IN THE FIELD WITH THE PRUSSIANS. A SORTIE FROM METZ. ter, and leisurely fire when occasion required. The object in making these preparations was twofold-one of course being that the French, in making a sortie, must first conquer these obThe 31st of August of the year 1870 was a stacles before proceeding to more desperate fine, warm day. In and around Metz the sun work; the other, that in order to gain time for shone brightly on hundreds of thousands of massing troops, such obstacles as cut-down soldiers who were busily employed, for one of trees, with their entanglement of branches, take the greatest of military achievements was a long time to get out of the way, particularly quickly and surely working its way to fulfil- if they have to be cleared away during an incesment. The Prussians and their allies were in crowds in all the villages surrounding Metz, and their foreposts and outposts stretched as far as they dared toward the awful forts. sant shower of bullets, or perhaps of shells. Besides these earthworks and cut-down trees, every available house was turned into a little fortress; loopholed walls were everywhere visible as one approached the advanced Prussian posts. It must not be supposed that the French host was kept within the walls of the town of Metz. The Germans had to keep a very respectful disFor many days all the villagers in the neightance. Any one who has a good map of Metz borhood were collected and made to work at will be able to trace the following villages, be- rifle-pits, and in cutting down their trees; it was ginning at the south side of Metz by the Moselle dreadful work for them, and the Prussians had bank, and working round eastward; Ars-sur- to apply the flats of their swords pretty freely Moselle, Augny, Marly, Mercy le Haut, Ars La- to make these Frenchmen do such distasteful quenery, Olgy, Nouilly, Vany, and Malroy. work. People who are vanquished in war are These were the villages occupied by the German not allowed to have any feelings, or if they have troops. Nearer than this they dared not come, any they are not allowed to show them, so that and thus the French had in some places a run many a proud Frenchman was obliged to pocket of four or five miles from their fortress. From his rage and work for his enemies. the village of Malroy, which lies north of Metz, I was at a village near Metz on the day in and which is situated on the Moselle, right round question; some Prussian officers and I had had the west side of Metz, there were no villages in a bathe in the blue Moselle, from the boats of a which the Germans could find shelter consis- pontoon bridge, in the very early morning, and tent with their duty of keeping the French from as the mists from the plain rose and the sun breaking out of the city, so that something like came out, I set out for a walk to a hill overone hundred thousand men who had had to looking the valley through which the river bivouac under the open sky, during the time flowed. On reaching the summit of the hill I they had been near Metz, would have to keep looked down, and to the right of where I was that up till the place was either taken or re-standing was one of the most lovely scenes I lieved. The prospect was not an enjoyable one have ever witnessed. The beautiful little river for the poor fellows, for stories were abroad was dancing on in the sunlight through green that Metz had provisions for six months, and meadows, dotted by clumps of beautiful trees; thus the campaign would last far into winter by one of its banks a herd of oxen were lazily The position of Metz is not difficult to un- chewing the cud, while on the other a large derstand. It lies at the foot of two very high flock of sheep were quietly grazing; it was as hills, which are surmounted by the strong forts perfect a picture as I have ever seen. I scarcely before mentioned, and are dotted here and there altered my position, and looked down on my by villages which, lying under the protection of left; the contrast was perfectly appalling. Inthe fort guns, were safe from German attack. stead of green meadows there was a marshy The approaches to Metz on the other three sides swamp, without a tree to be seen; on and around are through level ground, and consist of long this dreary waste, baggage wagons and marketstraight chaussees, with rows of trees on either tenders' carts swarmed; further on I could see side. Now, as these roads were sure to play an men engaged in buying dead horses. The Moimportant feature in sorties, the Germans had selle, muddied by the hoofs of some trooper's strongly barricaded them with cut-down trees, horse, carried