The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1889-07-17
A NOBLE REVENGE.

During the siege of Sebastopol almost
every step of earth round this mighty
fortress in the Crimea was steeped with
human blood. Thousands Of Frenchmen,
Englishmen, Italians and Turks had
fallen by Russian bullets or been carried
off by cholera or other diseases. Still,
the fortress delied the united exertions
Of the allied armies. On June IS, 1855,
the French had, indeed, with wonderful
bravery, attempted to storm the Malakoff
Tower, considered to be the key of
Sebastopol; but they were repulsed, with
immense losses, by the Russians. On
September s a second attack was TO be
made on the Malakoff, and on the pre-
ceding day the zouaves gave themselves
up to the few amusements which the camp
afforded them.
The zouave is always a merry soldier;
he laughs at eyerything-at many things
at which he ought not laugh-at life, at
death, of the cholera, at poverty, at guns
and cannon. On that evening the mer-
riest among the Zouaves were the two
brothers, Charles aud Victor Carabine, so
called because they knew no other father
than their musket. They were not even
certain they were brothers; the chief
proof OF their relationship was their
mutual affection. They were as like, too,
in face, as they were in heart Victor
was to-day telling all sorts of funny
stories; they seemed to think little about
the terrible day which was to dawn on
the morrow.
All the bells Of Sebastopol and all the
trumpets and drums of the French camp,
too, announced noon ON September s,
1855. A signal sounded from the hill
where General Pelissier had posted him
self with his staff, and with sharp eye he
was following all the movements of the
army. Before this signal General Mac
Mahon, who commanded the First Di-
vision, threw three battalions of zouaves
against the left side of the MalakolT.
Charles and Victor Carabine had the
honor to stand in the vanguard. With
their comrades they crossed the enemy's
trench, climbed up the breastwork, and
were soon inside. Colonel Collineau led
them. He received a shot in the head as
he fell upon the Russians, but he quickly
bound up his wound with his handker-
chief, waved his sword and rushed into
the fray.
Charles Carabine had young Russian
officer opposed to him, who had already
cut down five or six zouaves with his
sword. Charles rushed upon him, in order
to avenge his comrades, and disarmed the
officer with the first blow of his sword.
But the Russian had already seized a
heavy fragment of Il shell, which he was
IN the act of hurting at his foe. Victor,
who was fighting about fifteen PAGES off
from his brother, saw the danger in which
he was, and fired at the Russian The
ball struck upon the eagle Of his helmet,
without even causing the officer who wore
it to vince. Meanwhile the great piece
of iron had smitten Charles to the ground.
In a moment Victor is at his side; but he
comes too late-the huge piece Of iron
had crushed Charless head.
1t is "A terrible sight that meets his eyes
to the right, Charles dead at his feet, and
his foe, fighting tiercely as ever; to the
left, on the top of the parapet, he sees
Corporal Lihaut, the brave boy Of Paris,
unfurling the standard of the zouaves,
and close to him MacMahon planting his
sword on the ground they had taken.
Urged ON by the madness Of victory
and thirst for revenge, Victor cries
"This way, comrades, and like a torrent
his companions rush down upon the
Russians. The Captain who had slain