Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-03-29
The Faithful Sentinel.
BY sYLvANus coBn. 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 trouble
some.
At midnight, Pierre Sancoin was
stationed at one Of the outposts. He
was stout, bold, shrewd man, and q
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 stray horse 60
out or come in without the pass. Do
you understand"
"Aye, mon colonel, shall be
prompt"
The dogs are all around u.s." pur-
sued the officer. land you cannot be
too careful. Don trust men or brutes
without good proof"
Never fear" was Pierre's answer,
as he brought his ireiock to his shout
der, and moved back pace.
After this, the guard moved on TO tho
next post, and Pierre Sancoin was left
alone.
Pierre's post was one of the most inn
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 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 Doggy, 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, hugo
masses of Clouds floating overhead. and
shutting out the stars; and sort of fog
seemed to be rising also from the ma sh.
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 stopping 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 quick, wild screech from
the wood, and, in few moments more,
a large bird flew over his head.
"Fdrbleu," ne uttered, after the night
bird had flown over; "could mortal
man have stopped that fellow from
passing?"
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 dark object just crossing tho line
toward tho copse.
"Holdr he cried, bringing his mus
ket quick TO his shoulder. Hold, or
/ fire."
And with his piece at aim, he ad-
vanced toward the spot where the OBJ
ject had stopped; but as he came 10
within a few yards OF it, it started Ia
move on again toward the camp.
"DidbIe" cried Pierre, move any
farther, and | fire! What? Pdrdieu
lie Prince? Ho, no, why, Princer'
The animal turned and made mo-
tion as though he would leap on the
sertineps bosom. but the soldier motion
ed him of.
Bravo, Prince" Pierre cried, reach.
ing forth his hand and patting the head
OF the great shaggy beast, which haG
now sat upon his launches.
Pierre recognized the intruder now
as a great dog, Of the breed ST. Bern.
ard, which had been owned in the reg
iment for over year, and which had
been missing for about a week. He
had disappeared, one night, from the
pickets, and all search for him had
bSen unavailing.
"Par6ieu, mon grande Prince" Pierre
uttered, as though the dog could under
stand every word; 1.-THE men will be
happy to see you. Where have you
been for so longe"
The dog made no answer 10 this, save
q low whine, and familiar nodding o
the head.
Now. mon ami, you must keep your
sitting there till the guard comes, ant
then we'll go to the camp together
Mind that, will your"
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. ant
no did 30. lie Prince was moving 10
ward the camp again.
"Hai Prince. that won't do! Stop
Stop. or I'll shoot! Didble, the colone
was positive in his orders. ] was I,
let nothing pass my post without tn,
counter sign. A dog is something. Yo'
can't 60, Prince, so now. lie down
Down. down, | say"
With this the dog lay fat down upol
his belly. and stretched out his for,
paws Pierre patted him upon the hea,
again. and, having duly urged upon hin
the necessity Of remaining whore h,
was, he resumed his march once more
During the next fifteen minutes, tn,
animal lay perfeotly quiet and eve'
n - \ l. A