The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1862-12-20

During the campaign of the Duke Of
Wellington. which ended with the battle
of Waterloo, Sir John Waters was much
much employed by the Duke on secret
service. As spy he was unequalled. ow-
ing to his ingenious escapes and ruses
lie was on one occasion entrusted with
:. very difficult mission by the Duke,
which he undertook effectualiv 10 perfcrrn,
and 10 reluIn on particular day with the
Information that was required Great was
the disappointment when it was ascertain.
ed beyond doubt, that just after leaving
the camp he had been taken prisoner be-
tore he had time to change his uniform
Such, however. was the case A troop of
dragons had intercepted him and carried
him oft; and the commanding officer di-
rccted two soldiers to keep a strict watch
over him, and carry him to headquarters
He was, of course, dIsarmed, and being
placed on horse. was, IN a short time
galloped off by his guard
He slept one night under durance vile
at small inn, where he was allowed to
remain in the kitchen. Conversation
flowed on very gaily, and as he appeared
10 be stupid Englishman, who could not
understand 4 wori of French or Spanish.
he was allowed to listen, and thus obtain
in search of The following morning,
being again mounted, he overheard a con-
versation between his guards, who delibe>
rately agreed to shoot him at a mill where
TO stop, and to report to their officer that
they had been compelled to fire AT him i'm
consequence of his attempting to escape
Shortly after they arrived ut tire mill
For fear they might meet with some one
who would insist on having portion of
the spoil, the dragons took from the pri-
soner his watch and purse, which he sur
rendered with a good grace
On their arrival at the mill, they dis.
mounted and in order to give some ap-
pearance of truth to their story they went
into the house, leaving their prisoner out
side, in the hope that he would make
attempt to escape. In sn instant Waters
thre his cloak upon a neighboring olive
bush, and mounted his cooked hat on the
top. Some empty -four sacks lay upon the
ground, and horse laden with well hlled
flour sacks stood at the deor. Sir John
centrived to enter one of the empty sacks
| and throw himself across the horse. When
| the soldiers came out of the house they
| fired their carbines at the supposed pri-
soner, and galloped Oft at the utmost
sreed
A short time alter, the miller came and
| mounted his steed; the General contrived
to rid himself Of the encumbrance of the
sack, and sat up, riding behind the man,
| who suddenly turning round, saw ghost,
| as he believed, for the -four that still re-
NAMED in the sack had completely whit
| ened his fellow traveller and given him a
most unearthly appearance. The fright
ened mile: was purified as Mrs Mala
prop would say, at the sight and push
from the white spectre brought the un
| fortunate man to the ground, when away
rode the gallands quartermaster with hi.
/ sacks OF -four, which bursting, made 8
ludictous spectacle of man and horse
! On reaching the English camp, where
Lord Wellington was anxiously deplorine
his fate, a sudden shout. from the soldiers
made his lordsbip turn around, when q
figure, resembling the statute in Don Juan