HE OBEYED ORDERS | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 5, 1894

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 14.

HE OBEYED ORDERS.

At a time of great danger Napoleon once gave an order to the pickets stationed at the outposts of his camp not to allow anything to pass them. The long, dark hours of the night wore slowly away, and the faithful sentinels kept close watch for the appearance of an enemy, when, just before daylight, a large dog was seen approaching one of the guard. The animal was ordered back, but, with every demonstration of affection, he persisted in passing the forbidden boundary. True to his trust, the soldier raised his gun and fired, and the poor creature fell dead. The report of the shot echoed along the lines, and the camp was awake in an instant to meet the impending danger. But when it was found to be only a dog, and the missing dog of one of the officers, do you think that faithful sentinel regretted obeying his order?—No, indeed; and when a dead spy was found nicely concealed beneath the skin of the animal, he was doubly thankful that he did his duty. So it may be hard to withstand the temptations that approach in friendly guise but conceal deadly foes; but the only safe way is to meet them with the same firm and unwavering principle which prompted Napoleon's sentinel to do his duty.—Selected.