Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1893-03-24
MiscellauenMs.
NERVE.

While Murat was in Madrid be was
anxious to communicate with Junot in
Portugal, but all the roads to Lisbon
swarmcd with guerrillas and with the
troops composing Castanos' army.
He asked Krasinski, the commandant
Of the lancers, to find him a brave and
intelligent young man Two days af-
terward the commandant brought the
prince a young man Of his corps, for
whom he pledged his life His name
was Leckinski, aud he was but eighteen
years old.
Murat was moved at seeing so young
n man court 10 imminent a danger, for
If he were detected his doom was sealed
Murat could not help remarking to the
Pole the risk he was about to run The
youth smiled.
'Let your imperial highness give me
my instructions" answered no respect
fully, and | will give a good account
of the mission ! have been honored
with"
The young prince augured favorably
from the young mans modest resolu-
ton. The Russian ambassador gave
him his dispatches; he put on Russian
uniform and set out for Portugal
The first two days passed over quietly,
but on the afternoon Of the third Leck-
inski was surrounded by body of Span
iards, who disarmed him and dragged
him before their commanding officer.
Luckily for the gallant youth it was
Castanos himself
Leckinski was aware that he was lost
il he were discovered to be French
man consequently he determined on
the instant not to let single word Of
French escape him, and TO speak but
Russian and German, which he spoke
with equal fuency. The cries Of rage
Of his captors announced the fate which
awaited him, aud the horrible murder
of General Rene, who had persisted 10
the most dreadful tortures but few
weeks before as he was going to join
Junot, was sufficient to freeze the very
blood.
"Who are your said Castanos 10
French, which language he spoke per.
fectly we'll, having been educated in
France.
Leckinski looked at the questionor,
made sign and answered in German,
II do not understand you"
Castanos spoke German, but he did
not wish to appear personally in the
matter and summoned one Of the officers
of bis staff, who went on with the ex-
animation. The young Pole answered
10 Russian or German, but never let
single syllable Of French escape him
He might, however, easily have forgot
ten himself, surrounded rs be was by
crowd eager for bis blood, and who
waited with savage Impotence to have
him declared guilty--that is, French
man--to fall upon him aud murder him.
But their fury was raised TO height,
which the general himself could not con-
troll, by an incident which seemed 10 cut
of the unhappy prisoner from every
hope Of escape. One Of CastaDos' aids
de camp, one Of the frantically patriotic
who were 80 numerous in this war, and
who from the first had denounced Leck-
inski as a French spy, burst into the room,
dragging with him man wearing the
brown jacket, tall hat aud red plume Of
Spanish peasant.
The officer confronted him with the
Pole and said
"Look at this man, and then say IL il
is true that he is German or a Rus .
sian. He is spy swear by my soul 4"
The peasant meanwhile was cycling
the prisoner closely. Presently his dark
eye lighted up with the fire Of hatred.
IFS Frances be is FreDchman !"
exclaimed he, clapping bis hands. And
be stated that having been in Madrid a
few weeks before he had been put 10
requisition TO carry forage 10 the French
barrack, and, said he, II reeolect that
this is the man who took my load Of
forage aud gave inc receipt. was
near him au hour and recollect him.
When we caught him | told my comrade
this is the French officer delivered my
forage TO-"
This was correct Castanos probably
discovered the true state Of the case. bul
no was generous foe IIo proposed L
let him pursue his journey, for Leckinsk
IT'LL insisted he was Russian, apI coulC
not be made 10 Mud q word o