A FIVE YEARS’ SENTINEL.

Northland Age, Volume 3, Issue 39, 14 May 1907, Page 5

A FIVE YEARS’ SENTINEL.

Sentinels have accomplished wonders of faithfulness and endurance ; but the service of a sentinel on the island of Rugen, as reported by himself, is a unique example of patience. A detachment of the French Geroeral Davoust’s army was stationed on the little island of Rugen. An order to leave it immediately Was received, and the soldiers embarked and sailed away with the greatest haste. One man was forgotten. He w r as on sentinel duty. Back and forth he marched for hours after it was time for someone tp relieve him. Finally, he lost patience and returned to head-t quarters and found the post deserted. His company had departed in obedience to imperative orders.

"I am lost, ruined .disgraced,” he lamented ; "I shall be sent for and shot as a deserter'!” His distress touched the heart of a good fellow who witnessed it, and he took him home with him, cheered him up, and adopted him into his family. As time passed, and no summons came from France, the soldier took heart and became a good .citizen of of Rugen. He endeared himself to his adopted family, and married the daughter of his protector. Five years after • the departure of the French soldiers a sail was sighted from the island, and it was soon discovered that the men on board the approaching ship wore French uniforms.

"They have come for me !" cried the sentinel.

A happy thought struck him. He ran home, hurried into his old uniform, seized his arms, * and by the time the French were ready to disembark he was solemnly marching back and forth the shore. "Who goes there ?” he demanded in a voice of thunder, as the soldiers were about to land.

"Who goes there yourself ?” replied the astonished Frenchmen. "Who are you ?" "A sentinel.”

"How long hav# jpu bee* on duty ?” "Five years."

As might be expected, such a model of patience and perseverance was relieved from duty until his case could be inquired into, and when the matter. was reported to General Davoust, he laughed heartily, and saying that the fellow must need rest, gave him his discharge.