The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1897-07-08


a hoarse voice:
Never lay your finger on me again,
or-look out for yourselfp'
The sergeant, exasperated, laid hold
of him again, shouting:
ITO prison with you, and we ii see"'-
He did not finish his sentence, for the
Partisan raised his hand and dealt him
blow on the cheek, and while the ser.
geant stood thexe as though rooted to
the spot, wild with rage and suffering
out threats of vengeance, the soldier,
without even throwing away his ciga-
rette, moved away slowly toward his
comrades, murmuring in low voice:
81 knew it would come to that sooner
or later.
The Partisan was imprisoned while
waiting his trial by court martial. The
captain, on hearing of what serious mis-
demeanor he had been guilty, judged it
necessary to make an example of him,
and so he was sentenced to await in
prison the day of his trial at Hanoi.
He made the best of his situation,
and when he answered the questions
which were put to him by the officer
who had been appointed to make the
preliminary inquiries about the affair
he appeared to be quite resigned to
whatever fate might be awaiting him.
1t happened to be the lieutenant in
Partisan belonged, and, though he was
sorry in his heart for the culprit, the
officer knew that military discipline had
to be maintained, particularly during a
campaign.
One night toward 10 o'clock firing
was heard in the distance, and almost
at the same moment the sentinels gave
the alarm to the little troop. Then, all
at once, fierce, deatening volley of fir
ing was heard, and fearful shouts and
yelling seemed to come from all sides at
once.
In a few seconds every man of the
little company was on foot, and, with
his gun placed in the gap of the bam-
boo palings, was firing recklessly on
the enemy, who had surrounded the fort.
At the very first shot the Partisan,
knowing that under present circum-
stances no one would trouble about
him, escaped from his prison, rushed
for a gun and cartridges and. mounting
the slope, began to fire with all his en-
ergy.
His lieutenant in passing by recog-
nized him and said:
''That's right, my good fellow. Get
wounded, and I'll answer for your other
affair."
''I'm sure to, lieutenant" answered
the trooper, smiling bitterly, and then,
without troubling himself about the
balls which fell around him thick and
fast, the Partisan continued shooting.
1t was very evident that his one desire
was to meet his death there rather than
to be shot dead by his comrades by Or
der of the court martial.
After an hours desperate firing the
assailants, numerous though they were,
gave up their attempt to take the post
and beat a retreat in all directions.
The captain, wishing to teach them a
lesson, went out in pursuit Of them
with part of his troop, and, following
them up across the ricefelds, caused
them considerable loss of MEN.
Then, on seeing that he was himself
some 500 yards outside the fort and
fearing to have his retreat cut off, he
gave the order to return. On arriving
within their own Notifications and aft
er having the gate closed securely, he
kept his men in their ranks.
Sergeant Butin," he said, "call
over the names''
The sergeant did not appear in an
swer to his chiefs command, and a
shudder of horror ran through the little
troop. If he were still out on the
plainl The enemy never had mer-
cy, and prisoners and wounded would
have to endure a long and cruel martyr
dom before death released them. y y
The soldiers disbanded, and search was
made everywhere within the camp, and
then q little band of men went round
outside the Notifications.
1t was all in vain. Sergeant Butin
had not returned with the others, and
soldiers and officers all hoped that, at
any rate, he had been killed outright
shot through the heart by ball.
I Poor fellow" they said to each
other as they were moving toward their
quarters for the night.
just at this moment loud shout
was heard outside.
The sentinel raised his gun and called
out, "Qui vive?''
"Open the gatel'' replied the voice of
some one gasping for breath. "Qulckl
Quickl It is Sergeant ,Butinp'
The soldiers rushed to the gate and
flung it wide open, and then, dark
though the night was, they could dis
tinguish the form of man almost bent
double, carrying on his back soldier
on whose sleeves the gold lace glittered.
No sooner had he passed through the
gate than he staggered and fell. The
soldiers crowded round, and by the
Pickering light of a lantern they recog-
nized the Partisan. He was deadly pale
and covered with blood. One hand was
pressed tightly to his side, and with the
other he still grasped the sergeant's
arm.
"YouP' exclaimed the captain on
recognizing him. "Who let you out of
your prison?"
~ let myself ont, captain, answered
the Partisan in weak, broken voice.
SGT slrr,1J houo uOy,o hack whou tho