The Holly chieftain., 1900-01-05
CAMPFIRE SKETCHES.
GOOD SHORT STORIES FOR THE
VETERANS.
fhs Reximentnl Dog-reierraph Mon
at the Front-Often at Work Within
Two Hundred Yard. OF tho Ensn,y-
EiLing = buffalo.
Tho ReEimen,ai Dog.

More than one regimental pet has
entered into the history Of its country.
in America the list is naturally headed
by Old Abe, the Wisconsin eagle, which
survived the flercest battles Of the civil
var and lived to enjoy an honored old
age in the capitol OF its native state.
The armies of Europe have had many
pets. among which should be remem-
bered a poor dog which followed the
eagles of Napoleon thousand leagues
and more to Moscow. but did not sur
vtve the ruin of the Grand Army. A
sergeant of the Imperial Guard tells OF
the dogs last battle. A few days after
the awful passage OF the Beresina,
noticed man marching in front of me
much bent. apparently overwhelmed
by the weight of burden which he
bore on his shoulders. The burden
was dog. and the man was an old
sergeant named Daubenton. asked
him II the dog were to eat. No." he
answered, II would rather eat Cos
sack. Don't you recognize Mouton, the
regimental dog? His paws are frozen.
end he can't walk any longer" Then
he told me how he would have Joined
the vanguard OF the army which had
recently been destroyed, If he had not
been saved through his devotion to the
dog. The evening OF the day we had
arrived at wilma the poor dog had had
his paws frozen. and this very morning
the sergeant had decided to leave him
to his fate. But poor Mouton got an
idea that he was being deserted. and
howled so piteously that the sergeant
determined to take him. Hardly had
he started, however, when the unfor-
tunate dog fell forward on his nose.
and Daubenton then fastened him
across his shoulders over his knapsack.,
1t was in this fashion that he rejoined
the handful of men who formed the
.ear-guard under Marshal Ney. Sud-
denly, as we walked along some one
shouted. Beware of the Cossacksi"
A melee ensued, and some of the en-
envy bore directly toward us. Dauben-
ton was fortunate enough to see the
foremost of them in time to defend
himself but Mouton, barking like
good dog, embarrassed his movements.
The man wheeled round. but at dis
tance. seeming to fear musket-shot.
AS neither of us attempted to fire he
Inferred that we were without powder.
and advancing upon Daubenton, he
struck him a blow with his sword.
Daubenton parried the blow with his
musket, but the man instantly gave
him second one on the left shoulder.
This blow hit poor Mouton on the
head. The dog howled enough to
break ones heart Although wounded.
with frozen paws. he leaped of his
masters back to run after the man;
but being fastened to the straps of the
knapsack, he pulled Daubenton down
and 1 thought everything was over
with him. / dragged myself on my
knees about two steps ahead and took
aim. but the printing of my gun did
not burn. Then the man, shouting
savagely, threw himself upon me, but
I had time to get under wagon and
present my bayonet at him.
Meantime the dog, bowling and
barking. was dragging of Daubenton
sideways. Fortunately the sergeant
was able to disentangle himself. and
selling his gun. he cried to me:
Don't be frightened. don't stir!" He
fired. The ball struck the Cossack
under the right arm and he fell from
his horse. A French soldier seized the
animal by the bride. stop, you ras-
call" cried Daubenton. That's my
horse. / killed the fellow" But the
other man escaped amid rabble. Then
Daubenton called out to me: Look
after Mouton! am going after the
horse" The last words were scarcely
out Of his mouth when more than four
thousand stragglers Of all nations
came on me like torrent, separating
me from him and from Mouton. and l
never say them again.