The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1900-05-03

visitors mad. but assented.
Nelson's hatred of the French was so
intense that some biographers declare
that toward the close of his life it be-
came perfect craze and that his sailors
were affected to the same degree.
No such hostility seems to have been
entertained by the armies of the two ma
tons. Unnecessary harassing warfare
between the outposts was invariably
avoided. Sometimes, in changes of posi-
ton. one party would have to retire a
little. This would be frequently settled
~ polite note, or If the movement was
i'll progress. by wave of the hand. II
the officer in command of the outpost ap-
pealed to thought the demand reason
able one, he would politely raise his car
and give way.
Thus, after the battle of Busaco,
French outpost remained in village
nearer to the British lines than was justi-
fable in our relative positions. Instead
of attacking these outposts General
Crawford sent one of his aids-de-camp,
politely requesting them to remove to
greater distance. The French officer de-
clared that retreat was impossible, as he
had been placed in that position by his
superior officer.
But supposing we use force?" said
the Englishman, smiling.
"Ah, in that case we will do as you
wish
General Crawford thereupon ordered
out field piece, firing a couple of rounds
at nothing in particular, and the honor Of
the Frenchman being thus satisfied he
made low bow, which the English off.
GERS returned, and withdrew his men.
The British of course could have ami
hilated the outpost, but they had in Cen
eral Crawford a warrior as chiyalrous as
he was brave.
In the retreat to Coruna the British
cavalry halted one evening at Benevente
and took measures for destroying the
bridge. During the night the French pa
trolls came several times on their end of
the bridge to ascertain whether the enemy
still held on, but on being challenged by
the sentinels retired. One bold dragon
advanced so much farther than the rest
that he aroused the Indignation of an
Irish sentry.
Look at that fellow, your honor" he
cried to his officer, who happened to come
along. Shall l shoot him for his impu-
denceY
by no MEANS" was the reply.
He then advanced to the dragon, bow
ed and asked as respectfully as il he
were addressing a superior officer il the
French gentleman would mind retiring.
To this the dragon assented and, raising
his helmet first to the officer and then to
the Irish sentry, who replied, "Bedad
and good luck to you," withdrew.
After the battle of Fuentes donor the
village was between two armies. Men
from both were scattered over it some
what mixed in search of chairs, cooking
utensils and other conveniences to take
out to their respective bivouacs. To pre-
vent confusion or perhaps quarrels they
drew line of demarcation along one
street, which neither party was to pa IS,
and this amicable arrangement was re-
spected by both.
AT the lines of Lisbon, as they were
called, the English and French armies
lay in front of one another for some
months without striking a blow. The
lines were from II to 10 miles in extent,
and In some spots the advance guards
were so close that they could freely con-
verse with each other. The English
troops had the fine city of Lisbon in their
rear, from which every sort of luxury
could be obtained. The French. ON the
other hand, had not only a defective COM
missariat to reckon with, but their food
supplies were frequently raided by guer-
rillas.
The English officers, on hearing of this
sent into the French camp such seasonal
Bile presents as boxes of cigars and bot
ties of wine. AS they, moreover, declined
payment, deputation of French officers
waited on the English commander, and It
was arranged that on certain days a few
French soldiers should be allowed to pass
through the English lines in order to do
little marketing at Lisbon.
Politeness and humanity were by no
means confined to the officers, the men
In the ranks being In no degree less chiv-
alrous than their superiors. A French
dragon came across an English one dur
Ing cavalry skirmish. The English sol
der had lost an arm and as they APP
preached each other instinctively raised |
the stump to save his head from the com
ing blow. The Frenchman, perceiving
the disabled condition Of his opponent in