Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-07-20

rette. Inc called out to Him roughly to
take his place gId work ~ the others
were DONG.
"Oh, they'll get through it without
me-" he urged.
Take your place. said the sergeant
roughly.
But, sergeant, assure you my trade
Ia In metal work, aud don't know how
TO go about tuning the soil over"
The sergeant was furious, and seiz-
ing the soldier by his arm thundered
out:
Enough of your foolerv. and you
can take days prison f., change"
With one bound the Paiisian was on
bis feet and had shaken himself free
from TIE sergeant. He was livid with
indignation. and there was no sign Of
loking about him now. He stepped mp
,luse to the suboflicer, and looking him
straight in the face said simply. but in
q hoarse voice:
Never lay your firSer on me again,
pr-look ont for yourseif!'
The sergeant, exasperated. laid hold
Of him again, shouting:
ITO prison " ith you, and we II see
He did not finish his sentence. for the
Partisan raised his hand and dealt him
n blow OH the check, aud while the ser
g,aI; stood there as though rooted to
The spct, wild with rage and suffering
out threats Of vengeance, the soldier,
without even throwing away his ciga.
rette, moved away slowly toward his
comrades, murmuiing in low voice:
II knew it would come to that sooner
" later"
The Partisan was imprisoned while
waiting lis trial by court martial The
captain, on hearing Of what serious mis-
demeanor he lad been guilty, judged it
necessary TO make an example OF him,
and 40 he vas sentenced TO await In
prison the day of his trial at Hanoi.
He made the bert Of his situation,
and when he answered the questions
which were nut 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 bc the lieutenant In
command of the section 10 which the
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
ut the same moment the scntinels gave
the alarm to the little troop. Then. all
at Once. fierce, deafening volley OF mr.
ing was heard, and fearful shouts and
yelliny seemed TO come from all sides at
once.
In few seconds every man OF the
little company WIS on foot, and, with
his gun pl..c.d in the gap Of the bam'
boo palinad, was firing recklessly On
the enemy, who had surrounded the fort.
At the very first shot the Parisian,
knowing that under present circam-
stances 10 ere would trouble about
him, escaped from his prison, rushed
for gun aud cartridges and. mounting
the slope, b, ,an to fire with all his en-
ergy.
His lieutenant in passing by recoS-
nized him aud said:
That's light, my coed fellow. Get
wounded, aid I'll answer for your other
affair
I'm sure 20, lieutenant" answered
the trooper, smiling bitterly. and then,
without troubling himself about the
balls which !ell around him thick and
fast, the Pl.isian continued shooting.
II was very ,viGcnt that his one desire
was to meet his death there rather thar
to be slot dc al By Lis comrades by or
der Of the curt martial.
After Ill hours desperate firing thu
assailants, numerous though they were,
gave mp their attempt TO take the pcs
and beat a retreat in all directions
The captain. wishing to teach them
lesson, went out in pursuit OF then
with part Of bis troop. and, following
them Up across the Iicefelds, caused
them considerable loss Of men.
Then, OH seeing that he was himself
some 500 yards outside the fort ant
fearing TO have lis retiSGt cut of, h'
gave the ord,T 10 return. On arriving
within their own Notifications and aft
er having the gate closed securely, h'
kept his men in their ranks.
"Screcan. Butin." he said, zeal
over the names.
The sergeant did not appear in an
swer to his chiefs command, and
shudder Of l.orlor ran through the LITTLE
troop. II lie were still out oil th'
plain! sss The enemy never had mer
cy, and prisoners and wounded woult
have to endure long and cruel martyr
dom before death released them.
The soldiers disbandod, and search wa
made everywhere within the camp, ant
then little band of men went rount
outside the Notifications.
1t was all in vain. Sergeant ButiI
had not returned with the others, ant
soldiers and officers all hoped that, a
any rate. he Lad teen killed outright
shot through the heart by Eall.
"Poor fellow" they said to eacl
other as they were moving toward thei
quarters for the night.
Just at this moment loud shou
| was heard outside.
The sentinel raised lis gun and callet
out, "Qui vivef"
"Open the gate!" replied the voice O
some one Rasping for breath. "Quick
Quickl 1t is Sergeant Butin"
The soldiers rushed to the gate ant
flung it wide open, and then. darl
though the night was, they could dis
tipguish the form of man almost ben
double, carrying on his back soldie
n on whose sleeves the gold lace gliNered
No sooner Lid he passed through tn
gate than be staggered and fell. Th'
soldiers crowGed round, and by tn
Pickering light Of lantern thew recog
pized the Parisian. He was deadly pal
snd covered with blood. One hand wa
pressed tightly to his side, and with tn
other he still grasped the sergeant
arm.
"Your' exclaimed the captain OF
recognizing him. who let you ont o
your priscn!"
81 let myself out, captain, answered
the Parisian in weak, broken voice
~ should have gone back when th'
shooting was over. found the sergean
ont there Oh the plain-he was wound
, l :xt.. l.. .sI .,~,.to<1 k<, r,ak hir,