The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1898-08-10

GASPARD, L'IMBECILE.
BY JOHN LIE BRETON


Gaspard Meudon was a fishermanl
From the peaceful village of Bizon the
fishing feet sailed, to return loaded
with the spoil of the sea which has
been provided for man. Slvery, 1.-THE
and cleaning, the fish came into the
boat only to pant their little lives
away, for often the men were lucky,
and it was as much as they could do
to get in the nets and clear them.
When summer came and the sea,
like the skies, was Haunting its royal
tints of deepest, brightest blue and
the lazy wind would not lift the sails,
il seemed dreamy life to Gaspard;
the older hands would tell the young
ones tales of countries far away which
they had seen when they had been
serving in the warships, as any Of the
fishermen might be called upon to do.
But when winter came, and the great
waves threatened to swallow up the
little fisher boats, there was no leisure
for recounting stories while at sea, for
each one had to strive and heed for
the safety of all.
They were brave and generous
race, the fishers of Bizon, and courage
was born in every babe of them;
through generations they had battled
with the sea, growing braver and har-
dier, and SO the government priced
them, and always some of the .Bizon
men were away in the warships.
And then day came when Gaspard
had to leave home and kindred 20 join
the Marine Depot. Gaspard was to
join the marine soldiery, and after
some months of drill he was sent away
to the west coast of Africa, there to be
drafted into the Dialmath, one of the
small hotilla lying off Goree.
At that time France, wishing to ex-
tend her African dominions, had threat
ened the Daniel, or monarch of Gayor,
who reigned over large territory, the
possession of which would enable her
to connect st. Louis and Goree.
Reinforcements had been sent from
Algeria, native volunteers were en-
listed. aud $50 marines were added to
give solidity to the expedition, which
was to start in two parties, one from
Goree and the other from st. Louis.
The Senegal column, to which the
marines were attached and among
them Gaspard Meudon--set out for
Gaudiole on January 2, 1861, whence
it proceeded to Benon-M'bro ON the
9th, the road lying by fresh and briny
lakes and through marshes, by welcome
GASES, where slender palm trees tow
cred up toward the brilliant blue of
the cloudless heavens and clusters of
tiny huts lay scattered here and
there.
As the column advanced the Daniel
Macodon retreated, and on January II
the French decided to march on Mex
hey, where was the kings palace. The
Daniel sent messengers asking for par
don and Offering terms, but they were
sent back to him unanswered.
"When the king says lie is willing
to give us whatever we ask for" said
Gaspard to his comrade, Francois
Bearne, "why do we go on marching
through this terrible country, where
we lose SO many of our brave fell
lows?'
"Why, man, we have had no fight
ing yet," said Francois; eve should
be laughed at ii we returned without
defeating the enemyv'
'But what more can we gain by
fighting than the king offers us free
ly?"
"Fame, glory, honor What else
does Frenchman ask for?" returned
Francois, and Gaspard marched on,
pondering over his comrades words.
But Commandant Saprade was not
satisfied with this bloodless march
upon Mekhey, and so, OH February 5,
he left Goree with a small fotilla of
four dispatch ships cutter and other
small vessels, and the marines, COM
manded by Lieutenant Vallon Of the
Dialmath, debarkel ON the 10th, op-
posite Sedhion and marched immedi-
ately on Sardinieri
The village was strongly held by
the natives; every mud hut was pierced
for the guns, and rs the column ad-
vanced heavy fire was poured upon
it. The French commander sent on
the native volunteers first, then the
Spahis from Algeria to see that the
volunteers did not trun away, and then,
in reserve, came the marines.
From every hut came flashes of
light and puffs of smoke which hardly
foated away, but hung about on the
still air and presently concealed the
village and those nearest to it. The
marines were moved up nearer, and
half of them were led round to the
rear, just in time to see issuing from
the huts the desperate natives, who
fired upon their advancing foes and
then turned and fed. The marines
opened fire upon the fugitives, and
they, realizing that their retreat was
cut of, rushed back to the village only
to be met by the merciless black vol
unteers and the Spahis.
The French officers, by dint of driv.
ing back their allies with threats and
blows, even shooting few of them,
managed to save the lives of a small
remnant of the gallant foe, but most
Of them lay dead or desperately
wounded by the time the firing had
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