Butte record., 1855-11-24

in Russian uniform, and set out for
Portugal on horseback
During the first two days he pursued
his course without molestation; but on
the morning of the third day he was sur
rounded by party of Spanish troops,
who disarmed him and conducted him
before the general in command Of the
military force of the district His name
was Castanos.
Leckinski know rerf, city well that he
was lost if suspect 10 be an adherent
of the French. Consequently, he i'm
mediately resolved within himself not to
utter a syllable Of French, but to confne
himself entirely to Russian and German
which languages he spoke with facility.
The angry imprecations Of the troops
who conducted him to Castanos suffi-
ciently convinced him of the fate that
awaited him if his real character as
made known The horrible death OF
Gen. Renee, who only few weeks pre-
vious had pcrished in tortures for TO
other offence than that of attempting to
join Junot, might well have shaken his
fortitUde.
'Who are vou;" asked the Spanish
General in French.
Lockinski looked at his interrogation,
and replied in German:
Il do not understand"
Gen. Cas'anos uud rstood Germ n,
but not wishing to occupy his own time
with this business, he called one Of the
officers Of the staff and gave the matter
over to HIM.
The examination continued. The
young Pole gave his answers alternately
in Russian and German, keeping him.
self most cautiously on his guard against
dropping ii single word of French. He
had no easy part to play, for he was
narrowly watched by crowd of fierce
Spaniat ds, thlrsiing for his bood, and
betraying a savage engerness that he
might be found gull y-that was, de-
clared to be in the employment Of the
French.
The furious excitement was increased ,
and his safety much endangered by a
circumstance which now occurred An
aid de camp of Castanos, " no had been
one of the most eager to declare him a
French spy in disguise, ru he'd into the
room, after short absence, holding BY
the arm peasant, in a brown jacket,
and high crowned hat, surmomted by
high feather. Having forced his way
through the crowd, he confronted his
companion with Leckinski
"Look at that man" said he, ''and
inform us if he be a German or Rus
sim. He is a spy, l would swear by
my salvation" continued he stamping
his foot angrily on the ground.
The peasant for a few moments gazed
steadily at the young Pole. Then his
dark eye kindlod, and wi h bitter ex-
preston of fury and hatred he ex-
claimed:
"He is a Frenchmanl he is a French
mani" He then turned to the aid de-
camp, and said: ''Some weeks ago
went to Madrid with a load Of hay for
the barracks. This man is the one to
whom delivered the forage; he gave me
a receipt for it. | stood behind him for
a long time, by the broken gate under
the trees. When | saw him brought in
to-day, I said to Antonio, yonder, AN
tonic, my brothsrin-law.) there is the
Frenchman to whom delivered the for
age"
"Let him be shot! let him be shot,
exclaimed dozen unruIy voircs.
''Shoot HIM shoot him. echoed from
the crowd assembled to look in at the
windows at the French spy.
"But," said an officer, ''is it prudent
TO expose ourselves to the risk of diff
culiies with Russia thus hastily"
Certainly not, replied another off,
Ger, "but let it be proved that the man
is really Russian ~
Leckinski heard all this, for he under
stood Sp ,nish very we'll He was leo
out and locked up in dungeon.
At the time of his arrest be had not
tasted food since the afternoon of the
preceding day, and when the prison door
was locked upon him, eighteen hours had