on its bosom the carcass of a which were placed with the branches toward dead animal. From a bend of the river, right Metz and their trunks toward the besiegers. across the muddy plain, stretched a long mound, On either side of these barricades, as well as and behind the mound was a correspondingly behind them, the Prussians had tremendously long trench half filled with water, in which strong earthworks; not mere hastily formed stood a number of Prussians on watch. At the rifle-pits, but strong, well-formed earthworks, next bend of the river another mound and behind which hundreds of men might find shel- trench stretched across the plain, and the inter vening space between the two trenches was "We have our regular rations," he said "so green. Behind this mound one caught sight of I must beg of you to take it. Who knows but the red caps of the French, and every now and that in a few days, or even hours, you may find then the cruel, cold gleam of the bright sword- me helpless and wounded on a field of battle; bayonets. After looking at this wonderful con- and if I refused to give you a little assistance trast between peace and war for some time, I now, do you think I could bear to accept your came down from the hill into the village of Ars-relief then? All those whom one can help in sur-Moselle In this wretched little place, time of war one ought to help, for God knows there are enough sufferers already, without adding to the number by individual deeds of through which thousands of Prussian soldiers I bowed my thanks and acquiescence of what from garret to cellar, and neither apparently he had said, and I soon found that my hunger for love nor money was any food to be obtained. disappeared before a huge haunch of black I wandered some way out of the village across bread and sausage. To wash this indigestible the Moselle bridge, as at that time I had no food down, Von Kummerling Schmetterbau settled employment, and was only waiting for produced some rare good wine. "Requisition," what a sortie might bring me in the way of work. thought I as I tasted it, and I came to the conI had not gone very far when I came upon a clusion that campaigning was not half so bad Prussian bivouac by the wayside. The bivouac, as people sometimes made out. After I had as usual surrounded by a perfect Slough of De- finished my repast, I asked the big burly lieuspond, was built of boughs; two or three fires tenant when he thought it likely that Marshal burned brightly, although it was mid-day, and Bazaine would make a sortie. some soldiers were boiling some potatoes that the French had sown, little expecting at the time they did so that the Prussians would gather in their crops. Two officers were sitting on chairs smoking cigars, with their feet towards the fire; one of these was a big, burly. good natured looking individual with a red face, the other was a spare, puny, bumptious, little fellow, with a turned-up nose, and two little tufts of red hair on either side of his chin. Now I was getting, or rather had got, ravenously hungry, and I was determined to get something to eat. So I went up to the two at the fire, and putting the tips of the fingers of my left hand to my left temple, and bending my body forwards with two little jerks I said; "Gentlemen, I have the honor; my name is -." Thereupon the big officer rose from his seat, and went through the same gesticulations as I had done, and pronounced his name to be Vou Kummerling Schmetterbau. His companion also went through the same contortions, and said his name was Grummingfeld Kissenger. This he croaked into my ear in such a deep voice that it almost made me laugh; it was so unlike the little body from which it came. "That's an impossibility for me to say correct ly," was his answer; "but every day that he delays it makes it harder for him to break through, and easier for us, when he is out, to drive him back again." "Do you think he has any means of communication with the outer world?" "Yes; I fancy he has," said Von Schmetterbau. "They say there is a subterranean telegraph between Metz and Paris. Besides that, there is some private signaling going on. I begged he would explain how that was possible. To give you an example of how it is done, I will give you an account of what I myself found going on," he said. "The other night my regiment had outpost duty on the other side of Ars. After seeing my men were all on the alert, after one of my rounds, I took a short stroll towards Ars. I had a cigar, and was enjoying it very much, when, at a window in the first house of the village, I noticed a red light. At first I took this