Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1852-07-01

'Nl0 - mo4 ~ nearing. IOr the safety
OF the fort depends upon it.
lie then briefly recounted his adven-
ture OF the previous night When. how
ever he stated that he found no guard at
the river side near the chain, the Colonel
interrupted him, saying
But that IS impossible, sir a sentry
Is posted at that point every night, whose
peculiar duty it is to watch the chain, and
prevent any attempt at destroying it,
4 Very true, sir knew that there
should have been one there, aud was
the more surprised at finding so impor-
a spot deserted
lake care, young man, do not allow
my soldiers to be lightly accused. espe-
clally OF so heavy crime as desertion =
l Will however. ascertain. and if your ac-
count be true, the otfcnder-if he can be
found-shall not escape Punishment =
Sentry he continued to the soldier on
guard before the door send CAPTAIN
Smith here Now Mr. Harvey. proceed
with your story
Marion. suppressing, however. the name
OF the traitor. continued his relation
which was, however, received with many
expressions Of doubt by his auditor. who
interrupted him from time To time with
remarks OF lncredulIty. At its conclus-
ion. he remarked
Well. sir, all depends upon whether
the sentry was or vas not at his post; If
he were there. the chain could not have
! been touched without his noticing it. for
/ 1t IS s. contrlyed that the slightest lar in
the water disLurbs an index placed in tho
/ sentry box upon the shore frankly
" b.
/ be much mistaken
At this moment he was interrunted by
/ the entrance of Capt Smith. whose at
tendance he had requested a few moments
/ before
Captain, he enquired who was post
ed at the guard box, at this end Of the
chain, last night, between twelve and
two2'
Wilson of Company D, sir
What Dor Wilson. that smart Yam
! kce recruit 2-that confirms my doubts
Send hun here, Captain You see, sir
he remarked, turning to Marion, as the
subordinate officer left the room You
see that you must have been mistaken or
dreaming. This Wilson is one of the
best soldiers in the fort, and is not one
who would be likely either to desert or
to be caught mapping
To be candid. Colonel, although have
not mentioned it before, | thought that
the voice of the guide, whom I heard
/ speaking from the boat last night, was
that Of Dor Wilson You remember. too.
that L told you that hc spoke of this end
/ of the chain as his post and it was because
| wished to satisfy myself that Wilson
was actually on duty at that time that
have so far withheld his name
! Pooh nonsense, Sir Wilson IS as good
a patriot as yourself But here he comes;
you shall hear what lie says upon the sub
/ ject'
l would suggest, Colonel that you had
/ better not mention my suspicious TO him
until you have satisfied yourself more full
/ ly that they are either true of false
| understand my duty, sir. and require
no advice; you have charged one of my
/ soldiers with a heavy crime if the accu-
/ satlon IS uufounded you must be prepar-
ed for the consequence
At this moment Dor Wilson entered,
with a selfcon6dent air. which his favor
with the Colonel enabled him to assume
/ Upon first meeting the glance of Marion
Harvey, he felt some slight misgiyings-
! The residence Of the latter was upon the
/ bank OF the river, and it was impossible
! to say that he might not in some way have
become acquainted with the presence of
! the boat which had twice passed before it.
/ The Colonel spoke first
Where were you last night. Wilson 2
On duty BY the guard-clain sir
You we're there all the EVENING" p
Until was relieved sir
4 ItH yo4, safa o,vt Eiurr Of
the river 2
No. sir. nothing of the sort; if 1 had
/ | should have given the alarm
You were not out IN a boat yourself
Certainty not. sir; | could not leave
my post
Why this Mr Harvey would have me
believe that he heard your voice in an
open boat manned by party of the enc
my, who were examining the position OF
the chain in the middle Of the river
I You must see SIR that it was impos-
sible for me to have been in two places at
the same time; and. besides. sir. Mr. Har-
vey's cye-sight must have been better than
any one else 5, for would have defed any
man to have told last night whether a
boat in the middle of the river contain
/ ed friends or foes
That is the strangest part Of the story.
for Mr. Harvey asserts that. being unable
/ to sleep he was lying near his open win
{ dow, when he faucied he heard something
going up the river; that be sprang up
aud ran along to your post-you were not
there; he then plunged into the river and
swan to the middle shortly afterward
boat approached which. from the conver-
sation of its passengers. he concluded con
tained party Of British officers, recon
noitering the chain In the voice Of the
guide he afirms that be recognized you
.Ah ah murmured Dor to himself,
that was the sturgeon, was it [ tho't
he rose much too near the chain His
cheek paled, as he saw the Colouers eyes
fixed intentIy upon him as if expecting
an answer The imminence Of his dan
ger became apparent to him, and be per
ceived a necessity for immediate action.
A recollection Of the Colonels weak
r,oint luckily offered its aid and he has