The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-07-14

"A friend replied Moore, but hardly know
ing what answer to make to the sentinel,
since he was by no means satisfied on the
very essential point of whether it was friend
or foe who intercepted him. d
'Dismount. drsarm, and advance friend
and give the countersign, said the cminous
voice. ms 5aa wae s'Hefy ri
"A very cordial invitation, indeed, NUT.
tered the scout, but really have some
scrppss about availing myself Of it. not
withstanding its apparent heartiness. q
TO what regiment do you belong p he
inquired. hoping to ascertain who the party
was before venturing any closer. ias 2d $
Advance and give the countersign thun.
dered the voice angrily. 'What for do youse
question ssese for ,'nT 7ft
IAN right, my lads, all right replied
Moore, noting the elegant pronunciation Of
the plural rronouns you and zoe, I'll ad.
vance, but where the devil am youse all,
reckon it's heap dark about yer, and a
right smart Of chance Of breaking ones
neck agin the trees
He had wheeled his horse around and was
about to dash away. when hand was laid
upon his bride, and voice commanded
him to surrender. The sharp clank Of arms
on all sides showed him how vain II would
be to offer any resistance against such supe-
rior numbers. He was prisoner, indeed,
and his capturers were guerillas! He was
not in the least Disconnected at being pris-
oncr. He had been taken too many times
and escaped, to feel very serious about it /;
so with the greatest apparent candor and
good nature, he assured them that he was a
confederate officer engaged In the secret SER
vice, and was now on his way to Sperry-
vile, where he intended to penetrate the
Yankee lines and spy his nakedness per
forming in the interim deeds Of marital re-.
nown that would have reflected honor on
the knights of the cid He represented to
them the extreme value of his time, and di-
lated at large the immense injury they were
doing the just and holy canse,' every instant
they detained him. But the fellows were
sharp, and required something more sub.
stantial and convincing than his word to sat
isfy them Of the propriety Of allowing him
to ride about the country at pleasure.
The guerillas took the scent away from
the road to the westward, through the forest,
and from the manne; in which they followed
the narroY and crooked path they must have
been well acquainted with the locality. They
,ed Moore to the base Of mountain stand
ing between Madison Court House and
Sperryville, known in that part of Virginia
as the old Rag, belonging TO what is cali
ed the Pine Range Some distance up the
steep side of this mountain, at the base Of a
gigantic pre- cipce, is a cavern of consider
able magnitude, partly natural and partly
artificial, and into this or scout was con.
Quoted In the cavern he found large
number Of gIerilas assembled, who crowded
around him. loudly swearing vengeance on
his devoted head if they discovered him to
be Yankee spy, which they strongly sus-
pectcd. Moore entertained the fierce and
motley assemblage with the same story as
when he was first captured. His conduct
was apparently so simple and unaffected,
and his effrontcry was so consummately
skilful, that the major portion Of the bush
whackers were quite convinced that he was
what he styled himself-a rebel spy. A few,
however, of the most cautious thought it ad-
visable, under the circumstances, to keep
him under partial surveillance until morning,
at which time, if they discovered nothing
suspicious in his conduct, they would let
him proceed on his mission. After they had
informed him of the conclusion, which he
listened to with an air of stpiaal indifference,
he informed them with sleepy avn that
he had ridden long distance, and was very
tired. and would pass the night with them
as best he could. A blanket was brought
him, and the scout rolled himself up and lay
down upon the cold rocky floor as his guards
thought. to slumher, 49,
He did not sleep, however; although his
deep and heavy respirations indicated pro-
found slnmber, He lay intently watching
every glance and motion Of the guerrillas
and marking every word they uttered. Fol
awhile, several of the most cautious of the
gang kept pretty sharp watch of the scout
but as he appeared so utterly Indifferent
and slept SO soupdly, they were fully con
vinced Of the truthfuiness of the statement
be had made in regard to himself. AS the
night waned, one by one guerrillas lay dowr
upon the rough floor Of the caYe to sleep
till finally no one. save the guard at tho en-
trance of the grot, was moving about. Tht
scout lay peacefully quiet maturing plar
of escape, the while watching every move
meat of the sleepy guard As be leisurely
paced up and down the subterranean pas
sage. After awhile. the sentinel stopped
yawned and stretched himself laziIy, ther
leaned bis shoulder against the side Of tn,
cave as If disposed to take quiet nap whik
standing at his post. Here was an oppor
tqnity not TO be neglected by the scout. HI
cautiously raised himselft to sitting postur,
and listened. The heavy breathing ant
loud, discordant snoring Of the men abou
him assured him that they werc sleeping
soundly. With movements as noiseless a,
. panther approaching its prey. Moore, aros
to his feet and advanced towards the unsus
pecting sentinel, whose back was fortunate
lv turned toward him.