Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1888-02-16

leaving 1t to the garrison
"There are not more than three hun
dred of the yellow rascala," mused the
spy. Lord wouldn't like to see some
Of our cavalry come along. They would
take the place in the twiukling of an
eye"
Just then two soldiers come along,
ard lifted Pierre in their arms, and car.
ried him to the centre of the plaza.
the captive at first thought that his
hour had come, but the men proceeded
in sullen silence to tie him to the mouth
Of solitary cannon, an old fashioned
twelve FOUNDER, pointed at the vacant
side of the square. They l'shed him
with his breastto the muzzle Of the gun,
so securely that it was impossible for
him to move.
Pierre thought Of the brutal British
fashion of blowing Indian rebels from
the mouths of cannons, and wonde1e ed
whether he was to be served in the
same way.
ut will be talked about oil over Mex
co,' said colonel Campos, coming up.
THE French will get it into their
heads that they are all to be treated in
this way and very few will be willing
to face such death"
"Comrade," said Pierre TO one Of the
soldiers, after the colonel had gone, "dees
he mean ito
when the MONDAY sun strikes that
it will be all over"
Pierre looked and noted an iron frame
work over the breech of the |gun. On
the top of this great round object so
bright and dazzling that made his eyes
blink.
Il DO not understand" he said.
"The burning glass there" explained
the soldier, is so placed that 1t fires
the powder exactly at noon. 1t never
fails"
The victim shruddered. There was
something horrible in the idea Of being
killed by the bright luminary whose
rays had all his life given him light
and warmth.
He knew that even in the large cities
of Mexico was called the midday gun
was fired in this ingenious fashion dur
ing the dry season. For six months in
the year there was never cloud IN the
XIV, and the action of the lens was as
sure as fate itself.
The guard paced up and down his
beat and Pierre was left to his medita-
tions.
He struggled until his strength was
gone irving to loosen his bonds but it
was useless.
His head fell upon his breast, and he
closed his eyes. But he could not calm
himself. and he again looked around
the square. All Of the soldiers were
not supposed to be in the neigbborhood.
"Stranger things haye happened, 'rea.
soned Pierre, Il may yet be rescned.
His eyes turned upward, and he saw
that the sun was directly overhead.
He glanced down the gun 70 the
pruning and it seemed to him that he
could hear the fizzing noise of the pow
der.
The sun was intensely hot, and this
inspired terror.
Saints above - groaned the poor
wretch. On such day AS this the gun
will 90 off ahead Of time.
Wha. did it matter? a few minutes
would not save him This glass shown
with an internal brilliancy, and not a
speck of cloud was seen.
If ever | do get out Of this, )" grunted
Pierre.
lie did not say what he would do
There ,rAs no use in making any prom
isns.
Higher and higher in the heavens
moved the flaming orb. Surely it was
noon
The half falnting prisoner held his
breath. The muscles OF his face twitch-
ed nervously and his eyes were fixed
with an intense stare upon the other
end of the cannon.
Like the echo came the familiar sound
waited upon breezes.
ooh, God = grasped the miserable
man though his pallid lips.
Was it a bugle? Even if it was too
late. Ii relief came it had to be at once.
Louder, clearer sounder the trlum-
phant note, giving forth the sweetest
ring that the listener had ever heard -
He threw his he I'd back, and the light
of hope and courage danced in his eyes.
i.VL, doy;ll" ba oboute OIL HWhether |