Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-07-02
WAR SKETCHES.
BY n Northern ranger.
ADVENTURE OF A SPY.

ADVENTURE OF SPY.
have lately returned from the South,
but my exact whereabouts in that region,
for obvious reasons it would not lie polite
~ state. Suspected of beinga Norlherncr,
it was often TO my advantage TO court OBJ
scurity. Known as spy, II ''short shift''
and ready rope would have prevented
the blottiug of this paper. Hanging dis
guised on the outskirts of the camp, mix
ing with its idlers, laughing at their jokes,
examining their arms, counting thcis num-
bers, cndcavoring TO discover the plans of
their leaders, listening to this party and
pursuing thar, joining in the chorus of Il
rebel song, betting on rebel success, curs-
ing abOlitionism, reviling Lincoln, traduc-
ing Scott, extOlliRg Beaur gard, despising
Norther fighters, laughing at their tactic
and sneering ut their weapons, praising
the beauty of southern bellies, and decrying
that Of Northern, calling New York a den
OF cut -throats, aud New Orleans paradise
OF immaculate chiralry, is but small por-
tion of the practice of my profession as
spy. This may not seem honorable nor
desirable. As to the honor, let The coun-
try that benefits by tlie Investigations and
warnings of the spy be judge; and the dan
ger, often incurred, is more serious and
personal than that of the battle field
which may, perhaps, deIract from its desir
ability.
1t was dark night. Not star on the
glimmer. ! had collected my quotum of
intelligence and was on the move for the
Northern lines. was approaching the
banks of stream whose waters had 10
cross, and had then some miles to traverse
before could reach the pickets Of our gul-
liant troops. A feeling of uneasiuess began
to. creep over me; was on the outskirts
of wood iringiag the dark waters Mt my
fee, whose presence could scarcely be de-
tected but for their sullCn murmur rs they
rushed through the gloom. The wind
sighed in gentle accordance. walked
forty or fifty yards along the bank. then
crept on nll-lours along the ground aud
CROPPED with my hands; paused, group
ed again. my breath thickeued, pcrspiru-
ton Uozed from me at every pore, and
Was Frustrated with horrorI / had missed
the landmark, aud knew not where was.
Below or above, beneath the shelter of the
bank, lay the skif had hidden ten days
before, when commenced my operations
against the followers of jeff. Davis.f'
As stood gasping for breath, with all
thei unmistaknble proofs of my calling
about me, the sudden cry of bird or
plunging of fish would act like magnet
ism on my frame, not wont to shudder at
shadow No matter how pressing the
danger may be, il a man sees ah opening for
escape he bTealhes with freedom. But
let him be surrounded with darkness i'm
penetrnble at two yards distance, within
rifles length Of concealed foes, for whnt
knowledge he has TO the contrary; knowing
with pWiu!u. accuracy the detection OF his
presence would reward him with sudden
and violent death, and il ne breathe no
faster, and feel his limbs as free, and his
spirits as. light as when taking favorite
promenade, he is more fitted for :. hero
than am.
In the agony of the moment-in the sud-
den and utter hclp.essnss felt TO discover
my true beariugs-I was about to let my
self gently into thh stream and breast its
current for life and death. There was no
alternative. The Northern pickets must
he reached in safety before the morning
broke, OF / should soon swing between
the black forest in which stood.
At that moment the low, sullen bay Of
bloodhound struck my ear The sound
was reriving: the fearful stiffness broken.
The uncertain dread fed before the certain
danger. was standing to my middle in
the shallow bed OF the river, just beneath
the jutting banks. After the pause of a
few seconds began to creep, mechanical
Iy and stealthily, down the stream, follow
ed, as I knew from the rustling of the
ass,aud frequent breaking Of twigs, by
the Unsuitable brute; although, by certain
uneasy growls, felt assured he was at
fault Something struck against my
breast. could not prevent a slight cry
from escaping me as stretching out my
hands / grasped the gunwale of Il boat
moored beneath the bank. Between sur
prise and joy felt half choked. In an in-
slant had scrambled on board and began
searching for.the painter in the bow, in or
der to east her from her fhstenings.
Suddenly bright ray Of moonlight
the first gleam of hope in that black
nightl-fell directly on the spot, revealing
the silyery stream, my own skiH, lhidden
there ten days before,) lighting the deep
shadows OF the yerging wood; and on the
log half buried in the bank, and from
had bound me To 1t, the supple form of the
bloodhound. his red eyes glimmering in
the moonlight, jaws distended and ptising
skif was yards out in the stream, and the
savage brute after it. With an oar aim
ed blow at bis head, which, however, he
eluded with ease. In the effort thus made
the boat careened over towards my autag-
opist, who made a desperate effort to get
his forepaws over the side, at the same
time seiziug hold of the gunwale with his
teeth.
Now or never WIS the time to get rid of
the accutsed brnte. | drew my revolver
and placed the muzzle between his eyes,
but hesitated 20 Gre. for that one report
might bring on me yolley from shore
Meantime the strength of the dog oareeFsd