to be a red flower painted on a lampglass and I did not at first take much notice of it; but it suddenly shifted while I was looking on, and two red lights appeared, these, After this formal greeting I asked if they in their turn, being superseded by a red and could direct me to the whereabouts of any a green one. I threw away my cigar, told a market-tender's cart, as I was nothing more nor picket of men to surround the house, and took less than starving. The good-natured looking two poor innocent peasants prisoners. Of man said they had not seen the market-tender course they never done anything wrong in since that morning, but that he had got some their lives; but, as they could give no satisfacsome bread and sausage; if I would accept it, tory reason for having dozens of lampglasses of he would think it a great honor. I said I various hues, their innocent assurances did not thought it a great kindness on his part, but that prevent their being taken to the nearest wood, I could not think of taking it, knowing as I did and shot like dogs. No doubt exists in my that it must sometimes be very difficult for him mind that these worthies had for weeks been to get a meal. signaling to Metz before they were found out, grinding of the cart-wheels along the road, and and these kind of spies are the most dangerous the clatter of the horses' hoofs, we could dissort there are and often cause the deaths of tinctly hear something besides the loud booming thousands through such bare information as can of the guns. be given by these lamp-glasses." "That surging noise is the hiss of bullets," "Holloa!" said the little lieutenant, "there's said he; "and when one is not really in the a gun!" action, but has only to take a passive part in it, We waited but a moment, and then we could I can tell you it's enough to turn one's hair distinctly hear, thud-thud, thud-thud, and white, that terrific hiss, let alone what one sees then the sound of volley after volley, following from the effect of one bursting shell. It's all in such quick succession as to remind me of the very well for the combatants to rush into the surging of the sea. The lieutenants hastily fire; they have several feelings which sustain rose; Von Schmetterbau shook my hand, saying, them; esprit de corps is perhaps the strongest. "I may need you sooner than I thought." I Then they long for revenge, and are to a certain answered, "I hope not," and in a few minutes extent blind to the noises and scenes around the bivouac fires were deserted, and the little them; but the non-combatant, let him be doctor company had set out to join its regiment at the or peasant, who is mixed up with crashing appointed rallying post. It was curious to see battallions, will not forget his feelings till the the rueful faces of some of the soldiers who day of his death." had to turn the almost cooked potatoes on to As the cart proceeded, the din of battle bethe earth, in order that their cooking utensils came louder and louder. It was about seven in should not be left behind. The hot black little the evening, and the first cannon had becn cans had all to be strapped on to the top of heard at four in the afternoon. The battle their knapsacks, just as if they had been bright raged more furiously than ever; there was a and clean. The alacrity was wonderful; the Prussian officers having no trouble in collecting their men, as they seem instinctively to know exactly what is required of them, and long before the alarming trumpet's blast, they roll up their great-coats, and prepare themselves for the signal, so that, when it does come, the officers have only to say, "Shoulder knapsacks and arms! Vorwarts!" and they fall into ranks as they proceed. I now looked about to find some means of conveyance to take me to the battle-field. I was not long in finding what I wanted. in the shape of a wagon with surgical stores, which was coming from Pange, and going near the battle-field. A young German surgeon was sitting on some mattresses, and he gladly gave me a seat by his side. 66 Whereabouts is the fighting?" said I, producing a map I had with me. "I don't exactly know," answered my fellowvoyager; "but it's on this side the Moselle. That Bazaine has broken out. I have orders to go to St. Barbe. If you want to go under fire you can get out anywhere you like between here and there. And if you walk towards Metz you will soon get more than you want. I was in the fight of the 14th of August, by Pange," continued he, "and I never wish to go under fire again. I prayed more in five minutes than I did all my life before." heavy cloud of smoke extending several thousand yards, which was perceptibly increasing in size, and by it the tide of battle seemed rolling against the Prussians. 