The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1881-07-16
Testing 4 Sentry.

Just after the Franco fruSSlan war the
Adjutant-Major of q certain French
infantry corps, in order to test a new
sentry, who had been placed on re.
sponsible post, and affecting to have for.
gotten the word, at length, by means of
threats, prevailed upon the ignorant
soldier to allow him to pass without
giving the word. This he Immediately
reported, the result being that the poor
fellow was sentenced to be shot, this
decision being fortunately committed to
Punishment to Algeria by influence
brought to bear from high quarters.
This Adjutant-M Major at length met with
q well.merited rebuff, as the following
narrative-the dialogue of which we give
in English-shows. Finding newly.
joined man placed on a similar duty, he
determined to repeat his former expert
ment. Fortunately, however, the sentry
had already been warned by his COM
rades, and was resolved not to be out
witted. As the night wore on he ob.
served the officer approaching alone,
lantern in hand, and at once challenged:
"Who goes there?'' 'Of6cer of the
guard!" at once came the response.
"Approach with the word, officer of the
guard, ~ continued the sentry. The Off
Ger, approaching, said: IL have
forgotten the word, and you must
let me finish my round without
it," But. forewarned, the only reply
made bv this sentry was: "The word {!
Stand back, or I fire!" II have for
gotten the word, tell YOU" persisted
the officer. "Can't pass without the
word," was the only answer made by
the sentry, as he kept him at bayonet's
point. tsYon know me perfectly" in.
Sisted the officer. in q tone Of chagrjn.
IL am your officer-your Adjutant.' u
II don't know you. Keep back, or
fire." was the only reply vouchsafed
him. ssYcu dare not fire on your supe.
rior; and as it is will have you severely
punished for thus OBTAINING me from my
duty" So saying, the officer seized
hold Of the bayonet and ,endeavored t
force his way past. The sentry, once
again shouting, ''Stand back!''' drew
away his bayonet and made as if tt
charge the officer. Stepping back, tn
officer drew his sword and came OF
again, but was instantly disarmed b,
the sentry. Selling hold of the muzzl
of the rifle, he next endeayored to wres
it from the sentry's grasp. The sentry
being new to the corps, and knowin'
perfectly who his opponent was, re
Trained from firing, not knowing wha
the consequences might be Of firing Q
= his superior. even though the pass ha
been refused. In the struggle, howeve,
the rife went off and the bullet whizze
. past the officers cor, carrying with it
piece of his headdress. Half stunned
and utterly confused by this unexpecte
!, turn of affairs, the officer lost his pre-
!, ence of mind, and actually took to h
. heels, and without rejecting on til
probable consequences of his act he n
. ported the fact of his being fired on
= the sentry. who was at once taken to tt
guard-room. Next morning cour
martial was convened. and the sentr,
|, after having been charged with frin
on his superior, was asked what defen!
:, he had to make. In a few simple wore
! he explained that he had been placed q
: duty, at . certain spot, with strict orde
= not to allow any one to pass witho
giving the countersign; that an Office