The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1861-10-25
REVELATIONS OF A SPY.
@ r. ,fat OR
An Adventure in the Present War.

Nohs w ntapo' 1Auo"h oo @ 2PJ, " tShioi
shrift' and ready rope would have pre-
vented the blotling of this paper. Hang
ing, disguised, on the outskirts of camp,
mixing with its idlers, laughing at their
Jokes, examining their arms, counting their
numbers, endeavoring to discover the
plans of their leaders, joining in the cho
rus of a rebel song; betting on, rebel sue
cess, cursing aboltionism, reviling, Lin
coin, traducing Scott, extolling Beaure-
gard, praising the beauty of Southern
bellies, and decrying that of Northern, is
but small practice of my profession as a
spy. This may n o. seem honorable nor
desirable. AS to the honorlet the country
that benefits by the Investigations and
warnings of the spy be the eiudges; and the
danger, often incurred, is more serious and
personal than that of the battle field, which
may, perhaps detract from its desirability.
Itwas dark night; not star on the
glimmer. l had collected my budget Of
intelligence, and was on the move for the
Northern lines. l was approaching the
banks of stream whose waters | had to
cross, and had then some miles to traverse
before [ could reach the pickets of our
gallant troops. A feeling of uneasiress
began to creep over me; | was on the
outskirt of wood fringing the dark wa
ters at my feet, whose presence could
scarcely be detected but for their sullen
murmurs as they rushed through the
gloom. The wind sighed in gentle &C
cordance. l walked forty or fifty yards
along the bank. then crept on allfours
along the ground and groped with my
hands; | paused-1 CROPPED again-my
breath thickened, perspiration oozed from
me at every pore, and I was prostrated
with horror? | Lad missed my land mark
and knew not wnere l was. Below or
above, beneath the shelter of the bank, lay
the skiff l had hidden, ten days before,
when commenced my operations among
the followers of Jeff Davis.
AS stood gasping for breath, with al
the unmistakable proofs Of my calling
about me, the sudden cry of bird
would act like magmentism on my
frame, not wont to shudder at shadow.
No matter bow pressing the danger may
be, if man sees an opening for escape
he breathes with freedom. But let him
be surrounded by darkness, impenetrable
at two yards distance, within rifles length
of conceuled foes, for what knowledge he
has to the contrary; knowing, too, with
painful accuracy, the detection Of his pres
ence would reward him with sudden and
violent death, and if he feels his limbs as
free and his spirits as light as when taking
a mere walk, he is more fitted for a hero
than am.
In the agony Of that monent-in the
sudden and utter helplessness | felt to dis
cover my true bearings-I was about to
let myself gently into the stream and
breast its current, for life and DEATH
There was no alternative. The Northern
pickets must be reached in safety before
the morning broke, or should soon swing
between heaven and earth from some green
bough of the black forest in which [ stood.
At that moment the low, sullen bay of
bloodhound struck my ear. The sound
was reviving the fearful stiffness broken.
The uncertain dread fled before the certain
danger. l was standing to my middle in
the shallow bed of the river, just beneath
the jutting banks. After the pause of
few seconds began to creap mechanic
ally and stealthily down the stream, fol-
lowed, as knew from the rustling of the
grass and frequent breaking oftwigs, by the
Unsuitable brute although, by certain IN
easy growls, fe! assured be was at FAULT.
Something struck against my breast. |
could not prevent slight cry from escape
ing me, as stretching out my hands |
grasped the gunwale of boat moored
beneath the bank. Between surprise and
Joy [ felt half choked. In an instant
bad scrambled on board, and began search
ing for the painter in the bow, in order to
cast her from her fastenings. Suddenly a
bright ray of moonlight, the first ray of
hope in that black night, fell directly on
the spot, revealing the silterv stream mr.
cwn skif, hidden there ten days before)
lighting the deep shadows Of the vergiug
wood, and on the log half buried ii the
bank, and from which | had at that In
slant cast the line which had bound me
to it, the supple form of the crouchine
bloodhound, his red eyes cleaning IN the
moonlight, jaws distended and poising fol
the spring. With one dart the light skif
! was yards out in The stream, and the sav.
-..a.h =c Gt.ii n