Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1898-07-29

with the spoil of the sea which has
been provided for man. Silvery, 1.-THE
and cleaning, the fish came into the
boat only to pant their little lives
away, for often the men were moky,
and il was as much as they could do
to get in the nets and clear them.
When summer came aud tho sea,
like the skies, was Haunting IFS royal
tints of deepest brightest blue aud
the lazy wind would not lift the sails,
it seemed dreamy life to Gaspardi
the older hands would tell the young
ones tales Of countries far away which
tiiey hail seen when they had been
serving in the warships, as any Of the
fishermen might be called upon to do.
But when winter came, aud 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 saiety of all.
They were a brave and generous
race, tho fishers Of Bizon, and courage
was born In every babe Of them;
through generations they had battlsd
with the sea, growing bravrr and har-
dier. and 50 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 TO ioiu
the Marine Depot. Gaspard was to
join the marine soldiery, aud after
some months Of drill he was sent away
to the west coast of Africn, there to be
drafted into the Dialmath, one Of the
small flotilla 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.
Reinforcenents hal been seat from
Algeria, native volunteers wee en-
listed. and $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.Mbro on the
9th, the road lying by fresh and briny
lakes aud through marshes, by welcome
oases, where slender palm trees tow
cred up toward the brilliant blue Of
the cloudless heavens aud clusters OF
tiny huts lay scattered here and
there.
As the column advanced the Damel
Maeodon retreated, and on January Il
the French decided to march on Mex
hey, where was the kings palace. Ths
Daniel sentmessengers asking for par
don aud Offering terms, but they were
sent back TO him unanswered.
when the king says he is willing
to give us whatever we ask for, sail
Gaspard to his comrade, Francois
Bearne, why do we go on marching
through this terrible country, where
we lose so many of cur brave fel
lows?" efs
why, man, we have had no fight
ing yet." said Francois; I'VE should
be laughed at il we returned without
defeating the enemyI''
''But what more can we gain BY
fighting than the king offers us free
ly"
flame. glory, honorl What else
does a Frenchman ask for?" returned
Francois, and Gaspard marched on,
pondering over his comrades words.
But Cummandaut Sapra1e was MOI
satisfied with this bloodless marcI
upon Mekhey, and SO, on February s.
he left Goree with small hoiilla o.
four dispatch ships,a cutter and othei
small vessels, and the marines, com
manded by Lieutenant yallon Of ths
Dialmath, debarkel | on the 10th, op
posite Sedhion and marched imlnedi
ately on Sardinieii.
The village was strongly held BY
the natives; every mud hut was pierced
for the guns, and MS the column ad
vanced heavy fire was poured upor
it. The French commander sent Oh
the native volunteers first, then th,
Spahls from Algeria to see that the
volunteers did not run away, and then,
in reserve, came the marines.
From every hut came flashes o.
light and putfs of smoke which hardl,
hoated away, but hung about on th,
still air and presently conceded tn,
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, whs
fir d upon their advancing foes ant
then turned and fed. The marines
opened fire upon the fugitiyes, ant
they, realizing that their retreat wa.
cut off,rushed back to the village onl,
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 an,
blows, even shooting few of them
managed to save the lives Of small
remnant Of the gallant foe, but mos
of them lay dead or desperateI,
wounded by the time the firing hat
ceased. Gaspard was sick at heart a
he marched past those groaning or 81
lent bodies; his comrades cheered an,
laughed, but it had come home to hin
with appalling direetness that he wa
murderer
As night approached the womel
came from the country outside an,
tried to carry off the bodies Of thei
men, wailing out their death-chant
with an awful. piteous monotony tha
depressed the most exuberant of tn
marines. Fascinated, yet Mortified
Gaspard watched their 1.-the darl
forms as they tore their hair ard fun
their arms above their heads in ges
lures of wild grief and wept owe
their dead. One of the women, VIII
WAS crouched beside the bodyof fin
young warrior. turned upon Gaspar,
4. ! 4