Page 69 - Jack's victory and other stories about dogs
P. 69
ral days, during which lie was subjected to hospi
tal rules and diet, and behaved himsell admir
ably under the cir cum stances. But confinement
was Irksome to our canine hero, and the sound
of musketry and cannon from without made him
long to be in the field once more. At length he
was declared convalescent, and was permitted to
walk about a little every clay so as to strengthen
his left leg, which was lame. Before he had
entirely regained his strength, however, the
famous battle of Marengo was fought. Could a
do£ of the courage and martial enthusiasm of
o o
Moustache be absent from such a glorious vic
tory? Certainly not! So, cripple as he was, he
set out with his comrades for the scene of action.
He trudged along as well as he was able, keeping
as near the standard-bearer as he could, barking
as loud as his lungs permitted him all the way;
in this way resembling the infer of Gustav us
Adolphus, who played his instrument all through
the battle of Lutzen. Nor did he cease barking
until darkness had set in, and compelled the
combatants to suspend hostilities.
