.
oh. YOU think that if I am chilled
and sleepy had better warm my blood
and wake myself mp with a dance, en-;
But, Capucin, YOU have no musket to
carry. or YOU wouldn't frisk 50.
Sill Capucin continued TO bark and to
run. now TO the right, now to the left, as
if possessed, till finally, losing all pa
tience. he came to the soldier. seized him
bv the overcoat and tuggcd 50 heartily at
il that he tore away fragment OF the
coat.
Bonari was not in the best humor
originally, now his anger was increased
and transferred from the absent corporal
TO the present Capucin, and he saluted
the dog with lusty kick
The dog was visibly grieyed to be so
maltreated and misunderstood, and re-
tired to some little distance, then slowly
returned, looked reproachfully at the sol
der. and licked his hands.
go! BE of with YOU said Bonard,
steeling his heart and threatening him
with the but-end Of his piece.
Capucin seeing that he could not pre-
vail with him, at last retired, often looking
back and barking invitingly.
But the sentry stood resolutely at his
post. and Capucin 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 retr-
ing inland, and had sent Davoust orders
to ioin him instantly, evacuating Rugen
on an hours notice. In the hustle, the
corporal-every one but CaPucin-had
forgotten about BOnard.
Firmin Bonard, pacing his beat with
his musket under his arm, heard 3 clock
strike in the belfry of the old church at
Rugen, then 4, then 5. 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 height:
and sought the guard d-house. ''lf 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 hour
is absurd
So saying he entered the guard-hous'
and found it deserted. 1.-The devil" ht
exclaimed, and was sorely puzzled, bur
after few moments reflection he came
TO the conclusion that the regiment haC
moved during the night to some othel
part of the island Throwing his guI
over his shoulders, he set off across tht
island and presently came to a peasan
who was plowing in the field
'.My good man, said the soldier, scar
you tell me which way the French troop
have gomez"