The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1879-06-19
THE FORGOTTEN SENTINEL

The Island of Rugen, in the Baltic,
opposite Seralsund, is strong natural
position strongly fortified. During the
campaign of 1907 Davoust had occupied
it with a regime Mt infantry and some
companies of ssppers and miners, and
one Of the infantrymen was Firmin Bon
ard, young soldier posted one night on
a little eminence near the harbor.
It 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 q sound as of foot,
steps approaching.
Good Here comes the relief P' said
Firmin Bonard to himself, then cried
aloud: Who goes thero P"
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 q warm per-
sonal friend of the young sentry, bounded
up to him.
On hearing the cog bark the 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
neither sound nor sight of q foe, and
Capucin. clsmbering up to the rocks,
came bounding to B nard's feet.
"Oh, that's you, old fellow, is it 2"
= I,,JJ
did you2 Well, Capucin, it is not par.
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 corporal's 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 gsmbol furiously round bis
friend.
"Oh, 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 pa
tience 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 cloth.
Bonard was not in the best of humor
originally, now his anger was increased
and transmitted from the absent COZ poTal
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.
"Goi Be off with you r' said Bonard,
steeling his heart and threatening him
with the butt end of his piece.
Capucin seeing that he could not
prevail 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 tS,embark with the corporal in
the last boat, for Napoleon had formed
a new strategic combination and wa;
retiring inland and had sent Davoust
orders to join him instantly, evacuatina
Rugen on an hours notice. In the bus
tie the corporal-every one but CapuciI
had forgotten about BoDard.
FiImin BonaTd, pacing his beat Will
his musket under his arm, heard thre
O'Clock strike in the distant belfry of tn
old church of Rugen, then four, thel
five. The swallows began to twitter ant
/ the sun came up.
Losing all patience, and in desperat
, defiance OF military law, which enioine
i him to remain on post until he was dul,
relieved, he descended from the heigh.
t and sought the guard house. "If any
{, body is going to De shot" he growled,
i ought to be the corporal, for the idea {
T leaving man on guard for six hours
absurd" +"
So saying he entered the guard-houl
s and found it deserted. The devil
e he exclaimed, and was sorely puzzles
4 but after few momenJs' reflection can
: to the conclusion that the regiment ha
/ moved to some other part of the islan,
? Throwing his gun over his shoulder,