66 Vany seems to be about the place where the fighting is hottest," said my companion. If you'll take my advice, you will not go that way. From what I can see and hear, it strikes me Bazaine is well out of Metz, and if so there will be terrible work to-morrow again." "Here come the ambulances," said our driver. We looked in the direction indicated, and eight cumbersome wagons were seen coming almost at right angles to us. I said good-bye to the young surgeon, thanked him for his company and help on the road he had given me, and went up to the ambulance wagons. I touched my hat to the head surgeon, told him who I was, and asked to be permitted to follow his ambulance. 66 Certainly," was his answer. 'Would that there were hundreds more like you coming, for there won't be much sleep for us for the next three or four days. It seems to be a heavy cannonade." The ambulance wagons belonged to the First Army Corps. แ What corps are engaged?" I asked a Prussian surgeon, who was bestriding one of the most miserable specimens of the equine species "Is it so very terrific?" I asked, in order to that I have ever beheld. hear what description he would give of it. "Terrific!" he ejaculated; "I should rather think it is. Listen to that." "Of "I can't say," replied the surgeon. course, our corps (the First) is there, and I think, the Seventh; but I don't know what We both held our breath, and in spite of the others." The ambulances were now fast approaching to the tree indicated. I soon picked out the the conflict, and as we neared, columns of ammunition wagons and regiments pressing on to the fight were everywhere visible. huge form of the lieutenant, thinking, as I did He raised his hand and waved it very nearly in a circle round his head, and said: "That way." "We must not go nearer than this," said the head doctor. "Halt!" The wagons drew up. Night was now casting its sombre shadows over the thick, sulphurous clouds. I could distinctly see the streaks of fire and hear the dull thud, thud, which rolled along the leaden atmosphere unceasingly. Just as the darkness "By the sentry, against whom I happened to closed in, the fires of death ceased, and stillness stumble," was my reply. "I want to go and reigned once more, broken only by the sigh of help the wounded," I said. "How do you adpain, the death rattle in some brave fellow's vise me to set about it? Which way are the throat, or the conclusive kick of some half- French?" slaughtered charger. Through the hours of this short summer night the dying had to comfort themselves, for such was the utter confusion into which the Germans had been thrown, that a Prussian colonel told me no man knew where he stood, and that Bazaine, with the whole of his forces, had broken through. I was proceeding to see if it were possible to get a little nearer, when I was arrested by the gruff challenge of a German sentry, "Wer da?" I went up to him, but before going many steps he bade me halt, and tell him who I was. I told him. To my joy, I found it was one of the soldiers from Von Kummerling Schmetterbau's bivouac; he knew my voice. I asked him where the lieutenants were. "Einer ist schon Todt," he said. "Which of them is dead?" I asked. "Der Kleiner," was his answer. "Poor little Kissinger," I thought; "this afternoon full of conceit, and so soon to be cut down." My short reverie was broken by some one calling to the sentry to know whether he was on the look-out. "Ya, Herr Lieutenant," was his answer; “I stand like a wall." The lieutenant passed on, the rain began to fall, and I felt wretchedly cold. Did you see Lieutenant Kissinger shot?" I asked. Yes, sir," answered the sentry. "I am his servant, and was sent back to help him, but I found he was dead; bullet through forehead, sir; no hope." "Can I get to the wounded, to help them?" I asked. "Well, sir," said the man, "orders are to let no ambulance go on the battle-field, and no one is to strike a light, not so much as to light a pipe; so you would not be able to do much, sir. But, if you would like to speak to Lieutenant Schmetterbau, you will find him rolled up in his great-coat asleep, behind a cut-down tree, to my right." I thanked the civil sentry, and made my way How can you sleep?" I said. "We must be in a frightfully perilous position." "So we are," was his answer. "There are eighty thousand French out, if I mistake not. Good-night, my dear comrade," he said. “I must get a little more sleep. Nature refuses to be polite." I left him for ever; the next day