Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1888-02-16
To Die at High Noon
A FRENCH SCOUTS NARROW ESCAPE
FROM A HORRIBLE DEATH
IN MXEICO.

re Danton.
When Pierre volunteered to ship in
to Quinquimbo, to see what the Mexi-
cans were doing, it never occurred to him
that there was she slightest danger.
Qinquimbo was little mountain viii
lage with small garrison, and Pierre
determined to appear in the roll AS de-
serter' The son of a Spanish mother,
he did not look much like Frenchman
and spoke the language Of the country
like native.
But there was one thing the scout
had not thought Of. Colonel CAmpos,
then commanding the post of Qninquim
bo, had served on the eastern coast in
the early part Of tine war. If Pierre had
known this fact he would have blown
out his brains rather than play the spy
ID the vicinity Of the terrible Campos
AT sunrise the Frenchman walked
boldly into the village and gave himself
up to the first sentinel he met.
His story was plausible enough. He
had lost faith in Maximilion and his
cause, and had grown weary of hard
fighting and scanty ratiops. Moreover,
he had fallen in love with a black eyed
senorita, and could no longer bear arms
against Mexico.
The sentinel called corporal, and
the story was repeated To these sim
pie soldiers it seemed that the drserter
was telling the truth, and nothing bat
the truth.
"Ah that French devil, BAzainc!' -
said the corporal, che Is frightened, is he
not p
"Comrade," replied Pierre. "you have
spoken truly. Bazaine is IN despair
His men are deserting by the hundreds
They have nothing to eat, and the uSurp-
er has no money to pay them
'In few weeks they will be driven
into the sea-" said the enthusiastic cor
poral.
"Yon speak like prophet answer
ed the spi.
In the presence Of Colonel Cimpos
the Frenchman measured his words
The veteran listened without showing
any interest or surprise. His brown,
leathery face never changed its express
sion, and his eager eyes were apparent
ly fixed upon the ground.
"And you would serve the republic .
he asked coldly.
Try me, was the enthusiast re-
sponse.
How am to know that your story
is true:'
"Let me swear began Pierre.
"Now shouted tn colonel in voice
OF thunder
The officers and soldiers gave start
of surprise, and for the first time Pierre
felt uneasy
Bind him hand AMI fo)t !" was the
unexpected order
Despite his protesta'ions two men
carried out the colonel's instructions, and
then braced the prisoner IN sitting
posture against convenient wall.
"a year ago. said Campos, Il cap
tured that fellow near Vera Cruz. |
shot off the little finger on his right
hand, and he marked me here on the
forehead with his sabre. The VILLAIN
escaped that night, but another prison
er told Inc all about him He is no. a
soldier he is a spy. He has caused
more trouble than any other man in Ba
zaine's army. Now, Pierre Danton.
what have you to say ~
"The colonel is mistaken, said Pierre
Il never saw him before, and | am no
spy. My name is Jean Rouelle."
Look - exclaimed a soldier.
A glance showed that prisoners right
little finger was missing.
"Only coincidence" muttered the
prisoner.
Guard him we'll said the cononel.
"No court.martlal is wanted here, and
the grim soldier walked off.
Securely pinloned as he was, Pierre
knew there was no chance for escape.
His eyes roved restlessly about, but
there was nothing to encourage him.
"The barbarians," he growled. "They
will butcher me in cold blood. ! 1doubt
if they will be kind enough to hang me
That Campos looks like Il fiend and the
chances are that he is even now invent
ing some diabclical torture. Well, it's
the fortune Of war;
Qurn9uimbo did not look very inter-
esting to the spy as he sat the sat there
propped up against the colonefs head
ouartars There was a nlaZl and a few