Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-10-30


poor mouth about the vile rebels as possible;
curse them up and down. AT the same time
look scrutinizingly at everything and into every
thing. Try and find out all the intended move
ments Of the enemy, and by the end Of ten
days return, if possible, and report to me. Let
no one, friend or foe, into your secret; and now
depart. Start Immediately on your mission.
Remember, place the united success OF our
arms upon your actions
With these injnnctions Clarence Erskine de-
parted upon his hazardous and daring enter
prize. Neither had noticed tall lank form
stealthily dogging the footsteps Of the depart
ing spy.
An hour had scarcely elapsed, when, as Ma
rion was sitting gloomily pondering over the fiI
ture fortune Of the spy, the following note,
written in bold legible hand, was thrown by
some one, unseen, by his side. Opening il, he
read with surprise:
/" Be'ea'e cf hat Eaglishma,,, Clarence Frs
kine.'
No name was..appended."
CHAPTER III. NJ.
Only ten miles intervened between the two
camps, and this could easily be passed before
daylight. The night was still dark and the
rain falling fast The spy was alone on the
road, driving on through the storm cheerily
He was on the direct route leading tothe camp
of Tarlton, his future arena, for little time,
of action. At length he began to ponder in
his mind the great difficulties that would ineyi-
tably present themselves and over which he
would have to triumph in order to obtain his
object.
Glory, glory, was ringing in his ear. The
bowling wind that moaned among the trees;
the thunder, that now and again came in broken
Al Al
it dashed on the earth; and the wild scream OF
the night-bird echoed that one word-Glory.
The lightning that vividly flashed over the
cloud-wrapped heaven in forked streams,
seemed to write it upon the tablets of the storm
cloud. 1t was in every sound. The whole
peryading thought that revelled in the cham.
bers Of his mind. All, too, the thought also
intruded ITSELF that this soulabsorbing, entranc-
ing, luring thing should be gained, let the
means and consequence be what they might.
This was the hearts first false step to crime.
And before Clarence Erskine had reached
the enemy's camp he had resolved to sell his
brethren in arms-sell them into the hands Of
the foe, for gold, accursed gold.
Clarence was one of those unsteady minded
creatures, who, though they are the possessors
Of spendid talents, who, though they are valor-
ous, still lack decision and stability of charac-
ter. One Of those who change with every
change of fortune of noble heart, and yet
one very easily corrupted.
Morning dawned at length. The storm had
passed from the face Of nature; and when the
sun rose over the eastern ocean, blending forest
and field in CLEANS ofwavy, goldenlight, it found
our hero at Tarlton's camp, demanding admit,
ance into the presence of the general officer,
to whom, he said, he had something Of great
~,
Tarlton, after short delay, commanded the
fellow to be brought into his presence, which
was speedily done.
"Wei sir" he said, after scrutinizing him q
short time, and looking rather snspiciously,
"what business of great importance have you
with me so early in the morning?n
"Why, sir said Clarence, bowling, :" / have
something to tell you which is Of vital impor.
tance TO both myself and you, although it may
not interest you so much as it does me, ] am
deserter from the rebel army; have got tired
of fighting for the mere promise of pay. Their
scouts are after me in every direction, and !
wish TO be taken under your protection. | am
determined ever after this to support the king,
and''--- s5ls
And suppose you are one Of Marions
spys, interrupted Tarleton, grufiy, for this is
Just like one Of their tales"
"A sudden anu u SllSnl HO-
ticeable to all present passed over the face and
limbs of our hero, at this gruf and unexpected
remark; but, with trembling tone of voice not
entirely disconnected, he replied, Oh, no, no.
nothing-Fm mott - tN
Devil trust you for REBEL calculated
Tarleton, at the same time calling out, guard
imprison this scoundrel for a further hearing.
Breakfast ready? This is no time to listen to
the fool slang of an Internal runaway or spy.
Cage him or hang him. DO what you please
with the rascal, but let him away at the peril
Of your heads. Away with him. Poltroon,
out of my presence"
Clarence was instantly taken away by the
guard, and, after being bound, was placed in
tent. Here he was, already as good as found
out. What would he do; what could he do?
His first thought was Of escaping, for he thought
even if he would betray his country, perhaps,
I'arleton wonld hang him. But on reflection
he found that the idea Of escape would be fool
ish, for he was closely guarded, and that, too,
by men who well knew the consequence if they
permitted him 10 escape, that they would suffer
punishment from a very rigid and cruel COM.
mander, as was Tarleton. His mind, indeed,
was busy planning some strategem by which to
save his life; but all schemes that were taken
up failed: all, all, afforded no hope. Did we
SHY huy thSit Wdo 1Ct ouC Wy WHiSu hc
might possibly save his life; for he feared to
die, and that one was shall we name it? To
sell his country for gold
While busy devising plans and sofloquising
upon them a note was handed to him by one
Of the guard. He hastily broke the seal and
read
Will you sell your country for gold, and deliver
Marion into my power Or at least lei me know
his schemes and how he may bs taken. VIII yon
do h' Ifyou WILL your life shall be spared; il not,
you shall be strung up before sunset Name the
amount and il shall be yours. You must also
act as guide. TARLToN."
He closed the letter and reflected moment.
That thought Of glory was still there, reveling
in his brain, but gold was also there. Gold
glittered and Tapped its yellow wings around
him. Thus muttered he, "here is wealth for
almost no recompense What are few lives
What country, and by.theby, not my native
one at that, to wealth" And hastily seizing
pen be wrote: '
,r,I ia all Won ask | will place Marion in