Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1897-08-20

comrades, murmuring in a low voice;
81 knew 1t 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 1t
necessary to make an example of him.
and so no 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.
II happened to be the lieutenant In
command Of the section to which the
Partisan belonged, and, though he was
sorry in his heart for the oulprit, the
officer knew that military discipline had
to be maintained. particularly during
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. n fierce, deafening volley Of fir
ing was heard, and fearful shouts and
yelling seemed to come from all sides ut
once.
In II few seconds every man of the
little company was on foot, and, with
his gun placed in the gap Of the BAN.
Inn nuIinns Hrtnn IauuIy
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 IA gun and cartridges and. mounting
the slope, began to fire with all his on
ergy.
His lieutenant in passing by recog
nized him and said:
CHATS right, my good fellow Get
wounded. and III answer for your other
affair.
"l'm sure to, lieutenant. answered
the trooper, smiling bitterly, and then,
without troubling himself about tho
balls which fell around him thick and
fast, the Partisan continued shooting
Ii 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 retreat in all directions
The captain. wishing to teach them u
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 ait
er having the gate closed securely, he
kept his men in their ranks.
Sergeant Butin," he said, "cali
over the names"
The sergeant did not appear in an
swer to his chiefs command, and
shudder Of horror ran through the little
troop. III he were still out on the
plain 80 = The enemy never had mer-
cy, and prisoners aud wounded would
have to endure u long and cruel martyr
dom before death released them.
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 u ball
Poor fellow" they said to each
other M they were moving toward their
quarters for the night.
just at this moment u loud shout
WAS heard outside.
The sentinel raised his gun and called
out, "Qui vive?'
"Open the gatei' replied tho voice Of
some one gasping for breath. "Quick
Quick 1t III Sergeant Butinp"
The soldiers rushed to the gate and
flung 1t wide open. and then, dark
though the night was, they could dis
tinguish the form Of Il 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 they recog-
nized the Partisan. He WAS deadly pale
and covered with blood. One hand was
pressed tightly to his side, and with tho
other no still grasped the sergeaDt's
arm.
Your exclaimed tho captain on
recognizing him. who let you out OF
your prisony'
II let myself out, captain. answered
the Partisan in u weak, broken voice
II should have gone back when the
shooting WIS over. found the sergeant
out there on the plain--he was wound
ed in the leg--aud wanted to get him
back. I've managed it, but-I've got
bullet in my eide. don't think I shall
go-to Hanoi--captain. It's better,
thouRh-than-havi French bull
let's through my skin. There-goodby-
all Of you And with these words
he expired. From the French of Paul
1'Argency in Strand
7hs Exaot Moment Of Death.
DR.. d. Ferguson writes to The Lancet,
Perhaps one Of your medical writers
may be In u position to give me an an
swer to the following query. 1t has 90
CURED to me, AZ no doubt also to every
medical man In active practice, to wit
ness a large number Of deaths In many
cases, according TO the usual accepta-
ton, 1t is almost impossible to tell the
exact moment Of dissolution. When the
last few convulsive inspirations take
place, we simply wait to see II they will
be repeated, and after waiting q few
moments and everything remaining
quiescent we conclude that that IL the
time of decease.
There is one sign, however. which
think indicates much more clearly the