Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-12-14
THE FORGOTTEN SENTINEL,

The island of Rugen, in the Baltic op
posite Stralsund, is strong natural pc
sition strongly fortified. During thu
campaign Of 1907 Davoust had occupied
it with regiment Of infantry and some
companions of sappers and pioneers. an6
one OF the infantry was Firmin Bonard
a young soldier posted one night as sen
try on a little eminence near the har
Dor.
1t was midnight when the corporal o.
the guard left HIM, and he expected t.
be relieved at two o'clock, which would
leave him three hours sleep before morn
ing. The minutes slowly wore away anl
the two hours, according to the sentryt
calculation had about expired, when sud
denly he heard sound as of footsteps an
preaching.
"Gooa Here comes the reliefp' sale
Firmin Bonard to himself, then crie6
aloud, "Who goes there?"
There was no reply. "And yet heard
something," muttered the soldier, "and ]
can take my oath the two hours are up
Almost immediatel y thereafter there was
another rustic in the bushes, then bark
and poodle Capucin, the dog of the reg
lment, and a warm personal friend of the
young sentry, bounded up to him.
On hearing the dog bark the sentinel
at first tancled that something was wrong
and cooking his musket he cast 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:
30, that's you, old fellow, is it," said
the soldier. "You found it dull, did
you? 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 tie
blacksmith's for repairs"
In response to these words, to which
he had patiently listened, Ca pucin 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, 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
IT possessed, till finally, loosing all pa
ticnce, he came up to the soldier, seized
him by the overcoat, and tugged so heart
1,ly at 1t 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 the absent corporal
to the present Capucin, and he saluted
the animal with lusty kick.
The dog was visibly grieved to be SC
maltreated and misunderstood, and re-
tired to some little distance, then slowly
returned, looked reproachfully al
the soldier and licked his hands.
$50! Be off with you" 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 resolutelv at his
post, and Capuc1n just reached the beach
IN time to embark with the corporal II
the last boat, for Napoleon had formed {
new strategic combination and was retir
ing inland, and had sent Davoust orders
to join him instantly, evacuating Ruger
on an hours notice. In the hustle the
corporal-every one but Capucin-had
forgotten Bonard.
Firmin Bonard, pacing his beat with
his musket under his arm, heard three
O'Clock strike in the belfry ct the ole
church at Rugen, then four, lthen five
The swallows began to twitter and the
sun came up.
Losing all patience, and in desperate
defiance of military law, which enioine6
him to remain on post till he was duly
relieved, he descended from the height;
and sought the guard house. "If any
body is going to be shot," he growled
1T ought to be the corporal, for the ides
OF leaving man on guard for six hour:
is absurd"
So saying he entered the guard house
and found it deserted. THE deucero h;
exclaimed; and was sorely puzzled, bu
after few moments reflection he came
to the conclusion that the regiment hac
moved during the night to some othe,
part of the island. Throwing his gu1
over his shoulder, he set off across tn,
island and presently came to peasan
who was blowing in a field.
"My good man." said the soldier, "car
you tell me which way the French troops
have gomez"
.'By WATER" answered the peasant, sur
Prlsed at seeing the solitary soldier; 81
don't know where they have gone, bu
at two this molning they sailed with thu
greatest haste and in the completest 81
lence."
"Gonc"' said the sentry, 'and they
have abandoned me! shall be set dowr
as deserter. Blame that corporal he
not only left me on watch six hours but
ne has ruined my observation-disclosures
me. Now | understand Capucin's visit
he came to warn me that they were going
and I, dull fool that was, could not I'M
derstand him. Good dog, and I kicke:
hlm--thc first time one Of our men eve1
struck him: 0, Capucin, Capucin, why
didn't you think of tearing the corporal's
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; vol
can't do anything else. IF the French
return and take you will explain every
thing"
''But you don't understand what mar