Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-07-18
o atone for this obnoxious singulsrity

|
was to distinguish himself by some ex-
plot which might obtain for him an
honorable mention in the order of the
day.
| An opportunity soon came. On the
18th of August his regiment, posted near
st. Privat, behind an avenue of poplars
bordering the road to Saarbruck, had
been exposed for several hours to gall
| ing fire of the German artillery, and had
| suffered severely from an incessant storm
| OF shells. which were beginning to set
the trees on fire. The position of the
French corps became untenable, and the
colonel, deciding that the enemys guns
must at any cost be silenced, ordered a
small detachment of dragons command
ed by De Langeais to charge, and cut
them off from the main body. The Ger
mans, taken by surprise and imagining
| they were about to be attacked by the
entire regiment, ceased firing and hasti-
| iy retreated, leaving one of their guns
on the field, which CASTOR, at the head
of fifteen men, bore down upon, and,
sabering the gunners, carried it triumph
anlIy INTO the french lines.
Bravo cried the colonel, warmly
| grasping the young sub-lieutenant's
hand; you have deserved the cross for
this, and Twill take care that you getit.
Stimulated by this first success, and
eager to justify by some further act of
daring the good opinion of his chief, De
Langeais neglected no opportunity of
proving himself worthy of it, Dis
patched ON foraging expedition and at
tackled by an outpost of infantry, he
completely routed them and brought ten
prisoners into the camp, and a few days
later held his ground for half an hour,
unsupported save by his own men,
against an entire corps of the enemy.
His gallantry did not pass unrewarded.
Not only was the Cross of the Legion of
Honor conferred on him, but his name
was three times mentioned for excep-
tional bravery in the order Of the day,
and his speedy promotion to the rank of
lieutenant was generally regarded as
certainty.
At this juncture the unexpected capt.
uIation of Metz was severe blow to
him, and, unwilling to accept compare
tive liberty on parole. he conceived a
project which, although extremely haz-
ardous, might enable him to join the
Army CT the Loire. His design being ap-
proved of by the general commanding I'M
der Bazaine. who intrusted him with
letter to his colleague, Aurelle de Pala-
dimes, informing him that the army of
Prince Frederick Charles would shortly
march toward the Loire, CASTOR ex-
changed his uniform for blouse and
PEASANTS. straw hat, and, carrying bas-
ket Of eggs, pursued his way coolly in
the direction of the enemy's lines.
1T is terrible risk" he thought,
-but better be shot at once than rot in
German prison"
Challenged by the first man he met,
and arrested on suspicion, he was taken
before the colonel of the regiment, who,
surrounded by his officers in council,
scrutinized the prisoner attentively.
where do you come from?'' he in
ouired in tolerable French.
From Ladonohamps, on my way with
these eggs to Grigy," was the young
mans reply.
Are you aware that you run the risk
of being treated as a spy?" pursued his
interrOgator.
Necessity has no choice" retorted De
Langeais, with perfectly Indifferent air.
During this brief colloquy the officers
glanced curiously at the stalwaEt indi-
vidual before them, whose appearance
contrasted so strangely with the homely
dress he wore, and were almost unani-
mously Of the colonies openly expressed
opinion that he was no peasant, but an
officer in disguise, and consequently a
spy. 4 pause boding 40 good to the &C
cused ensued, and in another moment
his fate would have been sealed, when
gray haired major who had been intent
iy gazing at De Langeais suddenly rose
from his seat.
Stay" he exclaimed; with ali sub
mission, think you are mistaken. This
man, whoever he may be, is no officer.
All those we have taken prisoners have
been close cropped, and no one ever
heard of a French soldier on active SER
vice with such head of hair as that
True, the major is right" assented
several of those present,
1T may be So" said the colonel, only
half convinced, land in that case he is
entitled to the benefit of the doubt. Give
him pass and let him go and be hanged
somewhere else"
"a narrow escape" muttered CASTOR
TO himself as he left the camp. Il won
der what Bouchard would say if he knew
it,"
A week later our hero reached his des-
tination, and delivered his credentials to
the general in command, by whom the
grade of lieutenant was immediately con-
ferred on him. At the conclusion of the
campaign he was promoted TO a captain
cy, and in 1871. after the final rout Of
the Commune, married his cousin Louise.
In the following year, while on leave ia
Paris, he came across his old enemy,
Bouchard, on the Boulevard des Italiens.
How goes it with your" asked the lat
ter, as they were slipping their absinthe
together.
Admirably" replied CASTOR. Here
am l. captain at %, Cbevalier of the
Legion of Honor, and the husband of
charming wife; and all this-no thanks
to you. by the way, observation-disclosures
l saved my hair Charles Hervey il
The Argosy.