The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1897-07-20

at once, fierce, deafening volley Of fir
ing was heard, and fearful shouts and
yelling seemed to come from all sides at
once.
In 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. -
Pm 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
! locdOf1 mt IN, -
with part Of his troop, and, following
them up across the ricefields, caused
them a 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 long and cruel martyr
dom before death released them. y y
The soldiers disbanded, and search was
made everywhere within the camp, and
then 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 a ball
Poor fellow" they said TO each
other as they were moving toward their
quarters for the night.
just at this moment a loud shout
was heard outside.
The sentinel raised his gun and called
out "Qui vive?"
"Open the gateP' replied the voice of
some one gasping for breath. "Qulck
Quickl 1t 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 lantern thew 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.
"Youl" exclaimed the captain on
recognizing him. "Who let you out of
your PRISON."
81 let myself out, captain, answered
the Partisan in a weak, broken voice.
II should have gone back when the
shooting was over. found the sergeant
out there on the plain-he was wound
ed in the leg-and wanted to get him
back. I've managed it, but-I've got a
bullet in my side. don't think l shall
go-to Hanoi-captain. It's better,
though-than-ha French bull
let's through my skin. There-goodby-
all of you And with these words
he expired. From the French of Paul
d 'Argency in Strand.