The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-07-17

from The Nee fork ts svn u. Post.
ADVENTURE OF spy.
have lately returned from the South, but
my exact ~hereahouts in that region, for obvi.
Gus reasons. it would not DC polite TO state
Suspected of being Northeru-r, il WAS often TO
my advantage to court obscurity. Known a. q
spy a short shrift and a ready rope would
have prevented the blotting of this paper
Hanging. disguised, on the outskirts OF 4 camp,
mixing with its idlers. laughing at their jokes,
examining their arms. counting their numbers,
endeavoring 10 discover the plans OF their lead
ers, listening to this party and pursuing that,
joining IN the chorus Of q rebel song, betting on
rebel success. cursng abolt,onsm, reviling Lin
coin, traducing Scott, extolling Besur ga'd, des-
pislng Northern fighters, laughing at their tactics
and sneering AZ their weapons, Prais,ng the beas-
~ OF Southern bellies and decr,ing that of North
ern, calling New York den Of cut thrcats, and
New Orleans paradise OF immaculate chivslry,
Is bat snail portion OF the practice of NV pro-
ie->on as spy. This nav not seen honorable
or desirable. As 10 the honor, let the country
that b-nchts bv the investigations aud warnings
OF the sp, he judge; and the danger. often in-
Cured IS more serious and personal than tha, Of
the battle field. which nlay, perhaps. d-trsct from
its des'rsbiluy.
Ii WAS a dark night. Not star On the glim-
mer. bad objected my quotum OF intelligence
| aud vas on the move for the northern hue. !
was approaching the banks of . stream whose
waters | had 10 cross and had then miles
To travel before | could reach the pickc,s OF our
gallant troops. =. feeling OF uneasiness began 10
creep over me; was on the outsklrt Of a wood
'ringiug the dark waters at my feet. whose pres
ence could scarcely be detected but tor their
sullen nun murs as the, rushed through the gloom.
The wind sighed in gentle accordance. walked
forty OF h,i, yards aioag the bank then crept
OF. al! iours along the ground aid eroped with
my hands; Il psused-l groped sg,in-my
breath thckened. perspiration oozed from me at
every pore. and l sss prostrated with horror!
had missed my landmark aud knc~ not where
Was. Below or above. bensath the shelter OF
the bank, Law the skf l had hidden, ten dsys
before. when commenced NY operations among
the followers Of jeff Davis
As stood gasping for breath. With all the un-
mistakable proofs oi my Calling about me. the
sudden CRY of bird plunging OF fish would
act like magnetism on my frame, not wont to
shudder at shadow. No matter how pressing
the danger NAV be, il man sees an opening for
escape lac breathes with feedom. But let him
be surrounded by dar kness, impenetrable at two
Yards distance, within rifles length of concealed
| foes, tor what knowledge he has TO the contra.
ry /; know ing, too, with painful accuracy. the de-
lection OF his presence would reward hun with
sudden and violent death and il he brcathes no
faster and feels his limbs free and his spirits
light A. when taking tavor'te promenade, he is
more fitted for u hero than l ain.
In the agony of that moment the sudden
and u,t,r helpnesses l felt to discover my true
bearngs-I was about TO LEI myself gently into
the stream aud breast its current for lite and
death. There no alternative. The North.
ern pickets must be reached in safety before the
n
heaven and earth from some limb ot the black
forest in which stood
At that moment the low, sullen bay Of blood
hound SIT uck NV ear The sound Was rcviving;
the fearful Stiffness broken. The uncertain dread
fled before the certain danger. | vas standing
10 NV middle m the shallow bed Of the river, just
beneath the ju,,ing banks. After the pause If .
few seconds | began 10 creep, mechanically and
steslthily, down tie stream, followed ~ | knew
from the rustling of the grass and frequent
breaking of twigs, by the Unsuitable brute al
though by certain uneasy growls, | felt assured
he WAS at fault. Something stuck against my
breast l could not prevent slight cry from es-
capped me ~ stretching out my hands grasped
the gunwale of boat moored beneath The bank.
Between surprise and joy Eel, halt choked. In
an instant had scrambled on board and began
searching for the painter in the bow, in order
TO css, her from her fsstenings.
adienly bright ray Of moOnl; nl;ght-the first
CLEAN If hope in tina, black night.--iell directly
on the spot revealing the sivery stream, my
own sAiff hidden there ten days BEFORE light
ing the deep shadows Of the verging wood, and
on the log half buried in the bank, aud from
which had that instant cast the line that had
bound me to it, the supple form OF the crouch.
ing bloodhound. his red eyes cleaning in the
moonlight. jaws distended and poi-ing for the
va. 4 81. |. A. H Il.
out in the stream, and the savage after it, With
an oar aimed blow at his head, which. how.
ever, he eluded with ease. In the effort thus
, made the boat careened over towards NY antag.
onist, who made desperate effort to get his
fOrcpaws over the side, at the same time seizing
hold Of the gunwale with his teeth.
Now or never was NV time to get rid of the
accursed brute. l drew INV REVOLVER aud placed
, the muzzle between his eyes, but hesitated to
fire, for that one report might bring ON me q
voley from the shore Meantime the strength
Of the dog csreened tn. frail craft 40 much that
|, the water rushed over the side, threatening to
swamp her. | changed my tactics. threw my
revolver into the bottom Of the skil. aud grasp.
ed my "bowie," keen as a Malay creese, and
, gIitterng as l released it from the sheath, like
a moonbean on the stream. Ia an instant had
=, severed the sinewy throat of the hound, cutting
through bra~n and muscle to the nape ot the
neck The tenacious wretch gave u wild, con
vulsive leap hail out of the water, then sank and
was gone.
Five minutes pulling landed me on the othel
: sid. Of the river, and in an hour after, wiihou
. . further accident. was among friends encorn
= passed by the Northern lines That night ] re
lated at headquarters the intelligence | hat
gathered, and in q few DAYS shall again be CLEAN
: ing knowledge in the southern camp.