The Union. [volume] (Georgetown, Del.) 1863-1866, 1864-01-01


"'What the deuce tempted you to seek
an entrance this way?" l inquired
There is good stoop on the outside OF
the house, for I saw it,"
"'It's the shortest route answered my
chum. Here we are-here are the cellar
steps, he continued, catching me by the
arm, pulling me toward him. We were
soon at the top of the steps, when Bill
knocked at door in front of us. A mu-
sical voice Come in and we entered a
small, neatly furnished room, in which
were seated an old negress and my friends
quadroon.
'sThe latter was indeed beautiful crea-
ture, with long, bright hair that descended
below her waist, and eyes as dark and soft
as midsummer night. She seemed very
glad to see us-Bill in particular, around
whose neck she threw her arms, kissing
him with all the warmth and fervor Of her
Southern nature, while he was not at all
backward in returning the compliment
The old negress rose and left the room;
and / was just coming to the conclusion
that il would be good plan for me to do
the same, when the unmstakable tramp OF
horses hoof approaching at a gallop sa-
luted my cars and drew me to the window,
Looking out into the night, / caught sight
of number of grey uniformed horsemen
coming towards the house at a pace which
must bring them to the door in few mo-
ments.
"The moon, which had hitherto been
obscured by clouds, was now shining
brightly, revealing every outline of the
approaching figures. They were rebel
cavalrymen.
"Bill,' I exclaimed, 'come hereP
"Still there was no reply.
"I turned impatiently and perceived
that both himself and the quadroon had
deserted the apartment!
"E shouted his name aloud, but there
was no response; at that moment gust
of wind swept through broken pane of
glass ane blew out the candle, leaving
me in total darkness.
"Again | stepped to the window and
looked out. The horsemen had halted a
few Yards fross the house, and were dis
3 mounting. Presently | saw three of them
advance to the stoop, and heard the clat-
tering of their sabres and the noise of theiI
heavy boots as they assembled the steps,
could also hear some of them coming uI
from the cellar; so there was now left to
me bat one way of retreat from the apart
ment, the same by which the old negrcss
had made her exit As passed through
the doorway, / stumbled against the bot
tom of staircase. This [ Immediately
commenced to ascend as noiseless and as
swiftly as possible. Arriving at the top
| discovered door which pushed oper
without ceremony, and found myself in 6
small apartment half lighted by the rays
of lamp which streamed into it from
another room connected with this one by
door which had been left open. The
murmur of voices coming from the othel
apartments, fell upon my ear. | looked
through the open doorway, and beheld
: sight which surprised me. Seated upon
; sofa at one end of the room were thre'
figures. One was my chum Bill --
with his arm around the waist of th
quadroon, and her head upon his shoul
: der; while the other was. tall figure IL
the uniform of rebel lieutenant of cav
!, airy.
"'So Magruder doesn't want the villag
burnt yet? remarked Bill, as he stroket
his whiskers. There's an excellent op
portunity to do it, if he does; for the pick
cts are very small around Hampton a
present.
; "1I know that, captain answered tn
lieutenant, 'but Magruder will wait unit
> he sees how long the id Yankees ar
: going to stay. If he sees a prospect G
their going into winter quarters here, yo
: may depend upon it he'll burn the town
H'I shall keep my eyes about me- sal
y Bill, 'and report matters as usual
"'But when are you going to rejoin u
: captain p inquired the rebel.
= "'As soon as Magruder thinks fit, al
y swered Bill, Though to tell the truth II
about tired of playing the spy. 1t was
" duced good idea Of his-my going to Ne
York and enlisting in the Fifth Zouaves-
ha ha ha Captain s., Of the reb
service, Red Devil
CAT that moment Bill happened to tul
his head toward the door. Our eyes M
70 and he sprang to his feet with an exclam
ton. At the same moment the lieutenal
az a. rose and drew his sword.
Oh "tYou have overheard us p said Bill.
"'Ay, traitor, every word, ] answere
| & ~ might have forseen this, said Bi
~ in tone of chagrin, but that whisky
i. yours, he added, turning to the lieutenar
made me careless"
.e "'He shall not leave this house aliv'
va exclaimed the lieutenant, drawing pist
m from his belt and peinting it at my hea
he "But I had picked up a chair as
ed drew forth the weapon, and now with t
ed quickness of lightning | hurled it at
he face. The pistol was discharged, but
ur contents whistled harmlessly over my he;
ed darted from the room, rushed down stai
d. and nerving myself for desperate ventu
IDS dashed across the apartment below, in
= direction of the cellar stairs. The rot
ihe was filled with rebel cavalrymen, but
ar, sudden appearance so astonished tn
cps that they made no attempt to arrest