Military life in Italy : sketches - Societa italiana di storia militare

THE WOUNDED SENTINEL. 39
dash against the wall, raised his clinched and trembling fist,
and aimed at his head with angry, bloodshot eyes.
All this took place in an instant, those
present interfered, separated
them, held the wounded man by the arm, a corporal supported
the other who was ready to drop, and both stood for a
moment looking into each other's eyes, panting and gasping ;
the one white from fear, his arms hanging and his head bowed ;
the other with his
face flaming and haughty, his fists clinched,
and his whole body shaken by a violent tremor. Meanwhile a
crowd of inquisitive people had gathered before the guard-room
door.
The officer looked from one to the other, and asked the
sergeant the cause of the trouble.
The latter related all that he
knew. The officer then turned toward the prisoner, who held
his chin down on his chest, and in the midst of a profound
silence, said in an extraordinarily quiet tone :
" I can understand that, from a barricade, a man may cast
things at a battalion, with some end or aim in view, but this
useless and stupid insult to an inoffensive soldier, who has
neither the responsibility or right to defend himself, is one of
the most disgusting pieces of cowardice that can stain a
citizen."
A murmur of approbation was heard among
the door.
the crowd at
"
"Take that man away
! added the officer, lighting the end
of a cigar in the flame of the lantern.
" And you," he said, turning toward the wounded soldier,
while the patrol lead the prisoner off,
"
forgive
. . , and
forget."
The soldier gave a nod in the affirmative.