The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-09-01


there Gaspard had to remain, thirsty
and restless and silent, unit the
guard was relieved, and then he asked
FOR water.
"Sergeant's orders are that you are
to have none until you recover'your
senses, comrade. Come, be mani"
was the sentinel's reply.
II am a mani" Gaspard said, proudly,
and he waited without complaint until
morning, when the sergeant fetched
him and marched him to the lieuten-
ant.
well, prisoner, are you going to do
your duty?" asked the officer.
Il cannot kill, was the hoarse reply,
and the swollen tongue and the
cracked purple lips told what&gony of
thirst the man had endured. Ia that
hot climate thirst is the most fendish
of tortures, and the sergeant had
chosen a strong measure to bring Gas
pard to a right mind.
VERY WE'LL" said the lieutenant, "do
with him as you suggest, sergeant"
prisoner! Right about face!
March," cried the sergeant, and
joined by the guard at the door, Trey
marched to a stake that had been set
up in the village street, and Gaspard
was bound to it.
There, in the burning rays of the
sun, bali crazed with the heat and the
longing for water, GaspaJd remained
until late in the afternoons !. -.stRe
sergeant approached him, bearing in
his hand a flask of water and a cup
into which he poured some of the cool
liquid, raising the flask so high that
the water fell into the cup with the
sound that there is no forgetting. Gas
pard's eyes glared at it wolfishly, but
his lips and tongue were so swollen
that he could not utter sound.
Private Meudon, will you obey or.
ders?' asked the sergeant.
The poor scorched head nodded as.
sent, and the mouth moved feebly;
the sergeant poured little of the wa.
ter between Gaspard's lips, and he
tried to swallow it. Then, in a mo.
ment, his eyes frightened, and he
opened his mouth for more, and swal
lowed it, and mumbled that he wanted
still more.
So, having surrendered, he was cast
loose and carried to a hut, where he
lay for week between life and death
and when three weeks had passed he
came again upon parade, a hollow
checked, submerged wreck, hardly
able to stand. His rifle was in his hand
and mechanically he went through his
drill, managing to last out until pa.
rade was dismissed and he could rest
again.
Next day some of the soldiers went
as was their daily custom, to battle in
the river, and while there they were
surprised by Il body of Mandingoes
who killed ten or twelve of them be.
fore help could arrive. There was g
fort just outside the village, and the
garrison, 90 in all, had rushed out tc
the rescue, but they, too, were so fal
outnumbered that they could only
show bold front and retreat to Their
fortress with the rescued men in Their
midst. The remainder of the garrison
left in the village were already en-,
gagged with numerous ein-sqy, and nc
hell, soua stiflected II il'szs4-ar-
ter.
Only that morning Gasrard had
taken his place with the garrison OF
the fort, and he, with the others. had
sailed out to beat back the enemy:
but although, like the rest. he placed
himself between his defenseless com.
rades and their foes, he made no at
tempt to fire his rifle, merely threat
ening with it, and falling back step by
step.
BY the time they reached their mud
fort they were almost surrounded by
ferocious horde. mad with the lust
for blood. and only one person at a
time could pass in through the small
door to safety. The fort, which had
been built by the Arabs and repaired
by the French, was pierced for mus
kerry above the line of the door. and
those who were within fired down int G
the black crowd, keeping them some.
what at bay.
Gaspard never looked at the door
but faced the foe with calm and reso.
lutte courage that moved the sergeant
who was near him, to admiration. SO
that he cried out words of encourage
ment to him. Every time the foe made
a rush he pointed his rife, and thew
fell back before the determined-look.
ing soldier, and fired at him instead
They were bad enough shots, those
dark-skinned warriors, and yet Gas
pard was bleeding from half dozen
wounds when the sergeant shouted to
him: You've done your share, mon
brave! Run i'm
Gaspard would not move. but stood
there a few PAGES in front of the door
through which the last of his com.
rades was retreating until only he and
the sergeant were left.
Now, Private Meudon, I'll cover
YOU cried the sergeant.
Il wait for you, sergeant" and the
sergeant, seeing how determined he
was, made rush and got through the
door in safety.
Then Gaspard turned his head to-
ward the door, but in that moment the
nV Ia.