he, too, slept the sleep of death, and a little mound bearing a wooden cross is all that marks the last resting-place of the good-natured Prussian lieutenant. OLD. BY T. C. HARBAUGH. Old? The dark winters of three score years I feel the touch of the angel's hand, Old? Yes, darling, and ready to die; A crown which I hope I have won. Old? So old that the shadows grow dark, They are gone. Peace to them, I cry ; I'm proud of the past; let me die. Which all who are faithful will wear. Children's Department. THE LAIRD AND THE MAN OF PEACE. And when the Laird put the flask to his lips, to see if a drop had really escaped the deep draught of his companion, he found that it was as full as before. Brockburn pushed back his bonnet, and scratched his head; then he took another taste to make sure of the fact, and satisfied himself that the whisky was not diminished. He had his own thoughts on the matter, but he only said, 66 Ye'll have lost your way, like mysel', maybe?" "No sic a fool, maybe," said the other; "I'll guide ye safe, man, never fear." "Then ye're Clootie himsel', or ane o' the Daoine Shi!" cried the Laird. "I'm nae Clootie, I'm a Man o' Peace," was the reply. “Dinna misca' your betters, Brockburn; what for will ye no credit our existence, ye ken." N the Highlands of Scotland there once lived a Laird of Brockburn, who would not believe in fairies. Although his sixth cousin on the man?" mother's side, as he returned one "Seein's believin'," said the Laird, stubbornly; night from a wedding, had seen the Men of "but the mist's ower thick for seein' the nicht, Peace hunting on the sides of Ben Muich Dhui, dressed in green, and with silver-mounted bridles to their horses; and though Rory the fiddler having gone to play at a christening did never come home, but crossing a hill near Brockburn in a mist was seduced into a Shian, or fairy turret, where, as all decent bodies well believe, he is playing still-in spite, I say, of to be a kind of turret, or tower. the wise saws and experience of all his neighbors, Brockburn remained obstinately incredulous. Not that he bore any ill-will to the Good People, or spoke uncivilly of them; indeed he always disavowed any feeling of disrespect towards them if they existed, saying that he was a man of peace himself, and anxious to live peaceably with whatever neighbors he had, but that till he had seen one of the Daoine Shi, he could not believe in them. Turn roun' to your left, man, and ye'll see," said the Dwarf, and catching Brockburn by the arm, he twisted him swiftly round three times, when a sudden blaze of light poured through the mist, and revealed a crag of the mountain well known to the Laird, and which he now saw Lights shone gaily through the crevices or windows of the Shian, and sounds of revelry came forth, among which fiddling was conspicuous. The tune played at that moment was "Delvyn-side." Blinded by the light, and amazed at what he saw, the Laird staggered, and was silent. "Keep your feet, man, keep your feet!" said the Dwarf, laughing. "I doubt ye're fou, Brockburn!"' "I'm nae fou," said the Laird, slowly, his bottle grasped in one hand, his "rung" in the other, and his bonnet set back from his face, which was deadly pale. "But-man-d'ye think you'll be Rory?" Now one dark night, between Hallowmas and Yule, it chanced that the Laird being out on the hills looking for some cattle, got parted from his men, and was overtaken by a mist, in which, familiar as the country was to him, he lost his "Ask no questions, and ye'll be tellt no lees," way. He had just taken a pull from his whisky said the Dwarf. Then stepping up to the door bottle to keep his courage up and the cold out, of the Shian, he stood so that the light from when a voice beside him said, “Gie us a wee drappie, man," and turning round he saw what in the darkness seemed to be a boy standing at his elbow, and holding out his hand for the bottle. The Laird good-humoredly handed it to him, on which the little creature took a draught that would have become the oldest toper in Scotland. "Wow, laddie," said the Laird, "but ye tak a big pu' for sic a wee bairn." "Dinna be fleyed about your bottle, man," said the stranger, in piping but patronizing tones; "it's nae toom." within fell full upon him, and the astonished Laird saw a tiny but well-proportioned man, with delicate features, and golden hair flowing over his shoulders. He wore a cloak of green cloth, lined with gowans, and had silver shoes; his beautiful face quivered with amusement, and he cried triumphantly, " D'ye see me?-d'ye see me noo, Brockburn?" "Ay, ay," said the Laird; "and seein's believin'." |