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The Looe Die-Hards
by
“Thank ‘ee, friends,” said Mr. Fugler, dropping into a seat by the door, and catching breath: “you’ve got it very suent. ‘Tis a beautiful tune: an’ I’m ha’f ashamed to tell ‘ee that I bain’t a-goin’ to die, this time.”
Nor did he.
The East and West Looe Volunteer Artillery was disbanded a few weeks later, on the last day of the year 1809. The Corporations of the Two Boroughs entertained the heroes that evening to a complimentary banquet in the East Looe Town Hall, and Sergeant Fugler had recovered sufficiently to attend, though not to partake. The Doctor made a speech over him, proving him by statistics to be the most wonderful member of the most wonderful corps in the world. The Doctor granted, however–at such a moment the Company could make concessions–that the Die-hards had been singularly fortunate in the one foeman whom they had been called upon to face. Had it not been for a gentleman of France the death-roll of the Company had assuredly not stood at zero. He, their surgeon, readily admitted this, and gave them a toast, “The Power of Music,” associating with this the name of Monsieur Jean Alphonse Marie Trinquier, Director of Periodic Festivities to the Municipality of Dieppe. The toast was drunk with acclamation. M. Trinquier responded, expressing his confident belief that two so gallant nations as England and France could not long be restrained from flinging down their own arms and rushing into each other’s. And then followed Captain Pond, who, having moved his audience to tears, pronounced the Looe Die-hards disbanded. Thereupon, with a gesture full of tragic inspiration, he cast his naked blade upon the board. As it clanged amid the dishes and glasses, M. Trinquier lifted his arms, and the band crashed out the “Dead Marching Soul,” following it with “God Save the King” as the clock announced midnight and the birth of the New Year.
“But hallo?” exclaimed Captain Pond, sinking back in his chair, and turning towards M. Trinquier. “I had clean forgot that you are our prisoner, and should be sent back to Dartmoor! And now the Company is disbanded, and I have no one to send as escort.”
“Monsieur also forgets that my parole expired a fortnight since, and that my service from that hour has been a service of love!”
M. Trinquier did not return to Dartmoor. For it happened, one dark night early in the following February, that Mr. Fugler (now restored to health) set sail for the island of Guernsey upon a matter of business. And on the morrow the music-master of Dieppe had become but a pleasing memory to the inhabitants of the Two Looes.
And now, should you take up Mr. Thomas Bond’s History of East and West Looe, and read of the Looe Volunteers that “not a single man of the Company died during the six years, which is certainly very remarkable,” you will be not utterly incredulous; for you will know how it came about. Still, when one comes to reflect, it does seem an odd boast for a company of warriors.