Gulf Coast breeze. [volume] (Crawfordville, Fla.) 1897-19??, 1898-08-26
GASPARD, L'IMBECILE.
BY JOHN LIE BRETON.


Gaspard Meudon was q fisherman
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. Silvery, 1.-THE
and cleaning, the fish came into the
boat only to pant their little lives
away, for often the men were lucky,
and IL was as much as they could do
to get in the nets and clear them.
When summer came aud the sea,
like the skies, was Haunting its royal
tints Of deepest, brightest blue and
the lazy wind would not lift the sails,
it seemed q dreamy life to Gaspard
the older hands would tell the young
ones tales Of countries for away which
they had seen when they had been
serving in the warships, az 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 sen, 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 drawer aud 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 to join
the Marine Depot. Gaspard was to
join the marine soldiery, and after
some months OF drill he was sent away
TO the west coas. OF Africa, there TO be
drafted into the Dialmath one Of the
small fiotilla 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 a large territory. the
possession of which would enable her
TO connect st. Louis and Goree.
Reinforcement had been sent from
Algeria, native volunteers wero 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. y
The Senegal column, to which the
marines were attached among
them Gaspard Meudon-set ont for
Gaudiole on January 2, 1861, whence
II 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 aud clusters of
tiny huts lay scattered here and
there.
As the column advanced the Daniel
Macodon retreated, and on January IL
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.
"Wnen the king says he 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?" 0
"Why, man, we have had no fight
ing yet," said Francois; "we should
be laughed at IL we returned without
defeating the enemyr'
'But what more can we gain by
fighting than the king offers us free.
ly?"
''Fame, glory, honorl What else
does a French,nan ask for?" returned
Francois, aud Gaspard marched on,
bordering over his comrades words.
But Commandant Saprade was not
satisfied with this bloodless march
upon Mekhey, and so, on February 5,
he left Goree with small hotilla Of
four dispatch ships, cutter and other
small vessels, and the marines, COM
manded by Lieutepant WALTON Of the
Dialmath, debarked on the 10th, OPP
posite Sedhion and marched immedi-
ately on Sardinieri
The village was strongly held by
the natives; every mud hut was piessed
FOR the guns, and as the columa adj
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 run away, and then,
In reserve, came the marines.
Prom every hut came flashes OF
Hight and putfs of smoke which hardly
1oated away, but hung about ON the
NIL air and presently concealed the
village and those nearest to it The
norines were moved up nearer, and
half Of them were led round to the
roar, just in time to see issuing from
The hats the desperate natives, who
6rtd upon their advancing foes and
then turned and fed. The marines
opened DIRE upon the fugitives, and
tkey. realizing that their retreat was