Arizona republican., 1892-01-08

house and questioned him in French, but Claude made no reply.
 Answer me, rascal" said the officer after pause, "or your lips will be opened by bayonet through your body. Where is the main guard stationedy' The young soldier was silent
 Here, men, spike this pigheaded fel- low" but an imploring voice exclaimed:
 Stop" In surprise the captain turned around, saw the man lying in the corner, recognized him as one of his own con- pany who had been left for dead, and learned how compassionate the prisoner had been to him.
 "Very well, will spare his life," said the officer, "but we must take him with us. Muller and Hermann, bind his hands and lead him between you, and if he makes the least noise strangle him with his own voice. Forward! We shall soon find the French"
 Claude Latapie was in despair. He had deserted his post, had failed to give the alarm, and consequently his com rades were about to be surprised and massacred. How could he prevent it? What could he do to save them2
 He marched along quietly, rejoiced for a minute at perceiving that his cap tors were taking the wrong direction, but the captain soon discovered his error and changed the route. This time they were on the right road; the little band of Frenchmen would be easily captured all was lostl
 Suddenly the prisoner stumbled and fell, and as his guardians stopped to drag him up again his fingers clutched the trigger guard of Muller's musket. The man snatched at the weapon, but Claude hung on, and in spite of his hands being bound succeeded in his de. sign. Then he felt for the trigger. Her. mann pierced him with bayonet, and Claude, mortally wounded, felt his hold relax; convulsively he made another ef- fort and the gun went off A loud re- port echoed through the darkness, and with all his remaining strength he shouted:
 "To arms!'
 Then, pierced through the body, he reeled and stiffened, biting the snow.
 But the report and the cry were heard. The French, aroused, attacked the enemy; their main guard came up, and after short engagement the Germans, finding themselves surrounded, laid down their arms.
 Claude Latapie was lying in an am bulance when the general of the corps came up, bringing him the via5icum of the brave, the cross of the Legion of Honor The young man, however, made a wild gesture as he exclaimed:
 "No, no; you do not know how it wasw
 "I know you are brave man," re- piled the general.
 "Ah, my Godw sighed Claude, must 1 proclaim my own dishonor before l die? deserve court martial instead of the cross" And humbly, in voice broken by sobs, he confessed his momen- tary desertion from his post, adding in conclusion:
 "The whole outpost might have been destroyed through my fault, yet I could not help pitying that miserable Ger man."
 His comrades made but a poor re- turn for your compassion" sad the of- fcer.
 "They warned me. l knew what to expect" Claude answered simply, "and l am happy, for die for France. That is more than deserve"
 "Give me your hand, my brave fel- low" cried the general. You have more than atoned. am proud to con- mand such a man as you!" and stooping he laid the medal on Claude's breast and gave him the accolade. The soldiers face was illuminated as he grasped the medal in his hot hands, and gasping for breath he murmured:
 "This is for my mother. Will you send it to herr"
 And on receiving the generals prom ise the conscript smiled and died the French of Georges de Lys.