The National tribune., 1894-10-18

tain's mouth when squadron Of Prussian
cavalry came dashing directly toward them
| The division was quickly formed into foul
hollow squares, while the guard that held
| charge OF the prisoner found themselves
obliged to flee. la51
In heavens name, y cried Jerome, "cut
| my bonds and let me die like soldier"
The Sergeant quickly cut the cords that
| bound his elbows behind him, and then
dashed toward the point where his own
regiment was stationed.I
The rattle of musketry had commenced
and the Prussians were yainly endeavoring
| to break the squares of French troops Je-
! rome looked about him for some weapon
with which to arm himself, and presently
he saw Prussian officer not far off reeling
in his saddle as though he had been wounded
With a quick bound he reached the spot
| pulled the dying officer from his seat, and
| leaped into the empty saddle.
| Dubois was resolved that he would sell
his life that day-sell it on benalf of France
and sell it as dearly as possible. But he
was not needed where he was. He knew
that the Prussians could not break those
hollow squares, so he rode away, thinking
! to join the French cavalry, with whom he
could rush into the deepest danger.
DuppOSiHS Lhott buC ucdNlCSu hiuot
be upon the Nehrung, be rode his horse in
that direction, and when he reached 1t he
found that he had not been mistaken. Upon
slight eminence toward Haylesbury the
enemy had planted battery of heavy
guns supported by two regiments of infan-
try, and already with shot and shell much
| damage had been done Marshal Lefebre
rode up shortly after the battery had been
opened and very quickly made up his mind
that it must be taken at all hazards.
Take the battery" he said to Colonel
of cavalry, and the battle is ours"
Dubois heard the order and saw the ne
cessity. Here was danger enough, surely
and, determined to be the first at the fatal
battery, he kept as near to the leader as he
dared. Half the distance had been gained,
when from the hill came storm OF iron
that plOwed into the ranks of the French.
The Colonel fell, his body literally torn in
pieces by shell that exploded against his
bosom.
The point upon the peninsula now
reached by the head of the assaulting col
umn was not more than 100 yards wide,
and it was literally path of death, as the
fire from IL heavy guns was turned upon 1t.
The Colonel had fallen, and very soon three
other officers went down, leaving the adj
vance without a commissioned leader; the
way was becoming blocked with dead men
and dead horses, and the head of the column
stopped and wavered.
Marshal Lefebre, from his elevated place,
saw this, and his heart painfully .throbbed
If that column were routed and the Rus
sian infantry charged over the heal of the
peninsula, the result might be calamitous.
But-see! a man in the uniform of a
French private, mounted upon a powerful
horse caparisoned in the trappngs of q
PrusSan staff officer with his head bare
and a bright saber swinging in his hand,
rushes to the front and urges the column
forward. His words are fiery and his look
is dauntless 81
"For France and for Lefebrel" the strange
horseman cries, waving his sword aloft and
pointing toward the battery. "The Mar
shal will weep if we lose this day."
The brave troopers, thus led by one who
feared not to dash forward where the shot
fell thickest, gave an answering shout and
pressed on, caring little for the rain of
death 80 long as they had living leader to
follow. Hoping that he might take the bat
terry, and yet courting death, Jerome Du-
bois spurred on; and finally the troop came
upon the battery with Irresistible force.
Withstand the shock, and the Russian infan-
Try that came to their support were swept
away like chaff The battery was quickly
captured, and when the guns had been turned
upon those who had shortly before been
their masters the fortunes of the day were
decided.
The Russians and Prussians-horse, foot,
and dragoon-such as were not taken pris-
oners made the best Of their way back into
Dantzic, having lost much more than they
gained.
Jerome Dubois returned to the guard
house and gave himself up to the officer
in charge. First Surgeon was called to
dress several slight wounds which he had
received. Next his Colonel called to see
what should be done with him. The Colo
mel applied to the General of brigade and
the General of brigade applied to the Gen
eral of division and the General of division
applied to Marshal Lefebre. What shall
we do with Jerome Duboise?"
God bless him cried the Marshal who
heard the whole of the story, "Pll pardon
him to-day and tomorrow I'll promote him."
And Jerome Dubois in time went himself
10 see the loved ones in France and when
he went he wore the uniform of Captain.
Yankee Blade.