Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 6, 2025
Countersigns difficult to remember were often given in the army in order to attract the soldiers' attention more closely. One day the word was Pericles, Persepolis; and a captain of the guard who had a better knowledge of how to command a charge than of Greek history and geography, not hearing it distinctly, gave as the countersign, 'perce l'eglise', which mistake furnished much amusement.
"I don't," said Laura Lipping; "I'm sure it's something to do with the Portuguese Throne." "More likely to be a Persian intrigue on behalf of the ex-Shah," said Miss Fritten; "the bearded man belongs to the Government Party. The quail-seed is a countersign, of course; Persia is almost next door to Palestine, and quails come into the Old Testament, you know."
In a general order, "Parole, America; Countersign, Liberty," he assigned to his officers their rank in the Columbian army, distributing them into the Engineers, Artillery, Dragoons, Riflemen, and Foot. Another general order, "Parole, Warren; Countersign, Bunker's Hill," fixed the uniforms of the different corps, to be distinguished by blue, yellow, or green facings.
The night was fearfully hot; scarcely a breath of dir stirred as their ambulance creaked put toward the river. The Long Bridge, flanked by its gate houses, loomed up in the dusk; and: "Halt! Who goes there?" "Friends with the countersign." "Dismount one and advance with the countersign!" And the Sergeant of cavalry dismounted and moved forward; there was a low murmur; then: "Pass on, Sanitary!"
In all probability, boats would be sent in pursuit of us, and we should be recaptured. This suggestion came like a blow, sufficient to upset all our hopes of escaping. "Well," observed La Motte, "there is only one thing to be done. I must find out the watchword and countersign. There is some risk, but it must be run."
Here our young artist was promptly received in the extraordinary world of musicians, artists, authors, wits, and social celebrities which then, as now, made Paris so delightful for those possessing the countersign of admission.
The snow became quite clear, luminous and glistening, and a rosy tint appeared in the east. Suddenly a voice in the distance cried: "'Who goes there? "The whole detachment halted, and I advanced to give the countersign.
Such was the noise made by the falling drops, and so dark the night, that they had approached close to the sentry before he became aware of any one's presence. An accidental slipping of one of the men betrayed them, and, presenting his piece, he demanded the countersign. "The sling of David," was the reply, and the sentry dropped the breech of the musket on the earth.
At short intervals along the road, sentinels were posted; and as the sounds of the horses' hoofs were heard, the sharp command rung out through the darkness, "Halt! who comes there?" and the galloping horses would suddenly halt at long distance from the sentry. "Friends with the countersign." "Dismount and advance one; and give the countersign."
Yet why describe at greater length a man whose society I can no longer enjoy? Is it to make myself feel my loss the more? For my time is all taken up by the duties of an office important, no doubt, but tedious in the extreme. I sit at my magisterial desk; I countersign petitions, I make out the public accounts; I write hosts of letters, but what illiterary productions they are!
Word Of The Day
Others Looking