The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1879-07-03
THE FORGOTTEN SENTINEL.

The island of Rugen, in the Baltic,
| opposite Siralsund, is a strong natural
position strongly fortified. During the
campaign of 1907 Dayoust had occupied
it with a regiment of infantry and some
companies Of sappers and miners, and
one of the infantrymen was Firnin Bo-
nard, young soldier posted one night
on little eminence near the harbor.
1t was midnight when the corporal of
the guard.left him and he expected to be
relieved at o'clock, which would leave
him three hours sleep before morning.
The minutes slowly wore away and the
two hours according to the sentry's cal
culation, had about expired, when sud
denly he heard sound as Of footsteps
approaching.
Good Here comes the relief -
said Firmin Bonard to himself, then
cried aloud: ''Who goes there 2"
There was no reply ''and yet I heard
something" muttered the soldier, "and
can take my oath my two hours are
up" Almost immediately thereafter
| there was another rustic in the bushes,
then bark, and the poodle Capucin, the
dog OF the regiment, and warm person
al friend of the young sentinel, bounded
up 10 him.
On hearing tho dog bark the sentinel
at first fancied that something was
wrong, and cooking his musket he east a
searching glance into the obscurity,
holding his breath to listen. But there
was neither sound nor sight Of foe, and
Capucin, clambering up the rocks, came
bounding to Bonard's feet.
"Oh, that's you old fellow is it 2" said
the soldier. "You found it dull, did
you? Well, Capucin, it is not particu-
larly lively here. 1t is pity you didn't
think to invite the corporal to accom-
pany you, for the night is decidedly
cool, and [ have an exposition of sleep
come upon me. The corporal's watch
is always slow, and vii, be till he takes
it to the blacksmith for repairs"
Ia response to these words, to which
he had patiently listened, Capucin be
gan to bark and gambol furiously around
MS friend.
ooh, you think that if I am chilled
and sleepy / had better warm my blood
and wake myself up with a 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 patience
he came up to the soldier, seized him by
the overcoat and tugged SO heartily at it
that he tore away fragment of the
cloth.
Bonard was not in the best Of humor
| originally, now his anger was increased
and transferred from the absent corporal
to the present Capucin, and he saluted
the animal with lusty kick.
The dog was visibly grieved to be 50
maltreated and misunderstood, and re-
| tired to somo little distance, then slowly
returned, looked reproachfully at the
soldier and licked his hands.
SO BE off with you = said Bonard
seizing his gun and threatening him
with the butt end of his piece.
Capucin seeing he could not prevail
with him at last retired, often looking
back and barking inyitingly.
But the sentry stood resolutely at his
post and Capuein just reached the beach
in time to embark with the corporal in
the last boat, for Napoleon had formed 4
new Strategic combination and was re-
firing inland and had sent Davoust or
ders to join him instantly, evacuatine
Rugen on an hours notice. In the bus
tie the eorporal-eyery one but Capucin
had forgotten about Bonard.
Firmin Bonard, pacing his beat with
his musket under his arm, heard :
O'Clock strike in the distant belfry of The
old church of Rugen. then 4, then s.
The swallows began to twitter and the
sun came up.
Losing all patience, and in desperate
defiance of military law. which enjoinet
him to remain on post till he was dul,
relieved, he descended from the height.
and sought the guard house. eli any
body is going to be shot, it ought to b,
the corporal, for The idea of leaving
man on guard for six hours is absurd.
So saying he entered the guard hous,
and found it deserted. ''The devil +
he exclaimed, and was sorely puzzled
| but after few moments reflection cam
to the conclusion that the regiment ha,