The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1864-12-07
NE. died with a lie on his lips!'

inter the Union lines abuv Nashville"
Mr. Kirke goes on TO say, that
Bibles intimate knowledge Of the
country, aud acquaintance with the loyal
men of the district, enabled him to per-
form more actual service to the Union
cause than a regiment Of men in the
ranks. Hiding in the woods, or secret
ing himself in the houses of his friends
byd ay, he would sally forth by night, and
penetrating far into the rebel lines, fire..
.quently gather information of great i'm
portanco to our army. Often days with
out food, sleeping ont in the cold and the
rain, limited down by blood-houuds, be-
trayed by pretended friends, waylaid by
whole regiment, the mark for thous-
and rifles, and with the galiows ever be-
fore him, he went on in his perilous work
with a single hearted devotion to his
.countrv, and an earnest, child like reii
ance on God that would DO honor to the
bet names 10 history.
His scouting adventures would fll g
volume. and read mere like a romaoce of
the middle ages than 4 matter. of-fact his
tory Of the present time. On one occa-
siOn, when about five miles outside of the
lines, lie came. late ct night, upon a par.
,ty of rebel officers, making merry at the
house Of wealthy sccessionist. Riding
cooI7 up to the mounted orderly on guard
before the door way. he pinioned his arms,
thrust handkerchief into his mouth,
and led him quietly out of hearing. Then
bidding him dismount, ard tying him to
a tree, he removed the impromptu gag,
and leveling a revolver at his head, SAID
to him:
! Now, tell me, ye rebel villun, whls-
key kag. who wus ye watchin' thar p
Speak the truth, or I'll give ye free pas
! sage ter a hot kentry"
Nine osSfcrS,' said the trembling
rebel; "a cunnei, two majors, sargeon,
( Two capns, an the rest leftcnauts.
/ "Whar's thar weapons p
/ Thar swords is in tie hall way None
on 'em hain't pistols 'cept the sargeon.-
he mout hev 'volyer."
"W hat ngs is they round p
Mary Que, | reckon, more old man
thar tpoiuting to the kitchen building)
an the gals in the house"
Wall, Ill let ye 60 fur this, ef ye'>
teilcd the truth. Efye haint ye'd better
be sayia' yer prayers ter onst. for the
Lord won't ye:e ye or the t'other side
uv Jurdan"
Fastening his horse in "the timber"
and creeping up TO the house. he then
recounoitred the kitchen premises. The
o'd mana stout, staIwart negro Of about
ifty-sat doing in the CO.. ner, and his
wife, young muatto woman, was cook
irg wild Eowl over the FIRE. Opening the
door, anG placing his fingers on his lips
to cnjoin silence, Bible bcckoned to the
woman. She came to him, and looking
her full in the eye for moment. he said
10 her ~ kin trust ye. Wud ye an
cid man loike ter git out O the claws Nv
these burned secesh."
Vas, yas. massa." she replied, "@e
vnd. We's Uulon! We'd loikc ter git
way, Massa !'
Then awakening her husband, BIble
said to him: "UncIe, wud ye risk yer life
fer yer freedom ?"
"Ef dars chance, Massa, a right
smar; chance. Dis darkey thinks heap
oh his life, he does, Massa. 1t am bout
all hem got"
"Yas, yas, I know; but ye sbill hev
freedom. III see ye ter the Free States,
eff ye holP tuck them seccsb ossifers."
"Holp tDck dem, Massa Why, davfs
9 dozen On en- dey'd chaw yerp in no
time exclaimed the astonished African. i
"No, thar hain't dozen on 'em thars
only nine; .but-yes coward" replied
the scout.
"No, hain't no coward, Massa; but
Ioikes charce, Massa, a tight smart
chance"
Bible soon convinced the negro that
he would have fright smart chance"
and he consented to make the hazardous
strike, for his freedom Entering the
house, he returned in a few moments 10
the scout, confirming the sentirels re-
port; the weapons were reposiug quietly
in the hall, near the do1rway. and the
officers, vc.y much the worse for iquor,
we're carnu>ing with his master in tie
dining room.
Selecting three of tao best horses fn,m
the stables, Bible directed the yellow
woman 10 lead them into the road, and TO
bring bis own from where it sas fastened
in the woods. Then, with his sooty ally,
the scout entered the mansion Remov.
ing the arms from the hall, he walked
into the dining room. '"Oentlemen," he
said, pointing his pistols-cne in each !
haud-at the rebel officers, I've is M
Dris'ners. Surrender yer shootin' irons,
Dr. YES ded men"