The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1889-06-13
A NOBLE REVENGE,

During the siege of Sebastopol almost
every step of earth round this might,
fortress in the Crimea was stepped with
human blood. Thousands of Frenchmen
Englishmen, Italians and Turks had
fallen by Russian bullets or been carried
OH by cholera or other diseases. Still,
the fortress defied 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 8 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. 1
Inc zouave is always merry soldier;
ne laughs at everything-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-
rlest among the zouaves were the two
brothers, Charles and 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,
1856. A signal sounded from the hill
where General Pelissier had posted him
elf with his staff, and with sharp eve 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 Malakoff.
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 a 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 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 moment Victor is at his side; but he
comes too late--the huge piece of iron
had crushed Charles's head.
It is 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 torrent
his companions rush down upon the
Russians. The Captain who had slain
Charles is cut down, together with his
soldiers, and hurled into the trench. Is
he dead or alive2 The zouaves don't
know, but at o'clock they are masters
of Sebastopol.
Victor was made Sergeant for his
bravery during the attack He marched
with his comrades through the suburb of
Karabelnaia as sword in hand they drove
the Russians to the bridge, which was
their last refuge. The city was on fire
in several places. Victor came at last
before house whose appearance showed
that it belonged to people of high rank.
1t was the dwelling of rich inhabitant
of Sebastopol; perhaps one of the leaders
of the defense, whose military skill had
cost the French so much blood Venge-
ance again awoke in Victor's breast.
The house did not seem to be altogether
deserted. If he could only find a brother
here to butcher as they had butchered his
brother-hearts that he could rend as his
had been rent. Such was the revengeful
feelings of his heart.
He will avenge himself by plumber, if
he cannot by murder. He will take gold,
if there is no blood to shed. He now
stands on the threshold of the rich house.
He now strides through porch filed
with flowers. Flowers in the midst of
this bloody massacre! But whence comes