A MODERN CASABIANCA.
The spirit of Casabiahca is not dead— at least it was not some 16 years ago. Possibly, in these modern days, it is slightly mingled with mischief, as this story of war times indicates.
An Irishman stationed at Pensaeola, in 1861, was placed upon picket one night on the beach, with orders to walk between two points and to allow no one to pass without whispering the countersign.
About midnight the corporal with the relief discovered by the moonlight that the sentinel was up to his waist in water, the tide having set in since he was posted.
" Who goes there 1 "
"Belief." " Halt, relief. Advance, corporal, and give the countersign." Corporal : "lam not going in there to be drowned. Come out here and let me relieve you."
Sentinel : " Will I, indade ! The liftinant tould me not to lave me post."
Corporal: "Well, then, I'll leave you in the water all night (turning away at the moment). Sentinel : " Halt ! I'll put a hole in ye if ye pass widout the countersign. Thim's me ordhers from the liftinant (cocking and levelling his gun).
. Corporal : " You stupid 1 everybody will hear me if I bawl it out to you."
Sentinel : " Vis, me darlint ; an' the liftinant saiol it must be given in a whisper. In wid ye 1 Me finger's on the trigger, and me gun may go off."
The corporal had to yield, and wade into the sentinel, who exclaimed :
"Be jabers 1 it's well ye've come— the bastely tide has almost drownded me ! " — Youths' Companion.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW18870722.2.194
Bibliographic details
Otago Witness, Issue 1861, 22 July 1887, Page 35
Word Count
258A MODERN CASABIANCA. Otago Witness, Issue 1861, 22 July 1887, Page 35
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