Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1884-07-08

either killed or buried alive in the snow.
But the first thought of their comrades
was not for them. When it was seen
what had happened, one cry arose from
every mouth:
"Where's our PierreP Where's our
little drummer
Where, indeed? Lock which way
they would, nothing was to be seen of
their poor little favorite, and, when they
shouted his name, there was no answer.
Then there broke forth terrible cry of
grief, and many hard old soldier, who
had looked without fiinching at line of
leveled muskets, felt the tears start into
his eyes at the thought that that bright
face would never be seen among them
again.
But all at once, far below them, out of
the shadow of the black, unknown gulf
that lay beneath those tremendous rocks,
arose the faint roll of drum, beating
the charge. The soldiers started, and
bent eagerly forward to listen; then up
went shout that shook the air.
"He's alive, comrades our Pierre's
alive, after all !"
"And beating his drum still, like u
brave lad He wanted to have the old
music to the last /"
"But we must save him, lads, or he'll
freeze to death down there. He must be
saved |"
"He shall be broke in deep voice
from behind, and the General himself
was seen standing OH the brink of the
precipice, throwing off his cloak.
"No, no, General " cried the grena-
diers, with one voice; "you mustn't
run such risk as that. Let one of us
go instead your life is worth more than
all of ours put together"
"My soldiers are my children" an
swered Macdonald quietly, "and no
father grudges his own life to save his
son."
The soldiers knew letter than TO make
any more objections. They obeyed in
silence, and the General was swinging in
mid-air, down, down, down, till he van
tshed at last into the darkness of the
cold black depth below.
Then every man drew long breath,
and all eyes were strained to watch for
the first sign Of his appearing; for they
knew well that he would never come
back without the boy, and that the
chance was terribly against him.
Meanwhile Macdonald, having landed
safely at the foot Of the precipice, was
looking anxiously round i'll search of
Pierre but the beating of the drum
had ceased, and he had nothing to guide
him.
"Pierre |" shouted he as loud as he
could, "where are you, my boy2"
"Here, General" answered q weak
voice, SO faint that he could barely dis
tinguish it.
And there, sure enough, was the little
fellows curly head, half buried in huge
mound of snow, which alone had saved
him from being dashed to pieces against
the rocks as he fell. Macdonald made
for him at once; and, although he sank
aist-deep at every step, reached the
spot at last.
"All right now, my brave boy" sale
the General, cheerily. "Put your arm
round my neck, and hold tight; wei
have you out of this in a minute"
The child tried to obey, but his stiff
ened fingers had lost all their strength
and even when Macdonald himsel
clasped the tiny arms about his necl
their hold gave way directly.
What was to. be done? A few min
utes more, and the numbing colds o
that dismal place would make the res
cuer as powerless as him whom he cam
to rescue. But Gen. Macdonald wa
not the man tc be so easily beaten
Tearing or his sash, and knotting on
end Of it TO the rope, he bound Pierr
and himself firmly together with til
other, and then gave the signal to dra,
up.