The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-06-26
Out to Repel a
Night Attack
BY OSCAR cox

luS, eApeClluS Ill dlluch At any iuoutut
arranged for the discharge of every
gun on the outer psrapet at once by
means of electricity. The electric key
was set up in the quarters of Major
Molynoux, who was intrusted with
its guardianship, that the guns might
and might not be fired premat urely.
The commandant, Colonel Du Pierris
was a nervous little man whose prin.
cipal military maxim was getting ahead
of the enemy. He was sufficiently
educated as soldier to know that a
favorite hour for surprise in war is
2 o'clock in the morning, when the
party to be attacked is wrapped In
Elumber. Anticipating that the works
lntrusted to his care might be stormed
at that hour, he had arranged method
by which such terrific onslaught OF
shot and shell should be poured upon
an attacking force as to cause 1t to
recoil, thereby giving time for the gath
ering of its defenders, who would be
reused by the simultaneous firing of SO
many guns.
Liege had been captured by the Ger.
mans and they were sweeping through
Belgium. Colonel Du Pierris was very
nervous. He had his pickets out some
distance from the fort, but an enemy
stealthily advancing may seize picket
before he can give an alarm, and the
colonel was relying principally on his
firing device.
One night the colonel turned in so
apprehensive of attack that he did not
get to sleep till after midnight. Just
before dawn he was awakened by 4
din that could have been caused only
by the firing Of many cannon. Start
ing up he hurried on his outer clothing,
and buckling on his sword ran out on
to the open space behind the guns,
ready to command In the defense. He
was met by hundreds Of his men, some
of whom were taking position at the
pieces, some were hurrying for am
munition, while others were forming in
line behind the works.
The breeches of the outer tier Of guns
that had been fired were opened and |
shells put in some, solid shot in others. |
As to the inner guns, they were al |
ready loaded. In few minutes the |
activity ceased, and all stood ready |
for the coming fray. The colonel, sur
rounded by his staff, stood on one of
the parapets, peering down into the
darkness, endeavoring to catch sight
Of the enemy.
The strain on the men waiting for an
attack is hard to bear. Once in the
fray action takes the place of sus-
pense, and the latent bulldog in a
mans nature enables him not only to
bear up, but often perform deeds that
are accounted heroism by others. In
the present case this strain was pro-
longed Ample time elapsed for the
garrison to take position, reload the
empty pieces and collect ammunition
where it was needed. And yet no enc
my appeared.
Captain lie Fevre," said the colonel,
ego down there and see what trickery ;
the enemy are up TO or whether they /
have been so discouraged at the re- .
ItpliOu AhtN nave ltNtANtd ludL tnCg I
have withdrawn y
The captain saluted, jumped down I
from the parapet and disappeared in }
the darkness. The minutes, which "
seemed hours to the colonel, licked
slowly by, yet there was no sound
from beyond the works. Too impatient ).
10 stand still, he walked back and
forth within a dozen PAGES, stopping
often TO listen and expecting every h
minute 30 be greeted by a shower OF !
missiles. Lieutenant Morant," he said !,
ego after Captain lie Fevre h
and see what has become of him. He K
may have been taken in by lurking il
enemy. b
Down dropped Lieutenant Morant, a
md he. too. disappeared in the dark o
Tess.
He had scarcely gone when Captain =
Le Fevre returned out Of breath and !,
exported that be had sent a sklrmish !,
Inc out some distance and had not h
leard a shot IL was not possible that 4
IN enemy could be near the fort. h
A suspicion that there had been some d
about the firing OF the guns d
inferred the colonel's brain.
How far has the skirmish line ad- b
he asked =
quite far enough 90 demonstrate !
hat no enemy could have been seen 2
rom our works" was the response. .
Where is Major NolynouxT" asked
he colonel. Then, without waiting for =
reply. he turned and stslked or to y
rard the majors quarters. Ia,
He found that officer engaged in h
rork that. considering the occasion. Al
ras trying 20 the colonel's temper.
be keeper ~ the firing key was en- Z
aged in chasing a rat around tho
partmenf- striking at him with his
word
Major Numbered the colonel
Colonel responded the major. paus-
BIZ from The chase.
Who fred the runsTr
''That rat he Jumped on the electric
er~
The men were returned 70 their SLIM
ers. ard IN another ten minutes the :
vi Uas again silent
whst POSED further between TIRE !.
slonei and the major r. not known. 7
iut certain q is that Major MoivnDur
-ss reIered from fhs chars. ~ the e
riug room. and = rat trap wss plsced :