The Delta independent., 1889-03-26
The Faithful Sentinel.
BY sYLvANUs COBB, JR.

was on the twenty-third Of October.
The sentinels were doubled, and the
most strict orders given, for the Prus-
sian spies were plenty and troubles
some.
At midnight, Pierre Sancoin was
stationed at one of the outposts. He
was n s,out, bold, shrewd man, and a
good soldier. The colonel of the regi-
ment was with the sergeant on this
bout, having requested to be called
at midnight, that he might visit the
outposts.
Pierre" he said, after the man had
been posted, '.you must keep your eyes
open. Don't let even a stray horse go
out or come in without the pass. Do
you understand"
"Aye, mon colonel, I shall be
prompt"
1.-The dogs are all around u.s." pur-
sued the officer, 'and you cannot be
too careful. Dom trust men or brutes
without good proof"
Never fear," was Pierre's answer,
as he brought his firelock to his shoul-
der, and moved back a pace.
After this, the guard moved on to the
next post, and Pierre Sancoin was left
alone.
Pierre's post was one of the most i'm
portant in the camp, or rather around
it; and he had been placed there for
that reason. The ground over which
he had to walk was a long knoll,
bounded at one end by huge rock,
and at the other, sloping away into a
deep ravine, in which was copse Of
willows. Beyond this copse the ground
was low and boggy, SO that man
could not pass it. The rock was to the
westward, and Pierre's walk was to its
outer side.
The night was quite dark, huge
masses of clouds floating overhead, and
shutting out the stars; and sort of fog
seemed to be rising also from the marsh.
The wind moaned through the copse
in the ravine, and the air was damp and
chilly. With slow, steady tread the
soldier paced his ground. ever and
anon stepping to listen, as the willows
in the ravine ratified their leaves, or
some night bird started out with its
quick Tapping.
An hour had passed away, and the
sentinel had seen nothing to excite sus-
picion. He had stopped, for a mo-
ment, close by the rock, when he was
startled by a quick, wild screech from
the wood, and, in few moments more,
a large bird flew over his head.
"Pdrbleu," he uttered, after the night
bird had flown over; "could mortal
man have stopped that fellow from
passingp"
He satisfied himself that he had done
nothing in suffering the bird to pass.
He had walked the length of his way
two or three times, and was just turn
ing by the rock, when he was sure he
saw n dark object just crossing rhe line
toward the copse.
"Holdr' he cried, bringing his mus
ket quick to his shoulder. .Hold, or
l fire!'
And with his piece at aim, he ad-
vanced toward the spot where the OBJ
ject had stopped; but as he came to
within few yards of it, it started to
move on again toward the camp.
"Diable!" cried Pierre, ..move any
farther, and I fire! What? Pardieu! !
lie Prince? Ho, no, why. Prince!"
The animal turned and made a mo-
tion as though he would leap on the
sertinel's bosom, but the soldier notion
ed him Off
bravo, Prince" Pierre cried. reach
ing forth his hand and patting the head
of the great shaggy beast, which had
now sat upon his launches.
Pierre recognized the intruder now
as great dog, of the breed St. Bern
ard, which had been owned in the reg
iment for over q year, and which had
been missing for about a week. He
had disappeared, one night, from the
pickets, and all search for him had
been unavailing.
"Parbleu, mon grande Prince" Pierre
uttered, as though the dog could under
stand every word; '.the men will be
happy to sec you. Where have you
been for SO long?"
The dog made no answer to this, save
low whine, and familiar nodding OF
the head.
Now, mon amt, you must keep your
sitting there till the guard comes, and
then we'll go to the camp together.
Mind that, will youp"
And with these words, uttered with
solemn emphasis and due meaning,
Pierre started on his bout again. He
had got halfway to the rock, when the
idea of looking around struck him, and
he did SO. lie Prince was moving to-
ward the camp again.
.sHa! Prince, that won't do! Stop!
Stop. or I'll shoot! Did6le, the colonel
was positive in his orders. / was to
let nothing pass my post without the
counter sign. A dog is something. You
can't go, Prince, SO now, lie down.
Down, down. say"
With this the dog lay fiat down upon
his belly, and stretched out his fore
paws. Pierre patted him upon the head
again, and, having duly urged upon him
the necessity OF remaining where he
was, he resumed his march once more.
During the next fifteen minutes, the
animal lay perfectly quiet, and ever
and anon the sentinel would speak to
him, by way of being sociable. But at
length, the dog made another attempt
to go into camp. Pierre had nearly
reached the rock when he heard the
movement, and, on turning, he could
just see his uneasy companion making
off.
"Diable" the honest fellow uttered.
81 must obey orders. The colonel's
word was plain Here, Pdrbleu! Come
here. Here, Prince. Mon Dieu! you
must die If you don't"
With u few quick bounds, the soldier
had got near enough the dog to fire.
and MS the latter stopped, he stopped.