Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1898-03-17


the gunners, carried it trtumphantIy
into the French lines.
"Bravo," cried the colonel, warmly,
grasping the young sub-lieutenant's
hand; you have deserved the cross
for this, and I will take care that you
get it,"
Stimulated by this first success, and
eager to justify, by some further act Of
daring, the good opinion of his chief, de
Langeais neglected no opportunity of
proving himself worthy of 1t. Dis
patched on forage expedition, and
attacked by an outpost of infantry, he
completely routed them, and brought
ten prisoners into the camp; and a
few days later held his ground for half
an hour, unsupported, save by his own
men, against an entire corps Of
the enemy. His gallantry did not
pass unrewarded. Not only was
the cross of the Legion of Honor con-
ferred on him, but his name was three
times mentioned for exceptional
bravery in the order of the day, and his
speedy promotion to the rank of lieu
tenant was generally regarded as GER
tainty
At this juncture the unexpected cap
itulation of Metz was a severe blow to
him, and, unwilling to accept compare
tive liberty on parole, he conceived a
project, which, although extremely haz-
ardous, might possibly enable him to
Join the army of the Loire. His design
being approved of by the general COM
handing under Bazainc, who intrusted
him with letter to his colleague, Au-
relle de Paladincs, informing him that
the army of Prince Frederick Charles
would shortly march toward the Loire,
CASTOR exchanged his uniform for a
blouse and PEASANTS straw hat, and,
carrying a basket of eggs, pursued his
way coolly in the direction of the en-
emy's lines.
at is a terrible risk" ne thought,
"but better be shot at once than rot
in a German prison"
Challenged by the first sentinel he
met, and arrested on suspicion, he was
taken before the colonel of the regi-
ment, who. surrounded by his officers in
council, sc.utinized the prisoner at
tentively,
"Where do you come FROM" he in
quired in tolerable French.
"From Lardonchamps, on my way
with these eggs 10 Grigy,' was the
young mans reply.
care you aware that you run the
risk of being treated as a spy?" pur-
sued his interrogation.
Necessity has no choice" rctorted
de Langeais, with perfectly indiffer
emit air.
During this brief colloquy the officers
glanced curiously at the stalwart indi-
vidual before them, whose appearance
and manner contrasted so strangely
with the homely dress he wore; and
were almost unanimously of the
colonel's openly expressed opinion, that
he was no peasant, but an officer in dis
guise, and consequently spy. a
pause boding no good to the accused en-
sued, and in another moment his fate
would have been sealed, when n gray
haired major, who had been intently
gazing at de Langeais, suddenly arose
from his seat.
stay" he exclaimed, with all sub
mission, think you are mistaken. This
man, whoever he may be, is no officer.
All those we have taken prisoners
have been close cropped, and no one
ever heard of French soldier on active
service with such head of hair as
that"
"True-the major is right" assented
several of those present.
st may be so" said the colonel, only
half convinced. "and in that case he
is entitled to the benefit of the doubt.
Give him a pass, and let him go and be
banged somewhere else"
"a narrow escaped" muttered Castor
to himself rs he left the camp. 81 won
der what Bouchard would say if he
knew of it."